(KNZA)--A suspected spy balloon from China was spotted hovering in Brown County just north of Hiawatha and moving eastward on Friday morning.
U.S. officials announced Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had postponed a planned high-stakes weekend diplomatic trip to China as the Biden administration weighed a broader response to the discovery of the high-altitude Chinese balloon flying over sensitive sites in the western United States.
The Associated Press reported the abrupt decision came despite China's claim that the balloon was a weather research satellite that had blown off course. The U.S. has described it as a surveillance satellite.
The discovery of the balloon was announced on Thursday by Pentagon officials who said one of the places it was spotted was over the state of Montana, which is home to one of America's three nuclear missile silo fields at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
A senior defense official said the U.S. prepared fighter jets, including F-22s, to shoot down the balloon if ordered. The Pentagon ultimately recommended against it, noting that even as the balloon was over a sparsely populated area of Montana, its size would create a debris field large enough that it could have put people at risk.
( The Associated Press contributed to this story)
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Montana man faces additional charge in teen runaway case
Rural Horton man charged in beating case
Hiawatha house selected for state historic register
Montana man, teen runaway, found in Atchison; rape arrest follows
Atchison Co's Lanter named as Valley Falls City Admin
Information sought on Jackson Co crash
Botched scooter escape sends Atchison man to jail
Three arrested in Horton drug bust
New Marysville city administrator selected
Public hearing set on land transfer petition
KS presidential preference primary Tuesday
LV officers cleared in fatal Platte Co, MO shooting
City commission approves two repair projects
Commission selects new employee health insurance provider
Atchison St. Pat's parade set for Saturday
Brown Co Fair Spotlight Auction a big success
Government funding bill includes money for area projects
Richardson County Board discusses road to possible new business
LATEST STORIES
Three arrested in Horton drug bust
Awards earned during Atchison's St. Pat's bash
Four to receive Peru State Excellence Awards
Be aware of potential tax scams
Pott Co Sheriff's Office investigating business burglary
KS presidential preference primary Tuesday
Public hearing set on land transfer petition