Nearly 42% of Reno County residents are living either in poverty or in households classified as “ALICE,” according to data cited by the United Way of Reno County — a figure local leaders say underscores the financial strain facing working families across the community. 

ALICE stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” The term describes individuals and families who earn too much to qualify for public assistance but not enough to cover basic household expenses. 

“These are people who are working really hard but still struggling to meet the basic needs of their household,” said Lacey Mills, Executive Director of the United Way of Reno County. “It’s the single mom down the street working two jobs. It’s the person sitting in the cubicle next to you. They’re employed, but they’re one crisis away from financial hardship.”

According to United Way data, a single adult in Reno County in 2022 needed to earn at least $12.23 per hour to meet a bare bones “survival budget,” which assumes rent of $361 per month. Mills noted that rental rates in the community are typically much higher, often exceeding $750 per month. 

To reach what United Way defines as a “stability budget” — covering realistic housing, transportation, health care and other essential expenses — a single adult would need to earn approximately $23.32 per hour. 

Updated 2023 figures indicate a single adult must earn at least $13.61 per hour, or about $28,300 annually, to meet basic costs in Reno County. 

JK Vann, who leads the Reno Connections program through United Way, said many ALICE households face difficult financial tradeoffs. 

“You make too much to qualify for assistance, but you don’t make enough to function independently,” Vann said. “You’re choosing between paying the electric bill or buying groceries. And if there’s a sick child or a car repair, the family immediately goes into financial crisis.” 

Vann emphasized that ALICE households are not defined by poor financial decisions but often by broader economic conditions. 

“Sometimes it’s the hand that people were dealt. It’s the ecosystem — wages, cost of living, available jobs,” he said. “There’s no cookie-cutter approach to changing this.” 

United Way has invested in localized ALICE data, allowing leaders to analyze financial conditions in Reno County by ZIP code. Mills said the data serves as a tool for business owners, nonprofits and local governments to inform decision-making. 

She cited one example in which a United Way partner expanded its childcare scholarship eligibility beyond the federal poverty line after reviewing ALICE data, allowing more working families to receive assistance. 

“That’s the work we’re doing every day — helping organizations use this data to support families who are struggling but don’t qualify for traditional assistance,” Mills said. 

Through Reno Connections, United Way offers case management and goal-setting support for individuals and families seeking financial stability. The program helps connect residents to community resources and provides ongoing support for at least six months. 

“We facilitate the warm handoff,” Vann said. “But we don’t just pass you along. We stand beside you to make sure you’re meeting your goals.” 

Reno Connections does not impose income barriers and focuses on preserving client dignity, Vann said. 

Local leaders, including city and county officials, have increasingly referenced ALICE households in public discussions about economic development, Mills said. She noted that conversations about growth and expansion must consider working families at risk of being left behind. 

“It takes more than a day to turn a ship,” Vann added. “Progress is happening, even if it’s not always visible.” 

Residents seeking assistance through Reno Connections or for more information about ALICE data can contact the United Way of Reno County at 620-669-9329.

UWRC leaders highlight financial strain facing 42% of Reno County residents

As a proposed state-wide ban on cell phones in Kansas classrooms winds its way through our state legislature—a ban that at least initially had strong support from both parties, a ban that would be similar to actions that have been taken in multiple other states—an interesting question has arisen. What is more important to the Kansas legislators: the well-being of students, or freedom from regulation for alternatives to public education?

In answering that question, Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson drew a fairly explicit line: “The epidemic of cell phones disrupting classrooms and damaging our kids’ mental health is a top priority. But a fix must not trample on the independence of private schools. The radical left would exploit any opening to impose their agenda on faith-based and independent education. Rather than creating bad precedent, we will use this opportunity to review all state mandates on private schools and create a bright line that government will not cross.”

The epidemic he refers to is well-documented, by both numerous scholars and by a separate study commissioned by the Kansas Department of Education. Screen and smartphone addiction clearly creates distractions, interferes with learning, and invites bullying and other psychological pathologies. The data doesn’t necessarily mandate a complete bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools (the National Association of State Boards of Education encourages local school board involvement, concluding that “bans of devices during the school day alone will not address the complicated, potential harms arising from students’ online behaviors”), but everyone agrees that whatever compromise is reached, it should be implemented consistently, covering all students equally.

Unless, perhaps, you attend a private—or shall we say a “faith-based and independent”—school?

It’s not that Masterson is opposed to students whose parents opt to home school or to make use of private schools being able to enjoy the educational environments and resources that are generated through Kansas’s free public school system. After all, he has been a major force behind both making certain that Kansas students being educated privately or at home be allowed to participate in all public school activities, both athletic and academic and promoting school choice plans that could provide up to $200 million in tax relief every year to support Kansas parents who want to send their children to a private school or teach them at home. 

Rather, the idea appears to be that, though public schools will be expected to follow the best research in working out how to deal with a problem facing young people throughout Kansas, about 9% of Kansas students (those that attend private or home schools) perhaps ought to be left to their own devices (literally!), all for the sake being free from state mandates, however educationally justified.

Of course, the problem isn’t that straightforward. For one thing, regulating how parents impose—or don’t impose—cell phone restrictions while teaching in their children in their own homes would an impossible, and terribly invasive, act. For another, many private schools are very small, and requiring them to comply with state-wide regulations could be terribly burdensome.

But still, taking seriously public education is a value deeply rooted in Kansas history and law. Which makes the belief that educational alternatives to publicly funded schools should be given both additional financial support and access to educational resources, but should also be exempt from any concerted action to introduce best practices on those schools and resources, is a difficult one to balance, to say the least.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS

Insight Kansas: On cell phones, public schools and state exemptions

An officer with the Pratt Police Department has completed state training and is preparing to begin field work with the department.

Officer Austyn Staats recently graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center after completing the center’s 16-week basic training program.

The academy provides instruction in criminal law, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms proficiency and community policing. The program is designed to equip new officers with the skills and knowledge necessary to serve Kansas communities with professionalism and integrity.

With academy training complete, Staats will return to his department to begin the next phase of preparation. He will work alongside department training officers to complete field training before serving independently.

Department officials congratulated Staats on his accomplishment and welcomed him back as he begins the field training process.

Pratt Police officer graduates from KLETC

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

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Recent obituaries and service times

Spring and summer are a time to keep an eye to the sky and stay weather-aware. As many people in this part of the country are aware, strong thunderstorms and even tornadoes can strike quickly and Flood2.pngfiercely. Dangerous, damaging storms can catch motorists on the roads, so AAA Kansas urges drivers and their passengers to be prepared and take appropriate safety precautions should they encounter severe weather while traveling in a vehicle.

“Storms are common throughout the spring and summer, so chances are, drivers will encounter severe weather at some point while in their vehicles,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas Public Affairs manager. “A vehicle can either be very a dangerous place to be, or a place of safety, depending on the weather conditions. The key is being prepared for severe weather and reacting the right way to what Mother Nature throws at you.”

AAA recommends drivers be weather-aware, always checking the forecast before heading out, loading a trusted weather app with live radar to their mobile phone, and activating severe weather warning notifications on the phone.

Heavy downpours make it difficult to see while driving. AAA Kansas recommends regularly changing windshield wiper blades to keep drivers’ views as clear as possible. If visibility is severely limited during heavy rain, drivers should reduce their speed and if they can safely do so, pull off the road out of traffic lanes, turn on flashing hazard lights, and wait until the rain lightens.

Drivers should remember that it is Kansas law that if windshield wipers are on, headlights should be as well. Headlights can help divers see better but also allow their vehicle to be seen by other drivers.

Pooling water on roadways can cause hydroplaning and loss of vehicle control, so motorists should reduce their speeds and avoid using cruise control during rainy conditions. Roadways completely covered by water are a particular danger.

“Avoid driving into floodwater,” warned AAA Kansas’ Steward. “Flooding causes more deaths than any other storm-related event, and many of those deaths occur in vehicles. As little as 12 inches of moving water can sweep most vehicles off the road. The slogan ‘Turn around, don’t drown’ is an important one to remember and follow.”

Hailstorms hit with little warning and usually do not last long, but hailstones – frozen pellets of rain – can cause major damage in that short period of time.

There were nearly 5,400 major hailstorms (hail stones one inch in diameter or larger) in the United States in 2025, with 375 occurring in Kansas – second most in the nation, behind only Texas – according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS). Most hailstones are about the size of a pea or marble, but they can get as large as a softball in a severe storm.

“Hail of most any size can dent your car, and larger stones can smash your windows,” said Gary Tomes, Territory Manager, Insurance for AAA Kansas. “And this is not an uncommon occurrence in Kansas. Fortunately, hail damage to a vehicle is covered by your comprehensive auto insurance policy, which covers physical damage to your vehicle not caused by a collision.”

To protect your car from hail damage, park your car in a covered spot, if possible, when thunderstorms are in the forecast.

If you’re in your car when a hailstorm hits and see a safe place close-by, such as a highway overpass (out of the lanes of traffic) or gas station or bank awning, drive to it as soon as you can. If no shelter is available and hail becomes large enough to cause damage, stop driving and pull off the road completely. Move away from car windows and cover your head with your arms or a blanket to protect yourself from any breaking glass.

The National Weather Service reports that lightning strikes about 25 million times a year, killing an average of 20 people in the United States and severely injuring hundreds more.

If you are caught outside during a thunderstorm, seek shelter in a hard-topped vehicle, or a low area, such as a tunnel. If you are already in your car when a lightning storm begins, stay in the vehicle for shelter, but steer clear of fences, isolated trees, telephone poles, power lines and pipelines.

Lightning-caused damage to a vehicle is typically covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy, said Tomes. Thunderstorms can sometimes have other impacts to vehicles, including:

Damage caused by falling trees due to high winds. This kind of damage is typically covered by standard auto insurance policies. However, if the tree was known to be weak before the storm, the damage may not be covered.

A wildfire that results from a lightning storm can cause damage to cars. Insurance coverage for wildfire, even if caused by lightning, is included in the comprehensive coverage of an auto insurance policy.

According to preliminary data from NOAA/NWS, there were more than 1,500 documented tornadoes in the United States – 45 in Kansas – in 2025.

Tornado warnings mean danger is imminent. If a tornado is sighted, move to the safest place possible.

“If you are in your car and a tornado is close, abandon the vehicle and seek shelter in a storm shelter or sturdy structure,” said AAA’s Steward. “As a last resort, if no structure is nearby, take shelter in your vehicle – seatbelt buckled; duck down below windows; cover up with a blanket to protect you from glass/debris; and protect your head with your arms.”

Also when taking cover from a tornado, stay away from trees, signs or cars/machinery and avoid seeking shelter where they could fall on or blow over onto you. Most tornadoes travel southwest to northeast, so take that into account when taking shelter.

Finally, never seek shelter from a tornado under a highway overpass or bridge, as tornadic winds can be made stronger and create a wind-tunnel effect, putting you in danger of being swept away or killed or injured by flying debris.

AAA recommends that motorists create a spring/summer severe weather emergency kit to carry in their cars. The kit should include items such as nonperishable food/snacks and water, tool kit, flashlight, hand-crank or battery-powered radio, extra batteries, cell phone and charger, first-aid supplies, flares or reflectors, rain coat or poncho, a towel or blanket, and rain boots or an extra pair of shoes.

AAA Kansas offers tips for driving severe weather

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

Jason	Philip	McCrory		2/28/2026 10:42&nbsp;AM	DWS; 1st conviction

Benjamin	Allen	Robinson		2/28/2026 10:42&nbsp;AM	DUI; 4th Conviction; Alcohol Influence that renders incapable of safely driving

Stacy	Lynn	Baker		2/28/2026 11:40&nbsp;AM	Pedestrian; Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs upon Roadway

Jerod	William	Dailing		2/28/2026 7:48&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Jasey	Lynn	Schmucker		2/28/2026 8:39&nbsp;PM	Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction), Battery; Phys contact rude/insult/angry manner

Tampiria	Vyette	Wade		2/28/2026 10:39&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Richard	Leonal	Colvard		2/28/2026 11:11&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher

Eswin	Estuardo	Perez Poron		2/28/2026 11:43&nbsp;PM	Battery; Knowing/recklessly causing bodily harm

Parker	James Wyatt	Schmidt		3/1/2026 12:24&nbsp;AM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Daily Bookings

The Hutchinson Public Library is hosting a digital live stream with bestselling author Michael Perry. His&nbsp;presentation will feature highlights of his body of work centered on rural communities and the people who call them home.

The presentation is at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4.&nbsp;

Perry’s writing captures the experiences and character of small-town life, blending humor and poignancy. In his memoir, “Population: 485,” he recounts life in a tiny Midwestern town where the local vigilante is a farmer’s wife armed with a pistol and a Bible, the senior member of the volunteer fire department is a cross-eyed butcher with one kidney and two ex-wives, and the back roads are haunted by the ghosts of children and farmers. Set against fires, wrecks, bar fights and smelt feeds, the book weaves comedy with moments of heartbreak and tragedy.

His fiction debut, “Jesus Cow,” offers a humorous yet sincere look at faith and modern life. The novel follows Harley Jackson, who faces romantic upheaval, the threat of a predatory developer seeking to pave over his family farm and the unexpected discovery of a calf bearing the image of Jesus Christ inside his barn — a secret that proves difficult to keep.

Perry is a New York Times bestselling author, humorist, corporate speaker, volunteer firefighter and first responder. A lifelong resident of the rural Midwest, he is known for what he calls his “reflective roughneck” perspective on life in Middle America.

In addition to writing, Perry produces the audio newsletter “Michael Perry’s Voice Mail,” tours with his band The Long Beds, and works as a scriptwriter, voiceover artist and audiobook narrator. A registered nurse, he worked his way through college as a Wyoming cowboy and even as a roller-skating Snoopy.

Perry lives in rural Wisconsin and maintains an online presence at sneezingcow.com.

The library asks that those interested in attending register for the event. You can do so at this<a href="https://libraryc.org/hutchpl/115769/register"> link</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Library to hold author talk livestream with author Michael Perry

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info 7-day forecast.&nbsp;</a>

Three-day Outlook

Dear Dave, I’m 50 years old, and through a series of bad life decisions, I have nothing set aside for retirement. Now that I’m finally in a better place financially, I’m getting to the age where people say to invest conservatively.

Because of this, I’m afraid to invest in anything aggressive, and that makes me feel like I’ll never be able to have a decent retirement. I’ve put aside $20,000 in a savings account so far. Any advice you have would be appreciated. —Jack

First of all, you’re not at the age where you need to be investing conservatively. I don’t know where you heard this or who told you it was a good idea, but they’re wrong. You’re only 50. I’m not investing conservatively, and I’m 63. I’m investing in good, growth stock mutual funds that are growing like weeds. And you should be too.

Listen, I’m not saying you need to shift into panic mode. But you do need to get moving on this retirement thing today. It’s great that you’ve started saving money, but I’d be pretty nervous if all I had to my name at age 50 was $20,000. At this point, you should have something like $250,000.

You mentioned being afraid to invest more aggressively. I’ve learned over the years there are two situations where fear can be a positive thing. The first is being afraid of things we don’t understand. One day when I was 12, my dad told me to move the car. I didn’t understand you weren’t supposed to stomp the gas pedal all the way to the floor. That little episode scared us both silly, and I spun almost all the gravel out of our driveway. Now, with years of practice and understanding, I’m a better driver. Being behind the wheel doesn’t scare me at all.

The other positive type of fear is being afraid of things that can legitimately hurt us — like standing in the middle of the highway. If you do this, you should be afraid an 18-wheeler will come flying down the road and turn you into a pancake.

But when you’re afraid of something just because you don’t know how to do it — like you are with investing — you can dispel that fear with knowledge and wisdom. That’s why I want you to find a good investment professional. I’m talking about someone with the heart of a teacher, who will help you learn the ins and outs of investing and take away the fear you feel. If you do this, your confidence, and your knowledge, will begin to grow. Once that happens, you’ll start to feel comfortable pouring into good retirement investments.

Get to it, Jack. You can make this happen!

You can hear Dave Ramsey, Monday through Friday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. on KWBW, unless it is preempted by sports coverage.&nbsp;

Dave says: When it comes to investing, knowledge and wisdom dispel fear

The Hutchinson High School Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for its annual Wall of Honor award, recognizing outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions in their professions, communities, and beyond.

To be eligible, nominees must be graduates of Hutchinson High School and must have graduated at least 10 years prior to nomination. Candidates should demonstrate a high level of achievement in one or more of the following areas:

The Wall of Honor selection process does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, sex, nationality, disability, economic status, or marital status. Individuals may be nominated posthumously.

Nomination forms are available online at:<a target="_blank" href="https://u345601.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.RcwPaJjKaE88gUN1WQFO7UMK6mfYcuUw9TGIRugPWEl44KFBTm5shkSyhcN1YjMW8U4t_Hfzz9OzPZS47VQYqNBwPb3qf6C5g5e5laW239ACX56VvHVTfUlNgaRPg9VSuOEk5j1BOHZOEnIQaBw3-2FtPy2YMRzfv2j33amVTCA5VgYcqFQxDMwAD3x7tvwPNVO4FpdWTUG7zBSmiSsotKQFNQeZMdxxhkRbD-2FTe-2FqBLBGAF-2FuWgdlXDQcVvHdcXo5YlyTZ3G5RCJKGZ6eiSSyncqWdnbKdIC4fQCx97PAnrx6Rs-2BRmoNlhpZ1XaYOtKKQAfgbe8x4q1AarSvN54l7u7GcwqOPILKWFLmdoE11SYQwVCSU-3D"> </a><a target="_blank" href="https://u345601.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.RcwPaJjKaE88gUN1WQFO7UMK6mfYcuUw9TGIRugPWEl44KFBTm5shkSyhcN1YjMWfRfP_Hfzz9OzPZS47VQYqNBwPb3qf6C5g5e5laW239ACX56VvHVTfUlNgaRPg9VSuOEk5j1BOHZOEnIQaBw3-2FtPy2YMRzfv2j33amVTCA5VgYcqFQxDMwAD3x7tvwPNVO4FpdWTUG7zBSmiSsotKQFNQeZMdxxhkRbD-2FTe-2FqBLBGAF-2FtC-2FY2s5OEXFPxh7ktLZKbVcuWNu3YI0-2BxklUftiT-2BBfeE8w9DrRYVsf1AEoY4VNlLpmwv7-2BEkXfT16P0cxhZEGhGhVn8pjBuU9uJptZkqRI1ttWJwOUdfrlPBd45Tt4-2Bc-3D">https://bit.ly/HutchWallOfHonor</a> or at the Hutchinson High School office, 810 E. 13th Avenue.

The nomination form requires basic biographical information, including volunteer activities, special honors and awards, and any supporting documentation such as newspaper clippings. Nominators must also submit a brief paragraph explaining why the individual deserves to be recognized.

A selection committee made up of three students, three teachers, and three members of the Alumni Association will select three honorees. All submitted nominations will remain on file and eligible for consideration for two years.

The 2026 Wall of Honor inductees will be recognized during a series of events held in conjunction with the HHS Homecoming football game on October 2. Honorees residing outside the area will be responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements.

Each recipient will receive a personal plaque, and an additional plaque will be permanently displayed inside Hutchinson High School in recognition of their achievements.

Completed nominations and questions may be directed to Hutchinson High School, Attn: Marci Malashchuk, or emailed to <a href="mailto:malashchuk.marci@usd308.com">malashchuk.marci@usd308.com</a>.

Nominations open for HHS Wall of Honor 

Curious George is a bright-eyed, always-on-the-move pup with a nose for adventure and a heart that wants to be everyone's friend. This 52lb Beagle mix is true to his&nbsp;name,&nbsp;&nbsp;

George is happiest when&nbsp;he's&nbsp;investigating new sights and smells, learning what routines mean, and figuring out how to earn extra treats.&nbsp;He's&nbsp;a social, people-focused dog who enjoys attention, gentle praise, and having a job to do-especially anything that involves exploring the yard, going for walks, or working on basic manners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

George would do best with an adopter who can provide regular exercise, a consistent daily schedule, and a little patience while he settles in and learns the house rules. In return, he offers enthusiasm, affection, and plenty of&nbsp;entertaining&nbsp;"what's over here?" moments.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If&nbsp;you're&nbsp;looking for a fun companion who will keep you smiling and motivated to get outside, Curious George may be your perfect match.&nbsp;

To adopt&nbsp;Curious George, contact The Hutchinson Animal Shelter at&nbsp;<a href="tel:620-694-1924" target="_blank">620-694-1924</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Hutchinson Animal shelter is&nbsp;located&nbsp;at 1501 South Severance Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

🐶 Adopt a Furry Friend: Curious George

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran vowed revenge Sunday after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">killing of its supreme leader</a>&nbsp;and traded strikes with Israel as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/us-israel-strikes-iran-khamenei-03-01-2026">widening war</a>&nbsp;prompted by a surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment. The U.S. military said three service members have been killed, the first known American casualties from the conflict.

Blasts in Tehran sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky in an area of government buildings. Iranian authorities say more than 200 people have been killed since the start of the U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>&nbsp;and other senior leaders.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">Iran</a>&nbsp;fired missiles at targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states in retaliation while Israel pledged "non-stop" strikes against Iran's leaders and military.

In Israel,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-shelters-missiles-245b1675544434848160845a2e991b9d">loud explosions</a>&nbsp;caused by missile impacts or interceptions could be heard in Tel Aviv. Israel’s rescue services said nine people were killed and 28 wounded in a strike that hit a synagogue in the central town of Beit Shemesh, bringing the overall death toll in the country to 11. Eleven people were still missing after the strike, police said, as rescue crews combed the rubble.

The U.S. military, meanwhile, said B-2 stealth bombers have struck Iran’s ballistic missile facilities with 2,000-pound bombs. Ballistic missiles have been one of the concerns Trump had raised in the lead up to the attacks. U.S. President Donald Trump said the military had also sunk nine Iranian warships.

The strikes and counterattacks underscored how the killing of Khamenei, and Trump's calls for the overthrow of the decades-old Islamic Republic, carried the potential for a prolonged conflict that could envelop the Middle East. It also represents a startling show of military might for an American president who swept into office on an “America First” platform and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-strike-conflict-us-war-opposition-8fa7a441a4a696a8562de583395ab0bf">vowed to keep out of “forever wars.”</a>

In Tehran, there was little sign that Iranians had heeded Trump's call for an uprising against the government.

The streets were largely deserted as people sheltered during heavy airstrikes, witnesses told The Associated Press, speaking anonymously for fear of retribution.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-middle-east-577c596775fb9a78d78107004d29d0f9">The paramilitary Basij</a>, which has played a central role in crushing protests, has set up checkpoints across the city, they said.

In southern Iran, at least 165 people were killed when a girls’ school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. The Israeli military said it was not aware of strikes in the area. The U.S. military said it was looking into the reports.

The U.S. military said three service members were killed and five others seriously wounded, without providing further details. It said several others suffered minor injuries and concussions.

In the 12-day war last June, Israeli and American strikes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148">greatly weakened</a>&nbsp;Iran’s air defenses, military leadership and nuclear program. But the killing of Khamenei, who had ruled Iran for more than three decades, creates a leadership vacuum, increasing the risk of regional instability.

The CIA had been tracking the movements of senior Iranian leaders, including Khamenei, for months, according to a person familiar with the operation who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The intelligence was shared with Israeli officials, and the timing of the strikes was adjusted in part because of that information, the person said.

The New York Times earlier reported about the CIA’s efforts ahead of the Israeli-U.S. strikes.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a prerecorded message that a new leadership council had begun its work. The country's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said a new supreme leader would be chosen in “one or two days.”

A senior White House official said Sunday that “new potential leadership” in Iran has suggested they are open for talks with the United States. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations.

As word spread of Khamenei’s death, some in Tehran could be seen cheering from rooftops, witnesses said. Others mourned as a black flag was raised over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.

“You have crossed our red line and must pay the price,” Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said in a televised address. “We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”

“THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT,” he said in a social media post. “IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

In a sign of how the attack could stoke regional unrest, hundreds of people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-protesters-attacked-us-consulate-karachi-iran-a3cc0c3c6f126cc54a657f61d312a203">stormed the U.S. Consulate</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi. Police and paramilitary forces used batons and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, and at least nine people were killed in the clashes, authorities said.

Iran retaliates with missiles and drone attacks

As U.S. and Israeli strikes have pounded Iran, the Islamic Republic has retaliated with missiles and drone attacks on Israel and nearby Arab Gulf countries hosting U.S. forces.

The air war could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran makes the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-strait-hormuz-us-protests-persian-gulf-db7159d715453977279ab9cfd918e6e4">Around 20% of the world's traded oil</a>&nbsp;passes through the vital waterway.

While Iran struck U.S. bases in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, the attacks have also hit outside of military installations, including a hotel in the Emirati city of Dubai, and Kuwait’s international airport. At least four people have been killed in strikes on Gulf countries.

Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, blamed such strikes on the U.S. and Israel for starting the war. He said he had spoken to his counterparts in the Gulf countries and urged them to pressure the U.S. and Israel to end it.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel will have “a non-stop air train” of strikes against Iranian military and leadership targets. The U.S. military said it had struck an Iranian warship at a port on the Gulf of Oman that was now sinking.

Flights across the Middle East were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-flights-airspace-travel-0346e29ee99eaee2838c8e08f4facb78">disrupted</a>, and air defense fire thudded over Dubai. The United Arab Emirates’ commercial capital has long drawn business and expatriates by billing itself as a safe haven in a volatile region.

Iran forms council to govern until a new supreme leader is chosen

As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-khamenei-supreme-leader-nuclear-protests-military-487aa76fd32f398f2ca37d316e543760">supreme leader</a>, Khamenei had final say on all major policies since 1989. He led Iran’s clerical establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, the two main centers of power in the governing theocracy.

An Iranian medical professional in northern Iran said he and colleagues spent the early hours of Sunday celebrating Khamenei's death indoors because armed security forces are still heavily deployed in his city.

There were forces stopping and interrogating people celebrating in their cars but there was no gunfire, said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

“It was one of the best nights, if not the best night of our lives,” the doctor said in a voice message from the city of Rasht. In fact, “it was actually my first time ever smoking a cigarette. It was a very very nice time. We didn’t sleep at all. And we don’t even feel tired.”

Strikes were planned for months and feared for weeks

Tensions have escalated in recent weeks as the Trump administration built up the&nbsp;<a href="http://tensions%20have%20soared%20in%20recent%20weeks%20as%20american%20warships%20moved%20into%20the%20region./">largest force of American warships</a>&nbsp;and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. The president insisted he wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program while the country struggled with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-protests-students-nuclear-khamenei-096e7ede9bc9c1e7b889878af9d6e750">growing dissent</a>&nbsp;following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-memorials-chehelom-71e5db503a287126a2d31cb32a2809eb">nationwide protests</a>.

Democrats decried that Trump had taken&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-war-powers-trump-iran-constitution-37ec6685d9ded1d467a719f91e537487">action without congressional authorization</a>. The White House said it had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance.

Though Trump had pronounced the Iranian nuclear program obliterated in strikes last year, the country was rebuilding infrastructure that it had lost, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss Trump’s decision-making process. The official said intelligence showed that Iran had developed the capability to produce its own high-quality centrifuges, an important step in developing the highly enriched uranium needed for weapons.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-enrichment-c0079c38746a896e2967a9a9cc2799d5">Iran has said it has not enriched since June</a>, though it has maintained its right to do so while saying its nuclear program is entirely peaceful. It has also blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites the U.S. bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by AP have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-nuclear-enrichment-satellite-d5c78b5fe974ec2fc338b8ad6d6a7d68">shown new activity at two of those sites</a>.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel; Boak from West Palm Beach, Florida; and Tucker from Washington. Associated Press writers Joe Federman in Jerusalem, Sarah El Deeb in Beirut, Amir Radjy in Cairo, Aamer Madhani, Konstantin Toropin and David Klepper in Washington, Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, Farnoush Amiri in New York, David Rising in Bangkok and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.

President Trump says 9 Iranian warships have been sunk

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Three American service members have been killed and five have been seriously wounded in military operations targeting Iran, the U.S. military said.

They are the first reported American casualties since the U.S. and Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran.

U.S. Central Command said Sunday in a post on X that several others “sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty.”

The post stated that major combat operations will continue. It did not provide further information about the casualties and described the situation as “fluid.”

3 US service members killed, 5 wounded in Iran operation

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</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 — CoreCivic can’t house immigration detainees before reaching an agreement with the city of Leavenworth on reopening its private prison, the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled Friday when it upheld a lower court’s decision.

“There is nothing to suggest that CoreCivic is being singled out here,” the Court of Appeals decision said. “The City is merely attempting to enforce its zoning regulations that impose requirements on every entity regardless of its status as a contractor with the federal government.”

Nashville-based CoreCivic&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/10/corecivic-appeals-to-overturn-injunction-keeping-it-from-housing-ice-detainees/">appealed an injunction</a>&nbsp;by Leavenworth County District Court that banned it from beginning to take detainees to fulfill its U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract. The company announced in 2025 that it would reopen its closed prison as the Midwest Regional Reception Center.&nbsp;

Leavenworth officials said CoreCivic needed a special use permit to do so. The disagreement launched back-and-forth court cases, one of which spawned the injunction against housing detainees while the two worked it out.

In the midst of court actions, CoreCivic applied for a special use permit that is&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/25/after-marathon-meeting-corecivic-moves-closer-to-reopening-leavenworth-prison/">nearing approval</a>&nbsp;by city officials.

In its decision, Court of Appeals judges listed three facts they considered before upholding the decision by Leavenworth County District Judge John Bryant — whether the district court’s decision was “arbitrary, fanciful or unreasonable,” based on an error in law or a factual error.

Chief Judge Sarah Warner and Judges Thomas Malone and Stephen Hill issued a 22-page decision that stepped through district court arguments before determining no errors were made in the original ruling.

The appeals court decision outlines the case Leavenworth presented in support of the injunction and breaks down why the district court didn’t err in its decision.

CoreCivic argued the city’s case didn’t have crucial elements that make the injunction reasonable, including a “substantial likelihood” of success and tangible, irreparable harm. The Court of Appeals considered the district judge’s decision on those elements and disagreed with the company.

In considering whether irreparable harm was an issue, the court noted “alarming” testimony supporting the city’s reports that CoreCivic denied local law enforcement access to investigate crimes.

“Patrick Kitchens, the City’s Chief of Police, offered sworn testimony about CoreCivic’s operation of the MRRC that is, to put it mildly, somewhat alarming,” the Appeals decision said. “Kitchens testified that ‘the Leavenworth Police Department encountered many significant problems in responding to reports of crimes, including violent felonies, at the Facility. Due to frequent changes in leadership at CoreCivic, we had difficulty in getting these problems addressed.’ ”

Kitchens gave evidence of a November 2018 inmate death that CoreCivic didn’t report to police for six days, that CoreCivic discouraged police from investigating at least three sexual assaults and that the company didn’t allow employees who were crime victims to interview with city police while they were on duty.

“We have more than (enough) evidence of ‘past harms’ to support the City’s request for a temporary injunction,” the appeals judges wrote. “CoreCivic’s actions demonstrate a very real and imminent harm. … The substantial evidence of the City’s problems with CoreCivic’s operation of the facility combined with the minimal evidence the problems will be addressed supports a reasonable probability of irreparable harm.”

CoreCivic officials have been working through Leavenworth’s special permit process, including addressing Kitchens’ concerns. Kitchens told city commissioners at a meeting last week that he believes previous problems will be addressed by the special use permit.

The permitting process, which led to about 100 people offering public input on the issue, is nearing completion. The Leavenworth City Commission voted 4-1 to pass the permit on for second consideration, which will be March 10. At that point, the commission will vote on the permit or could remand it go back to the city’s planning commission and ask for changes.

If the city denies the permit, CoreCivic can appeal in district court.

Kansas Court of Appeals ruled CoreCivic can’t house ICE detainees without Leavenworth permit

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) &nbsp;—A massive explosion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-03-01-2026-693bc30bbbc98660d81f4a13f65ca10f">struck Iran’s capital</a>&nbsp;Sunday as the Israeli military said it was striking targets in central Tehran. Earlier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">Iran&nbsp;</a>fired missiles at an ever-widening list of targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states in retaliation for the killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei&nbsp;</a>by the United States and Israel.

The blast in Tehran sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky and shook the ground. It appeared centered in neighborhoods home to the country’s police headquarters and Iranian state television, as well as Tehran’s Revolutionary Court and a Defense Ministry building.

The joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran followed weeks of tensions as the Trump administration built up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-iran-buildup-nuclear-program-5663a8b0d81c8439adfaa010c59a36f5">the largest force of American warships and aircraft</a>&nbsp;in the Middle East in decades. The president insisted he wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program. Iran responded to the U.S.-Israeli strikes by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting U.S. military installations in the region.

US priority is Iran's ‘vast missile arsenal'

The chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee says a priority for its joint military campaign is Iran’s “vast missile arsenal.”

Republican Tom Cotton of Arkansas told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that those missiles threatened American troops “from bases as far flung as the Indian Ocean to Western Europe.”

“We’re stopping a lot of them from being fired before Iran can fire them. It’s much easier to kill the archer on the ground than it is to shoot his arrows out of the sky,” he said in the television interview.

Israel says it its strikes killed 40 top Iranian military officials

Israel’s military claimed Sunday that its strikes had killed 40 top Iranian military officials, including the chief of staff for the Iranian armed forces, Abdolrahim Mousavi. Israel did not provide evidence, and neither Iran nor the United States immediately commented on the claim.

The Israeli military also said it had “dismantled the majority of the aerial defense systems in western and central Iran” and was “paving the way towards establishing aerial superiority over the skies of Tehran.”

Egypt’s leader warns of chaos in the Middle East

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt has warned that the Middle East could slide into chaos as the conflict involving the U.S., Israel and Iran entered a second day.

He called for “dialogue and peaceful means” to settle the region’s crises, saying that the escalation has serious consequences that could push the Mideast into chaos. El-Sissi’s comments came in a phone call Sunday with Oman’s leader, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, according to the Egyptian leader’s office.

Pope Leo XIV said Sunday he was “profoundly concerned” about the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and urged both sides to “stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss.”

In the Holy See’s first reaction to the attacks, the American pope called for the resumption of diplomacy and a “reasonable, authentic and responsible” dialogue based on justice.

Weapons only sow “destruction, pain and death," he said from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square at his traditional noontime blessing.

China calls killing of Iran's supreme leader ‘unacceptable’

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi sharply criticized the killing of Khamenei in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

“The blatant killing of the leader of a sovereign state and the incitement of regime change are unacceptable,” he was quoted as saying by China’s official Xinhua News Agency. “These actions violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations.”

He said attacking a sovereign state without U.N. Security Council authorization undermines the foundation for peace established after World War II.

“The international community should speak in a clear and unequivocal voice, opposing the world regressing to the law of the jungle,” he said.

British warplanes poised to knock out Iranian missiles and drones

British Defense Minister John Healey said Iranian missile and drone strikes came within a few hundred yards (meters) of a group of 300 British military personnel in Bahrain and that two missiles were fired in the direction of Cyprus, where the U.K. has bases.

“We don’t believe they were targeted at Cyprus, but nevertheless, it’s an example of how there is a very real and rising threat from a regime that is lashing out widely across the region, and that requires us to act,” Healey told Sky News.

He said British planes will intercept any Iranian drones and missiles they see.

Cyprus government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis posted on X that reports suggesting missiles had been fired toward Cyprus are not valid and that “there is no indication whatsoever that any threat to the country has occurred.”

Putin, Hezbollah leader mourn Khamenei’s death

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was “a cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law.”

Putin on Sunday sent condolences to his Iranian counterpart, saying Khamenei will be remembered “as an outstanding statesman” who helped elevate Russian-Iranian relations.

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