Ad Astra Books &amp; Coffeehouse has announced some great news.

The bookstore and coffeehouse is now accepting grant applications for the&nbsp;Cash&nbsp;Hollistah&nbsp;Scholarship. 

The&nbsp;scholarship, named after Salina rapper/DJ/poet&nbsp;Cash&nbsp;Hollistah, will be awarded to&nbsp;a&nbsp;graduating senior in Central Kansas who shows merit in the field of community enrichment, as well as poetry, music, or visual art. 

Students must fulfill academic requirements and plan to attend an institution of higher education in the fall of 2026. 

Applications are due by March 31, 2026.

The&nbsp;scholarship&nbsp;is available&nbsp;to high school seniors in the following counties:&nbsp;Saline, McPherson, Ottawa, Ellsworth,&nbsp;Dickinson, Lincoln, Mitchell, Geary, Morris, Cloud, Clay, Marion, Rice, &amp; Reno.

The grant application is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://thecashscholarship.org/">thecashscholarship.org</a>.

For more information, contact Tammy Jarvis at 785-833-2235 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tammy@adastrabooksandcoffee.com">tammy@adastrabooksandcoffee.com</a>.

Cash Hollistah scholarship now available for graduating seniors in central Kansas

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 CHARGE:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity

NAME:&nbsp;Bounsombath,Phonephachanh Sindee

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Chaca,Shane Christopher

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Stalking; Reckless conduct causing fear to person or family; Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; No Proof Of Insurance

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Disorderly conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct to cause resentment; Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 15

OCCK, Inc. Transportation will have shortened hours on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents' Day.&nbsp;

On February 16th, CityGo buses will run from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with no peak routes running.&nbsp;

Regional paratransit, GoAbilene, and GoConcordia vehicles will run a reduced service. 81 Connection, KanConnect, and OCCK OnDemand will run normal schedules.

Transportation services will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, February 17th.

For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.occk.com/">www.occk.com</a>.&nbsp;

For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.salinacitygo.com/">www.salinacitygo.com</a>. Or, contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

OCCK Transportation having shortened hours on Presidents’ Day

NAME:&nbsp;Dyrness,Gregory Edel Jaymon Heaven

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGES: Probation Violation; Failure to appear; Theft by deception;Value less than $1,500

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

NAME:&nbsp;Kleber,Amber Nichole Oak

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Battery on LEO; Physical contact with county or city officer on duty; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd warrant; Criminal trespass; Unknown circumstance

NAME:&nbsp;Lopez-Garcia,Ricardo Adolfo

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation&nbsp;

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 14

Salina musician, Gayle McMillen and former Salinan, Dr. Jennifer Gordon, will present a Black History Month concert at the University United Methodist Church on February 22nd at 3:00 pm.

This concert titled, The Dunlap Exodusters – Songs of my Ancestors, will tell the story of Gordon’s ancestors who came to Kansas in 1878 and settled in Dunlap, Kansas. The concert of Negro Spirituals will include a PowerPoint presentation with narration read by Sandra Beverly.

McMillen is a well-known Salina music educator. McMillen grew up in Clearwater, Kansas, and graduated from Clearwater High School in 1967. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Southwestern College in 1971 and earned a Master of Music Education from Wichita State University in 1976. Gayle has earned additional hours at Chapman University, Emporia State University, Kansas State University Texas Christian University, the University of Kansas, Vander Cook College, and Wichita State University. He taught two years each at South Haven, Kansas Wesleyan University, and Solomon. Gayle retired in 2005 after teaching 27 years in Salina, Kansas. While in Salina, he taught 5-12 band, jazz band, AP music theory, and team-taught full orchestra. He hosted the Roosevelt-Lincoln Invitational Band Festival for 23 years. Gayle was an adjunct teacher at Kansas Wesleyan University for 12 years after retirement from USD 305.

Dr. Gordon was born and raised in Salina and she sang her first solo at age six on a Christmas program when she was in the first grade. She began taking voice lessons at age twelve and sang in middle, high school, college, and community choirs. Jennifer performed as a guest soloist in many Salina churches and community programs. At 19, she auditioned for the international singing group, ‘Up With People’, and was selected as a soloist to travel with a cast throughout the southwest, west, and east coasts, and Mexico. She performed with this group at Lincoln Center in New York and at The White House.

After leaving Up With People, Jennifer attended Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, and was a soloist with The Friends University Singing Quakers, and a soloist with the choir at the First United Methodist Church in Wichita. Jennifer also sang with the Wichita Music Theater. She married Loring Gordon and returned to Kansas Wesleyan in 1973 to complete her B.A. in Elementary Education. While raising their family, her singing was put on hold.

Her passion for singing never waned even as her family grew. Gordon found time to take voice lessons and perform a few concerts in Salina. She trained under the late Dr Elmer Copley at Bethany College at Lindsborg with the assistance of a Horizon grant to further develop her singing voice. Over the past twenty years Gordon has sung in several Topeka churches, including University United Methodist Church, Susanna Wesley United Methodist, and Lowman United Methodist Church, where she is a member and sings in the choir there. For the past two years she has also sang with the Community Gospel Choir of Topeka.

Gordon truly enjoys creating and performing vocal music programs that present music of the African American experience. Her program of The Life and Times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has been well received at several colleges and churches in Kansas. This program was presented at Kansas Wesleyan University in 2023. She also has performed A Concert of Negro Spirituals at the Smoky Hill Museum in Salina that coincided with one of their featured exhibits, Climbing Jacobs Ladder: The Rise of Black Churches in Eastern American Cities, 1740-1877

Two talented musicians to present Black History Month concert in Salina

The Wichita woman who falsely accused her ex-wife and NASA astronaut for "illegally" accessing her bank account from space has been sentenced.

Read more: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/41109540-05cb-49f3-8038-46078d470193">Kansas woman plead guilty for falsely accusing ex-wife &amp; NASA astronaut of illegally accessing bank account from space</a>

According to the <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/far-out-woman-sentenced-making-false-reports-illegal-bank-account-access-international">U.S. Department of Justice</a>, Summer Worden (51)&nbsp;has been ordered to federal prison for making fraudulent statements to law enforcement that Anne McClain illegally gained access to her bank account from the International Space Station (ISS).

U.S. District Judge, Alfred Bennett sentenced Worden to three months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. 

The court also ordered Worden to pay $210,000 in restitution.&nbsp;

Worden plead guilty on November 13, 2025.

In the past she faced 5 counts of wire fraud and 3 counts of unlawful transactions. Additionally, she bilked 8 other people and McClain of more than $200,000 in a land purchase back in 2017.

UPDATE: Kansas woman learns sentence after framing ex-wife & NASA astronaut 

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

Kansas Department of Transportation

Beginning around Wednesday, February 18, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to begin a field survey at three separate locations to gather information necessary for light towers in Saline County.

The three locations which will be surveyed include:

Survey activities will include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the corridor. A member of the survey crew will contact property owners or tenants for permission to enter private property.

KDOT expects this survey to be completed by March 20, 2026.

Tony Crawford, Assistant Survey Project Manager for KDOT, will be in charge of this survey. 

For any questions, please contact KDOT Public Information Officer, Ashley Perez at (785) 826-6799.

KDOT survey to begin for light towers in Saline County

Here is the lineup for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor &amp; Nicolas Fierro on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA for&nbsp;February 14, 2026:

Michelle Lefort - Champix Fitness Center for Her.

Big Brothers Big Sisters&nbsp;- Bowl For Kids Sake 2026, "ALOHA" theme.

Ann Zimmerman -&nbsp;&nbsp;Eight week guitar lessons and group recital at Stiefel Theatre.

Salina NAACP&nbsp; - Freedom Fund Banquet.

All episodes are recorded and uploaded on the&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?CFID=05fb1ecb-7d68-4542-adb3-9b7c11d9b5e5&amp;CFTOKEN=0&amp;stationCallSign=KINA&amp;onDemandAutoStart=true&amp;p92136680=true&amp;relocateURL=true">910 AM and 107.5 FM KINA website</a>, under the 'KINA Saturday Mornings'&nbsp;tab.

Saturday Morning Show lineup with Dave Foor & Nicolas Fierro, February 14, 2026

The Central High School Theatre program Thespian Troupe 639 was selected by the adjudication committee of the International Thespian Festival to present their fall play Clue (High School Edition) to the 2026 International Thespian Festival in June at the University of Indiana Bloomington.

This honor comes from having their show adjudicated among other productions from around the country and earning one of twelve production spots. Clue (High School Edition) is presented with special arrangements through Dramatists Play Service and Concord Theatricals.

There will be an encore performance date to be announced at a later time. Students are actively fundraising for this trip and this honor. 

I<a href="https://onthestage.tickets/salina-central-high-school/donate">f you would like to donate please do so on the Mustangs Theatre website</a>.

There will also be several fundraising events such as:&nbsp;

- Murder Mystery Dinner and Show at Martinelli’s February 20 &amp; 21&nbsp;<a href="https://our.show/reunionsaremurder">https://our.show/reunionsaremurder</a>

- Krispy Kreme Donuts Fundraiser (current)-delivery March 9.

- Easter Egg Hiding Fundraiser April 4

To keep up with fundraising efforts follow, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MustangCentralTheatre">Facebook</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;Instagram @chs_troupe639.

<a href="https://itf.schooltheatre.org/main-stage.cfm">For more information on the International Thespian Festival click here</a>.

<a href="https://playbill.com/article/high-school-editions-of-kimberly-akimbo-suffs-dear-evan-hansen-more-will-play-thespian-festival-main-stage">Click here for an article from Play Bill about the play</a>.

Central High School Theatre's production of "Clue" selected to present play at International Thespian Festival

The Tony's Pizza Events Center (TPEC) has announced the Game Show Road Show, originally scheduled for Friday, February 20 is cancelled.

According to TPEC, due to unforeseen circumstances, the event will no longer be held as planned.

"We understand the disappointment this may cause ticket holders, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience," said TPEC staff.

The Game Show Road Show&nbsp;is a live, interactive entertainment experience designed to engage audiences of all ages. The event also&nbsp;features a stand-up comedy and live trivia.

Refunds will be issued automatically to the original form of payment within 7–10 business days. 

For additional refund questions, guests may contact the Tony’s Pizza Events Center Box Office at 785-826-7200. 

The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Tony's Pizza Events Center announces cancellation of Game Show Road Show

<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, February 13 - February 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 11 - February 13

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 9 - February 11

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 6 - February 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 4 - February 6

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 1 - February 3

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 30 - February 1

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 28 - January 30

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 26 - January 28

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 23 - January 25

Another shutdown for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-shutdown-ice-democrats-demands-ff3aadec8eeab250aea5bf8a8ecdb960">parts of the federal government</a>&nbsp;is underway&nbsp;as a fight over proposed restrictions on President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement agenda drags on.

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on Saturday. Democrats say they will not help approve more money until&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-enforcement-democrats-homeland-security-trump-bcde78c38605732106fb77e46373dc9a">the new limits</a>&nbsp;are placed on federal immigration operations after the fatal shooting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">Alex Pretti</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis last month.

The White House has been negotiating with the Democrats, but the two sides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-funding-shutdown-democrats-trump-4e9c4cebd45396e77f8333fd6cc31944">failed to reach a deal</a>&nbsp;by the end of the week. That meant a lapse in funding for the department.

Unlike the record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopen-update-house-returns-5771f2befb15f4ab45e327369f2e98d9">43-day shutdown</a>&nbsp;last fall, the closures will be narrowly confined.

Only agencies under the DHS umbrella, such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration, are affected. Depending on how long the shutdown lasts, some federal workers could begin to miss paychecks.

But the work of ICE and CBP will mostly continue unabated, despite Democrats' demands for changes at those agencies. President Donald Trump's tax and spending cut law from 2025 provided ICE with about $75 billion and CBP with about $65 billion — money they can keep tapping for the Republican's deportation operations.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dhs-shutdown-tsa-travel-airports-delays-ff8b225c6ff8d57172fd301a550057b3">Services like airport screening</a>&nbsp;could suffer if the shutdown drags on for weeks.

At TSA, about 95% of employees are deemed essential. They will continue to scan passengers and their bags at the nation’s commercial airports. But they will work without pay until the funding lapse is resolved, raising the possibility that workers will being calling out or taking unscheduled leave. Many TSA workers already faced financial stress last year.

“Some are just now recovering from the financial impact of the 43-day shutdown” said Ha Nguyen McNeill, a senior official performing the duties of TSA administrator. “Many are still reeling from it.”

Why is a Homeland Security shutdown happening?

Essentially, it's because Trump acquiesced to Democrats' request that homeland security funding be stripped from a broader spending package to allow more time for negotiation over demands for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-partial-shutdown-ice-funding-homeland-security-35abc94e6579e701f03d9c18ca5a7c44">changes to immigration enforcement</a>&nbsp;such as a code of conduct for federal agents and a requirement that officers show identification. DHS was temporarily funded only through Friday.

The rest of the federal government is funded through Sept. 30. That means most federal programs are unaffected by the latest shutdown, including food assistance, and pay for most federal workers and for service members will continue uninterrupted.

Other agencies affected are the Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The vast majority of employees at the Secret Service and U.S. Coast Guard will continue their work, though they could also miss a paycheck depending upon the shutdown's length.

At FEMA, the shutdown will disrupt the agency's ability to reimburse states for disaster relief costs. Some workers will be furloughed, limiting the agency's ability to coordinate with state and local partners. Training for first responders at the National Disaster and Emergency Management University in Maryland will be disrupted.

It’s up to each federal agency to designate which of its employees are “essential” or “excepted,” both of which mean the same thing in this case. They keep working during a shutdown, typically without getting paid until government funding is back in place.

Some examples of “essential” employees are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-culture-pentagon-hegseth-dei-tansgender-4c5f94c1235d29240b22677e3d66f0ed">military personnel</a>, security screeners at airports and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/deployment-trump-portland-national-guard-lawsuit-8a0323d49b708ebf905527f897352832">law enforcement officers</a>. There can be a wide range, from positions deemed critical for public safety to those authorized by law to continue even without new funding.

Most of the more than 270,000 people employed by DHS are deemed essential, meaning that they stay on the job even during a shutdown. For the fall 2025 shutdown, more than 258,000 DHS employees were in that category, and about 22,000 — or 5% of the agency's total employee base — were furloughed.

Lawmakers have been particularly concerned about the potential impact on the TSA and airports.

Senate Republican leader John Thune of South Dakota warned that “there’s a very good chance we could see more travel problems” similar to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">last year's shutdown</a>. As staffing shortages grow, airports may reduce the number of open security lanes or close checkpoints altogether to relieve pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-government-shutdown-travel-aviation-flight-delays-211022120bf96ab95dc6861ca5a7e32d">an already strained workforce</a>.

During last year’s lapse in funding, unpaid TSA workers increasingly called in sick or stayed home as missed paychecks made it harder for workers to cover basic expenses. The strain was visible on the ground: About a month into the shutdown, TSA closed two checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport.

“The longer the shutdown goes on, the more severe the impact on our TSA workforce,” the agency said at the time.

New details on the U.S. Homeland Security shutdown

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are searching for suspects in a deadly nightclub shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 2a.m. Sunday Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies were in the area of 28th and Southwest Boulevard working off duty for a nightclub/bar business there when they heard the sound of gunfire inside the bar, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchins.

At the same time 911 received calls for a shooting inside the business.&nbsp;On arrival officers were led inside the business where they located 3 adult female shooting victims. 

Officers began rendering aid and called for EMS to come in.&nbsp;EMS declared one shooting victim deceased at the scene. EMS&nbsp; then transported the other two&nbsp; victims to the hospital for treatment. At the hospital one of the two victims was declared deceased, and the other victim has what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries, according to Becchina.

While officers were at the scene they were notified of a 4th shooting victim, an adult male, who arrived at the hospital by private vehicle. That victim is reported to be in critical condition.&nbsp;Homicide detectives were at the scene now and are investigating. They are talking to people who were at the scene when officers arrived and canvassing for additional witnesses.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates the victims were inside the business when there was an interaction with one or more suspects that escalated and led to shots being fired which struck the victims.&nbsp;There is no information at this time regarding suspect description. Police did not release the names of the victims.

2 women dead, 2 others injured in KC nightclub shooting

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/adriana-morga">ADRIANA MORGA</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s been a confusing time for people with student loans. Collections restarted, then were put on hold. At the same time, borrowers had to stay on top of changes to key forgiveness plans.

Last year, the long-contested SAVE plan introduced by the Biden administration ended with a settlement agreement. President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” introduced new borrowing limits for graduates and raised challenges to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. While several changes for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">student loan borrowers</a>&nbsp;will take effect this summer, other key questions remain unresolved.

More than 5 million Americans were in default on their federal student loans as of September, according to the Education Department. Millions are behind on loan payments and at risk of default this year.

Borrowers “genuinely struggle to afford their loans and then to hear that the administration is making it more expensive and taking away some of the tools and resources that help folks afford their loans is really, it’s panic-inducing,” said Winston Berkman-Breen, legal director at Protect Borrowers.

Last month, the Education Department announced that it would delay involuntary collections for student loan borrowers in default until the department finalizes its new loan repayment plans. The date for this is still unclear.

If you’re a student loan borrower, here are some key things to know:

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-forgiveness-save-plan-debt-borrowers-313afd73cadc3cfc8ab3a6ee684fc3e4">SAVE plan</a>&nbsp;was a repayment plan with some of the most lenient terms ever. Soon after its launch it was challenged in court, leaving millions of student loan borrowers in limbo. Last December, the Education Department announced a settlement agreement to end the SAVE plan. What is next for borrowers who were enrolled in this repayment plan is yet to be determined.

“Seven and a half million borrowers who are currently enrolled in SAVE need to be moved to another plan,” Berkman-Breen said.

As part of the agreement, the Education Department says it will not enroll new borrowers, deny pending applications, and will move all current SAVE borrowers into other repayment plans.

The Education Department is expected to develop a plan for borrowers to transition from the SAVE plan, yet borrowers should be proactive about enrolling in other repayment plans, said Kate Wood, a lending expert at NerdWallet.

If you are looking to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan

Borrowers can apply for the following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/income-repayment-plans-pause-forgiveness-student-loans-b50dc92f50577ac5c6a9d9ed4a2f9dfd">income-driven plans</a>: the Income-Based Repayment Plan, the Pay as You Earn plan, and the Income-Contingent Repayment plan.

“They all have similar criteria, and they function similarly. Your payment is set as a percentage of your income, not how much you owe, so it’s usually a lower payment,” Berkman-Breen said.

The payment amount under income-driven plans is a percentage of your discretionary income, and the percentage varies depending on the plan. Since many people are looking to switch plans, some applications to income-driven repayment plans might take longer to process, said Jill Desjean, director of policy analysis at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

You can find out which repayment plan might work best for you by logging on to the Education Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/loan-simulator/" target="_blank">loan simulator</a>.

If you’re working toward your Public Service Loan Forgiveness

There are no changes to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-service-loan-forgiveness-debt-cancellation-62536bdb25f04b5138d2d0a2aeec4e58">Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program</a>&nbsp;yet. Last year, the Trump administration announced plans to change the eligibility requirements for participating nonprofits.

The policy seeks to disqualify nonprofit workers if their work is deemed to have “substantial illegal purpose.” The Trump administration said it’s necessary to block taxpayer money from lawbreakers, while critics say it turns the program into a tool of political retribution.

The proposal says&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-service-loan-forgiveness-debt-cancellation-62536bdb25f04b5138d2d0a2aeec4e58">illegal activity</a>&nbsp;includes the trafficking or “chemical castration” of children, illegal immigration, and supporting foreign terrorist organizations. This move could cut off some teachers, doctors, and other public workers from federal loan cancellation.

“This is something that obviously is very stressful, very nerve-wracking for a lot of people, but given that we don’t know exactly how this is going to be enforced, how these terms are going to be defined, it’s not really something that you can try to plan ahead for now,” Wood said.

While this policy is currently being challenged by 20 Democrat-led states, it’s expected to take effect in July. In the meantime, Wood recommends that borrowers enrolled in the PSLF program continue making payments.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-debt-wage-garnishment-de1f286a8264cb5b2c0aad939e29c2e2">Involuntary collections</a>&nbsp;on federal student loans will remain on hold. The Trump administration announced earlier this month that it is delaying plans to withhold pay from student loan borrowers who default on their payments.

Federal student loan borrowers can have their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wage-garnishment-student-loans-borrowers-487645f5cd25ff4631b0ea1aa2ae6561">wages garnished</a>&nbsp;and their federal tax refunds withheld if they default on their loans. Borrowers are considered in default when they are at least 270 days behind on payments.

If your student loans are in default, you can contact your loan holder to apply for a loan rehabilitation program.

“They essentially come up with a payment plan where you’re making a reduced payment,” Woods. “After five successful payments on that rehabilitation plan, wage garnishment will cease.”

If you’re planning to attend graduate school

Trump’s “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nursing-professional-degree-trump-student-loans-d1ac078af2c76c709b914c51ad93a9fa">Big Beautiful Bill</a>&nbsp;” has changed the amount graduate students can borrow from federal student loans. Graduate students could previously borrow loans up to the cost of their degree; the new rules cap the amount depending on whether the degree is considered a graduate or a professional program.

Wood said that if you’re starting a new program and taking out a loan after July 1, you will be subject to the new loan limits.

Under the new plan, students in professional programs would be able to borrow up to $50,000 per year and up to $200,000 in total. Other graduate students, such as those pursuing nursing and physical therapy, would be limited to $20,500 a year and up to $100,000 total.

The Education Department is defining the following fields as professional programs: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry and theology.

The online application for loan consolidation is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/loan-consolidation/" target="_blank">studentaid.gov/loan-consolidation</a>. If you have multiple federal student loans, you can combine them into a single loan with a fixed interest rate and a single monthly payment.

The consolidation process typically takes around 60 days to complete. You can only consolidate your loans once.

The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

Confusion continues over student loan repayment plans, collections

RENO COUNTY —The cause a house fire in rural Reno County is under investigation.

On Saturday evening, the Hutchinson Fire Department responded to report of a fire in the 400 block of East 7th, according to a media release.

 First arriving crews found black smoke coming from the eaves of a 2 and one half story ballon frame home. First arriving crew entered the structure for search as dispatch advised that the occupant was still inside trying to retrieve pets. Additional crews arrived and began aggressive interior attack on the fire.  Fire was found on the first floor, second floor, and attic.  There was a partial floor collapse of a second-floor bedroom.  No injuries were reported.&nbsp; Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

Resident rescued pets as crews battled Kansas house fire

MCPHERSON COUNTY —Two people were arrested Saturday afternoon following a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle in McPherson County.

Just after 4p.m., officers with the McPherson Police Department were notified by the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office that a stolen vehicle was traveling southbound on Interstate 135 from Smoky Valley Road. The sheriff’s office detected the vehicle using its newly deployed Flock license plate reader camera network.

Police officers spotted the vehicle entering the McPherson near the Interstate 135 and Kansas Avenue interchange. After confirming with dispatch that the vehicle had been reported stolen, officers attempted a traffic stop in the 100 block of South Champlin Road.

The driver fled the stop, traveling south on Centennial before leaving the city limits. A McPherson County sheriff’s deputy later deployed stop sticks, puncturing the vehicle’s tires and slowing it down.

After about 15 minutes, the suspect lost control and the vehicle became stuck near the intersection of 19th Street and Eisenhower Road.

Two individuals including 39-year-old Bobby Heckman were taken into custody, according to online jail records. Law enforcement also cleared two outstanding arrest warrants. No injuries were reported, and the only damage occurred to the stolen vehicle. Heckman is being held on requested charges of Flee or attempt to elude; operate a stole vehicle; theft of property or services; drug distribution and numerous traffic violations, according to online jail records.

Kan. officers arrest driver after stolen vehicle gets stuck

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">Anna Kaminski</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly plans to attend a business meeting at the White House this week, which comes after President Donald Trump flip-flopped on invitations and Democrats promised to boycott.

Kelly’s office said she will attend a bipartisan working meeting on Feb. 20, but she will not partake in the White House’s black-tie dinner that is expected to follow. She has not attended the White House dinner since 2019 and does not plan to this year, said spokesperson Grace Hoge.

“She recognizes the utility of meeting with the president, Cabinet secretaries and other federal officials, alongside her colleagues, to discuss ways states and the federal government can partner on behalf of all Americans,” Hoge said. “She decided to attend the meeting once the White House invitation included all governors, regardless of party.”

The plans leading up to next week’s events in Washington, D.C., have fluctuated. Trump at first refused to invite Democrats to the White House. Then he backtracked after Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the National Governors Association, of which he is the chair, would no longer facilitate the meeting.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/09/repub/trump-shuts-out-democratic-governors-from-traditional-white-house-gatherings/">White House confirmed Trump’s decision</a>&nbsp;to exclude some Democratic governors from the dinner.

“Many Democrats were invited to dinner at the White House, and others were not. These are White House events and the President reserves the right to invite whomever he wants,” a White House official told States Newsroom, Kansas Reflector’s parent organization.

Members of the Democratic Governors Association, including Kelly, said Tuesday they wouldn’t attend the White House dinner, and accused Trump of creating chaos and division.

“If the reports are true that not all governors are invited to these events, which have historically been productive and bipartisan opportunities for collaboration, we will not be attending the White House dinner this year,” the Democratic governors’ statement said.

Trump wrote in a Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116054089500353661" target="_blank">post to Truth Social</a>&nbsp;that he only declined to invite two Democratic governors to the dinner — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the vice chair of the national association and the country’s only Black governor.

Kelly, who is in her last term, is a former chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Kansas is not a member of the National Governors Association, so she also does not plan to attend the three-day national conference, her office said.

Kansas governor plans to attend White House meeting

EDWARDS COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Saturday in Edwards County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Honda Civic driven by Aaron JG&nbsp;Pineda, 29, Garden City,&nbsp;was stuck on the railroad tracks on 310th Avenue just north of U.S. 50.&nbsp; An eastbound Amtrak train struck the car.

Pineda was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;McKillip Funeral Home.&nbsp; The conductor, engineer and an additional 113 occupants on board the train were not injured.

Kan. man dead after Amtrak train strikes car stuck on the tracks 

&nbsp;DAMASCUS —U.S. forces conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria, Feb. 3 – 12, to sustain relentless military pressure on remnants from the terrorist network, according to a statement from the U.S&gt; Central Command.

U.S. forces struck ISIS infrastructure and weapons storage targets with precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft.

U.S. forces previously conducted five strikes against an ISIS communication site, critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities, Jan. 27 – Feb. 2.

Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched 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.

More than 50 ISIS terrorists have been killed or captured and over 100 ISIS infrastructure targets have been struck with hundreds of precision munitions during two months of targeted operations.

U.S. forces continue strikes on ISIS targets in Syria

KANSAS CITY —A Missouri inmate has been charged &nbsp;in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred at an apartment complex in 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2807/HillDemetrius-Warrant-Packet-1">Demetrius S. Hill</a>&nbsp;, 27, faces one count of 2nd Degree Murder, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

According to court records, Kansas City police responded to a shooting at an apartment complex parking lot on August 9, 2019, and located the victim in the driver’s seat of a gray Dodge Durango suffering from apparent trauma. He was declared deceased at the scene.

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