First Lieutenant Alma Cooper, who is the current Miss USA, spoke to a large crowd on Thursday at the Military Affairs Council monthly breakfast in Junction City.

First Lieutenant Cooper was crowned Miss USA in August 2024 after winning Miss Michigan earlier that year. She is the first active-duty officer to be crowned Miss USA.

From a young age, Cooper believed that her purpose was to serve.  During her junior year of high school, she received a letter in the mail from West Point, where she later graduated in 2023. 

Her life motto is “Demand Excellence”, and she has.  She is active duty in the army and is pursuing a master's degree from the University of Stanford while being Miss USA. (Cooper is the youngest recipient of the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship which is a full-ride to Stanford).

While in the Flint Hills Region, First Lieutenant Cooper spoke at the Military Affairs Council Breakfast in Junction City, to students at Junction City and Manhattan High School, spent time on Fort Riley, and attended a dinner at Kansas State University.

Her message to these students was, “If you can see me, you can be me”. She told students and community members that does not mean everyone has to go out and try to be Miss USA, but that there is no limitation that you face that you can’t overcome.

By Anthony GorgesJC Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740677287357.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>First Lieutenant Alma Cooper, who is the current Miss USA, spoke to a large crowd on Thursday at the Military Affairs Council monthly breakfast in Junction City.First Lieutenant Cooper was crowned Miss USA in August 2024 after winning Miss Michigan earlier that year. She is the first active-duty officer to be crowned Miss USA.From a young age, Cooper believed that her purpose was to serve. During her junior year of high school, she received a letter in the mail from West Point, where she later graduated in 2023. Her life motto is “Demand Excellence”, and she has. She is active duty in the army and is pursuing a master's degree from the University of Stanford while being Miss USA. (Cooper is the youngest recipient of the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship which is a full-ride to Stanford).While in the Flint Hills Region, First Lieutenant Cooper spoke at the Military Affairs Council Breakfast in Junction City, to students at Junction City and Manhattan High School, spent time on Fort Riley, and attended a dinner at Kansas State University.Her message to these students was, “If you can see me, you can be me”. She told students and community members that does not mean everyone has to go out and try to be Miss USA, but that there is no limitation that you face that you can’t overcome.

Miss USA was the featured speaker at the MAC Breakfast in Junction City

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged scam in Manhattan.

Just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of theft in the 100 block of Sarber Lane, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Dillons reported the store was scammed for cash by an unknown subject. Total loss associated with this report is $16,348.58. &nbsp;

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://ks-rileycountypolice.civicplus.com/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged scam in Manhattan.Just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of theft in the 100 block of Sarber Lane, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Dillons reported the store was scammed for cash by an unknown subject. Total loss associated with this report is $16,348.58. &nbsp;Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://ks-rileycountypolice.civicplus.com/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Local retailer lost $16,000 in alleged scam

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.

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740669232772.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report February 27

KDOT has announced that they are updating the K-18 and I-70 Interchange in Geary County. Several near-fatal crashes have raised concerns about the safety of the current interchange design. Heavy traffic during weekday peak hours and Kansas State University football games further magnifies these safety risks due to congestion.&nbsp;

KDOT said that they studied several options to improve the intersection from I-70 eastbound to K-18 northbound, and a flyover bridge design has been identified as the preferred option. The flyover bridge will span over the existing bridge across I-70. Additional improvements are planned for the southbound to westbound I-70 onramp. The project will also update the north access point of the interchange and add a two-mile auxiliary lane on I-70 (eastbound only). The existing interchange, including the bridge, will remain open both during and after construction

Construction will begin this year with completion scheduled in 2027. The cost of the project is estimated at $31 million.

KDOT releaseKDOT has announced that they are updating the K-18 and I-70 Interchange in Geary County. Several near-fatal crashes have raised concerns about the safety of the current interchange design. Heavy traffic during weekday peak hours and Kansas State University football games further magnifies these safety risks due to congestion.&nbsp;KDOT said that they studied several options to improve the intersection from I-70 eastbound to K-18 northbound, and a flyover bridge design has been identified as the preferred option. The flyover bridge will span over the existing bridge across I-70. Additional improvements are planned for the southbound to westbound I-70 onramp. The project will also update the north access point of the interchange and add a two-mile auxiliary lane on I-70 (eastbound only). The existing interchange, including the bridge, will remain open both during and after constructionConstruction will begin this year with completion scheduled in 2027. The cost of the project is estimated at $31 million.

Improvements are planned for I-70 - K-18 interchange

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> TOPEKA — Thirty-five opponents and three advocates waded into the Kansas House’s debate on legislation striking the principle that tenure awarded at Kansas public universities and colleges carried with it an employment property interest.

The bill drafted by an Emporia State University attorney, who is a defendant in an ongoing ESU labor dispute and recently renounced his tenure, was the subject of a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee attracting state and national attention. A dozen faculty from Fort Hays State University have objected to the legislation, while a half-dozen from University of Kansas and Washburn University shared displeasure. There was criticism from Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University and Baker University.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/10/kansas-house-bill-strives-to-strip-property-interest-from-definition-of-university-college-tenure/">bottom line among opponents</a>&nbsp;was that the bill’s broad language would fracture a fundamental safeguard of academic freedom.

“When faculty members can lose their positions because of their speech, publications or research findings, they cannot properly fulfill their core responsibilities to advance and transmit knowledge,” said Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors in Washington, D.C. “The common good is not served when business, political or other entities can threaten the livelihood of researchers and instructors and thereby suppress the results of their work or modify their judgments.”

House Bill 2348 hasn’t advanced beyond the Feb. 11 hearing at the Kansas Capitol, despite maneuvering by House Republicans to bounce it to another committee before returning it to House judiciary.

Gov. Laura Kelly, who holds a master’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, said she was convinced the tenure bill lacked traction in the Legislature. She predicted it wouldn’t pass the House and Senate in the 2025 session.

“I’d be very surprised if it gets to my desk,” Kelly said in an interview.

ESU attorney Steven Lovett, the university’s general counsel since 2023, developed the tenure bill through some sort of rogue, covert operation leading to its introduction by Rep. Steven Howe, R-Salina. Lovett is a defendant in ESU’s legal battle with former university employees that has been winding through state and federal court. In 2022, ESU fired 30 tenured or tenure-track faculty. A portion of those individuals filed a lawsuit to challenge their ouster.

ESU officials said Lovett worked on the tenure reform legislation as a “private citizen” rather than in his capacity as a top university attorney. The CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, the state’s higher education governing board, said Lovett appeared to have violated policy by directing a bill to the Legislature without consent of the state Board of Regents.

The office of Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/fisc_note_hb2348_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Attorney General Kris Kobach anticipated possible legal challenges</a>&nbsp;if the bill became law, and indicated legal costs could be $250,000.

During the House committee hearing on the bill, Lovett outlined reasons the property interest inherent in tenure had to be repealed for thousands working at six state universities, 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and Washburn University.

His initiative was lauded by Christine Curley, who worked at Wichita State University and Southwestern College in Winfield. In testimony, she said faculty tenure hid administrative incompetence and unethical behavior. Tenure reflected “a systematic failure in leadership and accountability within higher education institutions,” she said.

The other proponent was Selayoa Lovett, who holds a master’s degree from ESU and is spouse of the bill’s designer — ESU’s Steven Lovett.

Selayoa Lovett’s testimony asserted Kansas law made it nearly impossible to dismiss underperforming tenured faculty, including professors at ESU.

“Faculty with a sense of entitlement often exhibit attitudes of superiority, dismissing others as less qualified simply because they lack tenure,” Selayoa Lovett said. “In my current position in the private sector, I frequently go above and beyond my job description to contribute to the success of my company. Why should faculty members not be held to the same standards?”

She said “around 30% of faculty fail to contribute at a meaningful level, relying on tenure as a shield from accountability.”

“The unfortunate reality is that many tenured professors choose to do the bare minimum, working only 20 hours a week and neglecting their students and the need for continuous growth and relevance,” Selayoa Lovett said.

Joseph Cohn, director of policy with the conservative Heterodox Academy, said the 2024 Legislature in Kansas took a positive step toward protecting academic freedom by enacting a law aimed at weakening diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Last year’s House Bill 2105, he said, prohibited public universities from using political litmus tests in faculty hiring and promotion decisions.

“But enactment of HB 2348 would be a tremendous step backward,” Cohn said. “HB 2348 would end tenure at Kansas’ public institutions of higher education both prospectively and retroactively. Ending tenure — especially in legislation that offers no alternative protections for academic freedom — would compromise the health of Kansas’ public colleges and universities because it would leave faculty without key protections that allow for open inquiry to thrive.”

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/11/kansas-university-leaders-condemn-bill-abolishing-property-rights-of-faculty-tenure/">Other opponents of the bill</a>&nbsp;took Cohn’s argument a step further.

Lori Kniffin, an assistant professor up for tenure at Fort Hays State, said academic freedom in the education system and wider freedoms espoused in a democracy were at stake. She earned a doctorate at University of North Carolina at Greensboro after receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Kansas State. She works in the School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology at FHSU.

“I have provided outstanding teaching, research and service through FHSU for the last five years,” Kniffin said. “The tenure process is developmental and rigorous. Tenure is earned, not given.”

Daniel Hoyt, a Kansas State professor and president of the Kansas state chapter of AAUP, said the KSU faculty handbook defined the purpose of awarding tenure as the quest to hire faculty of the highest caliber and to deliver full academic freedom in pursuit of ideas or inquiries without fear of retribution.

“HB 2348 eviscerates the faculty’s freedom to do their work without censorship,” Hoyt said. “We need more support and funding, not political attacks on faculty.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740495916145.jpeg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly said she was skeptical the House and Senate would approve during the 2025 legislative session a bill that retroactively undermined property rights for thousands of tenured faculty at public universities, community colleges and technical colleges across Kansas. Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly said she was skeptical the House and Senate would approve during the 2025 legislative session a bill that retroactively undermined property rights for thousands of tenured faculty at public universities, community colleges and technical colleges across Kansas. Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>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> TOPEKA — Thirty-five opponents and three advocates waded into the Kansas House’s debate on legislation striking the principle that tenure awarded at Kansas public universities and colleges carried with it an employment property interest.The bill drafted by an Emporia State University attorney, who is a defendant in an ongoing ESU labor dispute and recently renounced his tenure, was the subject of a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee attracting state and national attention. A dozen faculty from Fort Hays State University have objected to the legislation, while a half-dozen from University of Kansas and Washburn University shared displeasure. There was criticism from Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University and Baker University.The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/10/kansas-house-bill-strives-to-strip-property-interest-from-definition-of-university-college-tenure/">bottom line among opponents</a>&nbsp;was that the bill’s broad language would fracture a fundamental safeguard of academic freedom.“When faculty members can lose their positions because of their speech, publications or research findings, they cannot properly fulfill their core responsibilities to advance and transmit knowledge,” said Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors in Washington, D.C. “The common good is not served when business, political or other entities can threaten the livelihood of researchers and instructors and thereby suppress the results of their work or modify their judgments.”House Bill 2348 hasn’t advanced beyond the Feb. 11 hearing at the Kansas Capitol, despite maneuvering by House Republicans to bounce it to another committee before returning it to House judiciary.Gov. Laura Kelly, who holds a master’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, said she was convinced the tenure bill lacked traction in the Legislature. She predicted it wouldn’t pass the House and Senate in the 2025 session.“I’d be very surprised if it gets to my desk,” Kelly said in an interview.<h2>Team Lovett</h2>ESU attorney Steven Lovett, the university’s general counsel since 2023, developed the tenure bill through some sort of rogue, covert operation leading to its introduction by Rep. Steven Howe, R-Salina. Lovett is a defendant in ESU’s legal battle with former university employees that has been winding through state and federal court. In 2022, ESU fired 30 tenured or tenure-track faculty. A portion of those individuals filed a lawsuit to challenge their ouster.ESU officials said Lovett worked on the tenure reform legislation as a “private citizen” rather than in his capacity as a top university attorney. The CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, the state’s higher education governing board, said Lovett appeared to have violated policy by directing a bill to the Legislature without consent of the state Board of Regents.The office of Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/fisc_note_hb2348_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Attorney General Kris Kobach anticipated possible legal challenges</a>&nbsp;if the bill became law, and indicated legal costs could be $250,000.During the House committee hearing on the bill, Lovett outlined reasons the property interest inherent in tenure had to be repealed for thousands working at six state universities, 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and Washburn University.His initiative was lauded by Christine Curley, who worked at Wichita State University and Southwestern College in Winfield. In testimony, she said faculty tenure hid administrative incompetence and unethical behavior. Tenure reflected “a systematic failure in leadership and accountability within higher education institutions,” she said.The other proponent was Selayoa Lovett, who holds a master’s degree from ESU and is spouse of the bill’s designer — ESU’s Steven Lovett.Selayoa Lovett’s testimony asserted Kansas law made it nearly impossible to dismiss underperforming tenured faculty, including professors at ESU.“Faculty with a sense of entitlement often exhibit attitudes of superiority, dismissing others as less qualified simply because they lack tenure,” Selayoa Lovett said. “In my current position in the private sector, I frequently go above and beyond my job description to contribute to the success of my company. Why should faculty members not be held to the same standards?”She said “around 30% of faculty fail to contribute at a meaningful level, relying on tenure as a shield from accountability.”“The unfortunate reality is that many tenured professors choose to do the bare minimum, working only 20 hours a week and neglecting their students and the need for continuous growth and relevance,” Selayoa Lovett said.<h2>Step backward</h2>Joseph Cohn, director of policy with the conservative Heterodox Academy, said the 2024 Legislature in Kansas took a positive step toward protecting academic freedom by enacting a law aimed at weakening diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Last year’s House Bill 2105, he said, prohibited public universities from using political litmus tests in faculty hiring and promotion decisions.“But enactment of HB 2348 would be a tremendous step backward,” Cohn said. “HB 2348 would end tenure at Kansas’ public institutions of higher education both prospectively and retroactively. Ending tenure — especially in legislation that offers no alternative protections for academic freedom — would compromise the health of Kansas’ public colleges and universities because it would leave faculty without key protections that allow for open inquiry to thrive.”<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/11/kansas-university-leaders-condemn-bill-abolishing-property-rights-of-faculty-tenure/">Other opponents of the bill</a>&nbsp;took Cohn’s argument a step further.Lori Kniffin, an assistant professor up for tenure at Fort Hays State, said academic freedom in the education system and wider freedoms espoused in a democracy were at stake. She earned a doctorate at University of North Carolina at Greensboro after receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Kansas State. She works in the School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology at FHSU.“I have provided outstanding teaching, research and service through FHSU for the last five years,” Kniffin said. “The tenure process is developmental and rigorous. Tenure is earned, not given.”Daniel Hoyt, a Kansas State professor and president of the Kansas state chapter of AAUP, said the KSU faculty handbook defined the purpose of awarding tenure as the quest to hire faculty of the highest caliber and to deliver full academic freedom in pursuit of ideas or inquiries without fear of retribution.“HB 2348 eviscerates the faculty’s freedom to do their work without censorship,” Hoyt said. “We need more support and funding, not political attacks on faculty.”

Gov. Kelly skeptical Kansas House’s anti-tenure legislation will reach her desk

This legislative session, Kansas legislators are considering whether to restrict what low-income households can buy with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Specifically, Senate Bill 79 requests authorization from the federal government to prohibit the use of those funds to buy candy and soda.

Even if the bill passes, the federal government will still have the final say on granting a waiver. However, this issue represents a broader debate in U.S. politics about the proper purpose and scope of government involvement in our day-to-day lives.

In other words, is this something that the Kansas Legislature should do, or is the government meddling too much in people's private decisions?

Proponents of these restrictions contend that excluding sugar-filled beverages and snacks aligns with the SNAP program's initial objective of assisting low-income families in purchasing nutritious food. They argue that limiting unhealthy purchases would help ensure those taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

They also suggest that these restrictions could even lead to lower healthcare costs down the line.

In contrast, critics argue that this kind of policy unfairly targets low-income people. Restricting their purchases implies they can’t or shouldn’t make their own food choices. SNAP recipients already face the stigma of using government assistance. Under these rules, they might face even more frustration when they face growing restrictions on what they can and cannot buy.

Furthermore, there isn’t universal consensus on what counts as “unhealthy.” Many processed foods have sugar in them, but they’re also a staple for families who don’t have easy access to fresh produce.

Enforcing these rules would also be complicated and not just for government agencies. Stores would have to keep track of which products are allowed, and benefit recipients would need to be informed of this change, which could cause confusion at the checkout.

The question is whether the potential health benefits are worth the extra hassle.

This is not the first time a state has tried to restrict SNAP purchases. However, past efforts to impose SNAP purchasing limits have been stopped by strong lobbying efforts from the beverage

and food retail sectors, bureaucratic resistance within the USDA and congressional agricultural committees, and hesitance from those who prioritize the program’s role in supporting low-income households without added burden or stigma.

It is also important to note that research on whether these types of disincentives actually change purchase and consumption behavior show mixed results.

However, there’s a growing push for policies that limit government aid and what people can do with it. In fact, some wonder if policies like this will see new life under Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s call to “Make America Healthy Again.”

Kansas lawmakers face a choice. While encouraging healthier eating and making better use of public funds sounds good in theory, the practical and ethical issues can’t be ignored. In the end, Kansas must ask: Will restricting SNAP purchases help, or is it just more government interference?

Brianne Heidbreder, PhD is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kansas State University.

By Brianne HeidbrederThis legislative session, Kansas legislators are considering whether to restrict what low-income households can buy with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Specifically, Senate Bill 79 requests authorization from the federal government to prohibit the use of those funds to buy candy and soda.Even if the bill passes, the federal government will still have the final say on granting a waiver. However, this issue represents a broader debate in U.S. politics about the proper purpose and scope of government involvement in our day-to-day lives.In other words, is this something that the Kansas Legislature should do, or is the government meddling too much in people's private decisions?Proponents of these restrictions contend that excluding sugar-filled beverages and snacks aligns with the SNAP program's initial objective of assisting low-income families in purchasing nutritious food. They argue that limiting unhealthy purchases would help ensure those taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.They also suggest that these restrictions could even lead to lower healthcare costs down the line.In contrast, critics argue that this kind of policy unfairly targets low-income people. Restricting their purchases implies they can’t or shouldn’t make their own food choices. SNAP recipients already face the stigma of using government assistance. Under these rules, they might face even more frustration when they face growing restrictions on what they can and cannot buy.Furthermore, there isn’t universal consensus on what counts as “unhealthy.” Many processed foods have sugar in them, but they’re also a staple for families who don’t have easy access to fresh produce.Enforcing these rules would also be complicated and not just for government agencies. Stores would have to keep track of which products are allowed, and benefit recipients would need to be informed of this change, which could cause confusion at the checkout.The question is whether the potential health benefits are worth the extra hassle.This is not the first time a state has tried to restrict SNAP purchases. However, past efforts to impose SNAP purchasing limits have been stopped by strong lobbying efforts from the beverageand food retail sectors, bureaucratic resistance within the USDA and congressional agricultural committees, and hesitance from those who prioritize the program’s role in supporting low-income households without added burden or stigma.It is also important to note that research on whether these types of disincentives actually change purchase and consumption behavior show mixed results.However, there’s a growing push for policies that limit government aid and what people can do with it. In fact, some wonder if policies like this will see new life under Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s call to “Make America Healthy Again.”Kansas lawmakers face a choice. While encouraging healthier eating and making better use of public funds sounds good in theory, the practical and ethical issues can’t be ignored. In the end, Kansas must ask: Will restricting SNAP purchases help, or is it just more government interference?Brianne Heidbreder, PhD is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kansas State University.

Should Kansas Restrict SNAP Purchases of Soda and Candy?

&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers interested in Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace to take advantage of March’s Virtual Job Fair, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5.

“Kansans are builders and doers, and nothing demonstrates this more than our strong and robust manufacturing industry across the state,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Kansas’ outstanding manufacturing and aerospace employers are looking for skilled talent to join their ranks across every region of our state — don’t miss this opportunity to connect and explore the high-growth professions here in Kansas.”

The virtual job fair allows for anyone searching for a new position to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.

The Virtual Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581613096219.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers interested in Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace to take advantage of March’s Virtual Job Fair, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5.“Kansans are builders and doers, and nothing demonstrates this more than our strong and robust manufacturing industry across the state,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Kansas’ outstanding manufacturing and aerospace employers are looking for skilled talent to join their ranks across every region of our state — don’t miss this opportunity to connect and explore the high-growth professions here in Kansas.”The virtual job fair allows for anyone searching for a new position to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.The Virtual Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

KANSASWORKS Hosts Manufacturing and Aerospace Job Fair March 1 

Today, the Social Security Administration announced it is immediately beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a "non-covered pension") because they did not pay Social Security taxes. The Social Security Fairness Act ends WEP and GPO.

“Social Security’s aggressive schedule to start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April supports President Trump’s priority to implement the Social Security Fairness Act as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “The agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more now will only apply to complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The American people deserve to get their due benefits as quickly as possible.”

People who will benefit from the new law include some teachers, firefighters, and police officers in many states; federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System; and people whose work had been covered by a foreign social security system.

Many beneficiaries will be due a retroactive payment because the WEP and GPO offset no longer apply as of January 2024. Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, which will be deposited into their bank account on record with Social Security.

Many of these people will also receive higher monthly benefits, which will first be reflected in the benefit payment they receive in April. Depending on factors such as the type of Social Security benefit received and the amount of the person's pension, the change in payment amount will vary from person to person.

Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. Most people will receive their retroactive payment two to three weeks before they receive their notice in the mail, because the President understands how important it is to pay people what they are due right away. Social Security is expediting payments using automation and will continue to handle many complex cases that must be done manually, on an individual case-by-case basis. Those complex cases will take additional time to update the beneficiary record and pay the correct benefits.

Social Security urges beneficiaries to wait until April to ask about the status of their retroactive payment, since these payments will process incrementally into March. Since the new monthly payment amount will begin with the April payment, beneficiaries should wait until after receiving their April payment, before contacting Social Security with questions about their monthly benefit amount.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634133091707.png" alt="Social Security" />
 <figcaption>Social Security</figcaption>
 </figure>SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATIONToday, the Social Security Administration announced it is immediately beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a "non-covered pension") because they did not pay Social Security taxes. The Social Security Fairness Act ends WEP and GPO.“Social Security’s aggressive schedule to start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April supports President Trump’s priority to implement the Social Security Fairness Act as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “The agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more now will only apply to complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The American people deserve to get their due benefits as quickly as possible.”People who will benefit from the new law include some teachers, firefighters, and police officers in many states; federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System; and people whose work had been covered by a foreign social security system.Many beneficiaries will be due a retroactive payment because the WEP and GPO offset no longer apply as of January 2024. Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, which will be deposited into their bank account on record with Social Security.Many of these people will also receive higher monthly benefits, which will first be reflected in the benefit payment they receive in April. Depending on factors such as the type of Social Security benefit received and the amount of the person's pension, the change in payment amount will vary from person to person.Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. Most people will receive their retroactive payment two to three weeks before they receive their notice in the mail, because the President understands how important it is to pay people what they are due right away. Social Security is expediting payments using automation and will continue to handle many complex cases that must be done manually, on an individual case-by-case basis. Those complex cases will take additional time to update the beneficiary record and pay the correct benefits.Social Security urges beneficiaries to wait until April to ask about the status of their retroactive payment, since these payments will process incrementally into March. Since the new monthly payment amount will begin with the April payment, beneficiaries should wait until after receiving their April payment, before contacting Social Security with questions about their monthly benefit amount.

Social Security announces expedited retroactive payments and higher monthly benefits

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just before 5:30a.m. February 7, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office received a report of a burglary in progress at Brooks Yamaha, in the 8000 block of East Highway 24,  Manhattan, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, according to a media release.

 Deputies arrived on scene and were able to determine that several subjects in a U-Haul truck had gained entry to the building and stolen multiple motorcycles before fleeing the area a few minutes later.

      The U-Haul truck was located in Wabaunsee County later that morning and following a pursuit by the Wabaunsee County Sheriff's Office, the U-Haul was abandoned and the driver fled on foot. 

Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s responded to the scene and it was determined that the U-Haul had been stolen out of Kansas City. 

The stolen U-Haul and stolen motorcycles were recovered and later returned to their respective owners. Several hours later the driver was apprehended at a private residence in Shawnee County. 

 The driver was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol and transported to the Wabaunsee County Jail on local charges. Pottawatomie County Sheriff Office Detectives responded to the Wabaunsee County Jail and interviewed the driver, identified as Omar Ocampo Jr., 23, of Kansas City, Missouri, and were able to determine probable cause for an arrest to be made. 

     On February 14, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s picked up Ocampo from the Wabaunsee County Jail and transported him to the Pottawatomie County Jail on charges of Burglary, theft and criminal damage to property. 

Ocampo is being held on a bond of $100,000. 

Anyone with information on our case is asked to contact Sgt. Young or Detective Butler at the Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353 reference case number 2025-0748, or leave a tip on our Crime-Stoppers link at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ptsheriff.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1zvgWpDvPacP1dlQCbuek075gLZaYqWsXu3JS5EUQcIYpYCSLk20Ev3YI_aem_mPbekqwOYHHHbi0tJLKXhA&amp;h=AT3QfEfpM5o0_vr-8leyJezK-Urc8lB1pKs7kybVlgxN3aU4pLcIorJcfBSt-KJz2uQ_1LwEp8HJfiZ4_wN1aARKU2-oVU4yZPjjqxRd4tiBDNSgQdq96rXo-IN3Rnv9U9qIRcc&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT18Nu4XtL53d-6sImMUFnzjnYCuy6JGDASY-zaGAK37I8t3Kfasg2-5GeGrr9qUYd4Q3Xw3FscC1CmtGonTGs6IAVu5YgfNmkFTPObSRK3cLrhr8qzSAbscrCxVqbmclaKUL5crxPkSLraarlmhzje9ncu2s7btoHt_tkbgaOhjxnen_WjvalVuvleoDYWm6GE9vIXG6s9xDt9VNvmucJKQu70" target="_blank">www.ptsheriff.com.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740576851093.png" alt="Ocampo photo Pottawatomie Co." />
 <figcaption>Ocampo photo Pottawatomie Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.Just before 5:30a.m. February 7, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office received a report of a burglary in progress at Brooks Yamaha, in the 8000 block of East Highway 24, Manhattan, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740582077468.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure> Deputies arrived on scene and were able to determine that several subjects in a U-Haul truck had gained entry to the building and stolen multiple motorcycles before fleeing the area a few minutes later. The U-Haul truck was located in Wabaunsee County later that morning and following a pursuit by the Wabaunsee County Sheriff's Office, the U-Haul was abandoned and the driver fled on foot. Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s responded to the scene and it was determined that the U-Haul had been stolen out of Kansas City. The stolen U-Haul and stolen motorcycles were recovered and later returned to their respective owners. Several hours later the driver was apprehended at a private residence in Shawnee County. The driver was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol and transported to the Wabaunsee County Jail on local charges. Pottawatomie County Sheriff Office Detectives responded to the Wabaunsee County Jail and interviewed the driver, identified as Omar Ocampo Jr., 23, of Kansas City, Missouri, and were able to determine probable cause for an arrest to be made. On February 14, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s picked up Ocampo from the Wabaunsee County Jail and transported him to the Pottawatomie County Jail on charges of Burglary, theft and criminal damage to property. Ocampo is being held on a bond of $100,000. Anyone with information on our case is asked to contact Sgt. Young or Detective Butler at the Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353 reference case number 2025-0748, or leave a tip on our Crime-Stoppers link at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ptsheriff.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1zvgWpDvPacP1dlQCbuek075gLZaYqWsXu3JS5EUQcIYpYCSLk20Ev3YI_aem_mPbekqwOYHHHbi0tJLKXhA&amp;h=AT3QfEfpM5o0_vr-8leyJezK-Urc8lB1pKs7kybVlgxN3aU4pLcIorJcfBSt-KJz2uQ_1LwEp8HJfiZ4_wN1aARKU2-oVU4yZPjjqxRd4tiBDNSgQdq96rXo-IN3Rnv9U9qIRcc&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT18Nu4XtL53d-6sImMUFnzjnYCuy6JGDASY-zaGAK37I8t3Kfasg2-5GeGrr9qUYd4Q3Xw3FscC1CmtGonTGs6IAVu5YgfNmkFTPObSRK3cLrhr8qzSAbscrCxVqbmclaKUL5crxPkSLraarlmhzje9ncu2s7btoHt_tkbgaOhjxnen_WjvalVuvleoDYWm6GE9vIXG6s9xDt9VNvmucJKQu70" target="_blank">www.ptsheriff.com.</a>

 Burglary suspect who ran from stolen U-Haul remains jailed on $100K bond

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740582912020.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report February 26

The City of Manhattan is preparing a Historic Preservation Plan. During the planning process, staff will identify buildings, places, and cultural assets worthy of preservation and protection. They also will determine historic preservation’s role in development within the City and determine actionable goals and initiatives to guide future preservation decisions in Manhattan.

The City said if you have questions or want to learn more about the Historic Preservation Plan they want to hear from you. They have two upcoming public engagement opportunities on Wednesday, February 26 in the City Commission Room at City Hall — a morning session at 8:30 a.m. and an afternoon session at 4 p.m. Or you can email us with your comments at communitydevelopment@cityofmhk.com or check out the Historic Preservation Plan’s project page at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fengagemksk.mysocialpinpoint.com%2Fmanhattan-kansas-historic-preservation-plan%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1ftqimRablpReLM2GTRVtKmsnJiAYIbcSln8TRubEIdYfYXoTGDp4-2Oo_aem_C6Fm6i13yBlzshLQmhFLvw&amp;h=AT0WI7ipCPKclompZ_bNiB7dE6OwKMpIXNFR1Y5p7qw_TAMTM-tFf13UcnDpJJpI6f4-l0NwkH4UsSDqvUGO0D--c0BmYnansjLTJxqZe7I19Vz_q5PZz7NVXV0haX_J_anat0Vefata8pL-lYRp&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2t7QR93sbmokKtsDsVVkv5VvjOXBUcYnh4RsvkclMq3cLzcORmHQ_oipa5k6x3zwomYUFEtcPLfjZqpWxLslfc3GNVFe5BSTiiOvMJIRMRMHDIzC0EL8j7Z1S3QMOtiNZMthkQ-YxL-XGtg-_cf9DUTWmTgb3mXJFfRQs6HjcoLlioLk9LeL22YJJyjb2c1bgw6cVT8eKjxgzkK5xtWKrxbKQ" target="_blank">https://engagemksk.mysocialpinpoint.com/manhattan-kansas...</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The City of Manhattan is preparing a Historic Preservation Plan. During the planning process, staff will identify buildings, places, and cultural assets worthy of preservation and protection. They also will determine historic preservation’s role in development within the City and determine actionable goals and initiatives to guide future preservation decisions in Manhattan.The City said if you have questions or want to learn more about the Historic Preservation Plan they want to hear from you. They have two upcoming public engagement opportunities on Wednesday, February 26 in the City Commission Room at City Hall — a morning session at 8:30 a.m. and an afternoon session at 4 p.m. Or you can email us with your comments at communitydevelopment@cityofmhk.com or check out the Historic Preservation Plan’s project page at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fengagemksk.mysocialpinpoint.com%2Fmanhattan-kansas-historic-preservation-plan%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1ftqimRablpReLM2GTRVtKmsnJiAYIbcSln8TRubEIdYfYXoTGDp4-2Oo_aem_C6Fm6i13yBlzshLQmhFLvw&amp;h=AT0WI7ipCPKclompZ_bNiB7dE6OwKMpIXNFR1Y5p7qw_TAMTM-tFf13UcnDpJJpI6f4-l0NwkH4UsSDqvUGO0D--c0BmYnansjLTJxqZe7I19Vz_q5PZz7NVXV0haX_J_anat0Vefata8pL-lYRp&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2t7QR93sbmokKtsDsVVkv5VvjOXBUcYnh4RsvkclMq3cLzcORmHQ_oipa5k6x3zwomYUFEtcPLfjZqpWxLslfc3GNVFe5BSTiiOvMJIRMRMHDIzC0EL8j7Z1S3QMOtiNZMthkQ-YxL-XGtg-_cf9DUTWmTgb3mXJFfRQs6HjcoLlioLk9LeL22YJJyjb2c1bgw6cVT8eKjxgzkK5xtWKrxbKQ" target="_blank">https://engagemksk.mysocialpinpoint.com/manhattan-kansas...</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

City will develop a Historic Preservation Plan

Riley and Geary County emergency management officials have issued a no burning requirement for Wednesday due to weather conditions.

Riley and Geary County emergency management officials have issued a no burning requirement for Wednesday due to weather conditions.

Burn bans issued in Riley and Geary counties

MORRIS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30a.m. Tuesday in Morris County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by Robert Leroy Dauer, 74, Marquette, was eastbound on U.S. 56 approximately six miles east of Herington.

The vehicle crossed the center lane into the westbound lane. The driver was&nbsp;unable to gain control of the semi and rolled and came to rest on its side across both eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. 56.

EMS transported Dauer to the Marion County Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

MORRIS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30a.m. Tuesday in Morris County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by Robert Leroy Dauer, 74, Marquette, was eastbound on U.S. 56 approximately six miles east of Herington.The vehicle crossed the center lane into the westbound lane. The driver was&nbsp;unable to gain control of the semi and rolled and came to rest on its side across both eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. 56.EMS transported Dauer to the Marion County Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after semi rolls

<a>On Monday, March 3, the final phase, Phase Three, of the I-70 pavement replacement project at Junction City is scheduled to begin.</a>

<a></a><a>KDOT said during the initial work, pavement grinding on westbound I-70 from mile markers 301 to 299, traffic will be reduced to one lane at the location of work.</a>

As work progresses, about March 17, median crossovers will carry all traffic at a reduced speed to the westbound lanes while deteriorated pavement is replaced in the eastbound lanes from mile markers 296 to 301.

<a>On Monday, March 3, the final phase, Phase Three, of the I-70 pavement replacement project at Junction City is scheduled to begin.</a><a></a><a>KDOT said during the initial work, pavement grinding on westbound I-70 from mile markers 301 to 299, traffic will be reduced to one lane at the location of work.</a>As work progresses, about March 17, median crossovers will carry all traffic at a reduced speed to the westbound lanes while deteriorated pavement is replaced in the eastbound lanes from mile markers 296 to 301.

I-70 pavement replacement resumes at Junction City

Geary County reminds us that less than two weeks away - Sunday, March 9, 2025, we "spring ahead" an hour to signal the start of Daylight Savings Time. 

This is a good opportunity to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors too.  Maybe change out your car's emergency gear from winter to spring as well.

Geary County reminds us that less than two weeks away - Sunday, March 9, 2025, we "spring ahead" an hour to signal the start of Daylight Savings Time. This is a good opportunity to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors too. Maybe change out your car's emergency gear from winter to spring as well.

Daylight Savings Time begins March 9

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/sam-zeff">SAM ZEFF</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-02-24/if-trumps-layoffs-hit-the-kansas-city-fbi-office-job-cuts-are-only-going-to-make-us-less-safe">KCUR</a>

President Trump’s pick for FBI Director, Kash Patel, has been confirmed — prompting fears of possible layoffs in the bureau. Some local officials worry that a diminished FBI presence in Kansas and Missouri could harm local law enforcement.

The FBI Kansas City Field Office has more than a hundred agents (the actual number is classified) but chances are you’ve never seen one. Unlike the police, they aren’t driving around in marked vehicles with lights on top. But they are there working on cases and assisting local police.

“We depend on them, and they depend on us to make America safe. There is no question of that,” Johnson County Sheriff Byron Roberson said.

As sweeping layoffs are announced at federal agencies under the new Trump administration, former FBI agents and top law enforcement officials worry about what will happen to the 56 field offices around the country, including Kansas City’s.

The Bureau has already&nbsp;<a href="https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/01/30/politics/senior-fbi-leaders-demoted-wray" target="_blank">fired or forced six top officials to retire</a>. The administration has also gone on a binge firing federal probationary employees — something that would have a huge impact on the FBI. The F.B.I. Agents Association says 10% of the workforce is still in their probationary period.

Department of Justice leadership also demanded a list of all employeeswho participated in January 6th investigations, prompting fear that those FBI employees would be targeted for firing. That would certainly include veteran agents assigned to Kansas City.

“My concern is, if we lose the institutional knowledge that those individuals have in their jobs through this process of eliminating federal employees, it's only going to make us less safe,” said former Kansas U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

The FBI Kansas City Field Office has investigators spread across Kansas and western Missouri in eight offices called resident agencies. These small offices — often just two agents — work especially closely with local law enforcement.

Grissom was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Barack Obama and served from 2010 to 2016. He is now in private practice. He says even losing a few agents could be a big problem. An agent may be working 15 to 20 cases at a time. Many of those investigations involve intense coordination between FBI agents and local law enforcement.

“(Local agencies) are the eyes and ears on the ground,” Grissom told KCUR.

That includes counterterrorism, even in Kansas and Missouri.

“The counterterrorism problem is not just a national problem, but it's also a local problem,” said retired FBI agent Greg Vecchi, who now runs a security consulting firm in Olathe.

The local field office runs several task forces that include local and state law enforcement. The most important, Vecchi said, is the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“The FBI has got to be able to have relationships with the various jurisdictions when and where the actual attacks are planned,” he said.

That was the case in 2018 when resident agents in Garden City, Kansas, worked with police and sheriff’s deputies to stop a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/595163065/mosque-bombing-plot-rattles-immigrants-in-kansas-meat-triangle" target="_blank">plot to bomb a mosque and apartment complex</a>&nbsp;to kill Somali immigrants.

“During my time as the U.S. attorney, we had two acts, I should say, potential acts of terrorism that the FBI was intimately involved in,” Grissom said. One stopped a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/31/436414417/wichita-man-sentenced-to-20-years-in-airport-bomb-plot" target="_blank">suicide car bombing at the Wichita airport&nbsp;</a>in December 2013 the other stopped another suicide car bombing in 2015&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/09/23/763544037/kansas-soldier-charged-with-teaching-bomb-making-to-far-right-extremists" target="_blank">targeting Fort Riley</a>, home to the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

In addition, the Kansas City office runs the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Safe Streets Task Force, which targets gangs and drug cartels.

The office also provides training to local police and sheriff’s departments. Vecchi said when he ran the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in Quantico, Virginia, his agents would often train local police on interrogation.

“That is a huge benefit to law enforcement,” he said. The office also offers training to local SWAT teams.

All of that, plus access to the FBI’s Washington lab and the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory in Kansas City all comes at no additional cost to local governments or police departments.

Vecchi believes if local field agents are fired, those working in administration will be reassigned to the street. But if the cuts go deeper, that’s a huge problem. If there are mass layoffs or firings, Vecchi said, “It's going to absolutely cripple” training and investigating counterterrorism.

Roberson, who was police chief in Prairie Village before being elected sheriff, said any cuts at the Kansas City Field Office will damage local law enforcement.

“There is great leadership that could be lost in that organization that you can't just go out and reinvent and just pick that up off the street,” Roberson said.

Patel is also now in line to take over another agency in jeopardy — the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-director-kash-patel-atf-justice-department-e57250b2ac883af1c2fa7b4bf46ad876" target="_blank">according to the Associated Press</a>.

Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison from Springfield has filed a bill to abolish the agency. On social media, Burlison has said the ATF "consistently violates Second Amendment rights" and claims its functions are duplicative.

“The state of Missouri has all of the agencies that we need to regulate everything that the ATF does,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missourinet.com/2024/12/13/missouri-congressman-burlison-wants-to-get-rid-of-atf-calls-social-security-a-forced-pension/" target="_blank">he told MissouriNet in December</a>.

Rep. Mark Alford, who represents much of suburban Kansas City and mid-Missouri, has joined as a co-sponsor.

"Proud to be a cosponsor of Rep. Eric Burlison's bill, H.R. 221 — ABOLISH THE ATF!" he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile/100089595940547/search/?q=abolish%20atf" target="_blank">wrote on Facebook</a>.

The ATF investigates gun crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-08/a-missouri-county-wont-work-with-the-atf-claiming-the-federal-agency-is-unconstitutional" target="_blank">regulates federal firearms dealers</a>. It also looks into arsons, including an arson at the Waldo Heights apartments on 81st Street and Holmes in 2021 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article260238435.html" target="_blank">one at Stonegate Meadows apartments</a>&nbsp;in 2022 that injured 15 people, including nine children.

“The idea that you would just do away with that agency for political partisanship reasons only I think is incredibly shortsighted by the congressmen,” Grissom told KCUR. “I'm really surprised that Congressman Alford would take that position.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740494555747.png" alt="The Kansas City FBI office in Kansas City north has 300 employees and covers all of Kansas and western Missouri. Photo by Sam Zeff/KCUR" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas City FBI office in Kansas City north has 300 employees and covers all of Kansas and western Missouri. Photo by Sam Zeff/KCUR</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/sam-zeff">SAM ZEFF</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-02-24/if-trumps-layoffs-hit-the-kansas-city-fbi-office-job-cuts-are-only-going-to-make-us-less-safe">KCUR</a><h2>President Trump’s pick for FBI Director, Kash Patel, has been confirmed — prompting fears of possible layoffs in the bureau. Some local officials worry that a diminished FBI presence in Kansas and Missouri could harm local law enforcement.</h2>The FBI Kansas City Field Office has more than a hundred agents (the actual number is classified) but chances are you’ve never seen one. Unlike the police, they aren’t driving around in marked vehicles with lights on top. But they are there working on cases and assisting local police.“We depend on them, and they depend on us to make America safe. There is no question of that,” Johnson County Sheriff Byron Roberson said.As sweeping layoffs are announced at federal agencies under the new Trump administration, former FBI agents and top law enforcement officials worry about what will happen to the 56 field offices around the country, including Kansas City’s.The Bureau has already&nbsp;<a href="https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/01/30/politics/senior-fbi-leaders-demoted-wray" target="_blank">fired or forced six top officials to retire</a>. The administration has also gone on a binge firing federal probationary employees — something that would have a huge impact on the FBI. The F.B.I. Agents Association says 10% of the workforce is still in their probationary period.Department of Justice leadership also demanded a list of all employeeswho participated in January 6th investigations, prompting fear that those FBI employees would be targeted for firing. That would certainly include veteran agents assigned to Kansas City.“My concern is, if we lose the institutional knowledge that those individuals have in their jobs through this process of eliminating federal employees, it's only going to make us less safe,” said former Kansas U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.<h2>Why have FBI field offices?</h2>The FBI Kansas City Field Office has investigators spread across Kansas and western Missouri in eight offices called resident agencies. These small offices — often just two agents — work especially closely with local law enforcement.Grissom was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Barack Obama and served from 2010 to 2016. He is now in private practice. He says even losing a few agents could be a big problem. An agent may be working 15 to 20 cases at a time. Many of those investigations involve intense coordination between FBI agents and local law enforcement.“(Local agencies) are the eyes and ears on the ground,” Grissom told KCUR.That includes counterterrorism, even in Kansas and Missouri.“The counterterrorism problem is not just a national problem, but it's also a local problem,” said retired FBI agent Greg Vecchi, who now runs a security consulting firm in Olathe.The local field office runs several task forces that include local and state law enforcement. The most important, Vecchi said, is the Joint Terrorism Task Force.“The FBI has got to be able to have relationships with the various jurisdictions when and where the actual attacks are planned,” he said.That was the case in 2018 when resident agents in Garden City, Kansas, worked with police and sheriff’s deputies to stop a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/595163065/mosque-bombing-plot-rattles-immigrants-in-kansas-meat-triangle" target="_blank">plot to bomb a mosque and apartment complex</a>&nbsp;to kill Somali immigrants.“During my time as the U.S. attorney, we had two acts, I should say, potential acts of terrorism that the FBI was intimately involved in,” Grissom said. One stopped a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/31/436414417/wichita-man-sentenced-to-20-years-in-airport-bomb-plot" target="_blank">suicide car bombing at the Wichita airport&nbsp;</a>in December 2013 the other stopped another suicide car bombing in 2015&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/09/23/763544037/kansas-soldier-charged-with-teaching-bomb-making-to-far-right-extremists" target="_blank">targeting Fort Riley</a>, home to the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.In addition, the Kansas City office runs the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Safe Streets Task Force, which targets gangs and drug cartels.The office also provides training to local police and sheriff’s departments. Vecchi said when he ran the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in Quantico, Virginia, his agents would often train local police on interrogation.“That is a huge benefit to law enforcement,” he said. The office also offers training to local SWAT teams.All of that, plus access to the FBI’s Washington lab and the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory in Kansas City all comes at no additional cost to local governments or police departments.Vecchi believes if local field agents are fired, those working in administration will be reassigned to the street. But if the cuts go deeper, that’s a huge problem. If there are mass layoffs or firings, Vecchi said, “It's going to absolutely cripple” training and investigating counterterrorism.Roberson, who was police chief in Prairie Village before being elected sheriff, said any cuts at the Kansas City Field Office will damage local law enforcement.“There is great leadership that could be lost in that organization that you can't just go out and reinvent and just pick that up off the street,” Roberson said.<h2>The ATF also at risk</h2>Patel is also now in line to take over another agency in jeopardy — the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-director-kash-patel-atf-justice-department-e57250b2ac883af1c2fa7b4bf46ad876" target="_blank">according to the Associated Press</a>.Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison from Springfield has filed a bill to abolish the agency. On social media, Burlison has said the ATF "consistently violates Second Amendment rights" and claims its functions are duplicative.“The state of Missouri has all of the agencies that we need to regulate everything that the ATF does,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missourinet.com/2024/12/13/missouri-congressman-burlison-wants-to-get-rid-of-atf-calls-social-security-a-forced-pension/" target="_blank">he told MissouriNet in December</a>.Rep. Mark Alford, who represents much of suburban Kansas City and mid-Missouri, has joined as a co-sponsor."Proud to be a cosponsor of Rep. Eric Burlison's bill, H.R. 221 — ABOLISH THE ATF!" he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile/100089595940547/search/?q=abolish%20atf" target="_blank">wrote on Facebook</a>.The ATF investigates gun crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-08/a-missouri-county-wont-work-with-the-atf-claiming-the-federal-agency-is-unconstitutional" target="_blank">regulates federal firearms dealers</a>. It also looks into arsons, including an arson at the Waldo Heights apartments on 81st Street and Holmes in 2021 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article260238435.html" target="_blank">one at Stonegate Meadows apartments</a>&nbsp;in 2022 that injured 15 people, including nine children.“The idea that you would just do away with that agency for political partisanship reasons only I think is incredibly shortsighted by the congressmen,” Grissom told KCUR. “I'm really surprised that Congressman Alford would take that position.”

If Trump's layoffs hit the Kansas City FBI office, job cuts are 'only going to make us less safe'

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740496002068.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report February 25

MANHATTAN— There were no injuries after construction crews struck a gas line in Manhattan.

At 4:17 p.m. on Monday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1812 Fair Lane. for a report of a gas line that had been hit, according to a media release from the fire department.

Crews found the 8-inch natural gas line that a utility crew backhoe struck while jackhammering concrete.&nbsp; Crews evacuated two people from a nearby business, and the other employees at adjacent businesses had already evacuated.&nbsp; 

Fort Riley Blvd. was closed in both directions at Martin Luther King Blvd., as well as the 1800 block of Fair Lane, until the leak was stopped.&nbsp; 

Kansas Gas Service responded to the scene and brought in a crew to isolate the leak.&nbsp; The leak was stopped around 1:00 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Union Pacific railroad tracks were also shut down until around 10:00 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740491550258.png" alt="Photo Manhattan Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Manhattan Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN— There were no injuries after construction crews struck a gas line in Manhattan.At 4:17 p.m. on Monday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1812 Fair Lane. for a report of a gas line that had been hit, according to a media release from the fire department.Crews found the 8-inch natural gas line that a utility crew backhoe struck while jackhammering concrete.&nbsp; Crews evacuated two people from a nearby business, and the other employees at adjacent businesses had already evacuated.&nbsp; Fort Riley Blvd. was closed in both directions at Martin Luther King Blvd., as well as the 1800 block of Fair Lane, until the leak was stopped.&nbsp; Kansas Gas Service responded to the scene and brought in a crew to isolate the leak.&nbsp; The leak was stopped around 1:00 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Union Pacific railroad tracks were also shut down until around 10:00 p.m.There were no injuries reported.

Natural gas line struck causing evacuations in Manhattan

Moro Street through Manhattan's Aggieville district will remain open during the Fake Patty's Day activities in March.&nbsp; That was a key point noted by officials coming out of a meeting Monday attended by city and law enforcement leaders at City Hall.&nbsp;

Fake Patty's Day has been an annual event held in March before spring break in neighborhoods in and around the Aggieville area.

Topics covered during the meeting ranged from keeping everyone safe to ride sharing and traffic flow. There will be ride share areas in front of Chipolte and in the 1100 block of Moro in front of the Aggieville Business Association offices. There will be a 30 minute limit for vehicles to be in the ride share areas.

KSU will provide a deal where if your Lift account is associated with your KSU email you can ride free. It wil run from 10 p.m.Friday until 2 a.m.Sunday. There is a limit of two rides per month for those users.

Saturday March 8 is Fake Patty's Day. Riley County police will be enforcing all applicable laws and statutes.

Moro Street through Manhattan's Aggieville district will remain open during the Fake Patty's Day activities in March.&nbsp; That was a key point noted by officials coming out of a meeting Monday attended by city and law enforcement leaders at City Hall.&nbsp;Fake Patty's Day has been an annual event held in March before spring break in neighborhoods in and around the Aggieville area.Topics covered during the meeting ranged from keeping everyone safe to ride sharing and traffic flow. There will be ride share areas in front of Chipolte and in the 1100 block of Moro in front of the Aggieville Business Association offices. There will be a 30 minute limit for vehicles to be in the ride share areas.KSU will provide a deal where if your Lift account is associated with your KSU email you can ride free. It wil run from 10 p.m.Friday until 2 a.m.Sunday. There is a limit of two rides per month for those users.Saturday March 8 is Fake Patty's Day. Riley County police will be enforcing all applicable laws and statutes.

Plans are put in place for Fake Patty's Day

The City of Manhattan has announced that city commissioners have voted 5-0 to accept a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in the amount of&nbsp;$5,439,282&nbsp;and authorize the construction of 12th Street, from Moro Street to Laramie Street, as well as the alley between Moro Street and Laramie Street, from North Manhattan Avenue to 12th Street. They also approved the Second Amendment to the Construction Manager at Risk Agreement with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=511489306c&amp;e=8c33f27c6f">BHS Construction Inc.</a>, splitting the 12th Street construction and Laramie Street construction into two phases.

Construction on these projects is scheduled to start later this&nbsp;spring&nbsp;and be completed in the first part of&nbsp;2026.&nbsp;

The City of Manhattan has announced that city commissioners have voted 5-0 to accept a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in the amount of&nbsp;$5,439,282&nbsp;and authorize the construction of 12th Street, from Moro Street to Laramie Street, as well as the alley between Moro Street and Laramie Street, from North Manhattan Avenue to 12th Street. They also approved the Second Amendment to the Construction Manager at Risk Agreement with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=511489306c&amp;e=8c33f27c6f">BHS Construction Inc.</a>, splitting the 12th Street construction and Laramie Street construction into two phases.Construction on these projects is scheduled to start later this&nbsp;spring&nbsp;and be completed in the first part of&nbsp;2026.&nbsp;

City Commission sets max price for 12th St., amends agreement with BHS Construction

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in Manhattan are investigating the theft of a store sign.

Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;filed a report of theft in the 500 block of McCall Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Pizza Ranch reported a large Pizza Ranch store sign was stolen by an unknown subject. Total loss associated with this report is approximately $2,000. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740411306129.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in Manhattan are investigating the theft of a store sign.Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;filed a report of theft in the 500 block of McCall Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Pizza Ranch reported a large Pizza Ranch store sign was stolen by an unknown subject. Total loss associated with this report is approximately $2,000. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://ks-rileycountypolice.civicplus.com/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Restaurant sign stolen in Manhattan

Division of Communications and Marketing release

MANHATTAN — Seven students in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University have been chosen for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://vet.k-state.edu/admissions/financial-prep/rural.html">Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas</a>, or VTPRK, a loan forgiveness program funded by the state of Kansas.

The new recipients are first-year veterinary students Alexis Hansen,&nbsp;Belleville; Katherine Mongeau,&nbsp;Garden City; Madison Evje,&nbsp;Manhattan; Jenna Spencer,&nbsp;Mound City; Harley Allen,&nbsp;Parsons; Sydney Rohlman,&nbsp;Pretty Prairie; and Callista Moore,&nbsp;Topeka.

"This class of candidates was very competitive," said Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush. "These awardees join a tradition of excellence established by talented and dedicated VTPRK alumni who are serving livestock producers and pet owners in rural areas across the state."

The Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas was originally passed by the state Legislature in 2006 as a financial incentive to provide rural areas in Kansas with committed veterinarians, and it was enhanced in 2022 based on the program's demonstrated success in increasing the availability of veterinary care in rural Kansas.

Currently, upon completion of their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, each student is required to work at a full-time veterinary practice in one of 92 Kansas counties with fewer tthan 40,000 residents. For each year the students work in rural Kansas, up to $25,000 per year of qualifying student loans are forgiven over a period of four years

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740412061821.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Division of Communications and Marketing releaseMANHATTAN — Seven students in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University have been chosen for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://vet.k-state.edu/admissions/financial-prep/rural.html">Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas</a>, or VTPRK, a loan forgiveness program funded by the state of Kansas.The new recipients are first-year veterinary students Alexis Hansen,&nbsp;Belleville; Katherine Mongeau,&nbsp;Garden City; Madison Evje,&nbsp;Manhattan; Jenna Spencer,&nbsp;Mound City; Harley Allen,&nbsp;Parsons; Sydney Rohlman,&nbsp;Pretty Prairie; and Callista Moore,&nbsp;Topeka."This class of candidates was very competitive," said Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush. "These awardees join a tradition of excellence established by talented and dedicated VTPRK alumni who are serving livestock producers and pet owners in rural areas across the state."The Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas was originally passed by the state Legislature in 2006 as a financial incentive to provide rural areas in Kansas with committed veterinarians, and it was enhanced in 2022 based on the program's demonstrated success in increasing the availability of veterinary care in rural Kansas.Currently, upon completion of their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, each student is required to work at a full-time veterinary practice in one of 92 Kansas counties with fewer tthan 40,000 residents. For each year the students work in rural Kansas, up to $25,000 per year of qualifying student loans are forgiven over a period of four years

College of Veterinary Medicine announces new training program for rural Kansas awards

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged sex crimes.&nbsp;

Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police arrested 18-year-old Matthew Klingforth of Haysville on a Riley County District Court warrant for rape, aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery.

He is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity report.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged sex crimes.&nbsp;Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police arrested 18-year-old Matthew Klingforth of Haysville on a Riley County District Court warrant for rape, aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery.He is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity report.

RCPD: Kansas teen accused of rape

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Riley County.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity report a Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 24-year-old Hunter Waters was traveling in the 1900 block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard. The motorcycle slid on ice.

EMS transported a passenger 23-year-old Alyssa Butler to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The RCPD released no additional details.

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Riley County.According to the Riley County Police Department activity report a Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 24-year-old Hunter Waters was traveling in the 1900 block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard. The motorcycle slid on ice.EMS transported a passenger 23-year-old Alyssa Butler to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The RCPD released no additional details.

Woman hospitalized after motorcycle accident

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.<figure>
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