Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley-Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris-Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Lyon-Osage-Coffey-

Including the cities of St. Marys, Emporia, Lebo, Wamego,Frankfort, Maple Hill, Junction City, McLouth, Grantville, Abilene, Clay Center, Lyndon, Meriden, Bennington, Clifton, Topeka, Herington, Eskridge, Valley Falls, Marysville, Osage City, Council Grove, Hanover, Burlingame, Seneca, Minneapolis, Washington, Linn, Harveyville, Sabetha, Alma, Oskaloosa, Blue Rapids, Perry, Concordia, Alta Vista, Manhattan, Carbondale, Holton, Horton, McFarland, Greenleaf, Paxico, Burlington, Belleville, Overbrook, Nortonville, and Hiawatha

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 11 PM CDT SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph  expected.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central, and  northeast Kansas.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult,&nbsp;  especially for high profile vehicles.

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive.

High Wind Warning Sunday

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Jeep Wrangler driven by Danny R. Miller, 59, Alma, was westbound on Pavillion Road between 11p.m. Friday and 9a.m. Saturday. The Jeep traveled off the roadway to the south, became air born for approximately 27 feet, struck the south roadside ditch and a tree.&nbsp;

Miller was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Forensic Medical. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man died in violent jeep accident

&nbsp; .<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USD475?__cft__[0]=AZZfUqCvRbXgxMis8t8HLQe1dyVG1oBeT08Yj290riK2WtXBzbOnzvA0SpbAIi-B7cxeVARwL7FTUXRPElJikI1rtquPUV5xxShAkIGHvSE1xl7Xkkfk9WeFiFjIuaaY_dRK9oEYJ3p6rA8phAmxoVznLw1RnRvufA7VqPiL5skD-jr_QGIwvlctPHBc_Ly4PSc&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Geary County Schools USD 475</a>&nbsp;announced that they will be closed March 16-20 for spring break. Classes will resume on Monday, March 23.

Spring Break begins for USD 475

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-winter/">ALLISON WINTER</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>/<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee advanced a sweeping farm bill early this month, attempting to revive Congress’ stalled effort to rewrite the nation’s agriculture law the same way it’s been done for decades.

But the vote also exposed the fragile coalition that will determine whether the legislation can ever move forward.&nbsp;

Those who watch the process closely told States Newsroom they are not sure a new farm bill will be enacted, given the rupture in the traditional alliance that has in the past successfully brought together agriculture interests and anti-hunger advocates to support farm bills across party lines.

Historically, farm bills have brought together a diverse coalition of advocates and lawmakers across party lines. The arrangement dates back to the 1973 farm bill, when Congress first combined nutrition programs with farm subsidies to build a coalition strong enough to pass the legislation. The sweeping legislation now includes food and nutrition programs, energy, conservation, and rural development, as well as farm support and crop insurance.&nbsp;

Now, cuts and changes in the nation’s biggest nutrition program, which could impose major new financial burdens on states, have been made by Republicans completely outside the usual farm bill process. This added to changes Democrats made in 2022, when they skipped the farm bill and used budget reconciliation to increase funding for climate-friendly farm conservation programs — though it is the food aid cuts that have most roiled the current debate.

These recent shifts could fundamentally change how the farm bill moves through Congress, said Christopher Neubert, deputy director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University. He is also a former Democratic staffer on both the Senate Agriculture and Budget committees.

“It’s a careful balance …. but the farm bill was one thing that felt kind of certain,” Neubert said in an interview. “Now we’re entering a new period that I think does make a lot of people uneasy.”

“Unless there’s a real push to take a look at some of the serious challenges that exist and meaningfully address them, it might be very difficult to get a five-year farm bill across the finish line,” Neubert said.

The Agriculture Committee approved its version of the farm bill in a 34–17 vote March 5, following a markup that stretched more than 20 hours and featured sharp partisan disputes, particularly over the previous cuts to nutrition programs.

The legislation would set policy and funding levels for major food, agriculture and conservation programs for the next five years. The text and a title-by-title summary of the&nbsp;<a href="https://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill/" target="_blank">802-page bill</a>&nbsp;can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill/" target="_blank">here.</a>&nbsp;

The farm bill’s five-year timeline in the past gave some certainty and planning ability to farmers and ranchers, while bringing lawmakers and stakeholders back to the table periodically to reexamine the programs.

Congress last passed a farm bill in 2018, which expired in 2023. Since then, lawmakers have kept many programs running through temporary extensions, as negotiations over new versions fell through.

In the meantime, Congress made some of the largest changes to farm bill programs outside the normal reauthorization process – a major shift that has disrupted the usual process.

Last year’s GOP spending and tax cuts package, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” reshaped nutrition funding, cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.&nbsp;

SNAP, administered by states, is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program. It provides monthly, income-based benefits to help low-income individuals and families purchase groceries. Democrats have widely criticized the changes to the program.

Even so, the House Agriculture Committee vote showed some bipartisan support.&nbsp;

Seven Democrats joined Republicans in backing the legislation: Reps. Jim Costa of California, Sharice Davids of Kansas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, Adam Gray of California, Kristen McDonald Rivet of Michigan and Josh Riley of New York.&nbsp;

That was slightly more bipartisan than when the committee advanced a farm bill two years ago. Only four Democrats supported a measure that included some SNAP cuts within the farm bill.

Among those crossing party lines this year was Rivet, a freshman lawmaker and member of the moderate New Democrat Coalition.

Rivet hosted a press event on March 10 at a Saginaw County farm to promote the bill, highlighting the balancing act some moderate Democrats may face if the legislation reaches the House floor in an election year.&nbsp;

“Farmers need solutions and certainty,” Rivet said, noting that she backed the bill because of provisions related to disaster relief, crop insurance and specialty crop support.

Still, she acknowledged the legislation will need changes as it moves forward.

“I was excited to be able to vote ‘yes’ on this farm bill,” Rivet said. “But I need to say that the bill is not perfect. We do need to reverse the devastating cuts to SNAP for hungry kids and families.”

The debate over SNAP and other nutrition programs loomed over much of the committee’s work and will continue to be a major factor as the legislation moves forward.&nbsp;

“The historic cuts to SNAP jeopardize the path forward for this bill and future farm bills,” Davids said during the committee debate.

Democrats offered multiple amendments to restore SNAP funding, but Republicans did not support any.

Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs at the liberal-leaning Environmental Working Group and a longtime farm policy advocate, said the longstanding alliance between those who back SNAP and farm supporters helped Congress pass farm bills for decades even as fewer Americans lived in rural communities.&nbsp;

But he argues that the recent policy decisions have effectively dismantled that agreement. The cuts to nutrition programs in last year’s budget reconciliation bill helped offset new investment in farm subsidies, which Faber and other advocates contend go disproportionately to large farmers and do little to support smaller farms.

“Republicans chose to blow up the farm bill coalition in the one big, beautiful bill …so if Congress fails to pass another farm bill ever again, it will be Republicans who rightfully will bear the blame,” Faber said in an interview.

Faber called the political shift around the farm bill “a historic once-in-a-generation miscalculation by the farm lobby that will, in the long run, undermine public support for the farm safety net.”

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the SNAP changes would reduce federal SNAP spending by roughly 20% through 2034 while imposing stricter work requirements and shifting some program costs to states.

Some provisions will not take effect until 2027 and 2028, meaning the full effects have yet to be felt.

The changes have drawn criticism from hunger advocates and state officials who warn the shift could strain state budgets and make it harder for families to access food assistance.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy-communications/letters-nga/nga-joins-coalition-letter-outlining-snap-recommendations/" target="_blank">recent letter,</a>&nbsp;the National Governors Association and other state and local organizations told Congress that the policy changes could throw hundreds of millions of dollars in costs onto states and risk destabilizing the program if lawmakers do not intervene.

During debate on an amendment from Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., that would have reversed the SNAP cuts, a proposal that ultimately failed, the committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, warned the longstanding farm bill coalition could be unraveling.

“We could be driving the last nail in the coffin of this coalition today,” Craig said. “For some of us, this is your first farm bill markup. For all of us, it could likely be our last, because by decimating the nutrition title in the farm bill, by splitting the food and farm programs apart as Republicans have done in this process, you have destroyed the farm bill coalition.”

Craig said a path forward for this committee’s bill would be fraught, calling it a “shell of a farm bill” that is “absolutely flawed” and “a missed opportunity” to address the economic pressures facing agriculture.

“It is going to have challenges getting broad bipartisan support on the House floor if it even makes it there,” Craig said during the markup. “My sincere hope is that this is just ‘act one’ of several acts.”

The House Agriculture Committee’s farm bill proposal, titled the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, closely resembles the legislation the panel advanced two years ago.&nbsp;

That earlier bill never received a vote on the House floor, and the Senate Agriculture Committee has yet to advance its own farm bill framework.

Throughout the markup, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., urged lawmakers to support the measure. He repeatedly encouraged members to “not let the perfect be the enemy of the good” as they debated amendments to the bill’s 12 titles covering farm supports, conservation, trade, rural development and nutrition.

“I am proud of this bill and the work we have done to further improve it. There is more work to be done,” Thompson said at the conclusion of the markup, which he called a “long slog.”&nbsp;

Thompson has said he has met with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., about bringing the measure to the House floor.&nbsp;

But the legislation will likely need some Democratic support, particularly to move through the Senate, where votes to advance legislation like the farm bill typically require a 60-vote supermajority.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, said during a hearing March 10 that she hopes lawmakers can craft a bipartisan farm bill that addresses the needs of both farmers and families who rely on SNAP.

“I am hoping we can get to a better place. I hope as we look at a farm bill, that we include some corrections to what happened last summer,” Klobuchar said, referencing the “big beautiful” law.

For his part, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., said he appreciated the House effort to advance the farm bill and indicated he may want to go in a similar direction.

“This builds off the historic investments we made in the Working Families Tax Cuts to strengthen the farm safety net and provide producers with greater certainty while demonstrating unwavering support for strengthening rural communities and safeguarding our food supply,” Boozman said in a statement.&nbsp;

Farm groups are watching closely, hoping a five-year farm bill will provide some certainty farmers have lacked in recent years.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall called on Congress to “finish the job and deliver a modern farm bill” and urged farmers to contact lawmakers and encourage them to advance the legislation. The Farm Bureau has 5 million members.

The National Farmers Union, which represents about 220,000 family farmers and ranchers, said it is grateful for progress on the farm bill but offered a more cautious response.

“We remain concerned that this proposal does not yet meet the scale of the crisis facing family farmers and ranchers,” NFU President Rob Larew said in a statement. “The path from committee to a final, signed farm bill is long. NFU will continue working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to strengthen this legislation.”

GOP cuts in federal food aid scramble passage of long-delayed farm bill

Average gas prices are $2.92 in Kansas and $2.98 in Missouri. California tops the nation at $5.20 per gallon.

By Ashley Murray <a href="https://www.kcur.org/">Missouri Independent</a>

WASHINGTON — Americans are paying more for gas as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran chokes off a significant route for roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum products.

Global prices for Brent crude oil, the international standard, climbed over $100 a barrel. Prices were just above $70 a barrel in the days before the U.S. and Israel launched a surprise Feb. 28 attack on Iran, killing the regime’s top leader and other powerful government figures.

The spike, which peaked at $119.50 per barrel early Monday, caused ricochets throughout markets, with major stock indexes falling worldwide. Oil prices have not reached costs above $100 per barrel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=55079#:~:text=Crude%20oil%20prices%20increased%20in%20the%20first,2022%20price%2C%20at%20$75/b%2C%20on%20December%208." target="_blank">since mid-2022</a>&nbsp;after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in Ukraine.

Following the Feb. 28 strikes, Iranian officials effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening and reportedly attacking vessels attempting to cross the narrow passage.

Iran’s top security official,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dw.com/en/who-is-ali-larijani-the-unofficial-strongman-in-iran/a-76202526" target="_blank">Ali Larijani</a>, reinforced on the social media platform X on Monday that vessels trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz are not guaranteed safety as the conflict continues.

“It is unlikely that any security will be achieved in the Strait of Hormuz amid the fires of the war ignited by the United States and Israel in the region,” Larijani&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2031017694468747369?s=20" target="_blank">wrote</a>.

President Donald Trump defended the price spike late Sunday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116196014942465383" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;on his online platform, Truth Social.

“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY! President DJT,” he wrote.

The national average for gasoline in the U.S. rose to $3.48 per gallon Monday, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/state-gas-price-averages/" target="_blank">AAA gasoline price survey</a>. That’s up from $3.25 per gallon on March 5, according to the survey.

AAA data shows consumers in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Illinois experienced the highest prices in the Midwest and eastern U.S., with average retail prices ranging from $3.52 to nearly $3.60 for a gallon of regular gas.

Western states, which tend to pay higher gas prices already, saw an average gallon of regular surpass $4. California topped the nation’s list at $5.20 per gallon.

The price to fill up in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma remained the lowest, hovering between $2.92 to $2.99. That’s up from a week ago when prices averaged $2.47 in Oklahoma, $2.57 in Kansas and $2.61 in Arkansas.

GasBuddy, a platform that helps users find the cheapest gas prices in their area, put the national average Monday of regular at $3.45, and diesel at just over $4.59.

“In just a week, consumers have seen gasoline prices surge at one of the fastest rates in years after oil prices spiked following U.S. strikes on Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.

De Haan added in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GasBuddyGuy/status/2030994428605640833?s=20" target="_blank">blog post</a>&nbsp;Monday that the reason behind oil prices pushing past $100 a barrel for the first time in years is “fuel markets are now rapidly recalibrating to the risk of prolonged disruption to global supply flows.”

“As a result, gasoline prices in many states could climb another 20 to 50 cents per gallon this week, with price-cycling markets potentially seeing increases as early as today,” De Haan said.

Prior to the war, average U.S. gas prices sat just under $3, with expectations for seasonal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/iran-war-drives-gas-price-uncertainty-ahead-busy-summer-season" target="_blank">increases</a>&nbsp;as warmer weather triggers more demand and refineries produce pricier summer blends.

This story was first published by States Newsroom and the Missouri Independent.

Gas prices in Kansas, Missouri are among nation's lowest as they spike amid Iran war

🎥Message from new K-State men's basketball coach

A 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team “Devil" Brigade Welcome Home Ceremony will be held at Fort Riley on Saturday. It is scheduled at 8:30 p.m., 

Approcimately 200+ Devil Brigade Soldiers, Big Red One and Fort Riley Leaders are included. 1ABCT is returning from a nine-month deployment to Europe in support of V

Welcome Home Ceremonies are fluid events based upon flight arrival times and administrative processing of returning Soldiers. Not all ceremonies will start on time, and some may start early. Flexibility and patience are required for these events. 

There are currently two more ceremonies scheduled in March for Devil Brigade, one with a 5:15 p.m. ceremony and another with a 12:15 p.m. ceremony. Further details will precede these ceremonies by at least 24 hours.&nbsp;

 Since April 2014, U.S. Army Europe and Africa has led the Department of War's Atlantic Resolve land efforts. Atlantic Resolve provides rotational deployments of combat-credible forces to Europe to show our commitment to NATO while building readiness, increasing interoperability and enhancing the bonds between ally and partner militaries.&nbsp;

Welcome Home Ceremony scheduled for Soldiers on Saturday

Eight outstanding Geary County 4-H members have recently been selected to receive scholarships available through the Geary County 4-H program.&nbsp; The recipients were selected based on involvement in the 4-H program and outstanding leadership and citizenship shown to 4-H, school, and the community.

Kourtney Dibben, Humboldt 4-H Club, daughter of Brandon and Dianna Dibben

$1,000 Flint Hills Preservation Coalition Scholarship

Clara Gfeller, Lyon Creek 4-H Club, daughter of Heath and Stephanie Gfeller

$2,000 Ralph E. Dietrich College Scholarship

Tava Gustafson, Clarks Creek 4-H Club, daughter of Shelbi Gustafson

$1,000 Paul B. and Clara B. Gwin 4-H Scholarship

Morgan Nabus, Humboldt 4-H Club, daughter of Randy and Lisa Nabus

$1,000 Geary County 4-H Foundation Scholarship

Grady Oentrich, Humboldt 4-H Club, son of Brad and Heather Oentrich

$1,000 Ray &amp; Nellie Smith 4-H Scholarship

Blake Proietti, Humboldt 4-H Club, son of Dennis and Marcie Proietti

Charles Strauss, Lyon Creek 4-H Club, son of Caleb and Lara Strauss

William Strauss, Lyon Creek 4-H Club, son of Joshua and Lori Strauss

4-H Scholarship Recipients Selected   

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - Take one step into her kindergarten classroom and you will feel the love and passion Clarinda Baker has not only for Washington Elementary, but also the community of Junction City. She is truly making a difference in our students lives every single day by her infectious personality and exceptional ability to make a lasting impact on her students, positively.“I have had an amazing time teaching the last 12 years at Washington Elementary as I am here during the beginning learning stages of our kids’ educational journey. It is so awesome to see the growth in our students, especially from our kindergarten and pre-k students, who are just beginning to start school. It truly feels great when I get to see one of my former students graduate from Junction City High School and be like, yep, I helped do that,” said Baker.

Baker, who has more than 20 years of experience in teaching, continues to make a lasting impact on students, families and fellow educators in Geary County Schools USD 475, daily. Since beginning her journey at Washington in 2014, Baker has consistently created engaging, age-appropriate lessons for her kinder students while helping them exceed academic standards and reach their full potential.“I am so proud of all my students I have had during my time in USD 475. I see them in Walmart or at the grocery store and they will always tell me, Mrs. Baker when we had you, you were a hard teacher, but now because of that I appreciate how much fun school can be. A couple of years ago I was in Walmart, and I had a former student and their family come up and tell me that I helped them realize not only how important school is, but also how cool it can be. They are now an A student at the high school and were an A student when I had them at five years old. It just goes to show that when you know school, you can enjoy school,” said Baker.

Currently serving as the lead kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary, Baker is widely recognized for fostering a positive and supportive classroom environment that promotes social-emotional learning and academic growth. Her instructional approach focuses on individualized, small-group, and whole-class strategies designed to meet the diverse learning needs of all students. Baker remains deeply committed to helping young learners build strong foundational skills and develop a lifelong love of learning as they begin their educational journeys at Washington Elementary.

“I want students to remember that learning is fun. Washington is home and as a military spouse you don’t always get to have a home base, so it’s always nice to be able to feel like you are a part of a community and family, which is what we have here,” said Baker. “My husband is in the Big Red One and was deployed right when we arrived in 2014, so I had to figure this all out without knowing anyone. What I found out is that the district welcomed me with open arms and made me feel and know that it would be okay. The district really embraces military families. You can live here and make it home. Everyone is friendly and this is an amazing place to call home.”

Baker’s commitment to lifelong learning is reflected in her extensive academic achievements and organizations she’s a part of. She holds four advanced degrees from Columbus State University, Baker University, Kansas State University, and Liberty University. Baker has also been a member of the Kansas NEA and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, while also holding several&nbsp;professional licenses and certifications. Known for her positive and uplifting demeanor, Baker continually strives to inspire both her students and fellow educators.

Baker is creating Lasting Impact

JUNCTION CITY, Kansas — St. Francis Xavier School, a Catholic school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina, has been recognized as a Kansas Purple Star School by the Kansas State Board of Education during its meeting on March 10, 2026.

With this recognition, St. Francis Xavier becomes the first private school in the State of Kansas to apply for and receive the Purple Star designation, an honor recognizing schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.

Located just outside Fort Riley, St. Francis Xavier School serves a large military population, with more than 60 percent of its students coming from military families.

“Serving military families is deeply woven into the fabric of our school community,” said Shawn Augustine, principal of St. Francis Xavier. “Because so many of our students come from Fort Riley, we strive to ensure every new family feels welcomed, supported, and connected from the moment they arrive.”

To earn the Purple Star designation, schools must demonstrate several commitments to military families, including providing resources for transitioning students, designating a military family liaison, offering professional development for staff, and implementing student support systems that help new students build relationships quickly.

At St. Francis Xavier, many of these initiatives are already part of the school’s culture. The school hosts annual Veterans Day celebrations, participates in the Month of the Military Child, and provides intentional peer support for students transitioning into the community. In addition, the school’s close-knit environment allows staff and students to form strong relationships that ease the challenges of frequent moves.

The recognition was approved unanimously by the Kansas State Board of Education following a presentation from school leaders, staff, and military families who shared how the school supports students connected to military service.

“Catholic schools have long played an important role in serving families who serve our nation,” said Geoff Andrews, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Salina. “St. Francis Xavier Catholic School reflects the best of that tradition—welcoming military families with faith, compassion, and a strong sense of community. We are proud of their commitment to ensuring that every student feels known, supported, and valued.”

Founded in 1871, St. Francis Xavier School serves students from preschool through grade 12, providing a faith-centered education rooted in academic excellence and service.

The Purple Star recognition affirms the school’s ongoing mission to serve students and families—especially those who make sacrifices in service to our nation.

St. Francis Xavier School Recognized as Kansas Purple Star School

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Kathleen Cook, Fort Hays State University Director of Academic Success about the Schmidt Foundation Scholarships.

🎥  Forward Ever: FHSU director of Academic Success

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-stobbe">MIKE STOBBE</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — As the U.S. flu season winds down, health officials say the flu vaccine didn’t work very well, with one of its worst effectiveness rates in more than a decade.

A new strain that dominated the early winter was not well matched to the vaccine, leading to an intense early onslaught of flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday posted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2026-week-09.html" target="_blank">data</a>&nbsp;that showed a continued decline in doctor’s office and hospital visits for flu symptoms through last week. The number of states reporting high flu activity dropped to 16, many of them in a belt stretching from Colorado to Virginia.

“The winter respiratory virus season is slowly coming to a close, and we’re all very grateful for that,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University vaccine expert.

This season’s vaccines were around 25% to 30% effective in preventing adults from getting sick enough from the flu that they had to go to a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7509a2.htm?s_cid=OS_mm7509a2_w" target="_blank">CDC report</a>&nbsp;this week. Children who were vaccinated were about 40% less likely to get treatment at a doctor’s office or hospital.

Officials generally are pleased if a flu vaccine is 40% to 60% effective. Judging from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu-vaccines-work/php/effectiveness-studies/index.html" target="_blank">past CDC research</a>, this season saw one of the lowest effectiveness rates in the last two decades.

Flu infections&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-flu-cases-cdc-subclade-k-29cc5a68eb100585c8e0dbd2ec47b3eb">surged in late December</a>&nbsp;and were especially intense in some parts of the country. New York City health officials called it the most intense season in 20 years.

Relatively low flu vaccination rates did not help, but experts also blamed the new flu strain that was causing most infections.

The new strain belonged to a category of flu virus, called A H3N2. This new version, subclade K, seemed to spread more easily — though it did not necessarily cause more severe illness.

The vaccine available for this season was built to address a different version of H3N2, and the new strain’s explosion is a likely explanation for why the vaccine was less effective, Schaffner said.

CDC scientists estimate there have been at least 27 million illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths from flu so far this season. At the same point last year, the estimates were at least 40 million illnesses, 520,000 hospitalizations, but about the same number of deaths.

At least 101 children have died so far this season. For those whose vaccination status is known, about 85% were not fully vaccinated against flu.

The flu vaccine may not protect everyone from getting sick, but it can prevent people from becoming severely ill and dying. That’s why getting a flu shot remains worthwhile, Schaffner said.

CDC data suggests&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/adult-coverage.html" target="_blank">adult vaccination rates</a>&nbsp;are up slightly this season, to 46.5%, following an unusually bad season last year that set a record for the most child deaths this century.

An estimated 48% of U.S. kids were vaccinated against flu around the end of last month. That’s about the same as last year, but down from the 52% vaccinated at this point in 2024, according to CDC data.

Starting in 2010, the government recommended annual flu vaccinations for Americans 6 months and older. In January, however, the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/childhood-vaccine-schedule-trump-rfk-hhs-9b8df9e2767c1261aaac4e2331e77fa3">stopped broadly recommending</a>&nbsp;flu shots for all children, saying instead that it’s up to parents and family doctors to decide.

Meanwhile, work is already underway for next winter’s flu season. Last month, the World Health Organization announced its recommendations for which virus strains to address in the vaccines for the 2026-27 northern hemisphere flu season. The vaccines should be built to handle subclade K, the organization said. This week, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee endorsed the WHO recommendations.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Officials found flu vaccines didn't work that well in the US

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian early Sunday morning near the Sedgwick County Zoo.

At about 12:06 a.m., deputies along with Sedgwick County EMS and the Wichita Fire Department responded to a report of a pickup truck striking a pedestrian in the 5800 block of West Windmill Road, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt. Witnesses stopped to assist and called 911 after the pickup truck left the scene.

Despite life-saving measures, the pedestrian, a 29-year-old Wichita man, died at the scene.

Based on preliminary findings and debris recovered at the scene, the suspect vehicle is believed to be a black Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, model years 2013 through 2022. The truck was last seen traveling westbound on Windmill Road toward 13th Street North and Ridge Road and is expected to have noticeable damage to the front driver’s side, including a broken grille.

The Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Team and detectives are continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact the Major Crash Team at 316-660-3760 or Sheriff’s Investigations at 316-660-5300. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Wichita/Sedgwick County by calling 316-267-2111 or by using the P3 Tips app.

Police looking for pickup in deadly Kan. hit-and-run

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — High winds fueled multiple wildfires across a broad swath of Nebraska’s range and grassland, causing one death in Arthur County, officials said. The victim was not immediately identified, and the sheriff’s office did not disclose other details about the death.

What state officials have dubbed the Morrill County fire has burned at least 735 square miles (about 1,880 square kilometers) so far across four counties. At least 12 structures have been destroyed, according to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

Chelle Ladely of Sidney said her home was currently safe, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of the nearest fire. But she worries for other friends and family in the area.

“Smoke is filling the air, and at night I can see the burn of the fires on the horizon,” Ladely said. “My father is a crop agronomist, and his company as well as other local farmers are all gathering their water trucks to help aid with the fires, and truckloads of bottled water and food is being supplied by our good patrons for our volunteer firemen trying to extinguish the blazes.”

Several other wildfires pushed by winds of up to 65 mph (105 kph) burned another 225 square miles (about 580 square kilometers) for a total of nearly 938 square miles (about 2,430 square kilometers) by midday Saturday. The strong winds have kept firefighters from containing any of the fires, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said. Gov. Jim Pillen toured areas burned by the Morrill County fire.

Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power Saturday after high winds raked eastward from the Great Lakes region, leaving trees down and substantial property damage in their wake. Farther west, at least one person died in a massive wind-driven wildfire in Nebraska.

About 346,00 customers were still without electricity as of the late afternoon in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.

A 66 mph (106 kph) gust at Pittsburgh International Airport on Friday was deemed its fourth-strongest on record that was not caused by a thunderstorm, according to the National Weather Service. Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport saw winds hit 85 mph (137 km) that afternoon.

Winds took down a gas station canopy in New Franklin, Ohio, and an auto parts store sign in Baldwin, Pennsylvania. Trees and tree limbs fell into or onto homes and cars from Cleveland to Pittsburgh. The roof of a school building in the Chicago suburb of Niles, Illinois, was severely damaged by wind.

In Chicago, thousands of revelers turned out to see the city's namesake river dyed bright green and a downtown parade celebrating the St. Patrick's Day holiday, despite the threat of snow and stiff winds that drove the feels-like temperature well below freezing.

Dangerous winds were but one piece of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/heat-dome-snow-blizzard-cold-polar-flooding-55e3baf6877e81ee1961aade3cb361c3">wild weather mosaic</a>&nbsp;that included heavy rains in Hawaii, triple-digit heat coming next week in Phoenix and a return of winter cold to the Midwest and Northeast. Chicago was forecast to approach the single digits Fahrenheit by Tuesday, with Minneapolis seeing lows around zero (minus 18 C).

Several Minnesota cities have already declared snow emergencies starting Sunday, when what could be the season’s largest snowfall is expected to hit. Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula are also in the crosshairs.

AccuWeather warned of a “potent triple-threat March megastorm” from Sunday into Monday.

“It’s definitely a very active weather weekend, that’s for sure,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist John Feerick said. “It’s a highly amplified pattern, which means you get a lot of extremes. Also, not just the Lower 48, but Hawaii’s getting hit hard right now with some very heavy rain.”

Feerick said people along the Wisconsin-Iowa border might see some ice as travel conditions become dangerous in large parts of the Upper Midwest.

1 dead as high winds fuel wildfires across Nebraska grassland

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/david-a-lieb">DAVID A. LIEB</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mark-scolforo">MARK SCOLFORO</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/julie-walker">JULIE WALKER</a>

A pilot from Alabama had just been promoted to major in January and had been deployed less than a week when the refueling aircraft he was aboard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-iran-tanker-aircraft-crash-iraq-kc135-c337359a58be6280dc96fdbf1cb48a5b">crashed in Iraq</a>&nbsp;this week, killing him and five others, his brother-in-law said Saturday.

Alex Klinner, 33, leaves behind three small children: 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son, his brother-in-law, James Harrill, said Saturday while confirming his death.

“It’s kind of heartbreaking to say: He was just a really good dad and really loved his family a lot — like a lot,” Harrill said.

Klinner was one of three people killed in the Thursday crash who the U.S. government said were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida and who Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said were stationed in Birmingham. On Saturday, the U.S. government identified the other two as Capt. Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington, and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky.

Three additional deceased service members on the aircraft were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. They were identified by federal and state officials as Capt. Seth Koval, 38, Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28.

The U.S. government listed Koval from Mooresville, Indiana, while the Ohio National Guard listed his home Stoutsville, Ohio. The Ohio National Guard listed both Angst and Simmons from Columbus, Ohio, while the U.S. government listed Angst as from Wilmington, Ohio.

The aircraft was in “friendly” airspace, supporting operations against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">Iran</a>, when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft occurred, according to U.S. Central Command. The other plane landed safety, U.S. military officials said.

Klinner, a graduate of Auburn University and an eight-year U.S. Air Force veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, had just moved with his family into a new home, his wife, Libby Klinner, said in an Instagram post mourning his death.

An outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, Klinner was also ready to help others. When Harrill last saw him in January, Klinner had shoveled Harrill’s vehicle out of the snow during a family wedding.

“Alex was one of those guys that had this steady command about him,” said Harrill, of Atlanta, who helped set up a GoFundMe site for Klinner’s family. “He was literally one of the most kindest, giving people.”

Libby Klinner said in a post that her heart is broken for their children, who will grow up not knowing their father.

“They won’t get to see firsthand the way he would jump up to help in any way he could,” she wrote. “They won’t see how goofy and funny he was. They won’t witness his selflessness, the way he thought about everyone else before himself. They won’t get to feel the deep love he had for them.”

Simmons was a boom operator responsible for transferring fuel from the tanker to the receiving aircraft, according to his Air Force biography.

His mother, Cheryl Simmons, said Saturday that she was making funeral plans for her son.

In a statement obtained by WCMH-TV in Columbus, Tyler Simmons’ family said it was saddened beyond measure to hear of the fatal crash.

“Tyler’s smile could light up any room, his strong presence would fill it. His parents, grandparents, family and friends are grief stricken for the loss of life,” they said.

The Ohio National Guard said Koval was an aircraft commander with 19 years of service. A graduate of Purdue University, he served in the Indiana National Guard before transferring to an Ohio unit in 2017, according to his Air Force biography.

Angst was a pilot with 10 years of service who graduated from the University of Cincinnati, according to his Air Force biography provided by the Ohio National Guard.

The refueling aircraft is a mainstay in the US military

U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, has said the crash occurred&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-iran-tanker-aircraft-crash-iraq-kc135-c337359a58be6280dc96fdbf1cb48a5b">on a combat mission</a>&nbsp;but was over “friendly” territory in western Iraq. Military officials said it is being investigated and was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.”

The KC-135 aircraft refuels other planes in midair, allowing them to fly longer distances and sustain operations without landing. The plane can also be used to transport wounded personnel and conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.

The Congressional Research Service says the Air Force last year had 376 KC-135s, including 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard and 62 in the Air Force Reserve. It has been in service for more than 60 years.

U.S. identifies six airmen killed in KC-135 crash in support of Epic Fury

KANSAS CITY —&nbsp; Six people were injured in an accident just before 1a.m. Saturday outside a nightclub in Kansas City.

According to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez,&nbsp; a Chevrolet Impala carrying five women occupants was stopped in the streetcar lane in front of Aura,&nbsp;3832 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri,&nbsp; while speaking with a bouncer. 

At the same time, a southbound Chevrolet Malibu was traveling on Main from&nbsp;38th Street&nbsp;at a high rate of speed and rear-ended the Impala with significant force.

 All individuals involved were transported to area hospitals for treatment. A passenger in the Malibu was listed in critical condition. impairment appears to be a factor, according to Gonzalez.

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