SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen who admitted his role in a deadly drive-by shooting is going to prison.

On Wednesday, Judge Christopher Magana sentenced 15-year-old Elias Cerda to&nbsp;260 months in prison and 36 months of post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November, Cerda, who was charged as an adult, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, second degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery, according to the district attorney's office.

In January 2024, police responded to reports of shots being fired in the area of 5200 E Kensington in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Around the same time, officers were dispatched to an area hospital for the report of two walk-in shooting victims later identified as 14-year-old Emoni Shears and 19-year-old Jhiquez Roberts both of Wichita. They were later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Detectives and patrol officers immediately began investigating this case and following up on leads. Police arrested Cerda, who was 14 at the time. He was booked into the Sedgwick County jail on November 27, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734098604588.png" alt="Cerda photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Cerda photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen who admitted his role in a deadly drive-by shooting is going to prison.On Wednesday, Judge Christopher Magana sentenced 15-year-old Elias Cerda to&nbsp;260 months in prison and 36 months of post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In November, Cerda, who was charged as an adult, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, second degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery, according to the district attorney's office.In January 2024, police responded to reports of shots being fired in the area of 5200 E Kensington in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Around the same time, officers were dispatched to an area hospital for the report of two walk-in shooting victims later identified as 14-year-old Emoni Shears and 19-year-old Jhiquez Roberts both of Wichita. They were later pronounced deceased at the hospital.Detectives and patrol officers immediately began investigating this case and following up on leads. Police arrested Cerda, who was 14 at the time. He was booked into the Sedgwick County jail on November 27, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

Kansas boy going to prison for drive-by double murder

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners will consider approval of the 2026 street maintenance program during their meeting this afternoon.

The total amount of all recommended bids and other in-house projects&nbsp;is $953,479 to be funded out of Special Highway.

Jesse Rohr, public works director, said the bids came in well under budget, allowing the remaining balance of $135,765 to used for additional work or&nbsp; change orders. A contingency fund of $50,000 is also available.&nbsp;

The projects will be done at various times throughout this year.

The complete Feb. 12 agenda is available <a href="https://ks-hays.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122026-1594">here</a>. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770390970988.png" alt="City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays city commissioners will consider approval of the 2026 street maintenance program during their meeting this afternoon.The total amount of all recommended bids and other in-house projects&nbsp;is $953,479 to be funded out of Special Highway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770909817642.png" alt="City of Hays&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>City of Hays&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Jesse Rohr, public works director, said the bids came in well under budget, allowing the remaining balance of $135,765 to used for additional work or&nbsp; change orders. A contingency fund of $50,000 is also available.&nbsp;The projects will be done at various times throughout this year.The complete Feb. 12 agenda is available <a href="https://ks-hays.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122026-1594">here</a>. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

Hays city commissioners to vote on annual street maintenance program 

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Sculptor Pete Felten would probably not come to a party thrown in his own honor, his friends said.

He was a humble man, but did what he wanted every day of his life—create art.

Mick Jilg, fellow Hays artist and friend, said, "He told me several times he lived every day of his life and did exactly what he wanted to do, and very few people can say that."

Felten, 92, of Hays died on Feb. 4 at Hays Medical Center.

Just two days prior, he was honored with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/kansas-creative-arts-and-industries-commission-kcaic/governors-arts-awards/2026-governors-arts-award-recipients/">2026 Kansas Governor's Arts</a>&nbsp;Legacy Award. Brenda Meder, former Hays Arts Council director, and Bruce Burkholder,&nbsp;close friend and fellow artist, accepted the award on Felten's behalf.

Meder said that when Felten won the Legacy Award last week, it was for the whole community.

"I truly feel that everyone who lives in Hays and Ellis County feels that Pete is one of theirs. He is ours. He is part of our family. He's my friend. Everybody had a Pete story," Meder said.

Felten carved almost daily, almost until his death, Burkholder said, even in cold temperatures, in his unheated studio.

Felten's father was a businessman in Hays. Felten Middle School was named for Peter Felten Sr., the artist's father.

Pete began carving in 1957 after leaving the&nbsp;U.S. Navy (1952-1956), during which he visited art museums on the East and West Coasts and in Hawaii. He briefly attended an art league school in New York, but Burkholder said Felten was largely self-taught.

His most prominent work includes the 8-foot-tall, 2,000-pound limestone portraits of Amelia Earhart, William Allen White, Arthur Capper and Dwight Eisenhower that encircle the Kansas Capitol rotunda, installed in 1981.

However, many examples of his art can be seen publicly in Ellis County and across the state.

Ellis County alone contains more than 28 of his limestone sculptures, including well-known figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody. 

His first large commissioned piece was a bust of Buffalo Bill Cody at the Hays Public Library (1961). The “Monarch of the Plains” buffalo sculpture at Fort Hays State Historic Site (completed 1967) stands 8 feet high and 10 feet long on an 8-foot base, starting from a 24-ton stone.&nbsp;

Felten was part of a co-op of artists who created The Arts Cellar at Eighth and Fort in Hays, which eventually became the Hays Arts Council.

"You can go almost anywhere in Hays and find anything that Pete has done," Burkholder said. "It's going to be there forever."

Meder said Felten delved deeply into the story behind each historical figure he carved.

"He was not only one of our community's most interesting citizens, but he was one of our most interested citizens," she said. "He was a lifelong learner. He never tired of learning just a little bit more about this community, tucking away its traditional history and cultural history."

Jilg said Felten could look at a piece of stone and see the carving inside. He had to be fearless because you can't erase a mistake in limestone.

Burkholder said Felten called his carving the suicide method because once you took a piece of stone off, you couldn't put it back.

He was low-tech when compared to today's standards. He never adopted email or social media. He sketched his sculptures on large pieces of cardboard and used them to rough out the sculpture's outlines on the stones.

He knew his tools well, and his body was conditioned for hours of chiseling. Burkholder said he could hear where the rock would split by the way the tools sounded when they struck the stone.

Burkholder credited Felten with saving his life. Burkholder was going through a difficult divorce and had fallen into depression. He said he had taken out razor blades to take his life, but Felten happened to pop by for a visit.&nbsp;

"He said, 'Look, I want you to follow the creative art you've been doing. I don't want to see you like this. I want you to start carving with me.'"

Burkholder carved with Felten for five years, while continuing to pursue his painting.

"To me, Pete is my savior," he said," because I wouldn't be here without that. He was always like a brother to me."

The two had many adventures together, traveling across the country to visit other artists. Burkholder said Felten had a great thirst for knowledge and had a house full of books. He also loved movies and sometimes watched movies while he carved.

Felten would often read to him as they drove on one of their many trips.

Burkholder recalled traveling with Felten and another artist and stopping at a hot spring.&nbsp;

There was another small group of people bathing in the hot spring, and Felten procallimained, "OK, boys, take off your clothes. This is where we're going." The men disrobed and switched places with the other nude bathers.

"Pete taught me just to let it go," Burkholder said. "Don't be afraid of expression that way. It was just the way he was, let your heart and follow your dreams wherever they are, and keep going at it."

Jilg, who has known Felten since the 1960s, said Felten was popular with the younger crowd years ago. He built scaffolding atop his Jeep so he could work on the bison sculpture at Historic Fort Hays.

"If you were one of the cool kids, you rode around in Pete's Jeep," he said. ... "All of the cute girls rode around in Pete's Jeep, so if you wanted to know the cute girls, you had to know Pete Felten," Jilg said, quoting another friend of Felten's.

Jilg said Felten was one of the kindest people you could meet. He was an animal lover and fed many cats at his studio. He had been a force in the humane society.

"I think he liked animals better than people," Jilg said.

Although Felten spent many hours carving alone, Burkholder said he often greeted visitors who stopped by the studio to ask about his work. He was known to stop people on the street and ask to take their picture for reference in a future piece of art.

Felten kept photographs of other artists and their work and would regularly drop by to visit and support them, Jilg said.

"He was an adventure, and he had a very curious mind," Jilg said.

Jilg and Felten met for tea every Tuesday at Augustine's Bakery for 15 years after Jilg's retirement.

"I would learn something every Tuesday," he said. "It was a cheap education. I would buy him a cup of tea, and then I would learn something."

Donations being accepted to establish museum

The Heartland Community Foundation has established a Pete Felten Legacy Fund to support the restoration of his Stone Gallery, 107 1/2 Sixth St., Hays, and workshop into a museum.

Upon his death, his gallery and workshop were willed to Ellis County Historical Society.

Amanda Rupp, director of the Ellis County Historical Society, said the society would hold the property but intends for the Felten Museum to stand as its own nonprofit entity in the future.

If you would like to donate to the Felten Legacy Fund you can do so online at&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n">https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n</a>&nbsp;or mail your gift to PO Box 1673, Hays, KS, 67601. Please note 'Pete Felten Legacy Fund' in the memo or Pete Felten Memorial.

Jilg said the community owes Felten a lot for all the tourism that his art brings to Hays.

Jilg and Burkholder said Felten was paid very little for his public sculptures. Burkholder said he created them because he wanted the people to have something to represent this place.

"That's my life's work from here on out to make sure that Pete is remembered and people can see his work and appreciate it," Jilg said.

A celebration of life for Felten is planned for March at the Stone Gallery. More details will be released on that event soon.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/15976726-4296-4743-95e6-b30f1d0674c6">SEE RELATED STORY: Senator Moran on the passing of artist, sculptor Pete Felten</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/40ea6ebd-3971-4c45-adca-48c0ee276a8d">SEE RELATED STORY: NWester Another Felten buffalo roams in hays museum</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5ae68b38-bbdc-449c-ac38-ebec80184f2a">SEE RELATED STORY: Film Crew in Hays to produce "Meet Pete" Felten documentary</a>

<a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2017/07/24/three-men-share-generations-of-hays-history/">SEE RELATED STORY: Three men share generations of Hays history</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2b536a10-db18-433d-8354-9d7a69999aab">SEE RELATED STORY: Felten train sculpture to have new home at Hays Downtown Pavilion</a>

1993 interview with Pete Felten and Brenda Meder

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646432747393.jpeg" alt="Felten carving a small bison in his studio. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Felten carving a small bison in his studio. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostSculptor Pete Felten would probably not come to a party thrown in his own honor, his friends said.He was a humble man, but did what he wanted every day of his life—create art.Mick Jilg, fellow Hays artist and friend, said, "He told me several times he lived every day of his life and did exactly what he wanted to do, and very few people can say that."Felten, 92, of Hays died on Feb. 4 at Hays Medical Center.Just two days prior, he was honored with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/kansas-creative-arts-and-industries-commission-kcaic/governors-arts-awards/2026-governors-arts-award-recipients/">2026 Kansas Governor's Arts</a>&nbsp;Legacy Award. Brenda Meder, former Hays Arts Council director, and Bruce Burkholder,&nbsp;close friend and fellow artist, accepted the award on Felten's behalf.Meder said that when Felten won the Legacy Award last week, it was for the whole community."I truly feel that everyone who lives in Hays and Ellis County feels that Pete is one of theirs. He is ours. He is part of our family. He's my friend. Everybody had a Pete story," Meder said.Felten carved almost daily, almost until his death, Burkholder said, even in cold temperatures, in his unheated studio.Felten's father was a businessman in Hays. Felten Middle School was named for Peter Felten Sr., the artist's father.Pete began carving in 1957 after leaving the&nbsp;U.S. Navy (1952-1956), during which he visited art museums on the East and West Coasts and in Hawaii. He briefly attended an art league school in New York, but Burkholder said Felten was largely self-taught.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770844342630.jpeg" alt="Pete Felten, center, as his sculptures in the rotunda of the Kansas Capitol were installed in 1981. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Pete Felten, center, as his sculptures in the rotunda of the Kansas Capitol were installed in 1981. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A master carverHis most prominent work includes the 8-foot-tall, 2,000-pound limestone portraits of Amelia Earhart, William Allen White, Arthur Capper and Dwight Eisenhower that encircle the Kansas Capitol rotunda, installed in 1981.However, many examples of his art can be seen publicly in Ellis County and across the state.Ellis County alone contains more than 28 of his limestone sculptures, including well-known figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody. His first large commissioned piece was a bust of Buffalo Bill Cody at the Hays Public Library (1961). The “Monarch of the Plains” buffalo sculpture at Fort Hays State Historic Site (completed 1967) stands 8 feet high and 10 feet long on an 8-foot base, starting from a 24-ton stone.&nbsp;Felten was part of a co-op of artists who created The Arts Cellar at Eighth and Fort in Hays, which eventually became the Hays Arts Council."You can go almost anywhere in Hays and find anything that Pete has done," Burkholder said. "It's going to be there forever."Meder said Felten delved deeply into the story behind each historical figure he carved."He was not only one of our community's most interesting citizens, but he was one of our most interested citizens," she said. "He was a lifelong learner. He never tired of learning just a little bit more about this community, tucking away its traditional history and cultural history."Jilg said Felten could look at a piece of stone and see the carving inside. He had to be fearless because you can't erase a mistake in limestone.Burkholder said Felten called his carving the suicide method because once you took a piece of stone off, you couldn't put it back.He was low-tech when compared to today's standards. He never adopted email or social media. He sketched his sculptures on large pieces of cardboard and used them to rough out the sculpture's outlines on the stones.He knew his tools well, and his body was conditioned for hours of chiseling. Burkholder said he could hear where the rock would split by the way the tools sounded when they struck the stone.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770844205642.jpeg" alt="Felten with one of his massive limestone sculptures. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Felten with one of his massive limestone sculptures. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635440669331.png" alt="Pete Felten pictured with a train statue in 2020 prior to its installation at the Union Pacific Park in Hays. Hays Post file photo" />
 <figcaption>Pete Felten pictured with a train statue in 2020 prior to its installation at the Union Pacific Park in Hays. Hays Post file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Saving a lifeBurkholder credited Felten with saving his life. Burkholder was going through a difficult divorce and had fallen into depression. He said he had taken out razor blades to take his life, but Felten happened to pop by for a visit.&nbsp;"He said, 'Look, I want you to follow the creative art you've been doing. I don't want to see you like this. I want you to start carving with me.'"Burkholder carved with Felten for five years, while continuing to pursue his painting."To me, Pete is my savior," he said," because I wouldn't be here without that. He was always like a brother to me."The two had many adventures together, traveling across the country to visit other artists. Burkholder said Felten had a great thirst for knowledge and had a house full of books. He also loved movies and sometimes watched movies while he carved.Felten would often read to him as they drove on one of their many trips.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770845436995.jpeg" alt="Felten at a retrospective of his art in Hays. Brenda Meder, former Hays Arts Council director, said despite her efforts to persuade Felten to attend the exhibit's opening, Felten shied away from the attention and did not attend. Photo by Bruce Burkholder/Special to the Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Felten at a retrospective of his art in Hays. Brenda Meder, former Hays Arts Council director, said despite her efforts to persuade Felten to attend the exhibit's opening, Felten shied away from the attention and did not attend. Photo by Bruce Burkholder/Special to the Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>CarefreeBurkholder recalled traveling with Felten and another artist and stopping at a hot spring.&nbsp;There was another small group of people bathing in the hot spring, and Felten procallimained, "OK, boys, take off your clothes. This is where we're going." The men disrobed and switched places with the other nude bathers."Pete taught me just to let it go," Burkholder said. "Don't be afraid of expression that way. It was just the way he was, let your heart and follow your dreams wherever they are, and keep going at it."Jilg, who has known Felten since the 1960s, said Felten was popular with the younger crowd years ago. He built scaffolding atop his Jeep so he could work on the bison sculpture at Historic Fort Hays."If you were one of the cool kids, you rode around in Pete's Jeep," he said. ... "All of the cute girls rode around in Pete's Jeep, so if you wanted to know the cute girls, you had to know Pete Felten," Jilg said, quoting another friend of Felten's.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770845681915.jpeg" alt="Felten with a resolution from the Kansas House of Representatives honoring him on his 90th birthday. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Felten with a resolution from the Kansas House of Representatives honoring him on his 90th birthday. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A Pete Felten educationJilg said Felten was one of the kindest people you could meet. He was an animal lover and fed many cats at his studio. He had been a force in the humane society."I think he liked animals better than people," Jilg said.Although Felten spent many hours carving alone, Burkholder said he often greeted visitors who stopped by the studio to ask about his work. He was known to stop people on the street and ask to take their picture for reference in a future piece of art.Felten kept photographs of other artists and their work and would regularly drop by to visit and support them, Jilg said."He was an adventure, and he had a very curious mind," Jilg said.Jilg and Felten met for tea every Tuesday at Augustine's Bakery for 15 years after Jilg's retirement."I would learn something every Tuesday," he said. "It was a cheap education. I would buy him a cup of tea, and then I would learn something."Donations being accepted to establish museumThe Heartland Community Foundation has established a Pete Felten Legacy Fund to support the restoration of his Stone Gallery, 107 1/2 Sixth St., Hays, and workshop into a museum.Upon his death, his gallery and workshop were willed to Ellis County Historical Society.Amanda Rupp, director of the Ellis County Historical Society, said the society would hold the property but intends for the Felten Museum to stand as its own nonprofit entity in the future.If you would like to donate to the Felten Legacy Fund you can do so online at&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n">https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n</a>&nbsp;or mail your gift to PO Box 1673, Hays, KS, 67601. Please note 'Pete Felten Legacy Fund' in the memo or Pete Felten Memorial.Jilg said the community owes Felten a lot for all the tourism that his art brings to Hays.Felten never lived a lavish life.Jilg and Burkholder said Felten was paid very little for his public sculptures. Burkholder said he created them because he wanted the people to have something to represent this place."That's my life's work from here on out to make sure that Pete is remembered and people can see his work and appreciate it," Jilg said.A celebration of life for Felten is planned for March at the Stone Gallery. More details will be released on that event soon.More on Felten<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/15976726-4296-4743-95e6-b30f1d0674c6">SEE RELATED STORY: Senator Moran on the passing of artist, sculptor Pete Felten</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/40ea6ebd-3971-4c45-adca-48c0ee276a8d">SEE RELATED STORY: NWester Another Felten buffalo roams in hays museum</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5ae68b38-bbdc-449c-ac38-ebec80184f2a">SEE RELATED STORY: Film Crew in Hays to produce "Meet Pete" Felten documentary</a><a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2017/07/24/three-men-share-generations-of-hays-history/">SEE RELATED STORY: Three men share generations of Hays history</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2b536a10-db18-433d-8354-9d7a69999aab">SEE RELATED STORY: Felten train sculpture to have new home at Hays Downtown Pavilion</a>1993 interview with Pete Felten and Brenda Meder<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qXKyT8Hb74k?si=XGNkLjS0cmptPO5n" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

A legacy carved in stone: Hays community remembers artist Pete Felten

A member of the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-faith-agenda-evangelicals-conservative-christians-88a9ce8ac81a46fafb7e337366be8e9c">Religious Liberty Commission</a>&nbsp;has been ousted after a hearing this week that featured tense exchanges on the definition of antisemitism. The ousted member, Carrie Prejean Boller, had defended prominent commentator Candace Owens, who routinely shares antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Prejean Boller, a model turned conservative activist, denied that Owens had ever said anything antisemitic, quoted a Bible verse that attributed the death of Jesus to Jews and pushed back on the idea that some people mask antisemitism in their criticism of Israel.

“No member of the commission has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue,” said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, chair of the commission, in a statement Wednesday. “This is clearly, without question, what happened Monday in our hearing on antisemitism in America. This was my decision.”

Prejean Boller challenged Patrick’s authority to remove her, saying only President Donald Trump has that power. In a post on the social media site X, she said Patrick's actions “reflect a Zionist political agenda.”

The hearing took place as the commission, created by Trump last year, is the subject of a new federal lawsuit this week from progressive religious groups. The suit says the panel fails to represent diverse views and religions and consists almost entirely of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-evangelicals-christian-conservatives-religious-freedom-1532250eb2fe620e4341b1b033123276">conservative Christian</a>&nbsp;members.

Prejean Boller's removal came amid a wider, increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/turning-point-charlie-kirk-vance-republicans-2028-e28a332d7f55eb44346ef9d47e8906e4">contentious debate</a>&nbsp;over whether the right should give a platform to commentators espousing antisemitic views.

It followed a hearing Monday in Washington that was focused on antisemitism. It featured multiple witnesses, including first-hand accounts of students and others who said universities failed to protect Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Prejean Boller had sharp exchanges with witnesses&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNxkwMlJZL4&amp;t=2382s">during the hearing</a>. Seth Dillon, CEO of the conservative satirical site The Babylon Bee, which routinely lampoons progressives, was there to testify that conservatives need to push back against a growing antisemitic movement on the right.

Prejean Boller challenged him, questioning whether critics of Israel should be considered antisemitic. Dillon said no, but that context matters. There are “people who try to conceal their antisemitism under the guise of merely criticizing Israel," he said.

Prejean Boller also questioned whether social media sites should be pressured to ban quotations of a Bible verse that attributes the death of Jesus to Jews. And she disputed Dillon's criticisms of Owens, saying she had never heard her say anything antisemitic.

“You should look up more of her statements,” Dillon said, citing such things as Owens saying her critics were “of the synagogue of Satan.”

Prejean Boller, the 2009 Miss California, drew criticism during the Miss USA contest that same year when she said she believed marriage should only be between a man and a woman. She became politically active in subsequent years, supporting Trump's presidential runs and criticizing such things as COVID-19 restrictions.

The hearing was the latest of several by the commission, which has featured testimony accusing the administration of former President Joe Biden of allegedly repressing religious freedom in different ways. The commission is preparing to deliver a report to Trump this spring.

Also this week, various faith groups filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New York, challenging the makeup of the commission.

The lawsuit was filed by the progressive Interfaith Alliance as well as Muslim, Hindu and Sikh organizations.

It argued that the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that any advisory committees be fairly balanced among competing viewpoints.

The lawsuit says the commissioners, “consisting of almost exclusively Christians with one Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, represent the narrow perspective that America was founded as a 'Judeo-Christian' nation and must be guided by Biblical principles.”

It said this excludes people of other faiths and no religions, as well as those in the Judeo-Christian tradition who "are committed to religious freedom and pluralism, and reject Christian nationalism."

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770859990361.png" alt="In May President Trump&nbsp;officially establishes the Religious Liberty Commission -image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>In May President Trump&nbsp;officially establishes the Religious Liberty Commission -image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>By PETER SMITH Associated PressA member of the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-faith-agenda-evangelicals-conservative-christians-88a9ce8ac81a46fafb7e337366be8e9c">Religious Liberty Commission</a>&nbsp;has been ousted after a hearing this week that featured tense exchanges on the definition of antisemitism. The ousted member, Carrie Prejean Boller, had defended prominent commentator Candace Owens, who routinely shares antisemitic conspiracy theories.Prejean Boller, a model turned conservative activist, denied that Owens had ever said anything antisemitic, quoted a Bible verse that attributed the death of Jesus to Jews and pushed back on the idea that some people mask antisemitism in their criticism of Israel.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770860621977.png" alt="Carrie Prejean Boller and members of the Religious LIberty Commission held a hearing this week on Antisemitism-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Carrie Prejean Boller and members of the Religious LIberty Commission held a hearing this week on Antisemitism-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>“No member of the commission has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue,” said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, chair of the commission, in a statement Wednesday. “This is clearly, without question, what happened Monday in our hearing on antisemitism in America. This was my decision.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Dear Chairman Patrick, I write in response to your public statement falsely claiming that you “removed” me from President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission. As the name states, this is President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, not yours. You did not appoint me to the… <a href="https://t.co/r4VoEXSrPp">https://t.co/r4VoEXSrPp</a>&mdash; Carrie Prejean Boller (@CarriePrejean1) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarriePrejean1/status/2021728963572404534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Prejean Boller challenged Patrick’s authority to remove her, saying only President Donald Trump has that power. In a post on the social media site X, she said Patrick's actions “reflect a Zionist political agenda.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Can you even imagine this? a Religious Liberty Commission prepared to fire a commissioner for her Catholic faith? If that happens, it proves their mission was never religious liberty, but a Zionist agenda. I refuse to resign.&mdash; Carrie Prejean Boller (@CarriePrejean1) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarriePrejean1/status/2021225160330641760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The hearing took place as the commission, created by Trump last year, is the subject of a new federal lawsuit this week from progressive religious groups. The suit says the panel fails to represent diverse views and religions and consists almost entirely of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-evangelicals-christian-conservatives-religious-freedom-1532250eb2fe620e4341b1b033123276">conservative Christian</a>&nbsp;members.Prejean Boller's removal came amid a wider, increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/turning-point-charlie-kirk-vance-republicans-2028-e28a332d7f55eb44346ef9d47e8906e4">contentious debate</a>&nbsp;over whether the right should give a platform to commentators espousing antisemitic views.It followed a hearing Monday in Washington that was focused on antisemitism. It featured multiple witnesses, including first-hand accounts of students and others who said universities failed to protect Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.Prejean Boller had sharp exchanges with witnesses&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNxkwMlJZL4&amp;t=2382s">during the hearing</a>. Seth Dillon, CEO of the conservative satirical site The Babylon Bee, which routinely lampoons progressives, was there to testify that conservatives need to push back against a growing antisemitic movement on the right.Prejean Boller challenged him, questioning whether critics of Israel should be considered antisemitic. Dillon said no, but that context matters. There are “people who try to conceal their antisemitism under the guise of merely criticizing Israel," he said.Prejean Boller also questioned whether social media sites should be pressured to ban quotations of a Bible verse that attributes the death of Jesus to Jews. And she disputed Dillon's criticisms of Owens, saying she had never heard her say anything antisemitic.“You should look up more of her statements,” Dillon said, citing such things as Owens saying her critics were “of the synagogue of Satan.”Prejean Boller, the 2009 Miss California, drew criticism during the Miss USA contest that same year when she said she believed marriage should only be between a man and a woman. She became politically active in subsequent years, supporting Trump's presidential runs and criticizing such things as COVID-19 restrictions.The hearing was the latest of several by the commission, which has featured testimony accusing the administration of former President Joe Biden of allegedly repressing religious freedom in different ways. The commission is preparing to deliver a report to Trump this spring.Also this week, various faith groups filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New York, challenging the makeup of the commission.The lawsuit was filed by the progressive Interfaith Alliance as well as Muslim, Hindu and Sikh organizations.It argued that the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that any advisory committees be fairly balanced among competing viewpoints.The lawsuit says the commissioners, “consisting of almost exclusively Christians with one Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, represent the narrow perspective that America was founded as a 'Judeo-Christian' nation and must be guided by Biblical principles.”It said this excludes people of other faiths and no religions, as well as those in the Judeo-Christian tradition who "are committed to religious freedom and pluralism, and reject Christian nationalism."___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Member of Trump's Religious Liberty Commission fired over antisemitism

The first half of the 2026 legislative session is only two weeks away from being complete. On February 19, we will reach Turnaround, which is when most bills need to be passed out of one chamber to be considered in the other chamber. Until this point, most of the heavy legislative work has occurred in committee.

 In the next two weeks, both chambers will be spending longer days on the floor considering all that hard work. The Senate Ways and Means subcommittees finished all our hearings and reported out all agencies last Thursday. This next week will be spent assembling our budget.

SB 299: In the past, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission has met in private. SB 299 changes this by restricting the Kansas Supreme Court and Supreme Court Nominating Commission from adopting a rule that prohibits disclosure of the Commission’s records and making records of the Commission, including the names and cities of residence of people nominated to serve on the Commission, open and subject to disclosure. The bill would continue to allow background checks and sensitive financial information of applicants or nominees for judicial office to be closed from public disclosure by the Commission.

SB 348 will exempt any electric public utility that is a not for profit, wholly owned subsidiary of an electric cooperative public utility from the jurisdiction, regulation, supervision and control of the Kansas Corporation Commission. The bill would also authorize the KCC to investigate any changes to the electric rates, joint rates, tolls, charges and exactions, and classifications and schedules of rates affecting an exempt electric public utility following a petition filed by customers of the exempt electric public utility to investigate such rates.

HB 2331 would amend laws relating to coroner procedures for the disposition of remains by creating a process that would allow a coroner to relinquish custody or dispose of unclaimed cremated remains and specify whether civil liability would arise from such disposition. The bill would make certain provisions for the remains of veterans, establish requirements for continuing education programs for licensed embalmers and funeral directors, authorize the use of the word “crematory” in the names of certain businesses, and create the crime of aggravated criminal desecration.

SB 327 will eliminate the requirement that the Bob Bethell joint committee on Home and Community based services and KanCare oversight committees' January and April meetings be held during the regular legislative session.

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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644852447177.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA The first half of the 2026 legislative session is only two weeks away from being complete. On February 19, we will reach Turnaround, which is when most bills need to be passed out of one chamber to be considered in the other chamber. Until this point, most of the heavy legislative work has occurred in committee. In the next two weeks, both chambers will be spending longer days on the floor considering all that hard work. The Senate Ways and Means subcommittees finished all our hearings and reported out all agencies last Thursday. This next week will be spent assembling our budget.SB 299: In the past, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission has met in private. SB 299 changes this by restricting the Kansas Supreme Court and Supreme Court Nominating Commission from adopting a rule that prohibits disclosure of the Commission’s records and making records of the Commission, including the names and cities of residence of people nominated to serve on the Commission, open and subject to disclosure. The bill would continue to allow background checks and sensitive financial information of applicants or nominees for judicial office to be closed from public disclosure by the Commission.SB 348 will exempt any electric public utility that is a not for profit, wholly owned subsidiary of an electric cooperative public utility from the jurisdiction, regulation, supervision and control of the Kansas Corporation Commission. The bill would also authorize the KCC to investigate any changes to the electric rates, joint rates, tolls, charges and exactions, and classifications and schedules of rates affecting an exempt electric public utility following a petition filed by customers of the exempt electric public utility to investigate such rates.HB 2331 would amend laws relating to coroner procedures for the disposition of remains by creating a process that would allow a coroner to relinquish custody or dispose of unclaimed cremated remains and specify whether civil liability would arise from such disposition. The bill would make certain provisions for the remains of veterans, establish requirements for continuing education programs for licensed embalmers and funeral directors, authorize the use of the word “crematory” in the names of certain businesses, and create the crime of aggravated criminal desecration.SB 327 will eliminate the requirement that the Bob Bethell joint committee on Home and Community based services and KanCare oversight committees' January and April meetings be held during the regular legislative session.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.

BILLINGER: Senate update Feb. 10

Inflation and trade instability has placed pressure on the pocketbooks for Kansans, and tax relief continues to be a major topic of discussion in the legislature. In this session alone a number of ideas for advancing tax relief have been proposed. At the same time the legislature has taken several meaningful steps in reducing the tax burden for Kansans over the past four years. 

Detailed below are three of the most recent tax relief successes and three new ideas for reducing taxes further:

· The first tax relief success was the elimination of the State Food Sales Tax, accomplished through House Bill (HB) 2106 during the 2022 session. This legislation eliminated the 6.5% sales tax for nonprepared food items, which costs Kansans $525 million annually.

· Second was the expansion of the property tax exemption, done through HB 2239 in the 2022 session. This bill expanded the property tax exemption value from $20,000 to $75,000, eliminating $115 million annually in state taxes on Kansans.

· Third was the 1.5 point reduction of the state’s education mill levy, enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 35 in the 2025 session. This tax, used for several state property funds, cost Kansans $81 million annually.

The first of the new tax relief ideas being considered in the legislature this session is the creation of a Property Tax Deferral Program. This program would delay payment of property taxes on primary residences for Kansans until said properties are transferred, sold, or the owner passes away.

Second is the further reduction of statewide mill levies on properties, in proportion to property valuation increases. This method would eliminate the potential for increasing property tax burden on Kansans.

A third idea is to establish a property tax voter referendum mechanism at the local government level. This proposition would enable voters, either at the municipal or county level, to vote on recalling property tax increases proposed by their respective local governments.

House Appropriations (HAPP) was very busy last week as it worked thirty-six agency budgets, heard one bill, and held an informational briefing on a new business attraction in Kansas.

On Monday, seven agency budgets were worked. Those were the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Board of Indigents Defense Services, Adjutant General’s Department, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment—Environment.

Tuesday the committee received an informational briefing on Gilley’s, a new entertainment venue in Park City, which appears to be seeing positive growth. HAPP also held a hearing on HB 2513, Claims against the State, and worked on four agency budgets: Office of Information &amp; Technology Services, Kansas Racing &amp; Gaming Commission, Department of Administration, and the Department of Transportation.

Wednesday saw the committee work nine agency budgets. Those were the Department of Commerce, Legislature, Legislative Coordinating Council, Legislative Research Department, Office of Revisor of Statutes, Legislative Division of Post Audit, Judicial Council, Judicial Branch, and the Attorney General.

On Thursday HAPP worked eleven budgets. These were the Kansas Highway Patrol, Department of Corrections System, Abstracters’ Board of Examiners, the State Treasurer, the Governor, Department of Insurance, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, and Wichita State University.

Friday finished the week with five agency budgets. Those were the University of Kansas, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas State University, Kansas State University—Veterinary Medical Center, and Kansas State University—Extension Systems &amp; Agricultural Research Programs.

Last week the Kansas House of Representatives worked four bills on the House Floor. 

Detailed below are three of those bills. 

First is HB 2471, which would designate a portion of Kansas Highway I-35 as the “Deputy Sam Smith Memorial Highway”, in honor of the aforementioned law enforcement officer who passed away in 2010. 

Second is HB 2515. This bill would create new regulations for virtual currency kiosk operators in Kansas, like limits on transaction amounts, and task state law enforcement agencies with reporting on the industry to the State Bank Commissioner. 

Last is HB 2416, which would establish immunity for motorsports venues from civil nuisance suits by property owners who have acquired adjacent property, or improved it after the motorsport venue was established.

It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.

Contact My Office Representative Troy L. Waymaster 300 SW&nbsp;10th Street Topeka,&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;66612 troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633970422056.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymastser, R-Bunker Hill. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymastser, R-Bunker Hill. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKATAX RELIEFInflation and trade instability has placed pressure on the pocketbooks for Kansans, and tax relief continues to be a major topic of discussion in the legislature. In this session alone a number of ideas for advancing tax relief have been proposed. At the same time the legislature has taken several meaningful steps in reducing the tax burden for Kansans over the past four years. Detailed below are three of the most recent tax relief successes and three new ideas for reducing taxes further:· The first tax relief success was the elimination of the State Food Sales Tax, accomplished through House Bill (HB) 2106 during the 2022 session. This legislation eliminated the 6.5% sales tax for nonprepared food items, which costs Kansans $525 million annually.· Second was the expansion of the property tax exemption, done through HB 2239 in the 2022 session. This bill expanded the property tax exemption value from $20,000 to $75,000, eliminating $115 million annually in state taxes on Kansans.· Third was the 1.5 point reduction of the state’s education mill levy, enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 35 in the 2025 session. This tax, used for several state property funds, cost Kansans $81 million annually.The first of the new tax relief ideas being considered in the legislature this session is the creation of a Property Tax Deferral Program. This program would delay payment of property taxes on primary residences for Kansans until said properties are transferred, sold, or the owner passes away.Second is the further reduction of statewide mill levies on properties, in proportion to property valuation increases. This method would eliminate the potential for increasing property tax burden on Kansans.A third idea is to establish a property tax voter referendum mechanism at the local government level. This proposition would enable voters, either at the municipal or county level, to vote on recalling property tax increases proposed by their respective local governments.COMMITTEE HAPPENINGSHouse Appropriations (HAPP) was very busy last week as it worked thirty-six agency budgets, heard one bill, and held an informational briefing on a new business attraction in Kansas.On Monday, seven agency budgets were worked. Those were the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Board of Indigents Defense Services, Adjutant General’s Department, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment—Environment.Tuesday the committee received an informational briefing on Gilley’s, a new entertainment venue in Park City, which appears to be seeing positive growth. HAPP also held a hearing on HB 2513, Claims against the State, and worked on four agency budgets: Office of Information &amp; Technology Services, Kansas Racing &amp; Gaming Commission, Department of Administration, and the Department of Transportation.Wednesday saw the committee work nine agency budgets. Those were the Department of Commerce, Legislature, Legislative Coordinating Council, Legislative Research Department, Office of Revisor of Statutes, Legislative Division of Post Audit, Judicial Council, Judicial Branch, and the Attorney General.On Thursday HAPP worked eleven budgets. These were the Kansas Highway Patrol, Department of Corrections System, Abstracters’ Board of Examiners, the State Treasurer, the Governor, Department of Insurance, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, and Wichita State University.Friday finished the week with five agency budgets. Those were the University of Kansas, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas State University, Kansas State University—Veterinary Medical Center, and Kansas State University—Extension Systems &amp; Agricultural Research Programs.HOUSE FLOOR ACTIONLast week the Kansas House of Representatives worked four bills on the House Floor. Detailed below are three of those bills. First is HB 2471, which would designate a portion of Kansas Highway I-35 as the “Deputy Sam Smith Memorial Highway”, in honor of the aforementioned law enforcement officer who passed away in 2010. Second is HB 2515. This bill would create new regulations for virtual currency kiosk operators in Kansas, like limits on transaction amounts, and task state law enforcement agencies with reporting on the industry to the State Bank Commissioner. Last is HB 2416, which would establish immunity for motorsports venues from civil nuisance suits by property owners who have acquired adjacent property, or improved it after the motorsport venue was established.It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.Contact My Office Representative Troy L. Waymaster 300 SW&nbsp;10th Street Topeka,&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;66612 troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, Feb. 10

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-arizona-b765fed6b9669441383b75860263ac99">Fresh surveillance images</a>&nbsp;from Nancy Guthrie’s porch the night she went missing, coupled with intense police activity across Arizona and the detention of a man had raised hopes that authorities were nearing a major break.

But then the man was released after questioning, leaving it unclear Wednesday where the investigation stood into last week’s disappearance of Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>.

FBI agents carrying water bottles to beat the 80-degree F (26.7-degree C) heat walked among rocks and desert vegetation at Guthrie's Tucson-area home. They also fanned out across a neighborhood about a mile (1.6 kilometers) away, knocking on doors and searching through cactuses, bushes and boulders.

Several hundred detectives and agents are now assigned to the investigation, which is expanding in the area, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said.

In a nearby neighborhood, two investigators emerged from daughter Annie Guthrie’s home with a paper grocery sack and a white trash bag. One, still wearing blue protective gloves, also took a stack of mail from the roadside mailbox. They drove away without speaking to reporters.

Barb Dutrow, who was jogging through a neighborhood where teams were searching, said an FBI agent told her they were looking for anything that might have been tossed from a car. Dutrow, who was visiting from Louisiana for a convention, said she "can't imagine the feeling of the family of having their mother taken.”

A day earlier, authorities said they had stopped a man near the U.S.-Mexico border, just hours after the FBI released videos of a person wearing a gun holster, ski mask and backpack and approaching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-nancy-adaa8af43efe04c252a52616d9037a05">Nancy Guthrie's home</a>&nbsp;in Tucson. The man told media outlets early Wednesday that he was released after several hours and had nothing to do with Guthrie's disappearance last week.

Authorities have not said what led them to stop the man Tuesday but confirmed he was released. The sheriff's department said its deputies and FBI agents also searched a location in Rio Rico, a city south of Tucson where the man lives.

It was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-534c68bfb666ab8e08123f130f937c2d">the latest twist</a>&nbsp;in an investigation that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-534c68bfb666ab8e08123f130f937c2d">gripped the nation</a>&nbsp;since Nancy Guthrie disappeared on Feb. 1. Until Tuesday, it seemed authorities were making little headway in determining what happened to her or finding who was responsible.

The black and white images released by the FBI showing a masked person trying to cover a doorbell camera on Guthrie’s porch marked the first significant break in the case. But the images did not show&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-nancy-adaa8af43efe04c252a52616d9037a05">what happened to her</a>&nbsp;or help determine whether she is still alive.

FBI Director Kash Patel said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-guthrie-nest-camera-footage-kidnapper-bd5f1d886543e23f2d105535031c9445">investigators spent days</a>&nbsp;trying to find lost, corrupted or inaccessible images.

Even though the images do not show the person's face, investigators are hopeful someone will know who was on the porch. More than 4,000 calls came into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-arizona-sheriff-4f128f953d8e828d87fc1ee293338d9c">Pima County sheriff's</a>&nbsp;tip line within the past 24 hours, the department said Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities have said for more than a week that they believe Nancy Guthrie was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-6c7b78d17d7b647c64f71f64ecaecf8b">taken against her will</a>. She was last seen at home Jan. 31 and reported missing the next day. DNA tests showed blood on her porch was hers, authorities said.

Savannah Guthrie posted the new surveillance images on social media and said the family believes their mother is still alive.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/today-savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-2c0512333cfaa6cdb01a82d1992160b2">The longtime NBC host</a>&nbsp;and her two siblings have indicated a willingness to pay a ransom.

It is not known whether ransom notes demanding money with deadlines that have already passed were authentic, and whether the family has had any contact with whoever took Guthrie.

TMZ reported it received a message Wednesday from someone claiming to know the kidnapper’s identity and that they unsuccessfully tried to reach Savannah Guthrie’s brother and sister. The person asked for bitcoin in exchange for the information, TMZ said. The FBI did not immediately respond to a message.

Authorities have said Nancy Guthrie takes several medications and there was concern from the start that she could die without them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770749564250.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-arizona-b765fed6b9669441383b75860263ac99">Fresh surveillance images</a>&nbsp;from Nancy Guthrie’s porch the night she went missing, coupled with intense police activity across Arizona and the detention of a man had raised hopes that authorities were nearing a major break.But then the man was released after questioning, leaving it unclear Wednesday where the investigation stood into last week’s disappearance of Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770737956751.png" alt="Billboard in Texas -photo courtesy KVUE" />
 <figcaption>Billboard in Texas -photo courtesy KVUE</figcaption>
 </figure>FBI agents carrying water bottles to beat the 80-degree F (26.7-degree C) heat walked among rocks and desert vegetation at Guthrie's Tucson-area home. They also fanned out across a neighborhood about a mile (1.6 kilometers) away, knocking on doors and searching through cactuses, bushes and boulders.Several hundred detectives and agents are now assigned to the investigation, which is expanding in the area, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said.In a nearby neighborhood, two investigators emerged from daughter Annie Guthrie’s home with a paper grocery sack and a white trash bag. One, still wearing blue protective gloves, also took a stack of mail from the roadside mailbox. They drove away without speaking to reporters.Barb Dutrow, who was jogging through a neighborhood where teams were searching, said an FBI agent told her they were looking for anything that might have been tossed from a car. Dutrow, who was visiting from Louisiana for a convention, said she "can't imagine the feeling of the family of having their mother taken.”A day earlier, authorities said they had stopped a man near the U.S.-Mexico border, just hours after the FBI released videos of a person wearing a gun holster, ski mask and backpack and approaching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-nancy-adaa8af43efe04c252a52616d9037a05">Nancy Guthrie's home</a>&nbsp;in Tucson. The man told media outlets early Wednesday that he was released after several hours and had nothing to do with Guthrie's disappearance last week.Authorities have not said what led them to stop the man Tuesday but confirmed he was released. The sheriff's department said its deputies and FBI agents also searched a location in Rio Rico, a city south of Tucson where the man lives.It was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-534c68bfb666ab8e08123f130f937c2d">the latest twist</a>&nbsp;in an investigation that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-534c68bfb666ab8e08123f130f937c2d">gripped the nation</a>&nbsp;since Nancy Guthrie disappeared on Feb. 1. Until Tuesday, it seemed authorities were making little headway in determining what happened to her or finding who was responsible.The black and white images released by the FBI showing a masked person trying to cover a doorbell camera on Guthrie’s porch marked the first significant break in the case. But the images did not show&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-nancy-adaa8af43efe04c252a52616d9037a05">what happened to her</a>&nbsp;or help determine whether she is still alive.FBI Director Kash Patel said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-guthrie-nest-camera-footage-kidnapper-bd5f1d886543e23f2d105535031c9445">investigators spent days</a>&nbsp;trying to find lost, corrupted or inaccessible images.Even though the images do not show the person's face, investigators are hopeful someone will know who was on the porch. More than 4,000 calls came into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-arizona-sheriff-4f128f953d8e828d87fc1ee293338d9c">Pima County sheriff's</a>&nbsp;tip line within the past 24 hours, the department said Wednesday afternoon.Authorities have said for more than a week that they believe Nancy Guthrie was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-6c7b78d17d7b647c64f71f64ecaecf8b">taken against her will</a>. She was last seen at home Jan. 31 and reported missing the next day. DNA tests showed blood on her porch was hers, authorities said.Savannah Guthrie posted the new surveillance images on social media and said the family believes their mother is still alive.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/today-savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-2c0512333cfaa6cdb01a82d1992160b2">The longtime NBC host</a>&nbsp;and her two siblings have indicated a willingness to pay a ransom.It is not known whether ransom notes demanding money with deadlines that have already passed were authentic, and whether the family has had any contact with whoever took Guthrie.TMZ reported it received a message Wednesday from someone claiming to know the kidnapper’s identity and that they unsuccessfully tried to reach Savannah Guthrie’s brother and sister. The person asked for bitcoin in exchange for the information, TMZ said. The FBI did not immediately respond to a message.Authorities have said Nancy Guthrie takes several medications and there was concern from the start that she could die without them.___

Search crews comb desert terrain for clues in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance

By: NICOLAS FIERRO Salina Post

The family of the late Riley Dean Faris, is questioning why no criminal charges were placed on an individual involved in the crash that took away his life.

Riley Faris passed away at age 30 on&nbsp;October 17, 2025 after riding his motorcycle, when he was hit from behind on a Brookville road. The crash happened at approximately 6:53 pm on K-140 Highway at Perry Street. Faris was headed westbound when a 2003 Subaru Forester operated by Kiley Barnett (39) from Kanopolis, hit him from behind.&nbsp;

Barnett was booked into the Saline County Jail that same night with requested charges of No Proof of Insurance, Driving While Suspended (DWS) and Following Too Close. She was then released.

According to Kansas Court records, Barnett has 40 traffic violations.

Colton Faris, brother of Riley <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DZBboGCVw/">made a Facebook video on February 3, 2026</a>&nbsp;discussing a conversation he had with Saline County Attorney, John Reynolds.

Colton stated his mother got in contact via phone with Reynolds and wondered why they have not received an accident report after five months since the incident.&nbsp;During the phonecall, Colton said Reynolds explained to his mother the charges placed on Barnett and further said "that is just what happens when you ride a motorcycle."

Colton then called Reynolds on why he made the comment. According to Colton, Reynolds described to him that he thinks there was no evidence to place any sort of murder or involuntary manslaughter charge on Barnett.

"He (Reynolds) said, yes she killed him but it was not criminal. I don't understand that when you don't have a license, you are not supposed to be driving and when you don't have insurance, which is required to drive a car, how killing him is not a criminal offense," said Colton Faris on the video.

Reynolds told Salina Post he did not make explicitly make the comment of "that is just what happens when you ride a motorcycle," but instead was "taken out of context."

He said the context was he explained how "when cars and motorcycles collide, it always ends up bad for the motorcyclist."

Saline County Sheriff's Office on accident report

The Saline County Sheriff's Office told Salina Post why the Faris family received the accident report 3 and one half months later.

According to the Sheriff's Office, reports are available through the <a href="https://www.dol.ks.gov/labor-relations/kansas-open-records-act-kora">Kansas Open Records Act</a>, but with fluid cases (evolving) and cases with the potential to result in criminal charges without a criminal court disposition, are two of the several exemptions to the act.

In this case, the law enforcement agency did not have a court disposition, or any information if criminal charges were not going to be filed by the County Attorney until the week of Feb. 2 - 6, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office wanted to confirm there were not going to be criminal charges filed prior to releasing a narrative report that could potentially interfere with criminal prosecution. 

Once this was learned, the Sheriff's Office encouraged the Faris family to request the case again and the report was disseminated within 48 hours.

"We strive to provide the appropriate information at the appropriate time while adhering to the Kansas Open Records Act," said the Sheriff's Office.

Reynolds stated the charges placed on Barnett were "traffic violations" and not criminal charges.

Reynolds provided details on what happened in the accident.

According to Reynolds, there was a vehicle going southbound leaving Brookville and got onto K-140 westbound. He said the vehicle got right in front of Faris, which caused him to slow down. Barnett coming from behind was headed westbound and once she became aware of Faris slowing down, she had a "very narrowed reaction time, because she closed the gap between him and the vehicle in front," according to Reynolds.

Reynolds said Barnett tried to avoid colliding with Faris during this time.

"By the time she realizes what's going on, she goes to take evasive maneuvers to move over into the other lane to go around Faris," Reynolds said. "She almost missed him."

Reynolds further said he knew this happened, because he not only visited the accident scene, but also by determining the marks on the vehicles, roadway and review of law enforcement body cameras.

"There were two state troopers out there, they came to the same conclusion of the deputies and what I had," said Reynolds.

Additionally, Reynolds said Barnett should have been farther back before the crash. He placed the Following Too Close charge, because the crash resulted in a fatality.&nbsp;

He also said Faris was not wearing a helmet.

For Barnett to have been placed a requested charge of Involuntary Manslaughter, Reynolds stated the following would need to include:&nbsp;

- Killing someone while committing or attempting to commit a felony.   

- During to commission of an unlawful act in an unlawful manner; Or in attempting to commit, or in flight from, an act described in KSA 8-1567.

"I did not see any of these elements in the affidavit filed in this case," said Reynolds.

Petition started to demand felony charges and removal County Attorney

The cousin of the late Riley Faris, started a <a href="https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-riley-demand-felony-charges-and-removal-of-saline-county-attorney-j-reynolds">petition</a> titled "JUSTICE FOR RILEY: Demand Felony Charges and Removal of Saline County Attorney J. Reynolds."

Stated in the petition, the writer brought up Kansas statutes for upgraded charges on Barnett.

"The charges against Kiley Barnett be upgraded to the highest extent of the law. Under&nbsp;K.S.A. 21-5403, a killing committed unintentionally but recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life is Second-Degree Murder.&nbsp;At a minimum, this must be prosecuted as Involuntary Manslaughter&nbsp;(K.S.A. 21-5405), a Level 5 Person Felony."

Furthermore, it stated Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct for the removal of Reynolds.

The petition currently has over 4,000 signatures.

Barnett is scheduled to appear in court for a status conference on March 25. 

The Saline County court will determine to either take the Barnett case to trial on if she will be convicted for DWS, No Proof of Insurance and Following Too Close.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770836235145.png" alt="Riley Dean Faris unexpectedly passed away on October 17, 2025 at age 30, following a motorcycle accident. Photo courtesy Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home &amp; Crematory." />
 <figcaption>Riley Dean Faris unexpectedly passed away on October 17, 2025 at age 30, following a motorcycle accident. Photo courtesy Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home &amp; Crematory.</figcaption>
 </figure>By: NICOLAS FIERRO Salina PostThe family of the late Riley Dean Faris, is questioning why no criminal charges were placed on an individual involved in the crash that took away his life.Riley Faris passed away at age 30 on&nbsp;October 17, 2025 after riding his motorcycle, when he was hit from behind on a Brookville road. The crash happened at approximately 6:53 pm on K-140 Highway at Perry Street. Faris was headed westbound when a 2003 Subaru Forester operated by Kiley Barnett (39) from Kanopolis, hit him from behind.&nbsp;Barnett was booked into the Saline County Jail that same night with requested charges of No Proof of Insurance, Driving While Suspended (DWS) and Following Too Close. She was then released.According to Kansas Court records, Barnett has 40 traffic violations.Colton Faris, brother of Riley <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DZBboGCVw/">made a Facebook video on February 3, 2026</a>&nbsp;discussing a conversation he had with Saline County Attorney, John Reynolds. Colton stated his mother got in contact via phone with Reynolds and wondered why they have not received an accident report after five months since the incident.&nbsp;During the phonecall, Colton said Reynolds explained to his mother the charges placed on Barnett and further said "that is just what happens when you ride a motorcycle."<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1569023047711529%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Colton then called Reynolds on why he made the comment. According to Colton, Reynolds described to him that he thinks there was no evidence to place any sort of murder or involuntary manslaughter charge on Barnett."He (Reynolds) said, yes she killed him but it was not criminal. I don't understand that when you don't have a license, you are not supposed to be driving and when you don't have insurance, which is required to drive a car, how killing him is not a criminal offense," said Colton Faris on the video.Reynolds told Salina Post he did not make explicitly make the comment of "that is just what happens when you ride a motorcycle," but instead was "taken out of context."He said the context was he explained how "when cars and motorcycles collide, it always ends up bad for the motorcyclist."<h2>Saline County Sheriff's Office on accident report</h2>The Saline County Sheriff's Office told Salina Post why the Faris family received the accident report 3 and one half months later.According to the Sheriff's Office, reports are available through the <a href="https://www.dol.ks.gov/labor-relations/kansas-open-records-act-kora">Kansas Open Records Act</a>, but with fluid cases (evolving) and cases with the potential to result in criminal charges without a criminal court disposition, are two of the several exemptions to the act.In this case, the law enforcement agency did not have a court disposition, or any information if criminal charges were not going to be filed by the County Attorney until the week of Feb. 2 - 6, according to the Sheriff's Office.The Sheriff's Office wanted to confirm there were not going to be criminal charges filed prior to releasing a narrative report that could potentially interfere with criminal prosecution. Once this was learned, the Sheriff's Office encouraged the Faris family to request the case again and the report was disseminated within 48 hours."We strive to provide the appropriate information at the appropriate time while adhering to the Kansas Open Records Act," said the Sheriff's Office.Reynolds stated the charges placed on Barnett were "traffic violations" and not criminal charges.<h2>Reynolds explains the accident</h2>Reynolds provided details on what happened in the accident.According to Reynolds, there was a vehicle going southbound leaving Brookville and got onto K-140 westbound. He said the vehicle got right in front of Faris, which caused him to slow down. Barnett coming from behind was headed westbound and once she became aware of Faris slowing down, she had a "very narrowed reaction time, because she closed the gap between him and the vehicle in front," according to Reynolds.Reynolds said Barnett tried to avoid colliding with Faris during this time."By the time she realizes what's going on, she goes to take evasive maneuvers to move over into the other lane to go around Faris," Reynolds said. "She almost missed him."Reynolds further said he knew this happened, because he not only visited the accident scene, but also by determining the marks on the vehicles, roadway and review of law enforcement body cameras."There were two state troopers out there, they came to the same conclusion of the deputies and what I had," said Reynolds.Additionally, Reynolds said Barnett should have been farther back before the crash. He placed the Following Too Close charge, because the crash resulted in a fatality.&nbsp;He also said Faris was not wearing a helmet.For Barnett to have been placed a requested charge of Involuntary Manslaughter, Reynolds stated the following would need to include:&nbsp;- Killing someone recklessly.- Killing someone while committing or attempting to commit a felony.   - Killing someone while DUI.   - During to commission of an unlawful act in an unlawful manner; Or in attempting to commit, or in flight from, an act described in KSA 8-1567."I did not see any of these elements in the affidavit filed in this case," said Reynolds.<h2>Petition started to demand felony charges and removal County Attorney</h2>The cousin of the late Riley Faris, started a <a href="https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-riley-demand-felony-charges-and-removal-of-saline-county-attorney-j-reynolds">petition</a> titled "JUSTICE FOR RILEY: Demand Felony Charges and Removal of Saline County Attorney J. Reynolds."Stated in the petition, the writer brought up Kansas statutes for upgraded charges on Barnett."The charges against Kiley Barnett be upgraded to the highest extent of the law. Under&nbsp;K.S.A. 21-5403, a killing committed unintentionally but recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life is Second-Degree Murder.&nbsp;At a minimum, this must be prosecuted as Involuntary Manslaughter&nbsp;(K.S.A. 21-5405), a Level 5 Person Felony."Furthermore, it stated Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct for the removal of Reynolds.<ol>
 <li>"The Broken Oath of Office Under&nbsp;K.S.A. 54-106, John Reynolds took a solemn oath to faithfully discharge the duties&nbsp;of his office. A County Attorney’s most sacred duty is to serve as a Minister of Justice. This means applying the law equally to every citizen, regardless of whether they walk, drive, or ride.&nbsp;By dismissing Riley’s death as an occupational hazard of riding a motorcycle, Mr. Reynolds has breached that oath. He has replaced the law of Kansas with his own personal bias, proving he is either unwilling or unable to faithfully protect the rights of all Saline County residents."</li><li>"KRPC 3.8&nbsp;(Minister of Justice): A prosecutor is a minister of justice, not just an advocate. By dismissing a fatality based on the victim’s vehicle, he has failed his duty to see that justice is accorded to all."</li><li>"KRPC 8.4(d) &amp; (g): His comments are prejudicial to the administration of justice and reflect a bias that renders him unfit to practice law or serve the public impartially.K.S.A. 74-7333&nbsp;(Crime Victims Bill of Rights): He has failed to treat Riley’s family with the courtesy, compassion, and respect for their dignity mandated by Kansas law."</li>
 </ol>The petition currently has over 4,000 signatures.Barnett is scheduled to appear in court for a status conference on March 25. The Saline County court will determine to either take the Barnett case to trial on if she will be convicted for DWS, No Proof of Insurance and Following Too Close.

🎥 Family of Kan. motorcyclist speaks out after no criminal charges in fatal crash

NEW YORK (AP) — James Van Der Beek, a heartthrob who starred in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/television">coming-of-age dramas</a>&nbsp;at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/michelle-williams-comments-on-james-van-der-beeks-cancer-diagnosis-e444132cc5154efa973fba7251e04139">“Dawson’s Creek”</a>&nbsp;and in later years mocking his own hunky persona, has died. He was 48.

“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come,” a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/vanderjames/p/DUoR_x4EkTm/">statement from the actor's family</a>&nbsp;that was posted on Instagram said. “For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

Van Der Beek revealed in 2024 that he was being treated for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cancer-breast-colon-early-onset-obesity-b0cab8f95dea65f15fa099132f16f8d6">colorectal cancer.</a>

Van Der Beek made a surprise video appearance in September at a “Dawson's Creek” reunion charity event in New York City after previously dropping out due to illness.

He appeared projected onstage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre during a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer and Van Der Beek. Lin-Manuel Miranda subbed for him on stage. "Thank you to every single person here,” Van Der Beek said.

A one-time theater kid, Van Der Beek would star in the movie “Varsity Blues” and on TV in “CSI: Cyber” as FBI Special Agent Elijah Mundo, but was forever connected to “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003 on The WB.

The series followed a high school group of friends as they learned about falling in love, creating real friendships and finding their footing in life. Van Der Beek, than 20, played 15-year-old Dawson Leery, who aspired to be a director of Steven Spielberg quality.

“Dawson’s Creek,” with the moody theme song Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Want To Wait,” helped define The WB as a haven for teens and young adults who related to its hyper-articulate dialogue and frank talk about sexuality. And it made household names of Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams.

The show caused a stir when one of the teens embarked on a racy affair with a teacher 20 years his senior and when Holmes' character climbs through Dawson's bedroom window and they curl up together. Racier shows like “Euphoria” and “Sex Education” owe a debt to “Dawson's Creek.”

Van Der Beek sometimes struggled to get out from under the shadow of the show but eventually leaned into lampooning himself, like on Funny Or Die videos and on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFWX0hWCbng">Kesha's “Blow” music video,</a>&nbsp;which included his laser gun battle with the pop star in a nightclub and dead unicorns.

“It’s tough to compete with something that was the cultural phenomenon that ‘Dawson’s Creek’ was,” he told Vulture in 2013. “It ran for so long. That’s a lot of hours playing one character in front of people. So it’s natural that they associate you with that.”

More than a decade after the show went off the air, a scene at the end of the show’s third season became a GIF. Dawson was watching as his soul mate embarks on a love affair with his best friend and burst into tears.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770839878936.jpeg" alt="FILE - Actors Ali Larter, left, poses with co-stars James Van Der Beek, center, and Amy Smart at the premiere of "Varsity Blues" in Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 1999. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Actors Ali Larter, left, poses with co-stars James Van Der Beek, center, and Amy Smart at the premiere of "Varsity Blues" in Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 1999. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — James Van Der Beek, a heartthrob who starred in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/television">coming-of-age dramas</a>&nbsp;at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/michelle-williams-comments-on-james-van-der-beeks-cancer-diagnosis-e444132cc5154efa973fba7251e04139">“Dawson’s Creek”</a>&nbsp;and in later years mocking his own hunky persona, has died. He was 48.“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come,” a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/vanderjames/p/DUoR_x4EkTm/">statement from the actor's family</a>&nbsp;that was posted on Instagram said. “For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”Van Der Beek revealed in 2024 that he was being treated for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cancer-breast-colon-early-onset-obesity-b0cab8f95dea65f15fa099132f16f8d6">colorectal cancer.</a>Van Der Beek made a surprise video appearance in September at a “Dawson's Creek” reunion charity event in New York City after previously dropping out due to illness.He appeared projected onstage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre during a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer and Van Der Beek. Lin-Manuel Miranda subbed for him on stage. "Thank you to every single person here,” Van Der Beek said.<h2>Forever tied to ‘Dawson’s Creek'</h2>A one-time theater kid, Van Der Beek would star in the movie “Varsity Blues” and on TV in “CSI: Cyber” as FBI Special Agent Elijah Mundo, but was forever connected to “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003 on The WB.The series followed a high school group of friends as they learned about falling in love, creating real friendships and finding their footing in life. Van Der Beek, than 20, played 15-year-old Dawson Leery, who aspired to be a director of Steven Spielberg quality.“Dawson’s Creek,” with the moody theme song Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Want To Wait,” helped define The WB as a haven for teens and young adults who related to its hyper-articulate dialogue and frank talk about sexuality. And it made household names of Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams.The show caused a stir when one of the teens embarked on a racy affair with a teacher 20 years his senior and when Holmes' character climbs through Dawson's bedroom window and they curl up together. Racier shows like “Euphoria” and “Sex Education” owe a debt to “Dawson's Creek.”Van Der Beek sometimes struggled to get out from under the shadow of the show but eventually leaned into lampooning himself, like on Funny Or Die videos and on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFWX0hWCbng">Kesha's “Blow” music video,</a>&nbsp;which included his laser gun battle with the pop star in a nightclub and dead unicorns.“It’s tough to compete with something that was the cultural phenomenon that ‘Dawson’s Creek’ was,” he told Vulture in 2013. “It ran for so long. That’s a lot of hours playing one character in front of people. So it’s natural that they associate you with that.”<h2>A popular GIF and ‘Varsity Blues’</h2>More than a decade after the show went off the air, a scene at the end of the show’s third season became a GIF. Dawson was watching as his soul mate embarks on a love affair with his best friend and burst into tears.“It wasn’t scripted that I was supposed to cry; it was just one of those things where it’s a magical moment and it just happens in the scene,” he told Vanity Fair. He seemed exasperated when he told the Los Angeles Times: “All of a sudden, six years of work was boiled down to one seven-second clip on loop.” (Van Der Beek himself recreated the GIF in 2011 for Funny or Die and gave it a second life.)While still on “Dawson’s Creek,” Van Der Beek hosted “Saturday Night Live” — the musical guest was Everlast — and landed a plumb role in “Varsity Blues,” playing a second-string high school quarterback who leaps into the breach when the star suffers an injury.Van Der Beek’s character, Mox, turns out to not be a football fanatic, preferring to read Kurt Vonnegut and yearning for the college education which will allow him to escape the jock mentality of his Texas town. “I don’t want your life,” he screams at one point. Critic Roger Ebert called him “convincing and likable.”<h2>After ‘Dawson’s Creek’</h2>Some of his projects after “Dawson’s Creek” include co-creating and playing Wesley “Diplo” Pentz, a dull but likable music producer in the mockumentary satire on Viceland, “What Would Diplo Do?” In 2019, he made it to the semifinals of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and played a balding, out-of-shape ex-boyfriend on “How I Met Your Mother.”“The more you make fun of yourself and don’t try to go for any kind of respect, the more people seem to respect you,” he told Vanity Fair in 2011. “I’ve always been a clown trapped in a leading man’s body.”Between 2003 and 2013, he made appearances in shows like “Criminal Minds,” “One Tree Hill,” and “How I Met Your Mother.” He played himself with a crackpot intensity in the Krysten Ritter-led ABC drama “Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23,” and the short-lived “CSI” spinoff “CSI: Cyber” and CBS’ “Friends With Better Lives.”He’s also appeared in a number of movies, such as Kevin Smith’s 2001 comedy “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” and its 2019 sequel, “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.” He also was in the Bret Easton Ellis adaptation of “The Rules of Attraction” in 2002 opposite Jessica Biel and Kate Bosworth.In 2025, he was unmasked as Griffin on “The Masked Singer,” after singing a cover of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen.<h2>Early life as a theater kid</h2>Van Der Beek, who was raised in Cheshire, Connecticut, started acting at 13 after suffering a concussion playing football that prevented him from playing for a year on doctor’s orders. He landed the role of Danny Zuko in his school production of “Grease.”He stuck with theater, landing at 16 in 1994 an off-Broadway role in “Finding the Sun” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Edward Albee and one of the sons in a revival of “Shenandoah” at the prestigious Goodspeed Opera House in his home state.He earned a scholarship to New Jersey’s Drew University but left school early when he got “Dawson’s Creek.” In 2024, he returned to campus to accept an honorary degree for his “selfless service and exemplary commitment to the mission of Drew,” the university said.Drew University President Hilary Link welcomed Van Der Beek with a popular quote from his “Dawson’s Creek” character: “Edge is fleeting,” she said, “but heart lasts forever. So on this morning, we pay tribute to that heart.”He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.___