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

BUHLER, Kan. — Buhler High School senior Hannah Khan has spent the past few days adjusting to life in a city that looks and feels nothing like home. The wide open skies of Reno County have been replaced by towering buildings and crowded sidewalks.

For Khan, it is all part of the whirlwind that comes with being selected to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She arrived in New York on Saturday and has spent the early part of the week in long rehearsals, uniform fittings and group activities with hundreds of student musicians from across the country. The moment still feels surreal.

“I think it is all finally sinking in now that I am here,” Khan said before she left for the trip. “I think it will be surreal to be a part of something so much larger than myself.”

Khan learned she had been selected in August after submitting an audition video on July 30. She filmed a YouTube performance that covered all required musical elements and sent it in without expecting much. 

She found out on the first day of school for freshmen, as she was helping new students find their classrooms.

“I just threw my phone across the room. I was so shocked,” she said. “I told Mr. Yates right away. I never expected to get in.”

Buhler Director of Bands Nathan Biggs said only about two students from each state are chosen each year. He called it one of the most significant accomplishments a high school musician can achieve. 

Khan is the second Buhler student to march in the parade, following tuba player Bryan Regier in 2022.

“We are very proud of her,” Biggs said. “She is well rounded, well spoken and involved in many activities. It is an awesome opportunity and she has earned it. I hope she absorbs everything she can from this experience.”

Khan and the rest of the selected musicians were fitted for their official Macy’s uniforms shortly after arriving Saturday. The red jackets and white pants will replace the traditional Buhler maroon on Thursday morning when the parade begins along Central Park West and makes its way toward Herald Square.

Rehearsals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are long and detailed, designed to prepare the group for both the parade route and their performance in front of the cameras. The group had a sightseeing day on Sunday, giving Khan her first real taste of New York. Her mother and aunt are scheduled to join her later this week.

The parade itself is what she has been looking forward to most.

“I have watched it on TV my whole life,” Khan said. “Being in it is just crazy. I think being around the floats and all the other bands will be amazing.”

Khan has played mellophone since seventh grade, which grew out of her love for French horn. She began band in fifth grade on trumpet but planned from the start to switch.

“I picked trumpet because I knew I wanted to switch to French horn,” she said. “Playing mellophone for marching has been really cool. I have marched every year.”

Her classmates and friends at Buhler have been excited for her, though she admits she does not broadcast the news widely.

“I try to be humble about it,” she said. “The band knows, and a lot of people have told me they are going to watch and try to point me out on the screen.”

Representing Buhler at a national event is a responsibility she takes seriously.

“We get to show the small school spirit. We still have a lot to offer and can be successful,” she said. “There are misconceptions about small towns, so it is important to show that places like Buhler can produce successful musicians.”

Khan is also looking forward to meeting students from across the country. Her experience at ALA Girls Nation in Washington D.C. last summer sparked an interest in connecting with people from different backgrounds.

“Different towns are so different,” she said. “A lot of people come from big cities and I do not know what that is like. It is interesting to hear other people’s perspectives.”

She expects to spend part of this week describing Buhler to students from large metro areas who have never seen a field of crops or walked a dirt road at sunset.

“I love telling people about Buhler,” she said. “I talk about the dirt roads and the open sky and how everybody cares about each other. It is safe, and you are supported, and everybody knows everybody. That is what makes it special.”

As Thursday approaches, Biggs said he hopes Khan will come home with memories that last far beyond high school.

“I want her to enjoy the city, enjoy the parade and enjoy meeting new people,” he said. “Mostly, I want her to come back with stories she will remember forever.”

Khan will join more than 700 student musicians on Thursday morning as they step onto one of the nation’s most watched holiday stages. For the senior from Buhler, it will be a moment years in the making, one she once only pictured watching on television.

This year, she will be right there in the middle of it.

Buhler senior Hannah Khan set to march in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Nearly 80 students from schools across Reno County took part in this year’s Disability Mentoring Day in Hutchinson on Oct. 15, an event hosted by Beyond Barriers that connected high school students with disabilities to local businesses for hands-on career exploration and mentorship.

Disability Mentoring Day, founded at the White House in 1999, has grown into a nationwide initiative that promotes workforce inclusion and career readiness for individuals with disabilities. The Hutchinson event was one of three hosted by Beyond Barriers this year, along with programs in Pratt and Dodge City, bringing total participation across all three sites to more than 220 students.

In Hutchinson, the day began with breakfast and a guest speaker at Hutchinson American Legion Lysle Rishel Post 68. Students then shadowed professionals in a variety of fields, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, food service and retail, getting a firsthand look at what it takes to work in those industries. The event concluded with a reception where participants shared reflections on their experiences, received swag bags filled with items donated by local businesses and had a chance to win raffle prizes.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout and community support,” said Cindy Daniels, employment coordinator for Beyond Barriers. “Hearing the students get up one after another at the ending reception and talk about what a great day they had makes it all worth it. It really is a win-win for everyone involved.”

Student participant Kaileayah Woods said the experience opened doors she did not expect.
“I went to Permanent Records, and I got to learn how to wash records, I got to learn what to do, how to price them,” Woods said. “Then, before I left, he offered me a job there. It was the best day I’d ever had.”

Beyond Barriers credits strong community partnerships for the success of Disability Mentoring Day. A steering committee of local educators, businesses and service providers worked together to recruit students, match them with host sites, coordinate transportation and manage event logistics.

Major donors for the 2025 event included Simmons Bank, Healthy Blue Kansas, ONEOK, Ambucs, United Healthcare, Fee Insurance Group, Peoples Bank &amp; Trust in Inman, Hutchinson Noon Lions Club and First National Bank of Hutchinson.

The organization is already planning for next year’s Disability Mentoring Day and is seeking sponsors and business partners to continue growing the event’s reach. Opportunities include serving as mentors or host sites, providing financial or in-kind support, and assisting with transportation, meals and activities.

Businesses and organizations interested in supporting the 2026 Disability Mentoring Day can contact Daniels at 620-663-3989 or <a>cdaniels@beyondbarriersks.com</a> for more information.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Nearly 80 Reno Co. students take part in Disability Mentoring Day in Hutchinson

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Improvements to the City of Sylvia’s water treatment plant have begun. The financing package from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) will provide funding for new wells for blending, chlorination facility, waterline replacement and tower rehabilitation. The drinking water system serves a population of approximately 135.

Completion of this project will ensure the drinking water system remains in good operation for the long-term future.

Financing for the improvements to the City of Sylvia’s water system was made possible through a loan provided by KDHE with joint funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Using the Kansas Public Water Supply Loan Fund (KPWSLF), KDHE has provided a $1,821,742 loan, of which $910,871 in principal will be forgiven.

The KPWSLF provides financing for municipal drinking water infrastructure at interest rates that are below market. Since 1997, the KPWSLF has provided more than $1.5 billion to 318 municipalities to finance drinking water infrastructure in Kansas.&nbsp; &nbsp;

KDHE provides financing for Sylvia's water system improvements

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Several city snow plows are sporting a new look this winter thanks to a first-of-its-kind partnership between the City of Hutchinson and USD 308 Hutchinson Public Schools.

For the first time, each plow was assigned to a different elementary school, including Graber, Faris, Lincoln McCandless, Allen STEM Magnet, Morgan and Wiley. Students at each site painted the equipment, transforming the traditionally plain plows into colorful rolling murals.

City officials said the project gives students a chance to showcase their creativity while helping brighten up the city’s streets during the winter months.

As the season’s first rounds of winter weather approach, residents are encouraged to watch for the newly decorated plows in their neighborhoods. Those who spot a plow featuring their school’s artwork are invited to take a photo and share it with the city.

Hutchinson students turn city snow plows into rolling murals

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. ——————————————

11/25/2025 4:11 AM – Macharia Maina Mwangi –
DUI; 1st Offense; Alcohol Concentration .08 or more shown by competent evidence

11/25/2025 3:40 AM – Killion Alisa –
Failure to Appear

11/24/2025 11:15 PM – Roberts Jeremy Lee –
Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact; 1st Offense

11/24/2025 8:19 PM – Doyle Preston Lee –
Violation of conditions of release; on parole, conditional release or post-release supervision

11/24/2025 6:35 PM – Rodriguez Jeffrey Alan –
Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist or Oppose; Misdemeanor warrant

11/24/2025 4:09 PM – Willard Nicole Ashley –
Pedestrian; Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs upon Roadway

11/24/2025 3:44 PM – Teeter Shaun Alan –
Probation Violation

11/24/2025 3:02 PM – Canady Alexus Ann –
Probation Violation

11/24/2025 2:54 PM – Wilson Christopher Terry –
Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist or Oppose; Misdemeanor warrant
Possession of marijuana; Two or more prior convictions
Interference with Law Enforcement; Knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle; Felony case
Use or possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body

11/24/2025 12:55 PM – Sanders Thomas Randolph –
Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede breathing by pressure to throat, neck or chest
Violate protection order; Pre-trial order
Probation Violation
Battery; Physical contact in rude, insulting or angry manner

Daily Bookings

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Project Concern closed its 2025 campaign with one of its strongest finishes in recent years, bringing in $14,436 to support holiday meals for families across Reno County.

KWBW also received an additional $2,500 in gift cards from Dillons, which will be used by the Salvation Army to purchase food items for local families. Another $1,361 was raised Monday morning during the KWBW Morning Show, when listeners stopped by the station to donate as the annual “turkeys outside the studio” tradition returned for Thanksgiving week.

KWBW will write a check to the Salvation Army for $12,436, while Friendship Meals and the Christian Soup Ministry will each receive $1,000 from this year’s campaign.

The Salvation Army reported that it screened 725 families for holiday assistance, which will support 2,176 individuals during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

This year marked the 32nd edition of Project Concern, a community fundraiser launched by KWBW Radio in the early 1990s to help provide Thanksgiving meals for Reno County families. The effort has generated nearly half a million dollars since its inception.

KWBW’s Rob Dreher thanked listeners for their generosity and said the support reflects the community-first spirit the station sees every holiday season.

“Whatever we give, the Salvation Army will put it to use so people can have a better Thanksgiving,” Dreher said earlier this month as the drive kicked off.

Donations were accepted through Monday morning at the EAGLE Media studios in Hutchinson, with proceeds used to fund Thanksgiving assistance and additional support programs at three local organizations.

Project Concern raises $14,436 to support 2,176 Reno County residents for Thanksgiving

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With winter temperatures settling in and holiday travel approaching, Red Rock Auto Center owner Steve Miller says now is the time for drivers to pay close attention to batteries, tires and warning lights before cold weather turns small issues into breakdowns.

Miller outlines the most common winter problems his South Hutchinson shop sees and the preventative steps he urges drivers to take. He said the colder months are especially hard on car batteries, which are already strained by the power needs of modern vehicles.

“Winter and extreme heat in the summertime are two of the hardest things on our batteries,” Miller said. “Every time we see a car, we run a digital vehicle inspection, and you can actually watch a battery wear out over time. The goal is to get ahead of the breakdown before the first cold morning hits and all you get is a click.”

Miller recommends drivers in the Hutchinson area have their batteries checked every spring and fall, particularly those who don’t put many miles on their vehicles. A battery’s state of health can fall sharply in cold weather even if the charge still appears normal.

“Most folks wait until the click,” Miller said. “We would encourage otherwise, but we’re here for you either way.”

Tires are another top concern. Miller said AAA data shows tire-related problems remain one of the most common reasons vehicles are towed. Cold temperatures naturally deflate tires, and long stretches between maintenance visits often mean drivers don’t notice low pressure until the warning light comes on.

“Over the course of three months, we get in our car and just drive,” Miller said. “If it’s been parked in the garage and you back out into 20-degree weather, that tire pressure monitor light is probably going to come on. That’s when you need to come see us.”

Red Rock offers free tire pressure checks through its full-service drive. Miller said tread depth and uneven wear should also be monitored closely, especially heading into the winter months.

The dashboard itself is another winter trouble spot. Miller cautions drivers against ignoring any warning light, but especially the tire pressure monitor and the check engine light.

“If the check engine light is on solid, think of it as a belly ache. It needs attention,” he said. “If it’s flashing, think of it like a heart attack. Something pretty serious. Most times, you want to stop driving it.”

Beyond the seasonal concerns, Miller emphasized the importance of routine maintenance throughout the year. That includes checking belts, hoses, brakes, and looking for any fluid leaks that could lead to major repairs if ignored.

“One of the ways vehicles last as well as they do today is maintenance,” Miller said. “Timing belts, brake fluid flushes, factory-required services — those all matter. We have access to all factory recommendations, and we can walk customers through everything their vehicle needs.”

Miller also noted that Red Rock Auto Center remains one of the last full-service stations in Kansas, offering the kind of service many drivers no longer find at the pump.

“Think 1950s Mayberry,” Miller said. “We come out, check the fluids, air up the tires, fill the gas, clean the windows. You can stay in your car, perfect for parents with kids or professionals on the go.”

Winter Driving: Hutchinson shop outlines what to check before cold hits

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Public Library will reopen today at noon after a major electrical failure <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/476dc760-2b14-4a05-8450-8239bb0781db">forced the building to close Saturday morning</a>.

Library Director Gregg Wamsley confirmed the update Monday morning, saying repair crews were able to restore power and make the building safe for public use.

The library had initially announced an all-day closure after the electrical issue shut down operations early Saturday.

Patrons are encouraged to check the library’s website and social media channels for any additional updates.

Library reopens at noon following electrical failure

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 2025 Reno County Toy Run filled Hutchinson streets and local charities’ donation boxes Sunday, with organizers reporting hundreds of riders, nearly sold-out merchandise and more than a thousand toys collected for area children.

Early totals from the event show 568 motorcycles took part in the parade, which began at Salty Cycles and finished at the Moose Lodge. Riders and community members donated at least 1,492 toys, with additional totals still being counted.

Organizers said 81 bicycles were donated, along with enough toys to help stock multiple local charities for the holiday season. The chili feed at the Moose Lodge served 178 bowls of chili.

Supporters also snapped up Toy Run gear. All of the event buttons were sold and all but two shirts were purchased.

“Seriously, thank you to our community. You made this all possible,” organizers said in a statement posted after the run.

The Toy Run, which featured Santa leading the parade, benefits several local organizations that serve children and families in need. Final fundraising and donation totals are expected to be released once all counts are complete.

Reno County Toy Run draws 568 motorcycles, nearly 1,500 toys donated

With Thanksgiving just weeks away, local veterinarian Dr. John Austin of Hutchinson Small Animal Hospital is urging pet owners to stay vigilant about holiday hazards and to prepare properly before welcoming new pets into the home.

Austin says rich holiday foods pose one of the biggest seasonal dangers. Turkey skin, gravy, and fatty leftovers can trigger pancreatitis — a painful and potentially life-threatening condition in pets whose digestive systems aren’t built to handle high-fat foods. He also warned strongly against giving pets turkey or other bird bones, which can splinter, cause obstructions, or puncture the gastrointestinal tract.

Holiday gift-giving also brings an influx of new puppies into local households, but Austin cautions families to plan carefully before surprising someone with a pet. New animals require time, training, medical care, and a willingness to tolerate accidents and chewed items. “If your carpet or furniture is more important than the animal, you probably shouldn’t have one,” he said.

Austin also recommends every household with pets assemble a small emergency kit. Items should include hydrogen peroxide — used only under veterinary guidance — to safely induce vomiting when appropriate, 81-mg baby aspirin, basic bandaging supplies, and tools like pill-poppers to help administer medications. He added that avoiding emergency visits can save families hundreds of dollars, especially when issues arise late at night or during weekends.

Another critical step, he says, is establishing a relationship with a veterinarian before emergencies occur. Shelter pets may come vaccinated, but owners still need a primary vet for after-hours care, questions, and follow-up. Modern technology has also improved triage, with many veterinarians now using smartphone videos or FaceTime to assess a pet’s condition and determine whether immediate treatment is necessary.

Austin’s message is clear: enjoy the holidays, but plan ahead and protect pets from seasonal risks — and think carefully before bringing home a Christmas puppy.

Veterinarian shares holiday pet safety tips

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Trinity Catholic Jr/Sr High School principal Joe Godina says the fall semester has been defined by championship performances, packed auditoriums, and strong community support, with winter sports and Giving Tuesday now steering the momentum toward the end of 2025.

Godina joined the BW Morning Show this week to highlight a stretch of successes across campus, beginning with one of the school’s most celebrated fall achievements: a Class 2A boys cross country team championship. Led by individual state champion Jacob Lindstrom and his twin brother John, who finished fourth, the Celtics edged KC Christian for the title.

“You don’t often think of cross country as a team sport, but this really was a team effort,” Godina said. “Jacob finished first and John fourth, but our 4, 5, 6, and 7 runners made all the difference. Those pushers got between KC Christian’s runners and brought home the title.”

That state crown capped a fall season that also saw the football program earn a regional championship. Trinity defeated Republic County on the road before narrowly falling 44-42 to Sterling in a sectional thriller.

“It was a classic high school football game,” Godina said. “We scored with 28 seconds left, and Sterling held on the two point conversion. It was too bad one of those teams had to lose, because both played exceptional.”

The school’s fine arts department delivered another highlight earlier in the semester. Trinity staged a three-show fall production that drew strong crowds.

“Our theater department did an amazing job,” Godina said. “All three shows were a huge success, and it was a really fun and entertaining production our kids and staff put on.”

With fall activities wrapped up, Trinity is transitioning into winter sports. Junior high basketball has already played three games, while high school teams opened practice Nov. 17.

“Both programs are going to have some young kids playing a lot of minutes,” Godina said. “But Coach White and Coach Overmiller instill a great work ethic. Regardless of how many games they win, we know they’ll compete hard and represent Trinity Catholic in a positive way.”

Godina also addressed the school’s academic calendar. Finals are scheduled for Dec. 17 and 19, spaced across the final week before Christmas break.

“It’s great to get finals done before break,” he said. “Kids are kids, and once they go on break, they’re not thinking about school. This gives everyone a clean start in January.”

As Thanksgiving week begins, Trinity teachers join colleagues from across the Diocese of Wichita for a professional development convention at Bishop Carroll. Educators will attend breakout sessions taught by fellow diocesan teachers and administrators.

“It’s a day of learning in ways that can help them in the classroom,” Godina said. “It might be classroom management, AI from a Catholic perspective, or just collaborating with others in their subject area.”

Looking ahead, Giving Tuesday remains one of the most important days of the year for Trinity Catholic. Through the national I Give Catholic platform, the school pairs its appeal with two targeted goals — one academic and one spiritual.

“In the past we’ve added new textbooks, science supplies, and supported our math department,” Godina said. “We’ve also added a new tabernacle and stained glass windows to our chapel. Giving Tuesday helps us provide what students need both academically and spiritually.”

Donors can contribute through the I Give Catholic website or directly through the school.

“For anyone not comfortable giving online, they can reach out to the school and we’ll help them,” Godina said.

Trinity is also preparing for a holiday food drive benefiting the St. Rose of Lima Foundation. Godina said the school is exploring expanding it into a communitywide effort tied to the Hutchinson Christmas Parade.

“We’re talking about making it a community competition and maybe starting an annual tradition,” he said. “It’s a chance for all of us to work together to meet a need in our community.”

Trinity Catholic eyes Giving Tuesday, finals after record fall performances

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City teen faces multiple allegations for a fatal shooting that occurred in April.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2753/Jacoway-RED-COMPLAINT-MJ">Martez Jacoway Jr.</a>, 19, faces 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2754/Jacoway-RED-PC-MJRedacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to a shooting on April 17 and found the victim in the front passenger seat of a white Ford Focus suffering from a single gunshot wound to his back. He was pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital.&nbsp;

Witnesses told detectives they saw a man wearing a black hoodie at the driver’s side window holding a rifle. The man fired several rounds toward the white Ford Focus. Surveillance footage captured muzzle flashes from the front driver’s side of a black vehicle directed at the victim’s vehicle.&nbsp;

Detectives used the Automated License Plate Recognition (APLR) system to track the suspect vehicle’s movements, which led to the identification of Jacoway. His cellphone records showed incoming and outgoing calls from areas that matched the black Nissan’s path on the day of the homicide, corroborating surveillance footage, city camera footage, and license plate reader data.

Jacoway had previously been identified by SAVE KC, but did not attend a call-in. He is being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

Court records: KC teen used rifle in deadly drive-by shooting

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia has agreed to pay nearly $5.2 million in overdue personal taxes, the latest saga for the former billionaire who has been followed by a trail of financial challenges going back well over a decade.

An attorney for Justice and his wife, Cathy, entered into a joint motion for consent judgment with the federal government Monday, the same day that the government filed a lawsuit saying that the couple “have neglected or refused to make full payment” for the income taxes dating to 2009. An attorney for the U.S. Justice Department's tax division signed off on the agreement.

Justice had a fortune&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-39a131d2143b4f458fe6c50e8283e03f">estimated at $1.9 billion last decade</a>&nbsp;by Forbes magazine, which stripped his billionaire title in 2021, when Justice's worth had dwindled to an estimated $513 million. Earlier this year, Forbes estimated that Justice’s net worth had disintegrated to “less than zero” due to liabilities that far exceeded assets.

A spokesperson for Justice's office didn’t immediate respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday.

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senator-jim-justice-debts-west-virginia-irs-f83649c701450b4a8e1077305760479a">a briefing with local media in October</a>, Justice asserted that his companies “are complicated and complex” and that his children “are doing a magnificent job” running them. He then repeated past assertions that collection efforts against him were politically motivated, before concluding:. “At the end of the day, I’d say just let it be and see how it all plays out.”

Justice, a former two-term Republican governor who owns dozens of businesses that include coal and agricultural operations,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-senate-justice-elliott-7376ed0ceb9bebd0766190fb14cc0e69">was elected last November to the Senate.</a>&nbsp;He took over the seat vacated by the retiring Joe Manchin, a Democrat who became an independent in 2024 near the end of his second full term.

Justice still has other financial challenges to work out.

The Internal Revenue Service last month filed liens totaling more than $8 million against Justice and his wife on unpaid personal taxes. In September, state tax officials filed $1.4 million in liens against the Justice family’s historic hotel, The Greenbrier, and the resort’s Greenbrier Sporting Club, over unpaid sales taxes.

Last month, a foreclosure auction on several hundred lots owned by the Justice family at a resort community near Beckley was paused. The auction centered on a dispute between the Glade Springs Village Property Owners Association and Justice Holdings over unpaid fees. The state Supreme Court plans to review the case more closely.

In 2021, the IRS filed liens over $1.1 million in unpaid taxes on the Greenbrier Hotel and an additional $80,000 on the resort’s medical clinic. Those debts were paid off later that year.

Justice’s family settled debts last year in a separate case to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-governor-justice-hotel-51715adcfa963192d9c13cbd64707d82">avoid the Greenbrier Hotel’s foreclosure</a>. The 710-room hotel, which has hosted U.S. presidents, royalty and congressional retreats, had come under threat of being auctioned off on the steps of a Lewisburg courthouse. That was after JPMorgan Chase sold a longstanding loan taken out by Justice to a credit collection company, Beltway Capital, which declared it to be in default.

The state Democratic Party has said efforts to seize the hotel from Justice were “a direct consequence of his own financial incompetence.”

Last year, a union official at the Greenbrier said that Justice’s family&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenbrier-hotel-jim-justice-west-virginia-350b92c83c37dfe03dd38f4368a4accc">was at least $2.4 million behind</a>&nbsp;in payments to an employees’ health insurance fund, putting workers’ coverage at risk. In 2023, dozens of properties owned by the Justice family in three counties were auctioned as payment for delinquent real estate taxes. Others have sought to recoup millions in fines for environmental issues and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-governor-jim-justice-mine-fines-3d98e07c4d14646a194ee9f739b5f770">unsafe working conditions at his company’s coal mines</a>.

Justice bought The Greenbrier resort out of bankruptcy in 2009 for $20.1 million. The sporting club is a private equity club and residential community on the property that opened in 2000.

The resort in White Sulphur Springs that dates to 1778 also has a casino, spa and dozens of amenities and employs around 2,000 workers. The resort held a PGA Tour golf tournament from 2010 until 2019 and has welcomed NFL teams for training camp and practices. A once-secret 112,000-square-foot (10,080-square-meter) underground bunker built for Congress at the Greenbrier in case of nuclear attack during the Cold War now hosts tours.

U.S. Senator agrees to pay nearly $5.2M in overdue personal taxes

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;didn't bring much holiday cheer Tuesday when bestowing ceremonial pardons on two Thanksgiving turkeys, dispensing more insults than goodwill at the traditional White House ritual.

He joked about sending the turkeys to an infamous prison in El Salvador that has been used to house migrants deported from the United States. He said the birds should be named Chuck and Nancy — after Democratic stalwarts Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi — but “I would never pardon those people.”

Trump claimed that last year's turkey pardons, issued by President Joe Biden, were invalid because he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-pardons-autopen-capitol-riot-1956c5dcb44ecba10cd9b01171ca9efa">used an autopen</a>. “Where's Hunter?” he said, suggesting that his predecessor's son could once again face legal jeopardy.

And all of that was before Trump turned his attention to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-violence-crime-pritzker-national-guard-trump-2023e25445c45a3f0f4d3513e8eb2ac4">resisted the White House's plans</a>&nbsp;to deploy the National Guard in Chicago.

Trump said he had a joke prepared about Pritzker, but “I refuse to talk about the fact that he's a fat slob. I don't mention it.”

Scattered laughter rippled through the audience, which sat under cloudy skies and an intermittent drizzle on the Rose Garden patio.

Trump eventually got around to the business at hand, which was pardoning the turkeys Gobble and Waddle. But Waddle wasn't there — the White House did not immediately respond to questions about the bird's whereabouts — and the president proceeded anyway.

“Gobble, I just want to tell you this — very important — you are hereby unconditionally pardoned,” Trump said. He reached over to run his hand over the feathers, saying, “Who would want to harm this beautiful bird?”

Waddle had previously been spotted in the White House briefing room.

"Waddle, want to give us a gobble?” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asked.

Trump used part of his ceremonial remarks to insist that the price of Thanksgiving meals was dropping under his leadership, although&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-trump-thanksgiving-meal-cost-discounts-0005c70022b7701e0ec0531220673942">his numbers are misleading.</a>&nbsp;Some research indicates that holiday dinners could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-turkey-food-prices-2025-5754f2e4c7ca8747b75a4b3efe15297f">cost more this year</a>, a reminder of persistent frustration with inflation.

The president plans to fly south to his private Florida resort later Tuesday, a holiday interlude during what has been a turbulent and uncertain chapter of his second term.

Trump is struggling to advance a plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-ukraine-russia-war-ece1a80b435f402b475fb180023a75dc">end the Russian invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;after an earlier version faced swift criticism from European allies and even some Republicans. The U.S. military is also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caine-caribbean-military-venezuela-boat-strikes-02073d27c1d264deb0fb1afd03cc1971">poised to target Venezuela</a>&nbsp;with military strikes, part of an anti-drug operation that could ultimately destabilize the country's leadership.

In Washington, Trump faces the possibility of a splintering Republican coalition ahead of next year's midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Some members of his party already took the rare step of crossing the president by successfully pushing legislation to force the Justice Department to release more documents about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-e1fa3b7cb64b6c678073744c7744c4a9">the Jeffrey Epstein case.</a>

Trump faced a setback in court this week when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-james-justice-department-5ec1a59d152bc1fd000ade15e20745b5">a federal judge tossed cases</a>&nbsp;against James Comey and Letitia James, two targets of the president's retribution campaign.

Comey, a former FBI director whom Trump fired during his first term, was charged with making a false statement and obstructing Congress. James, the New York attorney general who investigated the president between his two terms, was charged with mortgage fraud.

Both pleaded not guilty and said the prosecutions were politically motivated, pointing to Trump's public demands for the Justice Department to punish his enemies.

The judge said the interim U.S. attorney, a former member of Trump's personal legal team, who obtained the indictments was illegally appointed. However, the decision was made without prejudice, so the Justice Department could try again to charge Comey and James.

The White House plans to be open for holiday tours. However, despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-tree-3249c03bec94e4ac99cc6002733a971c">the traditional arrival of a Christmas tree</a>&nbsp;on Monday, the presidential residence will be much different this year.

Trump's decision to demolish the building's East Wing to make room for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ballroom-east-wing-white-house-844ddefd00c2323cf9419e5ba9635daf">a new ballroom</a>&nbsp;has turned part of the White House grounds into a construction site.

🎥Not much holiday cheer as President pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged ATM Jackpotting incident in Salina.&nbsp; Jackpotting involves the exploitation of physical and software vulnerabilities in automated banking machines that result in the machines dispensing cash.

Just before 10:30a.m. Monday, police&nbsp;responded to Bennington State Bank, 2130 South Ohio in Salina in reference to a “Jackpotting” theft, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

Investigators determined that at approximately 8p.m. Sunday, the suspect entered the ATM at the bank and were able to obtain an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspects then proceeded to the Bennington State Bank branch located at 200 S. 9th Street in Salina at about 1a.m. Monday, where they were able to enter the ATM and obtain an undisclosed amount of casy from that ATM also.

The suspect vehicle was a white Lincoln passenger car. A Kansas tag was observed on the vehicle. It was determined the tag had been stolen between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM on 11/23/2025 from a vehicle in the 100 block of S. Phillips in Salina.

It is suspected a Jackpotting incident which occurred Wamego, Kansas, after the events in Salina are connected.&nbsp;

Jackpotting ATM theft reported at banks in Kansas

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-rate-trump-china-4aae117f7a02df19b82dcf1b5f58fd27">climbed again</a>&nbsp;Tuesday on hopes for a coming cut to interest rates.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.9% after breaking out of a morning lull and is back within 1.8% of its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 664 points, or 1.4%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.7%.

Stocks got a boost from easing yields in the bond market. Lower interest rates can cover up many sins in financial markets, including prices going too high, and hopes are strong that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-inflation-8a0060c2f52f884ed3489450a66619b8">the Federal Reserve will cut</a>&nbsp;its main interest rate at its next meeting to juice the economy further.

A raft of mixed economic data on Tuesday left traders betting on a nearly 83% probability that the Fed will cut in December, according to data from CME Group. That’s roughly the same as a day before and up sharply from the coin flip’s chance that they saw just a week ago.

One of Tuesday’s reports said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-retail-consumers-68854ba56ab37f1c3d5d2efe9656a4ae">shoppers bought less at U.S. retailers</a>&nbsp;in September than economists expected. Another said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-economy-55848421b5ff33ed244c8a4291f7facf">confidence among U.S. consumers worsened</a>&nbsp;by more in November than expected, a second signal that the economy could potentially use the help of lower interest rates.

Easier rates can boost the economy by encouraging households and companies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-672fc089b1cf87dabf11fed9e7ac3cb5">to borrow more</a>&nbsp;and investors to pay higher prices for investments than they would otherwise.

A third report, meanwhile, said inflation at the wholesale level was a touch worse in September than economists expected, but a closely tracked underlying trend was slightly better. That’s important because lower interest rates can make inflation worse, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-inflation-trump-prices-economy-wall-street-fed-consumers-280a2fd30de3bb44bd87cd0248082322">high inflation</a>&nbsp;is the main deterrent that could keep the Fed from cutting rates.

After taking all the data together, economists suggested the Fed and its chair, Jerome Powell, could be leaning toward cutting rates on Dec. 10. The Fed has already cut rates twice this year in hopes of shoring up the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-hiring-economy-c48fd84dfaa71eee962feb3a88fd8575">slowing job market</a>.

“Taking a pause on rate cuts would probably do more damage to sentiment than a cut would help,” according to Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management, who also said “Powell doesn’t need to be the Grinch that stole Christmas.”

Easier interest rates can give particularly big boosts to smaller companies, because many of them need to borrow to grow. The Russell 2000 index of the smallest U.S. stocks jumped 2.1% to lead the market.

Elsewhere on Wall Street, several retailers leaped after delivering stronger profits for the summer than analysts expected.

Abercrombie &amp; Fitch soared 37.5% after the apparel seller reported a better profit than expected. It also raised the bottom end of its forecasted range for revenue and profit over the full year.

Kohl’s surged 42.5% after reporting a profit for the latest quarter, when analysts were expecting a loss.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-buy-earnings-economy-a82022e44a9f4eac0196d898509b3cae">Best Buy</a>&nbsp;rose 5.3% after boosting its profit forecast for the full year following a better-than-expected third quarter, citing strength across computing, gaming and mobile phones.

Dick’s Sporting Goods erased an early drop of 4% to add 0.2%. It raised its forecast for results at its Dick’s stores, though its purchase of Foot Locker is requiring some work. Executive Chairman Ed Stack said the company is “cleaning out the garage” at Foot Locker by clearing inventory, closing poorly performing stores and making other moves.

Swings also continued in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial-intelligence</a>&nbsp;industry, which has battled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-bubble-warnings-bank-of-england-imf-b15e54f6d06992371ee39b27f4e6da3a">concerns that too many dollars are pouring into data centers</a>&nbsp;and may not produce the revolution of bigger profits and productivity that proponents are predicting.

Alphabet rose another 1.5%, continuing a strong run on excitement about its recently released&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-gemini-artificial-intelligence-9d584d1be428bf5d0a98ecd411c6d23e">Gemini AI model</a>. Chinese giant Alibaba, meanwhile, saw its stock that trades in the United States fall 2.3% after losing an early gain. It reported&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alibaba-ai-agi-ecommerce-revenue-2b891a2c649a3e983052a37c5cb0a11d">stronger revenue</a>&nbsp;than analysts expected for the latest quarter thanks in part to the AI boom, but its overall profit fell short of forecasts.

Some chip companies dropped sharply following a report from The Information that Meta Platforms is in talks to spend billions of dollars on AI chips from Alphabet instead of them.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-earnings-artificial-intelligence-boom-bubble-6feaf871d527436f98fbd8d228377b30">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;sank 2.6% and Advanced Micro Devices dropped 4.1%.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 60.76 points to 6,765.88. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 664.18 to 47,112.45, and the Nasdaq composite gained 153.59 to 23,025.59.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.00% from 4.04% late Monday.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across Europe and Asia. Germany’s DAX returned 1%, and stocks in Shanghai climbed 0.9% for two of the world’s bigger moves.

Another big day for stocks as Dow rallies over 600 points

LYON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Monday on the Kansas Turnpike Lyon Coutny.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Peterbilt semi driven by Pedro Ocampo, 64, Berwyn, Illinois, was southbound on Interstate 35 approaching the entry ramp for Interstate 335.&nbsp; The driver failed to use caution, according to the patrol.&nbsp; The vehicle entered the curve too fast. The semi left the road, struck three posts and overturned into a ditch.

Ocampo was pronounced deceased and was transported to&nbsp;Roberts Blue Funeral Home. The KHP released no additional details.

KHP IDs driver who died in Turnpike semi crash 

WASHINGTON (AP) —The White announced on Monday they back the Pentagon investigation of Democrat Senator Mark Kelly.

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