By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The Hays City Commission will conduct public hearings during its April 9 meeting for incentives for a planned travel plaza north of Interstate 70 at Exit 157.

&nbsp;The developer is requesting Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and a Community Improvement District (CID) for the project.

Commissioners unanimously approved the resolutions during their meeting on Thursday.

"I'm excited," said Alaina Cunningham, vice-mayor, who joined the meeting via Zoom. "I think it's a much-needed addition to that area."

Triplett, Inc., Salina, plans to construct a 9,000-square-foot full-service 24/7 Travel Plaza and convenience store, including gas and diesel fuel pumps, EV charging stations, a restaurant, a dog park and RV campsites. The total project cost will be $11 million.&nbsp;

The financing district would capture all incremental property tax revenues within the TIF District, but no sales taxes, in line with the city’s economic development policy. No bonds would be issued.

It's estimated the TIF would generate $4.5 million during its 20-year life for TIF-eligible expenses on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Within&nbsp;the improvement district, a 2% CID sales tax would be imposed in addition to the city's current 2.25% sales tax.&nbsp;

The CID sales tax revenues would be used to reimburse the developer on a pay-as-you-go&nbsp;basis for CID-eligible expenses, primarily for the private construction costs of the&nbsp;Travel Store, gas pumps and related improvements.

The developer estimates the CID sales tax would&nbsp;generate about $2 million to fund CID-eligible expenses during its 22-year life.&nbsp;

Commissioners approved two rezoning requests on East 27th Street.

The first request was to rezone property at 2460 E. 27th St. from an agricultural district to a light industrial district.&nbsp;

The property is owned by L&amp;A Enterprises. The owner wants the zoning change in order to expand services.

The second rezoning request was for the adjacent property at 2470 E. 27th St., owned by Josh Ziegler, to change the designation from general commercial district to&nbsp;light industrial district.&nbsp;

Ziegler owns and operates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tsbstorage.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23323755535&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAokUTqCRaxeubmKyusoso_RcCp8Ue&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAl-_JBhBjEiwAn3rN7Uu-Tmxv4JVtdjMi4Fbm4GUE55Gcd4ji0N4oSpadTrSohYTt32qBghoCp2cQAvD_BwE">T.S.B. Storage</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;the property.

Both requests have already been approved by the Hays Area Planning Commission.&nbsp;

Fort Hays Tech North Central annual report

Eric Burks, president of Fort Hays Tech North Central, presented the annual report for the Big Creek Technical Training Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The college has a lease agreement to use the city-owned building at 101 Main as a south campus for several of its study programs.&nbsp;

With the recent opening of the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c02a9a6-ecd1-4269-8d3b-a2ab037ac756">new Hansen Construction Career Center</a> on the main campus at 2205 Wheatland Ave., and relocation of related programs to the 30,000-square-foot facility, Burks said plans are to move the programs of business management, business technology, culinary arts and telecommunications into the Big Creek campus.&nbsp;

The changes will require some remodeling of the building, which students will complete.&nbsp;

Culinary arts students will still conduct most of their cooking lessons at the Lb. Event Center, 121 E. 11th.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fort Hays Tech North Central has a $31 million annual economic impact on the community, Burks said, serving about 1,300 students each year on the campuses in Hays and Beloit.

"During our 16-year partnership with the city, we've trained 741 full-time students in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning," Burks said.&nbsp;

During that time, students built a range house at the Hays Police Department training facility and, with the assistance of Fort Hays State University students, also built the Hays Fire Department's regional fire training center.&nbsp;

Holly Dickman, water conservation specialist, presented a review of the city's 2025 water conservation programs. She said the number of rebates for purchase and installation of low-flow toilets and washing machines, turf conversions and shower heads remained steady from the previous year.&nbsp;

Dickman said, "Hays is not in a drought right now, but the seasonal outlook through May is showing the western half of the state in&nbsp;drought," according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.&nbsp;

Prior to the start of the meeting, Mayor Ruder signed a proclamation declaring the third week of March as "Fix a Leak Week" in Hays.&nbsp;

Watch the full Feb. 26 Hays City Commission meeting below.

🎙Hays City Commission sets hearing for travel plaza incentive requests

The University of Wyoming lists the following students from Kansas on the 2025 fall semester President’s Honor Roll.

The President’s Honor Roll consists of regularly enrolled undergraduates who earned a 4.0 (“A”) grade-point average for the semester. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours taken for letter grades.

The University of Wyoming provides quality undergraduate and graduate programs to 12,388 students from all 50 states and 73 countries. Established in 1886, UW is a nationally recognized research institution with accomplished faculty and world-class facilities. Offering 200 areas of study, UW provides an environment for success. A low student/faculty ratio allows for individual instruction and attention, and undergraduates often participate in cutting-edge research projects.

For more information about the University of Wyoming, view the webpage at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7gN4nZn7HGFn2f99omPhs5uPngD9rbRcGU81hbXCtIE-3DBWMC_wNhAn9efYrvevamcdiCkrLTwlAqnVTYIoRPSN2zfdQFBB8uUOy98L-2F8ykNVxhICeTrd8NBhLHy1Ap96HoY8ntrVxXtJ5-2BNVbUoNHYtJ1fHFyud5m1-2BI-2FSIiJfJaSgdrY7-2BNg6CAlPk5D9Z00KJKKTU9Do44-2FA8fitbOn9Kbk68ji-2FGSA05HW9j3ckWuOdEI5rPAW6d6PSQB1781Ma-2BPva1nmFj8jlB-2Bp5HWlvRaeWMN0s5tDvJ-2FSFKu8KXKVurO96mwLl7nCwJugOZ4YsdBZsrZyr-2B8MORpBYZSlZ6TPdwhLiRnZShtTbLpGTbac04coUQOVV2c8xV3zO-2BgWQxrIoyfSFTs9-2F0aujFSXxyOa9seI1gD-2FzNkd9OY18WfmGnAD">www.uwyo.edu</a>.

Hays resident on University of Wyoming fall semester president’s honor roll

Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place Feb.18, 2026, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

Lane County —&nbsp;23-51 KA-6478-01, K-23, bridge #001 over the South Fork Walnut Creek located 0.57 mile south of K-96, bridge replacement, L &amp; M Contractors Inc., Great Bend, Kansas, $2,969,985.27.

KDOT announces approved February bids

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Dr. Cassandra Olds, professor of entomology at Kansas State University, is presenting a program on insect control for livestock in March. 

The program will be held at the Barton County Extension office at 3007 10th Street, Great Bend, on Thursday, March 12. The program will start at 9 a.m. with doughnuts and run about an hour.

Dr. Olds is an expert in control of common livestock pests including flies, and ticks among others.

Topics covered during the program include:

1. Determining which flies your livestock have a problem with

2.       Why flies develop resistance to insecticides

3.       What can you do to slow the spread of resistance within fly populations

4.       Developing an integrated pest management program

An RSVP is appreciated, but not necessary for the refreshments. Please email or call Alicia Boor at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu">aboor@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-628-9430 to RSVP.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Program on insect control for livestock coming up in March

TOPEKA – Young cattlemen and women from across the state met in Topeka February 16-17 for the first installment of the 2026 Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA), which marks the program’s 20th year. 

Merck Animal Health remains the exclusive program sponsor, partnering with KLA to host members for an in-depth look into KLA and the beef industry. A series of four seminars are held throughout the year across Kansas.

In their first gathering, YSA members were introduced to the array of member services provided by KLA, heard about the importance of being an advocate for the livestock industry, learned about lobbying at the state Capitol and took part in the annual KLA legislative meeting and dinner. 

Additionally, YSA members toured the capitol with KLA lobbyists, viewed the House of Representatives in session and participated in a financial planning seminar conducted by Pinion. 

&nbsp;KLA communications staff, Riley County beef producers and entrepreneurs Andy and Sara Larson, and WIBW-Topeka farm broadcaster Greg Akagi gave the group an overview of various outlets available to help tell the beef production story, inspired them to get involved in their communities as a representative of the beef industry and shared information on how to handle media inquiries. 

The Larsons talked about their experience in launching their own direct-to-consumer beef business, 1880 Beef, and their interactions with consumers. Akagi led the class in mock radio and television interviews.

Members of the 2026 YSA class are James Brack, Moscow; Sierra Cargill, Medicine Lodge; Gatlin Clawson, Meade; Brooke Falk, Harveyville; MaKala Fitzsimmons, Cunningham; Shane Flach, Manhattan; Casey Giffing, Ulysses; Hannah Grund, Wallace; Nick Higgason, Olmitz; Justine Johns, Minneapolis; Luke Kaiser, Grinnell; Adalaide Kline, Colby; Brady McComb, Pratt; Nick Nowak, Ellis; Quinton Porter, Hays; Jack Roenne, Great Bend; Skye Schumaker, Pratt; Baylee Shultz, Berryton; Teagan Sturdy-Milliken, Lyndon; and Taylee Velasquez, Hugoton.

The class will meet again in May for the second installment of the 2026 program. Members will have the opportunity to learn more about the agribusiness and beef retail industries in the Kansas City area.

KLA is a trade organization representing the state’s livestock business on legislative, regulatory and industry issues at both the state and federal levels. The association’s work is funded through voluntary dues dollars paid by its more than 5,500 members.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays, Ellis producers part of Young Stockmen's Academy 

Last Thursday marked “Turnaround,” the key deadline that signals the halfway point of the 2026 Legislative Session. It was a busy week in the Senate, with two full days on the floor debating and voting on legislation. 

In total, the Senate passed more than 53 bills ahead of the deadline this week. 

Following extended sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Legislature recessed until February 24 to allow staff time to process the significant volume of legislation advanced this week. The long weekend allows legislative staff to “turnaround” the long list of bills and prepare them for consideration in the other chamber. 

Under legislative rules, most bills must pass their chamber of origin by Turnaround in order to remain eligible for consideration in the other chamber. 

When we return, the focus will shift to reviewing bills passed by the House, along with measures that are exempt from the Turnaround deadline. The Legislature will continue meeting through the end of March before a short recess. We will then return to consider any vetoes prior to final adjournment. 

The primary constitutional responsibility remaining this session is passage of the state budget. 

The Kansas Legislature operates on a 90-day calendar and is scheduled to adjourn April 11.

Veto Override SB 244 – Veto overridden; Establishes statutory definitions of sex for purposes of Kansas law and requires certain public documents and multiple-occupancy private spaces in public buildings to be designated based on biological sex at birth. The Legislature overrode the Governor’s veto, and the bill will become law.

Committee schedules, bill text, voting records, and other helpful information are available at www.kslegislature.org. For a more detailed explanation of specific bills, click on “Bills &amp; Laws,” select “Senate Bills,” locate the bill number you are interested in, and then click on “SN” (Supplemental Notes). 

These summaries are prepared by the nonpartisan Legislative Research and Revisor staff and provide a clear overview of each measure. The website also allows you to listen to or watch live sessions, as well as review past committee meetings and floor proceedings. 

Your engagement in the legislative process is important and always welcome.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. An email is the best at this point in the session.

Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300 SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 &nbsp;elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov 785-296-7389 &nbsp;https://elainebowers.com/ <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">&nbsp;www.kslegislature.org</a>

BOWERS: 2026 Senate Scene – Session turnaround

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Winter canola possesses many of the same benefits as other common cover crop Brassica species, including an aggressive taproot, nutrient cycling, and overwintering biomass. The potential exists to increase the use of winter canola as a cover crop Brassica across the U.S. and to improve the plant traits that make it a capable cover crop, utilizing the germplasm pool under selection at K-State.

The K-State canola breeding program serves as a co-principal investigator on a National Cover Crop Variety Improvement and Seed Production Program, funded a USDA Sustainable Agricultural Systems grant, and led by the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture. This nationally coordinated effort will catalyze more rapid and effective progress in meeting demand for regionally adapted, high-quality cover crop seed of five different cover crop species.

The MU Center for Regenerative Agriculture invites farmers from across the U.S. to complete a short online survey to better understand the types of traits and characteristics that producers’ value most in their cover crops. The results of the survey will directly inform future cover crop breeding and variety testing research, as well as outreach efforts, to help meet the needs of farmers across the country.

The survey will take approximately 5 to 15 minutes and is completely voluntary. All types of producers are encouraged to participate, including both those with and without cover crop experience. Survey findings will be shared through presentations, publications in peer-reviewed literature, and farm media outlets. 

If you have any questions, please contact Etienne Sutton at etiennesutton@missouri.edu.

Follow this link to complete the survey: <a href="https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8oJnvCLDdrNHiKi">https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8oJnvCLDdrNHiKi </a>

Article provided by Mike Stamm, KSU Canola Breeder, mjstamm@ksu.edu.

CAMPBELL: Building better cover crops: K-State joins national effort

<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

Submitted Join us in honoring the Stockton FFA chapter.

FFA Week will be celebrated&nbsp;Feb. 22-28.

🏀🎥 TMP-Marian Monarchs host Smith Center in postseason opener

Starting Tuesday, March 3, until further notice, Fort Street from 27th to 22nd in Hays will be undergoing roadwork improvements. 

South bound single lane traffic will continue with periods of temporary closure during the rehabilitation process. 

Please be cautious when traveling Fort Street between 27th &amp; 22nd as there will be construction traffic and activities in this area. 

The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

Portion of Fort Street in Hays narrowed to one lane for reconstruction 

&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

The Fort Hays State University Criminal Justice Program will host its 8th annual Criminal Justice Career Fair on Monday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union.

The event brings together a wide range of agencies and organizations representing law enforcement, court administration and court services, corrections, community corrections, mental health services, advocacy organizations, family services, and related professional fields.

The Career Fair is designed to connect students and community members with employers seeking qualified candidates for internships, part-time employment, and full-time career opportunities. 

While rooted in criminal justice, the event highlights the interdisciplinary nature of today’s workforce. 

Agencies will be recruiting individuals pursuing degrees not only in criminal justice, but also in psychology, social work, leadership, political science, sociology, business and accounting, nursing, natural sciences, human resources, and other career fields.

“This event reflects the broad scope of careers that intersect with the justice system,” said Tamara Lynn, chair and professor of criminal justice. “It is an opportunity for students to explore meaningful career pathways while engaging directly with professionals serving our communities.”

The Criminal Justice Career Fair is free and open to FHSU students and alumni. Professional dress and copies of résumés are encouraged.

Fort Hays State University to host Criminal Justice Career Fair on Monday

The last two K-State Extension Crop Talk webinars will be held each Tuesday at 12 noon to 1 p.m. on March 3 and 10.

You register for them only once, and then you will receive an email with the zoom and YouTube link. If you happen to miss it, you can go back and listen to the recording and view the presenters' slides as well.

These Crop Talk webinars are for growers in northcentral and northwest areas and counties of Kansas and are brought to you by the Extension agents of those areas.

On March 3, Rodrigo Onofre, Extension row crop pathologist, will discuss "Fungicide Applications in Corn and Sorghum." The last crop talk webinar will be March 10 with Anthony Zukoff, Extension entomologist, highlighting "Insects to Watch for in the Field this Growing Season."

To register do an internet search for KSU Crop Talk webinar and the <a href="https://www.wkrec.org/events/croptalk/">link</a> should pull up. Once you have registered, you will receive an email with the zoom and YouTube link to join us each Tuesday at 12 noon to 1 pm. on March 3 and 10.

If you have questions contact Stacy Campbell, at the Cottonwood Extension Office in Hays at 785-628-9430.

Fungicide applications, insects are topics of March 'Crop Talk' Extension webinars

DODGE CITY — United Wireless Arena, managed by&nbsp;VenuWorks, is excited to announce&nbsp;Flatland Cavalry as the official&nbsp;2026 Dodge City Days Concert on&nbsp;Saturday, July 25. Doors will open at&nbsp;6:30 p.m. on July 25 and the show will start at 7:30 p.m.

The pre-sale for FLATLAND CAVALRY begins Thursday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m.,&nbsp;ending at 10:00 p.m., while the public on sale starts Friday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m.

For the past decade, Flatland Cavalry has built a reputation as “one of the most dynamic&nbsp;presences in country music” (Rolling Stone) with their signature “easy on the ears, heavy on&nbsp;the heart” sound. In 2024, the sextet celebrated 10 years together with Flatland Forever, an&nbsp;acclaimed album that pays tribute to their journey, revisiting fan favorites while introducing&nbsp;new songs that showcase how far they’ve come. 

The past year has been full of milestones for&nbsp;the Nashville and Texas-based band. 

They earned their first ACM Award nomination for Group&nbsp;of the Year, achieved their first RIAA Gold certification for their breakout single “A Life&nbsp;Where We Work Out,” and made their mark in film and television with contributions to the&nbsp;Twisters and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds &amp; Snakes soundtracks, as well as&nbsp;featured placements on Yellowstone and Landman. 

Their relentless touring schedule reached&nbsp;new heights, including sold-out headline performances at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena and the&nbsp;legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre. 

Since first emerging in 2014, Flatland Cavalry has racked&nbsp;up seven #1 singles on Texas Country Radio and amassed more than 500 million streams.&nbsp;Along the way, they’ve shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson,&nbsp;Jordan Davis, Midland, and more — proving that their brand of storytelling and musicianship&nbsp;resonates far beyond their roots. 

Flatland Cavalry is Cleto Cordero (vocals, acoustic guitar),&nbsp;Jason Albers (drums, percussion), Jonathan Saenz (bass), Reid Dillon (electric guitar), Wesley&nbsp;Hall (fiddle), and Adam Gallegos (piano, organ, keys, mandolin, banjo).

Tickets for Flatland Cavalry will go on sale Friday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. CST. Tickets can&nbsp;be purchased at the United Wireless Arena box office or online through Ticketmaster.com.

Ticket prices are $84 or $64 for reserved seating depending on location, plus applicable fees&nbsp;and taxes. The floor will be general admission, standing only. 

United Wireless Arena is an&nbsp;exclusive Ticketmaster facility and cannot guarantee tickets purchased as resale or through a&nbsp;third-party vendor. 

Doors will open one hour before showtime. 

Handicapped accessible seating&nbsp;must be arranged directly through the United Wireless Arena Ticket Office. 

United Wireless&nbsp;Arena has a clear bag policy in place. Please check our <a href="https://www.unitedwirelessarena.com/">website</a> for more details.

'Flatland Cavalary' brings signature sound as official Dodge City Days concert

By JORDAN EDWARDS Fort Hays Tech | Northwest

GOODLAND — Fort Hays Tech | Northwest will host a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on Friday, February 27, at 1 p.m. (MT) to celebrate the official opening of the Schears Family Center for Innovation and Design and the Tiny Tigers Child Care Facility.

The event will take place at 1407 Eustis Avenue in Goodland and is open to the public. Community members, donors, partners, and supporters are invited to attend and help mark this important milestone for the college.

The ceremony will honor the Schears Family for their generosity and lasting impact on Fort Hays Tech | Northwest. 

The Schears Family Center for Innovation and Design represents a significant investment in hands-on learning, creativity, and workforce preparation, providing students with modern spaces designed to support collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence.

Ben Schears, FHSU Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development and former president of Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, said the college has played a foundational role in his family.

“With all five of our kids having graduated from Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, Rachel teaching math, and as a former employee myself, the college has had a fundamental impact on each of our lives,” Schears said. “Our entire family is humbled by the honor. We love the Tech and are thrilled to see the new childcare center making a difference.”

The opening of the Tiny Tigers Child Care Facility further strengthens the college’s commitment to student success and community support. The facility will serve as a learning environment for students in the Child Care Specialist program while also providing high-quality childcare services for families in the region.

“This project reflects our commitment to remove barriers, expand opportunity, and create spaces that support both education and community needs,” said President Dr. Corey Isbell. “We are grateful to the Schears family and all who helped make this vision a reality.”

The ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony will include remarks, a formal ribbon cutting, and opportunities for attendees to tour the new facilities.

For more information about the event or Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqugsOgS21wCFwNLUBKgCqkA-3DGhUA_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOqvt2CQH4kxOaFChik5xVfsLl5bIW1g-2FXg8-2FYNmd4Wyn1VzaGMb03kI0kRxQYzQQKHS6Kp77y4YvC-2BuPEg4VtkJJarJ9kPDCs5R5sTTnDYWgl7NUq2K-2F3tLU3aV-2Bb32CtCazaaFMFcGSLrfZHfR0XRKHTYBOE2QlMaWj1tbneYF-2FbwMyEfE98y8s1LYmswtUTyM-2F1Lde3K2yaFafhrUr59KYFieUoosDySFQXlkPAxj82yC1EHP-2BXu2rzhbyC3Y1A">www.fhnw.edu</a>

Fort Hays Tech|NW to host ribbon cutting, ceremony honoring Schears family

Kansas Scholastic Chess Association tourney in Hays on Feb. 28

Informational meeting set for Tuesday for 100 Who Care

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

&nbsp;If you would like to get in on the action of this year’s online auction, click on the link below.&nbsp;

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>

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. 

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

Eagle Radio Auction live now!

&nbsp;The U.S. and Israel have launched a major attack on Iran. As of 12 noon CST Saturday, several members of the Kansas Congressional delegation used their social media accounts to comment on the military action.

Kansas lawmakers comment on U.S. military attack on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump said in an 8-minute video posted on his Truth Social that the U.S. has begun “major combat operations in Iran.” He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S. and appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government.”

A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. A vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.

For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regime’s very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Iran’s proxies carried out the marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel.

In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime’s proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as U.S. naval and commercial vessels and international shipping lines. It’s been mass terror, and we’re not going to put up with it any longer.

From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. And it was Iran’s proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before.

Iran is the world’s number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime’s nuclear program at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn’t want to do it. Again they wanted to do it. They didn’t want to do it. They didn’t know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades.

They’ve rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing the long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had, and actually were armed with nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message.

For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We’re going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally again obliterated. We’re going to annihilate their navy. We’re going to ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs, or roadside bombs as they are sometimes called, to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It’s a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon.

This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength or sophistication. My administration is taking every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we’re doing this not for now. We’re doing this for the future. And it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harm’s way. And we trust that with his help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail. We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail.

To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death. Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.

For many years, you have asked for America’s help. But you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. So let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny, and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.

May God bless the brave men and women of America’s armed forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Thank you.

Read President Trump’s statement on Iran in full

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on&nbsp;<a href="https://israel's%20defense%20minister%20says%20his%20country%20has%20attacked%20iran%20and%20declares%20a%20state%20of%20emergency/">Iran</a>&nbsp;on Saturday, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;urged the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.

Some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/live-updates-israel-iran-february-28-2026">the first strikes</a>&nbsp;on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ali-khamenei">Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>. Smoke rose from the capital as part of strikes that Iranian media said occurred nationwide. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was in his offices when the attack occurred.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive “as far as I know,” and called the attack “unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate.”

In a video announcing the “major combat operations," Trump told Iranians that “when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that goal, called for “the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands."

The strikes during the holy fasting month of Ramadan opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran, and marked the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has attacked the Islamic Republic during talks over its nuclear program. Weeks earlier, a U.S. military operation captured Venezuela’s president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">Nicolás Maduro</a>.

The targets included members of Iran's leadership, according to a U.S. official and another person briefed on the attacks who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation. There was no immediate information on whether top officials were killed.

Even if Iran's top leaders are killed, regime change is not guaranteed. Neither the U.S. nor Israel have articulated a vision for what new leadership might look like.

Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance of the attack.

The U.N. Security Council said it would meet Saturday afternoon. In a letter to the council, Araghchi said “all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile forces in the region shall be regarded as legitimate military objectives.”

Iran also requested an urgent session of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors about “these threats to safeguarded nuclear facilities,” according to a letter posted by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency.

The U.N.’s nuclear watchdog said on X it was closely monitoring developments and had seen “no evidence of radiological impact.”

Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region. Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program at a moment when the country is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-economy-prices-aa1c14906b39f79b88cdf47616a4a755">struggling at home</a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-protests-students-nuclear-khamenei-096e7ede9bc9c1e7b889878af9d6e750">growing dissent</a>&nbsp;following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-memorials-chehelom-71e5db503a287126a2d31cb32a2809eb">nationwide protests</a>.

The immediate trigger for Saturday’s strikes appeared to be the unsuccessful latest round of nuclear talks. But they also reflected dramatic changes that have left Iran’s leadership in its weakest position since the Islamic Revolution nearly half a century ago.

Israeli and American strikes last June greatly weakened Iran’s air defenses, military leadership and nuclear program. A regionwide war, sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has left Iran’s network of proxies across the Middle East greatly weakened. U.S. sanctions and global isolation, meanwhile, have decimated Iran’s economy.

Iran responded to the latest strikes by launching missiles and drones targeting Israel and strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

Israel’s military said Iran fired “dozens” of missiles at Israel, with many intercepted and no serious injuries reported. Barrages continued after sundown.

In southern Iran, at least 57 people were reported killed after a girls’ school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. The White House and Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Flights across the Middle East were disrupted and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates' commercial capital. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said.

Attack was coordinated between Israel and US

The U.S. military has for weeks amassed forces in the region, even as U.S. and Iranian envoys held talks in Switzerland and Oman.

“Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined,” Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, key mediator, said on X. “Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this," he said.

Israel said the operation has been planned for months with the U.S. “Air Force pilots are striking hundreds of targets across Iran, at significant personal risk and in coordination with U.S. strikes,” Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement.

Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack.

Trump, in seeking to justify the military action, claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program, despite asserting last year the program had been “obliterated” by an earlier round of strikes. He acknowledged Saturday that there could be American casualties, saying “that often happens in war.”

It was a notable call from a U.S. leader who swept into office on an “America First” platform and vowed to keep out of “forever wars.”

Trump’s statement listed grievances beyond the nuclear program, stretching back to the beginning of the Islamic Republic, following a revolution in 1979 that turned Iran from an American ally into a fierce foe.

The U.S. president said he was aiming to “annihilate” the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran. He called on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down arms, pledging members would be given immunity, while warning they would face “certain death” if they didn’t.

Trump had threatened military action, but held off, following Iran's recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances that evolved into a nationwide, anti-government push against the ruling clerics.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-campus-protests-crackdown-54149e9d49fe022d840f71eb5f5be106">more than 7,000 deaths</a>&nbsp;in the crackdown and is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-enrichment-c0079c38746a896e2967a9a9cc2799d5">Iran has said it hasn’t enriched uranium since June</a>, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-nuclear-enrichment-satellite-d5c78b5fe974ec2fc338b8ad6d6a7d68">shown new activity at two of those sites</a>, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there.

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