Home developers giving buyers the opportunity to custom make homes, have officially completed 22 lots at a new housing development east of Salina.

<a href="https://coolconstructionllc.com/lots/">Cool Construction LLC.</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday celebrated its completion of&nbsp; infrastructure at Cedar Point, neighboring the Salina Municipal Golf Course and is now ready for construction.&nbsp;

Co-owner Stephanie Cool stated they have sold a total of 7 lots in Cedar Point.

Since these homes are customized, Stephanie commented some of them will vary in size with whatever the buyer wants to do.

Stephanie and Kevin Cool established&nbsp;Cedar Ridge Development LLC in 2021, acquiring&nbsp;33 residential lots platted as Cedar Ridge (Phases 2 &amp; 3) and 22 lots platted as Cedar Point. The Cool's offer&nbsp;a variety of building sites ranging from 10,800 square feet up to 29,000 square feet, with prices starting at $43,000.

The Cool's recently designed and established a speculation home that is currently on sale, going for zero entry. The address is on 1529 Cedar Point Place.

*View pictures of the 1529 Cedar Point below*

Home developers allowing buyers to customize houses celebrate completion of 22 new lots, 7 sold

The Saline County Sheriff's Office has announced a single arrest was made from&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/1f2d8610-463f-4b40-8907-295787156cf2">October's Most Wanted list</a>.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Cheri Kruse was arrested on Tuesday, October 21. Kruse was booked into the Saline County Jail on the following requested charges:

Felony Probation Violation, Forgery and Attempted Theft of Property

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/1f2d8610-463f-4b40-8907-295787156cf2">here</a>&nbsp;to view the October 2025 Most Wanted list.

Arrest made from Saline Co. Sheriff's October's Most Wanted list

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/">Hutch Post</a>

HUTCHINSON - The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with city officials, is exploring the potential to attract a next-generation nuclear power facility to Hutchinson — a move that could bring major economic and infrastructure growth to the region.

The interest follows a September 23 announcement from TerraPower, a company founded by Bill Gates, which signed a memorandum of understanding with Evergy and the Kansas Department of Commerce to build a new Natrium nuclear reactor somewhere within Evergy’s Kansas service area.

Upon learning of that partnership, Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas contacted Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber President and CEO Debra Teufel to see whether Hutchinson might be a viable candidate. The two began early discussions about how to position the city as an attractive option for such a high-tech energy project.

Teufel said the inquiry is part of the city’s ongoing effort to identify forward-looking economic development opportunities. The Chamber and city have now set a target date of December 1 to identify potential industrial sites near existing 345-kilovolt power transmission lines — a key factor in energy infrastructure development.

While no site has been selected, Teufel said Hutchinson already has several advantages, including land zoned for heavy industry, available water capacity, and highway and rail access capable of supporting large-scale construction and supply needs. She also cited USD 308’s Career &amp; Technical Education Academy as a resource that could help train local students for both construction and long-term technical jobs.

Hutchinson City Council member, Jon Richardson said the council is open to learning more about the opportunity, noting Hutchinson’s strong fire protection rating and existing utility systems as selling points. Richardson added that the council wants to better understand both the technology and community perspectives before any decisions are made.

The Natrium reactor represents a new generation of nuclear technology, using liquid sodium instead of water as a coolant — a design aimed at increasing safety and efficiency. A prototype of the reactor is currently under construction in Wyoming.

Teufel emphasized that projects like this, along with Evergy’s planned natural gas power plant south of Hutchinson, could serve as catalysts for significant growth along the K-96 corridor.

“Industry follows power, water and land,” she said. “We have all those ingredients right here.”

While discussions remain in the early stages, Chamber and city officials agree that the collaboration itself reflects Hutchinson’s readiness to pursue innovative industries and energy-driven development opportunities.

Hutchinson exploring potential nuclear power facility site

LINDSBORG - Bethany Lutheran Church has announced they have officially received a $500,000 grant from the <a href="https://www.fundforsacredplaces.org/">National Fund for Sacred Places</a>, for the support of the historic church's structure.

The church stated they are honored to be a recipient of this prestigious grant that will help stabilize the building used for worship, music, community events and more.

Bethany Lutheran Church is one of 30 organizations across the US to receive a total of over $8.7 million in grant funding. Thanks to the funds, it helps the church provide training, planning grants, technical assistance, capacity-building support and capital grants to congregations of all faiths.

The National Fund for Sacred Places is a program of <a href="https://sacredplaces.org/">Partners for Sacred Places</a>&nbsp;in collaboration with the<a href="https://savingplaces.org/"> National Trust for Historic Preservation.</a>&nbsp;The National Fund for Sacred Places provides financial and technical support for community-serving historic houses of worship across the country.

Bethany Lutheran Church was founded in 1869.

Lindsborg historic church receives $500,000 grant for building support

The current log jam along the Smoky Hill River near Bill Burke and Indian Rock Parks is progressing towards completion, as the City of Salina are awaiting FEMA federal funding.

It has already been a week, since the Salina Commissioners approved project costs of <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a7c9bfa0-1573-46f0-80b5-236552b0ada9">$1.2 million due to the recent flooding events.</a>&nbsp;

City Manager, Jacob Wood stated they have not heard anything back from FEMA to help cover disaster relief funding from July's and September's flooding events.

If this were to be approved, then a total of $714,330.17 from July and September's costs for disaster relief would be shared as follows:

Federal = 75%, State = 10%, City = 15%

Based on $714,330.17 preliminary cost estimates and 85% disaster funding, the City could receive $607,180 in disaster relief funding. 

Disaster relief funding is based on actual costs. This amendment does not include the costs for channel or intake structure repair. However, it is undetermined at this time if those expenses will be reimbursable. 

The work is estimated to be completed by the end of November 2025.&nbsp;

In the event work is completed sooner, the cost savings will be shared with the city.

🎥 Log jam progressing, FEMA funding still pending

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, 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.

NAME:&nbsp;Eilrich, Jessica Coraleann

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalia/human body; DWS; 1st conviction; Driving while habitual violator; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Criminal Damage to Property; Value Unknown

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 22

Rolling Hills Zoo (RHZ) announced with heavy hearts that it has recently said goodbye to Andrea, the Zoo’s beloved female Amur tiger. Over the past several months, Andrea had been under close observation by RHZ’s animal care team and veterinary staff due to age-related declining health. Despite dedicated professional care and close monitoring, Andrea was experiencing an overall decline in her quality of life. 

After careful consideration, the team made the compassionate decision to humanely euthanize Andrea, ensuring her comfort and dignity in her final moments.

Born April 28, 2008, at Saint Louis Zoological Park, Andrea was 17 years and 5 months old. The average life span of Amur tigers is typically 10–15 years, and slightly longer when in the care of humans.

Andrea transferred to Rolling Hills Zoo in 2016 from the Indianapolis Zoo under a breeding recommendation by the Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a program that works cooperatively with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos to maintain healthy, genetically diverse animal populations. The SSP carefully evaluates the entire Amur tiger population across participating institutions and makes breeding recommendations aimed at preserving a 97% genetic diversity within the managed population.

During her time at Rolling Hills Zoo, Andrea gave birth to three cubs, having previously welcomed one cub while at the Indianapolis Zoo. She played an important role in supporting the growth and sustainability of the Amur tiger population within AZA zoos — an incredible contribution to the long-term conservation of this critically endangered species.

“Andrea was a great companion to the other tigers living at RHZ. She was also an attentive mother to the three cubs that were born here. She easily captured the hearts of anyone that had the privilege of taking care of her,” shared Vickie Musselman, RHZ Registrar.

“Andrea was very patient with the keepers when it came to training, especially those just starting out,” said Kira Noda, RHZ Associate Curator. “She always had a calm and confident demeanor in everything that she did. My favorite activity with Andrea was feeding time —

as she would sit patiently waiting for you to feed her. Andrea will be greatly missed by everyone that has cared for her while at Rolling Hills Zoo.”

Andrea’s presence, strength, and gentle spirit will continue to inspire all who knew her and those who visit Rolling Hills Zoo. Her legacy lives on through her cubs and the continued conservation work of zoos around the world.

For more information about Rolling Hills Zoo and its ongoing conservation and animal care efforts, visit <a href="http://rollinghillszoo.org">rollinghillszoo.org</a> or follow the Zoo on social media.

Rolling Hills Zoo mourns loss of beloved Amur tiger, Andrea

<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, October 22 - October 24

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&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.

Recent obituaries and service times

MCPHERSON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Tuesday in McPherson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Edge driven by Irene M.&nbsp;Charles, 57, Gypsum, attempted to enter into southbound traffic from Interstate 135 southbound on ramp at the Lindsborg. The driver failed to yield to traffic and side swiped 2018 Peterbilt semi driven by Zachary P.&nbsp;Vytlacil, 37, Moundridge.

EMS transported Charles to Salina Regional Health Center.&nbsp; Vytlacil was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kan. woman hospitalized after SUV side swiped a semi

After a Salina woman was arrested for the requested charge of Domestic Violence Battery, the public has commented on the report the Salina Police Department (SPD) released regarding the incident.

ORIGINAL: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2e3d0af4-eebf-4499-b62e-7d5e8894ebe2">Domestic argument leads to violent encounter in north Salina</a>

According to SPD, Estelle Key (31) was arrested on Sunday, October 19 for allegedly 'slapping' a 36-year old man.&nbsp;

Chayla Parsons, sister of Key told Salina Post other details regarding this incident. 

Parsons stated the 36-year old man named, Randy Hulsey was at Big Nose Kate's and was picked up by his 15-year old son, instead of Key. Parsons added, Key was at work during this time.

Hulsey's son then dropped him off at Key's house. Parsons added that Hulsey was 'intoxicated' when he arrived. Key then returned home to obtain one of her children's belongings. 

Furthermore, Key was actively trying to leave the home with four children (ages 1, 12, 6 &amp; 7) of her own that were present. As this was happening, Parsons said Key was actively trying to get in a vehicle to leave with her children, but Hulsey grabbed the 1-year old child from the vehicle.

Key then proceeded to try and retrieve the child from Hulsey, which started the confrontation. Officers arrived shortly afterwards.

Parsons added that Key and Hulsey do not have any children together.

Parsons stated the children are okay, and Key has been released from the Saline County Jail.&nbsp;

UPDATE: Public speaks on Salina woman's arrest

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 20 - October 22

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 17 - October 19

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 15 - October 17

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 13 - October 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 10 - October 12

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 8 - October 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 6 - October 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 3 - October 5

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 1 - October 3

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is not considering dropping Bad Bunny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2026-super-bowl-halftime-show-bad-bunny-8d39f256c8ff8922871f1d613ba51c3d" rel="nofollow">as its Super Bowl halftime headline performer</a>, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday, reaffirming a decision to put the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage that led to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and some of his supporters.

Goodell addressed the Bad Bunny controversy at his news conference following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-kickoffs-owners-meeting-d1b40461b4c0a5a1311a620d1bad5410" rel="nofollow">the annual fall owners meeting</a>. It is the first time he has commented on the move announced in late September that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-bad-bunny-6d49dd171a6d46b5e302c541bb88d258" rel="nofollow">garnered</a>&nbsp;worldwide attention,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-streams-super-bowl-halftime-show-c7ab405d51032ae3e56614d1a1158a2a" rel="nofollow">including an increase</a>&nbsp;in streams of Bad Bunny’s music, along with backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.”

The 31-year-old born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has been vocal in his opposition to Trump and his policies. He decided to do a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding stops in the mainland U.S., citing concerns about the mass deportation of Latinos.

He performs in Spanish and is expected to do so at the Super Bowl.

“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell said, acknowledging there could be more talent added to the lineup along with Bad Bunny. “He understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”

The San Francisco 49ers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2026-site-49ers-b00c8fafa20d31290ad58580f3ee1a4e" rel="nofollow">hosting the Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if Trump plans to be there, though he has made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yankees-baseball-first-pitch-sporting-event-trips-79ad4edabf534e1a42e637eece2446ed" rel="nofollow">appearing in person at major sporting events</a>&nbsp;a significant part of his second term in the White House.

Trump in an interview on conservative news network Newsmax said he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny.

“I don’t know who he is,” Trump said. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Goodell defended the decision on Wednesday, explaining it was made because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell said. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”

NFL responds to critics of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military conducted its eighth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-drugs-venezuela-boat-strike-af1a784864268707a76755a98615563e">strike against an alleged drug vessel</a>, killing two people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday.

The Tuesday night strike occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The seven previous strikes all targeted vessels in the Caribbean. According to Hegseth in a social media post, the strike killed two people, bringing the death toll from all the strikes to at least 34 people.

In a brief video released by Hegseth, a small boat, half-filled with brown packages, is seen moving along the water. Several seconds into the video, the boat explodes and is seen floating motionless on the water in flames.

In his post, Hegseth took the unusual step of equating the alleged drug traffickers to the group behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.

“Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people,” Hegseth said, adding “there will be no refuge or forgiveness — only justice.”

President Donald Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">an “armed conflict”</a>&nbsp;with drug cartels and is relying on the same legal authority used by President George W. Bush's administration when it declared a war on terrorism after the Sept. 11 attack.

However, the Trump administration has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-military-strikes-drugs-caribbean-ecuador-colombia-c1d4c025e1dfe21cc7ee67d7aa4e05bd">sidestepped prosecuting any of the occupants</a>&nbsp;of the alleged drug-running vessels after it returned two survivors of an earlier strike to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-strike-caribbean-trump-fentanyl-colombia-venezuela-0f8f1c004064857046398b388ddb8df5">Ecuadorian officials later said</a>&nbsp;that they released the man that was returned to their country, saying that they had no evidence he committed a crime in their country.

US strikes another alleged drug boat, expanding attacks to Pacific

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man was taken into custody late Tuesday after driving his car into a security barrier outside the White House, authorities said.

The U. S. Secret Service said the man crashed into the security gate at a White House entrance at 10:37 p.m. on Tuesday. The man was immediately arrested by officers from the Secret Service’s uniformed division, the agency said.

Investigators searched his car and deemed it to be safe, Secret Service officials said in a statement.

The man, whose name wasn’t immediately released, was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to a Secret Service spokesperson. He is expected to be charged with unlawful entry and destruction of government property, the spokesperson said.

Man arrested after driving car into security gate outside White House

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

Decision allows lawsuit against Capitol Federal to proceed in Shawnee County

TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court unanimously affirmed reversal of a district court judge who dismissed legal challenges to a Kansas bank’s policy on assessing overdraft fees.

The Supreme Court sent the case back to Shawnee County District Court, where Judge Merlin Wheeler had dismissed claims of plaintiffs alleging Capitol Federal Savings Bank’s practice of applying overdraft penalties on checking accounts was flawed.

One plaintiff claimed a breach of contract when Topeka-headquartered Capitol Federal charged multiple overdraft fees for repeated attempts to process a single payment that was returned for insufficient funds. Another plaintiff alleged the bank violated its contract by charging multiple fees on transactions that wouldn’t have initially overdrawn the account, but were later processed when the account was deficient.

Wheeler granted in October 2024 the bank’s motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ petition after concluding overdraft provisions of the contract with customers mandated each report “errors or improper charges” within 30 days of receiving an account statement.

The judge said plaintiffs Jennifer Harding and Samantha Ramirez failed to comply with the bank’s “very clear notice provision” regarding challenges of fees and both were prohibited from proceeding with claims.

The Kansas Court of Appeals reversed the district court after concluding Capitol Federal’s use of the term “improper charges” in its contract wasn’t “inherently clear” to consumers. Capitol Federal, which serves clients in Missouri and Kansas, appealed to the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall, appointed in 2014 by Gov. Sam Brownback, wrote the unanimous opinion affirming the Court of Appeals’ view that ambiguity in Capitol Federal’s contract meant the 30-day notice provision couldn’t be applied to the bank’s overdraft fees.

“We agree with the Court of Appeals that the contractual term ‘improper charges’ is ambiguous,” Stegall wrote in the opinion. “When a court properly finds a contract to be ambiguous, the court must construe that ambiguity against the drafter. Our task, at this point, becomes simple. The ambiguity inherent in the contested phrase ‘improper charges’ must be construed against Capitol Federal to exclude the fees the bank itself imposes upon its own customers.”

The case was remanded by the Supreme Court back to district court for further proceedings. The plaintiffs have sought to represent a class action against the bank.

Harding’s lawyers filed suit in 2022 asserting Capitol Federal assessed a overdraft fee for a purchase that was authorized when she had a positive balance in her checking account. The conflict arose when a subsequent, unrelated transaction that further lowered her account balance pushed the balance into overdraft status. When the original electronic transaction was presented for settlement, the transaction was declared an overdraft and the fee charged.

Harding claimed this sequence was a violation of the bank’s customer agreement to charge a $32 overdraft fee on the original transaction.

Ramirez’ counsel alleged Capitol Federal broke the account agreement by charging a fee each time AT&amp;T attempted to collect on a $164.87 bill. She alleged nothing in the customer agreement gave Capitol Federal authority to assess the $32 overdraft fee three separate times on a single debit card item.

Here is the key portion of Capitol Federal’s contract with customers that became a focus of the court case: “If your account statement contains any errors or improper charges, you agree to notify us of any such errors or improper charges within 30 days of the date on which we mailed or otherwise made the affected statement available to you. If you do not notify us within that time, you are barred from bringing any action against us that is in any way related to the errors or improper charges.”

Kersten Holzhueter, a Kansas City, Missouri, attorney who represented Capitol Federal in oral arguments last month before the Supreme Court, said the challenged fee structure was permitted by language contained in the contract with customers. She said the 30-day limit on challenges of fees was reasonable.

“Having a bank account comes with obligations on the bank, but it also has responsibility for the account holder,” she told Supreme Court justices. “This includes an obligation to notify Capitol Federal of certain disputes.”

However, the Supreme Court decided the bank’s notice provision didn’t clearly say “improper charges” included “bank fees.”

“The context within the notice provision itself is actually focused on forgeries and alterations and is clearly concerned with fraudulent activity on a customer’s account,” Stegall wrote in the opinion. “That is, it is talking about a disputed ‘charge’ made by a third party against the balance in a customer’s account. It is confusing at best to conflate this with a ‘charge’ made by the bank against the customer for services rendered” such as covering an overdraft.

Kan. Supreme Court unanimously rejects bank’s overdraft fee policy as ‘ambiguous’

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday directed drills of the country’s strategic nuclear forces that featured practice missile launches, an exercise that came as his planned summit on Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump was put on hold.

The Kremlin said that as part of the maneuvers involving all parts of Moscow’s nuclear triad, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was test-fired from the Plesetsk launch facility in northwestern Russia, and a Sineva ICBM was launched by a submarine in the Barents Sea. The drills also involved Tu-95 strategic bombers firing long-range cruise missiles.

The exercise tested the skills of military command structures, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The chief of the military’s General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, reported to Putin via video link that the drills were intended to “practice procedures for authorizing the use of nuclear weapons.”

While Putin emphasized that the maneuvers had been planned in advance, they came hours after President Donald Trump said Tuesday his plan for a swift meeting with Putin in Budapest was on hold because he didn’t want it to be a “waste of time.”

The decision about the meeting in Budapest, Hungary, which Trump had announced last week, was made following a call Monday between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Lavrov made clear in comments Tuesday that Russia is opposed to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump, meanwhile, has been shifting his stance all year on key issues in the conflict, including whether a ceasefire should come before longer-term peace talks, and whether Ukraine could win back land seized by Russia during almost four years of fighting.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday emphasized that the planned Putin-Trump summit needs to be thoroughly prepared.

“No one wants to waste time: neither President Trump nor President Putin,” Peskov told reporters. “These are the two presidents who are accustomed to working efficiently with high productivity. But effectiveness always requires preparation.”

The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carnegie.org/" target="_blank">the Carnegie Corporation of New York</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://outrider.org/" target="_blank">Outrider Foundation</a>. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Russia holds nuclear drills after delay to Trump-Putin summit

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Agriculture Department will reopen about 2,100 county offices all across the country Thursday despite the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-republicans-senate-trump-white-house-8cac539f2a553ced68bc9e0b32bc7b94">ongoing government shutdown</a>&nbsp;to help farmers and ranchers get access to $3 billion of aid from existing programs.

The USDA said each Farm Service Agency office will have two workers who will be paid even though the government remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">shutdown</a>. These offices help farmers apply for farm loans, crop insurance, disaster aid and other programs. Thousands of other federal employees like air traffic controllers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-trump-furloughs-firings-economy-federal-workers-efced4c32282087c8c53aeab535230a0">working without pay</a>&nbsp;during the shutdown.

A USDA spokesperson said this move reflects President Trump's commitment to helping farmers and ranchers, who are traditionally some of his strongest supporters. Recently, some of them have been unhappy with Trump's latest moves although his support remains strong across rural America.

Just this week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beef-prices-cattle-imports-trump-argentina-9f8e9efd6e74e958c586ea1e32797ba2">ranchers were unhappy</a>&nbsp;with Trump's idea to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beef-argentina-us-consumers-prices-f7fadbe1b3fef4646f9c3623f901209a">import more beef</a>&nbsp;from Argentina because that could hurt their profits, and earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/soybeans-trade-tariff-china-united-states-export-025792707c4e4e91d975f8558edae1d8">soybean farmers complained</a>&nbsp;that a $20 billion aid package for Argentina allowed that country to sell soybeans to China. Farmers are also still waiting on details of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-soybean-farmers-trade-war-aid-1a848735ba89c2673d44489eea5a0e35">aid package Trump promised</a>&nbsp;to help them survive his trade war with China, but that aid has been put on hold because of the shutdown.

“President Trump will not let the radical left Democrat shutdown impact critical USDA services while harvest is underway across the country,” the USDA spokesman said.

A White House official said the administration is using funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation, a USDA agency that addresses agricultural prices. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the administration’s plans were not yet publicized.

Republicans like Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven along with farm groups like the National Corn Growers Association and Illinois Soybean Association praised the move while Democrats accused the administration of using farmers as political pawns in the shutdown fight. Both parties have been unable to reach an agreement to fund the government and end the shutdown that began Oct. 1.

Thune said reopening these offices, like he has been urging the administration to do, will give farmers access to critical services in the midst of harvest season.

“Like many hardworking Americans, producers in South Dakota and across the country – who work tirelessly to provide high-quality food for our nation – are being hurt by Senate Democrats’ reckless government shutdown,” Thune said.

Kenneth Hartman Jr., who is chairman of the Corn Growers Association, said this is a crucial time because farmers are getting ready to place orders for next year's seed and fertilizer right now as well as settling up with the bankers for this year's operating loans. And farmers are grappling with soaring costs.

“Because of the inflation factor, the farm economy is really in a critical situation here. So anything that the farmers can get when it comes to support from the farm programs from the farm bill of last year, we need to get that open and get that money out to them,” said Hartman, who is in the middle of harvesting his crop near Waterloo, Illinois.

The House Agriculture Committee Democrats said on X that this shows that Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins “could have supported farmers all along, but you chose not to because you’d rather use farmers’ pain to score cheap political points while increasing the cost of living for ordinary Americans by making food and health care more expensive.”

Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, who is the ranking Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, said the administration should have done this sooner to ensure that farmers can get the help they need.

“I am glad the administration is finally doing right by America’s farmers by partially opening FSA offices, though I question why the administration waited so long and made this decision only after putting farmers through three weeks of uncertainty," Craig said.

Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this story from Washington.

USDA reopening some 2,100 offices to help farmers

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man jailed for a deadly shooting on a&nbsp;City of Wichita bus made his first court appearance on Tuesday.

&nbsp;Travis L. Finney, 34, was charged with first degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and probation violation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 3:30 p.m. October 16, police responded to a report of a shooting at South Meridian and West Burton. When officers arrived, they found a 54-year-old&nbsp; Reginald Griffith suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Sedgwick County EMS pronounced him deceased on scene.

Investigators determined that both Finney and Griffith were passengers on the bus and knew each other.

Finney remains jailed on bonds of&nbsp;$2,575,000.00, according to online jail records.

Kan. suspect accused of killing a man on city bus faces a judge

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has received a letter from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, according to a media release from the ageny.

 That letter to all states says that if a lapse in funding, caused by the shutdown, continues, there will not be enough money to pay full SNAP benefits for November.

The letter directs agencies to hold off on processing November benefits until further notice. Until a budget agreement or continuing resolution is reached at the federal level, or the federal government identifies a funding pathway, November SNAP benefits may be delayed or interrupted entirely. If no federal action is taken by October 28, 2025, November SNAP benefits will not be disbursed until the federal government reaches a resolution.

SNAP provides benefits for approximately 42 million people across the country. That includes a total distribution of more than $34.4 million to more than 93,000 Kansas households&nbsp;–&nbsp;nearly 188,000 Kansans&nbsp;–&nbsp;who depend on SNAP each month to help put food on their tables.

This potential interruption in benefits comes at the start of the holiday season – an already busy time for food banks and food pantries helping people in need and when many children have days off from school without access to school meals.

DCF is monitoring the situation closely and is exploring what this may mean for Kansans. November benefits for current SNAP recipients are set to begin processing on October 28 and appearing on Kansas Benefits Cards beginning November 1-10 on an established staggered schedule based on last names. If an agreement is not reached by October 28, benefits could be delayed or suspended until the shutdown has ended.

“As soon as an agreement is reached or the federal government finds an alternative funding source, and DCF receives approval from FNS, we are prepared to act quickly with contracting partners to get benefits out to Kansans,”&nbsp;said DCF Secretary Laura Howard.&nbsp;“Depending on the timing of the approval, DCF and its partners could have benefits available on cards within 72 hours.”

October SNAP benefits were distributed as planned. At this time, SNAP recipients should continue using their October benefits as normal. SNAP recipients should continue meeting program requirements, including reporting required changes and completing recertifications.

DCF is continuing to process SNAP applications as usual. Applications can be accessed online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/Pw50Ky-F6jZe97hbD8910xmJbnwz4c5ds_T1aiJ-LPY=427">dcf.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or by visiting a local DCF service center. A map with service center locations can be found on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fcontacts.aspx/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/yIVHnmTgHvIx8KE_7gV4h9rxS4s3LfNUIP6BARB07NQ=427">dcf.ks.gov</a>.

DCF is closely monitoring the impact the federal government shutdown is having on programs and services the agency delivers and will provide updates through its various communication channels as this situation evolves. Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fcontacts.aspx/2/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/HyecglYp9szWTxUSH16i3dNP81VB1Yk_TwHNB2z3F1w=427">dcf.ks.gov</a>.

For Kansans in need of additional support, Kansas Food Source,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkansasfoodsource.org%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/VEyJqWTKk0_hI2zUeCwKkZH_zjY6AZ1kmIwda4WDuIY=427">kansasfoodsource.org</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.harvesters.org%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/1MBJcfOfx5eKTBQ3gAxcMFp0N-zWt-YKc8YD-kB-byo=427">Harvesters.org</a>&nbsp;provide locations of food banks and food pantries across the state. The United Way’s 211 hotline or website,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.211.org%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/_1vmhiAbZnEEnnUeIbHPI9qqsXHd2UeeT-8vEaesxug=427">211.org</a>, and 1-800-CHILDREN,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2F1800childrenks.com%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/ito8OQbQ2CaG44nOjBaS7MmKFdED3Q_3sl4uhHFy5Go=427">1800childrenks.com</a>, also connects Kansans to resources in their communities.

The loss of federal funding places additional stress on Kansas food banks, pantries and meals programs, which are already strained to meet the needs of those who utilize them. Kansans wishing to help their local food resources can find those locations on the Kansas Food Source website,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkansasfoodsource.org%2F/2/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/M-IrQv87Mio2He4EBpIzXKtc4WoQbFYcAAObNQh6drE=427">kansasfoodsource.org</a>.

Kan. SNAP benefits on hold for November due to government shutdown

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 39-year-old Vincent Taylor, according to&nbsp;KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before 12:30a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Jefferson in Kansas City on report of someone who was shot.

First responders located Taylor suffering from gunshot wounds, just inside of an apartment building at the Quality Hill Towers. Officers began performing life saving measures as KCFD Medics arrived. 

EMS pronounced him deceased on scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. 

Detectives are working to determine what led up to the shots being fired and Taylor being struck. Police released no additional details.

Homicide: Police ID man found just inside KC apartment building

WASHINGTON (AP) — Head Start programs that serve tens of thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/preschool-head-start-alaska-education-b32c3623193f2b972521922954b71dbd">the nation’s neediest preschoolers</a>&nbsp;are facing a cutoff of federal funding at the end of the month because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">the government shutdown</a>, leaving many scrambling to figure out how to keep their doors open.

The early education initiative is funded almost entirely by the federal government, making it particularly vulnerable to funding disruptions. The programs — which are run by schools, local governments and nonprofits — receive new grants annually and are not allowed to carry over unspent money.

With new grants on hold, a half dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-preschool-child-care-teacher-pay-256a66cc4df8a331a2d0badcba7f72e8">Head Start</a>&nbsp;programs already missed federal disbursements they were expecting on Oct. 1 and are staying open with fast-dwindling reserves or help from local governments. Another 134 programs will not receive federal money that is due Nov. 1 if the government does not reopen, according to the National Head Start Association. All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country could be affected.

In Tallahassee, Florida, a Head Start program run by Capital Area Community Action Agency Inc. has been running on “fumes” since it stopped receiving federal money at the start of the month, interim CEO Nina Singleton Self said. It is drawing down reserves, getting an advance on a city grant and taking out a line of credit, but those funds will run dry this week.

To stay open beyond that, Self is asking how many staff members would work without pay. She’s also steeling them for financial uncertainty, advising them on how to take loans out from their retirement accounts or apply to programs that would help them pay utility bills. She’s asked other nonprofits and philanthropies for help, too.

“We’re reaching out for everything that we can,” Self said.

Preschool centers count the days they could stay open

Another organization in north Florida that operates eight rural Head Start centers for 365 kids was cut off Oct. 1 and has enough funding to keep its doors open until the end of November.

After that, “I don’t really know what to tell you,” said Michele Ward, executive director of Suwanee Valley Community Coordinated Child Care.

In Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas warned Head Start centers that serve 2,300 children will have to shutter if the federal government remains closed.

“Closing early childhood care for thousands of Kansas City children and families will have devastating effects on thousands of Kansas City families, workplaces and, most importantly, kids,” said Lucas, a Democrat.

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