Riley County, KS – February 9, 2026) The Riley County Appraiser’s Office has completed its required studies and analysis for 2026 property valuations. Change of Value Notices (CVNs) will be mailed to property owners on February 25.

CVNs show how a property’s value has changed from the previous year. Changes may be due to shifts in the local real estate market or updates made to individual properties, such as additions, removals, renovations, or classification changes.

In 2025, the average price of all valid home sales in Riley County was $301,998, compared to $275,000 in 2024 and $265,000 in 2023. The median home price in 2025 was $270,000, up from $250,000 in 2024 and $238,000 in 2023.

Riley County Appraiser Anna Burson said the median price is often a better measure of market trends.

“The median price is a more reliable reference point because it is less affected by unusually high or low sales,” Burson said.

&nbsp; Based on current market data, residential property values show an overall average increase of 3% to 10%. Commercial property values are trending upward by 2% to 6% on average. Individual property values may vary and may not follow these general trends due to property-specific changes, data corrections, or market activity within a particular area.

As in previous years, the CVN mailing will include a form for property owners who wish to appeal their valuation. To meet Kansas statute requirements, appeal forms must be fully completed, signed, and returned to the Riley County Appraiser’s Office within 30 days of the mailing date. Appeal request forms may be emailed, dropped off, or mailed with postmark no later than March 26th.

Appeal forms can be emailed to valuationappeal@rileycountyks.gov or delivered to the Appraiser’s Office on the third floor at 110 Courthouse Plaza, Manhattan, KS 66502.&nbsp;An appeals phone line 785-537-6316 is available for appeal related questions or to request information only. Appeals cannot be filed by phone. Once a completed and signed form is received, staff will contact the property owner or their authorized representative to schedule an appeal meeting.

&nbsp;Burson emphasized that a higher property value does not automatically mean higher taxes.

Riley County Property Valuations Updated for 2026; Change of Value Notices to Be Mailed February 25

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged drive by shooting in Riley County.

Just before 9p.m. Saturday, officers filed a report of aggravated assault that occurred near mile marker 187 of Fort Riley Blvd., according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 A 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect shot at their vehicle while driving on Fort Riley Blvd. 

Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000.

RCPD investigating drive-by shooting on Fort Riley Boulevard

RILEY COUNTY —A member of the Kansas State University men's basketball staff under investigation for alleged violent crimes.

Just before 1:30a.m. Monday, 29-year-old Mark Vital was booked into the Riley County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;domestic battery; knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report. Just after 3a.m. Vital met the requirement of a $2,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

He is in his first season as a graduate student manager at K-State, according to his online bio. Vital was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and a member of Baylor’s 2021 National Championship team where K-State head coach Jerome Tang was an assistant.&nbsp; Vital is working towards a master’s in counseling and student development at K-State.

Police arrest K-State basketball grad student manager

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;

Riley County Arrest Report February 9

Riley County Arrest Report February 7, 8

Manhattan, Kan. February 6, 2026 – The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Russ Briggs as the 2025 Lud Fiser Citizen of the Year. The award was presented during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on February 6 at the Manhattan Conference Center.

Named in honor of Lud Fiser, the Chamber’s longtime president from 1948 to 1975, this award is given annually to an individual whose contributions have significantly enhanced the quality of life and vitality of the Manhattan community. Russ Briggs becomes the 56th recipient of this prestigious honor.

A Legacy of Vision, Growth, and Giving Back

A lifelong Manhattan resident, Briggs has built his life, career, and legacy in the community he proudly calls home. As a respected business entrepreneur, he is known for his boundless energy, bold ideas, and commitment to regional economic development. From launching ventures to expanding operations, Briggs has played a key role in generating jobs, stimulating growth, and fostering innovation across the region.

Often described as a “serial entrepreneur,” Briggs is not one to shy away from big ideas or bold action. His tenacity and vision have shaped more than businesses—they’ve shaped the landscape of Manhattan itself.

What truly sets Briggs apart is his unwavering support of Manhattan, Kansas State University, and Fort Riley. He has consistently invested not only his resources, but his time and leadership into causes and organizations that help Manhattan thrive. From civic engagement to philanthropic initiatives, Briggs leads by example, always championing the community he loves.

“Russ embodies what it means to be a citizen of the year,” said Chamber President/CEO Jason Smith. “He’s built businesses, strengthened community partnerships, and poured his heart into Manhattan. His passion, leadership, and generosity make a lasting difference.”

The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce is honored to recognize Russ Briggs for his lifelong dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and exceptional commitment to the betterment of Manhattan.

    Russ Briggs Named 2025 Lud Fiser Citizen of the Year by Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged theft.

Just after 4p.m. Thursday police arrested 38-year-old&nbsp;Kelli Wilson of Salina in the 400 block of E. Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Wilson was arrested on a Pottawatomie County District Court warrant for one count of theft by threat; $1,500 or less from three businesses in 72 hours. 

This arrest stems from an original report filed in November 2025. Wilson is being held in the Pottawatomie County Jail.

Kan. woman accused of theft from 3 businesses in 72-hours

Riley County Arrest Report February 6

The Board of Directors of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program has acknowledged the completion of coursework and graduation of twenty-six participants of the&nbsp;2025-26&nbsp;program year. Ceremonies were completed at the Columbian Theatre in Wamego.

Executive Director, Jack Lindquist explained, “As we completed each segment and thanked each speaker and host, this class reflected the maxim as the Eagle Class — They accepted the charge they must be fearless in the face of adversity, knowing that the Eagle soars above the ordinary. With courage to fly against the wind, this class rose and will continue to rise to extraordinary heights.”

Board Chair Jeremy O’Donnell summarized the class experience saying, “This region needs vision to meet the needs and convert challenges into opportunities. When we shaped the Class of 2025-26, we sought those willing to learn leadership skills to rise above the chatter to find a pathway as change unfolds. We found this class is inherently caring and are now well trained, focused servant leaders.”

Organization treasurer Tiffany Cutter shared the roster of financial and in-kind supporters including:

Class members recognized are listed by name, hometown, county and occupation:

Abby Amick&nbsp; Alma WB&nbsp; Wabaunsee County Clerk

Alex Bonebrake Manhattan RL Owner, Konza Painting

Julie Bortnick Wamego PT Senior Manager, Varney &amp; Associates, CPA's, LLC

Jenna Brown White City MR Senior Director of Development, Carl Ice College of Engineering, K-State

Lauren Chard Manhattan RL&nbsp; Sports Sales Manager, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce

Raquel Cinco Wakefield CL Executive Director, Geary County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Jayme Coffey Junction City GE Accounts Payable/Financial Analyst, Geary County Board of Commissioners

Tyler Conard Manhattan RL Member Services Coordinator, Flint Hills Association of REALTORS

Eric Fleuter Enterprise DK Army Substance Abuse Program Manager, Fort Riley DHR

Heather Gladbach Wamego PT Assistant County Administrator/ Finance Officer, PT County

Cheryl Greathouse Manhattan RL EEO Complaints Manager, Fort Riley

Chris Herbel Alma WB Undersheriff, Wabaunsee County Sheriff's Office

Melanie Highsmith Manhattan RL Curator of Education &amp; Design, Riley County Historical Museum

Bailey Hinkle Wamego PT Business Operation Manager, WTC Fiber

Michelle Horstmeier Manhattan RL Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Riley County

Gabby Jensen Wamego PT&nbsp; Communications &amp; Outreach Specialist, City of Wamego

Maci Murillo Manhattan RL Library Director, Wamego Public Library

Mark Otte Manhattan RL Director of Public Affairs, Fort Riley

Josh Perkins Junction City GE Facilities Director, CORVIAS Property Management

April Philippi Junction City GE Leadership &amp; Workforce Development Specialist, DHR, Fort Riley

Carl Seelye Junction City GE Management Analyst, DOD Fort Riley

Timothy Sifuentes Junction City GE Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, IMCOM Fort Riley

Mikayla Springer&nbsp; Alma WB Branch Manager, Community First National Bank, Manhattan

Bernadette Trieb Alma WB Extension Agent, K-State Extension Wabaunsee County

Brian Zachary Junction City WB Lieutenant, Geary County Sheriff's Office

Marissa Ziegler Milford GE Patrol Sergeant, Junction City Police Department

Board Chair Jeremy O’Donnell introduced the closing address speaker, Cassie Hartwich, for an inspiring challenge. In response, class members Mikayla Springer and Raquel Cinco shared lessons learned and appreciation remarks.&nbsp; The class project, Rock Creek Batting Cages, was announced by class member and project chair, Julie Bortnick, closing out the evening.

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

   Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program class completes course

Kansas City, Mo. - February 5, 2026 – Evergy is warning customers to be vigilant after a new text scam.

Scammers are sending fake text messages to Evergy customers claiming the customer has overpaid their bill and is due for a refund. The scammer then asks customers to go to a fake website that appears to be from Evergy and enter personal financial information.

This is a scam and the text and website are not from Evergy.&nbsp;If customers receive a text like this, they should:

Fake texts are just&nbsp;<a>one way</a>&nbsp;scammers are becoming more deceptive. Scammers frequently try to get personal and financial information like credit card, debit card, Social Security, Evergy account number, checking or savings account numbers using methods like texts, calls, websites and even in person. Here are some signs of common scams and ways consumers can protect themselves:

Evergy urges customers to watch out for text scams

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (Feb. 5, 2026) – Stormont Vail Health invites community members to join Walk With An APP, a free event designed to encourage movement, connection, and meaningful conversations about healthy living. • 

This will be on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Old Junction City High School Football Field (900 N. Eisenhower Dr.)&nbsp; If temps fall below 32°F, meet at JC Municipal Building (700 N. Jefferson St.) 

This month’s walk will feature Christina Guhr, APRN, Weight Management Specialist at Stormont Vail Manhattan Campus. Christina will share facts on what really affects weight, how to build habits that stick, and tips to help overcome an overwhelming topic. All ages and activity levels are welcome. 

Stormont Vail encourages participants to bring a friend, water, and plenty of questions.&nbsp;

Christina Guhr, APRN, Helps Turn Overwhelming into Overcoming: Next Walk With An APP 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading U.S. health official on Sunday urged people to get inoculated against the measles at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-south-carolina-utah-arizona-845643cd1342f1ce2ea01d11b74ee77b">outbreaks across several states</a>&nbsp;and as the United States is at risk of losing its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-measles-elimination-mexico-6f0bc8f7ef31d5ef82492e42ccb38e47">measles elimination status</a>.

“Take the vaccine, please,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dr-oz-mehmet-things-to-know-trump-be62594d66e07b9544e48ddf9febf7bf">Dr. Mehmet Oz</a>, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator whose boss has raised&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-rfk-jr-messaging-criticism-vaccine-1a2cbdc14eb0c256695fdfac00cbfb6d?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">suspicion about the safety and importance of vaccines</a>. “We have a solution for our problem.”

Oz, a heart surgeon, defended some recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/childhood-vaccine-schedule-trump-rfk-measles-flu-b31b4d6815d4395d72745f3a18f2263c">revised federal vaccine recommendations</a>&nbsp;as well as past comments from President Donald Trump and the nation's health chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., about the efficacy of vaccines. From Oz, there was a clear message on the measles.

“Not all illnesses are equally dangerous and not all people are equally susceptible to those illnesses,” he told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “But measles is one you should get your vaccine.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-south-carolina-utah-arizona-845643cd1342f1ce2ea01d11b74ee77b">An outbreak</a>&nbsp;in South Carolina in the hundreds has surpassed the recorded case count in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-vaccine-outbreak-texas-mmr-0744a165cfb354022092a1f158c698b0">Texas’ 2025 outbreak</a>, and there is also one on the Utah-Arizona border. Multiple other states have had confirmed cases this year. The outbreaks have mostly impacted children and have come as infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines generally may be contributing to the spread of a disease once declared eradicated by public health officials.

Asked in the television interview whether people should fear the measles, Oz replied, “Oh, for sure.” He said Medicare and Medicaid will continue to cover the measles vaccine as part of the insurance programs.

“There will never be a barrier to Americans get access to the measles vaccine. And it is part of the core schedule,” Oz said.

But Oz also said “we have advocated for measles vaccines all along” and that Kennedy “has been on the very front of this.”

Questions about vaccines did not come up later in a Kennedy interview on Fox News Channel's “The Sunday Briefing,” where he was asked about what kind of Super Bowl snack he might have (probably yogurt). He also he eats steak with sauerkraut in the mornings.

Critics of Kennedy have argued that the health secretary's longtime skepticism of U.S. vaccine recommendations and past sympathy for the unfounded claim that vaccines may cause autism may influence official public health guidance in ways contrary to the medical consensus.

Oz argued that Kennedy's stance was supportive of the measles vaccine despite Kennedy's general comments about the recommended vaccine schedule.

“When the first outbreak happened in Texas, he said, get your vaccines for measles, because that’s an example of an ailment that you should get vaccinated against,” Oz said.

The Republican administration last month dropped some vaccine recommendations for children, an overhaul of the traditional vaccine schedule that the Department of Health and Human Services said was in response to a request from Trump.

Trump asked the agency to review how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations and consider revising U.S. guidance accordingly.

States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren. While federal requirements often influence those state regulations, some states have begun&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-west-coast-vaccines-trump-fd5ce557532a3c9f37b77ff9f14b07b9">creating their own alliances</a>&nbsp;to counter the administration’s guidance on vaccines.

U.S. vaccination rates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f">have dropped</a>&nbsp;and the share of children with exemptions has reached an all-time high, according to federal data. At the same time, rates of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-measles-polio-whooping-cough-rubella-af4cd1aef8f408a960601df6372f9c32">diseases</a>&nbsp;that can be protected against with vaccines, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f">measles</a>&nbsp;and whooping cough, are rising across the country.

Kennedy's past skepticism of vaccines has come under scrutiny since Trump first nominated him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

During his Senate confirmation testimony last year, Kennedy told lawmakers that a closely scrutinized 2019 trip he took to Samoa, which came before a devastating measles outbreak, had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7s-NnWUZwE&amp;t=8456s">“nothing to do with vaccines.”</a>

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-measles-outbreak-samoa-emails-e04686f052e8c78b5a52be1e4fbcf62f">documents obtained by The Guardian and The Associated Press undermine that testimony</a>. Emails sent by staffers at the U.S. Embassy and the United Nations said that Kennedy sought to meet with top Samoan officials during his trip to the Pacific island nation.

Samoan officials later said Kennedy’s trip bolstered the credibility of anti-vaccine activists before the measles outbreak, which sickened thousands of people and killed 83, mostly children under age 5.

Oz's comments mark a broader pattern among administration officials of voicing discordant and at times contradictory statements about the efficacy of vaccines amid an overhaul of U.S. public health policy.

Officials have walked a fine line in criticizing past U.S. vaccine policy, often at times appearing to express sympathy for unfounded conspiracy theories from anti-vaccine activists, while also not straying too far from established science.

During a Senate hearing Tuesday, Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health, said no single vaccine causes autism, but he did not rule out the possibility that research may find some combination of vaccines could have negative health side effects.

But Kennedy, in Senate testimony, has argued that a link between vaccines and autism has not been disproved.

He has previously claimed that some components of vaccines, like the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal, may cause childhood neurological disorders such as autism. Most vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella do not contain thimerosal. A federal vaccine advisory board overhauled by Kennedy last year voted to no longer recommend thimerosal-containing vaccines.

Administration public health officials often cite the need to restore trust in public health systems after the coronavirus pandemic, when vaccine policy and the general public health response to the deadly pandemic became a highly polarizing topic in American politics.

Misinformation and conspiracy theories about the public health system also spread during the pandemic, and longtime anti-vaccine activist groups saw a swell in interest from the wider public.

Kennedy, who for years led the anti-vaccine activist group Children's Health Defense, has been criticized for ordering reviews of vaccines and public health guidelines that leading medical research groups have deemed settled science.

Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues. During a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tylenol-cause-autism-trump-kennedy-0847ee76eedecbd5e9baa6888b567d66">September Oval Office event</a>, Trump asserted without evidence that Tylenol and vaccines are linked to a rise in the incidence of autism in the United States.

US health official urges Americans to get measles vaccine amid case surge

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>

Bipartisan legislation reflects idea devices distract students, harm mental health

TOPEKA — Central Christian Academy and Atchison County Community Schools serve distinct K-12 populations, but superintendents of both oppose a proposed mandate by the Kansas Legislature to force private and public schools to ban personal cellphones and other electronic devices during school hours.

A House Education Committee hearing Friday generated criticism that such a state law would undermine local control of education. Supporters of reform said personal devices could be a classroom impediment to academic success and contributed to mental health challenges of students.

David Landis, superintendent of the 660-student private Christian school in Wichita, said the school’s leadership adopted several years ago nearly all the cellphone restrictions proposed in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2421/" target="_blank">House Bill 2421</a>. He objected to the Legislature mandating those policies from Topeka.

“We stand opposed to the state making financial and reporting policy decisions on behalf of any private school,” he said. “We ask that HB 2421 be rewritten to exclude all nonpublic schools.”

Andrew Gaddis, superintendent of the Atchison County district and its 500 students, said the bill was a departure from the state’s commitment to the principle of local control in public education. He said elected school boards collaborating with administrators, teachers and families were best suited to adopt policy respectful of local values and culture.

While many public school districts in Kansas previously enacted cellphone restrictions, Gaddis said, a one-size-fits-all law wouldn’t reflect diversity of thought on the in-school use of devices.

“Preserving local control allows districts to adjust practices as student needs change, technology evolves and community input is considered,” Gaddis said.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly endorsed the concept of an in-school ban on cellphones. Twenty-eight Republicans and Democrats in the Kansas Senate sponsored a bill creating a statewide ban. In the House, nine Republicans or Democrats did the same.

Under House and Senate versions of the bill, students attending accredited nonpublic and public elementary or secondary schools would be prohibited from using cellphones, smartwatches and earbuds during instructional time. The prohibition would include lunch breaks and gaps between classes.

The bills would require personal electronic communication devices owned by students and brought to school to be securely stored. The legislation wouldn’t allow storage in backpacks or lockers, but neither bill would provide state funding for schools to buy containers to sequester electronic devices. A legislative document outlining the bills say it could cost nearly $13.4 million for public schools to purchase $30 fabric pouches with locks for 446,000 students.

Exceptions to the ban would be made for students with personal medical issues. Exemptions would extend to students with an individualized education plan, or IEP, and those with a 504 plan outlining school accommodations designed to guarantee equal access to education. Students would be able to contact a parent or guardian with a school-owned telephone or device.

The legislation would forbid school district employees from communicating with students privately or directly through social media apps for official academic purposes.

The bills would direct local public school boards of education or governing bodies of accredited private schools to comply by Sept. 1, 2026. School administrators must report to the Kansas State Board of Education the average amount of time students in first through fourth grades spent on electronic devices with a screen during a typical school day.

A companion bill banning in-school use of personal communication devices was introduced as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb302/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 302</a>. The Senate Education Committee conducted a hearing on the bill in January.

Adrienne Olejnik, vice president of Kansas Action for Children, said schools implementing bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions contemplated in the legislation were beginning to see signs that children experienced better relationships, mental well-being and educational achievement.

“Digital devices interfere with so many critical aspects of children’s development and schools should thoughtfully consider how technology is integrated into a student’s day,” she said.

Olejnik said use of individual digital devices wasn’t intrinsically dangerous for children, but it was important schools step in to help young people find a healthy balance.

Kim Whitman, a Kansas leader of Smartphone Free Childhood US, said cellphones and social media platforms were designed to be addictive. A study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association said students spent an average of 70 minutes per school day on their phones. That added up to loss of the equivalent of 30 instructional days per year, she said.

“When devices are stored away, students focus better and teachers can teach instead of policing phones,” Whitman said.

She said change was necessary because an estimated 11% of Kansas public school students were enrolled in districts enforcing phone-free policies covering the entire school day.

Wichita school board member Ngoc Vuong, a doctoral student at Wichita State University, endorsed the legislation. Vuong urged Kansas lawmakers to respond to unhealthy relationships many children and adolescents had with smartphones and social media.

“While I recognize and respect the local control argument, as a researcher and local school board member, I have come to the conclusion that, given the universality of problematic smartphone and social media use and its disproportionate impact on K-12 students, state-level action is necessary to mitigate its harms and promote more constructive, focused and engaging learning environments,” Vuong said.

Bills banning most cellphone use by Kansas students during school draws critics, champions

JACKSON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just before 12:15 a.m. Monday in Jackson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Nadine A&nbsp;Aylesworth, 62, Whiting, was&nbsp;southbound in the northbound lanes of U.S.75 just south of 302 Road.&nbsp; The car struck a northbound 2010 Ford Fusion driven by Heather S K Browning, 18, Goff, head-on.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Two Kansas women killed in wrong-way, head-on crash

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 5:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 8200 block of Troost, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

As officers arrived they were directed to a convenience store in the area. It was there they located a man suffering from unknown trauma to his head. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered KCFD EMS to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.&nbsp;

Investigators and crime scene personnel responded and began a death investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;They processed the scene for physical evidence, surveillance footage, and canvassed for witnesses. KCPD detectives were contacted by hospital officials at a later time revealing the victim suffered a gunshot wound. This case is now being investigated as a homicide..&nbsp;

If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouri’s Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the State’s administering agency.

KCPD: Homicide victim shot in the head outside convenience store

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mae-anderson">MAE ANDERSON</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/wyatte-grantham-philips">WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS</a> Associated Press

At a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-trump-affordability-costs-ice-44196e8814c5a8e47df26fa1d21f44fd">difficult time</a>&nbsp;for America, Super Bowl advertisers asked viewers to take care of themselves and others — and maybe even crack a smile.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OheUzrXsKrY&amp;t=30s" target="_blank">Ring</a>&nbsp;showed how neighbors can use their doorbell cameras to find lost pets. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_mh-v02-Tw" target="_blank">Budweiser</a>&nbsp;Clydesdale protected a bald eagle chick from the rain.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMTcZb48aVU" target="_blank">Novartis</a>&nbsp;touted a blood test that can detect prostate cancer.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5bJ612mUt8" target="_blank">Toyota</a>&nbsp;reminded viewers to wear their seatbelts.

Mister Rogers was invoked twice: Lady Gaga sang his classic “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” in a tearjerker for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvEFiLqsCDw" target="_blank">Rocket Companies</a>&nbsp;while the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLc8f2KbHnU" target="_blank">National Football League</a>&nbsp;used “You Are Special” to promote its work with youth sports organizations.

“A key thread running through this year’s Super Bowl ads was a desire for peace, harmony, community, and neighborliness,” said Kimberly Whitler, a marketing professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. “There is a general theme centered on people coming together to support one another.”

America is uneasy. U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-economy-spending-inflation-conference-board-f36b997dc46ac9c3577d05db52166846">consumer confidence</a>&nbsp;fell to its lowest level since 2014 in January. The killings of two protesters by federal officers in Minneapolis last month led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-protests-64fd52ba5283e8f56c57dddb1c3a3852">widespread outrage</a>. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/next-winter-storm-blizzard-cold-bomb-cyclone-d16eaaf409277258d7748674f4b94b0c">winter weather</a>&nbsp;has been brutal across much of the country.

“There is a collective trauma. Everybody is stressed out. It doesn’t matter who you are, it’s something that’s impacting everyone,” said Vann Graves, the executive director of the Brandcenter at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Super Bowl ads, he said, give people a much-needed respite and a rare shared moment.

“It’s been a bit of time that we can just be human and be silly and enjoy ourselves,” Graves said.

There is plenty of silliness in this year’s commercials. Sabrina Carpenter tried to build the perfect man out of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CdX8W8U7jA" target="_blank">Pringles</a>. Benson Boone and Ben Stiller played a disco duo doing flips over&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instacart.com/company/pressreleases/instacart-goes-bananas-in-super-bowl-lx-ad" target="_blank">Instacart</a>. Andy Samberg, as “Meal Diamond,” squirted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TpdUBwyL4c" target="_blank">Hellmann’s</a>&nbsp;mayonnaise on the sandwiches of Elle Fanning and other deli customers. And&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjDfVdrtl48&amp;t=27s" target="_blank">Liquid I.V.</a>, with a chorus of singing toilets, told viewers to “take a look at your pee” to check for dehydration.

Polar bears — Coca-Cola’s traditional mascots — shared a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPHI2zNf_ww" target="_blank">Pepsi</a>&nbsp;in an ad that spoofs last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coldplay-kiss-cam-viral-public-event-privacy-e768214f389bc788dcc539a00bf066da">viral kiss cam</a>. Adrien Brody couldn’t stop overacting in a commercial for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp5LJNm3Jkc" target="_blank">TurboTax</a>.

Delivery services tried to outdo each other. George Clooney appeared in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUhomG3Fm5A" target="_blank">Grubhub</a>&nbsp;ad to promote free delivery on orders of $50 or more.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEQ-jR1sMYY" target="_blank">Uber Eats</a>&nbsp;enlisted Matthew McConaughey to convince Bradley Cooper and Parker Posey that football is a conspiracy to make people hungry. And Rapper 50 Cent trolled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-diddy-combs-appeal-6dd10d2a86243e3402d1fdbbb5fabf37">Sean “Diddy” Combs</a>&nbsp;in an ad for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEjd6uFrN90&amp;t=2s" target="_blank">DoorDash</a>.

Artificial intelligence was all over the Super Bowl airwaves.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NerlyGrv7WM" target="_blank">Oakley Meta</a>&nbsp;touted its AI-enabled glasses in two action-packed spots showing Spike Lee, Marshawn Lynch and others using the glasses to film video and answer questions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRo5spaBfbo" target="_blank">Wix</a>&nbsp;debuted an ad for Wix Harmony, which uses AI tools for website design.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkeWRI2yJGM" target="_blank">Svedka Vodka</a>&nbsp;enlisted Silverside AI, an AI studio, to help create its ad, which featured its robot mascot FemBot dancing alongside her male counterpart, BroBot.

Like AI itself, AI ads aren’t without&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grok-elon-musk-deepfake-x-social-media-2bfa06805b323b1d7e5ea7bb01c9da77">controversy</a>. AI developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmnjDLwZckA" target="_blank">Anthropic</a>&nbsp;aired a pair of commercials pointing out that Claude, its chatbot, doesn’t have ads. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took issue with that in a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/openai-anthropic-chatgpt-claude-rivalry-c19e0cca22c37190cc4e0dc08e889ef0">social media post</a>; OpenAI said last month it will start testing ads as a way to keep ChatGPT free.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha92_hfK9Po" target="_blank">Amazon</a>&nbsp;also struck a nerve with an ad starring Chris Hemsworth that pokes fun of people’s fears of AI. The ad is running just days after Amazon&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-layoffs-job-cuts-tech-74387fae2313ff7b0b1e638c00863443">laid off 16,000 corporate workers</a>, some of whom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-jassy-ai-alexa-workforce-7eea6387e97b84f1f239af2538de5ee9">may be replaced</a>&nbsp;with AI.

“I suspect this is meant to be funny, but it might reinforce some people’s very real concerns about AI,” said Tim Calkins, a clinical professor of marketing at Northwestern University.

Super Bowl ads still celebrated snacks. Bowen Yang, Scarlett Johansson and Jon Hamm teamed up to pitch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWDINj9-xX8" target="_blank">Ritz</a>&nbsp;crackers. A retiring potato farmer passed the farm along to his daughter in a heartfelt ad for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC2SPHF9ggo" target="_blank">Lay’s</a>.

But there was also a focus on health. Octavia Spencer and Sofia Vergara urged people to test for kidney disease in an ad for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO6Lq8lLlVU" target="_blank">Boehringer Ingelheim</a>.

Mike Tyson talked about his sister’s death from obesity in an ad urging people to eat real, unprocessed food. The ad was paid for by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICygZXJfMpQ" target="_blank">MAHA Center Inc</a>., a nonprofit led by Tony Lyons, a publisher and key ally of U.S. Health Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/weightloss-drugs-nutrition-frozen-meals-glp1-5bb5dfaae3778b1968c1793326e8ba73">GLP-1 weight loss drugs</a>&nbsp;also crashed the party.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y6zH5bm2eY" target="_blank">Novo Nordisk</a>&nbsp;trumpeted its new Wegovy pills in an ad featuring Kenan Thompson, DJ Khaled, Danielle Brooks, Ana Gasteyer, John C. Reilly and Danny Trejo. Telehealth firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqXOcRtZoow" target="_blank">Ro</a>&nbsp;pitched its GLP-1s in an ad starring Serena Williams.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ7Z5LTJWHM" target="_blank">Hims &amp; Hers</a>, which recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wegovy-hims-fda-novo-nordisk-semaglutide-weight-74eb9395c44acd8bb1e12350cb32c146">scrapped plans</a>&nbsp;to offer its own GLP-1 pill, said it gives everyone access to the kind of personalized health care that the wealthy enjoy.

“There was a remarkable number of health ads on the Super Bowl this year,” Calkins said. Novartis’s ad about prostate cancer and Ro’s ad with Serena Williams were particularly effective, he said.

“Wegovy’s spot promoting its new pill form was clear, but the long list of side-effects limited its impact,” Calkins said.

One way to get Americans feeling better? Evoke warm memories of the past.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbu-hEYPyaA&amp;t=6s" target="_blank">State Farm</a>&nbsp;kicked off the game with an ad featuring the 1986 Bon Jovi hit “Livin’ on a Prayer.” At the end of the ad, Jon Bon Jovi pulled up in a red convertible to offer actress Hailee Steinfeld a ride.

But mostly, the night belonged to the 1990s.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr96AsZGFQc" target="_blank">Dunkin’</a>&nbsp;ran an ad spoofing 1997’s “Good Will Hunting” featuring Ben Affleck, Tom Brady and a host of ‘90s sitcom stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Jason Alexander and Alfonso Ribeiro.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3O4ymaZ41Q&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Pokemon</a>, which debuted in 1996, ran an ad celebrating its 30th anniversary.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_3eB7omJO4" target="_blank">T-Mobile</a>&nbsp;featured the Backstreet Boys singing a version of their 1999 hit “I Want It That Way.” The Backstreet Boys returned in a karaoke-style commercial for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox__f7ZdFyM" target="_blank">Coinbase</a>, which encouraged viewers to sing along to the 1997 hit “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).”

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyE4IZDPdBg&amp;t=7s" target="_blank">Volkswagen</a>&nbsp;went all the way back to 1992 with a commercial set to House of Pain’s “Jump Around.” And&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wpmz5X3yx0" target="_blank">Xfinity</a>&nbsp;reunited Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum in a tongue-in-cheek reimagining of 1993’s “Jurassic Park” that shows Xfinity restoring power to the island so nothing goes awry.

Whitler said nostalgia — in the form of older celebrities, music, or imagery — like a black-and-white&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHuBiLk_A04" target="_blank">Squarespace</a>&nbsp;ad starring Emma Stone — has been getting more common in Super Bowl ads. Her research has shown that 28% of the ads in 2015 had an element of nostalgia; that increased to 54% in 2025, she said.

Advertisers flock to the Super Bowl each year because so many people watch the big game.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-ratings-fox-nielsen-eagles-chiefs-e0c22b0e956e16637870110140933cea">In 2025, a record 127.7 million U.S. viewers watched the game</a>&nbsp;across television and streaming platforms.

Jura Liaukonyte, a professor of marketing in Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business, said companies that normally have to parse out ad dollars across broadcast and streaming platforms pay a premium for Super Bowl spots to reach a unified audience.

This year’s Super Bowl ads cost an average of $8 million per 30-second unit, but a handful of spots sold for $10 million-plus, a record, said Peter Lazarus, who leads advertising and partnerships for NBC Sports. He said he was calling February, with the Super Bowl,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Olympics</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/all-star-game-rosters-kawhi-leonard-55e9f15191216f1b65a8b4172a3f68ba">NBA All-Star Game</a>, “legendary February.”

Super Bowl ads try to overcome tough times with health, caring and laughs

NEW YORK (AP) — The FBI pored over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein’s</a>&nbsp;bank records and emails. It searched his homes. It spent years interviewing his victims and examining his connections to some of the world’s most influential people.

But while investigators collected ample proof that Epstein sexually abused underage girls, they found scant evidence the well-connected financier led a sex trafficking ring serving powerful men, an Associated Press review of internal Justice Department records shows.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/doj-disclosures">Click here to view the</a> Epstein files

Videos and photos seized from Epstein’s homes in New York, Florida and the Virgin Islands didn’t depict victims being abused or implicate anyone else in his crimes, a prosecutor wrote in one 2025 memo.

An examination of Epstein’s financial records, including payments he made to entities linked to influential figures in academia, finance and global diplomacy, found no connection to criminal activity, said another internal memo in 2019.

While one Epstein victim made highly public claims that he “lent her” to his rich friends, agents couldn’t confirm that and found no other victims telling a similar story, the records said.

Summarizing the investigation in an email last July, agents said “four or five” Epstein accusers claimed other men or women had sexually abused them. But, the agents said, there “was not enough evidence to federally charge these individuals, so the cases were referred to local law enforcement.”

The AP and other media organizations are still reviewing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-justice-department-trump-musk-andrew-tisch-d5dfbb26b93c46a4d6ab9ecf4eb3d3b1">millions of pages of documents</a>, many of them previously confidential, that the Justice Department released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and it is possible those records contain evidence overlooked by investigators.

But the documents, which include police reports, FBI interview notes and prosecutor emails, provide the clearest picture to date of the investigation — and why U.S. authorities ultimately decided to close it without additional charges.

The Epstein investigation began in 2005, when the parents of a 14-year-old girl reported she had been molested at the millionaire’s home in Palm Beach, Florida.

Police would identify at least 35 girls with similar stories: Epstein was paying high school age students $200 or $300 to give him sexualized massages.

After the FBI joined the probe, federal prosecutors drafted indictments to charge Epstein and some personal assistants who had arranged the girls’ visits and payments. But instead, then-Miami U.S. attorney Alexander Acosta&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-florida-e2a4431f7319afd037023d9a586aa291">struck a deal</a>&nbsp;letting Epstein plead guilty to state charges of soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. Sentenced to 18 months in jail, Epstein was free by mid-2009.

In 2018, a series of Miami Herald stories about the plea deal prompted New York federal prosecutors to take a fresh look at the accusations.

Epstein was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bb41822a39a147ccb03501acf049b58c">arrested in July 2019</a>. One month later, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b76666895e674991a6782d77b726d085">killed himself</a>&nbsp;in his jail cell.

A year later, prosecutors charged Epstein’s longtime confidant,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/89212f72a6ca436f038e88ffd0250a40">Ghislaine Maxwell</a>, saying she’d recruited several of his victims and sometimes joined the sexual abuse. Convicted in 2021, Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison term.

Prosecutors fail to find evidence backing most sensational claims

Prosecution memos, case summaries and other documents made public in the department’s latest release of Epstein-related records show that FBI agents and federal prosecutors diligently pursued potential coconspirators. Even seemingly outlandish and incomprehensible claims, called in to tip lines, were examined.

Some allegations couldn’t be verified, investigators wrote.

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