JUNCTION CITY, Kansas — The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual dinner Thursday night, bringing together business leaders, community members, and regional partners to celebrate the individuals and organizations making a lasting impact in Junction City and Geary County.

The evening recognized outstanding contributions in economic development, business leadership, tourism, military-community partnership, and community service. Each award highlights the dedication and collaboration that continue to strengthen the Flint Hills region.

Eldon L. Hoyle Economic Development Award

Presented in honor of former community leader Eldon L. Hoyle, this award recognizes organizations that make significant investments in the growth and future of Junction City and Geary County.

The 2026 recipient, Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus, was recognized for its remarkable expansion and commitment to rural healthcare. Over the past three years, the campus has grown from 175 full-time employees to more than 326, including 14 new providers. The facility has expanded access to specialized care and introduced advanced medical technologies, bringing high-quality healthcare closer to home for residents throughout the region.

The Business Excellence Award honors a local business that demonstrates superior service, leadership, and commitment to the community.

This year’s recipient, Blu Restaurant and Bar, has become a destination for both residents and visitors. Known for its diverse menu, exceptional service, and welcoming atmosphere, Blu has also provided an important gathering space for community meetings, celebrations, and events. Their active involvement in community initiatives continues to make them a valued part of Junction City’s business landscape.

Seitz Family Military Community Award

The Seitz Family Military Community Award recognizes individuals whose leadership strengthens the bond between the civilian community and the military population connected to Fort Riley.

The 2026 award honored three recipients for their continued dedication to military families and community engagement:

· Master Sergeant (Ret.) Joshua A. Sandlin

· Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Rob Wilson

Sandlin currently serves as Executive Director of the Society of the First Infantry Division and remains deeply involved in strengthening connections between soldiers and the Junction City community.

Rob Wilson, who served 30 years in the U.S. Army, continues to support the region as Military Affairs Director while remaining active in several organizations serving soldiers and veterans. Nina Wilson has also made a lasting impact through her volunteer leadership and scholarship fundraising efforts that support military families and students.

Presented jointly by the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Geary County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Tourism Advocate Award honors those who elevate Junction City as a regional destination.

The 2026 recipient, Freedom Fest Junction City, was recognized for creating the community’s largest annual celebration. Established in 2021, the Independence Day event now attracts more than 50,000 visitors annually and generates significant economic impact for local businesses, hospitality providers, and retailers throughout the five-day celebration.

The Chamber’s highest individual honor, the Outstanding Citizen Award, recognizes a resident whose lifelong commitment to service has strengthened the community in meaningful ways.

This year’s recipient, Ron Johnson, was recognized for decades of leadership and volunteer service. Johnson has contributed his time to numerous organizations including the Junction City Breakfast Optimist Club, Junction City Baseball Club, the C. L. Hoover Opera House, and the Geary County Schools USD 475 Board of Education. Through his steady leadership, volunteerism, and commitment to youth, education, and community improvement, Johnson exemplifies the spirit of service that defines Junction City.

Throughout the evening, Chamber leaders emphasized the strong partnerships between businesses, community organizations, and military leaders that continue to drive progress across Junction City and Geary County.

“The individuals and organizations recognized tonight represent the very best of our community,” said Kelly Cook, Director of Member Relations for the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce. “Their leadership, innovation, and dedication are helping shape a stronger future for Junction City.”

For more information about the Chamber and upcoming events, visit the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Community Excellence at Annual Dinner

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

ABILENE, KAN. — Kansas Trails Inc. hosted Trail Appreciation Day at the Kansas State Capitol on March 5 to celebrate trail development, stewardship, and the individuals whose volunteer leadership has made lasting contributions to communities across the state.

During the event, Joe Minick of Abilene, Kansas received the Kansas Trailblazer Award&nbsp;from Lt. Governor David Toland in recognition of his extraordinary volunteer leadership and decades of service advancing heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, and historic preservation.

Minick played an instrumental role in the development of the Iron Horse Trail, Kansas’ only rails with trails project. His lifelong commitment to community service helped transform a local vision into a project with a statewide impact. In addition to the Trailblazer recognition, Minick was also honored with the 2026 Kansas Recreation and Parks Association Distinguished Volunteer Award.

Governor Laura Kelly proclaimed March 5, 2026, as Trail Appreciation Day in the State of Kansas, encouraging Kansans to recognize the importance of trails and the volunteers who help make them possible. In the proclamation, the governor recognized Minick for his exemplary volunteer service and lasting contributions to trails, recreation, and historic preservation in Kansas.

The five-mile Iron Horse Trail, which opened in fall 2025, connects the communities of Abilene and Enterprise along the Abilene &amp; Smoky Valley Railroad, Kansas’ official state heritage railroad. The trail offers residents and visitors the opportunity to walk, run, or bike while enjoying the scenic beauty of Dickinson County.

Minick’s leadership and dedication helped bring the project to life, creating a new outdoor asset that supports tourism, encourages healthy lifestyles, and celebrates the region’s rail heritage.

For more information about the Iron Horse Trail visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/IronHorseTrailKS">www.Facebook.com/IronHorseTrailKS</a>.

Abilene’s Joe Minick Receives Kansas Trailblazer Award

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Dustin Ford, Failure to appear, arrested 03/12

Terressa Burgess, Driving while license canceled/suspended or revoked, arrested 03/12

Geary County Booking Photos March 13, 2026

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investing alleged fraud in Riley County.

Just after noon Thursday, officers filed a report of fraud in the 1000 block of S. Seth Child Road, according to the Riley County Police Department acivity report. A 38-year-old man reported a known 39-year-old woman removed money from banking accounts without his permission. The total estimated loss associated with this case is $6,000.&nbsp;

RCPD: Man lost $6,000 in alleged bank fraud

On Thursday night at 8:29 p.m.,&nbsp; Deputies from the Geary County Sheriff's Office responded to the K-18 Bypass mile marker 177 for a multiple vehicle accident. Trisha Kiser of Delphos, KS was traveling east in a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox when she struck Jenee Martin of Manhattan, KS in a 2022 Buick Encore. The collision caused Martin to strike Rodney Young of Junction City in a 2014 Ford F-150. Martin and Young were stopped awaiting a vehicle turning left onto I-70. 

Minor injuries were reported. Kiser and a juvenile were transported to Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus in Junction City for medical treatment. The Buick and Chevrolet were removed by Bud’s Wrecker.

Only Minor injuries reported in Multi-Vehicle accident Thursday night

Landen Dorsey, Failure to give information or render aid, arrested 02/27

Jordan Brackeen, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license, arrested 02/27

Shanice Shelley, Theft-all other (Two counts), arrested 02/27

Gavin Mitchiner, Transporting open container of alcohol; DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 02/28

Zane Smith, Reckless driving; Duty to give information-unattended vehicle or property; DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 02/28

Alex Williams, Failure to appear, arrested 02/28

JC Hunt, Arrest by LEO; Warrant, arrested 02/28

Danny Madrigal, Failure to appear, arrested 03/01

Michael Rivera-Robles, Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 (pocket picking) Two counts, arrested 03/01

Jose Garcia-Feliciano, DUI-Liquor/Drugs; Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 03/01

Deborah Ocean, Outside warrant; Failure to appear, arrested 03/01

Jerrod Warmack, Failure to appear, arrested 03/01

Dominic Schubert, Failure to appear, arrested 03/01

Brielle Culbertson, Failure to appear, arrested 03/02

Leigha Goff, Arrest by LEO; Warrant arrest, arrested 03/03

Derek Williams, Failure to appear, arrested 03/04

Austin Martin, Failure to appear, arrested 03/04

Quinten Williams, Probation violation, arrested 03/04

Darius Lewis, Failure to appear, arrested 03/04

Robert Johnson, Arrest by LEO; Warrant arrest, arrested 03/04

Samantha Cahill, Transporting an open container; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of controlled substance, arrested 03/04

Breianna Richardson, Traffic contraband into correctional facility; Possession of controlled substance; Pedestrians under influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 03/05

Naikalee Pagan-Galarza, Failure to appear, arrested 03/05

Cody Davis, Arrest by LEO; Probable cause of warrant in state or other jurisdiction, arrested 03/05

Luis Dominguez, Possession of marijuana (2 or more prior convictions); Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, arrested 03/05

Liam Price, Transporting an open container of alcohol; Minor in possession/consumption of alcoholic beverage; Reckless driving; DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 03/06

Mikaela Green, Failure to appear, arrested 03/06

David Galaviz, Failure to appear, arrested 03/07

Damarko Nash, Domestic battery, arrested 03/07

Joria Lindsey, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license; DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 03/08

Leonardo Ngiraidong, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 03/08

Donshae Taborn, Possession of marijuana; Transporting an open container, arrested 03/08

Keandre Yarbrough,&nbsp;Possession of marijuana; Transporting an open container, arrested 03/08

Trevon Carter, Transporting an open container; Criminal littering (public property); Possession of marijuana; Interference with LEO; Conceal/alter/destroy evidence, arrested 03/08

Ashton Gatica, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, arrested 03/08

Calvin Clark, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license, arrested 03/08

Sean Harvey, Unlawful restraint, arrested 03/09

Chazaya Ruffin, Aggravated violate offender registration act; Violate offender registration act, arrested 03/10

Bruce Sparks, Interference with LEO; Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 03/11

Callie Keener, Bond violation, arrested 03/11

Jason Wooten, Failure to appear, arrested 03/11

Jade Edwards, Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; Criminal use of weapons; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana, arrested 03/11

Kevin Geiger, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 03/11

Geary County Booking Photos Feb. 28-March 12

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/saintxrams?__cft__[0]=AZaRqZ2z_6dbTtgLp4ue6Tv7abFBHeFr-rYZ1HzV2Q__ZKgVQU8Gvp4DCQxfWTSYgsY69QDxnKfsWKwHtqGu6LWoht2rqFSNxe4bYTWs4pctlH3fM1vd0hHm8qxP0EsiG9LELn1deGu2XcEJDCWUfucDmuLAEaJujX3l_B8G9fRSw5-Hxhwcg9Qt4ff6ZJ8b370T4jYiA_L76QFCxW4QgL6c2Rp83U3FkEcS-yhXg_mKnQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">St. Francis Xavier Catholic School</a>&nbsp;has been recognized by the Kansas State Board of Education as a Kansas Purple Star School, becoming the first private school in Kansas to apply for and receive this honor

.St. Francis Xavier School serves a community where more than **60% of students come from military families. That means welcoming new students throughout the year, helping families transition into a new community, and ensuring every child feels known, and supported.

Kansas Purple Star School recognition

Abilene, Kan.&nbsp;-&nbsp;The Eisenhower Presidential Library will host the Lunch &amp; Learn program, "Alaska, Hawaii, and the Politics of Statehood," on March 26, 2026, at 12 p.m. CDT. The hybrid program will take place in the Library building indoor courtyard and will be available online via<a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001NpFK6tpivE1mZW7ZENd0_mN9EPDWC-a-kB0MejCvzKQQeOYQjzd9iOsDl0gaurqm6plh62GIC7zBxVMKARLnw3HMc2f2E98UBCN8G3CkOIrRO47qLlK9p1fh4Yt9Navh51err5db8oVpKXeqIyu-14iCxfV0krCcdGoTWi_jHOsKWIvmws-g7V7hsj_1mBcT&amp;c=7GmztVcsyeKXy1zuY58FtJRoOHdbnEfOhu70Y4cIZxHwt9mxcy8hfA==&amp;ch=6eDcvz5UuBW6yK-mWFuYs3GYMVwwZc_Hw6V0yqZBDKGGunkZPpaPdQ==">&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001NpFK6tpivE1mZW7ZENd0_mN9EPDWC-a-kB0MejCvzKQQeOYQjzd9iOsDl0gaurqm6plh62GIC7zBxVMKARLnw3HMc2f2E98UBCN8G3CkOIrRO47qLlK9p1fh4Yt9Navh51err5db8oVpKXeqIyu-14iCxfV0krCcdGoTWi_jHOsgsa0QbF30YvT0dxka7ixw&amp;c=7GmztVcsyeKXy1zuY58FtJRoOHdbnEfOhu70Y4cIZxHwt9mxcy8hfA==&amp;ch=6eDcvz5UuBW6yK-mWFuYs3GYMVwwZc_Hw6V0yqZBDKGGunkZPpaPdQ==">YouTube Livestream</a>. Guests attending in person should arrive by 11:45 a.m. The library will provide a light box-lunch on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dr. C. Lawrence Evans, the Newton Family Professor of Government at William &amp; Mary, will join the program virtually to discuss the political debate surrounding the admission of Alaska and Hawaii as states.

"The granting of statehood to Alaska and Hawaii constituted one of the definitive political disputes of the immediate post World War II era," Evans notes. The presentation will clarify why admission took nearly 15 years after strong public support emerged and will highlight President Eisenhower's pivotal role. Evans will also examine the implications for current statehood discussions regarding the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Alaska, Hawaii, and the Politics of Statehood﻿ ﻿Celebrating America 250! Lunch & Learn Series

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pro-Iranian hackers are targeting sites in the Middle East and starting to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stryker-cyberattack-iran-medical-equipment-products-8dd418618a3bd4fa4c97caf7978c11ee">stretch into the United States</a>&nbsp;during the war, raising the risk of American defense contractors, power stations and water plants being swept into a wave of digital chaos that could expand if Tehran’s allies join the fray.

Hackers supporting Iran claimed responsibility for a significant cyberattack Wednesday against U.S. medical device company Stryker. Since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-12-2026-oil-prices-90e17dbf7354d1e9428994ab2a036506">the war began Feb. 28</a>, they also have tried to penetrate cameras in Middle Eastern countries to improve Iran’s missile targeting. They have targeted data centers in the region, as well as industrial facilities in Israel, a school in Saudi Arabia and an airport in Kuwait.

Iran has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-russia-china-election-disinformation-hacking-ee65e29b866852b146e75c9f3312a1ae">invested heavily</a>&nbsp;in its offensive cyber capabilities while cultivating ties to hacking groups. In recent years, groups working for Tehran have infiltrated the email system of President Donald Trump’s campaign,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/water-utilities-hackers-cybersecurity-1c475f5d2ef3b5d52410c93bdeab3aad">targeted U.S. water plants</a>&nbsp;and tried to breach the networks used by the military and defense contractors.

The goal is to wear down the American war effort, drive up the costs of energy, strain cyber resources and cause as much pain as possible for American companies that depend on the defense industry.

“Something is going to happen because the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cybersecurity-trump-china-russia-iran-north-korea-9eceaf30ddc984ed482f067db5dee405">gloves are off</a>,” said Kevin Mandia, founder of the cybersecurity companies Mandiant and Armadin.

Pro-Iranian, pro-Palestinian hackers claimed credit for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stryker-cyberattack-iran-medical-equipment-products-8dd418618a3bd4fa4c97caf7978c11ee">disrupting systems at Stryker</a>, a Michigan-based medical technology company. A group known as Handala said the attack was in retaliation for suspected U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-school-hegseth-trump-2ffff06808f7a584b0a03831897ab0b8">strikes that killed Iranian schoolchildren</a>.

Like other ideologically motivated hackers, profit is not Handala’s goal, according to Ismael Valenzuela, vice president of threat intelligence at the cybersecurity company Arctic Wolf.

“What distinguishes this group is its clear focus on data destruction rather than financial extortion,” he said in an email.

Polish authorities are investigating a recent cyberattack — on a nuclear research facility — that may have ties to Iran, though they acknowledge that another group could be behind the attack and using the Iran war to mask its identity.

Going forward, U.S. defense contractors, government vendors and businesses that work with Israel are likely targets, as is critical infrastructure such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/mississippi-hospital-system-closes-all-clinics-after-ransomware-attack-92cf61cdedaa47889a5928fd913108b2">hospitals</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/port-security-cyber-attack-e3da323aebc80c553663e43b77d430e2">ports</a>, water plants,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-c8d531ec05e0403a90e9d3ec0b8f83c2">power stations</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-railway-stations-wifi-cyberattack-euston-manchester-678c9fa9d164a3a1ec323be1a7070697">railways</a>.

Pro-Iranian hackers openly discuss their plans in Telegram and other online message boards.

“The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-aws-data-center-uae-iran-bahrain-71066b0a822c4cfd88b61e3fe79af917">datacenters</a>&nbsp;need to be taken out,” wrote one user, as uncovered by researchers at U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group. “They host the brains of USAs military communication and targeting systems.”

Cyber operations also gather intelligence — for example, Iran’s effort to hack into cameras in neighboring countries to aid its missile targeting. Infiltrating U.S. networks, meanwhile, would offer view into military planning or supply chains.

The strikes on Iran’s military as well as internet outages may have limited Iran’s cyberattacks in the short term. But experts say Iranian hackers and their allies will aim for quick victories by targeting the weakest links in American cybersecurity.

Often, local&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/water-utilities-cyberattack-epa-russia-1435b3e6a569aa046e05c7947f0a0f3d">water plants</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cyberattack-hospital-system-ambulances-diverted-ascension-728ab2a0e5afaf7c344e46a5ce5ca42c">health care facilities</a>&nbsp;lack the funds and know-how to install the latest software patches or take other security steps. That has made them a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-muleshoe-water-systems-cyberattacks-russia-5f388bf0d581fc8eb94b1190a7f29c3a">favorite target,</a>&nbsp;both because of the relative ease of penetrating them and because of the panic these disruptions can cause.

This can include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-atlanta-680cf93f7eb0300127448c35299ad66e">denial-of-service attacks</a>, in which hackers try to jam a network so legitimate users cannot use it, and website defacements, which can prevent a company from communicating with customers. Hack-and-leak operations, where hackers threaten to release sensitive stolen material, are another possibility.

The attacks are not that sophisticated, according to Shaun Williams, a former FBI and CIA officer who is now a senior director at the cybersecurity firm SentinelOne. But if a business or government agency has failed to keep up with its cybersecurity, it could pay a steep price, he said.

“Patch your systems. Ensure your firewalls and security solutions are up to date,” Williams said. “Remove your stale accounts. All the cyber hygiene that you should be doing, it’s more critical now than ever. Prepare for disruption.”

When it comes to cyber, Iran is considered a chaos agent

Russia and China present the greatest cyber threats to the U.S., while North Korea is a growing concern. But what Iran has lacked in resources it has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hacking-iran-cybersecurity-trump-14dce06ff797563bd6b431a7d04e105f">made up for in ingenuity</a>, experts say.

In recent years, Tehran’s digital warriors have impersonated American activists online to covertly encourage&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">protests against Israel</a>&nbsp;on college campuses. They have set up fake news websites and social media accounts primed to spread false and exaggerated claims before big U.S. elections.

In 2024, Iranian hackers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-campaign-hack-iran-phishing-b77458428a25e694a738a8c82219f271">infiltrated the email system</a>&nbsp;of the Trump campaign and later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-election-interference-dni-ae96f57f438772dac08e076be7aa4904">tried to disseminate files</a>&nbsp;that the hackers said they stole. Hackers linked to Iran also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-meta-hacking-campaign-f237bb755a2ad8a9d0939e29d6aba6d1">tried to hack into the WhatsApp accounts</a>&nbsp;of both Trump and his then-Democratic opponent, President Joe Biden.

The activity prompted the Department of Homeland Security to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/ntas/advisory/national-terrorism-advisory-system-bulletin-june-22-2025?mod=djemCybersecruityPro&amp;tpl=cs" target="_blank">issue a public warning</a>&nbsp;last year about Iranian cyber threats.

“Iran and especially the proxies don’t care how big or smart you are. This is about making an impact, about creating chaos,” said James Turgal, a cybersecurity expert who spent 22 years as an FBI agent and is now a vice president at Optiv, a Denver-based information security firm.

Experts are watching closely to see if Russia, China or hacking groups allied with either country provide hacking assistance to Iran, mounting attacks intended to undermine American operations in Iran and make it harder for the U.S. to sustain its fight.

While China has so far taken a cautious approach, there is evidence that pro-Iranian hackers in Russia are already at work. Researchers at the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike detected a surge of activity from Russian hackers in support of Tehran since the war began.

One group known as Z-Pentest claimed responsibility for disrupting several U.S. networks, including some involved in closed-circuit video cameras.

The timing of the attack suggests the hackers were targeting U.S. interests because of the war in Iran, according to Adam Meyers, head of counter adversary operations at CrowdStrike.

Iran-linked hackers take aim at US, raising risk of cyberattacks during war

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused of sex crimes is due back in court Friday

Savana King, 31, is scheduled to attend a preliminary hearing&nbsp;in Judge Kathleen Watson's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

The judge will determine if there was enough evidence to send the case to trial.&nbsp;

On January 29, an 18-year-old woman reported that she had been sexually assaulted by her former softball coach Savanah King over several years, between 2021 and 2024, before she reached the age of consent, according to Wichita Police Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Police arrested King on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child; fondling, criminal sodomy with a child under the age of 14 and unlawful sexual relations, according to Sedgwick County arrest records. After spending a weekend in jail, King met the requirement of a $250,00 bond and was released from jail.

<a href="https://friendsathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savana-king/2824">King played softball for</a>&nbsp;Friends University, according to the school's website.

Former coach accused of sex assault of player is due back in court

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — All six crew members of a KC-135 refueling aircraft supporting operations against Iran are dead, the U.S. military said Friday, after their plane&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-aircraft-down-loss-iraq-6d182239315cf9d2a20c669c5ac8418d">crashed in western Iraq</a>.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4432850/loss-of-us-kc-135-over-iraq/">U.S. Central Command</a>, which oversees the Middle East, said the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace,” and that the other plane landed safely.

The crash brings the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members, seven of whom were killed in combat. About 140 U.S. service members have been injured, including eight severely, the Pentagon said earlier this week.

Here’s what is known so far about the tanker, which is the fourth publicly acknowledged U.S. aircraft to crash during the war against Iran:

The U.S. Central Command said all six crew members on board the crashed KC-135 have been confirmed dead. It said the circumstances of the crash are under investigation but that the loss of the aircraft was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.”

A U.S. official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the developing situation, said the other plane involved was also a KC-135. Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., wrote on X that the other plane landed safely in Israel.

Yang said it would be rare for a refueling tanker to be downed by enemy fire because such operations are usually conducted in the rear of combat zones.

The crash came after three U.S. F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly downed last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jets-downed-kuwait-friendly-fire-iran-f15-1151e092db4597e93e83c04f3b44bddc">by friendly Kuwaiti fire</a>.

The KC-135 is a long-serving tanker plane

The KC-135 Stratotanker is a U.S. Air Force aircraft used to refuel other planes in midair, allowing them to travel longer distances and maintain operations longer without landing. The plane is also used to transport wounded personnel during medical evacuations or conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.

Based on the same design as the Boeing 707 passenger plane, the tanker has been in service for more than 60 years, supporting the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps as well as allied aircraft, according to an Air Force description. The aging plane is set to be gradually phased out as more of the next-generation KC-46A Pegasus tankers enter service.

Despite upgrades over the years, the KC-135s’ age has fueled concern about their reliability and durability.

“The last of these planes were produced in the 1960s,” said Yang Uk, a security expert at South Korea’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies. He added that the transition to the KC-46A has progressed more slowly than expected.

According to the Congressional Research Service, 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.

A basic KC-135 crew has three people: a pilot, co-pilot and boom operator. Nurses and medical technicians are added in aeromedical evacuation missions.

Refueling typically happens at the back of the plane, where the boom operator is located. A fuel boom is lowered to connect with fighters, bombers or other aircraft. On many of the planes, the boom operator works lying face down while looking out of a window on the underside of the plane.

Some KC-135s can also refuel planes from pods on their wings. The tankers also have room to carry cargo or passengers if needed.

Refueling tankers could play an increasingly important role if the Iran war drags on, as U.S. aircraft may need to fly longer missions to pursue Iranian forces retreating deeper into the country, said Yang.

KC-135s have previously been involved in several fatal accidents. The most recent occurred on May 3, 2013, when a KC-135R crashed after takeoff south of Chaldovar, Kyrgyzstan, while supporting the war in Afghanistan.

In that crash, the crew experienced problems with the plane’s rudder, according to a U.S. Air Force investigation. While they struggled to stabilize the plane, the tail section broke away and the plane exploded midair, killing all three crewmembers onboard.

The most serious mid-air collision involving the plane happened in 1966, when a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear bombs struck a tanker near Palomares, Spain.

The accident caused the tanker to crash, killing four onboard. The disaster led to an extensive decontamination effort to clean up nuclear material dispersed when conventional explosives in the hydrogen bombs detonated after hitting the ground.

Schreck reported from Bangkok. AP writers Ben Finley and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.S. military says a KC-135 refueling aircraft supporting operations against Iran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-aircraft-down-loss-iraq-6d182239315cf9d2a20c669c5ac8418d">crashed in western Iraq</a>, killing four of its six crew members.

Despite upgrades over the years, the KC-135s' age has fueled concern about their reliability and durability.

Cause of crash and condition of crew not immediately known

The U.S. Central Command said four of the six crewmembers on board the crashed KC-135 have been confirmed dead and that rescue efforts are continuing. It said the circumstances of the crash are under investigation but that the loss of the aircraft was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.”

🎥New details: 6 aboard US military refueling plane killed in crash

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Republican majority leader of the Kansas House and the chief of staff to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly worked Thursday to resolve objections to a bill designed to make the state’s three largest public universities more financially efficient by removing layers of administrative red tape.

The bipartisan messages from House Majority Leader Chris Croft and Kelly’s chief of staff, Will Lawrence, and their willingness to endorse two key amendments to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2798/" target="_blank">House Bill 2798</a>, were sufficient to convince the chairman of Kansas Board of Regents to offer qualified support for the legislation.

All three urged removal from the bill of a provision limiting the Board of Regents’ role in administering the University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Kansas State University to use of state-appropriated dollars. In addition, they agreed regulatory relief in the bill should be extended to Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University and Emporia State University. The House Higher Education Budget Committee took the recommendations under advisement, and the committee’s chairman indicated the panel would start work on amending the bill on Monday.

“With the two changes you heard about today, the Board of Regents would be supportive of HB 2798 and its goal of improving university processes and operational efficiency,” said Blake Benson, chair of the state Board of Regents. “Our goal is to preserve accountability for public assets while thoughtfully addressing operational issues across all state universities.”

On Wednesday, the Board of Regents unanimously voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/03/12/kansas-house-studies-bill-granting-unprecedented-administrative-autonomy-to-ku-k-state-and-wsu/">oppose the current version of the bill</a>&nbsp;because of concerns it significantly eroded the nine-member board’s authority over the three largest public universities in Kansas.

The legislation emerged from behind-the-scenes meetings that began last fall among House Speaker Dan Hawkins, Senate President Ty Masterson, Kelly, Croft and Lawrence that eventually were broadened to include other legislators, university administrators and the Board of Regents. Initially, the idea was to expand the conversation to include the three smaller state universities, but there wasn’t time to engage with those institutions.

“The goal was, how do we enable our research universities to operate at the speed of innovation and to drive that speed of innovation,” said Croft, an Overland Park Republican. “That’s the underlying thing in everything we were trying to do. It relieves the R1s (doctoral research universities) of costly, bureaucratic entanglements while applying the appropriate oversight. We recognize this wasn’t an end-all, be-all. This is a good-faith effort.”

Lawrence, the chief of staff to the governor and chair of the closed-door planning sessions for the bill, said the ad hoc group didn’t have time to bring ESU, PSU and FHSU into conversations about regulatory change. So, he said, the decision was made not to include those universities in the bill.

“Didn’t want to put them in the bill, have them learn about it from the bill, freak out, not know what this is. So, we kept it to the three research universities,” he said.

Lawrence said the Board of Regents and Kansas Legislature would maintain oversight of the university system. Changes contained in the bill would fall primarily on redundant business policies under jurisdiction of the Kansas Department of Administration. He said there was no effort made to modify the Legislature’s influence on the universities. He said some concerns expressed about the bill were “a little bit overblown.”

Skeptics challenged the wisdom of lowering guardrails on state university contracting, procurement, construction, capital planning, property management and other business functions. There were questions about the bill’s impact on student tuition, faculty tenure, bans on diversity, equity and inclusion policies, private equity firms in athletics, control over hiring university CEOs and taxpayer accountability. There were questions about universities selling cherished campus landmarks in context of putting KU’s Allen Fieldhouse up for sale.

“I’d just like assurance that this isn’t the beginning of the end for the Kansas Board of Regents,” said Rep. Kirk Haskins, D-Topeka.

“I think we have our work cut out for us,” said Rep. Adam Turk, a Shawnee Republican who chairs the House higher education committee. “This is a bill that requires work.”

Advocates for the bill said economic pressures on higher education institutions, including a decline in the college-age population and limitations of public funding for universities, required exploration of new avenues for efficiencies while continuing to meet high academic standards.

Doug Girod, chancellor at the University of Kansas, said the legislation would leave KU as a state-owned entity, a state agency and a state asset.

He said the nation’s higher education system was facing tremendous headwinds in terms of student enrollment, loss of federal research funding, the trend of declining state funding as a percentage of overall costs and wariness about substantial tuition increases. He said the House bill would benefit KU without destroying what Kansas taxpayers had spent more than a century building.

KU cut 140 jobs and $30 million from the budget, and since 2017, the university had found $145 million in efficiencies, Girod said. He said KU’s top goal was to find more resources to invest in faculty and staff salaries.

“It doesn’t matter if we have pretty buildings if there’s nobody in them and we can’t serve students,” Girod said.

Kansas champions of administrative reform at public universities offer concessions to calm skeptics

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff at a rural Kansas home.

Just after 7p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;deputies with the Osage County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in rural Burlingame regarding a report of a possible barricaded subject who was reportedly involved in a verbal domestic disturbance where shots had been fired, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

Deputies responded to the scene and began working to safely resolve the situation. After approximately four hours of attempting to make contact with the individual inside the residence, Christopher Vales, 41, of Burlingame was safely taken into custody without further incident.

Vales was transported to the Osage County Law Enforcement Center where he was booked on requested charges Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Interference with Law Enforcement.

Suspect arrested after 4-hour standoff at rural Kansas home

PAWNEE COUNTY — A Kansas boy died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Thursday in Pawnee County.

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