WASHINGTON (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-election-takaichi-1df9580c5a018b28965cbed99565b4b7">Sanae Takaichi</a>&nbsp;sought to reaffirm her alliance with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday after the president this week seemed to complain that Japan was among the nations that did not quickly join his call to help protect the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ships-iran-oil-china-us-trump-hormuz-82a9acb473837f1bf7a821d0c3f95205">Strait of Hormuz</a>.

Takaichi, who met with Trump at the White House, told the Republican president that Japan has opposed Iran's development of its nuclear program and appealed to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-peacemaker-wars-legacy-7017f99ef27c15aac727928395c853c1">desire to be seen as a peacemaker</a>, despite his launching a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-nato-strait-of-hormuz-europe-4e0cf38708e9c3ba8ea2a36148620067">war of choice with Iran</a>. She told the U.S. president through an interpreter that in the Middle East and around the world now, there was “a very severe security environment,” but said, “Even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world.”

The two leaders had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-japan-south-korea-china-71658f169efc116ce01e888611955dac">warm words</a>&nbsp;for each other, including Trump calling the prime minister a “popular, powerful woman,” but there appeared to be some tension as they faced repeated questions from reporters about Japan's support for the Iran war.

As Trump fielded questions during the roughly 30-minute public appearance with the prime minister in the Oval Office before their closed-door meeting, Taikaichi could be seen checking her watch. And then Trump made a particularly uncomfortable remark — invoking Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor — when he was asked why the U.S. didn’t notify allies like Japan ahead of the strikes on Iran.

“We didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?” Trump joked.

As Trump said that, Takaichi’s slight smile appeared to drop, and she raised her eyebrows.

But the pair were all smiles in the evening, as Trump hosted a dinner in the prime minister's office. “This is a spectacular woman, and it’s an honor to have you at the White House," Trump said. Taikaichi referred to the leaders through an interpreter as “best buddies" before declaring, in English, “Japan is back.”

Earlier Thursday, the leaders of five European countries and Japan issued a joint statement demanding that Iran stop attacks on the Strait of Hormuz that block commercial shipping, and said they are ready to contribute to “appropriate efforts” to ensure ships can pass safely through the strait, though it is not clear what that entails.

Trump told reporters that he and Takaichi would be discussing in their meeting Japan’s level of support for the U.S. in the Iran war, saying, “They are really stepping up to the plate.” He did not offer details.

The president later said that much of the oil Japan relies on passes through the Strait of Hormuz and said, “so that’s a big reason to step up. He also mentioned U.S. spending in Japan and the number of troops it has stationed there.

“I expect Japan to step up, you know, because we have that kind of relationship,” Trump said.

After her meeting with Trump, Takaichi told reporters that they agreed that ensuring the safety of the Strait of Hormuz was of the utmost importance, but she gave Trump a detailed explanation of the actions Japan can and cannot take under its law.

Taikaichi’s White House visit was supposed to give Japan’s new prime minister a prime opportunity to have Trump’s ear before he embarked on a trip to China.

But now, the war in Iran and Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-nato-strait-of-hormuz-europe-4e0cf38708e9c3ba8ea2a36148620067">call for Japan and other nations</a>&nbsp;to help protect the vital Strait of Hormuz means the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-delays-china-trip-iran-3ef73e58116cc0d89aab39ed15219bf6">China trip has been delayed</a>. Trump had repeatedly complained on camera and online this week that U.S. allies, including Japan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-trump-starmer-macron-germany-caff1073f932ddb88c3d75c7c356ebc7">did not heed his request</a>&nbsp;to help safeguard the critical waterway for oil and gas transport. He later declared the help wasn’t needed, but made other comments indicating he still expected help.

The prime minister acknowledged before she left Japan that she expected her meeting with Trump would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-us-takaichi-trump-iran-security-e98099783b5ff39610c1b2dbe1b61369">be “very difficult.”</a>

Beyond facing questions about Iran, Takaichi and Trump on Thursday were working on a $40 billion nuclear reactor deal, according to a White House official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details before the deal was formally announced.

Under it, U.S.-based GE Vernova Inc. and Japan-based Hitachi Ltd. was set to build advanced small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, the official said. The deal aims to help stabilize electricity prices and expand power generation in the U.S.

Kurt Campbell, the former U.S. deputy secretary of state in the Biden administration and now chair of The Asia Group, said that to press for Japan’s interests, Takaichi needed to find a way to suggest that Japan is part of the U.S. plan in the Middle East.

“She’s going to want to come out of that as a partner in this case and realize that if she can do that, that she can translate that potentially into the president listening more to Japanese concerns about Taiwan or other issues,” Campbell said.

The constraints on Japan’s involvement in Iran include a provision in its post-World War II&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-e81086f67fa74218a22584878f764a2b">constitution that bans the use of force</a>&nbsp;except to defend its territory. The country’s military is called the Self-Defense Force.

Christopher Johnstone, a partner and chair of the defense and national security practice at The Asia Group, said Japan could help with minesweeping and has had “a small naval presence” in the region as part of an anti-piracy mission for at least a decade. But to join the U.S. mission would require Takaichi to clear “an exceptionally high bar politically to invoke collective self-defense” that has never been done before.

Takaichi wanted to focus on trade and security in the Indo-Pacific region

Takaichi, who had her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-japan-takaichi-trade-ford-trucks-e7be33728c7c3fdb6c314780c8a9a533">first meeting with Trump</a>&nbsp;in October in Tokyo, is Japan’s first female prime minister and a protégé of former leader Shinzo Abe, who developed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-japan-south-korea-china-71658f169efc116ce01e888611955dac">close relationship with Trump</a>.

She is also a hard-line conservative and longtime supporter of Taiwan, whose comments about Japan’s willingness to provide military support to the island&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-japan-takaichi-taiwan-travel-advisory-4c8000c6f2d29cccc625d378362dc91d">have heightened tensions with China</a>.

Takaichi said between her Oval Office meeting and the dinner that she and Trump discussed deepening U.S.-Japanese cooperation in regional security, critical minerals, energy and dealing with China.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-lai-chingte-china-military-drills-dcf815da920abc4c4ecc1073c779b160">China views self-governed Taiwan</a>, which the U.S. relies on for its production of computer chips, as its sovereign territory and has said it would take it by force if needed.

But the Strait of Hormuz aside, the global implications of the Iran war have also put the Japanese leader in a tougher spot with Trump as she seeks to ensure U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-china-us-north-korea-security-pacific-23f5c8e0b5f539dcf8b33261e74f7427">considers China a growing security threat</a>&nbsp;and has pushed a military buildup on southwestern islands near the East China Sea. But the U.S. has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-korea-japan-russia-china-9cfa951ff45fdefe6c48380ce5b431b5">shifted some troops</a>&nbsp;stationed in Japan to the Middle East, removing a check against China’s power.

Those troop shifts came at the same time China is launching a large number of exercises around Taiwan.

“This raises the prospect that — once again — the United States will be distracted and bogged down in the Middle East at a time when the deterrence problem in East Asia has never been greater,” Johnstone said.

Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-election-takaichi-1df9580c5a018b28965cbed99565b4b7">Sanae Takaichi</a>&nbsp;sought to reaffirm her alliance with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday after the president this week seemed to complain that Japan was among the nations that did not quickly join his call to help protect the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ships-iran-oil-china-us-trump-hormuz-82a9acb473837f1bf7a821d0c3f95205">Strait of Hormuz</a>.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump welcomes the Prime Minister of Japan to the White House 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/YSisyAedxt">pic.twitter.com/YSisyAedxt</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/2034653941200253406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Q: &quot;Why didn&#39;t you tell U.S. allies…about the war before attacking Iran?&quot;<br> <br>President Trump: &quot;We wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn&#39;t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?&quot; <a href="https://t.co/esV9iyvMiV">pic.twitter.com/esV9iyvMiV</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2034667305318187239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Takaichi, who met with Trump at the White House, told the Republican president that Japan has opposed Iran's development of its nuclear program and appealed to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-peacemaker-wars-legacy-7017f99ef27c15aac727928395c853c1">desire to be seen as a peacemaker</a>, despite his launching a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-nato-strait-of-hormuz-europe-4e0cf38708e9c3ba8ea2a36148620067">war of choice with Iran</a>. She told the U.S. president through an interpreter that in the Middle East and around the world now, there was “a very severe security environment,” but said, “Even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world.”</p><p>The two leaders had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-japan-south-korea-china-71658f169efc116ce01e888611955dac">warm words</a>&nbsp;for each other, including Trump calling the prime minister a “popular, powerful woman,” but there appeared to be some tension as they faced repeated questions from reporters about Japan's support for the Iran war.</p><p>As Trump fielded questions during the roughly 30-minute public appearance with the prime minister in the Oval Office before their closed-door meeting, Taikaichi could be seen checking her watch. And then Trump made a particularly uncomfortable remark — invoking Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor — when he was asked why the U.S. didn’t notify allies like Japan ahead of the strikes on Iran.</p><p>“We didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?” Trump joked.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Japanese Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/takaichi_sanae?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@takaichi_sanae</a>: &quot;I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world. To do so, I am ready to reach out to many of the partners in the international community to achieve our objective together.&quot; 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/EZ9rL9Xhep">pic.twitter.com/EZ9rL9Xhep</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2034660517332078595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>As Trump said that, Takaichi’s slight smile appeared to drop, and she raised her eyebrows.</p><p>But the pair were all smiles in the evening, as Trump hosted a dinner in the prime minister's office. “This is a spectacular woman, and it’s an honor to have you at the White House," Trump said. Taikaichi referred to the leaders through an interpreter as “best buddies" before declaring, in English, “Japan is back.”</p><p>Earlier Thursday, the leaders of five European countries and Japan issued a joint statement demanding that Iran stop attacks on the Strait of Hormuz that block commercial shipping, and said they are ready to contribute to “appropriate efforts” to ensure ships can pass safely through the strait, though it is not clear what that entails.</p><p>Trump told reporters that he and Takaichi would be discussing in their meeting Japan’s level of support for the U.S. in the Iran war, saying, “They are really stepping up to the plate.” He did not offer details.</p><p>The president later said that much of the oil Japan relies on passes through the Strait of Hormuz and said, “so that’s a big reason to step up. He also mentioned U.S. spending in Japan and the number of troops it has stationed there.</p><p>“I expect Japan to step up, you know, because we have that kind of relationship,” Trump said.</p><p>After her meeting with Trump, Takaichi told reporters that they agreed that ensuring the safety of the Strait of Hormuz was of the utmost importance, but she gave Trump a detailed explanation of the actions Japan can and cannot take under its law.</p><h2>A nuclear reactor deal announcement is e</h2><h2>xpected</h2><p>Taikaichi’s White House visit was supposed to give Japan’s new prime minister a prime opportunity to have Trump’s ear before he embarked on a trip to China.</p><p>But now, the war in Iran and Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-nato-strait-of-hormuz-europe-4e0cf38708e9c3ba8ea2a36148620067">call for Japan and other nations</a>&nbsp;to help protect the vital Strait of Hormuz means the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-delays-china-trip-iran-3ef73e58116cc0d89aab39ed15219bf6">China trip has been delayed</a>. Trump had repeatedly complained on camera and online this week that U.S. allies, including Japan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-trump-starmer-macron-germany-caff1073f932ddb88c3d75c7c356ebc7">did not heed his request</a>&nbsp;to help safeguard the critical waterway for oil and gas transport. He later declared the help wasn’t needed, but made other comments indicating he still expected help.</p><p>The prime minister acknowledged before she left Japan that she expected her meeting with Trump would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-us-takaichi-trump-iran-security-e98099783b5ff39610c1b2dbe1b61369">be “very difficult.”</a></p><p>Beyond facing questions about Iran, Takaichi and Trump on Thursday were working on a $40 billion nuclear reactor deal, according to a White House official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details before the deal was formally announced.</p><p>Under it, U.S.-based GE Vernova Inc. and Japan-based Hitachi Ltd. was set to build advanced small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, the official said. The deal aims to help stabilize electricity prices and expand power generation in the U.S.</p><h2>The meeting carried high stakes</h2><p>Kurt Campbell, the former U.S. deputy secretary of state in the Biden administration and now chair of The Asia Group, said that to press for Japan’s interests, Takaichi needed to find a way to suggest that Japan is part of the U.S. plan in the Middle East.</p><p>“She’s going to want to come out of that as a partner in this case and realize that if she can do that, that she can translate that potentially into the president listening more to Japanese concerns about Taiwan or other issues,” Campbell said.</p><p>The constraints on Japan’s involvement in Iran include a provision in its post-World War II&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-e81086f67fa74218a22584878f764a2b">constitution that bans the use of force</a>&nbsp;except to defend its territory. The country’s military is called the Self-Defense Force.</p><p>Christopher Johnstone, a partner and chair of the defense and national security practice at The Asia Group, said Japan could help with minesweeping and has had “a small naval presence” in the region as part of an anti-piracy mission for at least a decade. But to join the U.S. mission would require Takaichi to clear “an exceptionally high bar politically to invoke collective self-defense” that has never been done before.</p><h2>Takaichi wanted to focus on trade and security in the Indo-Pacific region</h2><p>Takaichi, who had her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-japan-takaichi-trade-ford-trucks-e7be33728c7c3fdb6c314780c8a9a533">first meeting with Trump</a>&nbsp;in October in Tokyo, is Japan’s first female prime minister and a protégé of former leader Shinzo Abe, who developed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-japan-south-korea-china-71658f169efc116ce01e888611955dac">close relationship with Trump</a>.</p><p>She is also a hard-line conservative and longtime supporter of Taiwan, whose comments about Japan’s willingness to provide military support to the island&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-japan-takaichi-taiwan-travel-advisory-4c8000c6f2d29cccc625d378362dc91d">have heightened tensions with China</a>.</p><p>Takaichi said between her Oval Office meeting and the dinner that she and Trump discussed deepening U.S.-Japanese cooperation in regional security, critical minerals, energy and dealing with China.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-lai-chingte-china-military-drills-dcf815da920abc4c4ecc1073c779b160">China views self-governed Taiwan</a>, which the U.S. relies on for its production of computer chips, as its sovereign territory and has said it would take it by force if needed.</p><p>But the Strait of Hormuz aside, the global implications of the Iran war have also put the Japanese leader in a tougher spot with Trump as she seeks to ensure U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.</p><p>Japan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-china-us-north-korea-security-pacific-23f5c8e0b5f539dcf8b33261e74f7427">considers China a growing security threat</a>&nbsp;and has pushed a military buildup on southwestern islands near the East China Sea. But the U.S. has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-korea-japan-russia-china-9cfa951ff45fdefe6c48380ce5b431b5">shifted some troops</a>&nbsp;stationed in Japan to the Middle East, removing a check against China’s power.</p><p>Those troop shifts came at the same time China is launching a large number of exercises around Taiwan.</p><p>“This raises the prospect that — once again — the United States will be distracted and bogged down in the Middle East at a time when the deterrence problem in East Asia has never been greater,” Johnstone said.</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.</p>

🎥President Trump jokes about Pearl Harbor to Japan's Prime Minister 

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/andrew-dalton">ANDREW DALTON</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/alicia-rancilio">ALICIA RANCILIO</a>

LOS ANGELES (AP) — ABC has scrubbed the upcoming season of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-frankie-paul-bachelorette-mormon-wives-d12764245f35ef4c690ad0c497853a40">“The Bachelorette,” starring Taylor Frankie Paul,</a>&nbsp;citing a newly released video from 2023.

Thursday’s unprecedented cancellation of the already filmed season of the long-running reality television show comes days before it was to premiere, on Sunday.

“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a statement from Disney Entertainment Television said.

The statement appeared to reference a 2023 video of an altercation between Paul and Mortensen that was published by TMZ on Thursday. Paul was arrested in 2023 and charged with aggravated assault and other offenses, including domestic violence in the presence of a child. She pleaded guilty that August to a misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault; the other charges were dismissed.

A police spokesperson in Draper City, Utah, told People magazine that there was an open domestic violence investigation of Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, and that allegations have been made in both directions. Mortensen is the father of one of Paul’s three children.

Representatives for Paul and Mortensen didn’t immediately return requests for comment. ABC’s statement didn’t include details on what the network planned to do with the show’s timeslot.

Paul, who was promoting Season 22 as recently as Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and on the red carpet before Sunday’s Oscars telecast, was an unusual choice to helm “The Bachelorette.” Unlike previous leads, the 31-year-old had not appeared on the “Bachelor” franchise before — a departure from the typical practice of casting runners-up from previous seasons.

Her selection did offer synergy, though, as she also stars on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” a Hulu reality show. Both Hulu and ABC are owned by Disney. In a statement confirming her casting in October, ABC credited Paul with “igniting ‘MomTok’ and going viral for pulling back the curtain on Salt Lake’s soft-swinging scene.”

Paul became known as an influencer in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruby-franke-child-influencer-protections-utah-d9702b22c9ea7adba6e15003971493ce">the #MomTok community,</a>&nbsp;a group of women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sharing their lives on TikTok. She made news when she announced, in 2022, that she had “stepped out” of an agreement with her husband in terms of relationships with other couples and they were getting divorced.

Paul posted on Instagram in December that filming had wrapped on “The Bachelorette,” which is hosted by Jesse Palmer.

<p>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/andrew-dalton">ANDREW DALTON</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/alicia-rancilio">ALICIA RANCILIO</a></p><p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — ABC has scrubbed the upcoming season of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-frankie-paul-bachelorette-mormon-wives-d12764245f35ef4c690ad0c497853a40">“The Bachelorette,” starring Taylor Frankie Paul,</a>&nbsp;citing a newly released video from 2023.</p><p>Thursday’s unprecedented cancellation of the already filmed season of the long-running reality television show comes days before it was to premiere, on Sunday.</p><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUi5FzkknKL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUi5FzkknKL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by The Bachelorette (@bacheloretteabc)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div><p>“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a statement from Disney Entertainment Television said.</p><p>The statement appeared to reference a 2023 video of an altercation between Paul and Mortensen that was published by TMZ on Thursday. Paul was arrested in 2023 and charged with aggravated assault and other offenses, including domestic violence in the presence of a child. She pleaded guilty that August to a misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault; the other charges were dismissed.</p><p>A police spokesperson in Draper City, Utah, told People magazine that there was an open domestic violence investigation of Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, and that allegations have been made in both directions. Mortensen is the father of one of Paul’s three children.</p><p>Representatives for Paul and Mortensen didn’t immediately return requests for comment. ABC’s statement didn’t include details on what the network planned to do with the show’s timeslot.</p><p>Paul, who was promoting Season 22 as recently as Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and on the red carpet before Sunday’s Oscars telecast, was an unusual choice to helm “The Bachelorette.” Unlike previous leads, the 31-year-old had not appeared on the “Bachelor” franchise before — a departure from the typical practice of casting runners-up from previous seasons.</p><p>Her selection did offer synergy, though, as she also stars on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” a Hulu reality show. Both Hulu and ABC are owned by Disney. In a statement confirming her casting in October, ABC credited Paul with “igniting ‘MomTok’ and going viral for pulling back the curtain on Salt Lake’s soft-swinging scene.”</p><p>Paul became known as an influencer in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruby-franke-child-influencer-protections-utah-d9702b22c9ea7adba6e15003971493ce">the #MomTok community,</a>&nbsp;a group of women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sharing their lives on TikTok. She made news when she announced, in 2022, that she had “stepped out” of an agreement with her husband in terms of relationships with other couples and they were getting divorced.</p><p>Paul posted on Instagram in December that filming had wrapped on “The Bachelorette,” which is hosted by Jesse Palmer.</p>

Why ABC canceled The Bachelorette 3 days before premiere 

Josephine Mary Riedel (Jo
Marie), a beloved sister and a cherished friend, passed away on November 2,
2025, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touched.&nbsp; She was born on October 4, 1954, to Albert A.
Riedel and Josephine P. (Meier) Riedel.&nbsp;
Jomarie’s journey through life was characterized by her kindness, joyous
spirit, and her ability to uplift those around her.

Jomarie began her
professional career as a Medical Administrator in the psychology field, where
she made significant contribution to the well-being of others.&nbsp; Later in life she became a bookkeeper at the
Quality Inn Hotel in Taos, NM, where her bright personality and exceptional
organizational skills led her to become the manager in 2012.&nbsp; Her dedication to her work was paralleled by
her compassionate nature.

As a resident of Kansas,
Texas and New Mexico, Jomarie’s vivacious spirit shone through in her hobbies
and interests.&nbsp; She had an unwavering
love for animals, always rescuing and caring for those in need.&nbsp; A true horse lover at heart, she spent many
joyful moments raising and riding horses, and her home was never without the
companionship of a parrot, a cat or two and the playful affection of dogs.

Jomarie’s fun-loving
personality made her a great sister and an enjoyable presence in the lives of
her family.&nbsp; Her siblings, Bert Riedel,
Drew Riedel and Mary Jo Oringderff recount countless memories of laughter and
joy shared with her.&nbsp; 

Among her proudest
accomplishments was the heartfelt care she provided to her parents in Hays,
Kansas in 2007 to 2011.&nbsp; Jomarie’s
dedication and love for her family were evident throughout her life, and she
will be clearly missed.

Jomarie was also a loving
and devoted mother to her adopted son, Steven.&nbsp;
Her legacy of kindness and laughter will continue to inspire all who had
the privilege of knowing her.

A memorial service to
celebrate Jomarie’s life was held on November 15, 2025, at Rivera Family &amp;
Cremations of Taos, in Taos, NM.&nbsp; There
will be an interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery Hays on Friday, April 10, 2026,
at 1:00pm.

As we remember Jomarie
Riedel, we hold onto the joy and love she brought into our lives, and we are
grateful for every moment shared with such a remarkable woman.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773935415061.jpeg" alt="Josephine Mary Riedel (Jo Marie)" />
                        <figcaption>Josephine Mary Riedel (Jo Marie)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Josephine Mary Riedel (Jo
Marie), a beloved sister and a cherished friend, passed away on November 2,
2025, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touched.&nbsp; She was born on October 4, 1954, to Albert A.
Riedel and Josephine P. (Meier) Riedel.&nbsp;
Jomarie’s journey through life was characterized by her kindness, joyous
spirit, and her ability to uplift those around her.</p><p>Jomarie began her
professional career as a Medical Administrator in the psychology field, where
she made significant contribution to the well-being of others.&nbsp; Later in life she became a bookkeeper at the
Quality Inn Hotel in Taos, NM, where her bright personality and exceptional
organizational skills led her to become the manager in 2012.&nbsp; Her dedication to her work was paralleled by
her compassionate nature.</p><p>As a resident of Kansas,
Texas and New Mexico, Jomarie’s vivacious spirit shone through in her hobbies
and interests.&nbsp; She had an unwavering
love for animals, always rescuing and caring for those in need.&nbsp; A true horse lover at heart, she spent many
joyful moments raising and riding horses, and her home was never without the
companionship of a parrot, a cat or two and the playful affection of dogs.</p><p>Jomarie’s fun-loving
personality made her a great sister and an enjoyable presence in the lives of
her family.&nbsp; Her siblings, Bert Riedel,
Drew Riedel and Mary Jo Oringderff recount countless memories of laughter and
joy shared with her.&nbsp; </p><p>Among her proudest
accomplishments was the heartfelt care she provided to her parents in Hays,
Kansas in 2007 to 2011.&nbsp; Jomarie’s
dedication and love for her family were evident throughout her life, and she
will be clearly missed.</p><p>Jomarie was also a loving
and devoted mother to her adopted son, Steven.&nbsp;
Her legacy of kindness and laughter will continue to inspire all who had
the privilege of knowing her.</p><p>A memorial service to
celebrate Jomarie’s life was held on November 15, 2025, at Rivera Family &amp;
Cremations of Taos, in Taos, NM.&nbsp; There
will be an interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery Hays on Friday, April 10, 2026,
at 1:00pm.</p><p>As we remember Jomarie
Riedel, we hold onto the joy and love she brought into our lives, and we are
grateful for every moment shared with such a remarkable woman.</p>

Josephine Mary Riedel (Jo Marie)

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Three suspects accused in the drug overdose death of a 15-year-old Kansas girl were back in court Monday for a preliminary hearing.

Judge Jeffrey Syrios ruled there is enough evidence for Danielle Wheeler, 53; Isaac L. Hord, 24 and Niklas Wiley, 24, to face a trial in the drug overdose death of 15-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/kennedy-herren" target="_blank">Kennedy Herren</a>, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In October, Wheeler was charged with&nbsp; involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in Herren's death. Hord and Wiley were both charged with first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child. Wiley is also facing charges of criminal sodomy, sexual exploitation of a child and aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the district attorney's office.

On September 14, police responded to the report of a deceased 15-year-old in Wichita, according to a media release from police. The investigation determined the death of Kennedy Herren was the result of a drug overdose.

Since then, Wichita police overdose analyst worked to pursue justice and ensure accountability for the people responsible for this senseless death.&nbsp;

On October 15,&nbsp;K-9 officers arrested 24-year-old Isaac L. Hord and on October 19 they arrested 24-year-old Niklas Wiley in connection with this case. Wheeler was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on October 22, according to online jail records. She met the requirement for bond and is no longer in custody.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760610637070.png" alt="Hord photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Hord photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Three suspects accused in the drug overdose death of a 15-year-old Kansas girl were back in court Monday for a preliminary hearing.</p><p>Judge Jeffrey Syrios ruled there is enough evidence for Danielle Wheeler, 53; Isaac L. Hord, 24 and Niklas Wiley, 24, to face a trial in the drug overdose death of 15-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/kennedy-herren" target="_blank">Kennedy Herren</a>, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.</p><p>In October, Wheeler was charged with&nbsp; involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in Herren's death. Hord and Wiley were both charged with first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child. Wiley is also facing charges of criminal sodomy, sexual exploitation of a child and aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the district attorney's office.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761260796231.png" alt="Wheeler photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Wheeler photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>On September 14, police responded to the report of a deceased 15-year-old in Wichita, according to a media release from police. The investigation determined the death of Kennedy Herren was the result of a drug overdose.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761079684304.png" alt="-<a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/kennedy-herren" target="_blank">Kennedy Herren</a>&nbsp;-photo courtesy Cozine Memorial Group" />
                        <figcaption>-<a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/kennedy-herren" target="_blank">Kennedy Herren</a>&nbsp;-photo courtesy Cozine Memorial Group</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Since then, Wichita police overdose analyst worked to pursue justice and ensure accountability for the people responsible for this senseless death.&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761265375529.png" alt="Wiley-photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Wiley-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>On October 15,&nbsp;K-9 officers arrested 24-year-old Isaac L. Hord and on October 19 they arrested 24-year-old Niklas Wiley in connection with this case. Wheeler was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on October 22, according to online jail records. She met the requirement for bond and is no longer in custody.</p>

Judge: 3 will face arraignment for Kan. girl's overdose death 

By&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/konstantin-toropin">KONSTANTIN TOROPIN</a><br>Associated Press

Last week's fire on an aircraft carrier lasted hours and destroyed dozens of bed, according to Associated. Press sources.

The non-combat fire in the laundry room of the Navy’s newest and largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, rendered more than 100 beds unusable and led to about 200 sailors being assessed for smoke inhalation, two military officials told The Associated Press.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the details with the media, said that the fire was extinguished in a few hours, while broader damage control efforts took around 30 hours. Sailors spent the bulk of that time watching for flareups, draining water, and clearing damage.

The officials said the damage caused by the blaze meant that some sailors had to sleep in temporary accommodations, like cots.

All the impacted crew have returned to duty except for one sailor that was evacuated from the ship Friday. The Navy said they were in stable condition.

The New York Times was the first to report details about the fire.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696803172229.png" alt="File photo The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October 2024-photo U.S. Central Command" />
                        <figcaption>File photo The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October 2024-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/konstantin-toropin">KONSTANTIN TOROPIN</a><br>Associated Press</p><p>Last week's fire on an aircraft carrier lasted hours and destroyed dozens of bed, according to Associated. Press sources.</p><p>The non-combat fire in the laundry room of the Navy’s newest and largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, rendered more than 100 beds unusable and led to about 200 sailors being assessed for smoke inhalation, two military officials told The Associated Press.</p><p>The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the details with the media, said that the fire was extinguished in a few hours, while broader damage control efforts took around 30 hours. Sailors spent the bulk of that time watching for flareups, draining water, and clearing damage.</p><p>The officials said the damage caused by the blaze meant that some sailors had to sleep in temporary accommodations, like cots.</p><p>All the impacted crew have returned to duty except for one sailor that was evacuated from the ship Friday. The Navy said they were in stable condition.</p><p>The New York Times was the first to report details about the fire.</p>

New details on fire aboard aircraft carrier in support of Operation Epic Fury

Marjorie Lee Pohlman, 94, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, March 13,
2026, at the Main Street Manor in Russell, Kansas.

Marjorie was born on October 10, 1931, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter
of Paul and Theresa (Reissig) Dumler.&nbsp;
She grew up in Russell, Kansas, and graduated from Russell High School
in the class of 1949.&nbsp; She was united in
marriage to Adam Henry “Hank” Pohlman on April 19, 1959, in Russell,
Kansas.&nbsp; From this union Marj and Hank
were blessed with two children, Barbara and Harold.&nbsp; The family made their home in Natoma,
Kansas, until the decision was made to close the Home Furnishing portion of the
Family Business.&nbsp; During the closing
process Henry and Marge made an offer to purchase the Russell Mortuary in Russell,
Kansas, from D.J. Helm and his wife Josephine.&nbsp;
They took over this business on January 1, 1966, and moved to Russell to
make their home at that time.&nbsp; In order to
help run the funeral home and meet with families, Marj was very proud to
achieve her funeral director’s license.&nbsp;
She worked shoulder to shoulder with Hank to service the funeral needs
of the Russell community and surrounding areas.&nbsp;
They worked to make the funeral home successful for 40 years until they
sold the mortuary on April 01, 2006, to Don Varner, Jr. and Darren Peeler. &nbsp;She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran
Church in Russell and was also a member of the church Altar Guild.&nbsp; Marj loved serving and visiting with her
customers and members of the community.&nbsp;
You could always see her and Hank greeting people who were attending
their funeral services.&nbsp; Most of all she
loved being a homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother.&nbsp; Spending time with her family, especially her
grandchildren, was the most cherished times of her life.

Surviving family include her
daughter Barbara Krug and husband Brad of Russell, Kansas; grandchildren
Christina Kerns and husband Theo Mullen of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Brett
Pohlman and wife Ashley of Hays, Kansas and Heather Pohlman of Russell, Kansas
and great grandchildren Mason, Royce and Lennox Pohlman.

She was preceded in death by her
parents, husband Hank on March 05, 2010, son Harold Pohlman on July 06, 2020,
brothers Norman and Jimmy Dumler and sisters Vera Gregson and Annie Vopat and
daughter in law Londa Pohlman.

A celebration of Marjorie’s life
will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the St. John
Lutheran Church in Russell.&nbsp; Burial will
follow at the Russell City Cemetery.&nbsp;
Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 18,
2026, at the mortuary, with family greeting guests from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday evening.&nbsp; Memorials can be
given to the RCACF Pohlman Family Scholarship Fund and sent in care of the
mortuary.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.&nbsp; 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773754204968.jpeg" alt="Marjorie Lee Pohlman" />
                        <figcaption>Marjorie Lee Pohlman</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Marjorie Lee Pohlman, 94, of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, March 13,
2026, at the Main Street Manor in Russell, Kansas.</p><p>Marjorie was born on October 10, 1931, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter
of Paul and Theresa (Reissig) Dumler.&nbsp;
She grew up in Russell, Kansas, and graduated from Russell High School
in the class of 1949.&nbsp; She was united in
marriage to Adam Henry “Hank” Pohlman on April 19, 1959, in Russell,
Kansas.&nbsp; From this union Marj and Hank
were blessed with two children, Barbara and Harold.&nbsp; The family made their home in Natoma,
Kansas, until the decision was made to close the Home Furnishing portion of the
Family Business.&nbsp; During the closing
process Henry and Marge made an offer to purchase the Russell Mortuary in Russell,
Kansas, from D.J. Helm and his wife Josephine.&nbsp;
They took over this business on January 1, 1966, and moved to Russell to
make their home at that time.&nbsp; In order to
help run the funeral home and meet with families, Marj was very proud to
achieve her funeral director’s license.&nbsp;
She worked shoulder to shoulder with Hank to service the funeral needs
of the Russell community and surrounding areas.&nbsp;
They worked to make the funeral home successful for 40 years until they
sold the mortuary on April 01, 2006, to Don Varner, Jr. and Darren Peeler. &nbsp;She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran
Church in Russell and was also a member of the church Altar Guild.&nbsp; Marj loved serving and visiting with her
customers and members of the community.&nbsp;
You could always see her and Hank greeting people who were attending
their funeral services.&nbsp; Most of all she
loved being a homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother.&nbsp; Spending time with her family, especially her
grandchildren, was the most cherished times of her life.</p><p>Surviving family include her
daughter Barbara Krug and husband Brad of Russell, Kansas; grandchildren
Christina Kerns and husband Theo Mullen of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Brett
Pohlman and wife Ashley of Hays, Kansas and Heather Pohlman of Russell, Kansas
and great grandchildren Mason, Royce and Lennox Pohlman.</p><p>She was preceded in death by her
parents, husband Hank on March 05, 2010, son Harold Pohlman on July 06, 2020,
brothers Norman and Jimmy Dumler and sisters Vera Gregson and Annie Vopat and
daughter in law Londa Pohlman.</p><p>A celebration of Marjorie’s life
will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the St. John
Lutheran Church in Russell.&nbsp; Burial will
follow at the Russell City Cemetery.&nbsp;
Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 18,
2026, at the mortuary, with family greeting guests from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday evening.&nbsp; Memorials can be
given to the RCACF Pohlman Family Scholarship Fund and sent in care of the
mortuary.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.&nbsp; </p>

Marjorie Lee Pohlman, 94

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Three suspects accused in the drug overdose death of a 15-year-old Kansas girl are due back in court Monday.

Danielle Wheeler, 53; Isaac L. Hord, 24 and Niklas Wiley, 24, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing in&nbsp;Judge Jeffrey Syrios courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In October, Wheeler was charged with&nbsp; involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in the death of 15-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/kennedy-herren" target="_blank">Kennedy Herren</a>, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. Hord and Wiley have both been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child. Wiley is also facing charges of criminal sodomy,  sexual exploitation of a child and  aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the district attorney's office.

Both men remain in custody in the Sedgwick Count Jail. Hord on a one-million dollar bond and Wiley on bonds totaling over $1,250,000 according to online jail records.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760610637070.png" alt="Hord-photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Hord-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Three suspects accused in the drug overdose death of a 15-year-old Kansas girl are due back in court Monday.</p><p>Danielle Wheeler, 53; Isaac L. Hord, 24 and Niklas Wiley, 24, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing in&nbsp;Judge Jeffrey Syrios courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.</p><p>In October, Wheeler was charged with&nbsp; involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in the death of 15-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/kennedy-herren" target="_blank">Kennedy Herren</a>, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. Hord and Wiley have both been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child. Wiley is also facing charges of criminal sodomy,  sexual exploitation of a child and  aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the district attorney's office.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761260796231.png" alt="Wheeler photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Wheeler photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>On September 14, police responded to the report of a deceased 15-year-old in Wichita, according to a media release from police. The investigation determined the death of Kennedy Herren was the result of a drug overdose.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761079684304.png" alt="-<a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/kennedy-herren" target="_blank">Kennedy Herren</a>&nbsp;-photo courtesy Cozine Memorial Group" />
                        <figcaption>-<a href="https://www.cozine.com/obituaries/kennedy-herren" target="_blank">Kennedy Herren</a>&nbsp;-photo courtesy Cozine Memorial Group</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Since then, Wichita police overdose analyst worked to pursue justice and ensure accountability for the people responsible for this senseless death.&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761265375529.png" alt="Wiley-photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Wiley-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>On October 15,&nbsp;K-9 officers arrested 24-year-old Isaac L. Hord and on October 19 they arrested 24-year-old Niklas Wiley in connection with this case. Wheeler was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on October 22, according to online jail records. She met the requirement for bond and is no longer in custody.</p><p>Both men remain in custody in the Sedgwick Count Jail. Hord on a one-million dollar bond and Wiley on bonds totaling over $1,250,000 according to online jail records.</p>

Preliminary hearing for 3 in Kansas teen's overdose death

MIAMI COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations after an alleged violent attack on her mother.

Just before 11a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 601 17th Street in Osawatomie where a woman had reportdly fled to home after being struck in the head and body multiple times with a baseball bat,&nbsp;according to Police Chief David Stuteville.

The victim was identified as 68-year-old Tina L. Day and the alleged suspect her 50-year-old daughter Anegela M. Platt.

Miami County EMS transported Day to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Meanshile, Platt locked herself inside the home and would not respond to police.

After multiple attempts to get Platt to exit the home, an officer finally convinced Platt to step outside onto an elevated deck at the rear of the home.&nbsp; As the officer and Platt were talking, two officers including Chief Stuteville made their up the side of the deck near the residence, as to be able to keep Platt from being able to go back inside. Once on the deck, Platt was safely taken into custody without futher incident.

After getting a search warrant, officers collected evidence related to the reported assault of Mrs. Day.

Platt was transported to the Miami County Jail where she is being held on requested charges of aggravated domestic battery and criminal damage to property.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773658026439.png" alt="Platt from an October drug arrest in Johnson County" />
                        <figcaption>Platt from an October drug arrest in Johnson County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>MIAMI COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations after an alleged violent attack on her mother.</p><p>Just before 11a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 601 17th Street in Osawatomie where a woman had reportdly fled to home after being struck in the head and body multiple times with a baseball bat,&nbsp;according to Police Chief David Stuteville.</p><p>The victim was identified as 68-year-old Tina L. Day and the alleged suspect her 50-year-old daughter Anegela M. Platt.</p><p>Miami County EMS transported Day to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Meanshile, Platt locked herself inside the home and would not respond to police.</p><p>After multiple attempts to get Platt to exit the home, an officer finally convinced Platt to step outside onto an elevated deck at the rear of the home.&nbsp; As the officer and Platt were talking, two officers including Chief Stuteville made their up the side of the deck near the residence, as to be able to keep Platt from being able to go back inside. Once on the deck, Platt was safely taken into custody without futher incident.</p><p>After getting a search warrant, officers collected evidence related to the reported assault of Mrs. Day.</p><p>Platt was transported to the Miami County Jail where she is being held on requested charges of aggravated domestic battery and criminal damage to property.</p>

Kan. woman accused of baseball bat attack on her mother

WASHINGTON —Two U.S. sailors are recovering after a fire on board an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea.

On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces, according to a statement fro&nbsp;U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet.

The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained.

There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.

Two Sailors are currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. The U.S. Navy reported no additional details

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696803172229.png" alt="File photo The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October 2024-photo U.S. Central Command" />
                        <figcaption>File photo The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October 2024-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON —Two U.S. sailors are recovering after a fire on board an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea.</p><p>On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) experienced a fire that originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces, according to a statement fro&nbsp;U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet.</p><p>The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained.</p><p>There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.</p><p>Two Sailors are currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. The U.S. Navy reported no additional details</p><p>The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury.</p>

2 injured after fire aboard aircraft carrier in support of Operation Epic Fury

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's unrelenting attacks on shipping traffic and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf pushed oil back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-stocks-markets-iran-crude-trump-45f78a8cfe9a5c7e1a2279150a2f90f1">above $100 a barrel</a>&nbsp;on Thursday, as American and Israeli strikes pounded the Islamic Republic with no sign of an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">the war</a>&nbsp;in sight.

Iran is trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-war-attrition-analysis-5d7e50c3a6da57414bbf4a5e255e4a7e">inflict enough global economic pain</a>&nbsp;to pressure the United States and Israel to halt their bombardment, which started the war on Feb. 28. Iran's president said its attacks would continue until Iran gets security guarantees against another assault, indicating that even a ceasefire or U.S. declaration of victory might not halt the conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump has meanwhile promised to “finish the job,” even though he claimed Iran is “virtually destroyed.”

Iran-backed Hezbollah militants meanwhile launched some 200 rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel while sirens rang out and loud booms from the interception of Iranian missiles could be heard in other areas. Israel launched another wave of attacks on Tehran and in Lebanon, where 11 people were killed.

The U.N. refugee agency said up to 3.2 million people in Iran have been displaced by the ongoing war. It said most have fled from Tehran and other major cities toward the north of the country or rural areas. It says at least 759,000 people have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/lebanon-shelter-hezbollah-israel-war-487792d7f62cfc2c5d9d20a2fd62fea1">internally displaced in Lebanon</a>.

Iranian officials dismiss any notion of backing down

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian suggested online Thursday that for the war to end, the world would need to recognize Iran’s “legitimate rights,” pay reparations and offer guarantees against future attacks.

In addition to attacking energy infrastructure around the region, Iran has a stranglehold on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-hormuz-iran-energy-war-5b60e82ef2fc68e2b43aa570a32404dd">Strait of Hormuz</a>, the waterway leading from the Persian Gulf toward the Indian Ocean through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported.

Amid speculation that the U.S. might target Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, Iran’s main oil terminal, Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf threatened in a social media post that any attempt to take Iranian islands would “make the Persian Gulf run with the blood of invaders.”

With traffic in the strait effectively stopped, the price of Brent crude oil, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-oil-europe-reserve-release-eaf0cf9988cd7e06f0dc2a8ee800762e">international standard</a>, rose another 9% to more than $100 a barrel, up some 38% over what it cost when the war started. Prices have swung back and forth in recent days, at one point surging to around $120 a barrel.

Iran and Hezbollah launch multiple attacks on Israel

It was a sleepless night for many Israelis as Hezbollah launched some 200 rockets at the country’s north and deeper into Israel, according to the Israeli military.

“The noise was extraordinary, it was really scary,” said Naama Porat, a resident of the rural community of Klil, some 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Lebanese border. As the sound of explosions and interceptions rang out, she dashed with her son to a shelter and spent the night there.

No serious injuries were reported, but the extent of the fire shook residents of the north, who have repeatedly been told by their leaders that Hezbollah was dealt a devastating blow in 2024 during its last war with Israel.

“They have stocks of weapons and it just doesn’t end. We don’t know how much and what to expect,” Porat said.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanon that if its government does not prevent Hezbollah from attacking, Israel “will take the territory and do it ourselves.”

More than 20 killed in strikes on Lebanon and Iran

Israel, meantime, hit a car in a seaside area of Lebanon's capital where dozens of displaced people have been sheltering, killing eight and wounding 31, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. The Israeli military said it was “not aware” of a strike at that location.

The Israeli military said it struck a nuclear facility in Iran in recent days. Israel had destroyed the “Taleghan 2” site in an airstrike in October 2024. Earlier this year satellite photos raised concerns that Iran was working to restore the facility.

The U.S. and Israel say that destroying whatever remains of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-nuclear-timeline-war-146b4072f1f6cc43cfd3bde740313a5c">Iran's nuclear program</a>&nbsp;is one of the central aims of the war. They have long suspected Iran seeks nuclear weapons, while the Islamic Republic says its nuclear program is peaceful.

In Tehran, security force checkpoints came under attack for the first time on Wednesday night, the semiofficial Fars news agency reported. At least 10 people were killed in the suspected drone assaults.

Israel and the U.S. military did not immediately respond to requests for comment over whether they were behind the attacks.

Iran fires at Gulf Arab countries and hits ship in Persian Gulf

Iran’s latest attacks on its Gulf neighbors flouted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-11-2026-oil-prices-24243b5c1e1f32ea8ff52b9a02822396">a U.N. Security Council resolution</a>&nbsp;approved Wednesday.

Early Thursday, a container ship was hit with a projectile off the coast of Dubai, sparking a small fire, according to British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center. It said the crew were safe.

An Iranian attack sparked a major fire on Muharraq Island, home to Bahrain's international airport. Kuwait authorities said an Iranian drone smashed into a residential building, wounding two people, and that a drone attack on Kuwait International Airport had caused damage but no casualties.

The UAE said it had activated air defenses twice to protect the futuristic city of Dubai from attacks, and firefighters extinguished a blaze at a tower after a drone hit.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, said it shot down a drone targeting the diplomatic quarter in its capital, Riyadh, and other drones in the east, including at least one trying to target its Shaybah oil field.

Following an attack on Iraq's Basra port Wednesday that killed at least one person, officials said Thursday that operations were halted at all the country's oil terminals.

In the UAE, Citibank said it would close all but one of its branches due to an Iranian threat — not yet realized — to target financial institutions in the region.

Melzer reported from Mitzpe Hila, Israel and Rising from Bangkok. Associated Press writer Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773309566054.png" alt="Image from video. provided by Bahrain Interior Ministry via Associated Press" />
                        <figcaption>Image from video. provided by Bahrain Interior Ministry via Associated Press</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's unrelenting attacks on shipping traffic and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf pushed oil back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-stocks-markets-iran-crude-trump-45f78a8cfe9a5c7e1a2279150a2f90f1">above $100 a barrel</a>&nbsp;on Thursday, as American and Israeli strikes pounded the Islamic Republic with no sign of an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">the war</a>&nbsp;in sight.</p><p>Iran is trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-war-attrition-analysis-5d7e50c3a6da57414bbf4a5e255e4a7e">inflict enough global economic pain</a>&nbsp;to pressure the United States and Israel to halt their bombardment, which started the war on Feb. 28. Iran's president said its attacks would continue until Iran gets security guarantees against another assault, indicating that even a ceasefire or U.S. declaration of victory might not halt the conflict.</p><p>U.S. President Donald Trump has meanwhile promised to “finish the job,” even though he claimed Iran is “virtually destroyed.”</p><p>Iran-backed Hezbollah militants meanwhile launched some 200 rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel while sirens rang out and loud booms from the interception of Iranian missiles could be heard in other areas. Israel launched another wave of attacks on Tehran and in Lebanon, where 11 people were killed.</p><p>The U.N. refugee agency said up to 3.2 million people in Iran have been displaced by the ongoing war. It said most have fled from Tehran and other major cities toward the north of the country or rural areas. It says at least 759,000 people have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/lebanon-shelter-hezbollah-israel-war-487792d7f62cfc2c5d9d20a2fd62fea1">internally displaced in Lebanon</a>.</p><h2>Iranian officials dismiss any notion of backing down</h2><p>Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian suggested online Thursday that for the war to end, the world would need to recognize Iran’s “legitimate rights,” pay reparations and offer guarantees against future attacks.</p><p>In addition to attacking energy infrastructure around the region, Iran has a stranglehold on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-hormuz-iran-energy-war-5b60e82ef2fc68e2b43aa570a32404dd">Strait of Hormuz</a>, the waterway leading from the Persian Gulf toward the Indian Ocean through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported.</p><p>Amid speculation that the U.S. might target Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, Iran’s main oil terminal, Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf threatened in a social media post that any attempt to take Iranian islands would “make the Persian Gulf run with the blood of invaders.”</p><p>With traffic in the strait effectively stopped, the price of Brent crude oil, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-oil-europe-reserve-release-eaf0cf9988cd7e06f0dc2a8ee800762e">international standard</a>, rose another 9% to more than $100 a barrel, up some 38% over what it cost when the war started. Prices have swung back and forth in recent days, at one point surging to around $120 a barrel.</p><h2>Iran and Hezbollah launch multiple attacks on Israel</h2><p>It was a sleepless night for many Israelis as Hezbollah launched some 200 rockets at the country’s north and deeper into Israel, according to the Israeli military.</p><p>“The noise was extraordinary, it was really scary,” said Naama Porat, a resident of the rural community of Klil, some 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Lebanese border. As the sound of explosions and interceptions rang out, she dashed with her son to a shelter and spent the night there.</p><p>No serious injuries were reported, but the extent of the fire shook residents of the north, who have repeatedly been told by their leaders that Hezbollah was dealt a devastating blow in 2024 during its last war with Israel.</p><p>“They have stocks of weapons and it just doesn’t end. We don’t know how much and what to expect,” Porat said.</p><p>Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanon that if its government does not prevent Hezbollah from attacking, Israel “will take the territory and do it ourselves.”</p><h2>More than 20 killed in strikes on Lebanon and Iran</h2><p>Israel, meantime, hit a car in a seaside area of Lebanon's capital where dozens of displaced people have been sheltering, killing eight and wounding 31, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. The Israeli military said it was “not aware” of a strike at that location.</p><p>The Israeli military said it struck a nuclear facility in Iran in recent days. Israel had destroyed the “Taleghan 2” site in an airstrike in October 2024. Earlier this year satellite photos raised concerns that Iran was working to restore the facility.</p><p>The U.S. and Israel say that destroying whatever remains of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-nuclear-timeline-war-146b4072f1f6cc43cfd3bde740313a5c">Iran's nuclear program</a>&nbsp;is one of the central aims of the war. They have long suspected Iran seeks nuclear weapons, while the Islamic Republic says its nuclear program is peaceful.</p><p>In Tehran, security force checkpoints came under attack for the first time on Wednesday night, the semiofficial Fars news agency reported. At least 10 people were killed in the suspected drone assaults.</p><p>Israel and the U.S. military did not immediately respond to requests for comment over whether they were behind the attacks.</p><h2>Iran fires at Gulf Arab countries and hits ship in Persian Gulf</h2><p>Iran’s latest attacks on its Gulf neighbors flouted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-11-2026-oil-prices-24243b5c1e1f32ea8ff52b9a02822396">a U.N. Security Council resolution</a>&nbsp;approved Wednesday.</p><p>Early Thursday, a container ship was hit with a projectile off the coast of Dubai, sparking a small fire, according to British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center. It said the crew were safe.</p><p>An Iranian attack sparked a major fire on Muharraq Island, home to Bahrain's international airport. Kuwait authorities said an Iranian drone smashed into a residential building, wounding two people, and that a drone attack on Kuwait International Airport had caused damage but no casualties.</p><p>The UAE said it had activated air defenses twice to protect the futuristic city of Dubai from attacks, and firefighters extinguished a blaze at a tower after a drone hit.</p><p>Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, said it shot down a drone targeting the diplomatic quarter in its capital, Riyadh, and other drones in the east, including at least one trying to target its Shaybah oil field.</p><p>Following an attack on Iraq's Basra port Wednesday that killed at least one person, officials said Thursday that operations were halted at all the country's oil terminals.</p><p>In the UAE, Citibank said it would close all but one of its branches due to an Iranian threat — not yet realized — to target financial institutions in the region.</p><p>___</p><p>Melzer reported from Mitzpe Hila, Israel and Rising from Bangkok. Associated Press writer Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report.</p>

Iran not backing down as oil prices soar again

Benedict Joseph Dreiling, 93, of Hill
City, Kansas, died at his home surrounded by his family in Hill City. He was
born May 29, 1932, in Rural St. Peter, Kansas to Charles and Beatrice (Riedel)
Dreiling. He was the sixth out of nine children. Growing up on the family farm
with his siblings was a time filled with treasured memories. To add to the immediate
family were cousins who lived on nearby farms. One can only imagine the
mischief they could invent with all those kids. Not to mention any pranks, but
if you knew them, you always remembered the grease guns!

As the kids got older, camping and lake
trips were weekend getaways. For these adventures they always brought friends
along. Ben was always good to stop by his mom’s&nbsp;
house to check on her. On these stops he was always treated to his
favorite meal of meatballs and red beer.

Ben met Norma Clark in the middle of a
street in Hill City. She was the&nbsp; love of
his life for 53 years.&nbsp; They were married
October 13, 1956 in St. Peter. Their marriage was blessed with four children:
Mindy, Sheryl, Kelly, and Mark.

Ben was an oil field contract pumper;
however, many remember him as a tavern owner. He was a member of the Immaculate
Heart Mary Church as well as&nbsp; 4th
Degree Knights of Columbus. Ben was a fireman for Hill City when the family
home was destroyed by fire. They lost everything, but all the family was safe.
Ben stayed with the department and served 25 years as the Fire Chief.

Ben
enjoyed life and his free time. He preferred driving the back roads in Graham
County, woodworking, especially building birdhouses and toys. Yard work was a
project he truly enjoyed and made all the better when he won “Yard of the
Month”. &nbsp;Friends were very important to the Dreilings.
There were evenings spent with their good friends Johnny and Sara Billinger.
Dancing to polka music, along with lots of laughter filled those evenings. As
the years moved on, babysitting grandkids became a welcome chore. Pheasant
season was his favorite time of the year. The first weekend being the best.
Every year Ben and his brother Elmer laughed about shooting a neighbor’s house
and cow with the infamous grease guns. Their dad made sure they never forgot!

Left
to mourn his passing are his daughters Mindy and husband Jon Schumacher of
McPherson, Sheryl and husband Mark Fabricius of Hill City; his sons: Kelly and
Michelle Dreiling of Hill City, Mark Dreiling of Hill City; one brother,
Charles (Chuck) Dreiling of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; 10 grandchildren and 17
great grandchildren; extended family relatives, and many friends.&nbsp; Preceding Ben in death were: his parents; his
loving wife Norma; his brothers: Len Dreiling, Elmer Dreiling, Fritz Dreiling;
his sisters: Helen Weidner, Armella Nordstrom, Ellie Horcher, Kathryn Raupp.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772907388082.jpeg" alt="Benedict Joseph Dreiling" />
                        <figcaption>Benedict Joseph Dreiling</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Benedict Joseph Dreiling, 93, of Hill
City, Kansas, died at his home surrounded by his family in Hill City. He was
born May 29, 1932, in Rural St. Peter, Kansas to Charles and Beatrice (Riedel)
Dreiling. He was the sixth out of nine children. Growing up on the family farm
with his siblings was a time filled with treasured memories. To add to the immediate
family were cousins who lived on nearby farms. One can only imagine the
mischief they could invent with all those kids. Not to mention any pranks, but
if you knew them, you always remembered the grease guns!</p><p>As the kids got older, camping and lake
trips were weekend getaways. For these adventures they always brought friends
along. Ben was always good to stop by his mom’s&nbsp;
house to check on her. On these stops he was always treated to his
favorite meal of meatballs and red beer.</p><p>Ben met Norma Clark in the middle of a
street in Hill City. She was the&nbsp; love of
his life for 53 years.&nbsp; They were married
October 13, 1956 in St. Peter. Their marriage was blessed with four children:
Mindy, Sheryl, Kelly, and Mark.</p><p>Ben was an oil field contract pumper;
however, many remember him as a tavern owner. He was a member of the Immaculate
Heart Mary Church as well as&nbsp; 4th
Degree Knights of Columbus. Ben was a fireman for Hill City when the family
home was destroyed by fire. They lost everything, but all the family was safe.
Ben stayed with the department and served 25 years as the Fire Chief.</p><p>Ben
enjoyed life and his free time. He preferred driving the back roads in Graham
County, woodworking, especially building birdhouses and toys. Yard work was a
project he truly enjoyed and made all the better when he won “Yard of the
Month”. &nbsp;Friends were very important to the Dreilings.
There were evenings spent with their good friends Johnny and Sara Billinger.
Dancing to polka music, along with lots of laughter filled those evenings. As
the years moved on, babysitting grandkids became a welcome chore. Pheasant
season was his favorite time of the year. The first weekend being the best.
Every year Ben and his brother Elmer laughed about shooting a neighbor’s house
and cow with the infamous grease guns. Their dad made sure they never forgot!</p><p>Left
to mourn his passing are his daughters Mindy and husband Jon Schumacher of
McPherson, Sheryl and husband Mark Fabricius of Hill City; his sons: Kelly and
Michelle Dreiling of Hill City, Mark Dreiling of Hill City; one brother,
Charles (Chuck) Dreiling of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; 10 grandchildren and 17
great grandchildren; extended family relatives, and many friends.&nbsp; Preceding Ben in death were: his parents; his
loving wife Norma; his brothers: Len Dreiling, Elmer Dreiling, Fritz Dreiling;
his sisters: Helen Weidner, Armella Nordstrom, Ellie Horcher, Kathryn Raupp.</p>

Benedict Joseph Dreiling, 93

<b>By STEVE GILLILAND</b><br><i>Explore Kansas Outdoors</i>

I remember a turkey hunt along the river some years back and the discovery that it led us to. 

We had hunted along the river west of Inman, and parked near an adjacent alfalfa field. As we crawled into the pickup to leave, my wife pointed toward the treetops along the river and asked “Is there a bird in that nest?” I looked where she pointed, and saw a haphazard collection of twigs or something in the very top of a tall dead cottonwood. 

The ensuing conversation went something like this: “No, dear, that looks like a squirrel's nest to me.” “I don’t thinks so,” she replied, “and I’m sure that’s a bird in it.” “Here then,” I said, handing her the binoculars. “See for yourself.” “Just like I thought,” she answered. “That is a bird. It looks like one of those big tall birds we see wading along the river.” “A Blue Heron,” I corrected, “and I don’t think so; not way up there!”

 I snatched the binoculars from her, and peered at the “squirrel's nest” high in the tree. Sure enough! Sticking out like a sore thumb in the tallest tree around was a large willy-nilly collection of branches and sticks, and square in the middle of it stood the unmistakable silhouette of a Great Blue Heron, better known as a “crane” to most of us. 

Now, had “Mom Heron” not been standing in her nest, the squirrel's nest theory would certainly have “flown,” and we’d have never given the spectacle a second glance. 

When we left, we took the gravel road along the other side of the river, and stopped for another look. We found the nest to be hidden by green trees, but discovered yet a second nest in which we also found an adult heron a few days later.

I remember that Saturday was our day to have our grandson, and on our way back home after retrieving him, we took some back roads in an attempt to fulfill the nature portion of his visit. As we passed those nests, long ago forgotten by me, he pointed skyward at a large bird circling over the trees. There they were again;&nbsp; this time, five nests, four of them sporting adult Blue Herons sitting upright in the menagerie of sticks and branches they call home.

Great Blue Herons of some subspecies or coloration exist across the entire continental United States and Alaska. 

For Kansas herons, southern migration to Mexico or South America begins in October where they winter until March. They are very tall, gangly birds with immense wingspans of up to six feet, yet weigh less than ten pounds. 

Depending upon conditions, a few awkward “steps” may be required to launch them into flight, but once in the air, they move with slow, rhythmic, effortless strokes of those immense wings. Unlike most birds of their stature, they fly with their necks crooked and folded back against their bodies and their heads held upright. They have practically no tail at all, so they also fly with their long legs straight out behind them, acting as rudders to help steer them in flight.

I’m sure we’ve all seen “cranes” fishing in rivers and streams and along the banks of ponds. 

Although fish, frogs and small snakes make up the vast majority of their diet, they are not above eating insects and small rodents also. Their long pointed beaks are perfectly designed for stabbing prey, which is always killed and swallowed head first. The enzymes in their digestive system are so strong that most bone matter is completely dissolved.

Great Blue Herons demand isolation in their nesting sites, and are very sensitive to human disturbance. Nests are often found in colonies known as “heronries,” and can be anywhere from treetops like the ones we found, to rocky ledges and crevices on the ground. 

When satisfied with a nesting site, the birds usually return year after year to enlarge and reuse the same structures whenever possible. Three or four bluish-green eggs are laid and incubated for twenty-eight days by both parents. 

Research shows that heron chicks are extremely unpleasing to look at until fully feathered, and stay in the nest until they are nearly as large as the parents.

Great Blue Herons are far ffrom rare, and I remember as a kid learning to know them as “cranes” as we watched them hunt around the edges of the farm pond where my dad took me to fish for bass and bullheads.

 Writing this piece showed me how little I really knew about these birds, especially about where they built their nests. Yet another reason to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

<i>Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.</i>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772551739053.png" alt="Great Blue Heron. Photo by Pixabay" />
                        <figcaption>Great Blue Heron. Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By STEVE GILLILAND</b><br><i>Explore Kansas Outdoors</i></p><p>I remember a turkey hunt along the river some years back and the discovery that it led us to. </p><p>We had hunted along the river west of Inman, and parked near an adjacent alfalfa field. As we crawled into the pickup to leave, my wife pointed toward the treetops along the river and asked “Is there a bird in that nest?” I looked where she pointed, and saw a haphazard collection of twigs or something in the very top of a tall dead cottonwood. </p><p>The ensuing conversation went something like this: “No, dear, that looks like a squirrel's nest to me.” “I don’t thinks so,” she replied, “and I’m sure that’s a bird in it.” “Here then,” I said, handing her the binoculars. “See for yourself.” “Just like I thought,” she answered. “That is a bird. It looks like one of those big tall birds we see wading along the river.” “A Blue Heron,” I corrected, “and I don’t think so; not way up there!”</p><p> I snatched the binoculars from her, and peered at the “squirrel's nest” high in the tree. Sure enough! Sticking out like a sore thumb in the tallest tree around was a large willy-nilly collection of branches and sticks, and square in the middle of it stood the unmistakable silhouette of a Great Blue Heron, better known as a “crane” to most of us. </p><p>Now, had “Mom Heron” not been standing in her nest, the squirrel's nest theory would certainly have “flown,” and we’d have never given the spectacle a second glance. </p><p>When we left, we took the gravel road along the other side of the river, and stopped for another look. We found the nest to be hidden by green trees, but discovered yet a second nest in which we also found an adult heron a few days later.</p><p>I remember that Saturday was our day to have our grandson, and on our way back home after retrieving him, we took some back roads in an attempt to fulfill the nature portion of his visit. As we passed those nests, long ago forgotten by me, he pointed skyward at a large bird circling over the trees. There they were again;&nbsp; this time, five nests, four of them sporting adult Blue Herons sitting upright in the menagerie of sticks and branches they call home.</p><p>Great Blue Herons of some subspecies or coloration exist across the entire continental United States and Alaska. </p><p>For Kansas herons, southern migration to Mexico or South America begins in October where they winter until March. They are very tall, gangly birds with immense wingspans of up to six feet, yet weigh less than ten pounds. </p><p>Depending upon conditions, a few awkward “steps” may be required to launch them into flight, but once in the air, they move with slow, rhythmic, effortless strokes of those immense wings. Unlike most birds of their stature, they fly with their necks crooked and folded back against their bodies and their heads held upright. They have practically no tail at all, so they also fly with their long legs straight out behind them, acting as rudders to help steer them in flight.</p><p>I’m sure we’ve all seen “cranes” fishing in rivers and streams and along the banks of ponds. </p><p>Although fish, frogs and small snakes make up the vast majority of their diet, they are not above eating insects and small rodents also. Their long pointed beaks are perfectly designed for stabbing prey, which is always killed and swallowed head first. The enzymes in their digestive system are so strong that most bone matter is completely dissolved.</p><p>Great Blue Herons demand isolation in their nesting sites, and are very sensitive to human disturbance. Nests are often found in colonies known as “heronries,” and can be anywhere from treetops like the ones we found, to rocky ledges and crevices on the ground. </p><p>When satisfied with a nesting site, the birds usually return year after year to enlarge and reuse the same structures whenever possible. Three or four bluish-green eggs are laid and incubated for twenty-eight days by both parents. </p><p>Research shows that heron chicks are extremely unpleasing to look at until fully feathered, and stay in the nest until they are nearly as large as the parents.</p><p>Great Blue Herons are far ffrom rare, and I remember as a kid learning to know them as “cranes” as we watched them hunt around the edges of the farm pond where my dad took me to fish for bass and bullheads.</p><p> Writing this piece showed me how little I really knew about these birds, especially about where they built their nests. Yet another reason to Explore Kansas Outdoors!</p><p><i>Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.</i></p>

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Have you a heron in your hedgerow?

Rosella
Mae “Rose” Augustine age 94, of Hays, Kansas passed away on Thursday, March 5,
2026, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.

She was born on&nbsp; December 8, 1931, at Hays, Kansas to Joseph and Anna
Bertha (Lang) Rupp.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rose married Ralph Joseph Augustine Sr. on
October 4, 1949, at Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on January 6,
2004.&nbsp;

She was the office manager and bookkeeper for Ralph’s Electric for over 30
years, a member of Saint Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, and Saint Nicholas
of Myra Ladies Guild.&nbsp; Rose was chairman and cook for the Funeral Committee
at Saint Nicholas of Myra for over 20 years.

Rose retired in 2010, she always had a love for animals, especially her dogs
through the years, and
fed every stray cat and bird in the neighborhood.&nbsp; She enjoyed cooking,
garage sales, yard work, gardening, bowling, playing cards, and keeping her
boys in line.&nbsp; She grew up in Hays, and was a 1949 graduate of Hays High
School.&nbsp; &nbsp;

She is survived by her children, Ralph Augustine Jr. and wife, Lois, Hays, KS;
Greg Augustine, Hays, KS; Bruce Augustine, Hays, KS; and Linda Jensen and
husband, Tom, Grand Island, NE; her grandchildren, Renee Schuckman (Ron); Ryan
Augustine (Rachel); Rachel Pattillo; Nathan Augustine (Suzanna); Bethany
Pfannenstiel (Tyler); and Jeremy Wann; her great grandchildren, Caira
Augustine; Veda Augustine; Eli Pfannenstiel; Reid Pfannenstiel; Rhett
Pfannenstiel; Carter Augustine; and Madison Augustine; her brother-in-law,
Robert Augustine, Hays, KS; and her sister-in-law, Betty Augustine, Hays, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Rupp; her husband,
Ralph Augustine Sr.; her daughter-in-law, Donna Augustine; her brothers, Ralph
Rupp; Earl Rupp; and Albert Rupp; her sisters, Regina Moore; Evelyn Karlin; and
Mary Ann Neely. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at
Saint Nicholas of Myra Catholic, 2901 East 13th Street, Hays, Kansas
with Celebrant, Father Damian Richards.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary
of Hays, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, at Saint Nicholas of Myra
Catholic Church.

&nbsp;A Vigil Service and a Saint Nicholas of Myra Ladies Guild Rosary will be at
7:00 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s-Keithly Mortuary of Hays.

&nbsp;The family suggests memorials made payable to: Saint Nicholas of Myra Catholic
Church or Humane Society of the High Plains in care of Cline’s-Keithley
Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. 

&nbsp;Condolences can be emailed to <a href="mailto:clineschapels@gmail.com">clineschapels@gmail.com</a>
or left at the guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1772899734806.jpeg" alt="Rosella Mae “Rose” Augustine" />
                        <figcaption>Rosella Mae “Rose” Augustine</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Rosella
Mae “Rose” Augustine age 94, of Hays, Kansas passed away on Thursday, March 5,
2026, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.</p><p>She was born on&nbsp; December 8, 1931, at Hays, Kansas to Joseph and Anna
Bertha (Lang) Rupp.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rose married Ralph Joseph Augustine Sr. on
October 4, 1949, at Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; He preceded her in death on January 6,
2004.&nbsp;</p><p>She was the office manager and bookkeeper for Ralph’s Electric for over 30
years, a member of Saint Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, and Saint Nicholas
of Myra Ladies Guild.&nbsp; Rose was chairman and cook for the Funeral Committee
at Saint Nicholas of Myra for over 20 years.</p><p>Rose retired in 2010, she always had a love for animals, especially her dogs
through the years, and
fed every stray cat and bird in the neighborhood.&nbsp; She enjoyed cooking,
garage sales, yard work, gardening, bowling, playing cards, and keeping her
boys in line.&nbsp; She grew up in Hays, and was a 1949 graduate of Hays High
School.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>She is survived by her children, Ralph Augustine Jr. and wife, Lois, Hays, KS;
Greg Augustine, Hays, KS; Bruce Augustine, Hays, KS; and Linda Jensen and
husband, Tom, Grand Island, NE; her grandchildren, Renee Schuckman (Ron); Ryan
Augustine (Rachel); Rachel Pattillo; Nathan Augustine (Suzanna); Bethany
Pfannenstiel (Tyler); and Jeremy Wann; her great grandchildren, Caira
Augustine; Veda Augustine; Eli Pfannenstiel; Reid Pfannenstiel; Rhett
Pfannenstiel; Carter Augustine; and Madison Augustine; her brother-in-law,
Robert Augustine, Hays, KS; and her sister-in-law, Betty Augustine, Hays, KS.</p><p>She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Rupp; her husband,
Ralph Augustine Sr.; her daughter-in-law, Donna Augustine; her brothers, Ralph
Rupp; Earl Rupp; and Albert Rupp; her sisters, Regina Moore; Evelyn Karlin; and
Mary Ann Neely. </p><p>Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at
Saint Nicholas of Myra Catholic, 2901 East 13th Street, Hays, Kansas
with Celebrant, Father Damian Richards.</p><p>Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary
of Hays, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, at Saint Nicholas of Myra
Catholic Church.</p><p>&nbsp;A Vigil Service and a Saint Nicholas of Myra Ladies Guild Rosary will be at
7:00 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s-Keithly Mortuary of Hays.</p><p>&nbsp;The family suggests memorials made payable to: Saint Nicholas of Myra Catholic
Church or Humane Society of the High Plains in care of Cline’s-Keithley
Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. </p><p>&nbsp;Condolences can be emailed to <a href="mailto:clineschapels@gmail.com">clineschapels@gmail.com</a>
or left at the guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a></p>

Rosella Mae 'Rose' Augustine, age 94

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil shot to its highest price since 2023 after surging again Friday because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-6-2026-6108249f19c4bc162eacd7847976c174">the Iran war</a>, and a weak update on the U.S. job market knocked stocks lower to cap Wall Street’s worst week since October.

The S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.3% after a report showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-economy-inflation-trump-tariffs-075a0d33e0794b7c93b9b8a7302dab98">U.S. employers cut more jobs</a>&nbsp;last month than they created and after oil prices spiked above $90 per barrel. The combination of a weak economy and high inflation is a worst-case scenario for investors because the Federal Reserve has no good tool to fix both problems at the same time.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged as many as 945 points before finishing with a loss of 453, or 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.6%.

“You can’t sugarcoat this report,” according to Brian Jacobsen, chief economic strategist at Annex Wealth Management. “A negative payrolls number combined with a big jump in oil prices will have traders worrying about stagflation risks.”

Stagflation is what economists call the miserable mix of a stagnating economy with high inflation, and a separate report released Friday added to the sourness after showing that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-sales-spending-economy-75bf2d9c96a7650274bdb47fe97f9ac7">U.S. retailers made less money</a>&nbsp;in January than economists expected. It raised the disconcerting possibility that spending by U.S. households, the main engine of the economy, may be stretched near its maximum.

Usually when the economy is unsteady and the job market is weakening, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates to give things a boost. Lower rates can make it easier for households to get mortgages and for companies to raise money to expand, while also lifting prices for stocks and other investments. The Fed cut its main interest rate several times last year and had indicated more were to come this year.

But lower interest rates can also make inflation worse. And the Fed’s hands may be increasingly tied because spiking oil prices are pushing inflation higher due to disruptions for the energy industry.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, leaped another 8.5% to settle at $92.69. It briefly rose above $94 to touch its highest level since September 2023.

A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude breached the $90 level for the first time since 2023 and jumped 12.2% to $90.90.

Oil prices have surged, with Brent up from near $70 late last week, as the war has expanded and included areas critical to the production and movement of oil and gas in the Middle East. Much will depend on what happens with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-hormuz-iran-energy-war-5b60e82ef2fc68e2b43aa570a32404dd">Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;off Iran’s coast, where roughly a fifth of the world’s oil typically sails.

The U.S. government gave details Friday about a plan President Donald Trump announced earlier to offer insurance to ships crossing the strait, but it had little effect on the market.

If oil prices spike further, like to $100 per barrel, and stay there, some analysts and investors say it could be too much for the global economy to withstand.

To be sure, the U.S. stock market has a history of bouncing back relatively quickly following conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, as long as oil prices don’t jump too high for too long. Uncertainty about just how high oil prices will go this time around and for how long caused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-iran-oil-trump-c9a42448cbc7afc35e959dd444614aa0">frenetic</a>&nbsp;swings across&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-iran-oil-trump-c9a42448cbc7afc35e959dd444614aa0">financial markets</a>&nbsp;this past week, sometimes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-gold-iran-trump-25fd9bfa1b20549a6cbbdee61b2ea05f">hour by hour</a>.

On Monday, the S&amp;P 500 tumbled to an immediate 1.2% loss at the start of trading but made it all back and ended the day with a tiny gain.

Trump’s most recent signal on the war was that he wants an “unconditional surrender” of Iran, apparently ruling out negotiations.

In the bond market, Treasury yields wavered, with higher oil prices pushing upward on them and the discouraging updates on the U.S. economy pulling downward.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury initially rose toward 4.19% before pulling back to 4.14%. That’s up from 4.13% late Thursday and just 3.97% a week earlier.

Smaller companies often feel the bite of high borrowing costs more because many need to borrow to grow. Smaller companies can also be more dependent on the strength of the U.S. economy for their profits than big multinational rivals, and the smallest stocks on Wall Street took Friday’s sharpest dives.

The Russell 2000 index of small stocks fell a market-leading 2.3%.

Among the big companies in the S&amp;P 500, companies with high fuel bills helped lead the way lower. Old Dominion Freight Line sank 7.9%, cruise line Carnival fell 5% and Southwest Airlines lost 5.3%.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 90.69 points to 6,740.02. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 453.19 to 47,501.55, and the Nasdaq composite sank 361.31 to 22,387.68.

In stock markets abroad, indexes slumped in Europe following a better finish in Asia. London's FTSE 100 fell 1.2%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.7%.

South Korea’s Kospi was nearly unchanged after plunging 12.1% Wednesday for its worst loss in history and then rebounding 9.6% Thursday.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771858682801.png" alt="Post photo" />
                        <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>NEW YORK (AP) — Oil shot to its highest price since 2023 after surging again Friday because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-6-2026-6108249f19c4bc162eacd7847976c174">the Iran war</a>, and a weak update on the U.S. job market knocked stocks lower to cap Wall Street’s worst week since October.</p><p>The S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.3% after a report showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-economy-inflation-trump-tariffs-075a0d33e0794b7c93b9b8a7302dab98">U.S. employers cut more jobs</a>&nbsp;last month than they created and after oil prices spiked above $90 per barrel. The combination of a weak economy and high inflation is a worst-case scenario for investors because the Federal Reserve has no good tool to fix both problems at the same time.</p><p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged as many as 945 points before finishing with a loss of 453, or 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.6%.</p><p>“You can’t sugarcoat this report,” according to Brian Jacobsen, chief economic strategist at Annex Wealth Management. “A negative payrolls number combined with a big jump in oil prices will have traders worrying about stagflation risks.”</p><p>Stagflation is what economists call the miserable mix of a stagnating economy with high inflation, and a separate report released Friday added to the sourness after showing that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-sales-spending-economy-75bf2d9c96a7650274bdb47fe97f9ac7">U.S. retailers made less money</a>&nbsp;in January than economists expected. It raised the disconcerting possibility that spending by U.S. households, the main engine of the economy, may be stretched near its maximum.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722962507580.png" alt="File(AP Photo/Richard Drew)" />
                        <figcaption>File(AP Photo/Richard Drew)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Usually when the economy is unsteady and the job market is weakening, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates to give things a boost. Lower rates can make it easier for households to get mortgages and for companies to raise money to expand, while also lifting prices for stocks and other investments. The Fed cut its main interest rate several times last year and had indicated more were to come this year.</p><p>But lower interest rates can also make inflation worse. And the Fed’s hands may be increasingly tied because spiking oil prices are pushing inflation higher due to disruptions for the energy industry.</p><p>The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, leaped another 8.5% to settle at $92.69. It briefly rose above $94 to touch its highest level since September 2023.</p><p>A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude breached the $90 level for the first time since 2023 and jumped 12.2% to $90.90.</p><p>Oil prices have surged, with Brent up from near $70 late last week, as the war has expanded and included areas critical to the production and movement of oil and gas in the Middle East. Much will depend on what happens with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-hormuz-iran-energy-war-5b60e82ef2fc68e2b43aa570a32404dd">Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;off Iran’s coast, where roughly a fifth of the world’s oil typically sails.</p><p>The U.S. government gave details Friday about a plan President Donald Trump announced earlier to offer insurance to ships crossing the strait, but it had little effect on the market.</p><p>If oil prices spike further, like to $100 per barrel, and stay there, some analysts and investors say it could be too much for the global economy to withstand.</p><p>To be sure, the U.S. stock market has a history of bouncing back relatively quickly following conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, as long as oil prices don’t jump too high for too long. Uncertainty about just how high oil prices will go this time around and for how long caused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-iran-oil-trump-c9a42448cbc7afc35e959dd444614aa0">frenetic</a>&nbsp;swings across&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-iran-oil-trump-c9a42448cbc7afc35e959dd444614aa0">financial markets</a>&nbsp;this past week, sometimes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-gold-iran-trump-25fd9bfa1b20549a6cbbdee61b2ea05f">hour by hour</a>.</p><p>On Monday, the S&amp;P 500 tumbled to an immediate 1.2% loss at the start of trading but made it all back and ended the day with a tiny gain.</p><p>Trump’s most recent signal on the war was that he wants an “unconditional surrender” of Iran, apparently ruling out negotiations.</p><p>In the bond market, Treasury yields wavered, with higher oil prices pushing upward on them and the discouraging updates on the U.S. economy pulling downward.</p><p>The yield on the 10-year Treasury initially rose toward 4.19% before pulling back to 4.14%. That’s up from 4.13% late Thursday and just 3.97% a week earlier.</p><p>Smaller companies often feel the bite of high borrowing costs more because many need to borrow to grow. Smaller companies can also be more dependent on the strength of the U.S. economy for their profits than big multinational rivals, and the smallest stocks on Wall Street took Friday’s sharpest dives.</p><p>The Russell 2000 index of small stocks fell a market-leading 2.3%.</p><p>Among the big companies in the S&amp;P 500, companies with high fuel bills helped lead the way lower. Old Dominion Freight Line sank 7.9%, cruise line Carnival fell 5% and Southwest Airlines lost 5.3%.</p><p>All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 90.69 points to 6,740.02. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 453.19 to 47,501.55, and the Nasdaq composite sank 361.31 to 22,387.68.</p><p>In stock markets abroad, indexes slumped in Europe following a better finish in Asia. London's FTSE 100 fell 1.2%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.7%.</p><p>South Korea’s Kospi was nearly unchanged after plunging 12.1% Wednesday for its worst loss in history and then rebounding 9.6% Thursday.</p><p>___</p><p>AP Business Writers Chan Ho-him and Matt Ott contributed.</p>