 Kansas corrections officials told lawmakers Friday that the state’s aging Hutchinson Correctional Facility is nearing a breaking point, with decades-old infrastructure problems and rising inmate population projections driving renewed discussion about a costly rebuild.

Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda testified before a joint hearing of legislative committees that the prison’s Central Unit — portions of which date back to the 19th century — faces significant design and maintenance challenges that are increasingly difficult to manage. Construction on the Central Unit began in 1885, he said.

Lawmakers formed the joint hearing to gather information from KDOC and the Kansas Sentencing Commission about options to renovate or replace the facility, which houses adult men and is the state’s third-largest prison.

Zmuda said KDOC has examined replacement plans for several years, but escalating construction costs have narrowed the department’s focus. Earlier concepts contemplated replacing three units at Hutchinson — the Central, South and East units — but KDOC has since scaled back to prioritize the Central Unit.

A replacement plan that also adds about 400 beds to help address projected population growth is now estimated at about $453 million, Zmuda told lawmakers. If financed through a 20-year bond, annual debt service would be about $34.5 million, he said.

The project was previously included in an earlier budget recommendation, Zmuda said, but the Legislature did not fund it. It is not included in current budget recommendations, he said.

KDOC officials described multiple concerns at the Central Unit tied to its age and layout, including extreme temperature swings in housing areas, frequent plumbing and electrical system failures, and limited fire protection systems in parts of the facility. Zmuda said maintenance staff “just can’t keep up” with the demands of the infrastructure.

He also pointed to cramped cell sizes — some measuring roughly 5 1/2 feet by 7 1/2 feet — and older open-bar cell designs that can complicate safety and security. Limited day-room space and poor sightlines for officers operating cell doors also add operational challenges, he said.

In addition, KDOC officials said public streets run close to portions of the Central Unit’s perimeter, allowing people to throw contraband — including drugs and cellphones — over the wall. Contraband drives a large share of problems inside facilities, Zmuda said.

A 2021 facility assessment commissioned by KDOC found building conditions at Hutchinson ranged from fair to poor and concluded replacement would likely be more cost-effective than major renovations, Zmuda said. The assessment estimated about $80 million in renovation needs at the time — a figure Zmuda said would translate to about $95 million in 2026 dollars — but he cautioned the total would rise further if the state pursued major renovations that would require additional compliance work and hazardous-material mitigation.

Lawmakers asked KDOC how a rebuild would work and where inmates would be housed during construction. Zmuda said the department would likely build a new unit on available land near the current Central Unit and keep inmates in the existing facility until the new unit is completed, then relocate them. He said a full replacement project could take roughly 40 to 50 months from approval to completion, including design and bidding.

Other legislators raised questions about potential demolition or repurposing of the old Central Unit, including whether historic preservation requirements might apply and what demolition costs could be. Zmuda said KDOC has not priced demolition and has not determined whether parts of the old facility could be repurposed for community uses.

Kansas Sentencing Commission Executive Director Scott Schultz told lawmakers that prison populations dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic as court proceedings slowed and releases outpaced admissions, but have since climbed back toward pre-pandemic levels. Based on the commission’s projections, Kansas is expected to exceed prison capacity around fiscal year 2029, he said.

Schultz said the commission’s 10-year model projects a roughly 20.6% increase in the prison population through fiscal year 2035, translating to about 2,530 additional beds compared with today’s numbers. After accounting for existing capacity, he said the system would still need about 1,365 more beds beyond current capacity — even if Kansas moves forward with the Hutchinson project and adds beds there.

Schultz urged lawmakers to consider prison construction alongside sentencing policy, rehabilitation programs and community-based alternatives. While the system must house people who pose serious risks, he said, most incarcerated people ultimately return to their communities.

Several lawmakers echoed calls for a broader strategy that balances facility needs, public safety and costs. The hearing chair said no decision would be made at the meeting but argued the issue needs sustained attention and could become more expensive the longer it is delayed.

The hearing concluded with lawmakers encouraging colleagues to tour the Hutchinson facility to better understand conditions and the scope of the challenges.

Lawmakers weigh costly future of Hutchinson Correctional Facility

By many measures, one could argue the Kelly-Toland years have been the biggest economic boon the state has ever seen.

Pick any measure…$30 billion of private sector investment (most per capita in nation), almost 80,000 new or retained jobs that pay 7.7% more than the average private sector wage in Kansas, highest ever Kansas exports, four consecutive Golden Shovel awards, a recent $3 billion budget surplus, or the coup de grace…securing the biggest economic win in state history luring the Chiefs from Missouri.

Just don’t pick population growth. At least on its face. Last month, Census population estimates were released for 2025 showing Kansas, while achieving a modicum of growth since 2020 (1.3%), lagged all neighboring states (Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Nebraska) who averaged 2.8%, or more than double the rate of Kansas. The US growth rate was 3.0%.

It’s hard to beat population growth as the gold standard metric for economic success in localities. It’s easy to see why when a community’s fortunes are tethered to it.

For example, in growing communities, if it costs each taxpayer $100 to provide “good” schools in their community, having more people (i.e., income) effectively allows the government to either lower everyone’s taxes to maintain the same level of service or keep spending levels at $100 for “better” schools. Either choice makes the community more competitive.

Conversely, communities with declining populations are death spirals. Fewer taxpayers paying $100 for “good” schools forces a decision point on local government – increase taxes to maintain “good” schools or keep them flat for “okay” schools. Either choice is a losing proposition and just induces more middle class wage-earners to vote with their feet leaving behind a cost of operation fewer people can afford in their wake.

So, while adding jobs and private sector investment are significant precursors to growing population, why is Kansas’ population gains underachieving?

Of the seven biggest developments that opened under Kelly-Toland, four dot growing urbanizing counties between 2020-2024 – NBAF/Riley (0.8%), NBAF/Pottawatomie (6.0%), Panasonic/Johnson (3.7%), Integra/Sedgwick (2.3%), and Urban Outfitters/Wyandotte (0.1%). Wyandotte springboards to 2.2% since 2022. The remaining three developments dot shrinking rural to semi-rural counties - Hilmar Cheese/Ford (-0.6%), Schwan’s

Pizza/Saline (-1.6%), and Amber Wave/Phillips (-5.0%). Localized population growth is happening, but when 75% of the 105 counties have not grown since 2020, statewide gains fight an uphill battle.

Another trend affecting state population is the nation’s own growth. Population math made simple: take births, minus deaths, factor arriving and departing migrants. This formula ensured US population growth was unstoppable over its 250-year history. And in turn helped states grow.

By 2030, US deaths will likely outnumber births. Without natural growth, only net migration remains. And under current immigration policies, net international migration has plummeted so much that the US population could shrink for the first-time in its history next year. Kansas’s own international migration in 2024-25 cratered to 7,440 from the previous year’s 13,829 due to the chilling effect on new migrants rather than deportations.

In conclusion, the Kelly-Toland wins have shown some silver linings even in the face of these obstacles. Last year, Kansas domestic net migration increased by 4,000 people from the previous year, virtually all 39,000+ people added to Kansas since 2020 occurred since 2022, and many big STAR Bond projects focus on out-of-state visitors – a proxy for temporary population growth.

Good signs that the massive economic wins under Kelly-Toland stand to bear population fruit.

Bill Fiander teaches university-level courses in Kansas covering state/local government, public administration, and city planning.

Insight Kansas: Are Kansas' economic wins also translating to population wins

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. ——————————————

Hunter	Christian	Cherry		2/13/2026 8:37&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Dawn	Renee	White		2/13/2026 11:20&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Possession of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Judy	Mae	Powers		2/14/2026 1:53&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+

Kaylan	Lee	Mulligan		2/14/2026 4:21&nbsp;AM	Criminal Restraint,					Battery; Phys contact rude/insult/angry manner,					Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Darin	Daniel	Rodriquez		2/14/2026 10:25&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; drugs or combination of drugs

Travis	Lane	Hannan		2/14/2026 10:26&nbsp;AM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Jonathan	Wayne	Beer		2/14/2026 12:25&nbsp;AM	Poss of stimulant; 1 prior conviction,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving

Raelynn	Denae	Spencer		2/14/2026 6:21&nbsp;PM	Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct

Blake	Alexander	Wornkey		2/14/2026 6:21&nbsp;PM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Jennifer	Delloro	McGehee		2/14/2026 7:19&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Possession of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Kimberly	Jo Lydia	Cain		2/14/2026 10:55&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Evan	Christopher	Klamczynski		2/15/2026 1:40&nbsp;AM	Possess, Consume, Purchase Alcoholic Liquor/CMB by 18-20 YOA; 1st Conviction

Daily Bookings

Two people were arrested Saturday afternoon following a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle that began on Interstate 135 and ended on the south side of McPherson, authorities said.

At about 4:04 p.m., officers with the McPherson Police Department were notified by the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office that a stolen vehicle was traveling southbound on I-135 from Smoky Valley Road. The sheriff’s office detected the vehicle using its newly deployed Flock license plate reader camera network.

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

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

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

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

McPherson police arrest two following chase

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

Three-day Outlook

Firefighters battled a heavy structure fire Saturday evening at a 2½-story residential building in the 400 block of East Seventh Avenue, according to the Hutchinson Fire Department.

Crews were dispatched at about 6:32 p.m. after receiving a report of a structure fire. First-arriving firefighters found heavy black smoke coming from the eaves of the balloon-frame home, officials said.

Firefighters entered the structure to conduct a search after dispatchers advised that an occupant was still inside attempting to retrieve pets. Additional crews arrived and initiated an aggressive interior attack on the fire, which was found on the first and second floors and in the attic.

Officials said a partial floor collapse occurred in a second-floor bedroom during the incident. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Hutchinson Fire Department was assisted by the Hutchinson Police Department, Evergy, Hutchinson Reno County Emergency Communications, Kansas Gas and Reno County Emergency Medical Services.

HFD battles Saturday evening fire

Dear Dave, My husband and I make $180,000 a year combined. Right now, we’re working on our debt snowball. We’re almost debt-free except for our home, but we still have a little bit left on two car payments and some credit card debt.

He wants to get rid of the credit card debt, but he doesn’t seem to mind having car payments. I’m not sure I understand why he feels this way, and I’m a little worried he might lose interest in paying off debt once the credit cards are gone.

Dear Keri, To be honest, I’m not sure I understand his thinking either. They’re both debt payments, and you’re being charged interest on both of them. The only difference I can see is that one’s attached to a car and one’s not. It makes about as much sense as saying you like Visa better than MasterCard.

Even if he has some strange hang-up about car depreciation, that argument doesn’t hold water, either. Cars go down in value whether you borrow money to buy them or not. A $30,000 vehicle will be worth half that in just a few years, no matter what you do. And car payments won’t keep it from depreciating, or slow the rate of depreciation. 

You know, sometimes people just get burned out and tired of paying the price to become debt-free. I’ve seen it happen several times when folks have been working at it for a while, and they start to feel like they’re never going to get there. What if you two sit down, and have a detailed talk about why he feels this way? See if you can find out why he feels the way he does about car payments, and where the root of the problem really lies.  

Keri, this guy has been right with you on the journey to get out of debt, and gain control of your finances up until now. That tells me he’s disciplined, and that he’s willing to pay a price for things that are important to him. He may just need some encouragement and support. So, try reminding him how far you’ve come together. Remind him how close you are to winning, and how much you love and respect him for being part of it all.

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: You’re too close to stop now

Pablo	Idrogo	Martinez		2/13/2026 10:07&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Ricky	Duane	Hopewell		2/13/2026 1:12&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Richard	Michael	Chamberlain		2/13/2026 2:48&nbsp;PM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Christopher	Lee	Craig		2/13/2026 3:07&nbsp;PM	Viol protection order; Pre-trial order,					Harassment by Telephone; Texting to harass or threaten

Orion	Anthony Matthew	Morales		2/13/2026 6:15&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Realiti	Dawn	Courson		2/13/2026 7:05&nbsp;PM	Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Kerri	Lynn	Simmons		2/13/2026 7:10&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Matthew	Guy	Currie		2/13/2026 8:11&nbsp;PM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Lucas	Randall	Shoen		2/13/2026 8:25&nbsp;PM	Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct

Hunter	Christian	Cherry		2/13/2026 8:37&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear,					Possession of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misdemeanor case, Execution of Misdemeanor Warrant

StartUp Hutch released its first-ever annual report this week, detailing the organization’s 2025 activity, financial overview and expanding role in supporting entrepreneurs across Reno County.

Executive Director Graham Klemme said the report was designed to provide transparency and a clear snapshot of StartUp Hutch’s impact since he took the role in May 2025.

“It’s been a goal of mine to offer some transparency around what we do to the broader community,” Klemme said. “The report summarizes our activity, our data, some financial information and success stories.”

According to the report, StartUp Hutch served 203 entrepreneurs in 2025 through a mix of events and one-on-one assistance. The organization conducted more than 250 coaching sessions, focusing on repeated, hands-on support for individuals starting or growing businesses.

“The bulk of what we do is coaching,” Klemme said. “Someone comes in and says, ‘I’m starting a business and I don’t know what I’m doing,’ and we walk alongside them step by step.”

StartUp Hutch, founded in 1987, also helped entrepreneurs access nearly $500,000 in capital during the year. Klemme noted the total came during a transitional period for the organization, which operated without an executive director for part of the spring.

“That was actually a slow year,” he said. “Capital access is one of our core goals, and we want to see that number go up.”

The organization’s reach extends beyond Hutchinson, with workshops and outreach efforts in communities such as Buhler, Pretty Prairie and Haven. An upcoming “StartUp Haven” workshop is scheduled for March 3 and is part of a broader effort to host community-specific discussions on small business development throughout Reno County.

“Small businesses really make the world go round,” Klemme said, noting that many established local employers still fall under the federal definition of a small business, which includes firms with fewer than 500 employees.

StartUp Hutch also launched a podcast, “The Hot Seat,” to highlight local entrepreneurs and business resources. Recent episodes have featured local StartUp leaders and innovators, with the podcast available on major streaming platforms.

Funding for StartUp Hutch comes primarily from the City of Hutchinson, Reno County and grant support, including assistance from the Hutchinson Community Foundation. Klemme said that mix of public and private support is critical to sustaining the organization’s mission.

Looking ahead, Klemme said StartUp Hutch is developing new programming tied to housing and construction-related entrepreneurship and plans to continue expanding its community presence.

The 2025 annual report is available at startuphutch.com under the “Annual Report” section.

StartUp Hutch releases first annual report

The Reno County Department of Aging will host a community discussion on fall prevention later this month, offering practical strategies and resources aimed at helping older adults remain safe and independent.

The event is part of the department’s Community Collaboration Series and is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Reno County Department of Aging, 120 W. Ave. B in Hutchinson.

Jeremy McDowell, an account executive with Angels Care Home Health, will serve as the guest speaker. McDowell will discuss common fall risks, prevention strategies and steps individuals and caregivers can take to reduce the likelihood of falls at home and in daily activities.

The session will be presented by Cara Conaway, information and outreach program coordinator for the Reno County Department of Aging. Organizers say the program is designed for older adults, caregivers and family members who want to better understand how to prevent falls and maintain independence.

Community members are encouraged to attend and bring a friend. Reservations are requested.

Department of Aging to hold fall prevention event

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Amazon’s smart doorbell maker Ring has terminated a partnership with police surveillance tech company Flock Safety.

The announcement follows a backlash that erupted after a 30-second Ring ad that aired during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-ads-ai-telehealth-glp1-9ccfc8c730981fd91f44a5bec24e2242">Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;featuring a lost dog that is found through a network of cameras, sparking fears of a dystopian surveillance society.

But that feature, called Search Party, was not related to Flock. And Ring’s announcement doesn’t cite the ad as a reason for the “joint decision” for the cancellation.

Ring and Flock said last year they were planning on working together to give Ring camera owners the option to share their video footage in response to law enforcement requests made through a Ring feature known as Community Requests.

“Following a comprehensive review, we determined the planned Flock Safety integration would require significantly more time and resources than anticipated,” Ring’s statement said.

“The integration never launched, so no Ring customer videos were ever sent to Flock Safety.”

Flock reiterated that it never received Ring customer videos — and that ending the planned integration was a mutual decision that allows both companies to “best serve their respective customers.” In a statement, Flock added that it “remains dedicated to supporting law enforcement agencies with tools that are fully configurable to local laws and policies.”

Flock is one of the nation’s biggest operators of automated license-plate reading systems. Its cameras are mounted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-abortion-license-plates-cameras-cc5f29df94a29ee2c6c2feb2151c8f5e">in thousands of communities</a>&nbsp;across the U.S., capturing billions of photos of license plates each month. The company has faced public outcry amid the Trump administration’s aggressive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-patrol-surveillance-drivers-ice-trump-9f5d05469ce8c629d6fecf32d32098cd">immigration enforcement</a>&nbsp;crackdown. But Flock maintains that it does not partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or contract out with any subagency of the Department of Homeland Security for direct access to its cameras. The company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-abortion-license-plates-cameras-cc5f29df94a29ee2c6c2feb2151c8f5e">paused pilot programs</a>&nbsp;with Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations last year.

Still, Flock says it doesn’t own the data captured by its cameras, its customers do. So if a police department, for example, chooses to collaborate with a federal agency like ICE, “Flock has no ability to override that decision,” the company notes on its website.

Beyond the Flock partnership, Amazon has faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ces-worst-show-ai-0ce7fbc5aff68e8ff6d7b8e6fb7b007d">other surveillance concerns</a>&nbsp;over its Ring doorbell cameras.

In the Super Bowl ad, a lost dog is found with Ring’s Search Party feature, which the company says can “reunite lost dogs with their families and track wildfires threatening your community.” The clip depicts the dog being tracked by cameras throughout a neighborhood using artificial intelligence.

Viewers took to social media to criticize it for being sinister, leaving many wondering if it would be used to track humans and saying they would turn the feature off.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that focus on civil liberties related to digital technology, said this week that Americans should feel unsettled over the potential loss of privacy.

“Amazon Ring already integrates biometric identification, like face recognition, into its products via features like ‘Familiar Faces’ which depends on scanning the faces of those in sight of the camera and matching it against a list of pre-saved, pre-approved faces,” the Foundation wrote Tuesday. “It doesn’t take much to imagine Ring eventually combining these two features: face recognition and neighborhood searches.”

Democratic Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts also urged Amazon to discontinue its “Familiar Faces” technology.

In a published letter addressed to Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy, Markey wrote that the backlash to the Super Bowl commercial “confirmed public opposition to Ring’s constant monitoring and invasive image recognition algorithms.”

Amazon scraps partnership with surveillance company after Super Bowl ad backlash

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why is a Homeland Security shutdown happening?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New details on the U.S. Homeland Security shutdown

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 women dead, 2 others injured in KC nightclub shooting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you’re working toward your Public Service Loan Forgiveness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you’re planning to attend graduate school

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Confusion continues over student loan repayment plans, collections

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kansas governor plans to attend White House meeting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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