By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Growing up in Hays, Jennifer Goetz has spent the past 23 years providing&nbsp; child care, primarily to the community’s youngest children.

"I started working as a case manager for High Plains Mental Health Center for a little over a year before getting pregnant with my first child," Goetz said. "When I was on maternity leave, I didn't want to go back to work. I wanted to be able to stay home with my children."

Since then, Goetz has cared for five to six full-time children at a time, typically up to school age, while forming close bonds with their families. She often attends special moments outside of&nbsp; child care, such as weddings and birthday parties.

"I've gone to several of their baseball games this summer because they're always asking, 'Are you going to come to my game tonight?'" she said. "They've invited me on some family vacations without the parents knowing."

Goetz emphasized the value of home child care as an extension of the family and said strong communication with parents is key. She said the joy of her work continues well beyond her regular work hours.

Goetz said the child care industry has evolved since she began, with stricter state regulations and challenges in taking time off. While she receives some grant support, she often covers the cost of food and supplies out of pocket.

"Sometimes I have a group that loves to color and paint. Other times I have groups that are into playing with dinosaurs, cars or really into superhero dress up," she said.

Goetz said her&nbsp; child care group are frequent visitors to a nearby park, giving the children plenty of time to develop their gross motor skills.

Goetz’s two daughters grew up helping with the child care and remain close to the children, making goodbyes emotional for the entire family when the kids finally head off to school.

"Watching them grow and develop, knowing that you have a big part in that is really rewarding," Goetz said.

Goetz said she plans to continue providing child care as long as she is able and as long as there is still a need. Her advice for those entering the field: “Expect the unexpected.”

"I like to say every day is kind of the same but very different. You're working with children, so you don't know what you're going to get day to day," she said.

Emily Ostmeyer, Goetz’s oldest daughter who recently married, nominated her as the July Child Care Champion and highlighted her mother’s dedication.

"I could not praise her more for the care that she provides and the way that she loves those kids like they're her own," Ostmeyer said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0f64ddb1-ba92-40fa-a22f-94a557aaf629">Nominate a Child Care Champion here.</a>

Child Care Champion wants to care for kids as long as she can

Beginning Monday, July 28, the 13th Street intersection in the 1300 block of Walnut in Hays, will be closed to traffic for pavement repairs.

 Work is anticipated to be completed by Friday, August 1, 2025, weather permitting. Traffic control will be set in areas of work being completed. 

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.

13th Street intersection at Walnut to close for pavement repairs starting Monday in Hays

As a valued contributing partner, Kansas Black Farmers Association will have events this weekend as part of the Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration with events centered on agriculture, health and community. 

 While Homecoming is organized and hosted by NHEC, the farmer's association is excited to be part of the weekend’s programming.

Saturday, July 26 – 5K Run/Walk and pancake breakfast A fun, family-friendly race followed by a free pancake breakfast sponsored by the association and Lehi Mills.

Check-in: 7:30 a.m. &nbsp;Race Start: 8 a.m. &nbsp;Breakfast: 8:30 a.m.

 Free online registration through July 25

 $25 on-site registration (waiver required)

 Donations support the farmer's association programs.

Learn more: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kbfa.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWmZXR1lyMUU4d3VEb0taTgEemkxhoCKzOWG6JdSuFMiOe4rpCw3L9EMXZxpk3msFKNrC63JcuR-jbUD2mwA_aem_o2-IQSLeOy6Ii5ytn5lchg&amp;h=AT3kS6qwt5JknlWUfYO4kN_LLOJoX38xyhHBSdHy22fBKFb5i50JZeDvh5A9jKxldcYVk3MyyvmpUa_bZx0zUWRk3VI1oE7D9gPEJUndJ2FUI-52miM8k0MRL1ttUofbtd7b9wjxGSYrIBqsuNlYcQ&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT1hOkzCfFmdJKX4cYAyZm163Ip4kSSI3FOBBUz4R1x-ZcaqJF4xEW1kgW7BJs2cu8cYIQlURBIoRFJUdLkpI6-pjnqUY6wjjkzFTK3vT-F9IFg0w352c4lvzEVAxSmVRiL6RWN1HwY9iuABK2ys6V4yPIGTFb8GflMkHH71b_rGbNgjSNggncApYAJYGfL_hgyKq7U96bk1cgXE1RxGTWs" target="_blank">www.kbfa.org</a>

Kansas Black Farmers Association set events during Nicodemus Homecoming this weekend

The Women Who Lead still has raffle tickets left for its 31 Days of Cash drawing in August.&nbsp;

Tickets will be on sale Saturday in downtown Hays during Bazaar on the Bricks from 7:30 a.m. to noon or until sell out.

The Women Who Lead booth will be across the street from Diamond R Jewelers, between Eighth and Ninth streets.

Tickets are $25 each. A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold.

A drawing will be conducted each day in August. 

Prizes will be $75 each day Aug. 1-15 $125 each day Aug. 16-28 $250 on Aug. 29 $500 on Aug. 30 $1,000 on Aug 31

All proceeds from the raffle will support scholarships for women in Ellis County pursuing post-secondary education.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/eb1eab34-3efe-439b-b038-a0dc1afb6465">This spring, Women Who Lead awarded eight $1,000 scholarships.</a> Help us continue to support women's education in 2026 with your generous donation and maybe win some cash in the process.

If any tickets remain, tickets can be purchased from Renee Moritz at the Bank of Hays, by calling Moritz at 785-650-1095 or emailing rmoritz@bankofhays.com.

You can also purchase tickets at the Eagle Radio Media Center, 2300 Hall St., Hays. Ask for Scarlett Deutscher or Cristina Janney. You may also contact Janney at crisksu@gmail.com or 785-301-2077.

Tickets on sale for Women Who Lead raffle Saturday at Bazaar on Bricks

&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

WAKEENEY —&nbsp;The Hoxie Hotrodders are coming to show an outdoor movie at our location at the Trego SkyView Drive-In Theater in WaKeeney on Friday, July 25.

Mini car show, 1950s costume contest and a taste of a drive-in.&nbsp; This will be a small taste of what is to come. Join us with your own hot rod and dress the part.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gates open at 7 p.m. Movie starts at dusk. Concessions will be available.&nbsp;

Suggested donation is $5 per person.&nbsp;

&nbsp;We are still raising funds for our big projector and bathrooms.&nbsp;

Hoxie Hotrodders, 'Grease' Friday night fundraiser at Trego SkyView Drive-In Theater

The Kansas Office of Veterans Services Office in partnership with the Garden City American Legion Post 9 invites all Veterans, military, and family members to attend the Garden City, Kansas Veterans Claims and Resource Fair at American Legion Post 9, 405 S. Main St., Garden City, Kansas on August 15-16, 2025. Benefits experts will offer on-site one-on-one assistance for claims, benefits, PACT Act issues and all Veteran benefits. No appointments are needed.

Accredited Veteran Service Representatives will be available to assist Veterans, active military members near their separation date, family members, and the public with all types of VA claims and benefits. KOVS Director Bill Turner said “These professionals are experts on State and Federal benefits available to Veterans and surviving spouses. We urge Veterans not to miss this opportunity to apply for benefits you have earned through your service to this country.”

“We also encourage community and business leaders to visit and learn about those benefits as well, in order to best support Veterans in your community,” Turner stated.

Some benefits include VA health care, service-connected claims, readjustment counseling information, Veteran Employment Services, and much more.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring discharge paperwork (DD-214) or claim file number, marriage certificate, and available medical records to help simplify the application for benefits. 


What: GARDEN CITY, KANSAS VETERAN CLAIMS AND RESOURCE FAIR When: 9:00am-6:00pm August 15, 2025 / 8:00am-Noon August 16, 2025 Where: American Legion Post 9, 405 S. Main St., Garden City, KS

NOTE: Final claim taken at 1700 August 15 / 1100 August 16. If Claim is already developed/ready to rate, must notify KOVS at 785.296.3977 by August 12

For questions or comments please contact Michelle Sweeney, Director of Public Affairs, at 785.940.1221 or michelle.sweeney@ks.gov

Garden City, Kansas veteran claims, resource fair

Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners

Saturday, July 26, from 7:30 a.m. until noon, Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners will demonstrate the dividing and planting of irises at the Downtown Market at the Pavilion, 10th and Main, Hays. 

Rhizomes will be available for a suggested donation of $1.00 each. The proceeds will benefit Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners.

Iris planting demonstration, plant sale Saturday at Downtown Hays Market by Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners

Government surplus commodities will be distributed in Hays at&nbsp;Unite Free Shelves (inside The Gamers Guild), 200 E. 8th Street in Hays, on Tuesday, July 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Commodities will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis until we run out.&nbsp;Doors will not open until 7:30 a.m.

To be eligible for commodities, your household's total monthly income must be below: $2,413&nbsp;Household of one $3,261&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of two $4,109&nbsp;Household of three $4,957&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of four $5,805&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of five $6,653&nbsp;Household of six $7,501&nbsp;Household of seven $8,349&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of eight

*Add&nbsp; $848&nbsp;for each additional family member after eight

Commodities included in this distribution are anticipated to be  kidney beans, dehydrated potatoes, instant milk, chicken breast, apple juice, crackers, chicken leg quarters, peanut butter, and cut beans.&nbsp;

Contact Brandon Nimz, Unite Ministry Leader with any questions at 785-259-2539.&nbsp;

****Future Anticipated Commodities Dates for 2025****

Future commodity distribution times will be posted at:&nbsp;(<a target="_blank" href="http://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/">https://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/</a>)

Government surplus commodities to be distributed Tuesday in Hays

Kansas State Department of Education

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education announces the participation of all Kansas school districts and many private schools in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program.

For Hays USD 489, find the free and reduced price lunch <a href="https://usd489nutritionservices.com/">application here</a>.

Local school officials have adopted the following household income guidelines for determining eligibility for Child Nutrition Program benefits:

Application forms and an informational letter to households are available from the school district or private school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s business office in each school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. An application for reduced price or free Child Nutrition Program benefits can’t be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.

Households receiving food assistance or Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF) will be notified that their children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Households receiving assistance under these programs should submit an application only if they aren’t notified of their eligibility by a specified date determined by the schools. If a household receiving food assistance, TAF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) completes an application, the children’s names, the food assistance, TAF or FDPIR case number, as well as the signature of an adult household member, must be provided.

Participants in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or receiving certain Medicaid benefits may be eligible for reduced price or free benefits. Households with WIC participants should complete an application as described above.&nbsp; Households approved for program benefits based on Medicaid will be notified.

Households with children who are enrolled in the Head Start Program or the Migrant Education Program or who are considered homeless or runaway by the school district’s homeless liaison should contact the school for assistance in receiving benefits.

Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a state child welfare agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of income. The state must retain legal custody of a child. Households will be notified that the foster child(ren) will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits.

 Free eligibility is NOT extended to other students in households with foster children, but households with a foster child(ren) can submit an application and list all household members including the foster child(ren). A foster family application could result in different eligibility for family members, such as the foster child(ren) free and the other students could be reduced or free or not eligible for benefits.

Households not receiving Food Assistance, TAF or FDPIR apply for benefits by completing one application for all children in the household. The application must list names of everyone in the household; the amount of income each household member now receives; source of income; the last four digits of the Social Security number of the household member who signs the application or a statement that the household member does not possess one; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. The information is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. The eligibility status may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.

Under provisions of the reduced price and free benefit policy, the determining official will review applications and determine eligibility.&nbsp; Parents or guardians who are dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing on the decision.&nbsp; Contact the school district or private school for the name, address and phone number of the hearing official and information about the hearing procedures.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if household size changes, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the child(ren) in the household eligible for reduced price or free benefits if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Each school’s office and/or the district's/organization’s main office has a copy of the policy for reduced price and free benefits, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

Reduced price, free school meals available for Kansas students

Ellis Police Department school supply drive underway

Juan Olivares Herrera is back in custody as of Sunday afternoon after escpaing custody Saturday night.

Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun reported at about 4 p.m. Sunday that Herrera was back in custody.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2ffe4367-c193-42e2-9228-1c6c0a92e021">According to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, the inmate escaped from custody Saturday evening while being transported from Hays Medical Center.</a>

Herrera was being held on the following charges: domestic battery, aggravated robbery and disorderly conduct.

Suspect who escaped in Ellis County back in custody

Scammers are always “hiring” but don’t actually want to employ you. Instead, they want your money, personal information, or both. Here’s how to spot and avoid a job scam.

Scammy recruiters who claim to be recruiting for a big-name employer often reach out by email or text with a remote job offer — sometimes from a personal phone number or email account. You might get an email with an official-looking invitation for a virtual interview along with information about your job duties and job benefits.

Then they’ll move fast. Before you even interview, you might get an official-looking job offer along with paperwork that requires your personal financial information (supposedly for direct deposit). The recruiter will push for that information before they answer your questions about the job. In reality, there is no job and the “recruiter” is a scammer. Real employers won’t ask for that kind of information before they’ve actually interviewed and hired you.

How do you know if that job offer is a scam?

For more information on how to spot job scams, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams">ftc.gov/jobscams</a>.

FTC: Job scammers are looking to hire you

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about housing on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

Please submit your questions for Doug for future interviews to&nbsp;hayspost@eaglemedia.com.

🎙 Post Podcast: Doug Williams of Grow Hays on housing

I try hard to color within the lines, not to run with scissors and overall just to keep my mouth shut. But sometimes I find myself posing the questions that everyone else wonders but is afraid to ask. Questions like “How do they get Teflon to stick to the skillets when they make them?” Or “Were there really flies and mosquitoes on the ark, and if so, why?” and “Why do states feel the need to have state symbols like state bird, state tree, etc.?”

Any Kansan worth their Wheaties knows that the Kansas state flower is the sunflower, and the Kansas state bird is the Western Meadow Lark. Most Kansans know that the Kansas state tree is the Cottonwood and many probably know that the state animal is the American Buffalo (Bison.) But how many of you knew that we also have a state insect, a state reptile, and yes, even a state amphibian, plus two state fossils?

Sometime in the mid-1970s, Jeff Woods, a 7th grader attending Edgewood Elementary in Coffeyville, evidentially decided we as a state were incomplete without a state insect, and suggested we give the honeybee that distinction. Called “white man’s flies” by the Indians, honeybees are thought to have been brought from Europe by the pilgrims and soon inhabited the entire United States. I have to admit that if we felt the need to have a state insect, we could NOT have done better than the honeybee, because life as we know it might not exist without them. The state legislature has the final say in such important matters, and in 1976 the honeybee became the Kansas state insect.

In the mid-1980s to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Kansas’s statehood, Larry Miller’s 6th grade class in Caldwell decided we also needed a state reptile and nominated the Ornate Box Turtle for the job. The Ornate Box Turtle is a dry land turtle which probably makes it the most visibly abundant turtle in Kansas. It’s found from the prairies in the west to the forests in the east. I have absolutely no idea what a state reptile has to do with celebrating our 125th anniversary as a state, but on April 14, 1986, Governor John Carlin signed a bill designating the Ornate Box Turtle as the Kansas state reptile.

In the spring of 1993, Alice Potts' 2nd grade class at Wichita’s OK Elementary School was studying animals with backbones, which somehow triggered them as a class to begin a campaign to make the Barred Tiger Salamander our state amphibian. When Potts’ class contacted their legislators, they were told it was too late to get a bill into the current legislative session and the project would have to wait a year. 

In the meantime, their zeal proved infectious and by the following school year the entire school plus parents were involved. A trip to the statehouse by Potts and a handful of students got Senate Bill 494 written and passed in the Senate. However, the bill ran into a little trouble in the House; it seems some Representatives felt there were more important legislative matters (go figure!) 

Never fear, though, as Senator Mike Harris came&nbsp;to the rescue and attached the salamander bill to another to insure its passage (now what’s that called…oh yeah - Pork!) On April 13, 1994, Gov. Joan Finney signed the bill designating the Barred Tiger Salamander the Kansas state amphibian.

In 2014, Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill designating Tylosaurus, a giant marine predator, and Pteranodon, a giant, flying, cliff dweller, as co-state fossils. Amazingly, Kansas geological deposits have provided the most complete skeletal remains of both of these critters ever to be found.

In honor of the process that salvaged the salamander bill, maybe the Kansas Wildlife and Parks should capture one and name him or her Porky. Or maybe the process of attaching legislative bills to other bills should now be known as “salamandering.” 

Anyway, please excuse my cynicism and my disregard for pomp and ceremony. I guess if even one person is made to feel better about our state by having these symbols, then so-be-it. And maybe this will get more people Exploring Kansas Outdoors looking for Barred Tiger Salamanders and Pteranodon fossils!

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

Explore Kansas Outdoors: We have a state what?

Riley Leiker, 10, of Hays, is accustomed to success. 

The Hays Strider athlete, who was the 2024 AAU National Champion in the shot put, is ranked the top thrower going into this year's Junior Olympic meet. Her toss of 29’ 4 ½” at the regional qualifier in Springfield, Missouri in June placed her at the top of AAU youth throwers for 2025.

Riley’s work ethic is testament to her farming family, where all the children are also athletes on the Striders team. Brothers Logan and Jacob run and throw for the Hays Striders and will be members of the Hays High teams this coming school year.

 Riley is also a 4-H member and has enjoyed success there as well. Her bucket calves have won reserve champion and champion over the past several years.

Riley’s shot put coach, Traci Vap, said “Riley's a really dedicated and driven person with an awesome attitude. She's super focused on her goals, and it shows. I've seen her make huge strides in understanding her technique and putting my coaching into action.”

Not only does she throw the shot, but she runs a very respectable 400 meter dash and 800 meter run, taking first place in every meet she competed in this year. In fact, her favorite event is the 400. “Riley is very, very competitive,” Strider coach Dave Haberman stated. “She trains without question and has really invested herself into our program. Her results reflect that.”

Her pre-meet day meal is her favorite food - steak, with a homemade breakfast burrito the morning of competition. In preparation for a meet, she combines a series of warm-ups and stretches, and “lots of water.” Her regiment leaves no room for junk food, even when traveling, she added, but her favorite post-meet meal is “ice cream!”

“When Riley first came to the Striders, she tried her hardest to keep up with the older athletes,” Haberman stated. “She would cut across the football field just to be able to run with the group.” Now, she is leading the pack for the girls and they are trying to keep up with her. She now sees herself as a mentor and role model for the younger girls on the team.

Riley’s favorite subject in school is math and she plans to become a doctor, but not before accomplishing her dream of being an Olympic runner and thrower. Her future may include the pentathlon and heptathlon but she has some reservations about hurdles. “We have a really good hurdle coach in Brooklyn Pfeifer and I am sure she would get Riley up to speed on the hurdles,” Haberman said. “I think Riley could accomplish anything she set her mind to.”

Vap, herself an All-American athlete at Pittsburg State University, added, “What really makes her stand out is how calm she stays under pressure during competitions—you don't often see that in someone her age. She's incredibly determined and always manages to pull off an impressive throw, even when things are tough. Her success totally comes from her pure grit and hard work, both when we're practicing and when she's on her own.”

Her goal in the upcoming AAU Junior Olympic meet in Houston, held July 28 through Aug. 2 is to make the podium in all three of her events - shot put, 400 meter dash, and 800 meter run. A big goal, but with her focus, competitiveness, and determination, she may just accomplish it.

 Riley is the daughter of Landon and Lynn Leiker of Hays.

Hays Strider ranked No. 1 in nation

Kansas Department of Transportation

NORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a resurfacing project on a portion of U.S. 24 in Thomas County the week of July 28.

Project work will involve milling and overlay on 8.5 miles of the highway starting at the east city limits of Colby and ending just east of the U.S. 83 intersection. 

Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the areas where crews are actively working and directed by flaggers and a pilot car. Motorists should plan for delays of 15 minutes or less during daylight hours.

Project work is expected to be completed in mid-September, conditions permitting.

Bettis Asphalt West Division, of Colby, is the primary contractor for the $1.9 million project. For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Todd Anderson at 785-953-6011 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:todd.anderson@ks.gov">todd.anderson@ks.gov</a>.

Resurfacing work to start on U.S. 24 in Thomas County on Monday

By MARK R. JOSLYN Insight Kansas

Just two years ago, Democrats were on the verge of achieving their long-awaited green energy revolution. Biden had reversed Trump’s fossil fuel initiatives and set an ambitious goal for all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be zero-emissions.

He signed the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation_Reduction_Act">Inflation Reduction Act</a>&nbsp;(IRA), a landmark climate package that delivered historic investments for cutting emissions.

Electric vehicles (EV) led the way, an industry turbocharged by IRA’s generous tax credits for vehicle purchases, home chargers, battery manufacturing, and billions for new production facilities. Electric vehicle sales&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024/trends-in-electric-cars">surged</a>&nbsp;in 2023, reaching 14 million globally with 1.4 million sold in the United States, a whopping 67 percent year-over-year increase. They accounted for 10 percent of U.S. light vehicle sales, with Tesla holding over half the EV market share.&nbsp;

Eager to capitalize, Governor Kelly brokered a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/powering-change-panasonic-and-de-soto/it-takes-money-to-make-money-1-on-1-with-kansas-gov-laura-kelly-on-panasonic-deal">deal</a>&nbsp;with Panasonic to build a massive $4 billion lithium-ion battery plant in De Soto, aimed at supplying Tesla’s new factories in Texas. A multi-billion dollar&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/powering-change-panasonic-and-de-soto/state-local-and-federal-governments-cut-panasonic-huge-deals-explaining-all-tax-incentives">tax incentive package</a>&nbsp;secured Panasonic’s investment, made possible by the bipartisan&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/apex/">APEX</a>&nbsp;Act passed by the state legislature.&nbsp;

Kelly described the deal as transformative, the largest economic development project in Kansas history, expected to create 4,000 jobs and thousands more through related businesses. 

Trump posed little threat. The intense backlash after the Capitol riots and mounting legal challenges cast serious doubt about his future.&nbsp;And despite lingering concerns about his age, Biden was expected to win reelection and help Democrats take back the House. 

The anticipated “red wave” never materialized in the midterms, signaling waning strength of the Republican brand. Yet, what felt inevitable crumbled.

Trump returned stronger, calling the shift to EVs a “transition to hell,” framing it effectively as a &nbsp;“government assassination” of auto jobs and unionized workers.&nbsp;Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk joined Trump, which eventually led to a major loss in the company’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://caredge.com/guides/electric-vehicle-market-share-and-sales">market share</a>&nbsp;and a sharp stock sell off.&nbsp;

 The enthusiasm for EVs seemed driven as much by political momentum as by consumer demand. When that momentum slowed, so did the market.&nbsp;Overall sales slumped in 2024, dropping to 8 percent of U.S. light vehicles sales. Buyers remained concentrated among the affluent and college educated, with limited penetration into the broader public. Biden’s zero-emissions goal appeared naïve and disconnected from middle-and working-class realities.

 Democrats were swept in November.&nbsp;Trump recently signed his Big Beautiful Bill, which terminates EV tax credits and phases out incentives for battery production.&nbsp;Just as Biden had undone Trump’s policies, Trump unraveled Biden’s. 

Because federal control routinely alternates between the parties, companies are constantly exposed to shifting regulations and the prospect of brand polarization – ask&nbsp; Disney, Bud Light, now Tesla.

Getting the politics wrong carries serious consequences.&nbsp;Now that circumstances have changed so dramatically, would Kelly still place such a large bet on EVs?&nbsp;Would Panasonic? After all, many clean energy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2025/04/04/a-stunning-number-of-electric-vehicle-battery-factories-are-being-canceled/82868200007/">projects</a>&nbsp;have been cancelled including battery plants in Georgia and Arizona.

EVs are excellent cars, the market will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/03/20/trump-ev-tesla-tax-credits/">grow</a>&nbsp;– just more slowly now. That slower pace has Kansans concerned about the direction this might take, and whether Tesla comes out ahead. Who’d have guessed, the volatile Elon Musk has a starring role in Kansas’s economic future –&nbsp; and Kelly’s legacy.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Dr. Mark R. Joslyn is a professor of political science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Governor Kelly’s big bet on Elon Musk

<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

⚾Maikel Garcia homers to lead the Royals over Guardians

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic on the 15-day injured list with a rotator cuff strain and outfielder Jac Caglianone on the 10-day IL with a strained left hamstring amid a series of moves before their series finale against Cleveland on Sunday.

The Royals also welcomed outfielder Randal Grichuk, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-diamondbacks-trade-87f6f60e37cd00beaeb9c3924e2c922b">acquired on Saturday night</a>&nbsp;in a deal that shipped reliever Andrew Hoffmann to Arizona, and recalled right-handed reliever Jonathan Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha to help the bullpen.

Bubic walked the first four batters he faced and only managed to last 2 2/3 innings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/guardians-royals-score-e9dff49ae08ba862a081e7ebbf3ba835">against the Guardians on Saturday</a>, when he started the second game of a split doubleheader. He needed 42 pitches to get through the first inning, and he wound up allowing four runs and three hits in his shortest start since Sept. 18, 2022, at Boston.

“He’s getting some further testing and then we’ll talk to the doc here and see what we got,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Bubic said he’s experienced some shoulder soreness for much of the season, but he’s been able to pitch through it at a break-through level. Even with the rocky start Saturday, he has a 2.55 ERA — the fifth-best mark in the American League.

“I mean, you see how he’s performed,” Quatraro said. “Most pitchers when they go out there, they feel something almost every time. The severity of it and his ability to continue to deal with it has been manageable, by his own admission. ... And it’s gotten to the point where, you know, he doesn’t, and we don’t feel like it’s best for him to keep fighting through it.”

The Royals rotation has suddenly thinned considerably. Left-hander Cole Ragans remains on the IL with a strained rotator cuff and is not expected back until late August, and right-hander Michael Lorenzen is progressing from his strained left oblique but may need to make a rehab start before he returns to the Royals sometime in August.

The Royals already have had to plug one spot with 45-year-old Rich Hill, who pitched well in his debut for them this past week.

Caglianone, the Royals’ 22-year-old power-hitter, felt tightness in his hamstring while running down a double into the gap in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader. Then he felt the twinge again while running to first on a groundout later the inning.

The timing of the injury could have been worse: The Royals had been working on a deal to land Grichuk, who nearly signed with them in the offseason but will now help them primarily against left-handed hitting for the rest of the season.

“You’ve seen our outfield had gotten very heavily left-handed. Something we thought we needed to add was a right-handed bat,” said Quatraro, whose team began the day 51-54 and 4 1/2 games back in the AL wild-card race.

Grichuk was 0 for 2 on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, flying out in the second inning and the fourth, when he was told by the Diamondbacks that he had been traded. He hugged several teammates in the dugout and then headed out, catching a flight first thing Sunday so that he could be in Kansas City in time for the series finale against the Guardians.

He was put in the starting lineup right away, batting sixth and playing right field.

“When they called they said, ‘If you’re willing to be here to play, you know, we want you in the starting lineup,’” Grichuk said, “and yeah, I want to play. That’s kind of my M.O. And so I said, ‘Let’s do it. We’ll make it happen, even if it’s crazy travel.’”

The one hang-up was Grichuk’s number: He’s always worn 15 and that number was taken by backup catcher Luke Maile. But it turns out the two knew each other from their days together in Toronto, so a quick text message smoothed things out. Maile took No. 17 and gave his old buddy No. 15 — “We’ll work something out,” Grichuk said of potential compensation.

⚾ Royals put Kris Bubic, Jac Caglianone on IL; newly acquired Randal Grichuk into starting lineup

Hays Post Sports WICHITA – The Hays Larks used a six-run ninth inning to
rally past Oklahoma MVP and remain unbeaten in pool play at the NBC World
Series Saturday in Wichita.

The Larks (30-4-1) dug themselves an early hole, allowing
three runs in the second inning and a fourth run in the third inning for a 4-0
deficit through three innings.

Hays got themselves back in the contest with a three-run
fourth inning. All three runs came on a two-out double to left by Lane Sparks,
cutting the MVP lead to 4-3.

But Oklahoma once again extended its lead, scoring two runs
in the fifth and single runs in the sixth and seventh innings as they built an
8-3 lead.

Heading into the ninth, with the Larks still trailing by five,
their bats came to life, scoring six runs on their way to the 9-8 victory.

The Larks opened the inning with three walks, loading the
bases. With two outs, a fourth walk in the inning, by Dylan LaRue, made it 8-4 MVP.

&nbsp;A balk scored a
runner from third, and then Thomas Lyssy delivered a two-run bloop single to
right, cutting the MVP lead to 8-7.

In the next at bat, a flyball to centerfield, that would
have ended the game, was dropped by the centerfielder to keep the inning alive.

The Larks then watched MVP unravel as they allowed three
straight walks, the final two with the bases loaded, allowing a run to score
each time, putting Hays up 9-8.

The Larks sent 12 men to the plate in the inning. They
collected just one hit in the inning and took advantage of seven walks.

All nine of the Larks runs came with two outs.

Trey Watson earned the victory for Hays. In his two innings
of relief, he allowed just one unearned run and two runs, with two walks and
two strikeouts.

Julio Ramos earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning.
He struck out two.

Lane Sparks finished two-for-five with four RBIs. Thomas
Lyssy also collected two hits, and Paul Smith was the only other Lark hitter to
record a hit. Oklahoma outhit the Larks 13-5.

The Larks improve to 2-0 in pool play and will close out
pool play Monday at 8:30 p.m. against the Lonestar Kracken.

⚾Big 9th inning lifts Larks to win over Oklahoma MVP

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)&nbsp; &nbsp;

Sunday, July 27
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 12:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Steven Kwan hit a two-run home run, Tanner Bibee struck out eight in five innings, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4 on Saturday night to earn a doubleheader split.

Kansas City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-guardians-kansas-city-royals-score-bc3d30f7d34788831c14afe7331d699f">won the first game 5-3</a>&nbsp;with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning. The Guardians have not swept the Royals in a doubleheader since April 24, 2008.

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