By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Protesters gathered Saturday in Hays for the “No Kings” rally, voicing opposition to the county’s direction under President Donald Trump.

Participants held handmade signs at the corner of 27th and Vine Street over the weekend as part of a nationwide movement, which is the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House.

📷Protesters rally in Hays as part of 'No Kings' movement

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks about how to be motivated with Jessica Phelan, an assistant professor in the Fort Hays State University Department of Health and Human Performance.

🎙 Hays Post Podcast: How to motivate yourself

Thomas More Prep-Marian Jr./Sr. High School and Holy Family Elementary wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to the&nbsp;Leo J. &amp; Albina Dreiling Charitable Trust&nbsp;for their generous charitable gift covering the cost of pizzas served to students and staff at both schools.

This special effort was made possible in partnership with&nbsp;Hays Pizza Hut, which prepared all pizzas for the event and is&nbsp;donating 15% of the proceeds to the family of Sergeant Heimann.

Through this thoughtful collaboration, our school communities came together in a spirit of compassion and unity to honor the service and sacrifice of Sergeant Heimann and his family. Acts of generosity like this remind us of the deep bonds that strengthen our Hays community and our shared commitment to caring for one another.

Thank you to the Leo J. &amp; Albina Dreiling Charitable Trust and Hays Pizza Hut&nbsp;for your generosity and for embodying the values of faith, service and community that guide our schools.

Community partners support TMP-Marian, Holy Family Elementary, Heimann family

By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors

I haven’t trapped much for a couple years now, mainly because of the lack of fur buyers within driving distance, and the fact that the fur industry does not want coyotes, and thus they are worth next to nothing.

 According to reports and a few guys I know that trap a lot, the three types of pelts most wanted right now are bobcat, badger and surprisingly skunk, and the broader and whiter the stripes on the skunk, the more they are worth

I’ve had some interesting adventures involving skunks in traps, the worst of which led to a drive home in my underwear so I didn’t totally contaminate the inside of my truck, and a literal bath in my shop in the only potion known to remove skunk smell (the recipe I will give later.) Looking back, I can call those encounters interesting now, but at the time my descriptions were slightly different. 

Skunks are fairly laid-back critters and if caught in an enclosed or covered cage trap can usually be carted away in the trap and unceremoniously dumped somewhere without incident.

Some years ago, as a new trapper I caught a skunk in a large cage trap set for bobcats, possibly a first for both me and the skunk. As I slowly approached the cage, the silly thing ran to the back and began an acrobatics display fit for a circus. First up one side, across the back by its front claws then down the other side it went, twirling like a little black and white ballerina. With great effort and a long stick, I got the cage door propped open, then turned and ran 'cause I knew Pepe would be charging the open door for his freedom. At a safe distance I turned to watch, and there it still hung like Spiderman on the inside of the cage. 

My next plan involved rushing the cage, arms flailing and shouting at the top of my lungs, hoping to scare the critter out the open front door. It didn’t take me long to see how this would turn disastrous and the maneuver was called off in mid-charge.

 I had other traps to check, so I opted to leave for awhile, then just stop on my way back through and reset the trap after Pepe had vamoosed. A half-hour later I found it still in the trap, curled up in a fuzzy little black and white ball in the back corner of the cage. I finally just left and the thing vanished sometime overnight.

Another encounter happened just a short distance from town, where I had a large skunk caught in a foothold coyote trap. 

Despite most people’s thinking, foothold traps usually cause a critter no more than a sore foot for awhile, but this skunk appeared to be stone cold dead. I stood and marveled at its beautiful silky fur as it rippled in the wind, and tried to figure what had caused its demise. It had the trap completely covered so I needed to push it aside to remove it. Both the skunk and the trap were going to stink already, and not anxious to drive home again in my stocking feet or underwear, I found a nice sturdy stick to roll it out of the way. I don’t know who was most surprised, the sleeping skunk when I poked it with the stick or me when it suddenly jumped to its feet! This encounter did not end in disaster (for me) but it gave new meaning to the old cliche “Things are not always as they seem.”

I’ve never understood how the term “skunked” came to mean basically getting nothing, as in getting “skunked” on a fishing trip. They are amazing little creatures that are very good at doing what God created them to do. Their fur is soft and silky, their essence is prized by trappers and the perfume industry and they’re actually fun to watch as they waddle along. 

But if you ever get “skunked” by messing with one, I guarantee you’ll get way more than nothing!

Now for the magic potion recipe; mix together in a large bowl:

2 teaspoons dishwashing soap like Blue Dawn.

Bathe, wash the dog, and wash your clothes in this mixture and it will remove skunk smell. 

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

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Skunks I have met

Saint Francis Ministries will host the first annual “In Faith Conference” in Hays for foster and adoptive families.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church, 1605 E. 29th. Cost is $30 per person. Those who register by Friday, Oct. 24, will receive a conference T-shirt. Lunch is included in the registration fee.

Kristy Opat with Saint Francis said in a news release that the conference “is a day for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents to come and have their cups filled so that they can continue to do all they do--in faith.”The event will include teaching sessions and time to connect with others, she said. A “resource fair” will have booths from area organizations that provide services to children and families.

Registration is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/infaithregistration">https://bit.ly/infaithregistration</a>. More information is available at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jcox@fosterthecause.org">jcox@fosterthecause.org</a>.

Hays conference coming up for foster, adoptive families

Donations Needed to Help Bring HOPE to Local Cancer Patients

The Northwest Kansas Foundation for HOPE is once again spreading generosity and goodwill this holiday season with its annual 12 Days of HOPE Online Auction, taking place from December 1 to 12, 2025. The Foundation is currently seeking donations of items, services, or monetary contributions to help make this year’s event a success and continue providing vital support to local cancer patients.

Since its founding in 2009, the Northwest Kansas Foundation for HOPE has provided grants to individuals battling cancer across a nine-county region — Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, and Wallace Counties. These funds help offset the numerous expenses associated with treatment, including fuel, lodging, medical bills, and medications.

Since 2010, the Foundation has awarded 829 grants totaling $731,700.00 — a testament to the generosity and compassion of Northwest Kansas communities and their ongoing commitment to helping their neighbors in need.

“Because of the incredible generosity of our community, we’ve been able to assist 67 cancer patients so far in 2025,” said Denni Rehmer, Grand Coordinator. “Every donation truly makes a difference — providing not only financial relief, but hope and encouragement to our friends, family, and neighbors fighting cancer.”

The 12 Days of HOPE Online Auction will feature a wide variety of items and experiences donated by individuals and businesses throughout Northwest Kansas. All proceeds will be directed at supporting cancer patients through the Foundation’s grant program.

Community members and businesses are encouraged to: · Donate auction items or services by November 1, 2025 · Make a monetary donation to help provide direct assistance to patients in need · Bid in the online auction December 1–12 and help make a difference this holiday season

Donations can be made via cash, check (mailed to our P.O. Box 187), Venmo (@nwks-hope), or by credit card (please note that electronic transaction fees apply) or contact the Foundation at 785-443-0395 or grants@nwks-hope.org. You can also view the county-by-county grant summary at www.nwks-hope.org.

Together, we can continue to give the most meaningful gift of all this holiday season — HOPE.

About the Northwest Kansas Foundation for HOPE The Northwest Kansas Foundation for HOPE (Helping Offset Patient Expenses) was founded in 2009 by a group of local women who sought to alleviate the financial burden for those facing cancer. The Foundation provides direct financial assistance to patients in Northwest Kansas for treatment-related expenses, enabling families to focus on healing rather than hardship.

Current Board Members: Daniel Blake • Ashley Brzon • Jennifer Collins • Roni Dietz • Jenna Gatz • Jenny Johnson • Shelly Macumber • Crystal Pounds • Denni Rehmer • Kynndra Rush • Ronna Schultz • Amber Smith • Lesley Wagoner • Casey Whitley • Darci Kauffman

NW Kansas Foundation for HOPE kicks off annual online auction

By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight Kansas

Are we entering an era of government by harassment?

In a recent exposé, KCUR reporters interviewed immigration lawyers and former detainees in order to analyze the conditions in the Chase County Jail in Cottonwood Falls, where many immigration detainees are being held. Referring to the situation as a “war of attrition,” the reporters described a number of troubling conditions, including overcrowding, sleeping on floors, and a denial of medical care. One detainee went for several weeks without care for a tooth infection, leading him to waive his right to a hearing and return to Honduras to get treatment for the acute pain. In the midst of all this, detainees are encouraged to “self deport,” that is, waive their rights to consult with an attorney and have a hearing, instead leaving the country immediately. They are promised $1000 if they do this.

It all paints a disturbing picture. The proper way to enforce immigration law would be a major increase in funding for more judges, to process the huge backlog of cases that existed long before the start of Trump’s second term. In fact, a major immigration overhaul was sponsored in Congress in 2024. It would have included funding for this. When first sponsored, the immigration bill was bipartisan, but it did not pass. Today, proper administrative reforms have been replaced with poor conditions and a $1000 incentive, apparently designed to pressure detainees to waive their rights and leave the country without their hearings, often leaving family behind. They may never see them again.

In the landmark decision Plyler v Doe (1982), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that undocumented immigrants have equal protection of the laws under the U.S. Constitution. Notably, the Court found that the Constitution confers these rights on persons, regardless of whether they are U.S. citizens. Pressuring detainees to give up these rights is government by harassment. Those of all political stripes who support the rule of law should speak out forcefully against it.

Sadly, this is not the only recent example. In the “One Big Beautiful Bill” recently passed by Congress, substantial cuts were made to the Medicaid program. Of course, one way to make such cuts would be to alter the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, but this is not how Congress did it. Instead, the bill includes stepped-up requirements for recipients to verify their eligibility by completing complicated verification procedures. In practice, this results in people otherwise eligible being denied or kicked off the program because they are unaware, unable, or simply forget to complete the paperwork, a process that Planet Money’s Erika Beras has dubbed “The Paperwork Trap.” It gets worse, too– those in the most need are also the ones most likely to struggle with the paperwork, and therefore the most likely to be denied care.

If Congress wishes to step up enforcement of immigration laws, let them pass a bipartisan bill addressing the longstanding shortage of immigration judges. If they wish to alter eligibility for Medicaid or other benefits, they may do so. But, intimidating people into waiving their constitutional rights, and denying benefits to those most in need because of the paperwork trap are both alarming examples of government by harassment.

Insight Kansas: Just say no to government by harassment

<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

This $50 gift certificate is to AccuSpray, your #1 choice for lawn and tree spraying. They are locally owned. Services include: - Lawn &amp; Tree Fertilization, - Insect, Disease, and Weed Control, - Tree Injections &amp; Root Feeding, - Bare Ground Sterilization. ONLY one gift certificate per spraying please. Find and book them on Facebook at Accuspray– or call Jeremy Zorn at 785-639-8733Current Bid: There is no current bid on this item. Retail Price: $50.00 Opening Bid: $5.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a>

This $100 gift certificate is to AccuSpray, your #1 choice for lawn and tree spraying. They are locally owned. Services include: - Lawn &amp; Tree Fertilization, - Insect, Disease, and Weed Control, - Tree Injections &amp; Root Feeding, - Bare Ground Sterilization. ONLY one gift certificate per spraying please. Find and book them on Facebook at Accuspray– or call Jeremy Zorn at 785-639-8733 Current Bid: $11.00 Retail Price: $100.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a> _____

Rhino Spray in Bedliner for short box pickup. Rhino Liners add quality, strength and durability to your truck and equipment. Whether you are investing in a new truck or looking to add life to your existing truck, Rhino Liners are a proven solution. Certificate good for short bed truck. Offer valid through March 31, 2026. Current Bid: $372.00 Retail Price: $650.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a> _____

Bid on this gift certificate for one senior photo shoot from Christopher's Creations in Hays. This gift certificate, valued at $150, is good for a 1.5-hour senior photo shoot and includes 5 digital downloads. The shoot covers a single session within Ellis County. If located outside of Ellis County, a mileage rate will apply. It's a great option for a senior graduating this year or a junior graduating next year. The certificate expires in December 2026. Book your session by calling 785-380-9040 or online at ccreationsks.net. Current Bid: $15.00 Retail Price: $150.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a> _________

600 Park StreetHays, KS 67601785-628-4000<a href="http://www.fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.fhsuathletics.com/index.aspx</a>

Fort Hays State basketball is almost here. You can enjoy all of the action of both the men's and women's teams this season with a pair of general admission season tickets. This certificate is good for a pair of available upper seats. Certificates are not for resale, are non-transferable and are not upgradable. Current Bid: $87.00 Retail Price: $270.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a> ______

306 N Pomeroy AveHill City, KS 67642(785) 421-3399

Attention small business owners — this one’s for you! Did you know that clean, consistent bookkeeping can be the difference between smart decisions and stressful surprises? Freedom Tax &amp; Accounting is auctioning off&nbsp;3 months of bookkeeping services — a $600 value&nbsp;— with the&nbsp;Freedom Basics Package. This includes up to two managed checking, credit card, or loan accounts, up to 225 transactions, and unlimited email and phone support. Take the guesswork out of your numbers and let Tawny at Freedom Tax &amp; Accounting help your business stay on track. Bid now for this 3-month bookkeeping package — and give your business the gift of clarity and peace of mind! Current Bid: There is no current bid on this item. Retail Price: $600.00 Opening Bid: $60.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a> _____

The Invisalign program from Lifetime Dental Care offers comfort, convenience and confidence while straightening your teeth using trays that are virtually invisible. The Invisalign program Includes office consultation, trays, photos, x-rays, aligners, whitening program and more. Invisalign works great for both adults and teens. Your new smile is waiting. Get started today! www.lifetimedentalcare.com. THIS OFFER NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER SPECIAL OFFER. Current Bid: $1,060.00 Retail Price: $6,000.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a> ______

<a href="http://gracegroupks.com/" target="_blank">gracegroupks.com</a><a href="mailto:gracegroupks@gmail.com">gracegroupks@gmail.com</a>

Your website is your digital storefront. It's so important to have a nice and effective site. This item is for a new website build from The Grace Group, with local service and a vast majority of customers from Hays and Western Kansas. The Grace Group, Inc. is a full-service marketing and consulting agency helping small businesses grow with creative, customized strategies. From social media management to branding, consulting, and website development, The Grace Group is committed to giving businesses the tools they need to succeed. For this radio auction, The Grace Group is offering a complete website build, which includes: Up to 7 custom pages (content, creation, and design included); SEO optimization to help your business get found online; Mobile &amp; tablet optimization for a seamless experience across devices; 2 months of maintenance, support, and training after launch to ensure your success; Please note: this package covers the website build itself but does not include any fees associated with obtaining a domain name or hosting services. This is the perfect opportunity to elevate your business presence with a professional, functional, and beautifully designed website from The Grace Group. Current Bid: There is no current bid on this item. Retail Price: $1,500.00 Opening Bid: $150.00 Bid Increment: $15.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a>

Today's the last day to bid in the Eagle Radio auction; check out these deals

Family Worship: Ten Words That Can Change Your Life - Exodus 20 1:11

4649 Old Hwy 40 Grainfield, KS 785-673-4321

Dewalt 80 gallon, 175 Max PSI Oil Lubricated Electric Air Compressor

The DEWALT 80 Gallon Stationary Electric Air Compressor provides 175 MAX PSI seen typically with 2-stage performance. Delivering 14.6 SCFM at 90 PSI allows for quick recovery and longer air tool run time. The Heavy-Duty, spread volt induction motor is designed to operate between 208-Volt to 230-Volt. It is also equipped with a pressure gauge, on/off switch and Poly-V belt drive system for smoother operation. Highlights: Poly-v-pulley and drive belt provides smooth operation with less vibration; High efficiency aluminum flywheel provides maximum air flow and lower start-up Amp due to less starting inertia; Aluminum head and valve plate to maximize heat dissipation; High grade stainless steel valves; Large capacity, 80 Gal. ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers air receiver provides more air for longer run times on air tools such as ratchets, impacts, spray guns, hammers, etc.

Current Bid: $648.00 Retail Price: $1,609.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a>

Ritchie Omni 3 Cattle water fountain. Designed with animal safety in mind, the Omni 3 features smooth rounded edges and a fully insulated casing for energy efficiency. The stainless steel trough features thermostatically controlled heat elements that are attached to the underside for frost free service even under the most severe winter conditions. Herd capacity is 100 head. And Ritchie fountains have the best warranty in the industry. See all the details at www.ritchiefount.com. Current Bid: $600.00 Retail Price: $1,500.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a>

Bid on 80-gallon air compressor, cattle waterer in Eagle Radio auction before time's up

David Tostenson, assistant professor of Philosophy at Fort Hays State University, will deliver a talk about how society defines disabilities and the ways society approaches human differences. He will speak from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the Trails Room of the Memorial Union at FHSU.

His talk is sponsored by the American Democracy Project at FHSU, Tebo Library (formerly Forsyth Library), and the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) On Campus.

His free talk, titled “Difference, Disorder, and Identity,” will examine the moral and philosophical questions around defining disability, a news release said.

FHSU professor to discuss disabilities, differences on Tuesday

HaysMed sponsors Medicare vs Medicare advantage event

&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 City of Hays is issuing a final reminder to residents that the annual Fall Cleanup is set to begin at 7 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 20. All materials for collection must be sorted and placed at the proper pickup location (curb or alley) by this deadline to ensure pickup.

Crews will make only one pass through the city.

To serve every household, a time limit of 10 minutes per residence will be strictly enforced.

An additional 10 minutes will be allotted for the collection of tree limbs and brush.

Any items remaining after the time limit has been reached will be the responsibility of the property owner to remove.

"The success of the cleanup hinges on resident cooperation," said Joe Billinger, solid waste superintendent. "Properly sorting items into the four required categories is the most important step a resident can take. It allows our crews to use the right equipment for each type of material, which protects our staff and machinery and helps us stay on schedule for the whole community."

Waste must be separated into the following four piles:

Construction &amp; Demolition Debris: Lumber, drywall, bricks, sinks. Please bend over or pull all nails from lumber and place small quantities of brick or concrete in containers. A maximum limit of 5 pallets will be collected.

Tree Limbs &amp; Brush: Small quantities only. No other yard waste will be collected. Citizens must instead use the compost site or the yard waste tag program

White Goods / Metals: Refrigerators, dryers, guttering. All refrigerators and freezers must be completely emptied of food and other contents to be picked up.

Municipal Waste: Furniture, carpet, large toys. Exceptionally large items like hot tubs must be cut into manageable pieces.

Residents are also reminded that the city will not collect tires, hazardous waste, batteries, or medical waste.

Tires should be taken to the Ellis County Landfill (785) 628-9460, and hazardous waste can be taken to the Ellis County Hazardous Waste Facility.

To avoid accidental collection, any "treasured items" like yard art or equipment located near the pickup area should be clearly tagged or moved away from the refuse piles. Full details can be found on the city’s website: <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/303/Annual-Fall-Cleanup">www.haysusa.com/303/Annual-Fall-Cleanup.</a>

Hays Annual Fall Cleanup begins Monday; residents reminded of sorting guidelines

Event Details: Date: Monday, November 11 Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM Location: Hays High School, 2500 E. 13th Street, Maroon Gym Donors must be 16 years or older to donate. Sixteen-year-olds will need a signed parental consent form. Appointments can be scheduled by visiting <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org">RedCrossBlood.org</a> and entering the sponsor code Indians.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays High HOSA annual blood drive set for Nov. 11

The Fort Hays Singers, Concert Choir, and Smoky Hill Chorale at Fort Hays State University will present their Fall Concert on Friday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the FHSU Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall. The choirs are conducted by Dr. Terry Crull,  director of choral activities at FHSU.

The Smoky Hill Chorale will begin the concert, followed by the Fort Hays Singers, and the FHSU Concert Choir. Selections from folk songs, popular tunes, musical theater, and vocal jazz will be presented for a very entertaining concert.

The concert will last approximately 75 minutes, and is free of charge.

Free fall choral concert presented Friday at FHSU 

LARNED — Sometime on or before Oct. 10, four pairs of cows and calves were stolen from a pasture in the area south of Sanford Junction around I Rd and U.S. Highway 183.

If you have any knowledge of this theft, or noticed any suspicious behavior in the area, contact the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office at 620-285-2211.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cows, calves stolen near Sanford Junction in Pawnee County

Motorcyclists are invited to the “9th&nbsp;Annual Hays Kansas Area Toy Run” on Saturday, Oct. 25. Bikers will line up at 2:30 p.m. at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, 4310 Vine St. At 4 p.m., they will parade down Vine Street to 13th&nbsp;and Main. The parade will end at Toby Jugs, 104 E. Seventh St.

Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl ages infant to 18 years. The toys will go to Teaming Up for Tots, said Kent Gottschalk, one of the organizers.

No bicyclists are allowed to participate, he said.

The event is being sponsored by Free Tomorrow MC &amp; Good Times Motorcycle.

Motorcyclists invited to annual ‘Toy Run’ in Hays

Philip Daniel, film/dance composer and touring artist from Lincoln, Nebraska will be the next WPAA artist in concert He will do school workshops for students in St. Francis at 10:00 am and Colby at 12:50 pm on Thursday, October 16th. The evening of the 16th, he will perform a concert in the Cultural Arts Center in Colby for the general public.

The workshops and the concert will be free to all those in attendance, thanks to the support from the Thomas County Community Foundation, the Cheyenne County Community, and the Dan Hansen Foundation. Everyone is invited to come join this free evening concert.

Film, dance composer to perform free concert in Colby Oct. 16

If your pillows are looking a little flat or worn out, here’s your chance to give them new life!&nbsp;Kraft Pillow Service&nbsp;will be in&nbsp;Hays on Thursday, October 23rd, at&nbsp;Master Cleaners&nbsp;from&nbsp;8 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering professional pillow cleaning and restoration services —&nbsp;no appointment needed.

During their one-day visit, customers can bring in their pillows for a complete refresh — cleaned, sanitized, and re-fluffed on-site. Kraft Pillow Service removes old filling, cleans and sanitizes the ticking, and then refills each pillow with fresh, clean filling to restore its shape and comfort.&nbsp;All pillows are welcome, including down, foam, and synthetic varieties.

This convenient, same-day service has been trusted by families across the region for years, helping extend the life of quality pillows without the need to buy new ones. It’s an easy, affordable way to keep your bedding fresh and comfortable.

Don’t miss this one-day event — stop by&nbsp;Master Cleaners in Hays, October 23rd from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.&nbsp;to have your pillows cleaned and ready for a better night’s sleep.

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kraftpillowservice.com/">KraftPillowService.com</a>.

Facebook:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063768623114">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063768623114</a>

Kraft Pillow Service coming to Hays Oct. 23

OSAGE COUNTY –Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas couple on multiple drug allegations.

Just after 8:30a.m. October 16, an Osage County Sheriff’s Office Investigators and Special Response Team (SRT) executed a narcotic search warrant in the 200 block of Elm Street in Overbrook, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.&nbsp; The investigating led to two arrests

Crystal S. Worley, 47, and Dallas M. Worley, 41, both of Overbrook, are being held in the Osage County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp;Distribution of methamphetamine, Distribution of opiates, Distribution of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and for No drug tax stamp

Sheriff: Kan. couple accused of selling meth from their. home

PARIS (AP) — In a minutes-long strike Sunday inside the world’s most-visited museum, thieves rode a basket lift up the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/police-outside-the-louvre-museum-after-theft-8abcc540ef4640789c03ae9e54f7e6a0">Louvre</a>&nbsp;’s facade, forced a window, smashed display cases and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels, officials said.

The daylight heist about 30 minutes after opening, with visitors already inside, was among the highest-profile museum thefts in living memory and comes as staff complained that crowding and thin staffing are straining security.

The theft unfolded just 250 meters (270 yards) from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mona-lisa-paint-recipe-leonardo-louvre-2b82601ad75f8514754966d74e95a211">the Mona Lisa</a>, in what Culture Minister Rachida Dati described as a professional “four-minute operation.”

One object, the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, containing more than 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum, French authorities said. It was reportedly recovered broken.

Images from the scene showed confused tourists being steered out of the glass pyramid and adjoining courtyards as officers closed nearby streets along the Seine.

A lift — which officials say the thieves brought and which was later removed — stood against the Seine-facing façade, their entry route and, observers said, a revealing weakness: that such machinery could be brought to a palace-museum unchecked.

Around 9:30 a.m., several intruders forced a window, cut panes with a disc cutter and went straight for the glass display cases, officials said. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the crew entered from outside using a basket lift via the riverfront facade to reach the hall with the 23-item royal collection.

Their target was the gilded Apollon Gallery, where the Crown Diamonds are displayed, including the Regent, the Sancy and the Hortensia.

The thieves smashed two display cases and fled on motorbikes, Nunez said. No one was hurt. Alarms brought Louvre agents to the room, forcing the intruders to bolt, but the theft was already done.

Eight objects were taken, according to officials: a sapphire diadem, necklace and single earring from a matching set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense; an emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife; a reliquary brooch; Empress Eugénie’s diadem; and her large corsage-bow brooch — a prized 19th-century imperial ensemble.

“It’s a major robbery,” Nunez said, noting that security measures at the Louvre had been strengthened in recent years and would be reinforced further as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paris-louvre-museum-renovation-64c83759247406323def9e54bb4890c9">the museum’s upcoming overhaul plan</a>. Officials said security upgrades include new-generation cameras, perimeter detection, and a new security control room. But critics say the measures come far too late.

The Louvre closed for the rest of Sunday for the forensic investigation to begin as police sealed gates, cleared courtyards and shut nearby streets along the Seine.

Daylight robberies during public hours are rare. Pulling one off inside the Louvre with visitors present ranks among Europe’s most audacious in recent history, and at least since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dresden-berlin-0ba8c0a7adf4719aaecd64753c000a51">Dresden’s Green Vault museum in 2019</a>.

It also collides with a deeper tension the Louvre has struggled to resolve: swelling crowds and stretched staff. The museum delayed opening during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/louvre-museum-paris-closed-lines-delay-2bbf9be4f49de739fd14dd4d908e4d72">June staff walkout over overcrowding and chronic understaffing</a>. Unions say mass tourism leaves too few eyes on too many rooms and creates pressure points where construction zones, freight routes and visitor flows meet.

Security around marquee works remains tight — the Mona Lisa sits behind bulletproof glass in a climate-controlled case — but Sunday’s theft also underscored that protections are not uniformly as robust across the museum’s more than 33,000 objects.

The theft is a fresh embarrassment for a museum already under scrutiny.

“How can they ride a lift to a window and take jewels in the middle of the day?” said Magali Cunel, a French teacher from near Lyon. “It’s just unbelievable that a museum this famous can have such obvious security gaps.”

The Louvre has a long history of thefts and attempted robberies. The most famous came in 1911, when the Mona Lisa vanished from its frame, stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia and recovered two years later in Florence. Another notorious episode came in 1956, when a visitor hurled a stone at her world-famous smile, chipping paint near her left elbow and hastening the move to display the work behind protective glass.

Today the former royal palace holds a roll call of civilization: Leonardo’s Mona Lisa; the armless serenity of the Venus de Milo; the Winged Victory of Samothrace, wind-lashed on the Daru staircase; the Code of Hammurabi’s carved laws; Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People; Géricault’s The Raft of the Medusa. The objects — from Mesopotamia, Egypt and the classical world to Europe’s masters — draw a daily tide of up to 30,000 visitors even as investigators now begin to sweep those gilded corridors for clues.

The heist spilled instantly into politics. Far-right leader Jordan Bardella used it to attack President Emmanuel Macron, weakened at home and facing a fractured parliament.

“The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture,” Bardella wrote on X. “This robbery, which allowed thieves to steal jewels from the French Crown, is an unbearable humiliation for our country. How far will the decay of the state go?”

The criticism lands as Macron touts a decade-long “Louvre New Renaissance” plan — about €700 million ($760 million) to modernize infrastructure, ease crowding and give the Mona Lisa a dedicated gallery by 2031. For workers on the floor, the relief has felt slower than the pressure.

Forensic teams are examining the site of the crime and adjoining access points while a full inventory is taken, authorities said. Officials have described the haul as of “inestimable” historical value.

Recovery may prove difficult. “It’s unlikely these jewels will ever be seen again,” said Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds. “Professional crews often break down and re-cut large, recognizable stones to evade detection, effectively erasing their provenance.”

Key questions still unanswered are how many people took part in the theft and whether they had inside assistance, authorities said. According to French media, there were four perpetrators: two dressed as construction workers in yellow safety vests on the lift, and two each on a scooter. French authorities did not immediately comment on this.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV from the Denon wing and the riverfront, inspecting the basket lift used to reach the gallery and interviewing staff who were on site when the museum opened, authorities said.

Thieves steal ‘priceless’ jewelry from the Louvre in 4 minute raid

KANSAS CiTY —The Clay County, Missouri Sheriff's office shared a video of a crash involving a patrol vehicle.

The Sheriff's office wrote, "that feeling when the suspect you were trying to catch takes off on foot, leaving his hoopty truck to catch fire and explode, which knocks it out of gear and sends it rolling into the unoccupied patrol car. 

Fortunately, no one was in the vehicles (they were off running in a field) so no one got hurt. Deputies took the suspect into custody. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansascityfire?__cft__[0]=AZVTJ3kaC6R-Ht8AdwGZbo3v2evotJJHhTdmsnjepnkQGUNVPQZvnXVHAK5qtYdmxwdvQTIZ-sgwOF6IAohzepRKd03BR_V5idvBym6A25ZbE6770dpPa_38lO8lACi3btkCo-cp2Bg7AKFKD2pp9nL0qS4Np7jKEypfM9HKyOfPSVXONMj6dNSjNWHnvqd6ywtUs9xS3kW0yjKsCHcF2R2o&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Fire Department</a>&nbsp;extinguished out the fire. The Sheriff's office did not release details on what prompted the chase, name of the suspect or possible charges.

🎥Suspect vehicle caught fire, rolls into KC area deputy's vehicle

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — An argument at a private off-campus party escalated into a shooting outside an Oklahoma State University residence hall early Sunday, wounding three people including a student, school police said.

Two victims were hospitalized in stable condition after surgery and the third was treated and released, university police Chief Michael Beckner told reporters.

No arrests have been made, but he said said police have “some solid leads” and are asking for the public's help. Investigators do not believe there's an ongoing threat to the campus or public.

The shooting erupted in an outdoor hallway at the Carreker East student apartments and spilled into a parking lot and nearby street, Beckner said, following a “disagreement between several people” at the party.

Officers responded after a report of a person collapsing from injuries at a McDonald's restaurant and calls of shots on campus, he said. When officers arrived on campus at about 3:40 a.m., no victims remained at the scene. Officers secured the area and took about 20 people present to a secure location for their safety and to begin interviews, the chief said.

The university is located in the city of Stillwater, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Oklahoma City.

Shooting outside a dorm at Oklahoma State wounds 3 

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mark-scolforo">MARK SCOLFORO</a> Associated Press

Sam Rivers, the bass player in the nu metal band Limp Bizkit, died on Saturday, according to social media posts by his band mates.

The band did not disclose where Rivers died or the circumstances, but praised him as “pure magic” and “the soul in the sound.”

“From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced,” they wrote in a group Instagram post. “His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous.”

Fred Durst, the band’s front man and lead vocalist, posted a video Sunday morning that recounted how they met at a club in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and went on to music stardom and performances around the globe. Durst said he has shed “gallons and gallons of tears since yesterday.”

“He really did have an impact on the world and his music and his gift is the one that’s going to keep on giving,” Durst said. “I just love him so much.”

Rivers, 48, had spoken of heavy drinking that had caused liver disease. He left the band in 2015 and received a liver transplant before reuniting with Limp Bizkit three years later.

Limp Bizkit has scheduled a tour of Central and South America to begin in Mexico City in late November.

Durst said he and Rivers shared a love of grunge music, naming the bands Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains and Stone Temple Pilots.

“He had this kind of ability to pull this beautiful sadness out of the bass that I’d never heard,” Durst said, calling Rivers “so talented I can’t explain.”

Limp Bizkit, with roots in Jacksonville, Florida, emerged in the late 1990s with a sound that melds altenative rock, heavy metal and rap.

Their off-the-wall sense of humor is reflected in the titles of their mega-selling 2000 album, “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water,” and a single released last month, “Making Love to Morgan Wallen.”

Limp Bizkit band members say bass player Sam Rivers has died

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — As states consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-election-2026-texas-california-trump-1e23e2b3f8e09031cf1eee8979ff3559">redrawing their congressional district lines</a>&nbsp;to favor one political party, some politicians warn that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gerrymandering-texas-congress-redistricting-0c751f48a7757fc11214472944670413">attempts to gerrymander</a>&nbsp;can devolve into “dummymandering,” when partisan goals end up helping the opposing party in neighboring districts.

Pushed initially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-house-republicans-texas-redistricting-d18e8280a32872d9eefcbb26f66a0331">by President Donald Trump</a>, state legislators across the country are discussing and at times agreeing to change boundaries in hopes of helping members of their party and ultimately deciding control of the U.S. House in 2026. Some are finding it's not as easy as it seems.

“Trying to win more seats comes with a risk, because in order to win more seats, they have to draw districts more competitively,” said University of Texas at Dallas political science professor Thomas L. Brunell, who helped coin the term dummymander.

Republicans could try redistricting Nebraska

U.S. House districts are typically redrawn once a decade, immediately after a census, but some states allow it to happen more frequently. And the U.S. Supreme Court has said there is no federal curb on political gerrymandering, in which districts are intentionally drawn to favor one party.

Nebraska is among a number of states being targeted for mid-decade redrawing of congressional district lines, with the head of the National Republican Redistricting Trust last week naming Nebraska among its top candidates for change. Republican Gov. Jim Pillen said he supports the idea.

The focus would be the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, a “blue dot” with Nebraska’s highest concentration of Democratic voters in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans.

Republicans hold all three of Nebraska’s U.S. House seats, including the 2nd District, but the Omaha seat is considered vulnerable. Incumbent Rep. Don Bacon eked out wins in the last two elections and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-nebraska-don-bacon-retiring-fb00b2cab3a37e167447e0d358d8a107">won't seek reelection</a>&nbsp;in 2026, bolstering Democratic hopes.

Gerrymandering in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats by a 2-1 ratio would seem simple, but state Sen. John Cavanaugh said it's not.

Cavanaugh, a Democrat who worked on Nebraska’s last redistricting effort following the 2020 U.S. Census and is now seeking the 2nd District seat, said Nebraska’s congressional districts already heavily favor Republicans following decades of GOP-led redistricting efforts.

“They’ve gone to great lengths to make the 2nd District less competitive,” Cavanaugh said.

Redistricting and the 2026 midterm elections

This summer, Trump urged Republican-led Texas to reshape districts so the GOP could win more seats in next year’s elections, jump-starting an offseason redistricting battle. The Republican Party typically loses congressional seats in midterm elections and the president is trying to buck that trend. Democrats need to gain just three seats to take control of the House.

In August, Texas lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-texas-redistricting-trump-map-congress-b6222dd39c494c9ab48beafabc66dc35">redrew the state’s</a>&nbsp;congressional districts to give Republicans a shot at winning five more seats.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-california-redistricting-battle-f0ac783b6a5fd6ecaab0ca419125b72a">Democratic-led California</a>&nbsp;responded with a redistricting plan intended to help Democrats win more seats, though it still&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-house-trump-newsom-democrats-republicans-43868bbcfb81cf2b1ef5d2862b2665a9">needs voter approval</a>. Leaders in other Democratic-leaning states, such as Maryland, New York and Illinois, have said they’re considering their own mid-decade redistricting plans.

Last month, Republican-led Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-gerrymander-trump-missouri-936e8daecadb32556fcfbd2eb9f7457b">adopted revised districts</a>&nbsp;aimed at helping the GOP win another seat. North Carolina Republican legislative leaders also have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-congress-redistricting-house-b32b6b1c52d9f59efac41c3b8c0db971">announced plans</a>&nbsp;to vote next week on redrawing the state’s House district map.

Redistricting remains under consideration in several other states,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-indiana-redistricting-donald-trump-fafc5bd34f741b3886913e792ab33048">including Indiana</a>&nbsp;and Kansas, where Republican lawmakers are gathering petition signatures from colleagues in an effort to call a special session for congressional redistricting.

Some Republicans remain hesitant, partially because of concerns that mid-decade redistricting could backfire. To make Democratic-leaning districts more favorable to Republicans, map drawers would have to shift some Democratic areas into districts currently held by Republicans, making them more vulnerable.

In South Carolina, Republican leaders worry that redrawing its seven U.S. House districts could be dangerous in a state where the GOP hovers at roughly 55% in competitive elections. Republicans usually hold six of seven seats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-house-elections-united-states-house-of-representatives-87e5a14395bb417391d413028a905739">but lost one</a>&nbsp;for a term in 2018.

Kansas had already attempted to make the state’s four districts an all-GOP congressional delegation when it redrew the lines in 2022 to weaken the Democratic stronghold on the Kansas City-area. But Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-biden-legislature-c33d92d6b33fc33c524f6b78024f3700">incumbent Rep. Sharice Davids</a>&nbsp;still won easily in 2022 and 2024.

Trump’s push to redraw the maps comes as his administration’s policies face skepticism among many voters, according to polling by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/">The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>.

Moon Duchin, a computer and data science professor at the University of Chicago and redistricting expert, said creating reliably partisan congressional maps in a large state like Texas is easier because the state has 38 districts, offering plenty of options to tinker.

It's tougher in states like Nebraska or Kansas, she said.

“You have fewer lines; you’re not going to be able to put them as far out of reach without creating opportunities elsewhere," Duchin said. "And so, yes, you have to do it really carefully because it can backfire.”

Even in Texas, Republicans saw the effects of dummymandering after they aggressively redrew political lines in the 2010s that helped pad the GOP’s House majority. That lasted until 2018, when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/democrats-seize-house-control-but-trumps-gop-holds-senate-c0be062914e048d79f70bcf120e1ccbb">backlash against Trump</a>&nbsp;in his first term led Democrats to flip two seats that Republicans had thought safe.

“That’s the thing about gerrymandering — people are still going to vote, and you have to make guesses about future voting behavior,” Duchin said.

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