By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Astra Bank relocated from downtown Hays to a newly built location to better serve its customers.&nbsp;

The Chamber in Hays held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday to celebrate the opening with Jason Kennedy, Astra Bank market president, and the CEO of Astra Bank, Kyle Campbell.

"We truly believe as a family-owned community bank that we should invest in the community because we're never going to be more successful than the communities we serve," Campbell said.&nbsp;

Astra Bank’s new location, 2605 Main St., features better accessibility, wider drive-through lanes and increased personal interaction with customers. Kennedy said the relocation idea began during a casual conversation with Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, and the city.

"It was kind of off-handed when the city was looking at the police station. I said 'Why don't you guys buy my building? Let's do a swap and we'll develop on that lot," Kennedy said.

Kennedy said the relocation arrangement saved the city taxpayers' money. The former Astra Bank building at 1100 Fort will be repurposed as a new police and municipal court facility.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/382c7a91-48de-48d8-97cc-fae13f56bf8b">SEE RELATED STORY: City commission approves $5.9 million contract for Hays police/court facility</a>

Kennedy emphasized that the bank serves as a commercial and community bank, supporting agriculture, local businesses and civic projects.

"Anything you can find at any other bank, we do here as well. We just do it better," Kennedy said.

The bank opened its new location on Aug. 18. To celebrate, Astra Bank is offering a 10% three-month CD, limited to one per household, available from Sept. 12 to 19 for the first 100 households.

Kennedy said Astra Bank kept operations running without interruption during the move, continuing to serve customers.

"My staff was not just patient. They were phenomenal," he said.

The bank lobby is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the drive-through is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You can follow Astra Bank on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AstraBank">Facebook </a>and visit their website <a href="https://www.astra.bank/Home/fbclid/IwY2xjawMxIxRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFNUW9LNUhuRU1veTBJNVN4AR5BULMlltVbsHhFDqBczlDpCiSt2t7n_jOUQGR6jwhNR-gRh3J4an5214bNkw_aem_zpuBd6fMkmiZN02miUk9Ng">here</a>.

Astra Bank celebrates new home in Hays, saving taxpayer dollars

Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Joshua Eaton as manager of supply chain. In this role, Eaton will oversee the strategic direction and daily operations of Sunflower’s purchasing and warehousing functions, ensuring these critical areas align with the company’s long-term goals and objectives.

Eaton will spearhead continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain, leveraging data-driven insights to enhance cost efficiency, streamline operations, and boost overall performance. He will also address complex supply chain challenges, providing actionable solutions to improve visibility, service, and coordination across all divisions.

“Josh brings a strong blend of experience, deep knowledge, and a proven ability to execute strategy,” said Will Wylie, vice president of safety and supply chain. “His people-first leadership style aligns seamlessly with our culture of treating one another exceptionally well and working together to deliver world-class service.”

With extensive experience managing profit and loss, budgeting, and developing effective policies and procedures, Eaton has a proven record of delivering measurable results. His focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement will play a vital role in enhancing Sunflower’s financial performance and supporting its long-term strategic execution.

Eaton earned a bachelor of arts in business and communications from Mid-America Nazarene University. He and his wife, Tiffany, reside in Palco with their children, Joseph and Andrew.

Sunflower Electric hires new manager of supply chain

Katharinenstadt's Essenfest is Oct. 12; Registration open now

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Controlling volunteer wheat this summer and now into early fall has been challenging. While we are always thankful for the needed moisture, it has caused several flushes of volunteer wheat now. And I hate to be the bearer of bad news but continuing to control all volunteer wheat is still important.

A late flush of volunteer wheat likely is harboring fewer wheat curl mites the vector of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV) complex than volunteer wheat that has been established for a while. There is still time to go out and control those late flushes of volunteer wheat before planting begins.

The general target date for planting wheat for optimum grain yields in Kansas is within a week of the best pest management planting date, or BPMP (formerly known as the “Hessian fly-free”) date (Figure 1). Planting after these dates not only benefits grain yield, but may help reduce the risk of serious pests and diseases that can damage the wheat crop in Kansas. 

If forage production is the primary goal, earlier planting (mid-September) can increase forage yield. However, if grain yield is the primary goal, then waiting until the BPMP date to start planting is the best approach. Planting in mid-September is ideal for dual-purpose wheat systems where forage yields need to be maximized while reducing the effects of early planting on reduced grain yields.

Figure 1. These dates were established several years ago. Although fields may still be infested with Hessian fly when planted after these dates if the weather is mild, later planting dates generally reduce problems from Hessian fly, aphids, wheat curl mites, and many diseases.

For growers considering planting early, a good management consideration would be to select wheat varieties with resistance to the wheat streak mosaic virus and/or with tolerance to the wheat curl mite, especially in the western portions of the state. Updated disease and insect ratings for wheat varieties can be found with an internet search for K-State Extension Wheat Variety Guide 2025.

Armyworms Armyworms and other lepidopteran larvae may also still pose a serious problem to early planted wheat. They may feed on the green wheat plants until the first cold front comes through (temperatures in the mid-20-degree F range for a couple of hours). Insecticide seed treatments do not work well against lepidoptera larvae.

Fall Armyworm/Armyworm Considerations in Volunteer Wheat

Because of the large armyworm and fall armyworm populations this year and in years past, some producers are considering adding insecticide to volunteer wheat herbicide applications to save on costs. However, this is not recommended. First, destroying volunteer wheat will starve larvae, push them into pupation, or expose them to predators. Second, insecticides should only be used when pests are at a vulnerable stage and above treatment thresholds. Finally, any insecticide applied now will lose activity long before planted wheat emerges. Control the volunteer wheat, but resist the urge to tank-mix insecticide.

Early planting of wheat can increase risks that affect stand establishment and yield:

· Disease risk: Greater chance of insect- or mite-transmitted viral diseases.

· Emergence challenges: High temperatures can reduce germination and shorten coleoptile length in some varieties.

· Optimal planting: Aim for the recommended planting window whenever possible.

· Variety selection: If planting early (due to moisture or dual-purpose systems), choose varieties tolerant to major regional yield-limiting factors.

· Seed treatments: Strongly consider fungicide and insecticide seed treatments when planting early in Kansas.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Control volunteer wheat before planting begins

<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

Schoenchen Community Center&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4-7 p.m.

Sauerkraut Soup, Green Bean Dumpling Soup Noodles, Ham &amp; Beans, German Sausage Homemade Bread Pies, Kuchens &amp; Cakes Tea or Coffee

&nbsp; $15.00 8 and under Free&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sponsored by the St. Anthony Altar Society&nbsp;

Fundraiser for the St Anthony Park and Playground

50/50 RAFFLE (Need not be present to win)

🏈🎥 TMP travels to Norton for MCL showdown

Hays High (1-0, 0-0 WAC) vs Choctaw, Ok. (1-0) Friday, Sept. 12 - 7 p.m. Hays, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Hays High Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2551462">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The Hays High Indians host their home opener Friday night against Choctaw, Oklahoma.&nbsp;

Kickoff is at 7
p.m. with the Hertz Renta Car Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. on MIX 103.

🏈🎥 Hays opens the season at Derby

At 11:47 p.m. on Sept. 2, an Ellis Police Officer was dispatched to Love's, 200 Washington for a possible disturbance. Love's employees stated that a female was inside the store, causing a disturbance, and had a disagreement about paying for items.

Throughout the officer's investigation, it was discovered that the female, identified as Janet McCoy, 24, Wichita KS, was in possession of a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Riley County, KS. Officers also located suspected Methamphetamine and drug-related paraphernalia.

Janet was arrested and booked into the Ellis County Jail without incident. The theft offense is being prosecuted by the Riley County Attorney's Office and the following charges were requested through the Ellis County District Court:

-Possession of Opiates, Opium, Narcotics, or a Certain Stimulant -Possession of Drug Paraphernalia -Criminal Use of a Financial Card

Wichita woman arrested in Ellis for alleged car theft, drug possession

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Kelly Modlin of the Twisted Oz Motorcycle Museum in Augusta.

🎤 Forward Ever: Twisted Oz Motorcycle Museum 

Schoenchen Community Center&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4-7 p.m.

Sauerkraut Soup, Green Bean Dumpling Soup Noodles, Ham &amp; Beans, German Sausage Homemade Bread Pies, Kuchens &amp; Cakes Tea or Coffee

&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

OAKLEY — Oakley will host its annual Gun, Coin, and Knife Show Sat., Sept. 20 and Sun., Sept. 21 at Western Vista Complex, 306 Sunrise.

See the many vendors with guns, rare coins, knives and collectibles.&nbsp;

The show is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is one of the larges and most well attended shows in the region.

Oakley's annual Gun, Coin, Knife & Collectible Show is Sept. 20, 21

Community Shred Day Saturday at Bank of Hays

&nbsp;Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Hays Police Department will partner with the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau to present “Pedal Patrol in the Park,” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13, in Aubel Bickle Optimist Park at 30th&nbsp;and Sherman Ave.

The goal of the event is to promote bike and scooter safety among young riders, with emphasis on learning correct helmet use and rules of the road for bicycles and scooters.

Events will include rides around the park with the HPD Bike Patrol and Hays Area Bicyclists, along with parent/toddler rides and bicycle seat safety checks for those who ride with a grown-up.&nbsp;

Children aged 0-13 will be encouraged to bring their scooters, bikes, trikes, Little Tikes cars, skateboards – whatever wheels they ride – to the event. Parents are also encouraged to bring their bikes.&nbsp;

A limited number of bicycle helmets will be given away, thanks to a grant from the Ellis County Legacy Fund and the Heartland Healthy Living Fund of the Heartland Community Foundation.

“This will help us further our goal of improving public safety,” said Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler. “A helmet will help a child form a lifelong healthy habit of being safe every time they ride.”

Attendees can enjoy food trucks, music, games, and bike safety activities. Pfonz’s Smokehaus, The Local, Frozen Frog, and Suck It Up Bubble Cup are scheduled to be at the event.

Story times with the HPD and the Hays Public Library Bookmobile will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Other activities include safety obstacle courses, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/76c208bb-a6aa-4e68-9115-5092bb6f74a1">safety sessions with HPD Bike Patrol officers</a>, the Fort Hays State University MakerVan, yard games, volleyball, basketball, and bicycle safety checks with Precision Valley Golf and Bike Center.

There will be various giveaways and a raffle for three bicycles and one scooter courtesy of Hays Walmart.&nbsp;Raffle tickets can be earned by participating in the safety events throughout the day.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and coolers to the event, but no glass bottles are allowed.&nbsp;Pets on leashes are allowed but owners must clean up after their pets.

For details and updates on this event, check the Community Events calendar at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.visithays.com/">www.VisitHays.com</a>&nbsp;or search Facebook for the event “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=pedal%20patrol%20in%20the%20park">Pedal Patrol in the Park.</a>”

Pedal Patrol event focuses on bike, scooter safety

DOWNS — The Kansas Storytelling Festival is holding three qualifying events for the 2026 Tall Tales storytelling contest. 

Anyone (amateur) is welcome to enter these preliminary events to become one of four finalists at the Storytelling Festival on April 24-25, 2026 in Downs. All qualifier events are free to attend.

The first qualifier will be held Saturday, September 13 at the Tonganoxie Community Historical Society, 201 W. Washington St., Tonganoxie, beginning at 5:00pm. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tonganoxieartscouncil.org/copy-of-story-telling-festival">Art Events &amp; Workshops | Arts Council</a> Following the Tall Tale contest at about 7:35 p.m., Professional Storyteller Paul Strickland will perform.

The second qualifier will be held Saturday, September 20 at the Mid-America All-Indian Center, 650 N. Seneca St., Wichita, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Following the contest, previous Kansas Tall Tale champions and historical Legends will perform. Register by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kansasstorytelling@gmail.com">kansasstorytelling@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;or contacting Mike at 785-545-5285.

The final qualifier will be held in Downs, the “Storytelling Capital of Kansas” on Saturday, October 11, at the Zion Lutheran Church, 1018 Blunt Street, Downs. The Downs event begins at 7:00 p.m. Register by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kansasstorytelling@gmail.com">kansasstorytelling@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;or contacting Mike at 785-454-1177.

A tall tale is a unique form of American Story Telling in which the narrator usually has a part in the story. Telling a tall tale uses exaggerated detail describing things larger than they really are.&nbsp; A tall tale is a story based on a fact, or facts, and filled with unbelievable elements told as if they were true and factual. A tall tale has just enough truth to make a good story and to incite the imagination. 

Professional storytellers cannot compete. 

Information and rules for the Tall Tale Competition are posted at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">kansasstorytellingfestival.com</a>&nbsp;

Interested individuals can enter any of the events, or all of them if not selected as top qualifier. For more information or to register for each event, please go to the Kansas Storytelling Festival website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/</a>&nbsp;or the Kansas Storytelling FaceBook page at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival">https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival</a>.

Storytelling festival's Tall Tale preliminaries begin Saturday

Go Truck Go, a free family event, will be on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Early Childhood Connections, 2501 E. 13th across from Hays High School.

Children will get to experience vehicles they see daily. Go Truck Go features an ambulance, fire truck, police car, implements and construction vehicles.

Free food and drinks and free informational booths from area resources.

Go Truck Go to be Sept. 11 at Early Childhood Connections

The Bricks is wrapping up its Brick-by-Brick Campaign. Community members and businesses have one last opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in Downtown Hays before the September 30 deadline to purchase an engraved brick or limestone block for the new Shed Project.

The Shed Project will be a new storage and service facility adjacent to the Downtown Hays Pavilion. This addition is designed to secure event equipment, serve concessions, and host the Downtown Hays Market Manager’s station during community favorites such as the Downtown Hays Market, Christmas Magic on Main Street, and Wines &amp; Steins. Once complete, the Shed will provide much-needed support for year-round events that bring vibrancy and connection to The Bricks.

“We are very excited about this enhancement to Union Pacific Park, one of our most visible and well utilized contributions to Downtown. While events are just part of what we do, last year they brought over 15,000 people to the heart of our community. This project meets an immediate need for those initiatives and the functionality of the pavilion, while staying true to the beautiful architecture of the original railroad depot. None of this progress is possible without the support of our community!,” said Andrew Taylor, board chair of The Bricks (operating as the Downtown Hays Development Corporation, or DHDC).

To participate, visit The Bricks office at 1200 Main Street, Suite 102 in Downtown Hays, or reach out online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.downtownhays.com/">www.DowntownHays.com</a>/pavilion-shed-project. For logo submissions (limestone block donors only), email your file and contact details to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:thebricks@downtownhays.com">thebricks@downtownhays.com</a>.

“This campaign is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Lee Ann June, Executive Director at The Bricks. “It’s about the community who believes in Downtown Hays and wants to see it thrive for generations to come.”

The Brick by Brick Campaign officially closes on September 30, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to engrave your name, your business, or your family into the story of The Bricks.

 Brick-by-Brick campaign ends Sept. 30 for Downtown Hays shed project

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects in connection with a disturbance and shots fired outside a West Wichita convenience store on Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Just after 12:30 p.m. Thursday, police were called to the convenience store after a reported disturbance and shots fired in the parking lot.&nbsp;

Investigators learned that five female students from Northwest High School went to the convenience store to purchase items from the suspects, who were known to one of the girls. 

After the exchange, a confrontation ensued between the females and the suspects inside a bathroom. The altercation moved to the parking lot of the convenience store, where an 18-year-old male produced a handgun and fired one round in the air to scare the girls away.&nbsp;

The 18-year-old and a 17-year-old suspect fled the scene, but were located in El Dorado by Butler County Sheriff deputies and taken into custody shortly after. 

They were transported back to Wichita for questioning, and both were arrested. The 18-year-old&nbsp; was booked on a requested charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The 17-year-old was booked on a requested charge of misdemeanor theft.&nbsp;

Teens fired shots to scare Kan. high school girls on lunch break

KANSAS CIty —Eight people were injured in an accident involving a school bus just after 4p.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A car and small school bus were involved in the accident at Linwood and Cleveland, according to KC Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.&nbsp; EMS transported six children and two adults to a local hospital for evaluation of minor injuries.

&nbsp;Authorities released no additional detials.

Kansas City Police are investigating the accident.&nbsp;&nbsp;

6 children, 2 adults injured after car, school bus crash in Kansas City

Washington –&nbsp;On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger&nbsp;Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Senate colleagues in&nbsp;introducing a resolution honoring the life of Turning Point USA’s founder, Charlie Kirk. Charlie was assassinated while holding an event at Utah Valley University’s campus.

“My wife Laina and I are devastated, and our hearts and prayers are with his wife, Erika, and their two children,”&nbsp;said Senator&nbsp;Marshall.&nbsp;“Charlie was a person of faith, and I know that God will be there for his family in this moment. Charlie’s legacy is cemented as one of the great thought leaders of Conservatism in the 21st century, reaching millions of young people and college students about the importance of faith, family, and country.”

Condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk and honoring his life and legacy.

Whereas Charlie Kirk was horrifically assassinated on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University while speaking to a large group of college students;

Whereas Charlie Kirk was a devoted husband, father, and Christian;

Whereas, in 2012, Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a conservative campus advocacy group that quickly became one of the fastest-growing college campus chapter organizations in the country; and

Whereas Charlie Kirk frequently engaged college students of all political backgrounds in open debates and discussion, encouraging civil discourse on college campuses and among college students: Now, therefore, be it

Read the resolution: Kan. U.S. Senators honor the life of Charlie Kirk

KINGMAN COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Kingman County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the death of a woman in Spivey, Kansas.

On Friday, Sept. 5, around 9:10 p.m., emergency medical services (EMS) were called to a residence in Spivey, according to a media release from the KBI.

The caller, identified as Linda Oeding, 70, requested EMS transport her mother, Betty Oeding, 94, to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for medical care. 

When EMS arrived, they observed Betty was experiencing malnourishment and improper living conditions, and recommended she be transported to a nearby hospital. Linda declined and insisted her mother be transported to Hutchinson.

Betty was admitted into the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, and on Monday she was moved to hospice care. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, around 11:15 a.m., Betty died in hospice care. The Kingman County Sheriff’s Office was called at 4:53 p.m. to investigate and observed signs of neglect.

On Sept. 11, at approximately 11:05 a.m., the Kingman County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI’s assistance with the investigation.

On Friday, Sept. 12, at 10:41 a.m., Linda Oeding was arrested and booked into the Kingman County Sheriff’s Office Jail on requested charges of first-degree murder, mistreatment of a dependent adult/elder person, abuse and neglect, and interfering with medical care. Formal charges are pending.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further will be released at this time.

KBI: Kansas woman  jailed for mistreatment death of her mother

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court this week for possession and transfer of machine guns, including machine gun conversion devices or “switches.”

Davorian M. Fleming, 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 37 months’ imprisonment, according to the United State's Attorney.

On April 3, 2025, Fleming pleaded guilty to possession and transfer of machineguns. Fleming admitted the ‘switches” were machineguns and that he aided his co-defendants in the transfer of the machineguns.

Fleming’s co-defendant, K’Orion A. Duff, 23, also of Kansas City, Mo., was previously sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the distribution of machinegun conversion devices.&nbsp; Two co-defendants are still awaiting sentencing.&nbsp;

Under federal law, it is illegal to possess or transfer a machinegun, as that term is defined in Title 26, United States Code, Section 5845(b).&nbsp;This definition includes machine gun conversion devices often referred to as “switches.”&nbsp; A machine gun conversion device allows a semi-automatic firearm to be modified to function as a fully automatic firearm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh Ragner.&nbsp; It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Prison: Kansas City man transferred machine guns

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement agencies have cleared the downtown Dodge City area and confirmed there are no safety concerns after a reported bomb threat Friday afternoon.

The section of downtown near the Post Office including the Ford County Courthouse and the Ford County Government Center are now safe and open to the community.

 The City of Dodge City thanked the community for its patience and extends appreciation to everyone involved for their efforts during this situation.

Police reported no injuries or addditional details.

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement in Ford County are investigating a bomb threat.

Just after 2p.m. Friday, the Dodge City Police Department asked all residents downtown near the Post Office, including the Ford County Courthouse and the Ford County Government Center, to avoid the area due to a bomb threat. 

Multiple law enforcement officers were on the scene working to clear the area. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Downtown Dodge City reopens after police investigate bomb threat 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Republicans handed President Donald Trump a political victory Friday, giving final legislative approval to a redistricting plan that could help Republicans win an additional U.S. House seat in next year's elections.

The Senate vote sends&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-governor-redistricting-trump-33bfdc8790cdf8201d80c8c89258df3d">the redistricting plan</a>&nbsp;to Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe for his expected signature to make it law. But opponents immediately announced a referendum petition that, if successful, could force a statewide vote on the new map.

Missouri is the third state to take up mid-decade redistricting in an emerging national battle for partisan advantage ahead of the midterm elections. Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-texas-redistricting-trump-map-congress-b6222dd39c494c9ab48beafabc66dc35">lawmakers in Texas</a>&nbsp;passed a new U.S. House map last month aimed at helping their party win five additional seats. Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-texas-redistricting-congressional-map-4c22e21d5d4022d33a257045693b6fd4">lawmakers in California</a>&nbsp;countered with their own redistricting plan aimed at winning five more seats, but it still needs voter approval.

Each seat could be critical, because Democrats need to gain just three seats to win control of the House, which would allow them to obstruct Trump's agenda and launch investigations into him. Trump is trying to stave off a historic trend in which the president’s party typically loses seats in midterm elections.

Republicans currently hold six of Missouri’s eight U.S. House seats. The revised map&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-gerrymander-missouri-trump-3e7f49f7805daed8c6c83277bb66ba28">passed the state House</a>&nbsp;earlier this week as the focal point of a special session called by Kehoe.

Missouri's revised map targets a seat held by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-gerrymander-missouri-trump-e5b75246cbee8eb674dfdb27381cc8ac">Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver</a>&nbsp;by shaving off portions of his Kansas City district and stretching the rest of it into Republican-heavy rural areas. The plan reduces the number of Black and minority residents in Cleaver's district, partly by creating a dividing line along a street that Cleaver said had been a historical segregation line between Black and white residents.

Cleaver, who was Kansas City's first Black mayor, has served in Congress for over 20 years. He won reelection with over 60% of the vote in both 2024 and 2022 under districts adopted by the Republican-led state Legislature after the 2020 census.

Missouri passes plan that could help GOP win an additional US House seat

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man&nbsp; who admitted to vandalizing a&nbsp; church in Wichita was to learn his fate on Friday.

Sentencing was delayed for 23-year-old Michael Gonzalez of Saline County, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp; The case was continued until October 10.

In July Gonzalez pleaded guilty to felony charges: of burglary and criminal desecration and two misdemeanor charges of theft and criminal damage to property.

Just after 8:30a.m. March 15, police responded to a reported burglary at St. Patrick Catholic Church, located in the 2000 block of N. Arkansas Street in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesman Brad Wright.

Officers discovered significant vandalism, including hate speech and damage to items such as statues, candles, and glass. Notably, a United States flag had been burned.

Recognizing the severity of this crime, Wichita Police and investigators—alongside federal law enforcement partners including the FBI and ATF—immediately launched a full-scale investigation. The Wichita Police dedicated Crime Scene Investigation team worked diligently to analyze evidence, leading to the swift identification of a suspect.

Officers from the Wichita Police Field Community Response Teams were provided with critical intelligence and began searching for the suspect. At approximately 2:20 a.m. March 16, officers located and arrested Gonzalez in the 2800 block of N. Hillside in Wichita without incident.

&nbsp;Gonzalez remains jailed on bonds totaling over $500,000, according to online jail records.

Sentencing delayed for extreme vandalism at Kansas church

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A suspect on trial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9">trying to assassinate</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump while he played golf in South Florida last year forfeited his right to continue making an opening statement on Thursday when he veered off topic and talked about Adolf Hitler and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-routh-assassination-attempt-ukraine-suspicions-florida-530098c668f283d8a38eb5dd5570f1b2">Ryan Routh</a>, who is representing himself, was warned by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to stay on topic. The judge twice asked jurors to leave the courtroom so she could deal with the unconventional turn in Routh’s opening statement.

Both Routh and prosecutors had been given 40 minutes each to make opening statements, but Routh’s initial argument, read from a written statement, lasted less than 10 minutes before the judge said he had forfeited the right to continue because he was addressing unrelated matters.

“I gave you one more chance and you continued to read what has no relevance for this case,” Cannon said.

During the prosecution’s opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley told jurors that Routh wanted to make sure that Trump wasn’t re-elected to the White House.

“This plot was carefully crafted and deadly serious,” Shipley said.

Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fbi-assassination-attempt-indictment-b4c956e1a126e4acfb3c4eae0c06ddb1">attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate</a>, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.

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Prosecutors have said Routh, 59, methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.

Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-butler-assassination-attempt-anniversary-crooks-d18804b0e1382003bbb91449638c721c">another attempt</a>&nbsp;on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being shot by a Secret Service counter sniper.

Five witnesses testified Thursday, including two Secret Service agents, two FBI agents and a witness who followed Routh in his car after the shooting so he could write down his license plate.

Tommy McGee, the witness, testified that he was driving by the golf course when he heard the gunshot and saw a man running out of bushes into the street, almost hitting his car. McGee said the suspect looked at him straight in the eye. Once the suspect jumped in a car and fled, McGee said, he followed him out of a desire to help the police, not realizing that Trump was involved.

Routh asked only a few questions of the witnesses on cross-examination, and when he did he referred to himself in the third-person, leading to some awkward exchanges with Secret Service Agent Robert Fercano, who had spotted him in the bushes. Routh asked the agent if he had been harmed by what happened, and Fercano replied, “I wasn’t physically harmed, but I was mentally harmed from you pointing a gun at me.”

Fercano described being in a golf cart only five feet (1.5 meters) from Routh when he saw him pointing a gun from the bushes.

The trial began nearly a year after prosecutors say Fercano thwarted the attempt to shoot the Republican presidential nominee. It’s expected to run two or three weeks. The trial’s start comes as police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/charlie-kirk-shooting-response-updates">search for the gunman</a>&nbsp;who killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">conservative influencer Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;at a campus in Utah on Wednesday in what political leaders are calling an assassination.

Cannon is a Trump-appointed judge who drew scrutiny for her handling of a criminal case accusing Trump of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">illegally storing classified documents</a>&nbsp;at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.

Routh was a North Carolina construction worker who in recent years had moved to Hawaii. A self-styled mercenary leader, Routh spoke out to anyone who would listen about his dangerous, sometimes violent plans to insert himself into conflicts around the world, witnesses have told The Associated Press.

In the early days of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ukraine">war in Ukraine</a>, Routh tried to recruit soldiers from Afghanistan, Moldova and Taiwan to fight the Russians. In his native Greensboro, North Carolina, he was arrested in 2002 for eluding a traffic stop and barricading himself from officers with a fully automatic machine gun and a “weapon of mass destruction,” which turned out to be an explosive with a 10-inch (25.4-cm) fuse.

Wild opening statement in Trump assassination attempt trial

President Donald Trump&nbsp;has granted&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;request for a federal disaster declaration for the state due to damages caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding during the period of June 3-7, 2025.

Due to severe storms and flooding multiple counties sustained damage to utility infrastructure, roads, and bridges.

“These federal funds will go a long way in supporting the restoration work by those in counties impacted by the storms”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;said.

The declaration allows state and local levels of government, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations that provide vital and essential services, such as rural electric cooperatives, to apply for Public Assistance funds for emergency and permanent work for the repair or replacement of infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

Counties named in the declaration are Barber, Butler, Chase, Coffey, Cowley, Franklin, Greenwood, Harper, Hodgeman, Kingman, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Stanton, Sumner, and Wallace.

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