SEDGWICK COUNTY —On Thursday morning, the Sedgwick County Zoo reported a&nbsp;wild bird showing potential signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) had been found on zoo grounds, according to the a social media report from the zoo.

The zoo sent samples out for conclusive testing.

Out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of their birds, the zoo is increasing their HPAI biosecurity protocols while awaiting the final results.

What this means for your visit: The Australia/South America walk-through habitat is temporarily closed

 Flamingos, storks, cranes, and penguins will not be visible as often. 

"The health and safety of our animals is always our top priority. We'll keep you updated as we learn more. We appreciate your understanding and support as we prioritize animal welfare."

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666346539753.png" alt="Bird flu Kansas Department of Agriculture" />
                        <figcaption>Bird flu Kansas Department of Agriculture</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY —On Thursday morning, the Sedgwick County Zoo reported a&nbsp;wild bird showing potential signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) had been found on zoo grounds, according to the a social media report from the zoo.</p><p>The zoo sent samples out for conclusive testing.</p><p>Out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of their birds, the zoo is increasing their HPAI biosecurity protocols while awaiting the final results.</p><p>What this means for your visit: The Australia/South America walk-through habitat is temporarily closed</p><p> Flamingos, storks, cranes, and penguins will not be visible as often. </p><p>"The health and safety of our animals is always our top priority. We'll keep you updated as we learn more. We appreciate your understanding and support as we prioritize animal welfare."</p>

Signs of bird flu reported at zoo in Kansas 

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Investigators believe the missing mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;is “still out there,” but they have not identified any suspects, a sheriff in Arizona said Thursday.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also said DNA tests showed blood found on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;’s porch came back a match to her. Authorities think she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-0d6b55fd24f54b2526fd5f8894a52ff2">taken from her home</a>&nbsp;in Tucson against her will over the weekend.

“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference five days after she was reported missing. The sheriff, however, acknowledged that authorities have no proof she is still alive.

A day earlier, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released an emotional&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-88e8731270d05e6e667730d2ed8633d3">message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper</a>, but there has been no public sign of a response.

Savannah Guthrie said her family is ready to talk but wants proof their mom is still alive. In the heart-wrenching video posted on social media Wednesday, she acknowledged hearing media reports about a ransom letter.

“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah Guthrie said while reading from a prepared statement. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”

She was last seen Saturday night when she was dropped off at her Tucson home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff’s department said.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-74d845b070fefe2d94cb92d655308e91">She was reported missing</a>&nbsp;about 14 hours later on Sunday after she didn’t show up at a church.

Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials don’t believe she left on her own. A sheriff’s dispatcher said during the search Sunday that Guthrie has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.broadcastify.com/">broadcastify.com</a>.

The neighborhood’s desert terrain can make looking for people difficult, said Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search-and-rescue team in Maricopa County that isn’t involved in the search. He said it can be hard to see into areas dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and desert brush.

“Some of it is so thick you can’t drive through it,” Mason said.

At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department has said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.

A note emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN. It also included a dollar amount and a deadline, she said.

“When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,” she said in an interview aired Wednesday.

The family posted their plea after police searched in and around Nancy Guthrie’s home for several hours Wednesday.

Investigators returned for the follow-up investigation after being at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days, said Kevin Adger, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. He said the sheriff’s department was not commenting on the family's video message.

The Guthrie siblings' message to their mother

Savannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She addressed her mother directly, saying the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.

“Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter,” she said.

Savannah Guthrie described her mother as a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light” and said she was funny, spunky and clever.

“Talk to her and you’ll see,” she said.

Guthrie was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron.

“Mamma, If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.

President Donald Trump posted on social media that he was directing federal authorities to help where they can, after the White House said he spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.

A couple hundred people prayed and placed lit candles on an altar during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/vigil-held-at-tucson-church-for-kidnapped-mother-of-nbc-today-show-host-savannah-guthrie-7139ba07fe7b4c1c978b70d24a9e9e0a">a vigil at a Tucson church</a>.

Jeremy Thacker had tears in his eyes as he described the heartbreak and helplessness. He worked with Savannah Guthrie at an Arizona news station. They shared losing their fathers at a young age, and his own sister was kidnapped when he was young.

Thacker said he knew Nancy Guthrie to be sharp, grounded and earnest.

“We’re all holding our breath,” Thacker said.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770317643367.png" alt="\" />
                        <figcaption>\</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Investigators believe the missing mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;is “still out there,” but they have not identified any suspects, a sheriff in Arizona said Thursday.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappeningNow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappeningNow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FBIPhoenix?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FBIPhoenix</a> SAC Janke is participating in a press conference in Tucson regarding the continuing search for Nancy Guthrie. <a href="https://t.co/UDv6clJDoH">pic.twitter.com/UDv6clJDoH</a></p>&mdash; FBI Phoenix (@FBIPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIPhoenix/status/2019477628596392146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also said DNA tests showed blood found on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;’s porch came back a match to her. Authorities think she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-0d6b55fd24f54b2526fd5f8894a52ff2">taken from her home</a>&nbsp;in Tucson against her will over the weekend.</p><p>“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference five days after she was reported missing. The sheriff, however, acknowledged that authorities have no proof she is still alive.</p><p>A day earlier, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released an emotional&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-88e8731270d05e6e667730d2ed8633d3">message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper</a>, but there has been no public sign of a response.</p><p>Savannah Guthrie said her family is ready to talk but wants proof their mom is still alive. In the heart-wrenching video posted on social media Wednesday, she acknowledged hearing media reports about a ransom letter.</p><p>“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah Guthrie said while reading from a prepared statement. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”</p><h2>The search for Nancy Guthrie</h2><p>She was last seen Saturday night when she was dropped off at her Tucson home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff’s department said.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-74d845b070fefe2d94cb92d655308e91">She was reported missing</a>&nbsp;about 14 hours later on Sunday after she didn’t show up at a church.</p><p>Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials don’t believe she left on her own. A sheriff’s dispatcher said during the search Sunday that Guthrie has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.broadcastify.com/">broadcastify.com</a>.</p><p>The neighborhood’s desert terrain can make looking for people difficult, said Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search-and-rescue team in Maricopa County that isn’t involved in the search. He said it can be hard to see into areas dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and desert brush.</p><p>“Some of it is so thick you can’t drive through it,” Mason said.</p><h2>Purported ransom notes</h2><p>At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department has said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.</p><p>A note emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN. It also included a dollar amount and a deadline, she said.</p><p>“When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,” she said in an interview aired Wednesday.</p><p>The family posted their plea after police searched in and around Nancy Guthrie’s home for several hours Wednesday.</p><p>Investigators returned for the follow-up investigation after being at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days, said Kevin Adger, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. He said the sheriff’s department was not commenting on the family's video message.</p><h2>The Guthrie siblings' message to their mother</h2><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUW3mpqD8qd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUW3mpqD8qd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUW3mpqD8qd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Savannah Guthrie (@savannahguthrie)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div><p>Savannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She addressed her mother directly, saying the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.</p><p>“Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter,” she said.</p><p>Savannah Guthrie described her mother as a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light” and said she was funny, spunky and clever.</p><p>“Talk to her and you’ll see,” she said.</p><p>Guthrie was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron.</p><p>“Mamma, If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.</p><h2>Nation prays for Nancy Guthrie</h2><p>President Donald Trump posted on social media that he was directing federal authorities to help where they can, after the White House said he spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.</p><p>A couple hundred people prayed and placed lit candles on an altar during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/vigil-held-at-tucson-church-for-kidnapped-mother-of-nbc-today-show-host-savannah-guthrie-7139ba07fe7b4c1c978b70d24a9e9e0a">a vigil at a Tucson church</a>.</p><p>Jeremy Thacker had tears in his eyes as he described the heartbreak and helplessness. He worked with Savannah Guthrie at an Arizona news station. They shared losing their fathers at a young age, and his own sister was kidnapped when he was young.</p><p>Thacker said he knew Nancy Guthrie to be sharp, grounded and earnest.</p><p>“We’re all holding our breath,” Thacker said.</p><p>___</p>

Sheriff: No suspects, 'Today' show host missing mother 'is still out there'

RILEY COUNTY —The Riley County Police Department has received multiple calls regarding possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the Manhattan area on Thursday morning, according to a social media statement from police.

The Riley County Police Department confirms there were operations that were conducted. RCPD was not involved in these operations. 

The RCPD advised the public to refer all questions to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

<p>RILEY COUNTY —The Riley County Police Department has received multiple calls regarding possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the Manhattan area on Thursday morning, according to a social media statement from police.</p><p>The Riley County Police Department confirms there were operations that were conducted. RCPD was not involved in these operations. </p><p>The RCPD advised the public to refer all questions to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.</p>

Police issue statement on ICE operations underway in Manhattan

DAMASCUS – U.S. forces conducted five strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria, Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, as partner forces continue to apply military pressure to ensure the enduring defeat of the terrorist network, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

CENTCOM forces located and destroyed an ISIS communication site, critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities with 50 precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft.

“Striking these targets demonstrates our continued focus and resolve for preventing an ISIS resurgence in Syria,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “Operating in coordination with coalition and partner forces to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS makes America, the region and the world safer.”

U.S. and partner forces launched Operation Hawkeye Strike in response to a Dec. 13 attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra. The ISIS ambush resulted in the death of two U.S. service members and an American interpreter.

After nearly two months of targeted operations, more than 50 ISIS terrorists have been killed or captured. CENTCOM forces killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim during a deliberate strike in northwest Syria on Jan. 16. The terrorist leader was directly connected with the ISIS gunman responsible for the Dec. 13 attack.

<p>DAMASCUS – U.S. forces conducted five strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria, Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, as partner forces continue to apply military pressure to ensure the enduring defeat of the terrorist network, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.</p><p>CENTCOM forces located and destroyed an ISIS communication site, critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities with 50 precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft.</p><p>“Striking these targets demonstrates our continued focus and resolve for preventing an ISIS resurgence in Syria,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “Operating in coordination with coalition and partner forces to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS makes America, the region and the world safer.”</p><p>U.S. and partner forces launched Operation Hawkeye Strike in response to a Dec. 13 attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra. The ISIS ambush resulted in the death of two U.S. service members and an American interpreter.</p><p>After nearly two months of targeted operations, more than 50 ISIS terrorists have been killed or captured. CENTCOM forces killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim during a deliberate strike in northwest Syria on Jan. 16. The terrorist leader was directly connected with the ISIS gunman responsible for the Dec. 13 attack.</p>

U.S. forces strike more ISIS targets in Syria

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video in Wichita was back in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22., was sentenced to a year of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

He pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and  criminal restraint.

Espita Guevara is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

On October 12, the Wichita Police Department asked for the community’s help in identifying and locating a woman in a doorbell video who was seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.

Just after 3p.m. October 14, Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview. Police confirmed the identity of the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. Police determined the incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.

Just after 7 p.m. October 14, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested Guevara and booked him into jail.

Espita Guevara faces a separate trial for the immigration accusations, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760555163921.png" alt="ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video in Wichita was back in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22., was sentenced to a year of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.</p><p>He pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and  criminal restraint.</p><p>Espita Guevara is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.</p><p>On October 12, the Wichita Police Department asked for the community’s help in identifying and locating a woman in a doorbell video who was seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760408562025.png" alt="Photo from video released by Wichita Police." />
                        <figcaption>Photo from video released by Wichita Police.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Just after 3p.m. October 14, Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview. Police confirmed the identity of the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. Police determined the incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.</p><p>Just after 7 p.m. October 14, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested Guevara and booked him into jail.</p><p>Espita Guevara faces a separate trial for the immigration accusations, according to the district attorney's office.</p>

Kan. doorbell camera abduction video suspect learns his fate

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;<br><a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — A federal judge this week closed the lawsuit Planned Parenthood filed last summer after Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law blocked Medicaid patients from visiting its clinics for any health care appointments for one year.&nbsp;

Planned Parenthood filed notice with the court Friday that it had dismissed “without prejudice all claims against” the Trump administration in the case. Massachusetts District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued an electronic order Monday closing the case “Pursuant to Plaintiffs’ Notice of Voluntary Dismissal without Prejudice.”

The law prevents people on Medicaid from being seen at Planned Parenthood facilities through early July, when the one-year period would expire.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson wrote in a statement released last week that President Donald Trump “and his allies in Congress have weaponized the federal government to target Planned Parenthood at the expense of patients —&nbsp; stripping people of the care they rely on.&nbsp;

“Through every attack, Planned Parenthood has never lost sight of its focus: ensuring patients can get the care they need from the provider they trust. That will never change. Care continues, as does our commitment to fighting for everyone’s freedom to make their own decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures.”

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment from States Newsroom.&nbsp;

Talwani&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/one-big-beautiful-law-provision-planned-parenthood-funding-partly-blocked-judge" target="_blank">originally ruled for Planned Parenthood</a>&nbsp;in the case, temporarily blocking the defunding provision from taking effect. But an appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/appeals-court-allows-provision-freezing-medicaid-funding-planned-parenthood" target="_blank">later overturned that decision</a>, allowing the Trump administration to legally withhold Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood.&nbsp;

Talwani was nominated by former President Barack Obama.

The provision in Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law that blocks all Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood was originally slated to last for a decade, but the final version covered one year.&nbsp;

Federal law for decades has barred spending from covering abortions with limited exceptions for rape, incest, or the woman’s life.&nbsp;

So the new language prevented Medicaid patients from scheduling appointments at Planned Parenthood for other types of health care, like annual physicals, cancer screenings, or birth control appointments.&nbsp;

Shireen Ghorbani, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/planned-parenthood-sues-trump-administration-officials-over-defunding-provision-budget-bill" target="_blank">filed the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;along with Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, wrote in a statement that its health care providers would “continue to see patients and deliver on our mission to provide high-quality care and education to everyone who needs it, no matter where they live or how much money they make.”&nbsp;

A Planned Parenthood spokesperson, who did not want to comment on the record, said that certain clinics may choose to cover the cost of treating Medicaid patients, even though the clinic will not receive reimbursement from the federal government under the law.&nbsp;

Angela Vasquez-Giroux, vice president of communications at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, wrote in a statement that the organization’s “health centers initially shielded the overwhelming majority of patients who rely on Medicaid from the harm of this cruel law. Unfortunately, the consequences for patients will worsen considerably over time as health centers close, costs rise, and access to their trusted provider is pushed further out of reach.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768828924754.png" alt=" The Planned Parenthood Great Plains office in Overland Park, Kansas, is pictured in June 2024 (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
                        <figcaption> The Planned Parenthood Great Plains office in Overland Park, Kansas, is pictured in June 2024 (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;<br><a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a></p><p>WASHINGTON — A federal judge this week closed the lawsuit Planned Parenthood filed last summer after Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law blocked Medicaid patients from visiting its clinics for any health care appointments for one year.&nbsp;</p><p>Planned Parenthood filed notice with the court Friday that it had dismissed “without prejudice all claims against” the Trump administration in the case. Massachusetts District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued an electronic order Monday closing the case “Pursuant to Plaintiffs’ Notice of Voluntary Dismissal without Prejudice.”</p><p>The law prevents people on Medicaid from being seen at Planned Parenthood facilities through early July, when the one-year period would expire.</p><p>Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson wrote in a statement released last week that President Donald Trump “and his allies in Congress have weaponized the federal government to target Planned Parenthood at the expense of patients —&nbsp; stripping people of the care they rely on.&nbsp;</p><p>“Through every attack, Planned Parenthood has never lost sight of its focus: ensuring patients can get the care they need from the provider they trust. That will never change. Care continues, as does our commitment to fighting for everyone’s freedom to make their own decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures.”</p><p>The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment from States Newsroom.&nbsp;</p><p>Talwani&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/one-big-beautiful-law-provision-planned-parenthood-funding-partly-blocked-judge" target="_blank">originally ruled for Planned Parenthood</a>&nbsp;in the case, temporarily blocking the defunding provision from taking effect. But an appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/appeals-court-allows-provision-freezing-medicaid-funding-planned-parenthood" target="_blank">later overturned that decision</a>, allowing the Trump administration to legally withhold Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood.&nbsp;</p><p>Talwani was nominated by former President Barack Obama.</p><p>The provision in Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law that blocks all Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood was originally slated to last for a decade, but the final version covered one year.&nbsp;</p><p>Federal law for decades has barred spending from covering abortions with limited exceptions for rape, incest, or the woman’s life.&nbsp;</p><p>So the new language prevented Medicaid patients from scheduling appointments at Planned Parenthood for other types of health care, like annual physicals, cancer screenings, or birth control appointments.&nbsp;</p><p>Shireen Ghorbani, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/planned-parenthood-sues-trump-administration-officials-over-defunding-provision-budget-bill" target="_blank">filed the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;along with Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, wrote in a statement that its health care providers would “continue to see patients and deliver on our mission to provide high-quality care and education to everyone who needs it, no matter where they live or how much money they make.”&nbsp;</p><p>A Planned Parenthood spokesperson, who did not want to comment on the record, said that certain clinics may choose to cover the cost of treating Medicaid patients, even though the clinic will not receive reimbursement from the federal government under the law.&nbsp;</p><p>Angela Vasquez-Giroux, vice president of communications at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, wrote in a statement that the organization’s “health centers initially shielded the overwhelming majority of patients who rely on Medicaid from the harm of this cruel law. Unfortunately, the consequences for patients will worsen considerably over time as health centers close, costs rise, and access to their trusted provider is pushed further out of reach.”</p>

Planned Parenthood ends suit against Trump admin. over serving Medicaid patients

KANSAS CITY —A woman was rescued from a storm drain Wednesday near the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City.

Just before 7:30p.m., Kansas City Fire Department crews&nbsp;responded to a reported confined space rescue at 3250 N. Ameristar Drive, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 On arrival crews reported a woman, in her forties, was stuck in a storm drain. She was trapped several hundred feet in the pipe. 

KCFD's rescue division secured the scene and sent a team into the pipe to free and retrieve the victim. 

After 90 minutes, at 9:30p.m. fire department crews were able to finally rescue the victim. The woman had been stuck for several hours and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. She was listed in stable condition, according to Hopkins. No other injuries were reported. There is no word on just how she became stuck in the drain.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770288412885.png" alt="Fire department crews on the scene Wednesday -photo courtesy KMBC" />
                        <figcaption>Fire department crews on the scene Wednesday -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —A woman was rescued from a storm drain Wednesday near the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City.</p><p>Just before 7:30p.m., Kansas City Fire Department crews&nbsp;responded to a reported confined space rescue at 3250 N. Ameristar Drive, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.</p><p> On arrival crews reported a woman, in her forties, was stuck in a storm drain. She was trapped several hundred feet in the pipe. </p><p>KCFD's rescue division secured the scene and sent a team into the pipe to free and retrieve the victim. </p><p>After 90 minutes, at 9:30p.m. fire department crews were able to finally rescue the victim. The woman had been stuck for several hours and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. She was listed in stable condition, according to Hopkins. No other injuries were reported. There is no word on just how she became stuck in the drain.</p>

Woman trapped for hours inside storm drain in Kansas City

MARION COUNTY—A third Kansas school district in less than a month is canceling classes and other activities due to illness.

On Wednesday, Centre School District USD 397 announced they will not have class the rest of the week due to illness, according to the school district social media page.&nbsp;The district includes students in pre-k through 12th grade.&nbsp;

On Monday, USD 511 Attica reported there would be no school or other activities due to sickness. The district expects to hold classes and participate other activities starting Thursday, according to the district's social media page.

On January 14, Fairfield USD 310 canceled classes and participation in activities due to illness.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770075788368.png" alt="USD 511" />
                        <figcaption>USD 511</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>MARION COUNTY—A third Kansas school district in less than a month is canceling classes and other activities due to illness.</p><p>On Wednesday, Centre School District USD 397 announced they will not have class the rest of the week due to illness, according to the school district social media page.&nbsp;The district includes students in pre-k through 12th grade.&nbsp;</p><p>On Monday, USD 511 Attica reported there would be no school or other activities due to sickness. The district expects to hold classes and participate other activities starting Thursday, according to the district's social media page.</p><p>On January 14, Fairfield USD 310 canceled classes and participation in activities due to illness.</p>

Another Kan. school district cancels classes due to illness

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie sent a public message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper on Wednesday saying that her family is ready to talk but wants proof that she is alive.

Guthrie said in a recorded video posted on social media that her family has heard media reports about a ransom letter for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-0d6b55fd24f54b2526fd5f8894a52ff2">Nancy Guthrie</a>, who authorities believe was taken from her home in Arizona against her will.

She was last seen around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, when she was dropped off at home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff’s department said. She was reported missing midday Sunday after she didn’t appear at a church.

The family posted the message after police conducted a search in and around Nancy Guthrie’s home for several hours Wednesday.

Kevin Adger, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, said investigators had been at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days and then turned it back over to the family with the understanding they could go back if they needed to.

“This is a follow up investigation,” he said in reference to officials returning Wednesday.

Adger said the sheriff’s department was not commenting on the video released by the family.

Multiple media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes Tuesday that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department had said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.

Savannah Guthrie was at times emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She smiled and looked into the camera when addressing her mother directly, saying that the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.

Guthrie was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron who both also spoke. Annie called their mother their beacon and said they need her.

Authorities on Wednesday offered no detailed update on their search. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos' office said detectives still were speaking with anyone who had contact with Nancy Guthrie last weekend but that no suspect or person of interest had been identified.

Nanos suggested there was video from some cameras, though he didn’t elaborate, adding: “That’s all been submitted and we’re doing our best with the companies that own those cameras or built those cameras.”

There were signs of forced entry at the home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood. Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials do not believe she left on her own. A sheriff's dispatcher talking to deputies during a search Sunday indicated that she has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.broadcastify.com/">broadcastify.com</a>.

Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search-and-rescue posse in Maricopa County, isn't involved in the search for Guthrie but said desert terrain can make looking for missing people difficult. He said it can be hard to peer into areas that are dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and other desert brush.

"Some of it is so thick you can’t drive through it,” Mason said.

A couple hundred people attended an evening vigil for Nancy Guthrie at a Tucson church where they heard prayers and placed lit candles on an altar. A priest prayed for God to comfort Guthrie and to bring her home to those she loves.

Afterward, Jeremy Thacker had tears in his eyes as he described the heartbreak and helplessness he was experiencing over Guthrie's disappearance. He worked with Savannah Guthrie at a local news station and they shared losing their fathers at a young age. His own sister was kidnapped when he was young.

On the other side of the country, Victory Church in Albany, New York, said it’s offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to finding Nancy Guthrie.

“Me and my wife, we watch Savannah every single morning. We’ve heard of her faith. We’ve heard of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">her mom’s faith</a>. And she’s got such a sweet spirit,” Pastor Charlie Muller said.

The White House said President Donald Trump called and spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.

“I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely.”

For a third day, “Today” opened with Guthrie’s disappearance, but Savannah Guthrie was not at the anchor’s desk. NBC Sports said Tuesday that she will not be covering the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics “as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time.”

The “Today” host grew up in Tucson, graduated from the University of Arizona and previously worked as a reporter and anchor at Tucson television station KVOA. Her parents settled in Tucson in the 1970s when she was a young child. The youngest of three siblings, she credits her mom with holding their family together after her father died of a heart attack at 49, when Savannah was just 16.

Billeaud reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu, Hallie Golden in Seattle, Michael Hill in Albany, New York, Darlene Superville in Washington and Julie Walker in New York contributed.

<p>TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie sent a public message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper on Wednesday saying that her family is ready to talk but wants proof that she is alive.</p><p>Guthrie said in a recorded video posted on social media that her family has heard media reports about a ransom letter for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-0d6b55fd24f54b2526fd5f8894a52ff2">Nancy Guthrie</a>, who authorities believe was taken from her home in Arizona against her will.</p><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUW3mpqD8qd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUW3mpqD8qd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUW3mpqD8qd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Savannah Guthrie (@savannahguthrie)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div><p>“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah Guthrie said while reading from a prepared statement. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”</p><p>She was last seen around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, when she was dropped off at home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff’s department said. She was reported missing midday Sunday after she didn’t appear at a church.</p><p>The family posted the message after police conducted a search in and around Nancy Guthrie’s home for several hours Wednesday.</p><p>Kevin Adger, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, said investigators had been at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days and then turned it back over to the family with the understanding they could go back if they needed to.</p><p>“This is a follow up investigation,” he said in reference to officials returning Wednesday.</p><p>Adger said the sheriff’s department was not commenting on the video released by the family.</p><p>Multiple media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes Tuesday that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department had said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.</p><h2>The family's message for Nancy Guthrie</h2><p>Savannah Guthrie was at times emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She smiled and looked into the camera when addressing her mother directly, saying that the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.</p><p>“Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter,” she said.</p><p>Savannah Guthrie described her mother as a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light” and said she was funny, spunky and clever.</p><p>“Talk to her and you’ll see,” she said.</p><p>Guthrie was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron who both also spoke. Annie called their mother their beacon and said they need her.</p><p>“Mamma, If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.</p><h2>No suspect identified</h2><p>Authorities on Wednesday offered no detailed update on their search. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos' office said detectives still were speaking with anyone who had contact with Nancy Guthrie last weekend but that no suspect or person of interest had been identified.</p><p>Nanos suggested there was video from some cameras, though he didn’t elaborate, adding: “That’s all been submitted and we’re doing our best with the companies that own those cameras or built those cameras.”</p><p>There were signs of forced entry at the home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood. Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials do not believe she left on her own. A sheriff's dispatcher talking to deputies during a search Sunday indicated that she has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.broadcastify.com/">broadcastify.com</a>.</p><p>Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search-and-rescue posse in Maricopa County, isn't involved in the search for Guthrie but said desert terrain can make looking for missing people difficult. He said it can be hard to peer into areas that are dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and other desert brush.</p><p>"Some of it is so thick you can’t drive through it,” Mason said.</p><h2>Supporters around the country</h2><p>A couple hundred people attended an evening vigil for Nancy Guthrie at a Tucson church where they heard prayers and placed lit candles on an altar. A priest prayed for God to comfort Guthrie and to bring her home to those she loves.</p><p>Afterward, Jeremy Thacker had tears in his eyes as he described the heartbreak and helplessness he was experiencing over Guthrie's disappearance. He worked with Savannah Guthrie at a local news station and they shared losing their fathers at a young age. His own sister was kidnapped when he was young.</p><p>Thacker said he knew Nancy Guthrie to be sharp, grounded and earnest.</p><p>“We’re all holding our breath,” Thacker said.</p><p>On the other side of the country, Victory Church in Albany, New York, said it’s offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to finding Nancy Guthrie.</p><p>“Me and my wife, we watch Savannah every single morning. We’ve heard of her faith. We’ve heard of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">her mom’s faith</a>. And she’s got such a sweet spirit,” Pastor Charlie Muller said.</p><p>The White House said President Donald Trump called and spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.</p><p>“I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely.”</p><p>For a third day, “Today” opened with Guthrie’s disappearance, but Savannah Guthrie was not at the anchor’s desk. NBC Sports said Tuesday that she will not be covering the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics “as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time.”</p><p>The “Today” host grew up in Tucson, graduated from the University of Arizona and previously worked as a reporter and anchor at Tucson television station KVOA. Her parents settled in Tucson in the 1970s when she was a young child. The youngest of three siblings, she credits her mom with holding their family together after her father died of a heart attack at 49, when Savannah was just 16.</p><p>___</p><p>Billeaud reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu, Hallie Golden in Seattle, Michael Hill in Albany, New York, Darlene Superville in Washington and Julie Walker in New York contributed.</p>

🎥'Today' show host asks kidnapper to provide proof mother is alive

Port-au-Prince —At the direction of the Secretary of War, three U.S. warships including the USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone and USCGC Diligence have arrived in the Bay of Port-au-Prince as part of Operation Southern Spear, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy Haiti.

"Their presence reflects the United States’ unwavering commitment to the security, stability, and a brighter future for the Republic of Haiti. The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard reaffirm their partnership and support to ensure a safer and more prosperous Haiti."

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770258285185.png" alt="Photo U.S. Southern Command" />
                        <figcaption>Photo U.S. Southern Command</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Port-au-Prince —At the direction of the Secretary of War, three U.S. warships including the USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone and USCGC Diligence have arrived in the Bay of Port-au-Prince as part of Operation Southern Spear, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy Haiti.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770258402668.png" alt="Photo U.S. Southern Command" />
                        <figcaption>Photo U.S. Southern Command</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>"Their presence reflects the United States’ unwavering commitment to the security, stability, and a brighter future for the Republic of Haiti. The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard reaffirm their partnership and support to ensure a safer and more prosperous Haiti."</p>

US Warships arrive off Haiti in campaign against drug traffickers

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a shooting in Wichita have a suspect in custody.

Just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a reported shooting in the 900 block of S. Rutan, according to a media release.

Officers arrived and found a 40-year-old man who received multiple gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to a local hospital with serious injuries.

The suspect, identified from Sedgwick County booking records as 55-year-old Gary M. Scott, ran from the area after the shooting but was apprehended by Officers. Scott was later booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of of aggravated burglary and aggravated battery.&nbsp; He is being held on bonds totaling over $575,000, according to online jail records.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770205701092.png" alt="Scott-photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Scott-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a shooting in Wichita have a suspect in custody.</p><p>Just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a reported shooting in the 900 block of S. Rutan, according to a media release.</p><p>Officers arrived and found a 40-year-old man who received multiple gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to a local hospital with serious injuries.</p><p>The suspect, identified from Sedgwick County booking records as 55-year-old Gary M. Scott, ran from the area after the shooting but was apprehended by Officers. Scott was later booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of of aggravated burglary and aggravated battery.&nbsp; He is being held on bonds totaling over $575,000, according to online jail records.</p>

Kansas shooting suspect jailed after he ran from crime scene

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after an encounter with a sheriff's deputy on a northeast Kansas highway.

Just after 4 p.m. Jan. 31, that Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a person was slumped over the wheel in a Ford Edge in the intersection of 118th&nbsp;and U.S. Highway, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The reporting party attempted to wake the person up by using his horn in his vehicle. Deputies arrived on the scene to find the driver and passenger both asleep in the vehicle.&nbsp; One of the deputies reported what allegedly appeared to be a methamphetamine pipe in the hand of the driver.&nbsp; The driver and passenger were arrested.

The driver, Lloyd Allan Wabaunsee, 36, of Mayetta and the passenger, Raven Marie Barber, 44, of Mayetta were transported to the Jackson County Jail. Wabaunsee was booked into the Jail on requested charges of possession of methampehtamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of controlled substances, unlawful possession of a hallucinogenic drug, unlawful distribution of controlled substances, driving under the influence, possession of weapon by a felon, criminal possession of a weapon and no drug tax stamp.

Barber was booked into the Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, distribution of controlled substances, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, criminal use of a weapon and no drug tax stamp.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770140504379.png" alt="Wabaunsee photo Jackson County" />
                        <figcaption>Wabaunsee photo Jackson County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after an encounter with a sheriff's deputy on a northeast Kansas highway.</p><p>Just after 4 p.m. Jan. 31, that Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a person was slumped over the wheel in a Ford Edge in the intersection of 118th&nbsp;and U.S. Highway, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770140485380.png" alt="Barber photo Jackson County" />
                        <figcaption>Barber photo Jackson County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p> The reporting party attempted to wake the person up by using his horn in his vehicle. Deputies arrived on the scene to find the driver and passenger both asleep in the vehicle.&nbsp; One of the deputies reported what allegedly appeared to be a methamphetamine pipe in the hand of the driver.&nbsp; The driver and passenger were arrested.</p><p>The driver, Lloyd Allan Wabaunsee, 36, of Mayetta and the passenger, Raven Marie Barber, 44, of Mayetta were transported to the Jackson County Jail. Wabaunsee was booked into the Jail on requested charges of possession of methampehtamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of controlled substances, unlawful possession of a hallucinogenic drug, unlawful distribution of controlled substances, driving under the influence, possession of weapon by a felon, criminal possession of a weapon and no drug tax stamp.</p><p>Barber was booked into the Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, distribution of controlled substances, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, criminal use of a weapon and no drug tax stamp.</p>

Sheriff: Kan. drug suspects were passed out in SUV on the highway

TYLER, Texas (AP) — The father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been arrested in Texas after authorities said he violated his probation from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/patrick-mahomes-father-guilty-dwi-447e2f0c6a93b308b0bbd3871ed8d1a1">conviction for driving while intoxicated.</a>

<a href="https://portal.smith-county.com/app/JailSearch/#/search">Click here to view</a> arrest details

Patrick “Pat” Mahomes Sr., 55, was arrested Tuesday during a meeting with his probation officer after a warrant was obtained for a probation violation, authorities said. He remained in Smith County jail in Tyler on Wednesday. His attorney did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

The elder Mahomes was sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty in August 2024 to a DWI charge. On Jan. 1, he had a high alcohol reading on his ankle monitor, according to a probation violation report.

Mahomes Sr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cfcca2814d423c6411948c30e38d98cf">had been arrested</a>&nbsp;on the DWI charge in February 2024, a little more than a week before his son led the Chiefs to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/366151ee795360fbc8d3e4d029a394a6">second straight Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;championship with a win over San Francisco.

Smith County jail records show multiple DWI arrests over the years for the elder Mahomes.

Mahomes Sr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for six teams during an 11-year major league career that ended in 2003, according to Baseball Reference.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770215342697.png" alt="Mahomes photo Smith County Jail" />
                        <figcaption>Mahomes photo Smith County Jail</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>TYLER, Texas (AP) — The father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been arrested in Texas after authorities said he violated his probation from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/patrick-mahomes-father-guilty-dwi-447e2f0c6a93b308b0bbd3871ed8d1a1">conviction for driving while intoxicated.</a></p><p><a href="https://portal.smith-county.com/app/JailSearch/#/search">Click here to view</a> arrest details</p><p>Patrick “Pat” Mahomes Sr., 55, was arrested Tuesday during a meeting with his probation officer after a warrant was obtained for a probation violation, authorities said. He remained in Smith County jail in Tyler on Wednesday. His attorney did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.</p><p>The elder Mahomes was sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty in August 2024 to a DWI charge. On Jan. 1, he had a high alcohol reading on his ankle monitor, according to a probation violation report.</p><p>Mahomes Sr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cfcca2814d423c6411948c30e38d98cf">had been arrested</a>&nbsp;on the DWI charge in February 2024, a little more than a week before his son led the Chiefs to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/366151ee795360fbc8d3e4d029a394a6">second straight Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;championship with a win over San Francisco.</p><p>Smith County jail records show multiple DWI arrests over the years for the elder Mahomes.</p><p>Mahomes Sr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for six teams during an 11-year major league career that ended in 2003, according to Baseball Reference.</p><p>----------------------</p>

Patrick Mahomes' dad is back in jail for alleged probation violation

Washington&nbsp;– On Tuesday, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026," into law. The legislation advances several key healthcare priorities long championed by Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, according to a statement from his office.

<i>“The legislation provides $418 million for rural health, strengthens our healthcare workforce, maintains critical funding for Community Health Centers, and extends telehealth and hospital-at-home flexibilities that Kansans rely on,”&nbsp;</i><b>said Senator Marshall.</b><i>&nbsp;</i><i>“It also invests in maternal and child health, mental health services, and life-saving medical research, while cutting over $100 million in unnecessary HHS bureaucracy.”</i>

Senator Marshall also emphasized that Republicans stepped in to prevent Medicaid spending from continuing on an unsustainable trajectory that threatened the program’s future.&nbsp;

Prior proposals would have allowed unchecked growth, threatening long-term access for the most vulnerable. This package introduces responsible reforms that protect beneficiaries while ensuring Medicaid remains viable for future generations.

<i>“Medicaid was on a path to bust – crowding out care for the truly vulnerable and burdening states and taxpayers,”&nbsp;</i><b>said Senator Marshall.</b><i>&nbsp;</i><i>“Republicans fought to protect this vital safety-net program by improving oversight, targeting resources appropriately, and ensuring Medicaid remains available for those who need it most today and for generations to come.”</i>

<b>Labor, Health and Human Services (L/HHS) Appropriations Highlights</b>

The package provides a&nbsp;discretionary total of $116.6 billion&nbsp;for the Department of Health and Human Services while reducing unnecessary federal bureaucracy by&nbsp;over $100 million.

Senator Marshall championed several of the provisions included in the package. These include:

<b>Health Extenders Package: Strengthening Medicaid and Medicare Medicaid Reforms</b>

The package includes targeted reforms to Medicaid while improving access and accountability:

The legislation delivers long-term certainty for providers and expanded access for seniors by:

<b>Public Health Extenders and Programs</b>

The package extends and strengthens critical public health initiatives, including:

The package includes commonsense reforms to lower prescription drug costs and increase transparency for patients and taxpayers, including:

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770168869577.png" alt="President signed the bill in the Oval Office on Tuesday- photo White House" />
                        <figcaption>President signed the bill in the Oval Office on Tuesday- photo White House</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>Office of Senator Roger Marshall</i></p><p>Washington&nbsp;– On Tuesday, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026," into law. The legislation advances several key healthcare priorities long championed by Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, according to a statement from his office.</p><p><i>“The legislation provides $418 million for rural health, strengthens our healthcare workforce, maintains critical funding for Community Health Centers, and extends telehealth and hospital-at-home flexibilities that Kansans rely on,”&nbsp;</i><b>said Senator Marshall.</b><i>&nbsp;</i><i>“It also invests in maternal and child health, mental health services, and life-saving medical research, while cutting over $100 million in unnecessary HHS bureaucracy.”</i></p><p>Senator Marshall also emphasized that Republicans stepped in to prevent Medicaid spending from continuing on an unsustainable trajectory that threatened the program’s future.&nbsp;</p><p>Prior proposals would have allowed unchecked growth, threatening long-term access for the most vulnerable. This package introduces responsible reforms that protect beneficiaries while ensuring Medicaid remains viable for future generations.</p><p><i>“Medicaid was on a path to bust – crowding out care for the truly vulnerable and burdening states and taxpayers,”&nbsp;</i><b>said Senator Marshall.</b><i>&nbsp;</i><i>“Republicans fought to protect this vital safety-net program by improving oversight, targeting resources appropriately, and ensuring Medicaid remains available for those who need it most today and for generations to come.”</i></p><p><b>Labor, Health and Human Services (L/HHS) Appropriations Highlights</b></p><p>The package provides a&nbsp;discretionary total of $116.6 billion&nbsp;for the Department of Health and Human Services while reducing unnecessary federal bureaucracy by&nbsp;over $100 million.</p><p>Senator Marshall championed several of the provisions included in the package. These include:</p><ul>
                        <li>$1.9 billion&nbsp;to sustain&nbsp;Community Health Centers, preserving access to primary care in underserved communities.</li><li>Streamlined enrollment for eligible out-of-state providers under Medicaid and CHIP to make it easier for people to access care.</li><li>Preserving telehealth flexibilities through&nbsp;2027&nbsp;and extending hospital-at-home waivers through&nbsp;September 2030.</li><li>Expanding coverage for multi-cancer early detection screening tests.</li><li>Increasing transparency for pharmacy benefit managers and reigning in predatory practices.</li><li>Long-term funding for&nbsp;Community Health Centers, the&nbsp;National Health Service Corps, and&nbsp;Teaching Health Center GME programs.</li><li>Support for preventing maternal deaths, honoring living organ donors, pediatric drug studies, sickle cell disease treatment, lifespan respite care, PREEMIE programs, and the&nbsp;Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act.</li><li>Strengthened oversight of pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services to hold middlemen accountable.</li>
                    </ul><p>Other Key investments include:</p><ul>
                        <li>$418 million for rural health, increasing support for rural hospitals at risk of closure, and expanding rural residency training opportunities.</li><li>$1.4 billion&nbsp;to strengthen the healthcare workforce and connect providers to rural and underserved areas.</li><li>$1.2 billion&nbsp;for&nbsp;maternal and child health, supporting healthier pregnancies and outcomes.</li><li>$49 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)&nbsp;to advance lifesaving medical research.</li><li>Increased funding for&nbsp;mental health and substance use block grants, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.</li><li>$3.2 billion&nbsp;for medical countermeasures to protect against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats—an increase of $73 million.</li><li>Elimination of the CDC’s&nbsp;Social Determinants of Health&nbsp;program, refocusing the agency on its core public health mission.</li>
                    </ul><p><b>Health Extenders Package: Strengthening Medicaid and Medicare Medicaid Reforms</b></p><p>The package includes targeted reforms to Medicaid while improving access and accountability:</p><ul>
                        <li>Removal of certain age restrictions for working adults with disabilities.</li><li>Clear residency and coverage standards for military families.</li><li>State studies and an HHS report on the cost of maternity, labor, and delivery services.</li><li>Adjustments to&nbsp;Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH)&nbsp;allotments and payment limitations to better reflect hospital needs.</li>
                    </ul><p><b>Medicare Improvements</b></p><p>The legislation delivers long-term certainty for providers and expanded access for seniors by:</p><ul>
                        <li>Extending payment adjustments for&nbsp;low-volume hospitals&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Medicare-Dependent Hospital (MDH) program.</li><li>Extending add-on payments for ambulance services.</li><li>Supporting in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.</li><li>Ensuring continued access to hospice care, outreach for low-income seniors, and quality measurement programs.</li><li>Covering external infusion pumps and home infusion drugs.</li><li>Strengthening program integrity for durable medical equipment.</li><li>Advancing transparency through the&nbsp;REAL Health Providers Act.</li><li>Supporting innovation through wearable device reporting and virtual diabetes prevention programs.</li>
                    </ul><p><b>Public Health Extenders and Programs</b></p><p>The package extends and strengthens critical public health initiatives, including:</p><ul>
                        <li>Extension of&nbsp;special diabetes programs&nbsp;and national health security initiatives.</li><li>Continued implementation of the&nbsp;No Surprises Act.</li>
                    </ul><p><b>Lowering Prescription Drug Costs</b></p><p>The package includes commonsense reforms to lower prescription drug costs and increase transparency for patients and taxpayers, including:</p><ul>
                        <li>Requirement that prescription drug rebates be fully passed through to health plans, with protections for innocent plan fiduciaries.</li><li>Increased transparency in the generic drug application process to promote competition and speed access to lower-cost medications.</li>
                    </ul>

Senator Marshall delivers healthcare wins for Kansas in FY26 appropriations 

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of trying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-routh-guilty-c56e9dbdc640cfc377aa2267107697df">to assassinate President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on a Florida golf course in 2024 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-smith-c66d5ffb7ba86c1b991f95e89bdeba0c">U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon</a>&nbsp;pronounced Ryan Routh’s fate in the same Fort Pierce courtroom that erupted into chaos in September when he tried to stab himself shortly after jurors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-d49985a690e678a9ccbf3610c102704d">found him guilty</a>&nbsp;on all counts.

Prosecutors had asked for life without parole, saying Routh is unrepentant and has never apologized. A defense attorney brought in for his sentencing asked for 27 years, noting that Routh is already turning 60.

Routh also received a consecutive seven-year sentence for one of his gun convictions.

Routh's sentencing had initially been scheduled for December, but Cannon agreed to move the date back after Routh decided to use an attorney during the sentencing phase instead of representing himself as he did for most of the trial.

Prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum that Routh has yet to accept any responsibility and should spend the rest of his life in prison, in accordance with federal sentencing guidelines. He was convicted of trying to assassinate a major presidential candidate, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm as a felon and using a gun with a defaced serial number.

“Routh remains unrepentant for his crimes, never apologized for the lives he put at risk, and his life demonstrates near-total disregard for law,” the memo said.

Routh's new defense attorney, Martin L. Roth, asked for a variance from sentencing guidelines: 20 years in prison on top of a seven-year, mandatory sentence for one of the gun convictions.

“The defendant is two weeks short of being sixty years old,” Roth wrote in a filing. “A just punishment would provide a sentence long enough to impose sufficient but not excessive punishment, and to allow defendant to experience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.”

Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as the Republican presidential candidate played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.

At Routh’s trial, a Secret Service agent helping protect Trump on the golf course testified that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and run away without firing a shot.

In the motion requesting an attorney, Routh offered to trade his life in a prisoner swap with people unjustly held in other countries, and said an offer still stood for Trump to “take out his frustrations on my face.”

“Just a quarter of an inch further back and we all would not have to deal with all of this mess forwards, but I always fail at everything (par for the course),” Routh wrote.

In her decision granting Routh an attorney, Cannon chastised the “disrespectful charade” of Routh's motion, saying it made a mockery of the proceedings. But the judge, nominated by Trump in 2020, said she wanted to err on the side of legal representation.

Cannon signed off last summer on Routh’s request to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-florida-644c71bc607e4ebad5115f2a490b314c">represent himself</a>&nbsp;at trial. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants have the right to represent themselves in court proceedings, as long as they can show a judge they are competent to waive their right to be defended by an attorney.

Routh’s former federal public defenders served as standby counsel and were present during the trial.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fbi-assassination-attempt-fee81d8bcf737bfcde2ee8e5cea88465">Routh had multiple previous felony convictions</a>&nbsp;including possession of stolen goods, and a large online footprint demonstrating his disdain for Trump. In a self-published book, he encouraged Iran to assassinate him, and at one point wrote that as a Trump voter, he must take part of the blame for electing him.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Federal prosecutors are seeking a sentence of life without parole for the man convicted of trying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-routh-guilty-c56e9dbdc640cfc377aa2267107697df">to assassinate President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on a Florida golf course in 2024.

Ryan Routh was scheduled to appear Wednesday before U. S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce. Her courtroom erupted into chaos in September when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-d49985a690e678a9ccbf3610c102704d">Routh tried to stab</a>&nbsp;himself in the neck with a pen shortly after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-d49985a690e678a9ccbf3610c102704d">jurors found him guilty</a>&nbsp;on all counts.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741357051491.png" alt="-Routh photo Palm Beach County Sheriff" />
                        <figcaption>-Routh photo Palm Beach County Sheriff</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of trying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-routh-guilty-c56e9dbdc640cfc377aa2267107697df">to assassinate President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on a Florida golf course in 2024 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726536262473.png" alt="Routh photo Palm Beach County Sheriff" />
                        <figcaption>Routh photo Palm Beach County Sheriff</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-smith-c66d5ffb7ba86c1b991f95e89bdeba0c">U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon</a>&nbsp;pronounced Ryan Routh’s fate in the same Fort Pierce courtroom that erupted into chaos in September when he tried to stab himself shortly after jurors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-d49985a690e678a9ccbf3610c102704d">found him guilty</a>&nbsp;on all counts.</p><p>Prosecutors had asked for life without parole, saying Routh is unrepentant and has never apologized. A defense attorney brought in for his sentencing asked for 27 years, noting that Routh is already turning 60.</p><p>Routh also received a consecutive seven-year sentence for one of his gun convictions.</p><p>Routh's sentencing had initially been scheduled for December, but Cannon agreed to move the date back after Routh decided to use an attorney during the sentencing phase instead of representing himself as he did for most of the trial.</p><p>Prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum that Routh has yet to accept any responsibility and should spend the rest of his life in prison, in accordance with federal sentencing guidelines. He was convicted of trying to assassinate a major presidential candidate, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm as a felon and using a gun with a defaced serial number.</p><p>“Routh remains unrepentant for his crimes, never apologized for the lives he put at risk, and his life demonstrates near-total disregard for law,” the memo said.</p><p>Routh's new defense attorney, Martin L. Roth, asked for a variance from sentencing guidelines: 20 years in prison on top of a seven-year, mandatory sentence for one of the gun convictions.</p><p>“The defendant is two weeks short of being sixty years old,” Roth wrote in a filing. “A just punishment would provide a sentence long enough to impose sufficient but not excessive punishment, and to allow defendant to experience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.”</p><p>Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as the Republican presidential candidate played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.</p><p>At Routh’s trial, a Secret Service agent helping protect Trump on the golf course testified that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and run away without firing a shot.</p><p>In the motion requesting an attorney, Routh offered to trade his life in a prisoner swap with people unjustly held in other countries, and said an offer still stood for Trump to “take out his frustrations on my face.”</p><p>“Just a quarter of an inch further back and we all would not have to deal with all of this mess forwards, but I always fail at everything (par for the course),” Routh wrote.</p><p>In her decision granting Routh an attorney, Cannon chastised the “disrespectful charade” of Routh's motion, saying it made a mockery of the proceedings. But the judge, nominated by Trump in 2020, said she wanted to err on the side of legal representation.</p><p>Cannon signed off last summer on Routh’s request to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-florida-644c71bc607e4ebad5115f2a490b314c">represent himself</a>&nbsp;at trial. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants have the right to represent themselves in court proceedings, as long as they can show a judge they are competent to waive their right to be defended by an attorney.</p><p>Routh’s former federal public defenders served as standby counsel and were present during the trial.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fbi-assassination-attempt-fee81d8bcf737bfcde2ee8e5cea88465">Routh had multiple previous felony convictions</a>&nbsp;including possession of stolen goods, and a large online footprint demonstrating his disdain for Trump. In a self-published book, he encouraged Iran to assassinate him, and at one point wrote that as a Trump voter, he must take part of the blame for electing him.</p><p>------------</p><p>FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Federal prosecutors are seeking a sentence of life without parole for the man convicted of trying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-routh-guilty-c56e9dbdc640cfc377aa2267107697df">to assassinate President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on a Florida golf course in 2024.</p><p>Ryan Routh was scheduled to appear Wednesday before U. S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce. Her courtroom erupted into chaos in September when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-d49985a690e678a9ccbf3610c102704d">Routh tried to stab</a>&nbsp;himself in the neck with a pen shortly after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-d49985a690e678a9ccbf3610c102704d">jurors found him guilty</a>&nbsp;on all counts.</p><p>Routh's sentencing had initially been scheduled for December, but Cannon agreed to move the date back after Routh decided to use an attorney during the sentencing phase instead of representing himself as he did for most of the trial.</p><p>Prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum that Routh has yet to accept any responsibility and should spend the rest of his life in prison, in accordance with federal sentencing guidelines. He was convicted of trying to assassinate a major presidential candidate, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm as a felon and using a gun with a defaced serial number.</p><p>“Routh remains unrepentant for his crimes, never apologized for the lives he put at risk, and his life demonstrates near-total disregard for law,” the memo said.</p><p>Routh's new defense attorney, Martin L. Roth, asked for a variance from sentencing guidelines: 20 years in prison on top of a seven-year, mandatory sentence for one of the gun convictions.</p><p>“The defendant is two weeks short of being sixty years old,” Roth wrote in a filing. “A just punishment would provide a sentence long enough to impose sufficient but not excessive punishment, and to allow defendant to experience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.”</p><p>Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as the Republican presidential candidate played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.</p><p>At Routh’s trial, a Secret Service agent helping protect Trump on the golf course testified that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and run away without firing a shot.</p><p>In the motion requesting an attorney, Routh offered to trade his life in a prisoner swap with people unjustly held in other countries, and said an offer still stood for Trump to “take out his frustrations on my face.”</p><p>“Just a quarter of an inch further back and we all would not have to deal with all of this mess forwards, but I always fail at everything (par for the course),” Routh wrote.</p><p>In her decision granting Routh an attorney, Cannon chastised the “disrespectful charade” of Routh's motion, saying it made a mockery of the proceedings. But the judge, nominated by Trump in 2020, said she wanted to err on the side of legal representation.</p><p>Cannon signed off last summer on Routh’s request to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-florida-644c71bc607e4ebad5115f2a490b314c">represent himself</a>&nbsp;at trial. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants have the right to represent themselves in court proceedings, as long as they can show a judge they are competent to waive their right to be defended by an attorney.</p><p>Routh’s former federal public defenders served as standby counsel and were present during the trial.</p>

Judge sentences President Trump's would-be assassin

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a><br><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a>

TOPEKA — An ongoing battle between the attorney general and Kansas governor about releasing Kansans’ personal data to the federal government made its way to a Tuesday committee hearing on a bill intended to force the governor’s hand.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb428/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 428</a>&nbsp;requires the secretary of the Department for Children and Families to respond to federal data requests from the U.S. Department of Agriculture of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and release the data within 90 days.&nbsp;

The bill results from the Department for Children and Family’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/22/kansas-governors-office-disputes-accuracy-of-kobachs-claims-about-snap-funding/">refusal to share private data&nbsp;</a>of food program applicants and recipients with the USDA, Attorney General Kris Kobach told the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, or COGE.

“They don’t want the USDA to share the names of (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients with other federal agencies,” Kobach said. “Now, why would they not want that? I’m almost certain they don’t want it to be shared with the Justice Department so that a SNAP recipient who is fraudulently getting this money could be prosecuted.”

Kobach also said the governor didn’t want the data shared because the Department of Homeland Security could use it to identify people in the country illegally who receive food assistance.&nbsp;

People who are legal permanent residents can qualify for SNAP.

Gov. Laura Kelly’s spokeswoman, Olivia Taylor-Puckett, said DCF has concerns about whether USDA’s stated intent on using the data is legal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The Governor’s administration has been repeatedly raising concerns about the legality of the USDA’s data request as it pertains to the ‘Routine Use 8′ provision, which includes sharing Kansans’ personal private data, including full Social Security numbers, with foreign entities,” she said in an emailed statement. “It is both disappointing and disturbing that the Attorney General still doesn’t know the basic issues with the USDA’s request.”

Taylor-Puckett’s statement referred to a USDA notice published in the Federal Register that detailed how the data would be used. One section allowed the information to be shared with foreign entities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas is one of 21 states, all of which are participants in a Massachusetts lawsuit, that question whether the USDA’s intended use of the data is allowed in their data sharing contract. The case is still being decided.&nbsp;

Kobach told the committee the state will lose $20.8 million as part of its SNAP program because DCF did not release the data. DCF appealed the penalty so no money has been withheld from state SNAP administrative funds.&nbsp;

A hearing on the state’s appeal will be held Feb. 17, a governor’s office spokesperson said.&nbsp;

Travis Couture-Lovelady, a lobbyist with FGA Action, testified in favor of the bill, citing concerns with the integrity of the SNAP program.&nbsp;

“The goal is simple — reserve benefits for truly needy families and hold the fraudsters accountable,” he said.

Couture-Lovelady said the food assistance program has been “plagued” with improper payments, eligibility errors and fraud, as well as large-scale losses to benefit card theft and hacking schemes.&nbsp;

“In 2024, as the attorney general said, that’s the most recent data we have, Kansas’ SNAP error rate was nearly 10%, meaning roughly one out of every $10 in benefits was issued improperly, and that level of error is completely unacceptable,” he said.&nbsp;

The state’s SNAP error rate is not tied to fraud but instead tracks data entry errors, incomplete or inaccurate applicant information and other problems,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/08/26/kansas-official-defends-refusal-to-turn-over-private-food-program-data-in-face-of-political-attacks/">according to DCF secretary Laura Howard</a>. Fraud cases are handled through a separate department and aren’t included in the SNAP error rate.&nbsp;

DCF is working to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/22/kansas-agency-working-to-improve-accuracy-of-snap-payments-to-avoid-costly-federal-sanction/">drop the error rate</a>, which was under the 6% federally set threshold in August, at 5.5%.&nbsp;

Haley Kottler, an anti-hunger campaign director with Kansas Appleseed, submitted written testimony opposing the bill.&nbsp;

“This most recent conflict between 21 states and the federal government illustrates the extreme risk Kansas would be taking by enacting SB 428,” she said. “The provisions of this bill would not allow DCF and KDHE to contest federal data requests, despite the potential for serious concerns regarding privacy protection, the burden imposed on state resources and administrators, the misuse of data, liability, and compliance with eventual court decisions.”

She also raised concerns that threats to privacy would deter eligible households from seeking food assistance.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761944916334.png" alt="File Post photo" />
                        <figcaption>File Post photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a><br><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — An ongoing battle between the attorney general and Kansas governor about releasing Kansans’ personal data to the federal government made its way to a Tuesday committee hearing on a bill intended to force the governor’s hand.</p><p><a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb428/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 428</a>&nbsp;requires the secretary of the Department for Children and Families to respond to federal data requests from the U.S. Department of Agriculture of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and release the data within 90 days.&nbsp;</p><p>The bill results from the Department for Children and Family’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/22/kansas-governors-office-disputes-accuracy-of-kobachs-claims-about-snap-funding/">refusal to share private data&nbsp;</a>of food program applicants and recipients with the USDA, Attorney General Kris Kobach told the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, or COGE.</p><p>“They don’t want the USDA to share the names of (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients with other federal agencies,” Kobach said. “Now, why would they not want that? I’m almost certain they don’t want it to be shared with the Justice Department so that a SNAP recipient who is fraudulently getting this money could be prosecuted.”</p><p>Kobach also said the governor didn’t want the data shared because the Department of Homeland Security could use it to identify people in the country illegally who receive food assistance.&nbsp;</p><p>People who are legal permanent residents can qualify for SNAP.</p><p>Gov. Laura Kelly’s spokeswoman, Olivia Taylor-Puckett, said DCF has concerns about whether USDA’s stated intent on using the data is legal.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“The Governor’s administration has been repeatedly raising concerns about the legality of the USDA’s data request as it pertains to the ‘Routine Use 8′ provision, which includes sharing Kansans’ personal private data, including full Social Security numbers, with foreign entities,” she said in an emailed statement. “It is both disappointing and disturbing that the Attorney General still doesn’t know the basic issues with the USDA’s request.”</p><p>Taylor-Puckett’s statement referred to a USDA notice published in the Federal Register that detailed how the data would be used. One section allowed the information to be shared with foreign entities.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Kansas is one of 21 states, all of which are participants in a Massachusetts lawsuit, that question whether the USDA’s intended use of the data is allowed in their data sharing contract. The case is still being decided.&nbsp;</p><p>Kobach told the committee the state will lose $20.8 million as part of its SNAP program because DCF did not release the data. DCF appealed the penalty so no money has been withheld from state SNAP administrative funds.&nbsp;</p><p>A hearing on the state’s appeal will be held Feb. 17, a governor’s office spokesperson said.&nbsp;</p><p>Travis Couture-Lovelady, a lobbyist with FGA Action, testified in favor of the bill, citing concerns with the integrity of the SNAP program.&nbsp;</p><p>“The goal is simple — reserve benefits for truly needy families and hold the fraudsters accountable,” he said.</p><p>Couture-Lovelady said the food assistance program has been “plagued” with improper payments, eligibility errors and fraud, as well as large-scale losses to benefit card theft and hacking schemes.&nbsp;</p><p>“In 2024, as the attorney general said, that’s the most recent data we have, Kansas’ SNAP error rate was nearly 10%, meaning roughly one out of every $10 in benefits was issued improperly, and that level of error is completely unacceptable,” he said.&nbsp;</p><p>The state’s SNAP error rate is not tied to fraud but instead tracks data entry errors, incomplete or inaccurate applicant information and other problems,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/08/26/kansas-official-defends-refusal-to-turn-over-private-food-program-data-in-face-of-political-attacks/">according to DCF secretary Laura Howard</a>. Fraud cases are handled through a separate department and aren’t included in the SNAP error rate.&nbsp;</p><p>DCF is working to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/22/kansas-agency-working-to-improve-accuracy-of-snap-payments-to-avoid-costly-federal-sanction/">drop the error rate</a>, which was under the 6% federally set threshold in August, at 5.5%.&nbsp;</p><p>Haley Kottler, an anti-hunger campaign director with Kansas Appleseed, submitted written testimony opposing the bill.&nbsp;</p><p>“This most recent conflict between 21 states and the federal government illustrates the extreme risk Kansas would be taking by enacting SB 428,” she said. “The provisions of this bill would not allow DCF and KDHE to contest federal data requests, despite the potential for serious concerns regarding privacy protection, the burden imposed on state resources and administrators, the misuse of data, liability, and compliance with eventual court decisions.”</p><p>She also raised concerns that threats to privacy would deter eligible households from seeking food assistance.&nbsp;</p>