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

🎧 BW Morning Show Interview: Steve Miller, Red Rock Auto Center

🎧 BW Morning Show Interview: Joe Godina, Trinity Jr./Sr. High School 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 Board of Education will meet Monday at 6 p.m. at the district’s Administration Center to review routine business, consider funding for childcare improvements and hold a study session on district facilities.

Superintendent reports and committee updates are scheduled before the board is expected to approve minutes from its Nov. 10 meeting.

One of the primary action items is a request for $110,000 in contingency funds to support ongoing projects at the Lil’ Hawks Childcare Center. The district is recommending approval.&nbsp;

Several superintendent consent items are also on the agenda, including the October 2025 treasurer’s report, a $525,278 rooftop unit replacement at McCandless, service provider assurances for the 2025–26 Parents as Teachers Bright Futures Program, an early graduation request, grants and gifts to schools.

The board plans to enter executive session for personnel discussion before taking action on the personnel report.

After regular business concludes, members will move to the curriculum lab for a study session centered on facility options across the district.

USD 308 Board of Education meeting this evening

TURON, Kan. — Reno County officials have announced that the new District #7 Fire Station in Turon is complete, operational, and ready to serve the western portion of the county.

The long-awaited facility marks a major milestone in strengthening emergency services and improving response capabilities for residents. County leaders say the upgraded station will enhance efficiency, provide better support for volunteer firefighters, and help meet the growing needs of the community.

To celebrate the opening, the public is invited to an Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. Visitors will be able to tour the new facility, meet District #7 personnel, and learn more about the equipment and resources housed on-site. Guests will also be treated to chili and cinnamon rolls, a longtime Kansas community favorite.

Reno County officials are encouraging residents from across the area to stop by and help mark this significant addition to the county’s emergency response infrastructure.

“This is a wonderful step forward for Reno County,” the county shared in the announcement, adding that they are excited to showcase the new station and thank the many people who helped make the project possible.

New Turon fire station complete, open house set for Dec. 6

BENTLEY, Kan. — A report of a suspicious vehicle led to the arrest of two people in Bentley earlier this month, according to the Bentley Police Department.

Deputy Chief Scott Harris responded to a call around 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 after residents reported a suspicious character driving through the neighborhood near Devonshire and Midland. Mt. Hope Officer Brandon Endicott also assisted with checking the area.

Officers located the vehicle parked partially on public right of way and private property at 150 S. Dacey. The car displayed an expired Oklahoma registration and was occupied by a single woman. Officers observed burglary tools inside and learned from a citizen that a male passenger had left the vehicle and was seen walking south on Phelps.

Chief Bryan and Police Service Dog Edy arrived to search the vehicle. A free air sniff resulted in a positive alert, and a subsequent search led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.

While responding to assist, Colwich Officer Tyson Ridenour was advised of a man walking in the roadway near K-96 and 151st Street West. He stopped the man, determined he was the second occupant of the vehicle and placed him under arrest on two outstanding warrants.

Police identified the woman as Susan Lepich, 39. She was charged with possession of controlled substances, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no proof of insurance and operating without valid registration. Investigators noted she has previous drug-related convictions, including a 2020 conviction in Colorado Springs for dangerous drugs and criminal trespass, and a September arrest in Greensburg for possession of methamphetamine. Her initial appearance is scheduled for December in Kiowa County District Court. She was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on a 3,250 dollar bond.

The male suspect, identified as Chad E. Hendershot, 43, of Wichita, was transported and booked on two warrants issued through the Wichita Police Department.

Chief Bryan thanked residents for reporting suspicious activity and credited the Colwich and Mt. Hope police departments for their assistance.

Bentley police arrest two after suspicious vehicle report

Just after 3 p.m., November 17, police were dispatched to an a dispute at the the Salvation Army, 2545 10th&nbsp;Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.

Upon their arrival, they contacted Leslie DeWitt, 49, and learned that she had exhibited disruptive behavior in the business and had been asked several times by the store personnel to leave the property.

Officers informed DeWitt that she was no longer welcome on the business property and she entered her vehicle and drove away. A short time later, an officer observed DeWitt's vehicle back in the Salvation Army parking lot and observed DeWitt exiting the store. DeWitt entered her vehicle as the officer approached to detain her.&nbsp;

As the officer was standing between the open car door and the woman, DeWitt placed her vehicle in reverse and proceeded to back up, striking the officer with the door and briefly pulling him alongside the moving vehicle. 

DeWitt then drove eastbound on 10th Street at a high rate of speed. She was relocated and taken into custody a short time later.

After her arrest,&nbsp; K9 Niko was deployed and alerted to her vehicle. A search of DeWitt's vehicle was conducted and THC, opiates, and drug paraphernalia were located. During subsequent processing for DUI,&nbsp; DeWitt kicked, spit on, and attempted to bite members of the Great Bend Police Department.

DeWitt was booked into the Barton County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Battery on a law enforcement officer, Felony Interference, Felony DUI, Possession of THC, Possession of Opiates, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Assault on Law enforcement officer.

The GBPD was assisted on this call by the Barton County Sheriff's Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Great Bend Fire Department.&nbsp;

Kansas woman accused of striking officer with her car

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;on Monday welcomed this year’s official White House Christmas tree, a white fir from a farm in Michigan that arrived by horse-drawn carriage.

The tree, which came from Korson’s Tree Farms, arrived on the North Portico. It was delivered by a pair of Clydesdales named Logan and Ben in a carriage driven by one of three men, all wearing top hats, who were on board.

“It’s a beautiful tree,” the first lady said as she circled the carriage and posed for pictures.

Wearing a cream-colored overcoat and dark red gloves, she shook hands with one of the drivers and a woman who was standing with the horses.

The 18 1/2-foot tree will be displayed in the Blue Room.

Korson’s Tree Farms secured the honor by winning the National Christmas Tree Association’s national tree contest. The winner of that contest has produced the official White House Christmas tree since 1966.

🎥First lady welcomes Christmas tree to the White House

SALINE COUNTY —The future of the pit bull dog ban in Salina will be decided in a special election in February, according to the City Commission on Monday.

The commission decided to use a mail ballot. Registered Salina voters will receive a ballot in the mail and a postage-paid envelope. The ballot must be returned to the clerk’s office prior to the February 24, deadline.

In October a group presented a petition to repeal the pit bull dog ban in Salina to the Salina City Manager’s Office. The Saline County Election Officer validated the petition.

In 2004, the city enacted a pit bull ban.&nbsp;Once the February 2026 election is complete, the decision is law for at least ten years.

&nbsp;Overland Park, Hiawatha, Independence, Clay Center, Bonner Springs and Garden City have repealed similar pit bull breed bans in the past.

Salina sets date for special election on Pit Bull ordinance 

NEW YORK (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers coach and basketball Hall of Famer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trail-blazers-chauncey-billups-57c920d0fcace5dbce25cd474468cd40">Chauncey Billups</a>&nbsp;pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges he profited from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/betting-arrests-sports-gambling-poker-fa72cd1ced5bdaacfabe1688d873bf45">rigged poker games</a>&nbsp;involving several Mafia figures and at least one other former NBA player.

The five-time All Star, who won a championship with the Detroit Pistons, was arraigned in a federal court in New York City on money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges, both of which carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. Some of Billups’ co-defendants are also charged with running an illegal gambling business and engaging in an extortion conspiracy.

Chris Heywood, his attorney, has said Billups is a “man of integrity” and denies the charges.

“To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game,” Heywood said after Billups appeared in federal court in Portland, Oregon, when prosecutors first announced the indictment on Oct. 23.

Billups wore a dark gray suit during the brief arraignment and spoke only to answer the judge’s yes or no questions. He has been free on bond since his initial court appearance in Oregon.

Billups was arguably the most prominent name among more than 30 charged in last month’s sprawling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-terry-rozier-gambling-probe-de98ecb76bb8f13b85f4c5ac62f66221">federal takedown</a>&nbsp;of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports. The other defendants were also expected to appear in the Brooklyn court for Monday's proceedings, in which the judge, prosecutors and defense lawyers will likely discuss next steps in the case.

Prosecutors say the 49-year-old Denver native, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/basketball-hall-of-fame-induction-6e9a225d4a29f9d13c35179d7f2b847c">inducted</a>&nbsp;into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame last year, was involved in a scheme to rig Mafia-backed illegal poker games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami and the Hamptons.

Former NBA player and assistant coach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rozier-billups-jones-betting-arrests-4241238cb43d998f1b9eac47b8d326a7">Damon Jones</a>&nbsp;was also nabbed in that alleged scheme, which prosecutors say utilized a range of sophisticated technology that allowed the gambling to be rigged, such as altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras in poker chip trays, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table to read cards.

Jones was also charged along with Miami Heat guard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/terry-rozier">Terry Rozier</a>&nbsp;in a separate scheme at the same time that allowed gamblers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prop-bets-nba-scandal-624ce04b410eb3e97806c3c011412476">exploit insider information</a>&nbsp;about players to win bets on NBA games.

Prosecutors say the poker scheme Billups was involved in defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million starting in at least 2019.

They say he served as a celebrity “face card” that could draw wealthy, unsuspecting players to the games. Prosecutors said during one game, the scheme’s organizers exchanged messages saying one of the victims “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “star struck.”

Prosecutors say Billups, who earned about $106 million from his playing days, received a portion of the ill-gotten gains. After one rigged game in October 2020, for example, they say he was directly wired $50,000.

The scheme organizers also had to share a portion of their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno mob families for operating within the illegal poker games run by the New York criminal enterprises, prosecutors said.

Mafia members, in turn, helped commit violent acts, including assault, extortion and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation, they said.

Billups was selected as the third overall pick in the 1997 draft by the Boston Celtics after starring in college for the Colorado Buffaloes. He played 17 years in the NBA, with stints with the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers.

But he is perhaps&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chauncey-billups-arrest-65eb67f6a0ed283ca6dd011d70425df8">most beloved</a>&nbsp;in the Motor City, where he earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” for his knack of making clutch shots.

Billups was named the NBA Finals MVP during the Pistons' title run in 2004 and had his No. 1 jersey retired by the team.

After retiring in 2014, Billups embarked on a career as a TV analyst before pivoting to coaching.

He was hired as Portland’s coach in 2021 and signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trail-blazers-chauncey-billups-57c920d0fcace5dbce25cd474468cd40">multiyear extension</a>&nbsp;with the Trail Blazers earlier this year after the team missed out on the playoffs for the fourth straight season in 2024. Billups previously served as an assistant coach on the Los Angeles Clippers.

After his arrest, he was placed on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/terry-rozier-salary-sports-betting-db662e66f4f56959ad4765d33cf5ced8">unpaid leave</a>&nbsp;and the Trail Blazers named assistant coach and former NBA player Tiago Splitter as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chauncey-billups-trail-blazers-tiago-splitter-7a126fe382491a95a8d33d0d580ca399">interim coach</a>.

Former Big 12 star enters a plea in NBA gambling scandal 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced Monday it is investigating Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona over possible breaches of military law after the former Navy pilot joined a handful of other lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-traitors-sedition-illegal-orders-c5fc3c5bd2fbc6b1204550e4203c24b2">in a video</a>&nbsp;that called for troops to defy "illegal orders."

The Pentagon’s statement, posted on social media, cited a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other measures.

It is extraordinary for the Pentagon, which until President Donald Trump's second term had usually gone out of its way to act and appear apolitical, to directly threaten a sitting member of Congress with investigation. It comes after Trump ramped up the rhetoric last week by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-traitors-sedition-illegal-orders-c5fc3c5bd2fbc6b1204550e4203c24b2">accusing the lawmakers of sedition</a>&nbsp;“punishable by DEATH” in a social media post days after the video was released.

In its statement Monday, the Pentagon suggested that Kelly’s statements in the video interfered with the “loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces” by citing the federal law that prohibits such actions.

“A thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures,” the statement said.

In the video posted last Tuesday, Kelly was one of six Democratic lawmakers who have served in the military or intelligence community to speak “directly to members of the military.” The other lawmakers are Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/slotkin-democratic-response-text-trump-congress-6ba1012264201e715c290da1b8f45bc4">Elissa Slotkin</a>&nbsp;and Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan, who are seen as possible future aspirants for higher office and elevated their political profiles with the video's wide exposure.

Kelly, who was a fighter pilot before becoming an astronaut and then retiring at the rank of captain, told troops that “you can refuse illegal orders,” while other lawmakers in the video said they needed troops to “stand up for our laws ... our Constitution.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Kelly was facing investigation because he is the only one of the lawmakers who formally retired from the military and is still under the Pentagon’s jurisdiction.

“Kelly’s conduct brings discredit upon the armed forces and will be addressed appropriately," Hegseth said on his personal X account. Of the wider group, he added that “their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion — which only puts our warriors in danger.”

Kelly’s office did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment on the Pentagon investigation. Speaking Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Kelly said Trump’s words were “very serious” and “carry tremendous weight,” adding that “because of what he says there is now increased threats against us.”

His fellow Democratic Arizona senator, Ruben Gallego, decried the Trump administration for targeting Kelly after he “dedicated his life to serving this country with honor.”

“Mark told the truth — in America, we swear an oath to the Constitution, not wannabe kings,” Gallego posted on social media.

Kelly and the other lawmakers didn’t mention specific circumstances in the video last week, but its release comes as the Trump administration has ordered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d">the military to blow up small boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean accused of ferrying drugs and continues its attempts at deploying National Guard troops into U.S. cities despite some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-judge-ruling-dc-washington-national-guard-1be5c3744e35f8dd68a6a12fa4583186">legal setbacks</a>.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said last week that “our military follows orders, and our civilians give legal orders."

Troops, especially uniformed commanders, do have specific obligations to reject orders that are unlawful, if they make that determination.

While commanders have military lawyers on their staffs to consult with in making such a determination, rank-and-file troops who are tasked with carrying out those orders are rarely in a similar position and often have to rely on their superiors.

Broad legal precedence also holds that just following orders — colloquially known as the “Nuremberg defense,” as it was used unsuccessfully by senior Nazi officials to justify their actions under Adolf Hitler — doesn’t absolve troops.

Yet, there has been little reaction online from troops to the lawmakers' video.

A former service member who helps run an online military forum and spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation said the lawmakers’ message is unlikely even to reach troops because the video was posted only on X and was far too long to be reposted on platforms like TikTok where troops actually consume information.

Pentagon investigates U.S. Senator for video urging troops defy ‘illegal orders’

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Police are investigating a shooting that left two dead in Topeka.&nbsp;

Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a shooting at McDonalds restaurant in the 1200 block of SW Gage Boulevard in Topeka, according to Topeka Police&nbsp; LT Jayme Green.

 At the scene, first responders located two victims who were&nbsp;deceased. EMS transported a third victim to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police did not release the name of the victims or any additional details on Monday afternoon.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to email telltpd@topeka.org or contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online

2 dead, 1 wounded in shooting at Kan. fast food restaurant

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in a 3-vehicle accident just before 5:30p.m. Saturday in Sedgwick County.

&nbsp;The Segwick County sheriff's office reported three vehicles, an Amazon delivery van, a Dodge Ram pickup and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. were southbound on 135th Street West at 63rd Street South between K-42 Highway and Clearwater.

The Amazon van’s driver began a U-turn at 63rd Street South in front of the Dodge Ram and the motorcycle, triggering a chain-reaction crash.

First responders found the motorcycle’s driver, 63-year-old Dwayne Wesley Evers of Clearwater, and his passenger, a 58-year-old Clearwater woman, with critical injuries.

Despite life-saving measures, Evers died at the scene. EMS transported the woman motorcycle passenger to a Wichita hospital with critical injuries. The driver of the Dodge Ram, a 70-year-old Clearwater man, was also taken by EMS to a Wichita hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening. The Amazon van’s driver, a 25-year-old Wichita man, was not injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Investigators do not suspect speed or impairment as a cause of the accident.

After completing the reconstruction, the Sheriff’s Office will forward the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Kansas motorcyclist killed in crash with Amazon van, pickup

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Trump said he has accepted an invitation from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Beijing and that he reciprocated by inviting Xi for a state visit to the U.S. later next year.

Trump made the announcement a few hours after speaking with Xi on the phone on Monday morning. He said the two men discussed issues including Ukraine, fentanyl, and soybeans. The phone call came nearly one month after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-xi-trade-tiktok-tariffs-semiconductors-7934c7772af030ba246ba200adf7bf8b">the two met in person</a>&nbsp;in the South Korean city of Busan.

“Our relationship with China is extremely strong!” Trump said.

Beijing, which announced the phone call first, said nothing about the state visits but said the two leaders discussed trade, Taiwan and Ukraine.

President Trump says he will visit Beijing in April

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-stobbe">MIKE STOBBE</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/nicky-forster">NICKY FORSTER</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season is starting slowly, and it’s unclear if it will be as bad as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-flu-season-cdc-a640e8fe0bffa4a8f6bdbd7ea8e5608a">last winter’s</a>, but some health experts are worried as U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted Friday shows a new version of the virus has emerged.

An early analysis suggests current vaccines may still be somewhat effective against the new version of the flu, which has been the main driver of recent infections, CDC data shows.

Some scientists and medical professionals are more worried about disappointing vaccination rates, a main reason why flu hospitalizations and deaths were unusually bad during last year’s flu season — one of the deadliest this century.

“I think we’re going to see a really severe season,” said Asefeh Faraz Covelli of the George Washington University School of Nursing.

Last winter, the overall flu hospitalization rate was the highest seen since the H1N1 flu pandemic 15 years ago. Flu was the underlying or a contributing cause of more than 18,000 deaths, and one seven-day stretch early this year saw more than 1,800 deaths — the highest one-week spike in at least a decade.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flu-deaths-children-cdc-e79b1e4169d629ad4bc1095d95d82110">Child flu deaths</a>&nbsp;also were far higher than usual.

CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/usmap.html" target="_blank">data</a>&nbsp;posted Friday showed low flu activity so far, with only one state — Louisiana — reporting moderate activity. Most of the reported infections have been in children, said the CDC’s Alicia Budd, who tracks flu infections for the Atlanta-based agency.

Most also have been a new version of the type A H3N2 virus that historically has caused the most hospitalizations and deaths in older people. That type is responsible for most flu infections so far this year, and more than half have been a new subclade K variant that is different from the strain this year’s flu shots were built to fight.

A preliminary&nbsp;<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691349457a0ccd6a3aad7fa9/_Flu_interimVE_2526_.pdf" target="_blank">analysis</a>&nbsp;from the United Kingdom suggests the shots do provide at least partial protection, although it will take some time for scientists to know exactly how effective they are. Experts say any protection that softens the blow of a flu infection is important to get.

Flu seasons tend to get bad between December and February, and illnesses likely will accelerate as people travel and gather for Thanksgiving, Covelli said.

“I think it’s going to start picking up here,” she said. “This is the ideal time to get vaccinated.”

Researchers this year have been facing an unusual struggle to get a handle on how respiratory infection and vaccination rates have been trending.

They usually rely on the CDC for data, but a recent government shutdown halted data collection and reporting just as respiratory infections started ramping up.

Meanwhile, government efforts to promote disease-preventing shots have been more limited since U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was put in charge of the CDC and other federal health agencies. Kennedy, a leading anti-vaccine activist, has fostered uncertainty about the safety of vaccines, including flu shots that contained a preservative called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-acip-flu-vaccine-thimerosal-c5696bbc19f345323153d5336cb5e798">thimerosal</a>.

Indeed, vaccination rates against COVID-19 clearly continue to plummet, with about 6% of children and 14% of adults up to date on their shots, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/vaccination-trends.html" target="_blank">other CDC data</a>&nbsp;posted Friday. Each figure is about 3 percentage points less than it was at this point last fall.

For the flu, vaccination trends are a little muddier. Some sources have suggested flu vaccinations are down. Over two million fewer flu shots were given at U.S. pharmacies through the end of October compared to last year, according to data from IQVIA, a health information and research company.

But the latest CDC data indicates that for children, the vaccination rate this year is about the same as it was at this point last fall, at 34%. And the vaccination rate for adults is up a few percentage points to about 37%, according to the CDC data, which relies on survey information.

It is early in the season and too early to know if the increase will be sustained or what is causing it, CDC officials said.

As of the beginning of November, the U.S. flu hospitalization rate is about the same as it was at the same point in 2024. Hospitalization rates for COVID-19 and another respiratory virus, RSV, are lower so far this season, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/resp-net/dashboard/index.html" target="_blank">another set</a>&nbsp;of CDC data.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Health experts worry about a new strain of flu and vaccination rates

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday dismissed the criminal cases against former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/james-comey-charged-lying-congress-a2c72e1a5bb73d588f3af7fdb56caa82">FBI Director James Comey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/letitia-james-justice-department-trump-pam-bondi-3da6cd432be74bab32b2ecbfb2e2b451">New York Attorney General Letitia James</a>, concluding that the prosecutor who brought the charges at President Donald Trump’s urging was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.

The rulings from U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie halt at least for now a pair of prosecutions that had hastened concerns that the Justice Department was being weaponized to pursue the president’s political adversaries and amount to a stunning rebuke of the Trump administration's legal maneuvering to install a loyal, and inexperienced, prosecutor willing to file the cases.

The orders make Lindsey Halligan the latest Trump administration prosecutor to be disqualified because of the manner in which they were appointed. Both defendants had asked for the cases to be dismissed with prejudice, meaning that the Justice Department would not be able to bring them again. But the judge instead dismissed them without prejudice, though it was not immediately clear if or how the Justice Department might attempt to revive the prosecutions.

The challenge to Halligan's appointment was one piece of a multiprong assault on the indictments by both Comey and James, who had each sought to have their cases dismissed on grounds that the prosecutions were vindictive. Comey's lawyers had also seized on irregularities in the grand jury process in seeking to get the prosecution thrown out. Each of those requests remains pending.

Monday's order deals exclusively with the mechanism the Trump administration employed to appoint Halligan, a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience, to lead one of the Justice Department’s most elite and important offices.

Halligan was named to the job in September after a different interim U.S. attorney, Erik Siebert, was effectively forced out amid pressure from the Trump administration to file charges against Comey and James.

After Siebert resigned, Comey’s lawyers argued, the judges of the federal court district should have had exclusive say over who got to fill the vacancy. Instead, Trump nominated Halligan while publicly imploring Bondi in a social media post to take action against his political opponents, saying in a Truth Social post that “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”

Comey was indicted days later on charges of making a false statement and obstructing Congress, and James was charged soon after that in a mortgage fraud investigation.

In a statement, James said, “I am heartened by today’s victory and grateful for the prayers and support I have received from around the country.”

“I remain fearless in the face of these baseless charges as I continue fighting for New Yorkers every single day,” the New York attorney general, a Democrat, said.

Judges have separately disqualified interim U.S. attorneys in New Jersey, Los Angeles and Nevada, but have permitted cases brought under their watch to move forward. But lawyers for Comey and James had argued that Currie’s ruling needed to go even further because Halligan was the sole signer of the indictments and the driving force behind them.

Comey has for years been one of Trump’s chief antagonists. Appointed to the job in 2013 by President Barack Obama, Comey, at the time of Trump’s 2016 election, was overseeing an investigation into whether his presidential campaign had conspired with Russia to sway the outcome of the race. Furious over that investigation, Trump fired Comey in May 2017 and the two officials have verbally sparred in the years since.

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