Sunday at approximately 5:44 p.m. the Junction City Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire at the West Ridge Apartments located at 1537 W. Ash St.

According to the Fire Chief, Jason Lankas, upon arrival, crews observed heavy smoke and visible flames coming from the rear of the building. The fire had extended into the attic space and was primarily isolated to the third-floor attic area.

Due to the size and complexity of the incident, mutual aid was requested from Fort Riley Fire Department for a ladder truck. Geary County Fire Department also responded with an additional engine to assist. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior fire attack while additional crews conducted a primary search of the structure.

The fire was brought under control at approximately 6:19 p.m.

The building at 1537 W. Ash St. consists of six apartment units. All six units were affected by the fire, with four units determined to be a total loss. Thirteen occupants were displaced as a result of the incident. EMS personnel evaluated individuals on scene, and no serious injuries were reported.

The fire has been ruled accidental following an investigation conducted by the Junction City Fire Department.

Initial damage estimates are approximately $100,000 in fire and smoke damage. The estimated total value of the building is approximately $2,750,000.

The American Red Cross assisted displaced residents with temporary housing and essential needs

Apartment Structure Fire with No Serious Injuries

RILEY COUNTY–&nbsp; &nbsp;Law enforcement are investigating a Manhattan man for alleged child sex crimes.

Just after 5:30p.m. March 6. police arrested 48-year-old Joshua G. Taylor, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.

He was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for five counts of sexual exploitation of a child and possessing media of a child under the age of 18.&nbsp;

Taylor is being held on a $500,000 bond.&nbsp;

Manhattan man accused of multiple child sex crimes

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Friday in Manhattan.

A 2003 Jeep Liberty driven by Cory Wrolson, 22, of Manhattan struck a 2015 Ford Fusion driven by Adelle Francis, 21, of Manhattan,&nbsp;in the 2200 block of Claflin Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Riley County EMS transported a&nbsp;passenger from the Ford Fusion to Via Christi Hospital. Wrolson was issued a citation for inattentive driving.

1 hospitalized, driver cited after 2-vehicle crash

Geary County Emergency Management said above normal temperatures are forecast on Monday with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s! Warm and dry conditions will create elevated fire danger Monday afternoon. Storms become likely by Tuesday evening. Some may be severe. It will be cooler behind the front on Wednesday.

Severe storms are possible Tuesday evening. Storms could form as early as the late afternoon. Storms will move out from west to east Wednesday morning.

Emergency Management ptovides a weather outlook

A Kansas Senate bill that would eventually eliminate property taxes in the state is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday.

The Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 488 at 9:30 a.m. on March 10. The measure is titled the Kansas Property Tax Freedom Act of 2026.

The proposal would phase out property taxes over several years. Under the bill, local governments would be limited to 50% of their 2025 mill levy in tax year 2026 and 25% of the 2025 levy in 2027. Beginning in 2028, property taxes on real and personal property would be prohibited under the plan.

To replace lost revenue, the legislation would establish a “Kansas fair share purchase surcharge” beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Purchases of $20 or more would carry a flat $1.60 surcharge, while purchases under $20 would be charged 7.6% of the purchase price.

Revenue from the surcharge would be distributed primarily to local governments and schools, with 48% allocated to school districts and 35% to counties, cities and other local taxing entities. Additional funds would support the state general fund and a reserve fund intended to stabilize revenue and potentially provide taxpayer rebates if the balance exceeds $500 million.

The bill also outlines exemptions from the surcharge, including groceries eligible for SNAP, prescription drugs, motor fuel, utilities, child care services and K-12 tuition.

Even if approved by lawmakers, the plan would only take effect if Kansas voters pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting property taxes during a statewide election.

Kansas 'Property Tax Freedom Act' set for legislative hearing

Registration is open for the Walk Kansas program. This will be an 8-week healthy lifestyle challenge from March 22 through May 16.

You can put together a team of coworkers, friends, family and neighbors for this activity. Register ubtil March 31 online at WalkKansas.org or contact your local K-State Extension office for more information. The cost is $10 per person.

The telephone number for the Geary County Extension Office is 785-238-4161.

Join the Walking Challenge

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Sunday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Nissan Armada driven by&nbsp; Miranda L.&nbsp; Flippin, 50, North Richland Hills, Texas was eastbound on Interstate 70 two miles east of Maple Hill. The SUV traveled off the edge of the roadway to the right. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle rolled multiple times.

EMS transported Flippin to Stormont Vail in Topeka. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Woman hospitalized after SUV rollover accident

The Junction City Blue Jays Boys Basketball team fell to the Derby Panthers on Saturday night at Derby High School. The Blue Jays end their season in the 6A Sub-State Championship and finish with a record of 13-11 overall.

Game recap Derby 73, Junction City 61.&nbsp;

The two teams each traded early buckets to start a back and forth affair, with Junction City leading 4-2 in the opening minutes, but Derby would jolt ahead thanks to a trio of first quarter three pointers. Trailing 16-13 after the first quarter, and by as many as nine points early in the second period, the Blue Jays would answer back.&nbsp;

Jet Thompson knocked down three of his own shots from the outside in the second quarter to pull Junction City right back in the game. Thompson and Brody Boeckman would each lead Junction City’s offense in the first half with 11 points each, keeping the Blue Jays within three points, at 36-33 at halftime.&nbsp;

In the second half, Junction City’s Lovell Autry shook off his slow start by tallying the first four points of the third quarter and put the Blue Jays in the lead for the first time since the opening minutes. From there, the two teams would jostle for positioning once again, trading baskets but remaining within a possession of one another for the remainder of the quarter. Derby would keep its three point advantage at the end of the third, leading 49-46.&nbsp;

Autry, who scored just three first half points, would heat up when Junction City needed him most. The Senior scored a team-high 22 points in the contest. Scoring 19 of the Blue Jays 28 total after halftime.&nbsp;

Derby would use a quick run to extend its lead back out to nine points early in the fourth quarter, aided by the hot shooting of guard Greg Stiger, who would score 23 points in the game, but 18 of them in the second half, including nine points during the Panthers run that would eventually secure the win.&nbsp;

Additionally for Derby, Avant Riley would lead them in scoring overall with 25 points, while Cale Clingan added 14 points as well.&nbsp;

The Panthers would pull away for a double digit win despite the staunch effort of Junction City behind Autry, as well as Thompson’s 16 points.&nbsp;

With the win, Derby now advances to the 6A State Tournament.

Blue Jay Boys fall short in Sub-State Championship At Derby

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Ted Bush, president of the Wichita Firefighters Union, on the recent southwest Kansas fires.

🎥 Forward Ever: Firefighters union president on southwest Kansas fires

Geary County was represented at the recent County Day at the Kansas Capitol.

Geary County representatives at the Kansas Capitol

SALINE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Friday in Saline County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Kenworth Straight Truck driven by Phillip W..&nbsp;Weir, 54, White City, was westbound on Kansas 4 just east of Amos Road. The truck traveled off the roadway and the driver overcorrected. The truck&nbsp; crossed the center line, rolled onto its side through the south ditch and came to rest on its wheels.

EMS transported Weir to Salina Regional Health Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after truck rollover accident

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a deadly shooting last week made his first court appearance in the case Friday.

Tristan D. Miles, 40, was charged with first degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 7:30p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting in the parking lot of the&nbsp; American Legion in the 1300 Block of North Hydraulic in Wichita. According to an online statement from police, the suspect called 911 and reported he had just shot someone.

First responders found the&nbsp; shooting victim,&nbsp;56-year-old Darnell Guiden of Wichita,&nbsp;inside a 1998 Chevrolet pickup. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased just before 8p.m.

The suspect, identified from county booking records as 40-year-old Tristan D. Miles, was taken into custody without incident. He had previously been banned from the business from a previous incident, according to police.

Miles is being held a&nbsp;$1-million dollars bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Man who called 911 to report shooting faced a judge

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Department lawyers announced Monday that they'd reached a settlement in their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-lawsuit-df9b552d127e1494db13e3cd625787a8">antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster</a>&nbsp;and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, in a case that alleged an illegal monopoly over live events in America. But it remained possible that some states might continue a trial on their own.

The announcement by the Justice Department at the start of the trial in federal court in Manhattan was greeted angrily by Judge Arun Subramanian, who said no one informed him of the tentative deal until late Sunday even though a term sheet for a possible settlement was signed on Thursday.

“It's entirely unacceptable,” he said.

Adam Gitlin, a lawyer for the District of Columbia, said the states were requesting a mistrial, although the state of Texas had expressed “serious concerns” about the deal between the U.S. and Live Nation and states have not yet agreed to the deal.

David Marriott, a lawyer for Live Nation, said the company opposed a mistrial and believed it should proceed.

The Department of Justice and Live Nation didn’t immediately respond to requests by The Associated Press for comment.

It comes as the two sides face trial in New York over whether to dismantle the monopoly the Justice Department said was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-trial-ecfd6cb3e77459412584ed002653bc8f">squelching competition and driving up prices for fans</a>.

The case, brought under President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;'s Democratic administration in 2024, accused Live Nation of using threats, retaliation and other tactics to “suffocate the competition” by controlling virtually every aspect of the industry, from concert promotion to ticketing.

The Justice Department accused Live Nation of engaging in a slew of practices that have allowed it to maintain a stranglehold over the live music scene. The Justice Department has said the company uses long-term contracts to keep venues from choosing rival ticketers, blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers and threatening venues that they could lose money and fans if they don’t choose Ticketmaster.

Live Nation has maintained that artists and teams set prices and decide how tickets are sold.

Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment, based in Beverly Hills, California, have a long history of clashes with major artists and their fans, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-taylor-swift-af5d58d2a8c6def368ded1bd2ddd8a6f">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;and Bruce Springsteen.

Ticketmaster, which was established in 1976 and merged with Live Nation in 2010, is the world’s largest ticket seller across live music, sports, theater and more.

Ticketmaster parent company reaches landmark antitrust settlement

MIAMI COUNTY —Three people are safe after a weekend water rescue in Miami County.

Emergency personnel from the Miami County, Kansas Sheriff’s Office, Osawatomie Volunteer Fire Department, and Miami County EMS worked a water rescue in the area of 347th Street and Hospital Drive on Sunday, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.

The driver traveled into flooded roadways, requiring emergency rescue. The occupants, two adults and a juvenile, reportedly did not know how to swim, making this situation even more dangerous for both them and the responders working to reach them.

&nbsp;All occupants were rescued and are safe. There were no injures to anyone involved.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The sheriff office reminded, "Turn around, don’t drown. Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways. It only takes a small amount of moving water to sweep a vehicle away.Please avoid flooded areas and allow emergency crews space to work safely."

2 adults, child rescued after driver stuck on flooded Kansas road

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 — Five Democratic candidates vying to unseat U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall told more than 150 people Sunday how they will deliver in Washington, D.C., if the state can flip the seat blue.

While sharing their experience and goals for Kansas, the five took a few shots at Marshall. They&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU4oovkjmWY" target="_blank">were on stage</a>&nbsp;during the closing day of the Kansas Democratic Party’s annual meeting, which began Friday at Townsite Topeka.

“I just want you to know I’m ready, willing and able to send Roger Marshall back to Florida for good,” said Sandy Spidel Neumann, who is challenging Marshall for his Senate seat.

Democrats have accused Marshall of living at his second residence in Florida more than his Kansas residence, an accusation Marshall denies.

Spidel Neumann said she made the decision to run, after a long career in financial services, after seeing Marshall storm out of a town hall.

“I saw Roger Marshall’s infamous town hall, and I saw him walk out on Kansans — people that reminded me of my cousins who voted for Trump and Marshall,” she said. “It was so bad that I thought, ‘Oh, hell to the no, you work for us, and we need somebody to fight for us.’ I’m that person.”

The five candidates talked about issues they’ve heard from Kansans as they’ve toured the state, echoing many of the same challenges other candidates spoke about at the convention: education, immigration, health care, tariffs and reproductive rights.

Erik Murray, a real estate developer, said the “politician-created problems,” such as tariffs and tax policies that benefit billionaires, “are tearing apart the fabric of our communities.”

“We know that this is a country of immigrants, and protecting and standing up for folks is what we believe in,” Murray said. “So we’ve got to restore our Kansas values in Washington.”

Anne Parelkar, an immigration attorney, called for a full investigation of what U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been doing nationwide.&nbsp;

“The American people need and deserve to see everything that they have done and everything that has gone wrong,” she said. “We deserve the truth, and if that investigation shows us that there isn’t anything in that entity worth saving, then we abolish it, and we use that money for actual immigration reform that serves our people in our country.”

Spidel Neumann called for body cameras, the elimination of masks and better training.

“We need them to have the right goals,” she said, noting that ICE agents have goals set based on the number of arrests, rather than on convictions or other criteria.

Jason Hart, an assistant U.S. district attorney, said his job for 21 years has been “standing in the breach against bullies” for marginalized communities.

“You have to be there and be able to hold their hand, to meet them where they are, and show them that you care and that you are an ally,” he said.

Christy Cauble Davis, a fifth-generation Kansan, said about 20% of the voters in Chase County, where she lives, are registered Democrats. Even with those numbers, her county voted about 50-50 on protecting abortion in the Kansas Constitution.

“What that says to me is we can’t count rural Kansas out,” she said. “We need to work statewide.There are more people who agree on issues than disagree.”

Spidel Neumann said she couldn’t believe Kansas is still debating this issue.

“I am beyond floored by it,” she said. “I’m a pro-choice Catholic. I’m pro women making decisions that they need to make with their doctor, with their family. Politicians should not be involved, and they should stay away from our hoo-has.”

Across the board, the candidates supported women choosing what happens with their bodies.

“We have got to protect women’s rights to make their own decisions about their own bodies,” Murray said. “We do not need the same leaders in Washington that are screwing up everything in this world to be in our doctor’s offices and in our schools and in our hospitals trying to make decisions on behalf of women.”

Cauble Davis said she is used to working with hard-line Republicans to find solutions and drew laughter after a comment about Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican who is well-known for his conservative views.

“I’ve also navigated this landscape in my advocacy work in the state Legislature,” she said. “ I worked with Pat Proctor on an issue that we agreed on. If I’m able, as a woman and a leader, to work with Pat Proctor on issues, I can work with anyone.”

Parelkar said she’s modeling the idea of compromise throughout her campaign, where the idea is to “throw out the idea of an aisle.”

“At my community round tables, which we’re holding in every county in this state, we make it a point to invite everybody, not just the people who agree with us — Democrat, Republican, independent, inexperienced in politics,” she said. “I say throw out the old idea of us vs. them.”

Today, she said, it’s “us vs. the elite.”

It was a sentiment that brought Murray’s full agreement.&nbsp;

“We’re all struggling because of the actions that Washington is taking in our communities,” he said. “All of the lies, all of the division, it’s all a distraction from the grift, right? We need to come together as the 99% of Americans who are not part of that grift, not part of that hate, to realize that we need to work together on solutions.”

As an attorney, Hart said he is used to reaching agreement, and it’s all about the question you ask.

“What are your interests, not your positions,” he said. “Because all we’ve been doing right now is arguing from the corners. Everybody’s staked out a position, and they can’t get in the middle. The middle is where you need to be standing in order to bridge the gap.”

Spidel Neumann said reversing some impacts of the “big abomination of a bill” that cut Medicaid would be a good first step because health care is a significant concern in rural Kansas. She also pointed out the need to get a Farm Bill passed and to stop using tariffs “willy-nilly.”&nbsp;

“That’s not economics. That’s market manipulation,” she said.

Cauble Davis said Democrats need to keep in mind that not everyone in rural communities are farmers or ranchers.

“Only 2% of the folks who live in rural America are engaged in production agriculture,” she said, and issues like health care, mental health care and education are critical in rural communities.

Hart said the most important thing is to show up for rural Kansans.

“How do you bring folks together? You go out and talk to them,” he said. “I ask people questions for a living, and that’s what we need more of, not talking at people. I listen to the experts, and the experts are our Kansas voters, our Kansas constituents, our Kansas communities that can tell us exactly what they need, and then take that and go to D.C. and advocate for them.”

Kansas Dems in U.S. Senate campaign focus on defeating GOP incumbent

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp; Police arrested a suspect after responding to an incident involving an 8-year-old girl in west Wichita.

Just before 11:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 2800 block of West Central in Wichita for a reported disturbance. The caller told police that their 8-year-old had left home and was walking in the 600 block of North Gordon when a man approached her and grabbed her.

The girl was able to break free and run to her grandparents' location, who called 911.

Officers arrived quickly, located the suspect, later identified in Sedgwick County booking records as 27-year-old Tanner J. Warren, near North Gordon, and detained him without incident.

Detectives with the Exploited and Missing Child Unit conducted the follow‑up investigation and arrested Warren. He was booked into Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping and child abuse.

Kansas man accused in attempted abduction of 8-year-old girl

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said it killed six men Sunday in a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">Trump administration’s campaign</a>&nbsp;against alleged traffickers.

Sunday's attack brought the death toll to at least 157 people since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in small vessels in early September.

As with most of the military’s statements on the more than 40 known strikes in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, U.S. Southern Command said it targeted alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was ferrying drugs. It posted a video on X that showed a small boat being blown up as it floated on the water.

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">justified the attacks</a>&nbsp;as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-latin-america-china-d1cbf9af62f10e0644770f2e2b2bd791">meeting with Latin American leaders</a>&nbsp;on Saturday, Trump encouraged them to join the U.S. in taking military action against drug-trafficking cartels and transnational gangs, which he said pose an “unacceptable threat” to the region's national security.

To that end, Ecuador and the United States conducted military operations this past week against organized crime groups in the South American country.

With Saturday's gathering, Trump aimed to demonstrate that he remains committed to focusing U.S. foreign policy on the Western Hemisphere, even while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-8-2026-f0b20dbffaea9351ae1e54183ffe53ff">waging a war</a>&nbsp;on Iran that has had repercussions across the Middle East.

Critics&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-drugs-25000-lives-c6e4c750b0dc6f15d397d598c9bd169f">have questioned the overall legality</a>&nbsp;of the boat strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-drug-smuggling-cocaine-coast-guard-caribbean-e10930a4c7e48eeb23816867e7987bcc">over land from Mexico</a>, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

The boat strikes also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-venezuela-boat-strikes-trump-6eaa178757a39803f0d4b5324dd43c1f">drew intense criticism</a>&nbsp;following the revelation that the military killed survivors of the very first boat attack with a follow-up strike. The Trump administration and many Republican lawmakers said it was legal and necessary, while Democratic lawmakers and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-survivors-hegseth-72b0a498ca08615b2589c772a1d9e642">legal experts said</a>&nbsp;the killings were murder, if not a war crime.

🎥US military kills 6 in new strike on drug boat in the Eastern Pacific

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-mojtaba-khamenei-supreme-leader-a2de686507c9179788d2a8793c8414a0">Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran's late supreme leader</a>, has been named his successor, Iranian state TV announced early Monday, as the war that began a little over a week ago with his father's killing took a dramatic turn.

The younger Khamenei, who had not been seen or heard from publicly since the war started, had long been considered a contender for the post, even before an Israeli strike killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-dead-5b13b69b708c4ed38e8f95f5fb41a597">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, and despite never being elected or appointed to a government position.

His appointment came after signs of a rift among Iranian officials as the country awaited a decision by the Assembly of Experts, a group of clerics that selects the supreme leader. State TV read a statement from the assembly saying he was selected based on “strong” votes and urging the nation to unite behind him. The station broadcast scenes of people celebrating in parts of Tehran.

There has been only one other transfer of power in the office of supreme leader since the Islamic Revolution almost a half-century ago.

A secretive figure, the 56-year-old Khamenei now stands at the heart of Iran’s theocracy and will have final say over all matters of state. He will serve as commander-in-chief of the military and powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. He also has authority over a stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could be used to build a nuclear weapon, if he chooses to decree it.

The selection of Khamenei faces the likelihood of U.S. criticism. “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me,” U.S. President Donald Trump has said. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump has derided the 56-year-old who has never been elected or appointed to a government position, as “a lightweight.”

 Trump told ABC News on Sunday he wants a say in who comes to power once the war is over; a new leader “is not going to last long” without his approval.

But Iran's Revolutionary Guard issued a statement expressing support, as did the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Top Iranian security official Ali Larijani, speaking to state TV, praised the Assembly of Experts for “courageously” convening even as airstrikes continued in Tehran. He said the younger Khamenei had been trained by his father and “can handle this situation.”

What President Trump said about new Iran supreme leader

CHICAGO (AP) — Oil prices spiked near $120 per barrel before falling back Monday as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-8-2026-f0b20dbffaea9351ae1e54183ffe53ff">Iran war</a>&nbsp;intensified, threatening production and shipping in the Middle East and pummeling financial markets.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, surged to $119.50 per barrel early in the day but later was trading at $107.80 per barrel.

West Texas Intermediate, the light, sweet crude oil produced in the United States, spiked at $119.48 per barrel but fell back to $103 per barrel.

The war’s toll on civilian targets grew as Bahrain accused Iran of striking a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-desalination-water-oil-middle-east-12b23f2fa26ed5c4a10f80c4077e61ce">desalination plant</a>&nbsp;vital to drinking water supplies, and oil depots in Tehran smoldered following overnight strikes by Israel.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-gasoline-iran-war-inflation-1a1b7c3e5fbd735aa87c43ac664501cb">Oil prices have surged</a>&nbsp;as the war, now in its second week, ensnares countries and places that are critical to the production and movement of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf.

Prices moderated after the Financial Times reported that some members of the Group of Seven industrial nations were considering releases of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-oil-strategic-petroleum-reserve-f94657cbef74c0c682f5cc6472bfb3cb">strategic oil reserves</a>&nbsp;to alleviate pressure on the markets. The unconfirmed report cited unnamed people familiar with the talks.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump downplayed the idea of turning to America’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-opec-business-government-and-politics-climate-environment-59aa11307b222550d48fb42ff0c3bd59">Strategic Petroleum Reserve,</a>&nbsp;saying U.S. supplies were ample and prices would soon fall.

Roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil — about 20% of the world’s oil — typically are shipped every day through the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-hormuz-iran-energy-war-5b60e82ef2fc68e2b43aa570a32404dd">Strait of Hormuz</a>, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy. The threat of Iranian missile and drone attacks has all but stopped tankers from traveling through the strait, which is bordered in the north by Iran, carry oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE have cut their oil production as storage tanks fill due to the reduced ability to export crude. Iran, Israel and the United States also have attacked oil and gas facilities since the war started, exacerbating supply concerns.

The surge in costs for oil and natural gas is pushing fuel prices higher, cascading through other industries and jolting Asian economies that are especially vulnerable due to the region's heavy reliance on imports from the Middle East.

The last time Brent and U.S. crude futures traded near the current level was in 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Higher energy costs push inflation higher, straining household budgets and denting the consumer spending that is a main driver of many big economies.

Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 index shed 5.2% on Monday while other markets also foundered. U.S. futures were down more than 1.5%.

On Friday, the S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.3% and the Dow plunged as many as 945 points before finishing with a loss of roughly 450. The Nasdaq composite sank 1.6%.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-iran-inflation-jobs-gas-prices-7fbd5e99e3b6023963dd3de226aee4e4">In the U.S</a>., a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $3.45 on Sunday, about 47 cents more than a week earlier, according to AAA motor club. Diesel was selling for about $4.60 a gallon, a weekly increase of about 83 cents.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” said U.S. gas prices would be back under $3 a gallon “before too long.”

“Look, you never know exactly the time frame of this, but, in the worst case, this is a weeks, this is not a months thing,” Wright added.

If oil prices stay above $100 per barrel, some analysts and investors say it could be too much for the global economy to withstand.

Iranian authorities said strikes by Israel on oil depots&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-6-2026-6108249f19c4bc162eacd7847976c174">in Tehran</a>&nbsp;and a petroleum transfer terminal early Sunday killed four people. Israel’s military said the depots were being used by Iran’s military for fuel to launch missiles. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, warned that the war’s impact on the oil industry would spiral.

Iran exports roughly 1.6 million barrels of oil a day, mostly to China, which may need to look elsewhere for supply if Iran’s exports are disrupted, another factor that could increase energy prices.

The price of natural gas also has climbed during the war, though not by as much as oil. It was selling for about $3.33 per 1,000 cubic feet late Sunday. That’s 4.6% higher than its Friday closing price of $3.19, after rising about 11% last week.

Crude oil prices spike to highest price in over three years

Kansas City—Authorities are investigating the cause an apartment fire in Kansas City.

Just after 7a.m. Saturday Kansas City Fire Department companies were dispatched to&nbsp;a reported fire in the 3700 block of Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

On arrival, crews reported heavy smoke and fire showing from a 3-story apartment and initiated an offensive fire attack. Multiple hose lines were advanced into the structure to fight the fire.

Searches throughout the structure were performed and reported all clear. The fire was brought under control&nbsp;at&nbsp; 7:43 a.m.

No injuries have been reported from this incident .Dangerous Buildings and City Planning have been requested to the scene.

Fire at 3-story apartment building in Kansas City

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a violent knife attack and have made an arrest.

Just after 5:30p.m. March 5, police responded to a call at the intersection of SW 17th Street and SW Washburn Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.&nbsp;

Officers located a man with multiple stab wounds. He was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

As a result of the investigation, Kevin E. Hill, 54, Topeka, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and was booked on requested charges of Aggravated battery; Knowingly use weapon cause great body harm/disfigure/death.

Kansas man accused of violent knife attack

The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association (KWCA) and the Shrine Bowl of Kansas have announced the high school senior wrestlers who have accepted their invitation to wrestle in the 3rd annual KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals. &nbsp;The KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals will be held on Saturday, March 28th, 2026, at Fugate Gymnasium on the campus of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. Gates open at 1:00 pm and the opening ceremony will begin at 2:00 pm. Tickets, event information, and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.KansasShrineDuals.com.

Selected from Junction City was a member of the Lady Jay team, Bree Villaneuva. She went 36-0 and was a state champion for JCHS at 117 pounds.

The KWCA selections for the 2026 rosters include 22 state champions from this year’s KSHSAA State Championships, along with an additional 11 state finalists and 54 overall 2026 state medalists. The coaches selected by the KWCA for this year’s event are Billy Broeckelman (Norton HS) and Paul Lappin (Garden City HS) for the West team and Adam Ludwin (Tonganoxie HS) and Brett Delich (Tonganoxie HS) for the East team. Wrestler selections are finalized by the KWCA after a review of applications submitted by wrestlers and are contingent upon that wrestler’s acceptance of the invitation. The East/West dividing line used to assign wrestlers to the East or West team is marked by the territories of the five Kansas Shrine Centers, however, some exceptions are made to ensure fulfillment of all weight classes. The rosters are subject to change and the final official match pairings will be determined and released the week of the event.

The KWCA and the Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc created the Kansas Shrine Duals in 2024 as a senior all-star wrestling event for a cause. All net proceeds from the KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals benefit Shriners Children’s. Through the first two years of the event $50,000 has been raised for Shriners Children’s.

Wresler will compete in KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals

2026 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament Schedule

Game 1: No. 12 Arizona State vs. No. 13 Baylor (ESPN+) — 11:30 a.m. Game 2: No. 9 Cincinnati vs. No. 16 Utah (ESPN+) — 2 p.m. Game 3: No. 10 BYU vs. No. 15 Kansas State (ESPN+) — 6 p.m.&nbsp; Game 4: No. 11 Colorado vs. No. 14 Oklahoma State (ESPN+) — 8:30 p.m.

Game 5: No. 5 Iowa State vs. Game 1 winner (ESPN/ESPN2) — 11:30 a.m. Game 6: No. 8 UCF vs. Game 2 winner (ESPNU) — 2 p.m. Game 7: No. 7 West Virginia vs. Game 3 winner (ESPNU) — 6 p.m. Game 8: No. 6 TCU vs. Game 4 winner (ESPN2/ESPNU) — 8:30 p.m.

Game 9: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. Game 5 winner (ESPN/ESPN2) — 11:30 a.m. Game 10: No. 1 Arizona vs. Game 6 winner (ESPN/ESPN2) — 2 p.m. Game 11: No. 2 Houston vs. Game 7 winner (ESPN/ESPN2) — 6 p.m. &nbsp;Game 12: No. 3 Kansas vs. Game 8 winner (ESPN/ESPN2) — 8:30 p.m.

Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner (ESPN/ESPN2) — 6 p.m. Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner (ESPN/ESPN2) — 8:30 p.m.

Game 15: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner (ESPN) — 5 p.m.

🏀 Full schedule set for 2026 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Freshman star Darryn Peterson scored 27 points in his likely Allen Fieldhouse finale, Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. had memorable senior send-offs of their own, and No. 14 Kansas routed Kansas State 104-85 on Saturday.

Peterson, the potential No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft, was an efficient 10 of 15 from the field for the Jayhawks (22-9, 12-6 Big 12), who clinched a double-bye in next week's conference tournament by winning on Senior Day for the 43rd consecutive year.

White, a transfer from Illinois, had 23 points and 11 rebounds to cap his lone regular season in Lawrence, while Council — who arrived from St. Bonaventure — nearly had a triple-double with 17 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in his final game at the Phog.

The win was a much-needed confidence boost heading into the postseason for the Jayhawks, who had dropped four of their previous six games, and it extended their home win streak over their in-state rivals to 20 in a row.

P.J. Haggerty, who missed last week's win over West Virginia with an undisclosed injury, scored 21 points to lead the Wildcats (12-19, 3-15). Nate Johnson also had 21 points, while Khamari McGriff finished with 15.

The game was close only until midway through the first half, when Kansas ran off nine straight points to take control. It pushed the advantage to 46-33 by halftime, and the lead swelled to nearly 20 in the opening minutes of the second half.

Kansas State got within 11 on a couple of occasions, but Peterson and his senior teammates eventually poured it on.

The clinching blow came with about 12 minutes to go, when C.J. Jones fouled Peterson and then was whistled for a technical foul. The ensuing free throws were part of big run by Kansas that pushed the lead to 78-54 with under 10 minutes left in the game.

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