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The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://go.kansascourts.gov/l/kZhfIWrV2moSvHhJaNrh5IMwT51gAnBZh09LcVXYUxQluHBzT8JouvUlWUwzpsBx3L22wcZtnVQBIFVYedbq2aPKJWSQYBG5dR64gMqL6ibrYaYC-P64J56ZSpe2S6VTSBAx9VN8kwuH9UHrkJI6D8Gb6Ss0WoR1qOsd0i4NtYt2KAVGvMlLJEGRaiwU_T49xQmOWHHG-0ij3wCrvNspAUHdrEAexwIsyiYMiWdqoMWF5qQjuZzVyM_oJ4qvwPFy">28th Judicial District Nominating Commission</a>&nbsp;will convene at 9:30 am Wednesday, February 4&nbsp;to interview the selected nominees to fill a <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a19625fc-4054-4043-956f-ebba7b0a228b">district judge vacancy.</a>

The judicial vacancy will be created when District Judge Paul Hickman retires May 1.

The 28th Judicial District is composed of Ottawa and Saline counties.

Interviews are open to the public and will take place at Saline County Courthouse (300 W Ash St.) in Salina.

Richard Buck, Salina, lead assistant public defender, Kansas Board of Indigents’ Defense Services

Amy Coppola Crawford, Milford, district magistrate judge, Geary County, 8th Judicial District

Alexander Driskell, Salina, associate attorney, Allen &amp; Associates, LLC

Michelle Martin, Solomon, attorney, community relations supervisor, Community and Development Services Department, City of Salina

W. Brad Sutton, Assaria, prosecutor, City of Salina

Debra J.G. Wright, Beloit, district magistrate judge, Mitchell County, 12th Judicial District

The Nominating Commission consists of Justice K.J. Wall as the nonvoting chair; David Stanley, Bennington; Lance Cochran, Robert German, Donald Merriman, Christine Ritter, and Russel Prophet, Salina; and Kathy Luthi, Soloman.&nbsp;

Interview schedule announced for nominees to fill 28th district judge position 

Families with&nbsp;3 and 4-year-old preschoolers enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year at Love ’n Learn Early Childhood Center, as well as families of children&nbsp;enrolling in Kindergarten at St. Mary’s Grade School, are invited to attend an Early Childhood Open House hosted by&nbsp;Salina Catholic Schools&nbsp;on&nbsp;Wednesday, January 21.

The Open House will take place at&nbsp;Love ’n Learn Early Childhood Center&nbsp;from&nbsp;5:45–6:15 p.m.&nbsp;for preschool families, followed by&nbsp;St. Mary’s Grade School&nbsp;from&nbsp;6:30–7:00 p.m.&nbsp;for Kindergarten families. 

Families will have the opportunity to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and learn more about each program.

The Open House offers a firsthand look at how Salina Catholic Schools provides a nurturing, faith-filled foundation for young learners.

For more information, families may contact&nbsp;St. Mary’s Grade School at 785-827-4200&nbsp;or&nbsp;Love ’n Learn Early Childhood Center at 785-827-4822.

Salina Catholic Schools to host early childhood open house Jan. 21

The City is accepting expression of interest forms for vacancies that currently or will soon exist on the following citizen boards, commissions, and committees:

· One (1) Citizen-at-large with a disability

Business Improvement District Design Review

· One (1) Citizen-at-large with a demonstrated interest or experience in police and/or community relations and/or who reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of the City of Salina

· One (1) Outside Representative (resident of Saline County, not City of Salina)

· One (1) Resident of the unincorporated area of the County nominated by Saline County (must apply at salinecountyks.gov/boards-committees)

*The Youth on Board program allows for individuals between the ages of 15-20 attending a secondary or post-secondary school to serve on certain boards that are noted above for a one-year term.

If you are interested in serving the community by becoming a member of one of these boards, commissions or committees, you are asked to fill out an expression-of-interest (EOI) form. 

EOIs for the Salina Airport Authority must be submitted by February 4, 2026. EOIs for the Library Board must be received by April 8,&nbsp;2026.

An EOI form or more information may be obtained from the City of Salina website by following the <a href="https://www.salina-ks.gov/boards">link</a> or by visiting the City Clerk’s Office, 300 W. Ash, Room 206.

If you have any questions, please call (785) 309-5735

City of Salina accepting expression of interest forms for citizens boards, commissions and committees 

Two people were arrested on several requested charges, after a vehicle pursuit ended with top speeds of 120 mph.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Friday at around 3:00 pm, a deputy was in the area of the 10000 block of South 81 observed a vehicle doing 68 on a 55 mph zone. The vehicle was a white 2017 KIA sedan and immediately fled northbound on Old Highway 81.

A pursuit ensued and the vehicle turned east on Water Well Road, with top speeds at approximately 120 mph.

Sheriff Roger Soldan confirmed the vehicle was stolen from a Salina neighborhood sometime between Jan. 12 - 13. The initial tag on the KIA was stolen as well, as the suspect swapped the tags with another vehicle.

As the vehicle continued east on Water Well, it approached the intersection of Holmes Road and the vehicle went airborne, leaving the roadway on the north side of the travel lanes.

The vehicle then continued north and crashed into an area of trees behind a home in the area of Water Well Road.

It was determined there were two occupants in the vehicle, which they both fled north on foot from the vehicle after the crash.&nbsp;

Law enforcement then received a call from a residence on S. Holmes Road about hearing the noise of the crash and spotting a female run across their yard. Several deputies, along with officers from the Salina Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol arrived to the scene.

As they searched the area, they spotted a male identified as Phoenix Leonard (30) from Salina, on top of the roof of a home in the area of S. Holmes. Leonard voiced to officers that he was armed and refused to come down from the roof.

Officers set a perimeter around the home, as they were actively searching for the other suspect as well.&nbsp;

Shortly after, a deputy noticed movement in a dog house in the area of the residence. Deputies then discovered <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/c7aec0c2-601a-4e56-8398-708a3e114dc8">Katherine Lynn (23) of Salina, as the other occupant of the vehicle who fled, and took her into custody.</a>

With Leonard still on the roof, officers shot pepperballs in an attempt to get him off. Leonard was about to get off the roof and surrender, but noticed officers stopped shooting pepperballs and decided to stay on the roof.

Leonard then walked across the roof and fell through a skylight on an attached garage.&nbsp;

The homeowners then gave officers the garage door opener, and officers opened the garage. Highway Patrol then released a K9 towards Leonard and the K9 bit him, as officers took him into custody.

The pursuit, search and standoff for the suspects lasted until about 6:30 pm according to Soldan.

He was then transported to Salina Regional for injuries he sustained. Afterwards, <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/c7aec0c2-601a-4e56-8398-708a3e114dc8">Leonard was booked into the Saline County Jail </a>for the requested charges of:

Felony Flee and Elude, Interference w Law Enforcement, Aggravated Burglary, Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, Criminal Trespassing, Driving While Suspended, several Traffic Infractions and Kidnapping

Lynn was booked for the requested charges of Interference w Law Enforcement, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Trespassing.&nbsp;

Leonard was placed on a Kidnapping requested charge, because Lynn stated she wanted out of the vehicle during the chase but Leonard refused, according to Soldan.&nbsp;

Leonard and Lynn are acquainted according to Soldan.

Two people arrested on several requested charges after vehicle pursuit hits top speeds of 120 mph

Kansas Department of Transportation

Beginning Tuesday, January 20 the Kansas Department of Transportation is closing a portion of Whitmore Road from the K-4 junction north about 1,000 feet. 

This change in traffic is expected to last 5 to 6 weeks, weather permitting.

The closure is needed for work to progress the K-4 reconstruction project in Saline County, which covers about 7 miles of K-4 from the Smoky Hill River bridge to just east of S Kipp Road.

Sporer Land Development Inc., of Oakley, is the primary contractor for the $23.9 million project and has scheduled the entire project to be completed in fall 2027.

KDOT urges all motorists to stay alert and follow all posted signs when approaching and driving through a work zone. To stay aware of all highway construction projects across Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019bdbfed5be-5ffba85c-4a5d-4d3d-92df-1320bf20994e-000000/xYvr_4OIS1ngoXirnBWJUBs_DNuIu6j8qEA1qIl0Se8=440">kandrive.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 511.

Portion of Whitmore Road, K-4 junction closed for reconstruction project in Saline County

A juvenile hits top speeds of 100 mph in a stolen vehicle, before law enforcement made the arrest.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Saturday, officers were dispatched to St. Francis Ministries (223 W. Euclid) to the report of a stolen 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle was owned by an employee of the agency.

 As officers responded to the call they observed the Hyundai in the 700 block of North Broadway and attempted to stop the vehicle.&nbsp; The vehicle then fled and a pursuit ensued.&nbsp; 

The vehicle was estimated to be driving at 80 mph on N. Broadway as it attempted to evade officers.&nbsp; The vehicle proceeded south on Broadway and then west on State Street to I-135 and then south.&nbsp; 

The vehicle briefly lost control on I-135 near the Magnolia junction but then continued southbound at speeds of approximately 100 mph.&nbsp; When the vehicle lost control one of the tires was damaged and lost air.&nbsp; 

The vehicle slowed down and came to a stop in the area of I-135 and Schilling.&nbsp; A high risk stop was then conducted and the driver was taken into custody with no further incident.&nbsp;&nbsp; 

The driver was a 16-year old male and placed requested charges of Theft of the vehicle, Obstruction, Flee and attempt to Elude, Fail to Yield, Reckless Driving and numerous traffic infractions.&nbsp; 

He was transported to jail where he was processed by Juvenile Intake and released into the custody of St. Francis.&nbsp;

Juvenile hits top speeds of 100 mph in stolen vehicle before arrest

Following is recent booking activity for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/Sheriff-Office/Online-search/Booking-Activities">Saline County Jail</a>, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Poss of marijuana

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Theft of prop/serv;&lt;$1500 3 business in 72 hrs

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

NAME:&nbsp;Stanley Townsend,Elizabeth Grace

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Failure to appear (3)

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

Saline County Jail Bookings, January 20

See the attached video above to watch the highlights of the city-wide celebration of MLK Day at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church on Monday, January 19, 2026.

🎥 See highlights of the city-wide MLK Day celebration at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church

Kathleen Malone-Crouch recently filed her letter of resignation from the Saline County Planning &amp; Zoning board, after the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/924cb67c-261d-4a54-b8af-210ca14b95c6">Commissioner's supermajority vote to deny a proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)</a>.&nbsp;

Malone-Crouch in her letter stated the planning commission worked "diligently" for two years to provide county policy on the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) submitted by Mountain Peak Energy Storage, LLC. for the BESS.

Read more: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/924cb67c-261d-4a54-b8af-210ca14b95c6">Access denied: Saline Co. Commissioners deny proposal of Battery Energy Storage System installment</a>

She added the planning board members researched and "read a great deal" before approving the Mountain Peak CUP. Malone-Crouch in the letter brought up statistical research conducted by the <a href="https://environmentamerica.org/texas/center/">Environment Texas Research and Policy Center</a>, and the <a href="https://www.epri.com/">Electric Power Research Institute</a>, which stated the BESS fires remain "low" as it has grown significantly nationwide, with Texas "not experiencing a fire" having more than 100 facilities.

Toward the end of the letter, she stated the reason for submitting her resignation was due to the "lack of support" for the Planning Commission from Saline County Commissioners. Ending with, "I hope that we will always have the power needed in Saline County since our governing board is not willing to provide for emergencies."

"They (Commissioners) are certainly entitled to their opinions, but I disagree with them," Malone-Crouch said. "I don't think they have the expertise they are claiming to have, because they are not the ones who did the hours, and hours, and hours of research the planning board members did."

The&nbsp;Saline County Planning board voted 8-0 on November 25, 2025 to recommend the proposed project to be presented to County Commissioners.

The Commissioners are fully aware of the letter and left comments about the resignation.

"I have no problem with Kathleen and that was her choice, but I went with what the people wanted," said&nbsp;Commissioner Joe Hay. "I did my research and this is what we came up with, with four of us who felt that was the way to go."

Commissioner Annie Grevas voiced the same stance as Hay and commented they did their research as well, which led them to the supermajority decision to deny the BESS.

With an open position for the Planning &amp; Zoning board, there will soon be an opportunity for people to fill out an interest form if they wish to join. The Commission would have to appoint the person of interest during the consent agenda at one of the bi-weekly public meetings.

There is no anticipation for the Commissioners to discuss this certain topic on <a href="https://pub-salinecounty.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=3966f7b8-157d-4697-8a3a-979ae42ffca9&amp;Agenda=Agenda&amp;lang=English">Tuesday's upcoming meeting.</a>

Below you will find the letter of resignation by Kathleen Malone-Crouch:

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; I was very disappointed in the Saline County Commission’s vote to overturn the Planning Board approval of the Mountain Peak Conditional Use Permit for a Battery Energy Storage System that was based on hearsay and emotion. 

&nbsp; &nbsp;According to the publication, Environment Texas Research and Policy Center, July 25, 2025, “Fires at BESS facilities are rare but possible,&nbsp; primarily due to thermal runaway (overheating). According to the Electric Power Research Institute, battery-related fires remain low, even as BESS capacity has grown significantly nationwide. Texas, for example, has not experienced a BESS fire despite having more than one hundred facilities. Modern BESS are equipped with comprehensive fire prevention&nbsp; management technologies, including fire suppression, ventilation, thermal monitoring, and remote shutdown protocols.”

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; For two years prior to the Saline County Planning Commission’s approval of this Conditional Use Permit, Planning Board Commissioners worked diligently to provide a county policy for such facilities. This policy was approved by the Saline&nbsp;County Board of Commissioners. Planning board members researched and read a great deal before approving the Mountain Peak Conditional Use Permit. &nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; I am submitting my resignation from the Saline County Planning Board because of the lack of support for the Planning Commission from the Saline County Board of Commissioners.&nbsp; I hope that we will always have the power needed in Saline County since our governing board is not willing to provide for emergencies.

Malone-Crouch resigns from Saline Co. Planning & Zoning board after Commissioner's supermajority vote to deny BESS 

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

Salina Post obituary policy (subject to change)

Salina Post understands the importance of honoring the deceased and welcomes all submissions of obituaries with a full summary of their life, survivors, services, website of the funeral home and a photo.

Salina Post accepts all obituaries&nbsp;free of charge (subject to change)&nbsp;and you can email all obituaries:&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

If you have an issue outside of business hours, if your obituary has not been published within 24 business hours, or if have any questions, please email:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

Recent obituaries and service times, how to submit an obituary

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 19 - January 21

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 16 - January 18

High wind gusts are expected to make its way through Salina and central Kansas on Friday.

According to the US National Weather Service, gusty&nbsp;northwest winds are forecasted during the day on Friday. Wind gusts are expected to range from 40-50 mph.

This is also paired with dry conditions, which there will be a very high grassland fire danger in the afternoon.

Russell is expected to have the highest speed of wind gusts with the range being 45-50 mph.

High temperatures for Salina is 41 degrees.

Stay updated with local weather on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita">US National Weather Service Wichita Kansas</a>&nbsp;Facebook page.

High wind gusts and grassland fire danger expected throughout central Kansas, Salina on Friday

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 14 - January 16

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 12 - January 14

A chance of light rain Friday afternoon is expected to gradually transition into light snow towards the evening.

According to the US National Weather Service, a chance of rain is expected after 1:00 pm with a 50% chance to mix with snow after 4:00 pm.

Portions of central and south-central Kansas could see light snow accumulations up to 1 inch, and slick spots on bridges and overpasses are possible tonight.&nbsp;

A little after 7:00 pm, the mix will likely become all snow.

Higher accumulations are expected across southwest Kansas.

Light snow up to 1 inch expected late Friday afternoon and into the evening in central Kansas

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 9 - January 11

After an activity of showers and thunderstorms to occur late Wednesday night through Thursday, a storm system is expected follow that with light to modest snow accumulations across the region Friday afternoon through night.

The greatest potential for at least a half inch of rain is primarily along and east of I-135.

This is according to the US National Weather Service, but there remains some uncertainty as the weather agency will refine forecast details the next few days.

Chance of snow to occur Friday after upcoming showers and thunderstorms 

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 7 - January 9

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 5 - January 7

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">Vice President JD Vance</a>&nbsp;and his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usha-vance-attorney-jd-vance-wife-vp-63406da4f6739546391ed7797fc1fef2">second lady Usha Vance</a>, are expecting a son in late July, they announced in a social media post Tuesday.

The couple said they were excited to share the news of their fourth child, who will join their other three young kids: Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.

Vance, 41, and his wife, 40, said in the post that both mother and baby were doing well.

“During this exciting and hectic time, we are particularly grateful for the military doctors who take excellent care of our family and for the staff members who do so much to ensure that we can serve the country while enjoying a wonderful life with our children,” the post read.

The news of the Republican vice president’s growing family comes as he has spent years passionately advocating for Americans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-childless-cat-ladies-birth-rates-555c0f78ef8dd4c13c88b9e8d5f0024a">have more children</a>.

Vance repeatedly expressed alarm about declining birth rates as he launched his political career in 2021 with a bid for the U.S. Senate in Ohio. As vice president, he has continued on that mission, saying in a 2025 March for Life speech, “I want more babies in the United States of America.”

The vice president has been accompanied on overseas travels by Usha Vance and their children, the kids usually in pajamas as they board Air Force Two for overnight trips.

Throughout history, it’s been exceptionally rare for the occupants of the highest leadership roles in the U.S. to have children while in office. One well-documented exception was President Grover Cleveland, whose wife, Frances Cleveland, gave birth to their second child in 1893 during his second term in office.

The White House reposted Tuesday’s announcement, saying President Donald Trump’s administration is “the most pro-family administration in history.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, announced in December that she is expecting a baby girl in May.

Vice President JD Vance and his wife make a special announcement

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A judge ordered that actor Timothy Busfield be released from jail pending trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/timothy-busfield-child-sex-abuse-charge-83c82a8c5dbfabd4880f3c8af02fb523">child sex abuse charges</a>, at a detention hearing Tuesday.

The order from state district court Judge David Murphy is linked to accusations that Busfield inappropriately touched a minor while working as a director on the set of the series “The Cleaning Lady.”

Busfield will be supervised upon release by a pretrial services office in Albuquerque, and can leave the state to return home, the judge said.

Busfield, an Emmy Award-winning actor who is known for appearances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams” and “Thirtysomething,” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/timothy-busfield-child-sex-abuse-charge-3a467ec0e0a8be87d1142724fbbb8e1d">ordered to be held without bond</a>&nbsp;last week at his first court appearance. Busfield called the allegations lies in a video shared before he turned himself in.

The judge acknowledged evidence that Busfield is accused of crimes that are inherently dangerous and involve children, but said prosecutors didn't prove that there are no conditions of release that would protect the public's safety.

“There’s no evidence of a pattern of criminal conduct, there are no similar allegations involving children in his past," Murphy said. "Rather this defendant self-surrendered and submitted himself to this court’s jurisdiction, demonstrating compliance with the court order for his arrest.”

At the hearing, Busfield was handcuffed and dressed in an orange jail uniform in a New Mexico state district court, while wife and actor Melissa Gilbert watched from the court gallery.

Gilbert was tearful while exiting the courtroom after the judge ordered Busfield’s release.

Gilbert, who played&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-celebrity-9ba7c27a8ae04a3993864eea8508f2f3">Laura Ingalls in the 1970s to ’80s</a>&nbsp;TV series “Little House on the Prairie,” was on the list of potential witness submitted ahead of the hearing.

Albuquerque police issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/timothy-busfield-child-sex-abuse-charge-82d413e86b62a151564e75b0ba535551">warrant</a>&nbsp;for Busfield's arrest earlier this month on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. A criminal complaint alleges the acts occurred on the set of the series “The Cleaning Lady.”

According to the criminal complaint, an investigator with the police department says the child reported Busfield touched him on private areas over his clothing on one occasion when he was 7 years old and another time when he was 8. The boy’s twin brother told authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but did not specify where. He said he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get in trouble.

On Monday, Busfield’s attorneys submitted two brief audio recordings of initial police interviews in which the children say Busfield did not touch them in private areas. The attorneys in a court filing argue that the complaint characterizes the interviews as a failure to disclose abuse, but an “unequivocal denial is materially different from a mere absence of disclosure.”

According to the criminal complaint, one of the boys disclosed during a therapy session that he was inappropriately touched by the show's director. Those records were obtained by police during the investigation.

Arguing Tuesday for Busfield's continued detention, Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch called evidence of abuse against Busfield strong and specific.

“The boys' allegation are supported by medical findings and by their therapist," Brandenburg-Koch said. "Their accounts were specific and not exaggerated.”

She also described a documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and grooming behavior by Busfield over the past three decades. Prosecutors also say witnesses have expressed fear regarding retaliation and professional harm.

“GPS is not going to tell this court if he is around children or talking to witnesses,” Brandenburg-Koch said.

Busfield’s attorneys have argued that the allegations emerged only after the boys lost their role in the TV show, creating a financial and retaliatory motive. The filings detailed what the attorneys said was a history of fraud by both the boys' father and mother. They cited an investigation by Warner Bros. into the allegations that found the allegations unfounded.

Busfield also submitted letters vouching for his character, and his attorneys say he passed an independent polygraph test.

Legal experts say New Mexico is among a few states that allow polygraph evidence in criminal cases, but a judge has final say over whether one can be used. There are strict requirements for admission.

Morgan reported from Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Judge issues ruling in 'West Wing' actor child sex abuse case

ROME (AP) — Three U.S. Catholic cardinals urged the Trump administration on Monday to use a moral compass in pursuing its foreign policy, saying U.S. military action in Venezuela, threats of acquiring Greenland and cuts in foreign aid risk bringing vast suffering instead of promoting peace.

In a joint statement, Cardinals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-catholic-durbin-chicago-archdiocese-immigration-af966da9a8483f116d65f494799eba5f">Blase Cupich of Chicago</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-cardinal-robert-mcelroy-immigration-donald-trump-58c728cef89a25d606406014693af85e">Robert McElroy of Washington</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-american-cardinals-rome-catholic-church-b77226eba39651c6382f3d3a7d5e3318">Joseph Tobin of Newark, N.J.</a>, warned that without a moral vision, the current debate over Washington’s foreign policy was mired in “polarization, partisanship, and narrow economic and social interests.”

“Most of the United States and the world are adrift morally in terms of foreign policy,” McElroy told The Associated Press. “I still believe the United States has a tremendous impact upon the world.”

The statement was unusual and marked the second time in as many months that members of the U.S. Catholic hierarchy have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-bishops-migration-6c2acd2c54d27819804e06a70a95e595">asserted their voice</a>&nbsp;against a Trump administration many believe isn’t upholding the basic tenets of human dignity. In November, the entire U.S. conference of Catholic bishops condemned the administration’s mass deportation of migrants and “vilification” of them in the public discourse.

The three cardinals, who are prominent figures in the more progressive wing of the U.S. church, took as a starting point a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-foreign-policy-un-russia-abortion-ee708df6669536c4d2a9858bbafb7d98">major foreign policy address</a>&nbsp;that Pope Leo XIV delivered Jan. 9 to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See.

The speech, delivered almost entirely in English, amounted to Leo’s most substantial critique of U.S. foreign policy. History’s first U.S.-born pope denounced how nations were using force to assert their dominion worldwide, “completely undermining” peace and the post-World War II international legal order.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-leo-xiv">Leo</a>&nbsp;didn’t name individual countries, but his speech came against the backdrop of the then-recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela to remove&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;from power, U.S. threats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/greenland">to take Greenland</a>&nbsp;as well as Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">ongoing war in Ukraine</a>.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was consulted on the statement, and its president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-catholic-bishops-new-leader-trump-immigration-d34d176942aa0a0faf7e9842e0973c87">Archbishop Paul Coakley</a>, “supports the emphasis placed by the cardinals on Pope Leo’s teaching in these times,” said spokesperson Chieko Noguchi.

The White House didn’t immediately respond to the AP’s request for comment on Monday.

The three cardinals cited Venezuela, Greenland and Ukraine in their statement — saying they “raised basic questions about the use of military force and the meaning of peace” — as well as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-agency-for-international-development">cuts to foreign aid</a>&nbsp;that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration initiated last year.

“Our country’s moral role in confronting evil around the world, sustaining the right to life and human dignity, and supporting religious liberty are all under examination,” they warned.

“We renounce war as an instrument for narrow national interests and proclaim that military action must be seen only as a last resort in extreme situations, not a normal instrument of national policy,” they wrote. “We seek a foreign policy that respects and advances the right to human life, religious liberty, and the enhancement of human dignity throughout the world, especially through economic assistance.”

Tobin described the moral compass the cardinals wish the U.S. would use globally.

“It can’t be that my prosperity is predicated on inhuman treatment of others,” he told the AP. “The real argument isn’t just my right or individual rights, but what is the common good.”

Cardinals expand on their statement in interviews with AP

In interviews, Cupich and McElroy said the signatories were inspired to issue a statement after hearing from several fellow cardinals during a Jan. 7-8 meeting at the Vatican. These other cardinals expressed alarm about the U.S. action in Venezuela, its cuts in foreign aid and its threats to acquire Greenland, Cupich said.

A day later, Leo’s nearly 45-minute-long speech to the diplomatic corps gave the Americans the language they needed, allowing them to “piggyback on” the pope’s words, Cupich said.

Cupich acknowledged that Maduro’s prosecution could be seen positively, but not the way it was done via a U.S. military incursion into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-law-un-2e400f5753570b70487fd3d3fa50261e">sovereign country.</a>

“When we go ahead and do it in such a way that is portrayed as saying, ‘Because we can do it, we’re going to do it, that might makes right’ — that’s a troublesome development,” he said. “There’s the rule of law that should be followed.”

Trump has insisted that capturing Maduro was legal. On Greenland, Trump has argued repeatedly that the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-us-options-takeover-trump-denmark-86790903847fc8ffc27334ccb64985a9">needs control</a>&nbsp;of the resource-rich island, a semiautonomous region of NATO ally Denmark. for its national security.

The Trump administration last year significantly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usaid-christian-nonprofits-funding-freeze-bbb000ea0e232765db1280c093301a8a">gutted the U.S. Agency for International Development,</a>&nbsp;saying its projects advance a liberal agenda and were a waste of money.

Tobin, who ministered in more than 70 countries as a Redemptorist priest and the order’s superior general, lamented the retreat in USAID assistance, saying U.S. philanthropy makes a big difference in everything from hunger to health.

The three cardinals said their key aim wasn’t to criticize the administration, but rather to encourage the U.S. to regain is moral standing in the world by pursuing a foreign policy that is ethically guided and seeks the common good.

“We’re not endorsing a political party or a political movement,” Tobin said. The faithful in the pews and all people of good will have a role to play, he said.

“They can make an argument of basic human decency,” he said.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir" target="_blank">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

US Catholic cardinals urge Trump admin. to embrace a moral compass in foreign policy

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Satanic Grotto delivered a complaint to the Kansas Department of Administration Capitol events coordinator for allowing Abortion is Murder — a Christian group known for protesting with graphic signs — to protest inside the Statehouse, and plans to counterprotest.

Satanic Grotto president Michael Stewart said the grotto plans to be at the Statehouse on Jan. 27, the day of&nbsp;<a href="https://aimks.org/rally/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPToVxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5S0_6vMmkI4xggb68XylLYF_18w0kfreT9atALAa4P5Qd-W1bf7kEuv-SYBQ_aem_-XBHAIdm3ymtiOJXP2-8Og" target="_blank">the AIM protest</a>, with or without permit approval. Stewart said the approval of AIM’s permit is unfair because the state, which restricted a planned grotto protest over the summer, is applying different standards about obscenity and violence to the two groups.

The grotto identifies its complaint as a “formal notice of liability” for discrimination.

Stewart invited people to join the grotto in counterprotesting AIM, offering free kazoos as an incentive. Stewart said he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/853248430955373/?post_id=854983640781852&amp;view=permalink" target="_blank">submitted&nbsp;</a>a permit for the protest Jan.15, and it has yet to be approved or denied. Stewart said the Department of Administration uses silence as a “disruption tactic.”

Samir Arif, the chief of staff and director of public affairs for the Department of Administration, said the agency wouldn’t comment on ongoing legal issues.

As of Jan. 20, about 50 people were “interested” in or going to the grotto’s counterprotest, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1BrGRjt3AC/?mibextid=wwXIfr" target="_blank">Facebook event listing</a>.

Stewart said the Grotto’s permit application is for the south steps outside of the Statehouse. AIM’s permit is for the second floor rotunda inside.

“Our actions at the Capitol will be in direct response to the government’s decisions,” Stewart said. “If the government fulfills their duties, then the grotto will be committed to having a peaceful celebration of bodily autonomy and educating anyone who shows up about their personal constitutional rights outside, right along AIM.

“If we are institutionally oppressed, or if they show a viewpoint discrimination favoring AIM, then we will absolutely escalate our actions to an interior counterprotest. The grotto doesn’t want the conflict. The grotto wants equal treatment in the same space.”

Stewart said grotto artists have made a “poignant gore piece” to bring to the counterprotest. The 9-foot-tall sculpture has been named “zombie Jesus” by members.

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