President Donald Trump's administration can continue to detain immigrants without bond, marking a major legal victory for the federal immigration agenda and countering a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-judge-schiltz-immigration-dba9ee031a23602ba2f6404262496ea5">slew of recent</a>&nbsp;lower court decisions across the country that argued the practice is illegal.

A panel of judges on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday evening that the Department of Homeland Security's decision to deny bond hearings to immigrants arrested across the country is consistent with the constitution and federal immigration law.

Specifically, circuit judge Edith H. Jones wrote in the 2-1 majority opinion that the government correctly interpreted the Immigration and Nationality Act by asserting that “unadmitted aliens apprehended anywhere in the United States are ineligible for release on bond, regardless of how long they have resided inside the United States."

Under past administrations,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detention-ice-trump-e1c2322c3f88c1f7d7e83c8c42109cb6">most noncitizens</a>&nbsp;with no criminal record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-court-judges-trump-ice-229830c0779857164a832793c2a8f3e4">who were arrested away</a>&nbsp;from the border had an opportunity to request a bond hearing while their cases wound through immigration court. Historically, bond was often granted to those without criminal convictions who were not flight risks, and mandatory detention was limited to recent border crossers.

"That prior Administrations decided to use less than their full enforcement authority under" the law “does not mean they lacked the authority to do more,” Jones wrote.

The plaintiffs in the two separate cases filed last year against the Trump administration were both Mexican nationals who had both lived in the United States for over 10 years and weren't flight risks, their attorneys argued. Neither man had a criminal record, and both were jailed for months last year before a lower Texas court granted them bond in October.

The Trump White House reversed that policy in favor of mandatory detention in July, reversing almost 30 years of precedent under both Democrat and Republican administrations.

Friday's ruling also bucks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-bond-hearings-detention-trump-b863c23d6f1740e2df0be59947a087c5">a November district court decision in California</a>, which granted detained immigrants with no criminal history the opportunity to request a bond hearing and had implications for noncitizens held in detention nationwide.

Circuit Judge Dana M. Douglas wrote the lone dissent in Friday's decision.

The elected congress members who passed the Immigration and Nationality Act “would be surprised to learn it had also required the detention without bond of two million people,” Douglas wrote, adding that many of the people detained are “the spouses, mothers, fathers, and grandparents of American citizens.”

She went on to argue that the federal government was overriding the lawmaking process with DHS' new immigration detention policy that denies detained immigrants bond.

“Because I would reject the government’s invitation to rubber stamp its proposed legislation by executive fiat, I dissent,” Douglas wrote.

Douglas' opinion echoed widespread tensions between the Trump administration and federal judges around the country,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-judge-schiltz-immigration-dba9ee031a23602ba2f6404262496ea5">who have increasingly</a>&nbsp;accused the administration of flouting court orders.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi celebrated the decision as “a significant blow against activist judges who have been undermining our efforts to make America safe again at every turn."

“We will continue vindicating President Trump’s law and order agenda in courtrooms across the country,” Bondi wrote on the social media platform X.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770394220485.png" alt="Photo DHS" />
 <figcaption>Photo DHS</figcaption>
 </figure>By SAFIYAH RIDDLE Associated PressPresident Donald Trump's administration can continue to detain immigrants without bond, marking a major legal victory for the federal immigration agenda and countering a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-judge-schiltz-immigration-dba9ee031a23602ba2f6404262496ea5">slew of recent</a>&nbsp;lower court decisions across the country that argued the practice is illegal.A panel of judges on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday evening that the Department of Homeland Security's decision to deny bond hearings to immigrants arrested across the country is consistent with the constitution and federal immigration law.Specifically, circuit judge Edith H. Jones wrote in the 2-1 majority opinion that the government correctly interpreted the Immigration and Nationality Act by asserting that “unadmitted aliens apprehended anywhere in the United States are ineligible for release on bond, regardless of how long they have resided inside the United States."Under past administrations,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detention-ice-trump-e1c2322c3f88c1f7d7e83c8c42109cb6">most noncitizens</a>&nbsp;with no criminal record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-court-judges-trump-ice-229830c0779857164a832793c2a8f3e4">who were arrested away</a>&nbsp;from the border had an opportunity to request a bond hearing while their cases wound through immigration court. Historically, bond was often granted to those without criminal convictions who were not flight risks, and mandatory detention was limited to recent border crossers."That prior Administrations decided to use less than their full enforcement authority under" the law “does not mean they lacked the authority to do more,” Jones wrote.The plaintiffs in the two separate cases filed last year against the Trump administration were both Mexican nationals who had both lived in the United States for over 10 years and weren't flight risks, their attorneys argued. Neither man had a criminal record, and both were jailed for months last year before a lower Texas court granted them bond in October.The Trump White House reversed that policy in favor of mandatory detention in July, reversing almost 30 years of precedent under both Democrat and Republican administrations.Friday's ruling also bucks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-bond-hearings-detention-trump-b863c23d6f1740e2df0be59947a087c5">a November district court decision in California</a>, which granted detained immigrants with no criminal history the opportunity to request a bond hearing and had implications for noncitizens held in detention nationwide.Circuit Judge Dana M. Douglas wrote the lone dissent in Friday's decision.The elected congress members who passed the Immigration and Nationality Act “would be surprised to learn it had also required the detention without bond of two million people,” Douglas wrote, adding that many of the people detained are “the spouses, mothers, fathers, and grandparents of American citizens.”She went on to argue that the federal government was overriding the lawmaking process with DHS' new immigration detention policy that denies detained immigrants bond.“Because I would reject the government’s invitation to rubber stamp its proposed legislation by executive fiat, I dissent,” Douglas wrote.Douglas' opinion echoed widespread tensions between the Trump administration and federal judges around the country,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-judge-schiltz-immigration-dba9ee031a23602ba2f6404262496ea5">who have increasingly</a>&nbsp;accused the administration of flouting court orders.U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi celebrated the decision as “a significant blow against activist judges who have been undermining our efforts to make America safe again at every turn."“We will continue vindicating President Trump’s law and order agenda in courtrooms across the country,” Bondi wrote on the social media platform X.

Appeals court affirms Trump policy of jailing immigrants without bond

The Kansas Small Business Development Center (Kansas SBDC) network demonstrated strong statewide impact in 2025, helping Kansas entrepreneurs start businesses, create and retain jobs, and strengthen local economies through hands-on advising, training, and access to capital.

Between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, the Kansas SBDC supported 2,583 small businesses through one-on-one advising and reached more than 4,100 Kansans through 281 training events. These efforts translated into measurable economic outcomes across urban and rural communities statewide.

In total, Kansas SBDC assistance helped small businesses access nearly $54 million in capital, providing entrepreneurs with the resources needed to start, grow, and sustain their operations.

“These numbers represent more than economic output, they reflect real Kansas businesses, real jobs, and real communities strengthened by smart investment in small business support,” said Dan Lara, State Director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center. “The Kansas SBDC delivers a strong return on investment by helping entrepreneurs make informed decisions, access capital responsibly, and build businesses that contribute to long-term economic stability across our state.”

Kansas SBDC advisors provide no-cost, confidential consulting to small business owners at every stage — from idea development and startup to growth, succession planning, and capital readiness. Services are delivered through a statewide network of centers and outreach locations, ensuring access for entrepreneurs in rural, urban, and underserved communities.

“The 2025 impact report highlights the essential role the Kansas SBDC plays in driving Kansas’ economy. Facilitating nearly $54 million in capital and supporting the retention of more than 5,000 jobs is a testament to the power of this statewide partnership,” said Tisa Mason, President of Fort Hays State University. “We are honored to serve as the host institution for this network, working alongside dedicated partners across the state, to ensure small business owners have the guidance they need to succeed.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Kansas, funding partners, and community stakeholders play a critical role in sustaining this impact by supporting programs that strengthen Kansas’ small business ecosystem.

For more information about Kansas SBDC services and statewide impact, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqkJPq7djzb4x3NlSri-2BP7RZrkMwj5RR8rYG5VSEFAbeQmmX4_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOXOxdsJmVP8zig1KFSMj3IIGwnTEeScOi7EIOwPbfdn-2BT56Mzf7L7enAhrx2hmt97DPE8eGB6cZRPsFZqeB5ehtabqwEZ6-2FxupGDBNuJcjFYG-2BoAsOXxS3oqrR-2BK9c27W0XEGPEpSStg4iQMjLMFMVObp1C1OVmL7PvgN5FsSfV47RuCkdpEmzAbgBYCIlAX11sHMJeWnVmtuyV6jUxDJK3UtgMOzf6PqPlg8h9mfzMLg6Qf9fudWEPE2E1lKcBQD">www.kansassbdc.net</a>. To view a copy of the Kansas SBDC’s annual report, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqkJPq7djzb4x3NlSri-2BP7RYXJlmO1akUM7pMMmhcZKMYpYNB_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOXOxdsJmVP8zig1KFSMj3IIGwnTEeScOi7EIOwPbfdn-2BT56Mzf7L7enAhrx2hmt97DPE8eGB6cZRPsFZqeB5ehoLgu6chZnGSepvEsmVEJs0jUSACbnhZiAi1i2NrjGzJfC-2BPIM2qdYp4Ix21JrTmobv3lYi2r9QolEPKRDxOj3dZ-2BPCdPlsQZP6m3sofDLP8WrDfUwTyVzXYeeQew-2Bq2RPI-2FfFaiwCiMahz-2BKgwP-2FhOYMcOd9d-2Bl5wzjVm4d0mnK">www.kansassbdc.net/2025impact</a>.

About the Kansas Small Business Development Center

The Kansas Small Business Development Center network is a statewide, inter-institutional program to enhance economic growth in Kansas by providing no-cost management, marketing, and technical assistance to small businesses. Headquartered at Fort Hays State University with several regional centers located throughout the state, our mission is to empower entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed. To learn more about Kansas SBDC services or to connect with an advisor, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqkJPq7djzb4x3NlSri-2BP7RZrkMwj5RR8rYG5VSEFAbeQrUZw_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOXOxdsJmVP8zig1KFSMj3IIGwnTEeScOi7EIOwPbfdn-2BT56Mzf7L7enAhrx2hmt97DPE8eGB6cZRPsFZqeB5ehqyoyifr2zFbKk15jY-2BqccDxnDf5EzSBbRDknw7OGv6vAxTEov-2BxKgVnTaywJdtmKN-2FzoscyZkPHFzXsFaBcPOZvg9GvL6sRtVwpzvdScwlLK7rjOBCafVphbfHd5PK2NfK8nMnefc3vpknPrIE-2BwRUKMMXVBdRIPxQaik9JNgz4">www.kansassbdc.net</a>.

The Kansas SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770224223118.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsThe Kansas Small Business Development Center (Kansas SBDC) network demonstrated strong statewide impact in 2025, helping Kansas entrepreneurs start businesses, create and retain jobs, and strengthen local economies through hands-on advising, training, and access to capital.Between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, the Kansas SBDC supported 2,583 small businesses through one-on-one advising and reached more than 4,100 Kansans through 281 training events. These efforts translated into measurable economic outcomes across urban and rural communities statewide.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770224095310.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>In total, Kansas SBDC assistance helped small businesses access nearly $54 million in capital, providing entrepreneurs with the resources needed to start, grow, and sustain their operations.“These numbers represent more than economic output, they reflect real Kansas businesses, real jobs, and real communities strengthened by smart investment in small business support,” said Dan Lara, State Director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center. “The Kansas SBDC delivers a strong return on investment by helping entrepreneurs make informed decisions, access capital responsibly, and build businesses that contribute to long-term economic stability across our state.”Kansas SBDC advisors provide no-cost, confidential consulting to small business owners at every stage — from idea development and startup to growth, succession planning, and capital readiness. Services are delivered through a statewide network of centers and outreach locations, ensuring access for entrepreneurs in rural, urban, and underserved communities.“The 2025 impact report highlights the essential role the Kansas SBDC plays in driving Kansas’ economy. Facilitating nearly $54 million in capital and supporting the retention of more than 5,000 jobs is a testament to the power of this statewide partnership,” said Tisa Mason, President of Fort Hays State University. “We are honored to serve as the host institution for this network, working alongside dedicated partners across the state, to ensure small business owners have the guidance they need to succeed.”The U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Kansas, funding partners, and community stakeholders play a critical role in sustaining this impact by supporting programs that strengthen Kansas’ small business ecosystem.For more information about Kansas SBDC services and statewide impact, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqkJPq7djzb4x3NlSri-2BP7RZrkMwj5RR8rYG5VSEFAbeQmmX4_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOXOxdsJmVP8zig1KFSMj3IIGwnTEeScOi7EIOwPbfdn-2BT56Mzf7L7enAhrx2hmt97DPE8eGB6cZRPsFZqeB5ehtabqwEZ6-2FxupGDBNuJcjFYG-2BoAsOXxS3oqrR-2BK9c27W0XEGPEpSStg4iQMjLMFMVObp1C1OVmL7PvgN5FsSfV47RuCkdpEmzAbgBYCIlAX11sHMJeWnVmtuyV6jUxDJK3UtgMOzf6PqPlg8h9mfzMLg6Qf9fudWEPE2E1lKcBQD">www.kansassbdc.net</a>. To view a copy of the Kansas SBDC’s annual report, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqkJPq7djzb4x3NlSri-2BP7RYXJlmO1akUM7pMMmhcZKMYpYNB_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOXOxdsJmVP8zig1KFSMj3IIGwnTEeScOi7EIOwPbfdn-2BT56Mzf7L7enAhrx2hmt97DPE8eGB6cZRPsFZqeB5ehoLgu6chZnGSepvEsmVEJs0jUSACbnhZiAi1i2NrjGzJfC-2BPIM2qdYp4Ix21JrTmobv3lYi2r9QolEPKRDxOj3dZ-2BPCdPlsQZP6m3sofDLP8WrDfUwTyVzXYeeQew-2Bq2RPI-2FfFaiwCiMahz-2BKgwP-2FhOYMcOd9d-2Bl5wzjVm4d0mnK">www.kansassbdc.net/2025impact</a>.About the Kansas Small Business Development CenterThe Kansas Small Business Development Center network is a statewide, inter-institutional program to enhance economic growth in Kansas by providing no-cost management, marketing, and technical assistance to small businesses. Headquartered at Fort Hays State University with several regional centers located throughout the state, our mission is to empower entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed. To learn more about Kansas SBDC services or to connect with an advisor, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqkJPq7djzb4x3NlSri-2BP7RZrkMwj5RR8rYG5VSEFAbeQrUZw_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOXOxdsJmVP8zig1KFSMj3IIGwnTEeScOi7EIOwPbfdn-2BT56Mzf7L7enAhrx2hmt97DPE8eGB6cZRPsFZqeB5ehqyoyifr2zFbKk15jY-2BqccDxnDf5EzSBbRDknw7OGv6vAxTEov-2BxKgVnTaywJdtmKN-2FzoscyZkPHFzXsFaBcPOZvg9GvL6sRtVwpzvdScwlLK7rjOBCafVphbfHd5PK2NfK8nMnefc3vpknPrIE-2BwRUKMMXVBdRIPxQaik9JNgz4">www.kansassbdc.net</a>.The Kansas SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Kansas Small Business Development Center delivers strong economic impact across Kansas in 2025

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/maria-sherman">MARIA SHERMAN</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — There are stages, and then there is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;halftime show.

On Sunday, fresh off his historic win at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards">the Grammys</a>&nbsp;for his love letter to Puerto Rico, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny will once again surprise audiences with a performance that is gearing up to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/why-bad-bunnys-super-bowl-show-will-be-a-landmark-moment-for-puerto-rico/" target="_blank">landmark moment for Latino culture.</a>

Apple Music’s Zane Lowe mentioned that Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance is 13 minutes long during an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-show-f441549a00166a39309233f689163105">interview with the superstar</a>&nbsp;on Thursday. Historically, they run 12 to 15 minutes.

In the same conversation, Bad Bunny offered few specifics about what viewers will see Sunday.

“It’s going to be a huge party,” he said, playfully dodging questions about surprise guests and other details. “What people can expect from me … I want to bring to the stage, of course, a lot of my culture. But I really don’t, I don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s going to be fun.”

Beyond that: A minute-and-a-half long trailer for the halftime show posted last month set a jovial tone for his performance. In it,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bad-bunny">Bad Bunny</a>&nbsp;approaches a Flamboyan tree — more on that below — and presses play on his single “Baile Inolvidable” (“Unforgettable Dance”).

The song is modern salsa, performed with students from the Escuela Libre de Música San Juan. It is a featured single from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-debi-tirar-mas-fotos-review-856f8e4f89e48e6ab104a491ae3dbcde">“Debí Tirar Más Fotos,”</a>&nbsp;an album that marries folkloric tradition in local Borinquen genres like bomba, plena, salsa and música jíbara with contemporary styles like reggaeton, trap and pop.

In the clip, Bad Bunny sways as he’s joined by different dancers across genders, races and ages: Those include a traditional salsa dancer in a red dress, a firefighter, a cowboy and a viejito wearing a pava (“viejito” is an affectionate term for an older man and a “pava” is a kind of straw hat). It’s representative of the superstar’s international appeal; he is currently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spotify-wrapped-2025-bad-bunny-taylor-swift-fb021e2387d6aff7e4d8353a067f1664">the most-streamed artist globally</a>&nbsp;on Spotify.

Will Bad Bunny perform entirely in Spanish?

All of Bad Bunny’s music is recorded in Spanish, so it seems like a safe bet. Were he to include English into his set, it would likely appear in a spoken interjection — or it would be featured in text.

In October, Bad Bunny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snl-premiere-bad-bunny-doja-cat-108cbe04aa05205f7c04ff29c6d60d0f">hosted “Saturday Night Live”</a>&nbsp;and said a few sentences in Spanish during his opening monologue. When he concluded, he joked in English, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,” a reference to the Super Bowl and his critics.

On Thursday, he joked that fans didn’t actually need to learn Spanish to enjoy his set — but they should be prepared to dance.

There’s no way to know for sure, but here are a few educated guesses.

Puerto Rican flags: In his song&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-superbowl-2026-quiz">“La Mudanza,”</a>&nbsp;Bad Bunny sings, “Aquí mataron gente por sacar la bandera / Por eso es que ahora yo la llevo donde quiera.” In English: “Here they killed people for showing the flag / That’s why I bring it everywhere I want now.” It appears to be a reference to Law 53 of 1948, better known as the Gag Law, a ruling by the Puerto Rican Legislative Assembly which attempted to suppress the independence movement on the island and criminalized displaying the Puerto Rican flag. It was repealed in 1952. It is also one of many reasons Puerto Ricans are known for waving their flag with pride for their island.

It is almost certain the flag of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/puerto-rico">Puerto Rico</a>&nbsp;will appear in some form on the Super Bowl stage. But its colors are worth noting. If it is shown in red, white and blue, that is the current flag of Puerto Rico and has been since 1952. If there are flags that feature light blue, that is reflective of the Puerto Rican independence movement. A black and white version of the flag has become synonymous with Puerto Rican struggle and resiliency. And if there is a flag that more closely resembles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/dominican-republic">the Dominican Republic’s</a>&nbsp;flag, that is the flag of the Puerto Rican mountain town Lares. It was used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-hip-hop-and-rap-residente-music-music-videos-07e1a4067be8e48f197661c90b31aefd">the Grito de Lares,</a>&nbsp;the first short revolt against Spanish rule in Puerto Rico in the 19th century.

Puerto Rican expressions: There may be a few Puerto Rican expressions uttered on stage, beyond just those found in Bad Bunny’s music. That could be anything from “Wepa!” which is used in moments of excitement, not unlike exclaiming “Wow!.” It grew in popularity after the release of Alfonso Vélez’s 1974 salsa song “El Jolgorio (Wepa Wepa Wepa).” Or “Acho, PR es otra cosa,” a phrase that became a fan chant during Bad Bunny’s performance of “Voy a llevarte pa’ PR” during his residency. It translates to “Damn, PR is something else.”

Casita: At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-bad-bunny-concert-46e33b429e8ea4a08f52b0ae53b42d30">Bad Bunny’s residency in Puerto Rico</a>&nbsp;last summer, he performed across two stages. One was built to resemble a casita (“little house”), for the pari de marquesina, a house party. These structures are synonymous with Puerto Rico and the Caribbean at large.

Pavas: A symbol that is likely familiar to Bad Bunny fans everywhere, a pava is a straw hat traditionally worn by jíbaros, or Puerto Rican rural farmers. It has become a symbol of pride for the island. The singer even wore a leather version of the hat on the red carpet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/met-gala-2025-fashion-updates">at the 2025 Met Gala.</a>

Flamboyan tree: The second of the two stages at Bad Bunny’s residency focused on showcasing the island’s natural beauty with its flamboyan and plantain trees. The former are a common feature in Puerto Rican art for its flowers, most commonly seen in brilliant red, orange and yellow hues. The image of the tree evokes Puerto Rico almost as immediately as the sound of its national nocturnal residents, el coquí (a frog with a distinctive sing-song-y call heard only at night.)

El Sapo Concho: Not to be mistaken with el coquí, el sapo concho is the endangered Puerto Rican crested toad that Bad Bunny has used an animated version of in his visuals for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”

Traditional Puerto Rican instruments: Because much of Bad Bunny’s music pulls from bomba and plena, it is likely that a few of those traditional instruments will be on stage. Look out for a cuatro (a small, four-stringed guitar), güiro/güira (a percussive instrument made of a hollow gourd), palitos (also a percussive instrument resembling two long, wood sticks), cencerro (cow bell) and maracas. For the bomba songs, specifically, there may be a barriel (a barrel) and for plena, a pandereta (tambourine.)

Will there be special guests during the halftime show?

It is impossible to predict, but it would be surprising if Bad Bunny wasn’t joined by other performers — particularly other giants of Latin music, and probably, other Puerto Rican performers. The band Chuwi joined Benito for every night of his San Juan residency; it wouldn’t be out of the question to see them on stage for their collaboration, “Weltita.”

Other potential guests, if the residency is a framework to follow, could include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marc-anthony">Marc Anthony,</a>&nbsp;Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2025-grammy-awards-young-miko-interview-36adcfcc6e418494632b835fd4d20bd5">Young Miko,</a>&nbsp;Wisin y Yandel, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Alfonso Vélez. But the list goes on and on.

That is in the eye of the beholder. But there is historical precedent for it at the Super Bowl. In 2020, the NFL asked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-jennifer-lopez-entertainment-sports-sports-general-6218a84a9cd3d702826afe4a7cb6fff3">Jennifer Lopez</a>&nbsp;to cut a segment featuring children in cages during her halftime performance, a critique of U.S. immigration policies. She refused. (Bad Bunny was actually a guest performer during that halftime show, which was headlined by Lopez and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/shakira">Shakira.)</a>

Last year, Kendrick Lamar’s set was an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-halftime-show-review-1dc2bce615ebfba0c8af0ea7c3ce4b9d">artful confrontation of American history</a>&nbsp;and racial dynamics through metaphor, as the actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, complained of a performance that was “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto” and reminded Lamar to “play the game.”

Bad Bunny has never steered clear of political messaging. He has criticized President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on everything from his hurricane response in his native Puerto Rico to his treatment of immigrants. At the Grammys Sunday, he said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2026-grammy-awards-4d631de5d968b51276a8f06b76580e20">“ICE out”</a>&nbsp;while accepting his first televised award of the night. His latest tour skipped the continental U.S.; in an interview he said it was at least partially inspired by concerns that his fans could be targeted by immigration agents.

Trump, a Republican, has said he doesn’t plan to attend this year’s game, unlike last year, and he has derided Bad Bunny as a “terrible choice.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759140801620.png" alt="Bad Bunny image from AP video" />
 <figcaption>Bad Bunny image from AP video</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/maria-sherman">MARIA SHERMAN</a>NEW YORK (AP) — There are stages, and then there is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;halftime show.On Sunday, fresh off his historic win at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards">the Grammys</a>&nbsp;for his love letter to Puerto Rico, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny will once again surprise audiences with a performance that is gearing up to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/why-bad-bunnys-super-bowl-show-will-be-a-landmark-moment-for-puerto-rico/" target="_blank">landmark moment for Latino culture.</a>But what can you expect from his set?<h2>What we know</h2>Apple Music’s Zane Lowe mentioned that Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance is 13 minutes long during an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-show-f441549a00166a39309233f689163105">interview with the superstar</a>&nbsp;on Thursday. Historically, they run 12 to 15 minutes.In the same conversation, Bad Bunny offered few specifics about what viewers will see Sunday.“It’s going to be a huge party,” he said, playfully dodging questions about surprise guests and other details. “What people can expect from me … I want to bring to the stage, of course, a lot of my culture. But I really don’t, I don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s going to be fun.”Beyond that: A minute-and-a-half long trailer for the halftime show posted last month set a jovial tone for his performance. In it,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bad-bunny">Bad Bunny</a>&nbsp;approaches a Flamboyan tree — more on that below — and presses play on his single “Baile Inolvidable” (“Unforgettable Dance”).The song is modern salsa, performed with students from the Escuela Libre de Música San Juan. It is a featured single from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-debi-tirar-mas-fotos-review-856f8e4f89e48e6ab104a491ae3dbcde">“Debí Tirar Más Fotos,”</a>&nbsp;an album that marries folkloric tradition in local Borinquen genres like bomba, plena, salsa and música jíbara with contemporary styles like reggaeton, trap and pop.In the clip, Bad Bunny sways as he’s joined by different dancers across genders, races and ages: Those include a traditional salsa dancer in a red dress, a firefighter, a cowboy and a viejito wearing a pava (“viejito” is an affectionate term for an older man and a “pava” is a kind of straw hat). It’s representative of the superstar’s international appeal; he is currently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spotify-wrapped-2025-bad-bunny-taylor-swift-fb021e2387d6aff7e4d8353a067f1664">the most-streamed artist globally</a>&nbsp;on Spotify.<h2>Will Bad Bunny perform entirely in Spanish?</h2>All of Bad Bunny’s music is recorded in Spanish, so it seems like a safe bet. Were he to include English into his set, it would likely appear in a spoken interjection — or it would be featured in text.In October, Bad Bunny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snl-premiere-bad-bunny-doja-cat-108cbe04aa05205f7c04ff29c6d60d0f">hosted “Saturday Night Live”</a>&nbsp;and said a few sentences in Spanish during his opening monologue. When he concluded, he joked in English, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,” a reference to the Super Bowl and his critics.On Thursday, he joked that fans didn’t actually need to learn Spanish to enjoy his set — but they should be prepared to dance.<h2>What symbols can we expect?</h2>There’s no way to know for sure, but here are a few educated guesses.Puerto Rican flags: In his song&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-superbowl-2026-quiz">“La Mudanza,”</a>&nbsp;Bad Bunny sings, “Aquí mataron gente por sacar la bandera / Por eso es que ahora yo la llevo donde quiera.” In English: “Here they killed people for showing the flag / That’s why I bring it everywhere I want now.” It appears to be a reference to Law 53 of 1948, better known as the Gag Law, a ruling by the Puerto Rican Legislative Assembly which attempted to suppress the independence movement on the island and criminalized displaying the Puerto Rican flag. It was repealed in 1952. It is also one of many reasons Puerto Ricans are known for waving their flag with pride for their island.It is almost certain the flag of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/puerto-rico">Puerto Rico</a>&nbsp;will appear in some form on the Super Bowl stage. But its colors are worth noting. If it is shown in red, white and blue, that is the current flag of Puerto Rico and has been since 1952. If there are flags that feature light blue, that is reflective of the Puerto Rican independence movement. A black and white version of the flag has become synonymous with Puerto Rican struggle and resiliency. And if there is a flag that more closely resembles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/dominican-republic">the Dominican Republic’s</a>&nbsp;flag, that is the flag of the Puerto Rican mountain town Lares. It was used in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-hip-hop-and-rap-residente-music-music-videos-07e1a4067be8e48f197661c90b31aefd">the Grito de Lares,</a>&nbsp;the first short revolt against Spanish rule in Puerto Rico in the 19th century.Puerto Rican expressions: There may be a few Puerto Rican expressions uttered on stage, beyond just those found in Bad Bunny’s music. That could be anything from “Wepa!” which is used in moments of excitement, not unlike exclaiming “Wow!.” It grew in popularity after the release of Alfonso Vélez’s 1974 salsa song “El Jolgorio (Wepa Wepa Wepa).” Or “Acho, PR es otra cosa,” a phrase that became a fan chant during Bad Bunny’s performance of “Voy a llevarte pa’ PR” during his residency. It translates to “Damn, PR is something else.”Casita: At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-bad-bunny-concert-46e33b429e8ea4a08f52b0ae53b42d30">Bad Bunny’s residency in Puerto Rico</a>&nbsp;last summer, he performed across two stages. One was built to resemble a casita (“little house”), for the pari de marquesina, a house party. These structures are synonymous with Puerto Rico and the Caribbean at large.Pavas: A symbol that is likely familiar to Bad Bunny fans everywhere, a pava is a straw hat traditionally worn by jíbaros, or Puerto Rican rural farmers. It has become a symbol of pride for the island. The singer even wore a leather version of the hat on the red carpet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/met-gala-2025-fashion-updates">at the 2025 Met Gala.</a>Flamboyan tree: The second of the two stages at Bad Bunny’s residency focused on showcasing the island’s natural beauty with its flamboyan and plantain trees. The former are a common feature in Puerto Rican art for its flowers, most commonly seen in brilliant red, orange and yellow hues. The image of the tree evokes Puerto Rico almost as immediately as the sound of its national nocturnal residents, el coquí (a frog with a distinctive sing-song-y call heard only at night.)El Sapo Concho: Not to be mistaken with el coquí, el sapo concho is the endangered Puerto Rican crested toad that Bad Bunny has used an animated version of in his visuals for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”Traditional Puerto Rican instruments: Because much of Bad Bunny’s music pulls from bomba and plena, it is likely that a few of those traditional instruments will be on stage. Look out for a cuatro (a small, four-stringed guitar), güiro/güira (a percussive instrument made of a hollow gourd), palitos (also a percussive instrument resembling two long, wood sticks), cencerro (cow bell) and maracas. For the bomba songs, specifically, there may be a barriel (a barrel) and for plena, a pandereta (tambourine.)<h2>Will there be special guests during the halftime show?</h2>It is impossible to predict, but it would be surprising if Bad Bunny wasn’t joined by other performers — particularly other giants of Latin music, and probably, other Puerto Rican performers. The band Chuwi joined Benito for every night of his San Juan residency; it wouldn’t be out of the question to see them on stage for their collaboration, “Weltita.”Other potential guests, if the residency is a framework to follow, could include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marc-anthony">Marc Anthony,</a>&nbsp;Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2025-grammy-awards-young-miko-interview-36adcfcc6e418494632b835fd4d20bd5">Young Miko,</a>&nbsp;Wisin y Yandel, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Alfonso Vélez. But the list goes on and on.<h2>Will it be a political performance?</h2>That is in the eye of the beholder. But there is historical precedent for it at the Super Bowl. In 2020, the NFL asked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-jennifer-lopez-entertainment-sports-sports-general-6218a84a9cd3d702826afe4a7cb6fff3">Jennifer Lopez</a>&nbsp;to cut a segment featuring children in cages during her halftime performance, a critique of U.S. immigration policies. She refused. (Bad Bunny was actually a guest performer during that halftime show, which was headlined by Lopez and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/shakira">Shakira.)</a>Last year, Kendrick Lamar’s set was an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-halftime-show-review-1dc2bce615ebfba0c8af0ea7c3ce4b9d">artful confrontation of American history</a>&nbsp;and racial dynamics through metaphor, as the actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, complained of a performance that was “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto” and reminded Lamar to “play the game.”Bad Bunny has never steered clear of political messaging. He has criticized President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on everything from his hurricane response in his native Puerto Rico to his treatment of immigrants. At the Grammys Sunday, he said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2026-grammy-awards-4d631de5d968b51276a8f06b76580e20">“ICE out”</a>&nbsp;while accepting his first televised award of the night. His latest tour skipped the continental U.S.; in an interview he said it was at least partially inspired by concerns that his fans could be targeted by immigration agents.Trump, a Republican, has said he doesn’t plan to attend this year’s game, unlike last year, and he has derided Bad Bunny as a “terrible choice.”

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show: Some things to expect and what they mean

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a>

The images have become ubiquitous in the Trump administration’s campaign for mass deportations of immigrants.

Masked agents, swathed in tactical gear and carrying semiautomatic firearms, menace protesters with chemical sprays and smash car windows while dragging immigrants from their vehicles.

Critics label the aggressive actions by unidentifiable agents as a calculated effort by the Department of Homeland Security to send a paramilitary force into select American cities.

But the cheapest and most basic part of federal agents’ gear — face coverings of knit and cloth masks — is the focus of legislation at the federal level, in statehouses and smaller municipalities across the nation, including in Jackson County.

“We’re going to have to deal with the issue before the issue deals with us,” said Jackson County Legislature Chair Manny Abarca IV.

Abarca introduced a proposal requiring law enforcement to keep their faces and badges visible and is backing an amendment narrowing the focus to federal agents conducting immigration enforcement within the county.

County legislators are scheduled to hear public comments at 3 p.m. on Feb. 9.

The Jackson County ordinance mirrors efforts nationally, carving out exceptions for SWAT and other specialty teams, undercover work and the use of helmets with shields for officer safety. Those efforts have gained momentum since the recent shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good during an ongoing immigration enforcement crackdown in Minneapolis.

Supporters believe mask bans will help deescalate tensions between the community and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by ensuring that immigration agents are identifiable and accountable.

Decades of social science research supports the contention that masking a person can facilitate aggressive behavior. Outcomes have been studied with children, in law enforcement, in the military and in conflicts around the world.

Homeland Security is pushing back against local and state bans.

Primarily, the government cites the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which guards against state laws that conflict with federal.

Legal experts disagree on the legality of banning mask-wearing by law enforcement.

They are split on whether the Supremacy Clause is a full shield for an immigration agent’s use of masks while detaining immigrants.

In Jackson County, legal counsel is continuing to study the issue, acknowledging that this is a new type of law.

National policing agencies are also weighing in, at times moderating prior messaging. They seek to strike a balance between maintaining public trust by having officers identifiable and supporting officer safety in an era of doxing.

Municipal police have long worked to differentiate themselves from federal immigration agents. They emphasize that members of immigrant communities can be perpetrators of crime, witnesses or victims. Maintaining trust and relationships is imperative.

Police departments have a tradition of requiring identifiable uniforms, badges and having the officer’s name prominently displayed.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2026-02-02/jackson-county-sheriff-mask-ban-ice" target="_blank">Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forté</a>&nbsp;believes the proposed ordinance is unenforceable.

Forté is concerned about scenarios where his deputies would be required to issue citations to federal agents. He doesn’t want deputies accused of interfering with federal investigations, noting “it could create a situation where both deputies and federal agents attempt to detain one another, leading to a dangerous confrontation.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theiacp.org/resources/document/face-coverings-and-police-community-engagement" target="_blank">International Association of Chiefs of Police</a>&nbsp;recently issued a statement underscoring that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.

The organization cautioned officers during COVID to be aware of the impact of masks, noting that facial coverings, even surgical ones for health reasons, can be intimidating and diminish transparency to the public.

The organization hasn’t backed off from that stance.

“The use of face coverings and the absence of visible identification during enforcement operations can create confusion, fear and mistrust among community members and responding agencies, potentially increasing operational risks and eroding public confidence,” a recent statement read.

But the association is also addressing doxing fears and suggests substituting officer names in some cases for alphanumeric codes or badge numbers.

In late January, the association&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theiacp.org/news/official-statements/iacp-calls-on-white-house-to-convene-joint-federal-state-local-discussion" target="_blank">asked the White House to convene&nbsp;</a>national, state and local policing representatives for policy discussions to find “a constructive path forward.”

Democrats, in recent budget talks, demanded that immigration agents stop masking in exchange for votes to end a partial federal government shutdown.

U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri quickly replied to the demand in a video posted on social media.

“There is no way in hell we’re going to let Democrats kneecap law enforcement and stop deportations in exchange for funding DHS,” Schmitt said.

Public trust balanced against threat of doxing&nbsp;&nbsp;

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-state-senate-passes-mask-ban-to-curb-federal-immigration-enforcement-tactics" target="_blank">Washington state</a>, proposed legislation to ban law enforcement’s use of masks has passed out of the Senate. Washington is among at least six states that have or are considering banning masks for law enforcement, including Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Tennessee and Michigan.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/29/kansas-democrats-tout-bill-requiring-ice-to-display-ids-shed-masks-and-forego-warrantless-searches/" target="_blank">A mask ban is included in a Democrat-backed measure in the Republican-controlled Kansas House.</a>

California was the first state to pass a law in 2025. The No Secret Police Act bans the use of face masks by law enforcement in California. Exceptions include health considerations, such as a face covering to protect officers against fumes or dangerous chemicals.

The California measure was quickly challenged in November 2025 with a lawsuit by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.

The federal government said the California law is unconstitutional, anti-cop and a danger to law enforcement.

DHS stresses that agents clearly identify themselves as police, usually by their vests, which are marked “ICE/ERO” or “Homeland Security.”

“The sanctuary politicians of California want to make it easier for violent political extremists to target our brave men and women of federal law enforcement for enforcing immigration laws and keeping the American people safe,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

“This demonization is going to get somebody killed.”

Threats to public officials, both elected and law enforcement, were underscored with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/two-kansans-indicted-making-threats-against-federal-officials-separate-unrelated" target="_blank">two indictments returned by a federal grand jury in late January.</a>

A 23-year-old Wichita man was accused of posting a video on social media threatening to assault and murder federal ICE agents working in Wichita.

In a separate case, the same grand jury also returned an indictment for a 60-year-old Wichita man who is accused of stating his intention to murder U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.

<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-were-learning-about-the-man-arrested-in-the-attack-on-rep-ilhan-omar" target="_blank">Omar, a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump</a>, was rushed and sprayed with a liquid by a man during a town hall on Jan. 27.

Her attacker was tackled, taken into custody and has since been charged in the incident. Omar was unharmed.

U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser issued a statement along with the two Kansas indictments, underscoring an intolerance to political violence, no matter the target.

“In a democracy, we settle our differences at the ballot box after robust public debate,” Kriegshauser said. “For our system of government to work, it’s vital that certain lines are not crossed when it comes to self-expression. Threats of political violence destabilize the very core of our system of governance.”

Gaiters, simple tubular pieces of cloth that cover the neck and face, can be purchased in packs of two for less than $10.

Balaclavas, which also cover the head, are similarly affordable.

Both garments are commonly used to protect hunters and others from cold and sun. But they have been adopted by federal agents detaining immigrants for deportation.

Gas masks are often worn also, further obscuring the agents’ faces.

Supporters see the bans on such apparel as a method to help deescalate tensions, forcing the agents to be identifiable and accountable for actions like shoving people or spraying them with chemical irritants.

Anonymity, a reprieve from being held accountable for individual actions, has long been studied.

The process that researchers study is deindividualization. They attempt to measure how shielding identity can make people less self-conscious and more vulnerable to groupthink and has an impact on the ego.

The research looks at what types of things can change a person’s psychological state so that they are more likely to inflict harm on other people, said Lauren Yan, a Kansas City resident.

Yan was among more than 150 people who testified at a recent town hall on Jackson County’s proposed ordinance.

Yan’s own research on migration has taken her around the world. Her dissertation focused on Syrian refugees living in Jordan.

“Anthropologists have looked at this across cultures comparing war practices,” Yan said. “The groups that changed their appearance before battle, either using paint or masks or something similar, tended to inflict higher aggression in many ways.”

A Harvard study, “Investigation Into Deindividuation Using a Cross-Cultural Survey Technique,” found that self-control can be lost with “a feeling of anonymity and a consequent lack of concern over social evaluation which allows the individual to act aggressively.”

Other studies have focused on specific conflicts, like Ireland.

And some were completed in lab conditions. Researchers measured actions when people wore lab coats with hoods to conceal their faces and were asked to administer electric shocks to other people. The victims were portrayed as nice or obnoxious.

The hooded participants were much more likely to administer the shocks than people whose identities were not hidden.

Even supporters of the Jackson County proposal question whether the county’s efforts will result in a failed, and expensive, legal challenge.

The point was made repeatedly at the recent town hall.

The Supremacy Clause instructs that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws.

The State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been studying the issue.

In January, it updated a deep legal analysis first issued in October 2025, reflecting new ordinances being proposed to counter ICE.

“Because the legal doctrine is murky, it is difficult to predict how legal challenges to mask bans might play out,” according to the paper, “<a href="https://statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/2025/explainer-states-prohibit-federal-law-enforcement-masking-on-the-job/" target="_blank">Can States Prohibit Federal Law Enforcement From Masking on the Job?</a>”

The Supremacy Clause says states can’t interfere with or control the operations of the federal government, an obvious hurdle for any ban.

The paper doesn’t downplay the challenges of the Supremacy Clause.

But the research also points out that states — or in this case a county — have their own constitutionally grounded powers and interests, including interests in safeguarding the well-being of their residents and preventing federal overreach.

The courts will likely weigh whether masking is necessary for federal agents to do their work, and whether a ban would equate to a state trying to regulate the federal function of immigration enforcement.

The paper also cites Erwin Chemerinsky, a constitutional scholar and dean of University of California Berkeley School of Law. Chemerinsky&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article311087665.html" target="_blank">has written opinion articles</a>&nbsp;assessing the constitutionality of the California law that is now before a court.

In addition to deep legal analysis, he also points to how ICE agents have operated under previous administrations.

“ICE agents have never before worn masks when apprehending people, and that never has posed a problem,” Chemerinsky wrote.

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2026/02/04/masks-ice-jackson-county-immigration/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770432344015.png" alt=" Protesters carrying signs and the American flag at Mill Creek Park near the Country Club Plaza (Mary Sanchez/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption> Protesters carrying signs and the American flag at Mill Creek Park near the Country Club Plaza (Mary Sanchez/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a>The images have become ubiquitous in the Trump administration’s campaign for mass deportations of immigrants.Masked agents, swathed in tactical gear and carrying semiautomatic firearms, menace protesters with chemical sprays and smash car windows while dragging immigrants from their vehicles.Critics label the aggressive actions by unidentifiable agents as a calculated effort by the Department of Homeland Security to send a paramilitary force into select American cities.But the cheapest and most basic part of federal agents’ gear — face coverings of knit and cloth masks — is the focus of legislation at the federal level, in statehouses and smaller municipalities across the nation, including in Jackson County.“We’re going to have to deal with the issue before the issue deals with us,” said Jackson County Legislature Chair Manny Abarca IV.Abarca introduced a proposal requiring law enforcement to keep their faces and badges visible and is backing an amendment narrowing the focus to federal agents conducting immigration enforcement within the county.County legislators are scheduled to hear public comments at 3 p.m. on Feb. 9.The Jackson County ordinance mirrors efforts nationally, carving out exceptions for SWAT and other specialty teams, undercover work and the use of helmets with shields for officer safety. Those efforts have gained momentum since the recent shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good during an ongoing immigration enforcement crackdown in Minneapolis.Supporters believe mask bans will help deescalate tensions between the community and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by ensuring that immigration agents are identifiable and accountable.Decades of social science research supports the contention that masking a person can facilitate aggressive behavior. Outcomes have been studied with children, in law enforcement, in the military and in conflicts around the world.Homeland Security is pushing back against local and state bans.Primarily, the government cites the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which guards against state laws that conflict with federal.Legal experts disagree on the legality of banning mask-wearing by law enforcement.They are split on whether the Supremacy Clause is a full shield for an immigration agent’s use of masks while detaining immigrants.In Jackson County, legal counsel is continuing to study the issue, acknowledging that this is a new type of law.National policing agencies are also weighing in, at times moderating prior messaging. They seek to strike a balance between maintaining public trust by having officers identifiable and supporting officer safety in an era of doxing.Municipal police have long worked to differentiate themselves from federal immigration agents. They emphasize that members of immigrant communities can be perpetrators of crime, witnesses or victims. Maintaining trust and relationships is imperative.Police departments have a tradition of requiring identifiable uniforms, badges and having the officer’s name prominently displayed.<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2026-02-02/jackson-county-sheriff-mask-ban-ice" target="_blank">Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forté</a>&nbsp;believes the proposed ordinance is unenforceable.Forté is concerned about scenarios where his deputies would be required to issue citations to federal agents. He doesn’t want deputies accused of interfering with federal investigations, noting “it could create a situation where both deputies and federal agents attempt to detain one another, leading to a dangerous confrontation.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theiacp.org/resources/document/face-coverings-and-police-community-engagement" target="_blank">International Association of Chiefs of Police</a>&nbsp;recently issued a statement underscoring that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.The organization cautioned officers during COVID to be aware of the impact of masks, noting that facial coverings, even surgical ones for health reasons, can be intimidating and diminish transparency to the public.The organization hasn’t backed off from that stance.“The use of face coverings and the absence of visible identification during enforcement operations can create confusion, fear and mistrust among community members and responding agencies, potentially increasing operational risks and eroding public confidence,” a recent statement read.But the association is also addressing doxing fears and suggests substituting officer names in some cases for alphanumeric codes or badge numbers.In late January, the association&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theiacp.org/news/official-statements/iacp-calls-on-white-house-to-convene-joint-federal-state-local-discussion" target="_blank">asked the White House to convene&nbsp;</a>national, state and local policing representatives for policy discussions to find “a constructive path forward.”Democrats, in recent budget talks, demanded that immigration agents stop masking in exchange for votes to end a partial federal government shutdown.U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri quickly replied to the demand in a video posted on social media.“There is no way in hell we’re going to let Democrats kneecap law enforcement and stop deportations in exchange for funding DHS,” Schmitt said.<h2>Public trust balanced against threat of doxing&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-state-senate-passes-mask-ban-to-curb-federal-immigration-enforcement-tactics" target="_blank">Washington state</a>, proposed legislation to ban law enforcement’s use of masks has passed out of the Senate. Washington is among at least six states that have or are considering banning masks for law enforcement, including Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Tennessee and Michigan.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/29/kansas-democrats-tout-bill-requiring-ice-to-display-ids-shed-masks-and-forego-warrantless-searches/" target="_blank">A mask ban is included in a Democrat-backed measure in the Republican-controlled Kansas House.</a>California was the first state to pass a law in 2025. The No Secret Police Act bans the use of face masks by law enforcement in California. Exceptions include health considerations, such as a face covering to protect officers against fumes or dangerous chemicals.The California measure was quickly challenged in November 2025 with a lawsuit by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.The federal government said the California law is unconstitutional, anti-cop and a danger to law enforcement.DHS stresses that agents clearly identify themselves as police, usually by their vests, which are marked “ICE/ERO” or “Homeland Security.”“The sanctuary politicians of California want to make it easier for violent political extremists to target our brave men and women of federal law enforcement for enforcing immigration laws and keeping the American people safe,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.“This demonization is going to get somebody killed.”Threats to public officials, both elected and law enforcement, were underscored with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/two-kansans-indicted-making-threats-against-federal-officials-separate-unrelated" target="_blank">two indictments returned by a federal grand jury in late January.</a>A 23-year-old Wichita man was accused of posting a video on social media threatening to assault and murder federal ICE agents working in Wichita.In a separate case, the same grand jury also returned an indictment for a 60-year-old Wichita man who is accused of stating his intention to murder U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-were-learning-about-the-man-arrested-in-the-attack-on-rep-ilhan-omar" target="_blank">Omar, a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump</a>, was rushed and sprayed with a liquid by a man during a town hall on Jan. 27.Her attacker was tackled, taken into custody and has since been charged in the incident. Omar was unharmed.U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser issued a statement along with the two Kansas indictments, underscoring an intolerance to political violence, no matter the target.“In a democracy, we settle our differences at the ballot box after robust public debate,” Kriegshauser said. “For our system of government to work, it’s vital that certain lines are not crossed when it comes to self-expression. Threats of political violence destabilize the very core of our system of governance.”<h2>Gaiters, balaclavas and gas masks</h2>Gaiters, simple tubular pieces of cloth that cover the neck and face, can be purchased in packs of two for less than $10.Balaclavas, which also cover the head, are similarly affordable.Both garments are commonly used to protect hunters and others from cold and sun. But they have been adopted by federal agents detaining immigrants for deportation.Gas masks are often worn also, further obscuring the agents’ faces.Supporters see the bans on such apparel as a method to help deescalate tensions, forcing the agents to be identifiable and accountable for actions like shoving people or spraying them with chemical irritants.Research supports that contention.Anonymity, a reprieve from being held accountable for individual actions, has long been studied.The process that researchers study is deindividualization. They attempt to measure how shielding identity can make people less self-conscious and more vulnerable to groupthink and has an impact on the ego.The research looks at what types of things can change a person’s psychological state so that they are more likely to inflict harm on other people, said Lauren Yan, a Kansas City resident.Yan was among more than 150 people who testified at a recent town hall on Jackson County’s proposed ordinance.Yan’s own research on migration has taken her around the world. Her dissertation focused on Syrian refugees living in Jordan.“Anthropologists have looked at this across cultures comparing war practices,” Yan said. “The groups that changed their appearance before battle, either using paint or masks or something similar, tended to inflict higher aggression in many ways.”A Harvard study, “Investigation Into Deindividuation Using a Cross-Cultural Survey Technique,” found that self-control can be lost with “a feeling of anonymity and a consequent lack of concern over social evaluation which allows the individual to act aggressively.”Other studies have focused on specific conflicts, like Ireland.And some were completed in lab conditions. Researchers measured actions when people wore lab coats with hoods to conceal their faces and were asked to administer electric shocks to other people. The victims were portrayed as nice or obnoxious.The hooded participants were much more likely to administer the shocks than people whose identities were not hidden.<h2>Pondering the Supremacy Clause</h2>Even supporters of the Jackson County proposal question whether the county’s efforts will result in a failed, and expensive, legal challenge.The point was made repeatedly at the recent town hall.The Supremacy Clause instructs that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws.The State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been studying the issue.In January, it updated a deep legal analysis first issued in October 2025, reflecting new ordinances being proposed to counter ICE.“Because the legal doctrine is murky, it is difficult to predict how legal challenges to mask bans might play out,” according to the paper, “<a href="https://statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/2025/explainer-states-prohibit-federal-law-enforcement-masking-on-the-job/" target="_blank">Can States Prohibit Federal Law Enforcement From Masking on the Job?</a>”The Supremacy Clause says states can’t interfere with or control the operations of the federal government, an obvious hurdle for any ban.The paper doesn’t downplay the challenges of the Supremacy Clause.But the research also points out that states — or in this case a county — have their own constitutionally grounded powers and interests, including interests in safeguarding the well-being of their residents and preventing federal overreach.The courts will likely weigh whether masking is necessary for federal agents to do their work, and whether a ban would equate to a state trying to regulate the federal function of immigration enforcement.The paper also cites Erwin Chemerinsky, a constitutional scholar and dean of University of California Berkeley School of Law. Chemerinsky&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article311087665.html" target="_blank">has written opinion articles</a>&nbsp;assessing the constitutionality of the California law that is now before a court.In addition to deep legal analysis, he also points to how ICE agents have operated under previous administrations.“ICE agents have never before worn masks when apprehending people, and that never has posed a problem,” Chemerinsky wrote.This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2026/02/04/masks-ice-jackson-county-immigration/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

With no-masks proposal, Jackson County joins push to restrain ICE

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a fatal shooting at an American Legion Hall in Wichita was due back in court Friday.

The preliminary hearing for Darrell E. Buckner, Jr., 52, Wichita, in Judge Rodger Woods courtroom was delayed, according the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

He was charged with First degree murder and aggravated battery, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just before 7:30p.m. October 11, police responded to a report of a shooting inside the American Legion, 1135 North Hydraulic in Wichita, according t a media release.&nbsp; First responders found 55-year-old Anthony Grayson from Wichita unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 7:55 p.m.

A second victim, a 56-year-old man, arrived at a hospital by private vehicle with a gunshot wound to the torso.&nbsp;

Investigators confirmed that the suspect, identified as Buckner, and Grayson were involved in a fight inside the bar. Buckner then left, retrieved a firearm from his vehicle, and returned. Employees attempted to prevent him from reentering, but he pushed past them and went back inside, where another fight broke out. During the altercation, Buckner fired the gun, striking Grayson and the second victim, who was attempting to intervene.

Buckner was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp; He remains jailed on a one-million dollar bond, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760102689111.png" alt="Buckner-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Buckner-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a fatal shooting at an American Legion Hall in Wichita was due back in court Friday.The preliminary hearing for Darrell E. Buckner, Jr., 52, Wichita, in Judge Rodger Woods courtroom was delayed, according the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.He was charged with First degree murder and aggravated battery, according to the District Attorney's office.Just before 7:30p.m. October 11, police responded to a report of a shooting inside the American Legion, 1135 North Hydraulic in Wichita, according t a media release.&nbsp; First responders found 55-year-old Anthony Grayson from Wichita unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 7:55 p.m.A second victim, a 56-year-old man, arrived at a hospital by private vehicle with a gunshot wound to the torso.&nbsp;Investigators confirmed that the suspect, identified as Buckner, and Grayson were involved in a fight inside the bar. Buckner then left, retrieved a firearm from his vehicle, and returned. Employees attempted to prevent him from reentering, but he pushed past them and went back inside, where another fight broke out. During the altercation, Buckner fired the gun, striking Grayson and the second victim, who was attempting to intervene.Buckner was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp; He remains jailed on a one-million dollar bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Hearing delayed for Kan. suspect in deadly fight at American Legion Hall

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market roared back on Friday, as technology stocks recovered much of their losses from earlier in the week and bitcoin halted its plunge, at least for now.

The S&amp;P 500 rallied 2% for its best day since May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 1,206 points, or 2.5%, and topped the 50,000 level for the first time, while the Nasdaq composite leaped 2.2%.

Chip companies helped drive the widespread rally, and Nvidia jumped 7.8% to trim its loss for the week, which came into the day at just over 10%. Broadcom climbed 7.1% and erased its drop for the week.

They were the two strongest forces lifting the S&amp;P 500, and they benefited from hopes for continued spending by customers diving into artificial-intelligence technology. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, for example, said late Thursday it expects to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-earnings-fourth-quarter-f4cfda9dd8ee6e2cdfcfcd90265cf0bb">spend about $200 billion on investments</a>&nbsp;this year to take advantage of “seminal opportunities like AI, chips, robotics, and low earth orbit satellites.”

Such immense spending, similar to what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-alphabet-fourth-quarter-results-73922dd5d0c2398e1d4f23ddfccd0277">Alphabet</a>&nbsp;announced a day earlier, is creating concerns of its own, though. The question is whether all those dollars will create big enough profits to make the investments worth it. With doubt remaining about that, Amazon’s stock dropped 5.6%.

Even with Friday’s surge, the S&amp;P 500 still fell to its third losing week in the last four. Besides worries about spending by Big Tech companies, which are Wall Street’s most influential stocks, concerns about AI potentially stealing customers from software companies also hurt the market. Software stocks got hit particularly hard after AI firm Anthropic released free tools to automate things like legal services.

Bitcoin, meanwhile, steadied following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bitcoin-prices-falling-cryptocurrency-markets-investment-199a22ac65a675eb67bac89177ddf09b">weekslong plunge</a>&nbsp;that had sent it more than halfway below its record price set in October. It climbed back above $70,000 after briefly dropping close to $60,000 late Thursday.

Prices in the metals market also calmed a bit following their own wild swings. Gold rose 1.8% to settle at $4,979.80 per ounce, while silver added 0.2%.

Their prices suddenly ran out of momentum last week following jaw-dropping rallies, which were driven by investors clamoring for something safe to own amid worries about political turmoil, a U.S. stock market that critics called expensive and huge debt loads for governments worldwide. By January, prices for gold and silver were surging so quickly that critics called it unsustainable.

On Wall Street, the recovery for bitcoin helped stocks of companies enmeshed in the crypto economy. Robinhood Markets jumped 14% for the biggest gain in the S&amp;P 500. Crypto trading platform Coinbase Global rose 13%. Strategy, the company that’s made a business of buying and holding bitcoin, soared 26.1%.

Stocks of smaller U.S. companies also helped lead the market, along with companies whose profits depend on U.S. households spending more money. They benefited from potentially encouraging data on how U.S. consumers are feeling.

A preliminary report from the University of Michigan suggested sentiment among U.S. consumers is improving slightly, when economists were expecting to see a drop. The improvement was strongest among households that own stocks, which are benefiting from the S&amp;P 500 setting a record late last month.

To be sure, sentiment “remained at dismal levels for consumers without stock holdings,” according to Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu.

Airline stocks strengthened with hopes that more confidence among U.S. households will translate into more spending on trips. That included gains of 9.3% for United Airlines, 8% for Delta Air Lines and 7.6% for American Airlines.

The smaller stocks in the Russell 2000 index jumped 3.6%, well above the S&amp;P 500’s gain. Smaller companies’ profits can be more dependent on the strength of the U.S. economy than those for big, multinational rivals.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 jumped 133.90 points to 6,932.30. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 1,206.95 to 50,115.67, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 490.63 to 23,031.21.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe.

That was even though Stellantis, the auto giant whose stock trades in Italy, lost a quarter of its value after saying it would take a charge of 22 billion euros, or $26 billion, as it dials back its electric vehicle production. The automaker acknowledged “over-estimating the pace of the energy transition” and said it was resetting its business “to align the company with the real-world preferences of its customers.”

Stocks fell across much of Asia, but Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.8%. It benefited from a 2% climb for Toyota Motor, which said CEO Koji Sato will step down in April and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/toyota-automaker-japan-tariffs-earnings-kon-sato-c46c1afb10990bbe2695bb5addc7566d">will be replaced</a>&nbsp;by Chief Financial Officer Kenta Kon.

In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.20% from 4.21% late Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720472023257.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market roared back on Friday, as technology stocks recovered much of their losses from earlier in the week and bitcoin halted its plunge, at least for now.The S&amp;P 500 rallied 2% for its best day since May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 1,206 points, or 2.5%, and topped the 50,000 level for the first time, while the Nasdaq composite leaped 2.2%.Chip companies helped drive the widespread rally, and Nvidia jumped 7.8% to trim its loss for the week, which came into the day at just over 10%. Broadcom climbed 7.1% and erased its drop for the week.They were the two strongest forces lifting the S&amp;P 500, and they benefited from hopes for continued spending by customers diving into artificial-intelligence technology. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, for example, said late Thursday it expects to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-earnings-fourth-quarter-f4cfda9dd8ee6e2cdfcfcd90265cf0bb">spend about $200 billion on investments</a>&nbsp;this year to take advantage of “seminal opportunities like AI, chips, robotics, and low earth orbit satellites.”Such immense spending, similar to what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-alphabet-fourth-quarter-results-73922dd5d0c2398e1d4f23ddfccd0277">Alphabet</a>&nbsp;announced a day earlier, is creating concerns of its own, though. The question is whether all those dollars will create big enough profits to make the investments worth it. With doubt remaining about that, Amazon’s stock dropped 5.6%.Even with Friday’s surge, the S&amp;P 500 still fell to its third losing week in the last four. Besides worries about spending by Big Tech companies, which are Wall Street’s most influential stocks, concerns about AI potentially stealing customers from software companies also hurt the market. Software stocks got hit particularly hard after AI firm Anthropic released free tools to automate things like legal services.Bitcoin, meanwhile, steadied following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bitcoin-prices-falling-cryptocurrency-markets-investment-199a22ac65a675eb67bac89177ddf09b">weekslong plunge</a>&nbsp;that had sent it more than halfway below its record price set in October. It climbed back above $70,000 after briefly dropping close to $60,000 late Thursday.Prices in the metals market also calmed a bit following their own wild swings. Gold rose 1.8% to settle at $4,979.80 per ounce, while silver added 0.2%.Their prices suddenly ran out of momentum last week following jaw-dropping rallies, which were driven by investors clamoring for something safe to own amid worries about political turmoil, a U.S. stock market that critics called expensive and huge debt loads for governments worldwide. By January, prices for gold and silver were surging so quickly that critics called it unsustainable.On Wall Street, the recovery for bitcoin helped stocks of companies enmeshed in the crypto economy. Robinhood Markets jumped 14% for the biggest gain in the S&amp;P 500. Crypto trading platform Coinbase Global rose 13%. Strategy, the company that’s made a business of buying and holding bitcoin, soared 26.1%.Stocks of smaller U.S. companies also helped lead the market, along with companies whose profits depend on U.S. households spending more money. They benefited from potentially encouraging data on how U.S. consumers are feeling.A preliminary report from the University of Michigan suggested sentiment among U.S. consumers is improving slightly, when economists were expecting to see a drop. The improvement was strongest among households that own stocks, which are benefiting from the S&amp;P 500 setting a record late last month.To be sure, sentiment “remained at dismal levels for consumers without stock holdings,” according to Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu.Airline stocks strengthened with hopes that more confidence among U.S. households will translate into more spending on trips. That included gains of 9.3% for United Airlines, 8% for Delta Air Lines and 7.6% for American Airlines.The smaller stocks in the Russell 2000 index jumped 3.6%, well above the S&amp;P 500’s gain. Smaller companies’ profits can be more dependent on the strength of the U.S. economy than those for big, multinational rivals.All told, the S&amp;P 500 jumped 133.90 points to 6,932.30. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 1,206.95 to 50,115.67, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 490.63 to 23,031.21.In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe.That was even though Stellantis, the auto giant whose stock trades in Italy, lost a quarter of its value after saying it would take a charge of 22 billion euros, or $26 billion, as it dials back its electric vehicle production. The automaker acknowledged “over-estimating the pace of the energy transition” and said it was resetting its business “to align the company with the real-world preferences of its customers.”Stocks fell across much of Asia, but Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.8%. It benefited from a 2% climb for Toyota Motor, which said CEO Koji Sato will step down in April and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/toyota-automaker-japan-tariffs-earnings-kon-sato-c46c1afb10990bbe2695bb5addc7566d">will be replaced</a>&nbsp;by Chief Financial Officer Kenta Kon.In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.20% from 4.21% late Thursday.

History: Dow tops 50,000; US stocks soar to best day since May 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video in Wichita was back in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22., was sentenced to a year of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

He pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and  criminal restraint.

Espita Guevara is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

On October 12, the Wichita Police Department asked for the community’s help in identifying and locating a woman in a doorbell video who was seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.

Just after 3p.m. October 14, Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview. Police confirmed the identity of the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. Police determined the incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.

Just after 7 p.m. October 14, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested Guevara and booked him into jail.

Espita Guevara faces a separate trial for the immigration accusations, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760555163921.png" alt="ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video in Wichita was back in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22., was sentenced to a year of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.He pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and criminal restraint.Espita Guevara is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.On October 12, the Wichita Police Department asked for the community’s help in identifying and locating a woman in a doorbell video who was seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760408562025.png" alt="Photo from video released by Wichita Police." />
 <figcaption>Photo from video released by Wichita Police.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 3p.m. October 14, Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview. Police confirmed the identity of the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. Police determined the incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.Just after 7 p.m. October 14, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested Guevara and booked him into jail.Espita Guevara faces a separate trial for the immigration accusations, according to the district attorney's office.

Kan. doorbell camera abduction video suspect learns his fate

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video in Wichita is due back in court.

 Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22, will appear Judge Tyler Roush's courtroom for a preliminary hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Espitia Guevara was charged with&nbsp;aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and&nbsp; criminal restraint, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

The Wichita Police Department asked for the community’s help in identifying and locating a woman in a doorbell video who was seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.

He remains in custody on a $75,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760555163921.png" alt="ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video in Wichita was back in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22., was sentenced to a year of probation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.He pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and criminal restraint.Espita Guevara is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.-------------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video in Wichita is due back in court. Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22, will appear Judge Tyler Roush's courtroom for a preliminary hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Espitia Guevara was charged with&nbsp;aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and&nbsp; criminal restraint, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760408562025.png" alt="Image from Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Image from Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The Wichita Police Department asked for the community’s help in identifying and locating a woman in a doorbell video who was seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.Just after 3p.m. October 14, Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview. Police confirmed the identity of the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. Police determined the incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.Just after 7 p.m. October 14, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested Guevara and booked him into jail.He remains in custody on a $75,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Preliminary hearing for suspect in Kan. doorbell camera abduction video 

JoAnn Fleharty’s funeral was postponed. The date for the service is&nbsp;now Saturday, February 21st at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Hays

JoAnn Eckles Fleharty, a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dedicated community volunteer, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/local/kansas/topeka-area" target="_blank">Topeka, KS</a>, at the age of 92. Born on October 27, 1933, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/local/nebraska/nelson" target="_blank">Nelson, NE</a>, she spent her life cultivating deep connections in Hays where she lived for 62 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

JoAnn married Eugene Dale Fleharty on August 12, 1955, and their
union was a testament to enduring love, marked by shared adventures and
cherished memories. Family she leaves behind include her daughter, Debbie
(Kevin) Culley; her son, Chris (Donna) Fleharty; her sister, Barbara (Dwight)
Ittner; and her beloved grandchildren, Ann Culley, John (Michelle) Culley,
Renee (Chris) Stefani, and Kristen (Thayne) Griffin. She was also a proud
great-grandmother to Shannon, Peter, Erin, Parker, Hudson, and Desmond, each
bringing her much joy.

JoAnn was known for her tireless dedication to the Hays
community where she served as the Welcome Wagon Lady for many years, greeting
newcomers to the city and reflecting her warm-hearted nature. JoAnn volunteered
at Hays Medical Center for over thirty years, was actively involved in the
First Presbyterian Church, and participated on the Hays Beautification
Committee.

JoAnn cherished summer vacations that took her and her loved
ones across the United States. These adventures fostered strong bonds and
wonderful memories. JoAnn's enthusiasm for life extended to her hobbies as
well, from playing bridge, to working in her yard, to attending FHSU sports and
activities, to satisfying her sweet tooth with coffee ice cream and pecan pie.

An avid baseball fan, JoAnn cheered enthusiastically for the
Royals, and she was a dedicated supporter of the FHSU softball team. Her quiet
strength and faithful commitment to those around her created a legacy of love
that will be remembered fondly by all who were privileged to know her.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her father, Dewey Dean Eckles; her
mother, Helen Louvinia Eckles; and her sister, Donna (Ray) Bise.

Friends and family will deeply miss JoAnn's kindness, open
hospitality, gentleness, and steadfast service. She leaves behind a legacy that
will continue to inspire compassion in the hearts of those she touched
throughout her life.

A celebration of JoAnn's life will be held on Saturday, February 21st at 11:00 am, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall St,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/local/kansas/hays" target="_blank">Hays, KS</a>&nbsp;67601.

Memorial contributions may be made to FHSU Athletics or to the
First Presbyterian Church.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1767110084096.jpeg" alt="JoAnn Eckles Fleharty" />
 <figcaption>JoAnn Eckles Fleharty</figcaption>
 </figure>JoAnn Fleharty’s funeral was postponed. The date for the service is&nbsp;now Saturday, February 21st at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in HaysJoAnn Eckles Fleharty, a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dedicated community volunteer, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/local/kansas/topeka-area" target="_blank">Topeka, KS</a>, at the age of 92. Born on October 27, 1933, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/local/nebraska/nelson" target="_blank">Nelson, NE</a>, she spent her life cultivating deep connections in Hays where she lived for 62 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;JoAnn married Eugene Dale Fleharty on August 12, 1955, and their
union was a testament to enduring love, marked by shared adventures and
cherished memories. Family she leaves behind include her daughter, Debbie
(Kevin) Culley; her son, Chris (Donna) Fleharty; her sister, Barbara (Dwight)
Ittner; and her beloved grandchildren, Ann Culley, John (Michelle) Culley,
Renee (Chris) Stefani, and Kristen (Thayne) Griffin. She was also a proud
great-grandmother to Shannon, Peter, Erin, Parker, Hudson, and Desmond, each
bringing her much joy.JoAnn was known for her tireless dedication to the Hays
community where she served as the Welcome Wagon Lady for many years, greeting
newcomers to the city and reflecting her warm-hearted nature. JoAnn volunteered
at Hays Medical Center for over thirty years, was actively involved in the
First Presbyterian Church, and participated on the Hays Beautification
Committee.JoAnn cherished summer vacations that took her and her loved
ones across the United States. These adventures fostered strong bonds and
wonderful memories. JoAnn's enthusiasm for life extended to her hobbies as
well, from playing bridge, to working in her yard, to attending FHSU sports and
activities, to satisfying her sweet tooth with coffee ice cream and pecan pie.An avid baseball fan, JoAnn cheered enthusiastically for the
Royals, and she was a dedicated supporter of the FHSU softball team. Her quiet
strength and faithful commitment to those around her created a legacy of love
that will be remembered fondly by all who were privileged to know her.JoAnn is preceded in death by her father, Dewey Dean Eckles; her
mother, Helen Louvinia Eckles; and her sister, Donna (Ray) Bise.Friends and family will deeply miss JoAnn's kindness, open
hospitality, gentleness, and steadfast service. She leaves behind a legacy that
will continue to inspire compassion in the hearts of those she touched
throughout her life.A celebration of JoAnn's life will be held on Saturday, February 21st at 11:00 am, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall St,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/local/kansas/hays" target="_blank">Hays, KS</a>&nbsp;67601.Memorial contributions may be made to FHSU Athletics or to the
First Presbyterian Church.

JoAnn Eckles Fleharty

Sen. Rick Billinger&nbsp;Newsletter February 2, 2026 Topeka

Budget work for the 2026-2027 cycle began early this year. The House met a week before this year’s session began to start developing its budget, and the Senate followed by beginning its work on the second day of session. This is the second year that the House and Senate have worked on their own budget/bills and have not waited for the Governor’s budget. 

The Senate is using the subcommittees and some of our standing committees to hear agencies budget and requests for enhancements. Our subcommittees have been meeting every day not only during committee time but also early in the morning before session starts, over lunch hours and after our work on the Senate floor. 

This week the first week in February we will finish subcommittee work and be ready to build our budget the second week of February. A key challenge this year will be finding ways to reduce the total budget while maintaining core priorities. Throughout the session, I will try to keep you updated on the budget process.

Some of the bills that have been debated on the floor and passed are as follows: Kansas becomes the 20th state to approve the Convention of States. Last session the Senate approved the Convention of States and this year the House passed the resolution calling for a Convention of States under Article 5 of the United States Constitution. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644852447177.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist.&nbsp;File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist.&nbsp;File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Sen. Rick Billinger&nbsp;Newsletter February 2, 2026 TopekaBudget work for the 2026-2027 cycle began early this year. The House met a week before this year’s session began to start developing its budget, and the Senate followed by beginning its work on the second day of session. This is the second year that the House and Senate have worked on their own budget/bills and have not waited for the Governor’s budget. The Senate is using the subcommittees and some of our standing committees to hear agencies budget and requests for enhancements. Our subcommittees have been meeting every day not only during committee time but also early in the morning before session starts, over lunch hours and after our work on the Senate floor. This week the first week in February we will finish subcommittee work and be ready to build our budget the second week of February. A key challenge this year will be finding ways to reduce the total budget while maintaining core priorities. Throughout the session, I will try to keep you updated on the budget process.Some of the bills that have been debated on the floor and passed are as follows: Kansas becomes the 20th state to approve the Convention of States. Last session the Senate approved the Convention of States and this year the House passed the resolution calling for a Convention of States under Article 5 of the United States Constitution. Under Article 5 of the United States Constitution, there are two methods of adopting a constitutional amendment-Congress adopting said amendments by a two-third majority and then being ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures; or a convention of states, which is called when at least thirty-four state legislatures adopt a similar resolution. Any amendments proposed from said convention would then need to be ratified by at least thirty-eight states to become part of the United States Constitution.The Kansas Senate has the responsibility of confirming nominees by various state officers, usually the Governor. This week, the Senate cleared twenty-one nominees for various boards and commissions.Senate Resolution 1615 passed honoring Charlie Kirk, through his work at Turning Point USA. Charlie Kirk showcased his commitment to free speech and civil discourse on college campuses across the country, and it is through his efforts we are now seeing a renewed nationwide commitment to promoting free speech for all. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 1615 recognizing Charlie Kirk on his birthday October 14th- as Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day.I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.