The Flint Hills Discovery Center (FHDC) will present the 11th annual Meet the Makers event&nbsp;Monday through Friday,&nbsp;March 16&nbsp;through 20. Each day&nbsp;a local creator, crafter, or maker will present live demonstrations of their work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the first-floor atrium of the Discovery Center in Manhattan. Visitors are encouraged&nbsp;to interact with the artists, ask questions, and see their work come to life.

Meet the Makers is free and open to the public. Those wanting to explore the exhibits beyond the atrium at the FHDC must pay the general admission fee. Some artists may have items&nbsp;for sale.



Meet the Makers event will be March 16 - 20

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 following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Riley County Arrest Report March 7, 8

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

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

&nbsp;...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN DICKINSON...
SOUTHEASTERN GEARY...MORRIS AND WEST CENTRAL WABAUNSEE COUNTIES
THROUGH 900 PM CST...



At 811 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles northwest of White City to near Tampa.
Movement was northeast at 45 mph.



HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
         around unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Herington, White City, Alta Vista, Dwight, Woodbine, Wilsey,
Parkerville, Latimer, and Burdick.&nbsp;&nbsp;

..A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN DICKINSON...
SOUTHWESTERN GEARY AND NORTHWESTERN MORRIS COUNTIES THROUGH 815 PM
CST..

.

At 740 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Carlton, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.



IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
         around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor
         objects and vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Herington, White City, Hope, Woodbine, Carlton, and Latimer.&nbsp;

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN RILEY...

NORTHWESTERN POTTAWATOMIE AND SOUTHWESTERN MARSHALL COUNTIES THROUGH

At 645 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Leonardville, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow         around unsecured objects. Hail damage to outdoor objects         and vegetation is possible.

&nbsp;..A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN RILEY AND EASTERN
CLAY COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM CST...

At 615 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Wakefield, moving northeast at 45 mph.



HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
         around unsecured objects. Hail damage to outdoor objects
         and vegetation is possible.



Locations impacted include...
Clay Center, Leonardville, and Green.&nbsp;

Special Weather Statement

Fort Riley leaders, Soldiers, and community members came together Thursday to launch this year’s Army Emergency Relief (AER) campaign, continuing a long tradition of Soldiers helping Soldiers.

For more than 80 years, AER has provided critical financial assistance to Soldiers and Families when they need it most—helping with unexpected emergencies, travel, housing needs, and more. The program stands as a powerful reminder that the Army community takes care of its own.



Fort Riley Kicks Off the Army Emergency Relief Campaign

Riley County Arrest Report March 6

Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce

Junction City, KS — Turn the discipline, leadership, and determination gained in military service into a successful business venture. The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2nd Annual Vet EPiC (Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge), an educational program and pitch competition explicitly created for veterans, active duty military members, and military spouses to help them achieve their business goals in the civilian world.

Junction City and Geary County are home to a remarkable veteran and military community — making up nearly 20% of the local population, almost three times the national average of 6.1%. This extensive veteran community is a vital part of the local economy. Fort Riley, home to the 1st Infantry Division, generated approximately $2 billion in direct economic impact in fiscal year 2025, with the total regional impact exceeding $4.4 billion. Supporting our heroes as they transition to civilian life and entrepreneurial ventures strengthens the entire community.

Your Pathway to Entrepreneurial Success

Participants will sharpen their business skills through a four-class business education series designed to prepare them for the live pitch competition:

· Intro to Business: May 12, 2026

· Wrap-Up &amp; Pitch Preparation: June 2, 2026

These sessions provide tools and guidance to help participants develop a solid business plan, refine their ideas, and build confidence for the pitch competition.

The program culminates in a public pitch competition on June 23, 2026, from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM at the C.L. Hoover Opera House, where participants will present their business concepts to a panel of judges for a chance to win $10,000 in total prize funding.

The pitch event is open to the public — whether you’re competing or cheering on the participants, this is an opportunity to support local veterans, network with entrepreneurs, and celebrate the innovation of our military-connected community.

Entrepreneurs in any stage — from concept to early growth — are encouraged to participate. 

The 2nd Annual Vet EPiC is made possible through the support of Network Kansas, Junction City First, and the C.L. Hoover Opera House, whose partnership helps empower military-connected entrepreneurs in the Flint Hills region.

Learn more and submit an application at: <a href="https://www.junctioncitychamber.org/vet-epic.html">https://www.junctioncitychamber.org/vet-epic.html</a>.

Space is limited, so early application is encouraged.

“This program is designed to help military-connected entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses,” said Mickey Fornaro-Dean, Director of Economic Development. “The 2nd Annual Vet EPiC provides the tools, mentorship, and visibility needed to move from concept to launch.” 

Contact the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce with questions. 785-762-2632.

Veterans, Active Duty Military, and Spouses Invited to Apply for the 2nd Annual Vet EPiC

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 — Kansans receiving food assistance can’t buy soda or candy with those dollars beginning in 2027, Gov. Laura Kelly said Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.fns.usda.gov%2Fsnap%2Fwaivers%2Ffoodrestriction/1/0101019cbab54047-08a03f0a-e32d-46c2-9b36-524fa331e2bb-000000/0T9ZyQ1ireBQHHUS257jy1tmZiFh3-HIbXcpR_BLOjY=447" target="_blank">approved a waiver</a>&nbsp;for the Kansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The state joins 21 other states in restricting candy and soda purchases with SNAP dollars, Kelly said in a news release. The Legislature passed a law last year requiring the administration to seek the waiver. Kelly vetoed the law but was overridden by GOP supermajorities in the House and Senate.

While the governor said she supports policies that incentivize healthy eating, Kelly encouraged the USDA to develop a strategy to implement such waivers that reduce “confusion and uncertainty” for retailers and recipients.

Kelly referred to confusion across the country about which products are considered candy and soda. Products people think of as candy may not meet the definition under the law, which has caused problems for retailers and recipients in other states. In Louisiana, for instance, soda made with&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2026/02/26/what-foods-are-forbidden-under-louisianas-new-snap-rules-take-our-quiz/" target="_blank">cane sugar is OK to purchase</a>, the Louisiana Illuminator reported.

The Kansas waiver goes into effect Feb. 15, 2027. Kelly’s news release said the state will use candy and soda definitions that are already set in the state’s food and sales tax laws:

Instituting the waiver requires four elements, including communication to retailers and recipients, as well as detailed evaluation, monitoring and compliance. The Kansas Department for Families and Children is seeking a contractor to help with implementation.

“Kansas is now a part of the MAHA (Make American Healthy Again) movement,” said Senate President Ty Masterson in a news release.

MAHA is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/maha/index.html" target="_blank">a movement</a>&nbsp;led by U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to address the chronic disease epidemic and healthy eating habits.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins said the waiver approval was a “significant step toward ensuring taxpayer-funded food assistance programs prioritize nutrition and align with the original intent of the program.”

“I’m glad to see this waiver finally moving forward,” he said. “I’m all for helping someone who’s down on their luck but if taxpayer dollars are going toward food assistance, it only makes sense they should support real nutrition, not pop and candy.”

Kansans on food assistance can’t buy candy, soda beginning in February 2027

Riley County Arrest Report March 5

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

KANSAS CITY —Kansas City Aviation Department (KCAD) received a call of a potential device inside the Kansas City international Airport (MCI) terminal Sunday Morning, as well in the parking garage.

Airport police and other law enforcement, including the FBI, worked quickly to evaluate the situation and ensure the safety of everyone. 

As part of that process, KCAD staff evacuated travelers from the terminal and held inbound flights on the taxiway away from the gates during the event.

Law Enforcement was able to determine no credible threat to the Airport or those inside the terminal. Once that determination was made, KCAD has started working to resume normal operations and minimize disruptions. ​The evacuation lasted approximately two hours.

During the sweep of the garage, a vehicle on the top floor was identified by K9 units as suspicious. As protocol, KCPD Bomb and Arson were called in to investigate and the garage was kept closed for an additional three hours.

Bomb and Arson investigated the vehicle and was able to determine that there was no threat.

As always, the KCAD and FBI encourage anyone who becomes aware of anything suspicious or concerning to report that to law enforcement.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement including the FBI forced the evacuation of portions of Kansas City International Airport terminal Sunday afternoon due to a threat.

On their social media page, the airport wrote, "The Kansas City Aviation Department is aware of a situation at Kansas City International Airport (MCI). As a precaution, the department has evacuated sections of the Airport Terminal."

"Airport Police are working with the FBI to substantiate any potential threat."

FBI Director Kash Patrol wrote on social media, "The FBI&nbsp;and our law enforcement partners quickly responded to the scene and secured the area. The threat was reviewed and determined not to be credible. Terminal has been swept, cleared, and normal operations resumed." 

"Thank you to our federal partners at U. S. Department of Transportation and Secretary Duffy for the coordination and quick response. 

Threats like these are a federal crime. FBI and law enforcement partners will fully investigate and bring to justice anyone responsible."

Just before 2p.m. the Airport terminal re-opened.&nbsp;

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote, "The security incident at Kansas City&nbsp;is now clear and normal operations are resuming. I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response.

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

New details on KCI terminal evacuation during threat investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. military announced an American service member has died of injuries sustained during an Iranian attack on troops stationed in Saudi Arabia.

The seventh American service member killed in the Iran war was an Army soldier, a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed to The Associated Press. The service member died on Saturday from injuries sustained during a March 1 Iranian attack on the kingdom.

The American death toll since the start of combat operations now stands at seven. Six Army reservists were also killed in the March 1 attack on Kuwait.

All seven casualties from the war in Iran were Army soldiers. The first six deaths were Army reservists killed in a March 1 attack on a command center in a Kuwaiti port.

A U.S. National Guard Soldier also died in a health-related incident in Kuwait on March 6 during a medical emergency, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. The exact cause of death is under review.

The identity of the fallen warrior will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification, according to the U.S. Central Command.

U.S. military reports more service member deaths in Iran conflict

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces charges in&nbsp;connection with the fatal shooting of a teenage girl that occurred in Independence in June 2021.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2821/Finch-Redacted-Complaint">Justin Finch</a>, 21,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, and 1st Degree Burglary.&nbsp;

Finch was a juvenile at the time of the homicide. Last week, a Family Court judge certified him to stand trial as an adult.&nbsp;

“Justice does not have an expiration date. Homicide cases are among the most complex our office handles and when the suspect is also a juvenile at the time of the offense, the legal process becomes much more intricate, moving through Family Court first, under a completely different system,”&nbsp;Prosecutor Johnson said.&nbsp;“That process takes time, but that does not mean we’ve forgotten our obligation to victims. Our office will pursue accountability and justice for all victims no matter how long it takes.”

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2822/Finch-Redacted-Probable-Cause">According to court records</a>, Independence police responded to a residence on June 23, 2021, and located the victim deceased in her bedroom with an apparent injury to her face and head. A single spent shell casing was recovered under the victim’s bed.&nbsp;

Witnesses reported Finch and the victim were in a relationship and not getting along. The defendant had been seen with firearms in the past and had sent photos and videos of firearms to the victim.&nbsp;

The defendant’s DNA was present in the scrapings from both the victim’s hands. He had also been observed at the victim’s bedroom window the day of the homicide.&nbsp;

In July 2023, Finch had a pre-trial conference with Family Court but failed to appear. After investigators and different law enforcement agencies attempted to locate Finch, he was arrested on Jan. 6 for the warrant.&nbsp;

A Jackson County judge set the defendant’s bond to $350,000 cash only.

KC man will stand trial as an adult for killing girl in her bedroom

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kevinhardy/">Kevin Hardy</a>

Online prediction markets allow users to put money on the outcome of almost anything — this weekend’s NBA game between the Warriors and the Thunder, the next supreme leader of Iran, whether the government will confirm the existence of aliens.

But those markets have no state oversight and operate even in states that ban gambling.

The platforms are raising bipartisan alarms, especially related to sports gambling. As states have legalized sports betting in recent years, they’ve required legal sportsbooks to jump through multiple hoops — from age verification procedures to protections for gambling addiction to tax collections. Online prediction markets circumvent all those rules.

Platforms including Kalshi and Polymarket say they are offering contracts similar to commodity markets that speculate on the future price of corn or oil — not outright gambling. But a growing number of states are rejecting those justifications, arguing the platforms are offering a backdoor to skirt state gambling regulations, particularly on sports.

The issue has sparked action from state regulators, new legislation, and lawsuits from both states and prediction markets. Complicating matters are the federal government’s moves to block state regulation of prediction markets, which see more than&nbsp;<a href="https://theconversation.com/everything-can-be-a-bet-now-the-rise-and-risks-of-prediction-markets-276464" target="_blank">$13 billion</a>&nbsp;in transactions each month.

Most activity on those platforms revolves around sports. And in national ads, Kalshi even marketed itself as the first national legal sports betting platform — even though states approve and regulate sports gambling since a 2018 Supreme Court decision. In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americangaming.org/research/state-of-play-map/" target="_blank">11 states,</a>&nbsp;sports gambling remains illegal.

“This is sports wagering. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably sports wagering, in this situation,” said Kentucky state Rep. Michael Meredith, a Republican.

Meredith, who sponsored a 2023 law that legalized sports betting in Kentucky, called for states to regulate prediction markets during a webinar hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures. That organization, representing state legislators across the country, has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/resources/details/ncsl-urges-congress-to-address-unregulated-sports-betting-via-prediction-markets" target="_blank">urged Congress</a>&nbsp;“to act swiftly to address the rapid growth of unregulated sports‑related event contracts.”

State leaders argue their longstanding authority to oversee gambling should allow states to regulate or ban prediction market platforms. But those companies maintain they are not beholden to state regulations.

“I think it’s very clear that this authority should be vested in our state governments,” Meredith said last month.

In New York, lawmakers are considering&nbsp;<a href="https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&amp;leg_video=&amp;bn=A09251&amp;term=&amp;Summary=Y&amp;Actions=Y&amp;Text=Y" target="_blank">legislation</a>&nbsp;that would ban prediction markets from offering contracts on sports events, in addition to natural disasters, acts of terrorism and deaths. In Nevada, where gambling and tourism are top economic drivers, regulators are involved in a&nbsp;<a href="https://nevadacurrent.com/2026/02/24/protracted-legal-fight-expected-in-nevada-v-kalshi/" target="_blank">protracted legal fight&nbsp;</a>after the state sought to stop prediction market activity on sports.

“To me, this is clearly gambling,” Thomas Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, which operates casinos and sports betting,&nbsp;said during a company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/02/17/caesars-czr-q4-2025-earnings-call-transcript/" target="_blank">earnings call</a>&nbsp;in January.

But states are also fighting an obscure federal agency seeking to protect the emerging marketplace. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/derivative.asp" target="_blank">derivatives</a>&nbsp;such as futures contracts on stocks, has asserted it has “exclusive jurisdiction” over prediction markets and promised to fight state regulatory efforts in court.

The CTFC did not respond to Stateline’s request for comment. Neither did Kalshi or Polymarket, two of the leading prediction market companies.

Unless Congress passes legislation, experts say the courts will ultimately decide what role states can play in regulating prediction markets.

The standoff has led to litigation between the platforms and states in at least eight states, and officials in 11 states have sent cease and desist orders to prediction market companies, according to the American Gaming Association, an industry group representing casinos and sports books. A bipartisan group of attorneys general from 39 states and the District of Columbia recently urged a federal court to uphold state authority to regulate sports gambling.

The American Gaming Association says prediction markets should either get out of the sports betting business or follow the same regulations and rules that apply to sportsbooks such as DraftKings and FanDuel.

“They don’t want to pay the taxes, they don’t want to undergo the compliance and provide all of the consumer protections that are required by states of operators who operate legal sports betting,” said Tres York, the vice president of government relations for the association.

The organization estimates states have lost out on more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americangaming.org/sports-event-contracts/" target="_blank">$570 million</a>&nbsp;in sports gambling tax revenues since prediction markets began offering sports events contracts.

Many state leaders and experts are<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/12/05/growth-of-sports-betting-may-be-linked-to-financial-woes-new-studies-find/" target="_blank">&nbsp;already concerned</a>&nbsp;about the societal effects from the meteoric rise of sports gambling, which has transformed collegiate and professional sports, and the potential for&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/09/09/wagers-on-touchdowns-strikeouts-and-even-penalties-states-eye-limits-on-prop-bets/" target="_blank">manipulation</a>&nbsp;by players.

“If you already have what I would call an epidemic of sports betting addiction in this country when you have regulated sports betting, imagine what it’s going to be like when you have essentially unregulated sports betting,” said Benjamin Schiffrin, director of securities policy at Better Markets, a nonprofit watchdog group advocating for consumer and investor financial protections.

The wide range of available bets also is raising alarms over election integrity and insider trading. In addition to individual elections, prediction markets have allowed wagers on the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the timing of the U.S. strike on Iran. Last week, hundreds of thousands of dollars were bet the day before the Iranian strikes, and more than 100 accounts cashed in $10,000 or more from successful predictions, according to a New York Times&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/upshot/prediction-markets-iran-strikes.html" target="_blank">analysis</a>.

“It’s a huge change to all of a sudden allow betting on elections, and it really threatens the underpinnings of our democracy,” Schiffrin said. “It just seems like there’s tremendous potential for wrongdoing.”

On its&nbsp;<a href="https://news.kalshi.com/p/values-and-principles-for-prediction-markets" target="_blank">website</a>, Kalshi says it operates under a “strict regulatory framework” with a suite of market integrity, surveillance, financial safeguards, and anti-manipulation protections.

Citing what it called “an onslaught” of state litigation, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission last month filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9183-26" target="_blank">court brief&nbsp;</a>underscoring its authority to regulate prediction markets.

“To those who seek to challenge our authority in this space, let me be clear: We will see you in court,” Commissioner Mike Selig said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cftc.gov/Exit/index.htm?https://x.com/ChairmanSelig/status/2023744651216240966?s=20" target="_blank">video</a>&nbsp;posted on social media. Selig is the only member of the presidentially appointed commission, which currently has four vacancies.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, immediately vowed to oppose the federal agency and the prediction platforms in court. Gambling has been&nbsp;<a href="https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter9/76-9-S1402.html" target="_blank">banned</a>&nbsp;under the Utah Constitution since the state’s founding, and Cox posted on social media that prediction markets are “destroying the lives of families.”

Kalshi&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/24/kalshi-sues-utah-over-proposed-prop-betting-ban/" target="_blank">swiftly sued&nbsp;</a>the governor and the state in federal court in anticipation of enforcement efforts and pending legislation in Salt Lake City. The company’s lawsuit cited the governor’s post and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2026/02/22/utah-gambling-apps-prediciton-markets-harmful-dangerous/" target="_blank">column penned</a>&nbsp;by Republican Attorney General Derek Brown explaining why he joined Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, “in urging Congress to address offshore gambling operations that disregard state law and target young Americans.”

Utah Republican state Rep. Joseph Elison sponsored the&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/23/utah-legislature-advances-ban-on-proposition-betting/" target="_blank">legislation</a>&nbsp;cited in Kalshi’s lawsuit. The bill, which has passed both chambers, would expand the state’s definition of gambling to include&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/09/09/wagers-on-touchdowns-strikeouts-and-even-penalties-states-eye-limits-on-prop-bets/" target="_blank">proposition betting</a>&nbsp;— bets on the performance of an individual player or team that don’t necessarily affect the outcome of a competition. While Elison acknowledged the courts will ultimately determine the issue, he said prediction markets are essentially offering proposition betting without authorization.

”We’re 50 independent sovereigns that gave centralized government to the federal government to do certain things,” he told Stateline. “But the rest, we want those things to be under our purview. And this is one of those.”

In early rulings on the matter, courts have issued a mix of opinions: States have found initial success in state courts while results have been more mixed in federal courts, said Daniel Wallach, a gaming and sports gambling attorney tracking the issue.

But federal law has long affirmed state authority to oversee gambling, he said.

Despite attempts to cast transactions as investments, Wallach says courts will look at the substance of bets, which he said are almost indistinguishable from those made in state-regulated betting markets.

“The argument that this is investing rather than gambling is essentially elevating form over substance,” he said. “Plain and simple, this is wagering on the outcome of a sporting event.”

Wallach said state efforts such as cease and desist orders are counterproductive, as they essentially invite federal lawsuits from prediction market firms. He said states are better off pursuing gambling enforcement efforts in state courts, where several have won preliminary injunctions&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/judge-bans-kalshi-offering-sports-events-contracts-massachusetts-30-days-2026-02-06/" target="_blank">halting operations&nbsp;</a>of the platforms temporarily.

For now, he said the federal agency has applied almost no scrutiny of the platforms, noting that the president’s family has a financial interest in the industry.

Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, has a business interest in two of the largest online prediction markets, and the president’s social media platform Truth Social announced it would start its own prediction market, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/us/politics/donald-trump-jr-prediction-markets.html" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>.

Journalist Dustin Gouker, who authors<a href="https://substack.com/@dustingouker" target="_blank">&nbsp;newsletters</a>&nbsp;on gambling and prediction markets, noted that the CFTC rules that currently regulate prediction markets were built for financial products — not gambling. He said prediction markets have moved into the gaming market because “nobody said no.”

“It’s a bit of a mess,” he said. “If we’re going to have betting in 50 states for everyone 18 and over, shouldn’t we have thought about that a little bit more?”

Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:khardy@stateline.org">khardy@stateline.org</a>.&nbsp;

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2026/03/06/kalshi-and-polymarket-are-skirting-laws-on-sports-betting-states-say/" target="_blank">Stateline</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Kalshi and Polymarket are skirting laws on sports betting, states say

Clocks skipped ahead an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday for daylight saving time in most of the U.S., creating a 23-hour day that throws off sleep schedules, plunges early-morning dog walks into darkness and inspires millions of complaints.

Even though polls show most people dislike the system that has most Americans changing clocks twice a year, the political moves necessary to change the system haven't succeeded because opinions on the issue and its potential impacts are sharply divided.

Want to make daylight saving time permanent? That would mean the sun rises around 9 a.m. in Detroit for a while during the winter. Prefer staying on standard time year round? That would mean the sun would be up at 4:11 a.m. in Seattle in June.

“There’s no law we can pass to move the sun to our will,” said Jay Pea, the president of Save Standard Time, an organization devoted to switching to standard time for good.

Imposing a clock on a rotating planet causes a lot of headaches

Genie Lauren spends her winters in New York City keeping an eye on the sunrise and sunset “white-knuckling it” until the sun is up late enough for her to feel like doing anything outside her apartment after work — even going to the movies.

“The majority of the year we’re in daylight savings time,” said the 41-year-old health care worker. “What are we doing this for?”

The U.S. has tinkered with the clock intermittently since railroads standardized the time zones in 1883. So has a lot of the world. About 140 countries have had daylight saving time at some point; about half that many do now.

About 1 in 10 U.S. adults favor the current system of changing the clocks, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/how-americans-feel-about-changing-the-clocks-according-to-a-new-ap-norc-poll/">AP-NORC poll</a>&nbsp;conducted last year. About half oppose that system, and some 4 in 10 didn’t have an opinion. If they had to choose, most Americans say they would prefer to make daylight saving time permanent, rather than standard time.

Since 2018, 19 states — including much of the South and a block of states in the northwestern U.S. — have adopted laws calling for a move to permanent daylight saving time.

There’s a catch: Congress would need to pass a law to allow states to go to full-time daylight saving time, something that was in place nationwide during World War II and for an unpopular, brief stint in 1974.

The U.S. Senate passed a bill in 2022 to move to permanent daylight saving time. A similar House bill hasn't been brought to a vote.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican from Alabama who introduces such a bill every term, said the airline industry, which doesn't want the scheduling complexity a change would bring, has been a factor in persuading lawmakers not to take it up.

U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, a Florida Republican, is proposing another approach.

“Why not just split the baby?” he asked. “Move it 30 minutes so it would be halfway between the two.”

Steube thinks his bill could get bipartisan support. The change would make the U.S. out of sync with most of the world — though India has taken a similar approach and in Nepal, the time is 15 minutes ahead of India.

Sleep experts prefer more daylight in the morning

Karin Johnson, the vice president of the advocacy group Save Standard Time and a professor of neurology at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, said permanent standard time — with the sun straight overhead close to noon — would help students, drivers and practically everyone else function better year-round.

“Morning light is what’s really critical for setting our circadian rhythms each day,” she said.

Kenneth Wright, a professor and director of the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory at the University of Colorado, said the risk of fatal vehicle crashes, heart attacks and strokes increases in the days that follow turning the clock forward.

“Based on the evidence for our health and well-being and safety, the best option for us as a country now is to choose to go to permanent standard time,” he said.

Of all U.S. states, only Arizona — except&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/daylight-saving-arizona-navajo-hopi-native-american-a1016ce873b772ffae544de9fbcd29d9">the Navajo Nation</a>&nbsp;— and Hawaii currently opt out of daylight saving time.

In the last two years, half a dozen states have adopted bills to switch to permanent standard time in one legislative chamber, including Virginia in February. A Virginia House committee this week recommended dropping the issue until 2027.

Most of those measures included caveats that the change would only take effect if neighboring states also made the move. For instance, Virginia would go to standard time only if Maryland and Washington, D.C., do, too. That could partially answer some of the concerns from groups including broadcasters who warn of schedule confusion. It wouldn't solve the concerns of the golf industry, which opposes full-time standard time because that would make it harder for people to get in a round in the evening.

Many full-time daylight time bills have similar provisions.

Scott Yates, a Colorado man who runs the website Lock the Clock, wants the federal government to pass a law to end the twice-a-year clock change in two years.

Under his plan, states would have to commit to either daylight saving or standard time.

As long as the clock changes persist, Yates has some advice.

“If you’re the boss, tell all your employees on Monday that they can come in an hour later,” he said. “And if you aren’t the boss, tell your boss that you think you should come in an hour later on Monday. Sleep in for safety.”

Associated Press writer David A. Lieb in Jefferson City, Missouri, contributed.

US clock change is a problem, and there’s a deep divide on how to fix it

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 2a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the area of the 3900 Block of Baltimore on a sound of gunshots call, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.&nbsp;

First responders were led to the back parking lot of the apartment buildings where they located an adult male shooting victim unresponsive. 

EMS pronunced the victim deceased. Preliminary information indicates the shooting took place in the back parking lot of the apartments after the victim had an interaction with one or more suspects that led to gunfire.

&nbsp;If anyone was in the area or in the apartment and heard or saw anything or has any information, they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

KCPD: Man shot, killed in parking lot of apartment complex

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 Kansas Republican Party plans to conduct a potential $100,000 fundraiser by raffling a firearm on 30 consecutive days in April.

Rob Fillion, executive director of the Kansas GOP, said tickets for the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansas.gop/30-guns-in-30-days/" target="_blank">daily prize drawing</a>&nbsp;would be sold at $50 a pop. The objective would be to generate money for the party’s campaign activities and to rally support for the constitutional right of individuals to possess firearms for self-defense, he said.

“April is going to be explosive for&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Republicans. We’re giving away 30 top-quality firearms — one every single day — to celebrate our unyielding defense of the 2nd Amendment,” Fillion said.

Precedent exists for Kansas Republican candidates or organizations to sponsor drawings of firearms, especially AR-15-style rifles, to raise voter interest and rally against gun-control proposals. In 2018, GOP congressional candidate Tyler Tannahill launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/state/2018/02/15/kansas-congressional-candidate-tyler-tannahill-sparks-backlash-with-rifle-giveaway/14781928007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=true&amp;gca-epti=z11xx94v11xx94d--xx--b--xx--&amp;gca-ft=175&amp;gca-ds=sophi" target="_blank">a raffle for an AR-15</a>&nbsp;one day before that type of weapon was used in a massacre that killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

In 2026, the Kansas State Troopers Association has conducted weekly drawings on “Win a Weapon Wednesday” with tickets acquired by purchasing a $100 calendar. Ducks Unlimited Kansas organized a 50-gun raffle in February. The Knights of Columbus in Wichita has sponsored a “Gun-A-Week” raffle this year to raise money for charity by selling $60 tickets.

Fillion said the idea of the April fundraiser was to generate interest in electing “conservative leaders who will protect constitutional rights and advance&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;values.”

“This isn’t just about winning guns,” he said. “It’s about winning elections, mobilizing our base and sending a clear message that&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;stands firmly for freedom, self-defense and the right to keep and bear arms.”

The Kansas GOP’s raffle kicks off by giving away a Great Lakes 223 AR-15. The roster also included a Springfield Hellcat Pro 9 mm, Beretta 92XI 9 mm, Cobra III .410 shotgun, Raptor Camo CT-3, Kimber Custom LW 9 mm, Setter CT-5 shotgun, Browning Buck Mark Medallion 22LR, Henry Silver American Eagle 22, Kimber K6s .357 and Canix SFX Rival-S 9 mm.

All tickets sold for the Kansas GOP raffle would be eligible for all daily drawings conducted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansas.gop/" target="_blank">kansas.gop</a>&nbsp;from April 1 to April 30. A maximum of 2,000 tickets would be available and participants could buy multiple tickets, Fillion said.

Ticket purchasers and those claiming prizes must be 21 years of age and legally eligible to possess a firearm. Party officials planned to post results online and to notify winners by telephone. Individuals would have 30 days to claim a firearm. The formal transfer of guns must occur through a dealer with a federal firearms license.

Kansas Republican Party organizes April fundraiser to raffle 30 firearms in 30 days

By JON GAMBRELL, SAM METZ and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

Iran's president toughens his tone in the conflict against the United States and Israel.

“When we are attacked, we have no choice but to respond. The more pressure they impose on us, the stronger our response will naturally be,” Pezeshkian said in video comments Sunday. “Our Iran, our country, will not bow easily in the face of bullying, oppression or aggression — and it never has.”

The remarks, starkly different in tone, came a day after Pezeshkian said Iran regretted regional concerns caused by Iranian strikes and urged neighboring states not to take part in U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran.

While multiple Gulf states reported intercepting more incoming missiles and drones from Iran, Pezeshkian said the country wasn't looking to battle them and accused the U.S. of trying to pit countries against one another.

Iranian hard-liners quickly contradicted those remarks. Judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei wrote on X: “The geography of some countries in the region — both overtly and covertly — is in the hands of the enemy, and those points are used against our country in acts of aggression. Intense attacks on these targets will continue."

Local

Region

Sports