Hutchinson’s beloved “Christmas Castle” is opening its doors once more. After nearly 1,000 people visited the Victorian holiday showcase in November, homeowner and creator Nick Fisher has decided to host one final open house on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Fisher said the overwhelming turnout left him both humbled and energized. “The community response was incredible,” he said. “We had so many families come through that we wanted to open it up one more time before the season wraps up.”

Outdoor Christmas lighting was installed by Prime Property Maintenance, part of an overall setup Fisher estimates cost around $30,000 this year. A donation box will be available at Saturday’s event for visitors who wish to contribute to the continued growth of the display.

What began as a quiet promise made during a snowy Christmas in Alaska has become one of Hutchinson’s most dazzling holiday traditions—and this year marks the first time the public has been invited inside the home.

Nick Fisher, who moved to Hutchinson from New Jersey during the pandemic, first welcomed the community into his Victorian home at 201 W. 12th Ave. for a one-night open house on Nov. 21. That event drew enormous interest and glowing feedback, inspiring the additional evening.

Fisher’s passion for Christmas decorating stretches back eight years, born during a holiday when he and his wife were snowed in and spent two weeks watching Hallmark movies. “We made a promise that we would go bigger and better every year,” he said.

That promise now fills every level of their home with immersive, themed holiday scenes:

Every detail carries meaning. This season marks 10 years since the passing of Fisher’s mother, who he says is the inspiration behind every design. The entire third floor is dedicated to her and other loved ones—a holiday-themed memorial space Fisher calls his favorite room in the house.

Inside, this year’s theme is “Once Upon a Christmas,” with each room designed to resemble a page from a storybook. “My house is a canvas,” he said. “I like everything to have a look, a design, a theme.”

At both open-house events, visitors are greeted with the warmth Fisher hopes to share with the community. Admission is free, though voluntary donations help support the growing display. Fisher said he never expected to open his home publicly until receiving a letter last year from a woman who had recently lost her husband.

“She wrote that seeing my house all lit up brought her warmth and closure,” Fisher said. “That hit me. I’m doing this for my mom, and I figured if it brings that kind of feeling to someone else, let’s share it.”

For Fisher, the Christmas Castle represents far more than decorations. “It’s a magical time of year,” he said. “It’s love, family, warmth. And we just want to share that with the community.”

The Christmas Castle’s final open house of the season takes place Saturday, Dec. 13, from 7–9 p.m. at 201 W. 12th Ave. in Hutchinson.

Christmas Castle to open for second evening

Heartland Credit Union is proud to announce its naming rights sponsorship for one of south-central Kansas’ premier sports and entertainment venues, Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, KS. This landmark agreement reflects Heartland’s commitment to empowering members, strengthening communities, and creating experiences that go beyond banking.

Heartland Credit Union Arena, more recently known as Park City Arena, opened in 2009 and has been managed by VenuWorks since its inception, becoming a hub for concerts, sporting events, and community gatherings. With a seating capacity of up to 6,500 and a history of hosting major acts and local teams, Heartland Credit Union Arena will continue to serve as a destination for entertainment and economic growth in south-central Kansas.

“Heartland isn’t just a name or a place on a map—it’s a promise to show up for our members in bold ways,” said Dan Springer, President and CEO of Heartland Credit Union. “This partnership reflects our shared values of community and connection. As we grow, we’re reinvesting in ways that create meaningful experiences for our members and strengthen the communities we serve.”

The sponsorship will create opportunities for Heartland members to enjoy exclusive benefits, including ticket giveaways, presale access, special events, and more at the arena. It also underscores Heartland’s commitment to growth that benefits all members—delivering value beyond financial services and building connections that matter.

“Serving as a premiere event center for our community has been our goal since the beginning,” said Ben Bolander, Executive Director of Heartland Credit Union Arena. “That’s why we are excited to partner with a local business that understands the value of community and what it means to provide quality service. As an Arena, our mission stays the same; to bring a top-tier experience to our guests, no matter the event.”

This collaboration is more than a name change—it’s about creating shared experiences that bring people together. Heartland Credit Union Arena will serve as a stage for unforgettable moments, from championship moments to sold-out concerts, while showcasing the power of local partnerships to drive community pride and economic vitality.

“Heartland Credit Union Arena represents exactly the kind of community-focused investment we believe in,” said Derrick Nielsen, CEO of LANGE. “As the ownership group of this facility, we’re proud to partner with Heartland to continue bringing first-class entertainment, sports and community events to south-central Kansas. This naming-rights partnership strengthens the arena’s future and supports the continued growth of the region we call home.”

HCU is headquartered in Hutchinson, KS, with offices in Haven, Hays, Ness City, Newton, and Wichita. HCU delivers financial services to members throughout the US. The credit union, with over 40,000 members and $673 million in assets, was founded as The Hutchinson Teachers Credit Union in 1948. HCU is a leading home lender and offers a broad array of consumer and business services. We’re committed to helping our members achieve financial success through personalized service, trusted guidance, and innovative digital solutions.

Since 2009 our arena has hosted a range of events from Concerts, Sports, Family Shows, Trade Shows, and even Private Parties. Our 6,500 seat multi-purpose facility is uniquely configured so that there is literally not a bad seat in the house. As a VenuWorks managed facility, we take pride in sharing in their nationwide commitment to quality and excellent service. At Heartland Credit Union Arena, we don’t just want you to come out and watch a show, we want you to experience it!

Since 1996, VenuWorks has specialized in managing and revitalizing venues in mid-sized communities across the U.S. As the nation’s only employee-owned facility management company, VenuWorks takes a community-centered approach, offering tailored strategies for venue operations, programming, marketing, and management to drive cultural and economic growth in the cities it serves.

LANGE is a diversified family of companies dedicated to transforming bold ideas into enduring value. From its beginnings in the early 1980s, LANGE has grown across real estate, modular construction, manufacturing, storm protection, agriculture, and private capital, delivering solutions that strengthen resilience and long-term growth for our businesses and communities. The LANGE portfolio includes RedGuard, Lange Real Estate, SiteBox Storage, Armoda, CoverSix, Survive-A-Storm, Matador Structures, Acquipt, and ModuAll.

Heartland Credit Union takes over arena naming rights

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;is planning a $12 billion farm aid package, according to a White House official — a boost to farmers who have struggled to sell their crops while getting hit by rising costs after the president raised&nbsp;tariffs&nbsp;on China as part of a broader trade war.

According to the official, who was granted anonymity to speak ahead of a planned announcement, Trump will unveil the plan Monday afternoon at a White House roundtable with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers and farmers who grow corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, rice, cattle, wheat, and potatoes.

Farmers have backed Trump politically, but his aggressive trade policies and&nbsp;frequently changing tariff rates&nbsp;have come under increasing scrutiny because of the impact on the agricultural sector and because of broader consumer worries.

The aid is the administration’s latest effort to defend Trump’s economic stewardship and answer voter angst about rising costs — even as the president has dismissed concerns about affordability as a Democratic “hoax.”

Upwards of $11 billion is set aside for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which the White House says will offer one-time payments to farmers for row crops.

Soybeans and sorghum were hit the hardest by the trade dispute with China because more than half of those crops are exported each year with most of the harvest going to China.

The White House says the aid is meant to help farmers who have suffered from trade wars with other nations, inflation, and other “market disruptions.”

The rest of the money will be for farmers who grow crops not covered under the bridge assistance program, according to the White House official. The money is intended to offer certainty to farmers as they market the current harvest, as well as plan for next year's harvest.

In October, after Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, the White House said Beijing had promised to buy at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of the calendar year, plus 25 million metric tons a year in each of the next three years. Soybean farmers have been hit especially hard by Trump’s trade war with China, which is the&nbsp;world’s largest buyer&nbsp;of soybeans.

China has purchased more than 2.8 million metric tons of soybeans since Trump announced the agreement at the end of October. That’s only about one quarter of what administration officials said China had promised, but Bessent has said China is on track to meet its goal by the end of February.

“These prices haven’t come in, because the Chinese actually used our soybean farmers as pawns in the trade negotiations,” Bessent said on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” explaining why a “bridge payment” to farmers was needed.

During his first presidency, Trump also provided aid to farmers amid his trade wars. He gave them more than $22 billion in 2019 and nearly $46 billion in 2020, though that year also included aid related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump has also been under pressure to&nbsp;address soaring beef prices, which have hit records for a number of reasons. Demand for beef has been strong at a time when drought has cut U.S. herds and imports from Mexico are down due to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/screwworm-mexico-cattle-tariffs-parasite-nuevo-leon-649a82dedfa81dc215aebba16bb8cc67">resurgence in a parasite</a>. Trump has said he would allow for more imports of&nbsp;Argentine beef.

He also had asked the Department of Justice to investigate foreign-owned meat packers he accused of driving up&nbsp;the price of beef, although he has not provided evidence to back his claims.

On Saturday, Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to look at “anti-competitive behavior” in food supply chains — including seed, fertilizer and equipment — and consider taking enforcement actions or developing new regulations.

Trump is proposing a $12B aid package for farmers hit hard by his trade war with China

ARLINGTON, Va.,  — Boeing today announced it has completed its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems.

"This is a pivotal moment in Boeing's history and future success as we begin to integrate Spirit AeroSystems' commercial and aftermarket operations and establish Spirit Defense," said&nbsp;Kelly Ortberg, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company. "As we welcome our new teammates and bring our two companies together, our focus is on maintaining stability so we can continue delivering high quality airplanes, differentiated services, and advanced defense capabilities for our customers and the industry."

Boeing's acquisition includes all of Spirit's Boeing-related commercial operations, including fuselages for the 737 program and major structures for the 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner. It also includes commercially procured fuselages for the P-8 and KC-46.

The transaction also brings Boeing's largest supplier of spare parts in house, expands Boeing's global maintenance, repair and overhaul services footprint and adds to Boeing's rotable, lease, and exchange portfolio with Spirit's aftermarket businesses.

Spirit Defense will continue to support its customers as an independent supplier to the defense industry to ensure uninterrupted support for its customers. It will act as a non-integrated subsidiary of Boeing Defense, Space &amp; Security, aligning for financial reporting and select enterprise functional and site support, but maintaining independent governance and operations.

In addition, portions of Spirit AeroSystems' operations in&nbsp;Belfast, Northern Ireland, have been acquired by Boeing, and the&nbsp;Belfast&nbsp;site will operate as an independent subsidiary branded as Short Brothers, a Boeing Company.

Spirit AeroSystems' commercial and aftermarket operations in&nbsp;Wichita, Kansas;&nbsp;Dallas, Texas; and&nbsp;Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as Spirit's Aerospace Innovation Center in Prestwick,&nbsp;Scotland, will begin to integrate into Boeing. Approximately 15,000 teammates across the five sites are becoming a part of Boeing.

"Kansas'&nbsp;aviation expertise reaches far beyond our borders," said&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Governor&nbsp;Laura Kelly. "We help manufacture the aircraft the world relies on. Boeing's acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems underscores the global significance of the work happening in our state and positions&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;to continue shaping the future of aerospace innovation for decades to come."

"Wichita&nbsp;would not be the Air Capital of the World without the extraordinary engineers, designers and manufacturers who have invested in our aerospace industry and made&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;their home," said U.S. Senator&nbsp;Jerry Moran. "Boeing's acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems will help build bridges between&nbsp;Seattle&nbsp;and&nbsp;Wichita&nbsp;and bring new opportunities to the Air Capital of the World. I welcome Boeing back to&nbsp;Wichita&nbsp;and look forward to working with them to build a lasting relationship with the community and its workforce, as well as current and future suppliers, to continue building on the growth we have seen in recent years."

"Today's announcement is a great recognition of the world-class talent we have in&nbsp;Wichita," said U.S. Senator&nbsp;Roger Marshall. "Our workers and the unions that represent them have kept America as the gold standard in aerospace, and they deserve to be at the center of any future investment. I'm grateful that this agreement further solidifies&nbsp;Wichita's&nbsp;prestige in the industry."

"Kansas&nbsp;has a rich aviation history, and our region continues to lead the way in designing, developing and manufacturing world-class aircraft that serve the world," said U.S. Congressman&nbsp;Ron Estes. "Boeing's acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems continues to build on the successes of a century of U.S. flight. As the flags change at the manufacturing facility in southeast&nbsp;Wichita, I will remain a steadfast advocate for the skilled workforce and communities that make up the Air Capital of the World."

Boeing completes acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems

The Kansas Department of Transportation has continued to improve enhancements to its KanDrive road and weather website/mobile app. KanDrive is a one-stop gateway for current highway and weather conditions that are available 24/7.&nbsp;

“Informed drivers can make better decisions about which routes are best for them,” said Shari Hilliard, KDOT Project Manager. “Upgrades to the KanDrive app, such as sending and receiving alerts hands-free, are timely and useful benefits for travelers as we head into winter and the holiday season.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The KanDrive features were first introduced in 2024 and have been fine-tuned for a better user experience. They were developed as part of the U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project, which extends from the southern Finney County line to the northern Thomas County line. While some KanDrive enhancements are corridor-specific to U.S. 83, most are available for use statewide.&nbsp;

The KanDrive website has served motorists since 2009. It provides real-time travel information such as road conditions, closures, construction updates, camera/video feeds and detour information.&nbsp;

Since the first round of enhancements were released in December of 2024, KanDrive has logged 3.7 million sessions and nearly 75,000 app downloads on iOS and Android.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information about the new KanDrive features and the U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.ksdot.gov%2Fus-83-kandrive%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019afe7cf6d6-87d473b9-f69a-4c2c-aa59-64788b0c5997-000000/XznndCOhMXmOLYqF66sWTqL846zey1fptwdYCr4b2nY=434">https://www.ksdot.gov/us-83-kandrive</a>.

KDOT encourages motorists to plan ahead and “know before you go,” by visiting the KanDrive website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019afe7cf6d6-87d473b9-f69a-4c2c-aa59-64788b0c5997-000000/7EOBNDKDMWiO1OUMJ6lF4dFn4hh5uR1Ag1eHOyCXAe0=434">KanDrive.gov</a>&nbsp;or downloading the app in the App Store or Google Play. 

KDOT announces continued KanDrive updates to assist motorists

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. ——————————————&nbsp;&nbsp;

Roberts		Madisyn	Elizabeth Roberts 2/72025 10:28 PM Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (2nd Conviction in 5 yrs)	$1,000.00	12/7/2025

Daily Bookings

With a handful of children at home (literally, she has five), it’s no surprise that Bonnie Bailey is great with kids.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

"At the time I applied, I knew I enjoyed children but wasn’t aware how well the job would fit me. I’m glad to have a career in childcare!”&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Known as “Mrs. Bailey” to the hundreds of kids she’s cared for at Central Christian Preschool &amp; Child Care over the past 10 and a half years, her bright smile and unwavering patience are a welcome respite for parents who need dependable, caring childcare and preschool.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Nominator Sharon Kauffman, Director of Central Christian Preschool &amp; Child Care, knows what a wonderful asset she is to the team:&nbsp;&nbsp;

"She is a very caring and loving teacher and provides a wonderful environment for learning. Mrs. Bailey is loved by her students, their parents, and her fellow teachers as well. We appreciate her dedication and hard work!"&nbsp;&nbsp;

For Bonnie, she knows that her job involves far more than “babysitting.” It’s educating and instilling values in a safe, development-friendly environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We spent several days on the same Bible stories, and a parent came to me excited that their children came home and shared with them the Christmas story. I love that they really do listen and go home and share what they have learned!” said Bonnie. “We all need support in training our children, we want to build strong communities, and caring for children is a big part of building better communities.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Bonnie also acknowledges that childcare providers themselves are a community and have benefited from the support of the Reno County Child Care Task Force. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“The task force helps with training opportunities for learning new ideas to help train children, and it helps provide financial support, like this new building we get to work in! It’s wonderful.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Accelerator Grant Funds from the Reno County Child Care Task Force were integral in creating the brand-new Jay and Connie Schrock Early Education School at Central Christian. Originally a fire station that was purchased by the school in 2011 (and had served various other purposes), it was recently expanded and re-imagined to serve infants through school-age children, and now includes six classrooms, a fully equipped kitchen for meals and snacks, ADA-compliant restrooms and toilet-training toddler friendly restrooms, and a large indoor play area in the former truck bay area.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bonnie’s advice for those considering a career in childcare is as simple and profound as the care she provides for kids every day: “Love the children.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Central Christian preschool teacher named provider of the month

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Dave says: Rewards, Responsibility and teachable moments

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SEDGWICK COUNTY —A jury last week convicted a Kansas man of shooting a woman, later identified as the mother of his children, outside a Wichita elementary school in 2024.

Vincent Solomon, 46, was found guilty of&nbsp;of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, criminal use of weapons and interference with law enforcement in Judge William Wooley's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 9a.m. September 23, 2024, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications began to receive reports of a shooting outside Cessna Elementary School, 2101 West 45th Street South in Wichita, according to a statement from Police Chief Joe Sullivan during a news conference.

The call was broadcast on all law enforcement radio channels. A Sedgwick County Deputy heard the call and responded. When the deputy arrived, he located Solomon who was armed with a handgun. Solomon made statements that the deputy would kill him while pointing the gun at the deputy, according to Sullivan.

Solomon then ran to and laid on top of a 30-year-old woman. The deputy gave commands for Solomon to drop his gun and observed Solomon place the gun to the woman's head.

In defense of the woman, the deputy fired his gun twice. Solomon would not let go of the woman. The deputy then attempted to disarm Solomon physically. It took two Wichita Police officers and the deputy to disarm Solomon.

Investigators later learned that Solomon and woman live together and have children together. The couple had an argument in a vehicle on the way to the school which led to Solomon shooting the woman multiple times. The woman ran toward the school and the suspect chased her. A Wichita Public School staff member saw Solomon with the gun approaching the school and pulled the door of the school shut and locked it so the suspect could not get inside.

EMS transported Somomon and the woman to an area hospital.&nbsp;The Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) was activated to conduct an investigation. Solomon met the requirement of a $750,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

Jury: Man guilty of shooting wife outside Kan. elementary school

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;announced a $12 billion farm aid package on Monday — a boost to farmers who have struggled to sell their crops while getting hit by rising costs after the president raised&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">tariffs</a>&nbsp;on China as part of a broader trade war.

He unveiled the plan Monday afternoon at a White House roundtable with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers and farmers who raise cattle and grow corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, rice, wheat, and potatoes.

“$12 billion is a lot of money,” Trump said, adding that the additional aid will help provide certainty for farmers. The money is coming from tariff revenue, he said.

Rollins said that $11 billion is being announced on Monday, while another $1 billion is being held back for specialty crops as the administration works to better understand the circumstances for those farmers. The aid will move by the end of next February, Rollins said.

“We looked at how they were hurt, to what extent they were hurt,” Trump said in explaining how the administration came up with the size of the package. “We figured out a very exact number, and it was about $12 billion.”

Farmers have backed Trump politically, but his aggressive trade policies and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-coffee-beef-fruit-4fe084c2724ec6d92096efa263fdcf76">frequently changing tariff rates</a>&nbsp;have come under increasing scrutiny because of the impact on the agricultural sector and because of broader consumer worries.

Upwards of $11 billion is set aside for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which the White House says will offer one-time payments to farmers for row crops.

The aid is meant to help farmers who have suffered from trade wars with other nations, inflation, and other market disruptions. The rest of the money will be for farmers who grow crops not covered under the bridge assistance program, according to a White House official who was granted anonymity ahead of the formal announcement to detail the new plan. The money is intended to offer certainty to farmers as they sell their current harvest, as well as plan for next year’s crop.

In October, after Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, the White House said Beijing had promised to buy at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of the calendar year, plus 25 million metric tons a year in each of the next three years. Soybean farmers have been hit especially hard by Trump’s trade war with China, which is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-donald-trump-tariffs-agriculture-china-d5674c21e240acdc72cde76e474f172a">world’s largest buyer</a>&nbsp;of soybeans.

The size of the $12 billion aid package is roughly the value of total U.S. soybean exports to China in 2024 and half of the total exports of U.S. farm goods to China in 2024.

Farmers appreciate the aid package, but they say it’s likely only a down payment on what’s needed and government aid doesn’t solve the fundamental problems farmers are facing of soaring costs and uncertain markets for their crops. During Trump’s first term, he gave farmers more than $22 billion in aid payments in 2019 at the start of his trade war with China and nearly $46 billion in 2020, although that year also included aid related to the COVID pandemic.

But farmers want to make a profit off of selling their crops -- not rely on government aid to survive.

“That’s a start, but I think we need to be looking for some avenues to find other funding opportunities and we need to get our markets going. That’s where we want to be able to make a living from,” said Caleb Ragland, the Kentucky farmer who serves as president of the American Soybean Association.

If farmers can’t make ends meet this year, there will likely be additional consolidation in the industry with giant industrial farms only getting bigger while the number of smaller family farmers continues to shrink. The farmers most at risk are younger farmers and those who rent -- instead of own -- most of the ground they farm because they don’t have much ability to borrow against the equity in their land.

Most established farmers will be able to borrow more to survive the trade war. But older farmers who spent their whole lives building up equity may decide to retire instead of risk everything they built up unless they are trying to help the next generation of farmers get established on their land.

Iowa farmer Robb Ewoldt is in a difficult position because he only owns 160 of the 2,000 acres he farms. So he’s selling some of his equipment that’s not essential and looking into whether he can pick up some overnight trucking jobs to help raise some cash.

“It is to the point where I don’t want to saddle my kid with the kind of stress that my wife and I are under right now,” Ewoldt said.

Trump has also been under pressure to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-beef-justice-department-c6c57effee6ef1a8c1088d4e5edcc60a">address soaring beef prices</a>, which have hit records for a number of reasons. Demand for beef has been strong at a time when drought has cut U.S. herds and imports from Mexico are down due to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/screwworm-mexico-cattle-tariffs-parasite-nuevo-leon-649a82dedfa81dc215aebba16bb8cc67">resurgence in a parasite</a>. Trump has said he would allow for more imports of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beef-argentina-us-consumers-prices-f7fadbe1b3fef4646f9c3623f901209a">Argentine beef</a>.

He also had asked the Department of Justice to investigate foreign-owned meat packers he accused of driving up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/us-news/beef-prices-rising-us">the price of beef</a>, although he has not provided evidence to back his claims.

Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price in Washington, Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota contributed to this report.

🎥President Trump details the $12B aid package for farmers

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 1a.m.&nbsp;Monday, an officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver 34-year-old Megan McClain, was taken into custody on traffic charges and found to be in possession of controlled substances.

McClain was later booking into the county jail on requested charges of driving while suspended, no vehicle insurance, expired tag, possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of a prescription drugs, according to Wilson.

Police: Kansas driver with an expired tag was transporting drugs

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Monday seemed likely to expand presidential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-executive-power-firing-0b2e5e38911f17059187a92eb533b273">control over independent federal agencies</a>, signaling support for President Donald Trump’s firing of board members.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2025/25-332">Click here for a replay</a> of the Supreme Court oral argument

The court’s conservative majority suggested it would overturn a unanimous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/humphreys-executor-supreme-court-trump-independent-agencies-8facfe6107fa94b28f391734d1620fe4">90-year-old decision</a>&nbsp;that has limited when presidents can fire agencies’ board members — in part to try to ensure decision making free of political influence — or leave it with only its shell intact.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the crux of the issue is that the officials who direct the agencies “are exercising massive power over individual liberty and billion-dollar industries” without being accountable to anyone.

Liberal justices warned that a ruling sought by the administration to overturn the decision known as Humphrey's Executor would give the president, as Justice Elena Kagan said, “massive unchecked, uncontrolled power.”

Agencies that have been in place for a century or more also would be robbed of their expertise, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said.

“So having a President come in and fire all the scientists and the doctors and the economists and the PhDs and replacing them with loyalists and people who don’t know anything is actually not in the best interest of the citizens of the United States,” Jackson said.

No president before Trump has sought to wrest control of the agencies that regulate wide swaths of American life, including nuclear energy, product safety and labor relations. But the six conservatives, including three appointed by Trump, seemed more concerned about issuing a ruling that would endure than handing too much power to Trump.

Their rhetoric was reminiscent of the presidential immunity case in 2024 that allowed Trump to avoid prosecution for his efforts to undo the 2020 election results. The court is writing a decision “for the ages,” Justice Neil Gorsuch said then.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who argued the immunity case for Trump, defended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">the president's</a>&nbsp;decision to fire Federal Trade Commission member&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ftc-supreme-court-dbe174d342817e1ae84bce3e9c40bd48">Rebecca Slaughter</a>&nbsp;without cause and called on the court to jettison Humphrey's Executor.

Sauer said the decision “hasn't withstood the test of time” and had enabled a “headless fourth branch” of government, the administrative state that conservatives and business interests have been taking aim at for decades.

Chief Justice John Roberts referred to Humphrey’s Executor as “a dried husk.”

The conservative side of the court already has signaled support for the administration's position, over the liberals' objection, by allowing Slaughter and the board members of other agencies to be removed from their jobs even as their legal challenges continue.

Members of the National Labor Relations Board, the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Consumer Product Safety Commission also have been fired by Trump.

The only officials who have so far survived efforts to remove them are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-federal-reserve-lisa-cook-5a48941a9e30017b0ed3e5837492d288">Lisa Cook</a>, a Federal Reserve governor, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-copyright-official-firing-c5ccca29ff5413815347340ffa300f69">Shira Perlmutter</a>, a copyright official with the Library of Congress. The court has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a966_1b8e.pdf">suggested</a>&nbsp;that it will view the Fed differently from other independent agencies, and Trump has said he wants her out because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lisa-cook-trump-fed-independence-firing-d06dfb46fbd300195c3cedc8cb5adadb">allegations of mortgage fraud</a>. Cook says she did nothing wrong.

A second question in the Slaughter case could affect Cook. Even if a firing turns out to be illegal, the court wants to decide whether judges have the power to reinstate someone.

Gorsuch wrote earlier this year that fired employees who win in court can likely get back pay, but not reinstatement.

That might affect Cook’s ability to remain in her job. The justices have seemed wary about the economic uncertainty that might result if Trump can fire the leaders of the central bank. The court will hear separate arguments in January about whether Cook can remain in her job as her court challenge proceeds.

Kavanaugh signaled that he is inclined to side with Cook, describing as an “end run” the idea that an illegally fired official would only be entitled to her salary.

Under Roberts' leadership, the court has issued a series of decisions dating back to 2010 that have steadily whittled away at laws restricting the president’s ability to fire people.

In 2020, Roberts wrote for the court that “the President’s removal power is the rule, not the exception” in a decision upholding Trump’s firing of the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau despite job protections similar to those upheld in Humphrey’s case.

In the 2024 immunity decision, Roberts included the power to fire among the president’s “conclusive and preclusive” powers that Congress lacks the authority to restrict.

The court also was dealing with an FTC member who was fired, by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935, who preferred his own choice at an agency that would have a lot to say about the New Deal.

William Humphrey refused Roosevelt's request for his resignation. After Humphrey died the next year, the person charged with administering his estate, Humphrey’s executor, sued for back pay.

The justices unanimously upheld the law establishing the FTC and limiting the president to removing a commissioner only for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.”

🎧 Highlights: Supreme Court on expanding presidential powers

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/zohran-mamdani">Zohran Mamdani</a>&nbsp;posted a video to social media on Sunday explaining immigrants’ right to refuse to speak to or comply with agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, days after federal agents carried out a raid in Manhattan.

In the video, Mamdani vowed to protect the city’s 3 million immigrants, saying, “We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights.”

He explained that people in the U.S. can chose not to speak to federal immigration agents, film them without interfering and refuse their requests to enter private spaces. ICE agents cannot enter spaces like a home, school or private area of a workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge, Mamdani said.

“ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent. If you’re being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you,” said Mamdani, who will be sworn in as mayor on Jan 1.

His comments came a week after demonstrators gathered as ICE attempted to detain people on Canal Street near New York’s Chinatown. A similar immigration sweep in the same neighborhood last October&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nyc-immigration-sweep-chinatown-canal-street-a7f8cc60c128c67a5a7cd6003a0a856d">was also met with protests</a>.

“New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support, and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters,” Mamdani said in Sunday’s video.

Weeks earlier, Mamdani had a surprisingly cordial&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mamdani-meeting-new-york-f7d52b3b2deec058424680e922ef1d46">Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;with President Donald Trump, whose administration is carrying out federal immigration enforcement operations in several U.S. cities, most recently in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-new-orleans-online-monitoring-b2c300245ea4ffbef335502245760a1d">New Orleans</a>.

🎥New York mayor-elect tells immigrants how to evade ICE

SALINE COUNTY —A Kansas boy is in custody after accidentally shooting himself in Salina.

Just after 3:30a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to Salina Regional Health Center for the report of a 16-year-old who reportedly suffered a gunshot wound, according to Salina Police Captain Jim Feldman.

Investigators determined the the boy was in a vehicle with other individuals, and was carrying a handgun under his left arm. When the boy&nbsp; reached for the handgun, a shot was fired and he received a superficial wound in his left armpit area.&nbsp; 

The driver of the vehicle transported the boy to Salina Regional Health Center.

Officers conducted a search warrant on the vehicle and confirmed the boy had shot himself. Police did not find the gun but did find marijuana and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The boy was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and then&nbsp;booked into the Juvenile Detention Center in Junction City on requested charges of Criminal Use of a Weapon, Criminal Carrying of a Weapon, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm and Liquor Consumption.

Kansas boy in custody after accidentally shooting himself

RILEY COUNTY —On Monday, the Riley County Police Department issued an attempt to located for 29-year-old Erick Sanchez-Chavez of Manhattan. 

We’d like to speak to him regarding the death of Mark Rickenbaker in the 800 block of Colorado St on December 6.

&nbsp;Just before 12:30a.m.&nbsp;December 6, police responded to the 800 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, for a reported welfare check and located Rickenbaker who had serious injuries to his body. During the investigation, officers discovered that Rickenbaker had been involved in an altercation prior to their arrival.&nbsp; Rickenbaker was transported by ambulance to Via Christi Hospital and died as a result of his injuries. &nbsp;

Sanchez-Chavez is described as 5-foot 8,&nbsp; 180 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Do NOT approach or attempt to apprehend Sanchez-Chavez. 

If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Riley County Police Department at (785) 537-2112 or Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777. Using the Crime Stoppers service allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Police ask for help to locate suspect in Kan. man's murder

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/national-park-service">National Park Service</a>&nbsp;will offer free admission to U.S. residents on President Donald Trump’s birthday next year — which also happens to be Flag Day — but is eliminating the benefit for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm" target="_blank">new list</a>&nbsp;of free admission days for Americans is the latest example of the Trump administration downplaying America’s civil rights history while also promoting the president’s image, name and legacy.

<a href="https://www.doi.gov/blog/mark-your-calendars-fee-free-days-2025" target="_blank">Last year</a>, the list of free days included Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth — which is June 19 — but not June 14, Trump’s birthday.

The new free-admission policy takes effect Jan. 1 and was one of several changes announced by the Park Service late last month, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-park-fees-international-tourists-557f52a2e3c12540594f19cadbbc8334">higher admission fees</a>&nbsp;for international visitors.

The other days of free park admission in 2026 are Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Constitution Day, Veterans Day, President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27) and the anniversary of the creation of the Park Service (Aug. 25).

Eliminating&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/mlk-day.htm" target="_blank">Martin Luther King Jr</a>. Day and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/juneteenth.htm" target="_blank">Juneteenth</a>, which commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans were emancipated, removes two of the nation’s most prominent civil rights holidays.

Some civil rights leaders voiced opposition to the change after news about it began spreading over the weekend.

“The raw &amp; rank racism here stinks to high heaven,” Harvard Kennedy School professor Cornell William Brooks, a former president of the NAACP, wrote on social media about the new policy.

Kristen Brengel, a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, said that while presidential administrations have tweaked the free days in the past, the elimination of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is particularly concerning. For one, the day has become a popular day of service for community groups that use the free day to perform volunteer projects at parks.

That will now be much more expensive, said Brengel, whose organization is a nonprofit that advocates for the park system.

“Not only does it recognize an American hero, it’s also a day when people go into parks to clean them up,” Brengel said. “Martin Luther King Jr. deserves a day of recognition … For some reason, Black history has repeatedly been targeted by this administration, and it shouldn’t be.”

Some Democratic lawmakers also weighed in to object to the new policy.

“The President didn’t just add his own birthday to the list, he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom,” said Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. “Our country deserves better.”

A spokesperson for the National Park Service did not immediately respond to questions on Saturday seeking information about the reasons behind the changes.

Since taking office, Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-executive-order-diversity-inclusion-f67ea86032986084dd71c5aa0c6b8d1d">sought to eliminate</a>&nbsp;programs seen as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-tuskegee-airmen-women-war-history-88a92c8485281d7c088c5eafe5dbf002">promoting diversity</a>&nbsp;across the federal government, actions that have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-purge-images-pentagon-diversity-women-black-8efcfaec909954f4a24bad0d49c78074">erased or downplayed</a>&nbsp;America’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-park-service-disparaging-d861b3c902ef68b0184c2bd776f707e4">history of racism</a>&nbsp;as well as the civil rights victories of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-black-history-smithsonian-dei-687fd306dc9c6d7611300d74fe49b8aa">Black Americans</a>.

Self-promotion is an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-god-bless-usa-bible-greenwood-2713fda3efdfa297d0f024efb1ca3003">old habit of the president’s</a>&nbsp;and one he has continued in his second term. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-misses-out-on-nobel-peace-prize-729973788d8953da9af1cbc136232e96">unsuccessfully put himself forward</a>&nbsp;for the Nobel Peace Prize,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-institute-of-peace-6545c0101a02b677359f2732b019bf6a">renamed</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Institute of Peace after himself, sought to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-commanders-stadium-name-nfl-d229beaf321af4fad2f5ae36b8227c34">put his name</a>&nbsp;on the planned NFL stadium in the nation’s capital and had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-accounts-kids-michael-dell-1831095c23ead75b67edc65ead5309fd">a new children’s savings program</a>&nbsp;named after him.

National parks fee-free calendar drops Juneteenth, MLK Day

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A suspect accused in a deadly Labor Day weekend robbery, killing is due back in court Monday.

Lafayette J. Washington, 21, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in&nbsp;Judge Jeffrey Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The judge will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward.

In September, Washington was charged with First degree murder, theft of property and criminal possession of a firearm in the shooting death of 23-year-old D’Andre Rubio of Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police.

The shooting occurred&nbsp; just after 1:30 a.m. September 1, in the 100 block of Rock Island in Wichita. Officers arrived and found Rubio suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives have learned that a disturbance took place before the shooting.&nbsp;

Washinton is being held on bond of over $1 million dollars.

Preliminary Hearing for Kansas Labor Day robbery, killing

LAFAYETTE COUNTY —A Kansas man died during a pursuit with law enforcement just before 4a.m. Sunday in Lafayette County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Acura TL driven by a 67-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man was westbound on Old Highway 40 at Route M. The driver failed to yield to a sheriff's deputy and a pursuit ensued. The driver failed to negotiate a left turn.&nbsp; The&nbsp; car traveled off the right side of the road, rolled and the driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected.&nbsp; 

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Stewart-Hoefner Funeral Home.&nbsp; &nbsp;The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

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