Here are the current cancellations and submitted to Hutch Post.&nbsp; To submit a cancellation, please send an email to <a href="mailto:hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="https://eaglepost.netlify.app/dashboard/hutch/posts/5008cda3-3e87-4169-a064-a84877914989">LINK:&nbsp;Winter Weather: How to submit closures, delays, and cancellations</a>

Central Christian School - Closed Elyria Christian School - 2-hour delay Hutchinson Catholic Schools - Closed St. Joseph Elementary, McPherson - Closed USD 267 Renwick - Closed USD 268 Cheney - Closed USD 308 Hutchinson - Closed, MS Basketball canceled USD 309 Nickerson/S. Hutchinson - Closed USD 310 Fairfield - 2-hour delay USD 311 Pretty Prairie - Closed USD 312 Haven - Closed USD 313 Buhler - Closed USD 331 Kingman-Norwich - Closed USD 332 Cunningham - 2-hour delay USD 349 Stafford - Closed USD 350 St. John-Hudson - Closed USD 369 Burrton - Closed, all activities canceled USD 373 Newton - Closed USD 382 Pratt - Closed USD 418 McPherson - Closed USD 419 Canton Galva - No classes or activities USD 423 Moundridge - Closed USD 438 Skyline - 2-hour delay USD 439 Sedgwick -Closed USD 448 Inman - Closed USD 460 Hesston - Closed

Church of the Holy Cross - Office closed Delos V. Smith Senior Center - Closed&nbsp; Hesston Area Senior Center - Closed, No meals served or delivered Hutchinson Art Center - Closed Hutchinson Everfull - Closed Monday Kingman Friendship Meals - No Meals Monday&nbsp; Moundridge Senior Center - Closed Pratt Friendship Meals - Closed today South Central Kansa Area on Aging and Friendship Meals - Closed Monday (McPherson, Reno, Rice, and Kingman counties) Sterling/Nickerson Meals on Wheels - Closed&nbsp; Women for Kansas - Hutchinson Area Chapter meeting - Canceled&nbsp;

Closings, delays and cancellations

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. ——————————————

Michael	Paul	Mattox		1/25/2026 6:35&nbsp;PM	Harassment by Telephone; Texting to harass or threaten, Criminal Threat; with Intent to Terrorize or cause Evacuation,					Failure to Appear

Cody	Donald	Willhaus		1/26/2026 12:09&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+

Daily Bookings

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Fire Department responded Sunday to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of West 7th Street, where crews found a small fire burning in the attic of a two-story, balloon-frame home.

According to the department, firefighters were able to make entry into the attic space and quickly extinguish the fire. Officials said there were no complications during the response and damage to the home was minimal.

The residence was occupied at the time of the call. The occupants alerted emergency dispatch and were able to safely exit the home before firefighters arrived. No injuries were reported.

Fire officials said damage was contained to the attic and ceiling areas. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Hutchinson Fire Department thanked assisting agencies for their support at the scene, including Reno County EMS, Reno County Emergency Communications, Evergy, Kansas Gas, and the Hutchinson Police Department.

Attic fire contained with minimal damage

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

Three-day Outlook

Just six weeks after finishing high school, Brian Walker wasn’t aiming for a high-powered job. He worked full-time at a gas station, living week to week, until a surprise phone call changed his path.

That call brought him to a flour mill and into an industry most people only think about when they buy bread. On a recent episode of the&nbsp;Wheat’s On Your Mind&nbsp;podcast, Walker talked with host Aaron Harries and Kansas Wheat CEO Justin Gilpin about the key moments in his 45-year milling career and what the wheat industry is really like.

Walker’s first job at Seaboard Allied Milling in Kansas City, Missouri, had an official title, assistant quality control manager, but the labor was hard and hands-on. He managed sample cans, moved samples through the lab and learned how wheat quality could affect everything from flour performance to baking consistency.

The schedule was even tougher than the work itself. Walker said he had to be there whenever the mill was running, even on weekends. In his first weeks, the mill shipped flour overseas in 140-pound jute bags and Walker worked six straight weeks without a day off, earning $4 an hour.

The job was demanding, but it gave Walker a close look at the wheat supply chain. Early on, he learned about crop surveys, wheat types and baking tests, building the skills that later took him to a 20-week course at the American Institute of Baking in Manhattan.

As Walker moved through jobs at Seaboard, Cargill, Ardent Mills, and Miller Milling, he watched the industry change through consolidation. He saw the early 1980s as a turning point, when more companies were bought out and competition became more strategic.

The changes went beyond new owners. Walker explained that consolidation also changed how people talked about crop quality. Millers used to meet and share information, but that became less common.

“All the millers would come openly talk about the crop, talk about the quality, where the issues were, where the opportunities were,” Walker said. “By the time 85, 86 rolled around… it became clear that… the work that you did on the crop, you kept to yourself and you used that as a competitive edge for your company.”

As the baking industry modernized, Walker said the pace and pressure increased. Big commercial bakeries ran longer and faster, needing more consistent wheat. At the same time, bakers started using new ingredients, moving away from potassium bromate to such as enzymes, which changed how they kept dough strong and loaves high quality.

These pressures affected farmers, too. Walker said that better wheat varieties, disease control, and new breeding tools helped the industry keep milling quality steady, especially as food safety issues like fusarium head blight and vomitoxin became bigger concerns.

Now living in Minnesota, Walker is still active in the wheat industry. He works with the National Wheat Foundation, stays involved with the Wheat Quality Council, and consults for U.S. Wheat Associates, which keeps him connected to both American farmers and flour customers around the world.

At the end of the episode, Walker shared the most important lesson since his early days in the mill: show up, work hard, and stay involved.

“You got to be willing to work. And you need to work hard,” Walker said. “Be involved… it’s a people business.”

Wheat quality and flour milling: Lessons from Brian Walker

Seven months from now, on August 6, 2026, Kansas voters will see on their primary ballots an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://legiscan.com/KS/text/SCR1611/2025">amendment to the state constitution</a>&nbsp;that they can vote “yes” or “no” on:

The citizens of Kansas who are qualified electors shall elect the justices of the supreme court. The rules applicable for such elections and the designation of position numbers shall be provided by law.

The supporters of this amendment—primarily the Republican caucus in the Kansas legislature, as they were the ones who pushed to get the amendment on the ballot, but also conservative organizations like Americans for Prosperity and the Kansas Policy Institute—insist that their aim,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_s_fed_st_1/documents/testimony/20250225_02.pdf">in the words of Senate President Ty Masterson</a>, is to “shine the light of democracy” on the selection of state Supreme Court justices, a process that is currently, “veiled by a commission.”

Kansans love the idea of transparency and choice, at least in principle. But when it comes to extending that idea to the judiciary, this claim sometimes confuses people. Since those who serve as justices on the U.S. Supreme Court are, like every judge on the federal level, appointed for life rather than elected, it seems perfectly normal to many to see the judicial branch as entirely apolitical, so much so that I occasionally have students who are first-time voters ask worryingly as to why retention votes for state judges show up on their ballots. (When I tell them that Thomas Jefferson, responding to the unavoidably political nature of some Supreme Court decisions, was sympathetic to the idea that the House of Representatives should elect the justices rather than the president appointing them, they get even more perplexed.)

In truth, once one embraces the idea of a supposedly independent judiciary to interpret the law, every system for determining who will serve as those judges is a complicated compromise.

Kansas’s system for state judges is not unique, but it is a relatively rare combination of merit (nomination by a judicial commission, appointment by governor) and voting (elections to stay in office at the end of one’s term). It’s an approach shared, in one form or another, by 17 other states. Not that straightforward elections are employed by all the rest; only 21 states allow voters to choose their state Supreme Court justices directly. Ultimately, the methods of choosing justices, on any court level,&nbsp;vary greatly from state to state—and there is&nbsp;no clear evidence that one method is always better&nbsp;in terms of judicial trust, fairness, and accountability than any other.

Former Kansas Chief Justice Lawton Nuss is one of those who has&nbsp;criticized the amendment, calling the election of state Supreme Court justices a “really bad idea.” He is joined by numerous state organizations, many of which point out that the arguments for the amendment made by the Republican majority in Topeka often just focused on electing judges who would overturn past rulings on abortion and education, rather than principled concerns about democracy.

I would just add that it’s important to note that the amendment says nothing about the “rules” of the “elections” that “shall be provided by law.” Most of the states that hold elections for their state justices require those elections to be nonpartisan. Others require them to be held by district throughout the state. Without any such language, one should probably assume that whatever elections emerge from the amendment will be state-wide, majority-driven, and partisan. Something to keep in mind before next summer’s vote.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS

Insight Kansas: State Supreme Court justices, and how to choose them

As winter approaches, it’s important to recognize the health risks that come with freezing temperatures and winter weather. While weather can vary across the state, preparing for a strong cold front is especially important for rural areas where access to healthcare facilities and emergency services may be impeded.

One of the most common winter health concerns is respiratory illness, including coronavirus, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). According to Johns Hopkins physician Michael Albert, every year 5% to 20% of Americans will catch the flu, and 60,000 to 160,000 older adults are hospitalized with RSV. This is in addition to COVID-19 variants which are contagious and tend to occur in waves. 

These illnesses often spike during the winter months for several reasons. According to the Mayo Clinic Minute, these illnesses often spike during winter months as people spend more time indoors, allowing viruses to spread more quickly. Cold, dry air&nbsp;also allows respiratory droplets to stay airborne longer, while the cilia (hairlike projections in the&nbsp;upper respiratory tract that help clear out germs) do not function as well in dry, cold conditions.

Fortunately, there are several simple ways to reduce the risk of infection. Regular handwashing is&nbsp;one of the most important steps, especially after being in public spaces. Cleaning and sanitizing&nbsp;frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, and phones can also help&nbsp;limit spread. 

Staying up to date on recommended vaccinations each year provides added protection, particularly for older adults and those with chronic conditions. Covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding close contact when sick, and staying home when you have symptoms (such as&nbsp;cough, sore throat, or fever) can help protect family members, coworkers, and the broader community.

Cold-related illnesses are another important winter health concern. Hypothermia occurs when the&nbsp;body loses heat faster than it can produce it, and can happen during prolonged outdoor exposure, power outages, or when homes are not adequately heated. Warning signs include uncontrollable&nbsp;shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and extreme fatigue. 

There’s also frostbite which&nbsp;occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze, most often affecting fingers, toes, ears, and&nbsp;nose. Early signs include numbness, tingling, and pale or waxy skin. To reduce risk of both illnesses, dress in layers, keep clothing dry, cover exposed skin, limit time outdoors during extreme&nbsp;cold, and check on neighbors, especially older adults, during severe weather.

Lastly, winter can impact mental health. Shorter days, reduced sunlight, and increased isolation, especially&nbsp;in rural areas, can contribute to low mood, anxiety, or symptoms of seasonal depression. Some easy ways to protect your mental health include staying connected with friends&nbsp;and family, maintaining daily routines, and spending time outdoors when weather allows.

You can also reach out to local resources or healthcare providers if symptoms persist. As&nbsp;a community, we all play a role in staying safe and healthy during the winter. Checking in on neighbors, preparing homes, and taking simple preventive steps can make a huge difference.

Midwestern winters can be challenging, but with awareness and preparation many winter related&nbsp;health risks can be reduced.

Shelby Coons is a second-year medical student at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She graduated from Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville, KS in 2020, and the University of Kansas in 2024. Growing up in a small town inspired her passion for serving rural and underserved communities.

Winter health Risks: What to know and how to stay safe

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

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/35522b08-cd30-49e1-93e0-85962282628b">PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW OBITUARY POLICY.</a> Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="http://hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

Recent obituaries and service times

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Local fire officials are urging residents to take a few minutes to review home fire safety practices, noting that most residential fires are preventable with basic precautions.

According to fire safety data highlighted during Community Risk Reduction Week, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires. Firefighters stress the importance of staying in the kitchen when frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food and keeping flammable items away from stovetops. In the event of a grease fire, residents are reminded to slide a lid over the pan and turn off the heat — never use water, which can cause flames to spread rapidly.

Heating equipment is another major risk, particularly during the winter months. Nationwide, tens of thousands of heating-related fires occur each year, resulting in hundreds of deaths and more than a billion dollars in property damage. Safety officials recommend keeping heaters and fireplaces at least three feet away from anything that can burn and turning off space heaters before leaving home or going to sleep.

Electrical issues also remain a top cause of house fires. Residents are encouraged to replace damaged cords, avoid overloading outlets and power strips, and never plug space heaters into extension cords.

Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are considered one of the most effective fire safety measures. Nearly 60 percent of fire-related deaths occur in homes without functioning alarms. Fire officials advise testing alarms monthly, changing batteries regularly, and installing alarms in bedrooms and hallways.

As part of a “Home Fire Risk Reset,” residents are encouraged to spend just 10 minutes reviewing safety steps, including testing smoke alarms, maintaining a three-foot safety zone around heat sources, ensuring someone stays in the kitchen when cooking, plugging space heaters directly into wall outlets, and practicing a home escape plan with at least two exits from every room.

Fire officials say these simple actions can significantly reduce the risk of fire and help protect lives, property, and families.

Fire safety reminder highlights common home fire causes

Buhler MB Church - No Sunday services Buhler Mennonite South Church - No Sunday services Calvary Baptist Church, McPherson - No Sunday services Canton Community Church - No Sunday Services Cheney Community Church - No Sunday Services Countryside Covenant Church, McPherson - 11 a.m. service only Eastwood Church of Christ - Online services only Emanuel Lutheran Church - No Sunday services Faith United Methodist Church, Hutchinson - Closed, online services only First Baptist Church, Hutchinson - No Sunday services First Church of God - No Sunday services First Church of Nazarene, Newton - No Sunday Services First Congregational Church, Hutchinson - No Sunday services First Mennonite Church, Halstead - No Sunday services First Mennonite Church, Newton - No Sunday services First Presbyterian Church, Hutchinson - No Sunday services First Presbyterian Church, Newton - No Sunday services First Presbyterian Church, McPherson - No Sunday services First Southern Baptist Church - No Sunday services First United Methodist Church, Hutchinson - Online services only First United Methodist Church, Newton - No Sunday services First United Methodist Church, Sterling - No Sunday services Full Gospel Church - No Sunday services Galva Christian Church - No Sunday services Galva Community Church - No Sunday services Grace Lutheran Church, Lyons - No Sunday services Hope Church - No Sunday services Journey at McPherson - No Sunday services Journey at South Hutch - No Sunday services Kingman Christian Church - No Sunday services Koerner Heights Church, Newton - Online services only Living Grace Church, Inman - No Sunday services McPherson Church of the Nazarene - No Sunday services Mitchell Chapel United Methodist Church - No Sunday services Morningstar Baptist Church, McPherson - No Sunday services Mount Hope Bible Fellowship - No Sunday services New Covenant Presbyterian Church - No Sunday services New Gottland Covenant Church, McPherson - No Sunday services New Life Assembly of God, Newton - No Sunday services New Life Christian Church, Hutchinson - No Sunday services New Life Foursquare Church, McPherson - No Sunday services Newton Bible Church - 10:30 a.m. service only Newton Christian Church - No Sunday services - Online service at 10 a.m. Newton Grace Community Church - 10:45 a.m. service only Newton Shalom Mennonite Church - No Sunday services Nickerson United Methodist Church - No Sunday services Park Place Christian Church - No Sunday services or activities Partridge Community Church - No Sunday services Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, Burrton - No Sunday services Pratt Church of Christ - No Sunday services Pratt Friends Church - No Sunday services Pratt Presbyterian Church - No Sunday services Salt City Cowboy Church, South Hutchinson - No Sunday services Soul Winner's Mission Church - Online only South Hutchinson United Methodist Church - No Sunday services St. Matthew's Episcopal Church - Online services only Stafford United Methodist Church - No Sunday services Sylvia Church of Christ - No Sunday services Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton - No Sunday services Temple Baptist Church - Services canceled Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson - No Sunday services Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, Newton - No Sunday services Union Valley Bible Church - No Sunday service

American Legion Post #68 - Post closed American Legion Riders Chili Feed - Canceled Christian Soup Ministry, Hutchinson - Closed Dillon Nature Center trails/grounds and Visitor Center - Closed TEFAP commodities distribution - Postponed to Feb. 1

USD 267 Renwick - No classes USD 268 Cheney - Closed USD 311 Pretty Prairie -&nbsp;2-hour delay; no AM-only Pre-K sessions USD 312 Haven - Closed USD 313 Buhler - Classes canceled USD 373 Newton - Classes canceled USD 419 Canton Galva - No classes or activities USD 423 Moundridge - Closed USD 439 Sedgwick - Closed

Moundridge Senior Center - Closed Monday Women for Kansas - Hutchinson Area Chapter meeting - Canceled&nbsp;

Closings and cancellations

ARLINGTON, Kan. — Firefighters battled extreme cold and challenging conditions Saturday afternoon while responding to a structure fire in Arlington.

At approximately 12:55 p.m. units from Reno County Fire District 1 were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 200 block of South Vine Street.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming from the attic and active fire located in a bathroom. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack; however, multiple ceiling layers inside the home made it difficult to access the fire in the attic space. During suppression efforts, crews were forced to evacuate the structure due to a roof collapse.

The home sustained extensive damage as a result of the fire.

Reno County EMS was on scene providing rehabilitation services to firefighters. No injuries were reported.

Firefighting efforts were further complicated by bitterly cold conditions. Temperatures at the time of the fire were around 5 degrees, with a negative wind chill causing equipment to freeze.

The American Red Cross responded to assist the occupants displaced by the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Firefighters battle fire, elements in Saturday fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY — The jury trial of a Kansas man charged in the death of his pregnant girlfriend is scheduled to begin Monday.

Earlier this month, Judge Jeffrey Goering determined there was enough evidence in the case for 20-year-old Matthew Wayne Criscenzo to face a&nbsp; trial,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In September, Criscenzo pleaded not guilty to charges of 1st degree murder and aggravated battery, in the shooting death of 20-year-old Naomi Oglesby.

On May 25, police arrested&nbsp; Criscenzo in the 700 Block of Laura Street in Wichita in connection with the shooting death. At the time of the incident,&nbsp;Oglesby was pregnant, according to Wichita Police Officer Rick Pena. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she was pronounced deceased.

Doctors were able to deliver her infant who was transported to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a Wichita hospital.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Criscenzo remains jailed on bond totaling over $700,000, according to online jail records.

Trial to begin for Kansas man in death of pregnant girlfriend

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

A partial federal government shutdown appeared Sunday to unexpectedly be on the horizon, after another fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis led key U.S. Senate Democrats to say they will oppose a spending package that includes immigration enforcement funds.

Senators have until a Friday deadline to clear a package of six House-passed funding measures, including the $64.4 billion Homeland Security appropriations bill that includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Republicans hold a majority in the chamber but would need at least seven Democrats to join them in voting for the package in order to clear the chamber’s 60-vote threshold to advance legislation.&nbsp;

The agreement had appeared to be on track for easy passage by the Senate by Friday, when a stopgap spending law expires.&nbsp;

But after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-agents-shoot-and-kill-man-minneapolis-rousing-more-demonstrations" target="_blank">Saturday’s killing of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti,</a>&nbsp;the second by Homeland Security Department officers in Minneapolis this month, key moderate Democrats, appropriators and leaders said they would not support the package if it includes the Homeland Security legislation in its current form.&nbsp;

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also said his caucus would not provide the votes needed, citing the killings of Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, and called for the DHS bill to be split from the five spending bills with broad bipartisan support.

“Senate Democrats will not allow the current DHS funding bill to move forward,” Schumer said in a Sunday statement. “The appalling murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti on the streets of Minneapolis must lead Republicans to join Democrats in overhauling ICE and CBP to protect the public. People should be safe from abuse by their own government.

“Senate Republicans must work with Democrats to advance the other five funding bills while we work to rewrite the DHS bill,” he added. “This is (the) best course of action, and the American people are on our side.”

A complicating factor is the DHS bill also includes funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, even as a major winter storm swept through a large swath of the nation Saturday and Sunday, triggering disaster declarations in multiple states.

President Donald Trump and key administration officials committed to a robust media strategy over the weekend, defending the officers involved and smearing Pretti, despite contradictory evidence in available video.

Some elected Republicans backed the administration’s account, but an unusual number of GOP members of Congress and at least one governor called for accountability.

Five of the eight Democrats and independents who voted with Republicans to end a shutdown in November have said they will not support the package if it includes DHS funding.

Maine independent Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, said on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” that he would vote against the package.

“I hate shutdowns,” King said in a video interview on the Sunday morning show. “I’m one of the people that helped negotiate the solution to the end of the last shutdown, but I can’t vote for a bill that includes ICE funding under these circumstances.”

Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, a former federal prosecutor, criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and called for blocking the funding package.

“The Trump administration and Kristi Noem are putting undertrained, combative federal agents on the streets with no accountability,” she said. “They are oppressing Americans and are at odds with local law enforcement. This is clearly not about keeping Americans safe, it’s brutalizing U.S. citizens and law-abiding immigrants. I will not support the current Homeland Security funding bill.”

Cortez Masto called for the DHS bill to be split off from the rest of the package.&nbsp;

“We have bipartisan agreement on 96% of the budget. We’ve already passed six funding bills,” she said. “Let’s pass the remaining five bipartisan bills and fund essential agencies while we continue to fight for a Department of Homeland Security that respects Americans’ constitutional rights and preserves federal law enforcement’s essential role to keep us safe.”&nbsp;

Fellow Nevada Democrat Jacky Rosen, who also voted to end the shutdown in November, said “enough is enough” and that she would oppose a funding package that did not “rein in ICE’s out-of-control conduct.”

“As a member of the U.S. Senate, I have the responsibility to hold the Trump Administration accountable when I see abuses of power — like we are seeing from ICE right now,” she said. “That is why I’ll be voting against any government funding package that contains the bill that funds this agency, until we have guardrails in place to curtail these abuses of power and ensure more accountability and transparency.

“My personal guiding principle has always been ‘agree where you can and fight where you must,’” she added. “And I believe this is a time when we must fight back.”

Virginia’s Tim Kaine said in a Friday statement — before Pretti’s killing — that he would oppose the package for several reasons, including as a check on ICE.

“We are not living in normal times,” he said. “The President is acting chaotically and unlawfully and we shouldn’t give his deranged decisions the imprimatur of congressional approval by passing this legislation without significant amendment.”

Democratic Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois also said after Pretti’s killing early Saturday — the third shooting by immigration officers in Minneapolis in three weeks — that he would vote against the package. Durbin is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

The House last week&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/many-dems-refuse-vote-fund-ice-us-house-passes-4-spending-bills" target="_blank">passed the DHS funding bill</a>, with seven Democrats voting to approve it, and a separate package of three other appropriations bills that passed with broad bipartisan support. House members passed two other funding bills the week before.

The fiscal 2026 Homeland Security spending bill cuts funding for Customs and Border Protection by $1.3 billion, and maintains flat funding for ICE at $10 billion.

The bill attempts to put guardrails around immigration enforcement by allocating $20 million for body cameras for ICE and CBP officers.&nbsp;

But even if the funding bill doesn’t pass or gets held up, the immigration enforcement agencies are still flush with cash after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Republicans passed last year allocated $190 billion for DHS. ICE is slated to receive about $75 billion over four years, or $18.7 billion a year.

Any Senate amendment to the House-passed package would require another House vote. The House is scheduled to be out this week and the chamber, narrowly controlled by Republicans, may be unwilling to cooperate with Senate changes.

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, a Maine Republican up for reelection this year in one of the nation’s most closely watched races, did not dismiss the possibility of changes in the spending bill package, telling The New York Times on Saturday she was “exploring all options” for passage.

The major winter storm also hit Washington, D.C., and could further complicate the Senate vote or potential House consideration. All flights into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were canceled Sunday as snow and sleet covered the region.&nbsp;

A handful of GOP officials, including Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska called for more scrutiny into Pretti’s killing and ICE’s conduct more generally.&nbsp;

“There must be a thorough and impartial investigation into yesterday’s Minneapolis shooting, which is the basic standard that law enforcement and the American people expect following any officer-involved shooting,” Tillis<a href="https://x.com/SenThomTillis/status/2015435983316189686" target="_blank">&nbsp;said on social media.</a>

“For this specific incident, that requires cooperation and transparency between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Any administration official who rushes to judgment and tries to shut down an investigation before it begins are doing an incredible disservice to the nation and to President Trump’s legacy.”

Cassidy&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenBillCassidy/status/2015247523003162922" target="_blank">posted on social media</a>: “The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.”

Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican who is a former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said on social media he was “troubled by the events that have unfolded in Minneapolis.”

“As an attorney and former federal prosecutor, I believe a thorough investigation is necessary—both to get to the bottom of these incidents and to maintain Americans’ confidence in our justice system,” he said.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, was among those who said he was troubled by the shooting.

“I think the death of Americans, what we’re seeing on TV, it’s causing deep concerns over federal tactics and accountability,” Stitt said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “Americans don’t like what they’re seeing right now.”

Administration, some allies defend shooting&nbsp;

Many others, including Republican senators and Trump administration officials speaking on Sunday talk shows — Noem, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche — defended the agents involved and blamed Pretti and state and local Democrats in Minneapolis.&nbsp;

“Democrats are now backing out of a bipartisan agreement to fund DHS, which makes sure our border is secure and our immigration laws are enforced,” Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/2015428526829133864" target="_blank">wrote on social media.</a>

“This is reckless and quite frankly, very disappointing. It appears that Democrats are so wedded to supporting people carrying guns trying to interfere with a lawful arrest that they will shut down the government.”

Patel, on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News, said DHS is investigating the shooting but the FBI is processing physical evidence. “No one who wants to be peaceful shows up in a protest with a firearm that is loaded with two full magazines,” Patel said, referring to reports that Pretti was carrying a handgun for which he had a concealed carry license, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

Spokespeople for Collins, Schumer and Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota did not return messages seeking comment Sunday. Senate Democrats were set to meet virtually on Sunday night, according to multiple media reports.

Deadly shooting in Minneapolis could lead to partial government shutdown over ICE funding

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department are investigating the death of a juvenile in the 700 block of Pacific Avenue.

Just before 5p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a home on a report of an unresponsive juvenile. The juvenile was transported to the University of Kansas Medical&nbsp; Center where they were pronounced deceased. 

&nbsp;The KCKPD Major Case Unit is in charge of the investigation. Police released no additional details including the age and name of the child.

Police investigate death of child at Kansas home

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– A General Court-Martial is scheduled to begin on Monday at McConnell Air Force Base.

According to a statement from the base, Senior Airman Randall Moore, 22nd&nbsp;Maintenance Squadron, faces one charge and two specifications of violating Article 120b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), sexual abuse of a child; one charge and two specification specifications of violating Article 131b of the UCMJ, obstruction of justice; and one charge and five specifications of violating Article 134 of the UCMJ, child pornography and indecent conduct.

If convicted of all charges and specifications, Moore faces a maximum sentence of 15 years if served concurrent or 70 years if served consecutive, as well as a Dishonorable Discharge, reduction in rank to the grade of Airman Basic, and total forfeiture of all pay and allowances.

Court-Martial: Kansas airman charged with child sex crimes

While Department of Homeland Security officials and others investigate after a&nbsp;U.S. Border Patrol agent&nbsp;fatally&nbsp;shot a man on Saturday in Minneapolis, two former Presidents of the United States have shared their thoughts on the tragedy and accountability.

Meanwhile President Donald Trump is calling on Democrat governors to enforce the nation's laws rather than resist.

2 former U.S. Presidents speak out on fatal Minneapolis shooting

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

In the early morning Saturday before the snow started to fall, troopers initiated a traffic stop for a traffic violation, and the driver fled, according to a social media report from the Kansas Highway Patrol. 

After a short pursuit, the vehicle came to a stop. The driver was arrested, and troopers located drugs inside the vehicle. The Patrol did not report the name of the suspect or possible charges involved.

KHP: Drug suspect captured after running from traffic stop

LYON COUNTY —The Emporia Police Department, with the assistance of K9 Daisy and her team from Search &amp; Rescue of Kansas, have recovered the body of a missing woman approximately 300 yards from the area 28-year-old Rebecca Rauber was last seen on video, according to a statement from Emporia Police Captain Lisa Hayes.

Just after 1a.m. Saturday, Emporia Police received a report of a missing woman identified as&nbsp;

The report indicated that Rebecca Rauber, a school teacher from Emporia, had left the Town Royal bar in the 400 block of Commercial Street, on foot without her purse, phone, or jacket.

Officers began searching for Rebecca immediately and utilized business surveillance cameras in the area. Rebecca was observed walking alone westbound on West 5th Avenue. Video footage from a residence showed Rebecca walking north on Neosho Street from West 5th Avenue at approximately 11:37 p.m. on Friday, January 22.

Several additional videos from the intersection of 6th Avenue and Neosho Street were reviewed; however, Rebecca did not appear to cross 6th Avenue at that location.

 During the investigation on Sunday, an additional video showed Rebecca in the 700 block of W. 4th Ave. at approximately 11:44 p.m on January 23rd.  Rebecca's body was found approximately 300 yards south of West 4th Avenue, where she was last seen on video.  Rebecca was located in a wooded area. At this time, it appears, Rebecca may have succumbed to hypothermia early on in her disappearance as she was covered in snow due to the snowstorm that became heavy on Saturday.

Police detectives were processing the scene and the investigation is still continuing, according to Hayes.

Police: Body of missing Kansas teacher found in wooded area

DOUGAS COUNTY —It was supposed to be a traffic stop, but the driver didn’t – and ended up crashing into five parked cars and narrowly escaping serious injury of his own and that of his passenger, according to a social media report from police in Lawrence.

Just after 1:30a.m. Jan. 21, a&nbsp; patrol officer noticed a car run through a red light at a high rate of speed at 11th and Tennessee in Lawrence. The officer activated his lights, but the driver didn’t stop.  The car continued south on Tennessee at more than 50 miles per hour until he wasn’t able to navigate the lanes and swiped through five parked cars.

He crashed near 19th Street, got out, and ran. Officers caught up with him between nearby houses.  His passenger was trapped in the wreckage.  Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical responded to get the passenger out of the crumpled metal.  Both the driver and the passenger refused further medical treatment.

The 22-year-old driver, whose name was not released, was booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility suspected of several crimes including Possession of Drugs, Possession of a Firearm under the Influence, Driving Under the Influence, Flee and Elude, and additional traffic violations.&nbsp;

Kan. driver left passenger in wreckage after police chase, crash

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a chase and arrest with a stolen vehicle.

Just before&nbsp;&nbsp;1:30 a.m. Jan. 22, a sheriff's deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a gray 2025 Ford SUV, that was recently reported stolen through the City of Topeka, near Interstate 70&nbsp; and SE Adams Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 The driver refused to stop and initiated a pursuit. The vehicle pursuit ended in the 1900 block of South Kansas Avenue and the driver fled the scene on foot. A K-9 Unit located the suspect exiting a nearby creek and wooded area. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Joshua S. Bessette, 45, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Jail on requested charges of Flee or attempt to elude; operate a stolen vehicle, Possession of stolen property; value $25,000 to $100,000 and Interference with LEO; knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle for felony case.

Sheriff's K9 helps track down Kansas stolen car suspect 

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — American rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday without any ropes or protective equipment.

Cheers erupted from a street-level crowd as he reached the top of the spire of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower about 90 minutes after he started. Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, Honnold waved his arms back and forth over his head.

“It was like what a view, it’s incredible, what a beautiful day,” he said afterward. “It was very windy, so I was like, don’t fall off the spire. I was trying to balance nicely. But it was, what an incredible position, what a beautiful way to see Taipei.”

Honnold, known for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/movies-travel-ff106c6b8ad54702bdcaab40988b0ad7">his ropeless ascent</a>&nbsp;up Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan, climbed up one corner of Taipei 101 using small L-shaped outcroppings as footholds. Periodically, he had to maneuver around and clamber up the sides of large ornamental structures that jut out from the tower, pulling himself up with his bare hands.

The building has 101 floors, with the hardest part being the 64 floors of the middle section — the “bamboo boxes” that give the building its signature look. Divided into eight, each segment has eight floors of steep, overhanging climbing followed by balconies, where he took short rests as he made his way upward.

Honnold's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alex-honnold-taipei-101-climb-netflix-0709f4d062923a09ff6da3786131fdd0">free solo climb of the iconic building</a>&nbsp;in Taiwan's capital city was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay. The ascent, originally scheduled for Saturday, was delayed for 24 hours due to rain.

Having a cheering crowd was unusual and a bit unnerving at first for Honnold, whose climbs are usually in remote areas.

“When I was leaving the ground, you're like oh it’s kind of intense, there’s so many people watching,” he said. “But then honestly, they’re all wishing me well. I mean basically it just makes the whole experience feel almost more festive, all these nice people are out supporting me and having a good time.”

The climb drew both excitement and concern over the ethical implications of attempting such a high-risk endeavor on live broadcast.

Honnold isn't the first climber to ascend Taipei 101, but he is the first to do so without a rope. French rock climber Alain Robert scaled the building on Christmas Day in 2004 as part of the grand opening of what was then the world’s tallest building.

Associated Press video journalist Taijing Wu and writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed.

American rock climber reaches top of Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes

The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing streak on Monday against one of its chief Jayhawk Conference rivals.

The Blue Dragons (10-9, 5-8 KJCCC) takes on No. 25 Butler (13-6, 9-4 KJCCC) at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The game was pushed back 48 hours because of Saturday's winter storm.

The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and on sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 7:15 p.m. with Sean Boston (PBP) and Dan Naccarato (color) calling the action. The game will be streamed live and for free on the Blue Dragon Sports Network at 7:15 p.m.

The Blue Dragons are in the midst of their first three-game losing streak since the 2022-23 season. Last Wednesday, the Blue Dragons battling high-scoring Garden City in a 97-93 loss.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2025-26/bios/shaw_kyrell_v507">Kyrell Shaw</a>&nbsp;had his fourth 30-point game in the last five games with 35 points. While outshooting and out-rebounding the Broncbusters, the Blue Dragons weren't able to overcome 13 pointers.

Hutchinson now faces the No. 1 scoring and No. 1 3-point shooting team in the KJCCC.

Butler is averaging 108.6 points per game and are making 13.9 3-pointers per contest while shooting 35.6 percent from distance.

The Blue Dragons do own a victory over the Grizzlies this season. Hutchinson traveled to El Dorado on November 22 and defeated the Grizzlies 83-82.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2025-26/bios/cannon_bobby_almy">Bobby Cannon</a>&nbsp;hit a last-second 3-pointer to boost the Blue Dragons to the victory.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2025-26/bios/thomas_daleron_yjqw">Daleron Thomas</a>&nbsp;led four Blue Dragons in double figures with 20 points. Shaw had 16 points as the Blue Dragons shot 57.1 percent overall. The Grizzlies hit 13 3-pointers in the game with eight different players hitting at least one 3-pointer. The Blue Dragons held Butler to 38.1 percent shooting.

Butler has won two games in a row and 4 of its last 5 games. Last Wednesday the Grizzlies outlasted Coffeyville 110-104 in El Dorado.

Jaise Combs and Tristan Hankins combined for eight of the Grizzlies 15 3-pointers against the Red Ravens. Hankins scored 21 points and Combs had 19.

The Grizzlies have surpassed the 100-point mark 12 times this season.

Monday's game will be the 204th between Hutchinson and Butler in a continuous series that dates back to 1929. The Blue Dragons lead the series 132-71.

Monday's game is the first of a two-game homestand for the Blue Dragons. Hutchinson plays host to Independence at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🏀 Blue Dragons renew rivalry with No. 25 Grizzlies

The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team plays in its third Top 20 matchup this season with a chance to knock off a Top 10 nationally ranked team and a Jayhawk Conference co-leader.

The No. 18-ranked Blue Dragons (15-4, 10-3 KJCCC) plays host to the No. 8 Butler Grizzlies (18-1, 12-1 KJCCC) at 5:30 p.m. on Monday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The game was postponed until Monday after Saturday's winter storm.

The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and on sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 5:15 p.m. with Sean Boston (PBP) and Dan Naccarato (color) calling the action. The game will be streamed for free on the Blue Dragon Sports Network beginning at 5:15 p.m.

The Blue Dragons look for their first win this season against a ranked opponent, going 0-3 in the first three games against ranked opponents.

The Dragons are on a three-game winning streak after a come-from-behind 68-61 victory last Wednesday at Garden City. The Blue Dragons trailed by as many as nine points and trailed after three quarters before a 23-point fourth quarter turned the game around.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2025-26/bios/wilson_jaden_nnxf">Jaden Wilson</a>&nbsp;had career bests of 14 points and eight rebounds to lead the Blue Dragons, who defeated Garden City for the 17th-straight time.

Butler is on a nine-game winning streak after a 67-64 victory over Coffeyville last Wednesday. Ashley Singhateh had 15 points and nine rebounds to lead the Grizzlies. The victory was also Butler head coach Mike Helmer's 400th career victory.

The Blue Dragons look to split the season series with the Grizzlies. Butler defeated Hutchinson 56-44 on November 22 at the Power Plant in El Dorado.

Hutchinson was held to 32.1 percent shooting.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2025-26/bios/brown_whitney_uv6o">Whitney Brown</a>&nbsp;had 10 points and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2025-26/bios/barber_kamyra_spfy">KaMyra Barber</a>&nbsp;had nine points for the Blue Dragons. Kenzie Galliart had 18 points to lead Butler.

Monday's matchup will be the 100th all-time meeting between Hutchinson and Butler in women's basketball. The Blue Dragons lead the all-time series 64-35.

Local

Region

Sports