By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Hays residents lined Vine Street Sunday in silent prayer, holding signs united by a single message: choose life.

The 2025 National Life Chain opened with a prayer service at St. Joseph Cemetery. Fr. Nick Parker of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church led the service, reading scripture and highlighting God’s intimate creation of each person.

"It's a wonderful witness that we have today, where we are able to show our love for the born, the unborn, the young, the old, and let people know that they are truly children of God," he said.

The annual event is a peaceful, hour-long demonstration held on the first Sunday of October, where church members and congregations gather to express their stance on abortion publicly.

Parker encouraged attendees to demonstrate compassion and peace rather than anger or judgment, emphasizing the importance of love for all people.

Alicia Knight, an organizer, described the Life Chain as a public expression of faith meant to connect with others and encourage support for the movement.

"There is a large community that is pro-life that believes in the right to life. From natural conception to natural death," she said. "It should also encourage those who have chosen abortion, for them to feel mercy and love for any decision that they made, and that they are welcomed here too."

Knight said anyone who has had an abortion or is pregnant and seeking support can reach out to <a href="https://ccnks.org/">Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas</a> or <a href="https://www.rachelsvineyard.org/">Rachel's Vineyard</a>, which its website describes as a place to “renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion.”

Chase and Julie Berg said they believe it is important to raise awareness about what they consider the "tragedy of abortion."

"If we can't protect our citizens at the most vulnerable state of life, then why does anybody think they're going to be protected in the U.S.?" Chase said.

"The opposing side can be very loud. It's important to show that we're here, respectful, and we want to show up with love and kindness," Julie said.

Chase and Julie attended the demonstration with their baby and said they have four children. They added they hope to see more young people take part in next year’s Life Chain.

"Be pro-life or there won't be a next generation," Chase said. "It's not a young person's issue, it's an everybody's issue."

Hays residents join National Life Chain in silent demonstration

BELOIT and HAYS — Fort Hays Tech | North Central is proud to announce a significant achievement in its ongoing commitment to student success. Thanks to the generous support of numerous donors, in collaboration with the Fort Hays Tech | North Central Foundation, a record-breaking 115 scholarships have been awarded across both the Beloit and Hays campuses during the 2025/2026 academic year.

 Fort Hays Tech | North Central hosted receptions for students and donors at the Hays campus on Wednesday, September 24 and at the Beloit campus on Wednesday, October 1. 

The success of these scholarship programs would not be possible without the generosity and commitment of the donors who have made them a reality. Their belief in the potential of students and their dedication to technical education have set an inspiring example, encouraging the recipients to pay it forward and support future generations in their pursuit of knowledge. 

These scholarships, created by dedicated benefactors, have been established to provide vital financial assistance to students pursuing a variety of programs at Fort Hays Tech | North Central. The enduring legacy of these donors is reflected in the annual scholarships they have created, ensuring that students receive support not only now but into the future.

 Eric Burks, president of Fort Hays Tech | North Central, expressed his gratitude, "Honoring the legacy of our donors, their contributions, and their leadership in educating our future workforce is a pleasure, and we can't thank them enough for their generosity.”

 "We are deeply grateful to these donors for establishing these important scholarship funds, of which we are honored to administer," said Mendi Anschutz, director of advancement for the Fort Hays Tech | North Central Foundation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fort Hays Tech | North Central awards record-breaking 115 student scholarships 

By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON Special to Hays Post

Drs. Curt and Christie Brungardt, professors emeriti at Fort Hays State University, will be back on campus Friday, Oct. 10. They will deliver an American Democracy Project Times Talk in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The couple founded Jana’s Campaign in memory their daughter, Jana Mackey, a Hays native who was a 25-year-old law student at the University of Kansas when she lost her life to violence perpetrated by an ex-boyfriend in 2008.

Jana’s Campaign is an organization dedicated to preventing relationship-based violence.

The Brungardts will be speaking from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Trails Room of the Memorial Union on campus. A light lunch will be provided. Their free presentation is titled “Behind Every Statistic is a Story.”

Dr. Hsin-Yen Yang, co-director of the American Democracy Project at FHSU, said in a news release: “This timely discussion will explore the realities of relationship violence, its far-reaching impact, and how we can work together to prevent it—on campus and beyond. Through storytelling, education, and real-world strategies, Jana’s Campaign will challenge us to look beyond the statistics and recognize the human lives behind them. Learn how advocacy, leadership, and student action can help end the cycle of abuse and build safer communities.”

A Zoom option is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fhsu.zoom.us/j/87459170203?pwd=fKallyDd6WWJqcRRsXc7G9Tk3bzWPg.1">https://fhsu.zoom.us/j/87459170203?pwd=fKallyDd6WWJqcRRsXc7G9Tk3bzWPg.1</a>.

The meeting ID is 874 5917 0203, and the passcode is 536587. Yang said that the session will also be recorded.

More information about Jana’s Campaign is available at <a href="https://www.janascampaign.org/">janascampaign.org</a>.

Brungardts to discuss Jana’s Campaign during public talk at FHSU

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

I often hear adults complain about the lack of financial skills with young people. 

While there are times that I certainly understand the frustration as I learned to make change at my first job at age 13. There are other times that I remind myself, and others, that if someone doesn’t teach them, they can’t know what they don’t know.

In my new role as a Family and Community Wellness agent, I get to lean into twenty years of banking experience and utilize great financial resources from K-State Extension.

I have had an opportunity to begin work with a small group of college students. In our initial session, we worked through wants versus needs and that can sure be a tough conversation! 

This is followed up by setting SMART financial goals with the students looking at goals between now and the end of the school year, intermediate goals of 3-5 years, and long-term goals of 8-10 years. As a reminder, SMART refers to Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. 

I was very impressed by several whose intermediate and long-term goals included where they wanted to be in their career and the tools they would need to saving for a house.

The next step was identifying sources of income and categorizing expenses. We pulled all of those pieces together into a basic budget! One of my favorite questions – from more than one student – was “if I have money left, how much should I be putting into savings?”

I am looking forward to working with this group over the next few months as we take a hard look at how to be an efficient grocery store shopper, work on basic cooking skills, and other skills that can help them be more effective adults and employees.

We have several great publications and tools if you need to take a look at your financial goals and move your household toward financial stability and security.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other K-State Extension resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Financial goals for young people 

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

Hays Bobcat is looking for a mechanic. Must have a clean MVR and tools will be required. We are willing to train the right person. Come in for an application. Here’s what you can expect:

·&nbsp; &nbsp;A safe working environment ·&nbsp; &nbsp;A friendly atmosphere ·&nbsp; &nbsp;Air-conditioned shop ·&nbsp; &nbsp;401(k) contributions ·&nbsp; &nbsp;Workers compensation insurance ·&nbsp; &nbsp;Health insurance ·&nbsp; &nbsp;Paid sick leave ·&nbsp; &nbsp;Paid holidays ·&nbsp; &nbsp;No weekends ·&nbsp; &nbsp;Training to help improve your skills ·&nbsp; &nbsp;Excellent pay ·&nbsp; &nbsp;Opportunity to excel to a higher position and better pay

Give us a call at 785-621-4841 or stop by our location at 600 East 8th&nbsp;Street in Hays!

Boil Water Advisory Rescinded for Ellis Co RWD 1C, Ellis County

I used this column once a few years ago, but as fall closes in on us, and I can almost smell the comforting scent of woodsmoke in the air, I think it’s a good fit for this week’s column. 

Ages ago when I wore a much younger man's clothes, I heated my home with wood. Cutting firewood is hard on the back but was always enjoyable to me, and I’ve had some interesting experiences whilst collecting my winter’s fuel, to include smashing the rear windshield out of my dad’s pickup with an errantly tossed chunk of hard hedge wood.

When I was still in my late twenties, my dad and I got permission to cut dead trees from a patch of Ohio woods that sat well off the road at the end of a long, hilly, winding tractor path. 

We spent a day cutting and dragging several trees into the alfalfa field that bordered the woods. The following Saturday we again wound our way up the rutted tractor path, looking forward to a rewarding day of simply cutting-up and hauling the now easily-accessible wood. All that greeted us as we entered the field were dozens of neat little rows of sawdust, the only evidence left after someone had cut up and made-off with all our firewood.

A few years later, I found a good-sized uprooted tree in the small woodlot I owned. The hole left in the ground beneath the roots was the size of a Volkswagen and three feet deep. 

With the tree already flat on the ground, I cut all the limbs and dragged them out of my way, then with the main trunk ready to chunk up, I started cutting at the upper end and worked my way toward the giant root ball.

 I hadn’t made it very far when something happened to the saw, requiring a tool that was still at the house. I started to set the saw in the crater beneath the roots, but for some reason changed my mind and placed it on the ground a few feet away. When I returned with the tool, I thought I had stepped through a worm-hole into another dimension or something, 'cause the downed tree and the saw were both gone. I wandered around in circles and finally stumbled onto the saw on the ground, but where was the uprooted tree?

 It took me awhile to realize that removing all the limbs and cutting off the upper part of the tree had allowed the weight of the root ball to stand the remaining trunk of the tree back upright into the crater. Good thing I decided against putting my saw there; even better that I hadn’t sat down in there for a nap!

The granddaddy of all firewood mishaps took place on a dreary fall Saturday while cutting down a huge dead wild cherry tree that stood just across the driveway from our house. My firewood cutting skills were the stuff of legends….once I got a tree on the ground, but putting it there without catastrophe often eluded me. 

I clambered as high into the behemoth as I could get and encircled the trunk with a log chain, then attached an old hay rope salvaged from the barn and ran it yards out into the open field where dad sat waiting on the trusty Farmall H.

 Cutting was a slow process with a chainsaw barely half the length of the tree’s diameter, but a notch was soon cut toward the open field. As I cut on the other side, I motioned for dad to put tension on the rope and chain. 

The tree began to list slightly, so I cut a bit further then stepped back, figuring to watch our prize topple into the open field. However, the sound of cracking wood was drowned out by the sound of snapping rope fibers as the old hay rope gave up the ghost. 

Half a year’s firewood teetered and wobbled for a few seconds before crashing the opposite direction across the drive and onto the power lines, putting the whole neighborhood out of power, during an Ohio State football game no less, which was akin to losing power at the nursing home during Wheel of Fortune. The neighbors' anger was matched only by the power company guys who had to come out on a Saturday. 

It seems our firewood heated the entire neighborhood that day…

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Firewood Follies

Dive into a digital treasure trove of savings with the Eagle Radio Online Auction!

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here&nbsp;to get registered, view items and bid.</a>

1207 Cedar Hays, KS 67601 785-625-4176 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.westernsupply.com/Hays-KS-v2.HTML">https://www.westernsupply.com/Hays-KS-v2.HTML</a><a href="mailto:showroom@westernsupply.com">showroom@westernsupply.com</a>

<a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/search.cfm?mid=65&amp;search=all">WATER SOFTENER</a>

Whether you have hard municipal water or extremely hard well water, Impression Series water softeners deliver the clean, soft water you want and need. It’s easy-to-read LED screen and user-friendly console allows you to monitor all operating functions. It’s true – nothing will last longer than your first Impression! System features include solid-state microprocessor control, meter monitors and self-adjusts regeneration cycles based on household trend of water use, easily programmed for optimum performance, extended lithium battery backup, flexible “adjustable cycle sequence” programming to save salt and water, and advanced history and diagnostic screens. Soft water reduces hardness, softens household water using minimal salt and water, and prevents mineral buildup and keeps your appliances running smoothly. This item must be picked up at Western Supply Company, 1207 Cedar Street, Hays, KS 67601, by no later than December 30th, 2025. For more information on this product, go to https://www.westernsupply.com/ or call Western Supply Company at 785-625-4176.

Current Bid: $286.00 Retail Price: $1,800.00

1300 Main Hays, KS 67601 785-259-4039

<a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/search.cfm?mid=65&amp;search=all">MINI-SPLIT A/C and HEAT PUMP</a>

Bid on this Confortotal 12,000 BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner and Heat Pump 110V Ductless, 1 ton, with WIFI Compatible with Alexa from All Seasons Plumbing, Heating, and A/C in Hays.&nbsp; This unit can heat or cool up to 550 square feet.&nbsp; Perfect for a garage, she-shed or man-cave, or a part of your home that needs some extra cooling or heating.&nbsp; This item includes installation in Ellis County.&nbsp; If you live outside of Ellis County, there will be a mileage fee added.&nbsp; Call Tommy Coker if you have any questions at 785-259-4039.&nbsp; This item must be installed by no later than January 30th, 2026.

Current Bid: $1,391.00 Retail Price: $3,000.00

127 N. Lincoln Russell, KS 67665 785-483-7811

<a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/search.cfm?mid=65&amp;search=all">$100 CERTIFICATE</a>

This $100 gift certificate is to AccuSpray, your #1 choice for lawn and tree spraying. They are locally owned. Services include: - Lawn &amp; Tree Fertilization, - Insect, Disease, and Weed Control, - Tree Injections &amp; Root Feeding, - Bare Ground Sterilization. ONLY one gift certificate per spraying please. Find and book them on Facebook at Accuspray– or call Jeremy Zorn at 785-639-8733.

Current Bid: $10.00 Retail Price: $100.00

The Eagle Radio online auction — where saving money is just a click away!

Former Gov. Jeff Colyer shares vision for Kansas at FHSU

KALIDA, OHIO&nbsp; — Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of agricultural equipment, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Quinter-based Premier Tillage lineup of products, including the innovative Minimizer blade plow tillage tool.&nbsp;

The addition of Premier Tillage products strengthens Unverferth’s commitment to providing farmers with a full range of equipment solutions that enhance efficiency, productivity and agronomic performance.&nbsp;

“Farmers are continually seeking equipment that improves soil health and crop performance while maximizing operational efficiency,” said Larry Unverferth, president of Unverferth. “The Premier Tillage product lineup, and specifically the Minimizer blade plow, aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver solutions that help growers achieve greater success in their fields.”

Production of the Minimizer blade plow tillage tool will be moved to the Unverferth production facility in Lexington, Nebraska. 

Premier Tillage was founded by Dan Chupp in 1985 and based in Quinter, Kansas.

The acquisition ensures Premier Tillage customers will continue to receive the same high level of product support and quality they have come to expect, now backed by Unverferth’s extensive dealer network

Premier Tillage in Quinter purchased by Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. 

October 12,&nbsp;9:30 AM Alton UMC Harvest Praise Service 408 Mill St., Alton 67623 Join us at 9:30 AM!

October 12, 11:30 AM-3:00 PM Fall Family Fun Day Roadside Park, Hwy. 24, Downs

Bring your lawn chairs, sit and chat, enjoy music and fun! Yard games, Kids games, Golf Cart Poker Run, and more! Enjoy the park amenities together as a community!

October 12, 5:00-7:00 PM Free Square Dancing Lessons Front Porch Event Center and Bakery, 602 Mill St., Alton, KS Sept. 28, Oct. 12, October 26, November 9, November 23, December 28 Graduation Party

&nbsp;These are free lessons with the hope of stress-free learning, entertainment, and fellowship. You are asked to bring a finger food each time for all to enjoy. For more information call Peg Anschutz at 785-483-0660.

October 18, 1:00-4:00 PM Annual Pumpkin Party Downs Community Garden, 1312 Kansas St. Downs, KS

Bring the whole family and enjoy an afternoon of games, crafts, and fun!

October 25,&nbsp;5:00-9:00 PM Tangled Web Trick or Treat in the Park Lyman T. Earl Park, Alton, KS

There will be crafts, games and prizes!&nbsp;Any questions, call Robbin at 785-346-2128 Ext. 3

October 31,&nbsp;3:30-5:00 PM

Join us downtown Osborne as the chamber businesses pass out Halloween treats!

October events in Osborne County

The items are arriving fast and furious for the Eagle On-Line Auction at Hays Post.

Because of this, the auction has started early, and is going on right NOW!&nbsp; If you would like to get in on the action of this year’s online auction, click on the link below.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here&nbsp;to get registered, view items and bid.</a>

Bid now on an expansive collection ranging from home essentials to tantalizing restaurant gift cards, and valuable services from esteemed local companies and save.

 Whether you're seeking something specific or just browsing for unexpected finds, our vast selection promises both variety and value. 

Eagle Radio Auction live now!

Western Plains Arts Association

COLBY — Oakley High School auditorium will be the&nbsp;Western Plains Arts Association (WPAA) next program with "The Sons of the Pioneers" returning to entertain on Sunday, October 12.

The program will start at 3 p.m. Tickets will be available to purchase at the door or by WPAA season ticket which can also be purchased that day at the door.

We thank Dane G. Hansen and Logan County Community Foundation for their grants for this program along with area sponsors.

"The Sons of the Pioneers", the most influential and revered of all western music groups, celebrate an unparalleled 91 continuous years of performance, thrilling audiences with enchanting harmonies and picturesque images of the majestic American West. 

In 2025, the legendary group extends its remarkable run through nine decades, carrying the legacy of the outfit’s landmark, Grammy-honored music to new ears. Originals like “Cool Water,” “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” and “The Timber Trail” have come to define western music itself and are also deeply rooted in American culture. 

When Roy Rogers (then Leonard Slye) and gifted songwriters Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer founded the group in late 1933 and developed their trademark “Pioneer sound,” little did they realize they were launching a juggernaut that would become the longest-lived popular music group in American music history, creating a vast catalog of treasured music along the way.

Through the years, more than 40 gifted singers and instrumentalists have rotated into the group to build the Pioneers’ historic musical legacy. The Pioneers are the most decorated group in the history of western music, earning membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Western Music Association Hall of Fame, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Swing Hall of Fame, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to name a few. 

The group’s music has been honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the Smithsonian Institution named the group one of America’s “National Treasures.” 

They enjoy meeting those who attend and would gladly take pictures after the program.

'The Sons of the Pioneers' to perform in Oakley Oct. 12

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

Thanks to the Hays VFW Post #9076  Honor Guards for adding the POW flag to the American flag  that they donated for the flag pole at the location of the Bob &amp; Pat Schmidt Community Center on Friday, Sept. 26.

The POW flag was a welcomed addition to complete the pole near the Hays Senior Center new location.



Hays VFW Post #9076 donates POW flag to Community Center, Hays Senior Center flag pole 

KIRWIN — The&nbsp;94th annual Kirwin Lions Club Old Settlers Day is Saturday, Oct. 4

Start the day with a 5K Run/Walk or bike ride around Kirwin Lake.

Games on the Kirwin Square start at 10:30 a.m. Play bingo, try your hand at virtual golf, participate in cornhole, eat some delicious food and check out the vendors.

One of the area's largest Demolition Derbys begins at 7 p.m. with a $6,000 total purse.

94th annual Old Settler's Day is Saturday in Kirwin

On Friday, October 3, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office will be closed. 

All other services for Ellis&nbsp;County will remain open as scheduled. Emergency response will continue as normal operations.

This closure is to provide Sheriff’s Office staff the opportunity to attend Hays Police Department’s Sgt.&nbsp;Scott Heimann funeral services.

The Sheriff’s Office will resume regular hours on Monday, October 6.

Ellis County Sheriff's Office closed Friday; other county departments remain open

UPDATE: The annual Tootsie Roll Drive has been postponed to next weekend, Oct. 10-12.&nbsp;

It's time for the 55th annual drive for helping people with intellectual disabilities sponsored by the Knights of Columbus in Hays, Munjor, Catherine and Schoenchen.

On Friday through Sunday, Oct. 10-12, local Knights of Columbus members will hand out Tootsie Rolls in front of many Hays businesses.

Donations received during Tootsie Roll weekend will benefit the intellectually disabled as well as our citizens and our community.

Of the money collected, 80% stays in Hays and is given to local organizations that work with these special citizens. The balance of the money goes to our state "Commitment to Humanity" fund which helps finance projects like the Special Olympics.

Last year the Knights of Columbus underwrote the Kansas Knights of Columbus Special Olympics Basketball Tournament at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays with an amount of approximately $26,000.

Plan to attend the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament to be held March 20 and 21, 2026 in Hays. Last year there were more than 1,000 participants. The opening ceremonies are most impressive.&nbsp;

Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive moved to Oct. 10-12 in Hays

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged attack on a bus driver in Lawrence.

Just after 3p.m. Saturday, police were called to 11th and New Hampshire in Lawrence after a bus passenger witnessed a man acting erratically - then shove the bus driver and break out a window with his fist, according to a media release from Lawrence police.

The driver asked the passenger to roll up the window because it wasn’t allowed. When the passenger refused and began disrupting other passengers, the driver pulled the bus over and told the passenger to get off the bus.

The man then shoved the bus driver, ripped the driver’s glasses off his face and punched out the window.   Officers quickly arrived and found the man shirtless and agitated outside the bus and took him into custody.  The driver did not require medical treatment.

Police: Kansas man jailed after attack on bus driver

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 16-year-old&nbsp;Ta’Kori Jones, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 7100 block of Longview Road on a reported shooting, according to DiMartino.

Upon arrival officers located Jones suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD EMS responded and transported the boy to a local hospital in critical condition. Crime scene personnel and Assault Squad detectives responded to the scene to begin the investigation .Just before 9:30 PM, detectives were notified that Jones died of his injuries. Homicide detectives took over the investigation continue to look for video surveillance and potential witnesses. 

&nbsp;The preliminary investigation indicated there was an interaction between multiple individuals in a nearby park just prior to the shots being fired and the Jones being struck. 

KCPD: 16-year-old killed in shooting at a park

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican and Democratic lawmakers at an impasse on reopening the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-elections-republicans-democrats-campaign-ads-a264af20a7e626e7fe2861d2cbf413b5">federal government</a>&nbsp;provided few public signs Sunday of meaningful negotiations taking place to end what is about to be a six-day shutdown — with President Donald Trump saying that layoffs are occurring.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/government-shutdown-clock/">Click here to view the White House Government Shutdown Clock</a>

Asked on Sunday night when federal workers would be fired as he has threatened to do, Trump told reporters: “It's taking place right now and it's all because of the Democrats.”

“The Democrats are causing the loss of a lot of jobs,” Trump added, declining to answer a question about which agencies are subject to the cuts.

The possibility of layoffs would escalate an already tense situation in which Washington lawmakers have struggled to find common ground and build mutual trust. Leaders in both parties are betting that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-trump-vought-shutdown-congress-democrats-transportation-0dff71ebe4f115feb8649a045646cb5c">public sentiment</a>&nbsp;has swung their way, putting pressure on the other side to cave.

Democrats are insisting on renewing subsidies to cover&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-tax-credits-health-insurance-trump-poll-obamacare-dab7b10bf13dec33a884df5f9fe343f6">health insurance costs</a>&nbsp;for millions of households, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-illinois-trump-national-guard-acbf033191926157c5771825470eb2f8">Trump</a>&nbsp;wants to preserve existing spending levels as he believes that Democrats will have to cave because of the jobs and federal projects being put at risk.

The squabble comes at a moment of troubling economic uncertainty. While the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-economy-impact-workers-5635da22356dd57949ffcd19e6863c28">U.S. economy</a>&nbsp;has continued to grow this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-shutdown-trump-77afb7e7a6ef75c564f81cd611664271">hiring has slowed</a>&nbsp;and inflation remains elevated as Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-taxes-furniture-imports-trucks-cabinets-30e0ca1409747e92f374b436e9fef64d">import taxes</a>&nbsp;have created a series of disruptions for businesses and hurt confidence in his leadership. At the same time, there is a recognition that the nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-deficits-tax-cuts-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-64d7de49aef62ba07b7f6f45c1ca73d1">$2 trillion annual budget deficit</a>&nbsp;is financially unsustainable.

House Democratic leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-russ-vought-shutdown-2d1ea5e6e32c583ddf6b8a8164e523c3">Hakeem Jeffries</a>, among those appearing on the Sunday news shows, said there have been no talks with Republican leaders since their White House meeting last Monday.

“And, unfortunately, since that point in time, Republicans, including Donald Trump, have gone radio silent,” Jeffries said. “And what we’ve seen is negotiation through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-online-positing-social-government-shut-down-414e096d681570ad745ae0681b21b2aa">deepfake videos</a>, the House canceling votes, and of course President Trump spending yesterday on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ryder-cup-golf-bethpage-black-860b3728bd39bf5c10356c6612ccc456">golf course</a>. That’s not responsible behavior.”

The Trump administration sees the shutdown as an opening to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-chicago-infrastructure-funding-9ef6c7829fc85553bf8d3dbaa759611e">wield greater power over the budget</a>, with multiple officials saying they will save money as workers are furloughed by imposing permanent job cuts on thousands of government workers,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-elections-republicans-democrats-campaign-ads-a264af20a7e626e7fe2861d2cbf413b5">a tactic that has never been used before</a>.

Even though it would be Trump's choice to cut jobs, he believes he can put the blame on the Democrats because of the shutdown.

“It’s up to them,” Trump told reporters on Sunday morning before boarding the presidential helicopter to celebrate the Navy's 250th anniversary in Norfolk, Virginia.

While Trump rose to fame on the TV show&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apprentice-movie-donald-trump-sebastian-stan-jeremy-strong-dfaa84ffa521b9f54b6104a8515891ef">“The Apprentice”</a>&nbsp;with its catchphrase of “You're fired,” Republicans on Sunday claimed that the administration would take no pleasure in letting go of federal workers, even though the administration had also put funding on hold for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-clean-energy-hydrogen-hub-newsom-0223cb4469508bcea4f689c18c9ab65d">infrastructure and energy projects in Democratic areas</a>&nbsp;without clear signs of remorse.

“We haven’t seen the details yet about what’s happening” with layoffs, House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-republicans-trump-83d6fb2a9bcc082cbbbe65525c3e9cc8">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;said Sunday morning on NBC. “But it is a regrettable situation that the president does not want.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trade-nec-economics-trump-elections-7a0be4a246256bc468fb7c0e8bff8639">Kevin Hassett</a>, director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-jobs-promises-inflation-time-employment-e0ca5354f6cd426d25f353e1a54d1fb5">White House National Economic Council</a>, also said the administration would prefer to avoid the layoffs.

“We want the Democrats to come forward and to make a deal that’s a clean, continuing resolution that gives us seven more weeks to talk about these things,” Hassett said on CNN. “But the bottom line is that with Republicans in control, the Republicans have a lot more power over the outcome than the Democrats.”

Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-comey-justice-department-james-schiff-309c573c2d9d16839afabb3af56ef2f8">Adam Schiff</a>&nbsp;of California defended his party's stance on the shutdown, saying on NBC that the possible increase in health care costs for “millions of Americans” would make insurance unaffordable in what he called a “crisis.”

But Schiff also noted that the Trump administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-foreign-aid-funding-freeze-cbf34e243ab5080a3eb8e4968effbf49">stopped congressionally approved spending</a>&nbsp;from being used. That essentially undermines the value of Democrats trying to seek compromises on the budget since the administration could block the spending of money from any deal. The Trump administration sent Congress roughly $4.9 billion in “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-aid-pocket-rescission-374c63e6b4004e819a657e33b76f502e">pocket rescissions</a>&nbsp;” on foreign aid, a process that meant the spending was withheld without time for Congress to weigh in before the previous fiscal year ended last month.

“We need both to address the health care crisis and we need some written assurance in the law — I won’t take a promise — that they’re not going to renege on any deal we make,” Schiff said.

The television appearances indicated that Democrats and Republicans are busy talking, deploying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-social-media-image-president-artificial-intelligence-ca2bcec12c6213cdaa9639761c8bfe92">internet memes</a>&nbsp;against each other that have raised concerns about whether it's possible to negotiate in good faith.

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