By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

From late-night tacos to a full-scale bar and grill, Storytellers is bringing a new chapter to downtown Hays dining.

Owner Luke Hemphill said the restaurant will be a distinct concept from his popular food truck, Tacos El Guero Guey, which he has operated since 2020.

"We've been running out of room," Hemphill said. "It's always scary making that initial jump, but when the location popped up, it seemed like it was the perfect fit for us."

Storytellers, 509 W. Seventh St., is in the former location of The Tiger Book Shop near Fort Hays State University, but Hemphill said it will welcome the entire community when it opens Wednesday.

"Through the name of the business, we wanted to pay homage to the old tiger bookstore and give it a new creative twist for the restaurant," Hemphill said.

The restaurant’s grand opening week runs Aug. 20–23 and will feature live music and signature cocktails. Hemphill said the menu will include sliders, wings, specialty quesadillas different from the taco trailer’s offerings and a variety of loaded fries.

The custom cocktail menu features drinks such as the house margarita, the octo, dead man’s boots, electric kool-aid and liquid marijuana. Storytellers will offer daily discounts on different food items.

Hemphill moved to the area in 2020 to launch his food trailer and has grown from late-night service near campus to also feeding the community during the day.

"[Tacos El Guero Guey] is still going to stay the same. We've been doing well, getting a lot of feedback from that, and we want to assure everyone that the taco truck isn't going away," he said.

Hemphill said he is grateful for his contractor, Jeff Ruda of Ruda Remodeling, for helping transform the former book shop into his dream business.

Storytellers will be open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, with Wednesdays possibly closing at midnight depending on the customer volume.

The Tiger Book Shop closed in 2024 after 19 years due to declining business.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3b7914c4-88bb-4598-82a0-a6cac45624f6">SEE RELATED STORY: Historic Hays Tiger Book Shop closes May 15 with final sale</a>

You can follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578527575814">Storytellers</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082989627450">Tacos El Guero Guey</a> on Facebook.

Storytellers restaurant/bar brings new flavors to former Hays bookstore

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/45c326ac-a856-480a-b491-0312e5d43c5c">Find our obituary posting policy by clicking here.</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with&nbsp;Michael Liotta, Kansas National Guard deputy director, Public Works and&nbsp;Lt. Colonel Travis Zeigler, Commander of the 997 Brigade Support Battalion&nbsp;of the Kansas National Guard.

🎤 Forward Ever: Kansas National Guard members discuss new Hays armory

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce&nbsp; David Toland announced that the Department of Commerce has awarded $362,000 through the Emergency Historic Asset Lifeline (E-HEAL) program. These funds will support five downtown revitalization projects for buildings facing likely demolition or collapse.

“Through the E-HEAL program we have preserved historic buildings across Kansas that would have been lost due to unforeseen events,” Toland said. “These funds not only save these unique spaces but resurrect them into new and refreshed businesses that drive economic growth and instill a greater sense of community pride throughout the state.”

The E-HEAL program addresses urgent needs in rural communities by stabilizing and rehabilitating historic downtown buildings that are facing imminent loss, are causing damage to surrounding buildings and/or have structural issues due to fire, storm damage or other emergencies. These investments aim to convert vacant or damaged properties into vibrant community assets, including spaces for small businesses, childcare centers, housing, arts and cultural spaces, or entrepreneurial ventures.

• Stockton: $100,000 –&nbsp;Renovation of the Historic Exchange Bank Building will bring three distinct businesses back to Main Street, including a restaurant and bar, retail store, and residential units.

“Every small town in Kansas has a story to tell, and our downtown buildings are part of that story,”&nbsp;Office of Rural Prosperity Director Trisha Purdon said. “Through E-HEAL, we’re helping communities protect those stories while creating new chapters of opportunity and growth.”

To learn more about the HEAL program, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fcommunity-development%2Fheal%2F/1/010101988b3c75c0-4115ed19-9a28-4dfd-8bd4-44ea81d61b96-000000/Byd5jSSGssjtSdOOT-8JRPhFyg79OJXvmZ5FPqTWC5k=417">here</a>.

Stockton awarded E-HEAL funding for downtown building revitalization

Volga German Sesquicentennial Action Committee

The Volga German Sesquicentennial Action Committee is calling on the community to help preserve Ellis County’s rich Volga German heritage by submitting historical photographs, documents and personal stories for a forthcoming 2026 commemorative publication.

The committee is gathering high-quality images and narratives that showcase all aspects of Volga German immigrant life, from the settlers’ arrival in the 1870s to the present day.

Organizers say contributions will celebrate 150 years of Volga German influence in the region, marking the official sesquicentennial of their arrival in western Kansas in 1876.

The public submissions can cover a broad range of subjects: people and family life, historic buildings and churches, cultural traditions, the German dialect spoken by descendants, recipes and foods, or any other facet of Volga German life.

Personal stories and recollections are welcome in either first-person accounts or third-person narratives.

“We want to ensure this anniversary is celebrated not just with dates and facts, but with the voices and images of the families who built our communities,” said Amanda Rupp, executive director of the Ellis&nbsp;County Historical Society. “Preserving these family photos and stories is vital to understanding who we are as a community. It’s about capturing the everyday lives and traditions of the Volga German families that made this area their home.”

Submissions are being accepted through the project website, OurPeopleOurHome.org which was created to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Volga Germans arrival in Ellis County.

The site’s Submission Center allows users to upload images, videos or written stories, and contributors are asked to include captions or descriptions for any photographs.

Submissions will be considered for use online, on social media, and in the upcoming published book.

James Bell, publications chair for the Sesquicentennial Action Committee, said that materials from beyond Ellis County are welcome as well.

“We know the region’s Volga German story extends beyond Ellis County’s borders,” Bell said. “If families in surrounding counties have a shared heritage, we encourage them to contribute their stories and photos too. The more perspectives we include, the richer this collection will be.”

For those who have old prints, slides or artifacts that aren’t yet digitized, the committee is offering scanning assistance.

Individuals with physical photographs, letters or other documents can contact organizers via the website to arrange use of scanning equipment or other help in converting items to a digital format.

“If you have a box of old photographs or letters in the attic, we want to help you share those,” Bell said. “We have resources to safely scan and digitize these treasures so they can be part of this preservation effort. Every family keepsake has the potential to tell a story.”

Organizers emphasized that all submitted materials should be original (or submitted with permission of the owner) so that the content can be published without legal issues.

Contributors will retain ownership of their originals; the committee requests only the right to include the material in the sesquicentennial project.

The 150th anniversary celebrations are expected to span throughout 2026, honoring the legacy of the Volga German settlers who first arrived in Ellis County in 1876.

Ellis County became a hub for these immigrants in the late 1870s, when German families who had previously settled in Russia’s Volga River region came to the United States seeking new opportunities.

They established a number of local villages, such as Liebenthal, Catherine, Herzog (now Victoria) and others, that still cherish their Volga German roots.

The upcoming sesquicentennial festivities will highlight this heritage through exhibits, cultural demonstrations, and gatherings of descendants.

A calendar of events for 2026 is being developed and will be published on <a href="https://ourpeopleourhome.org/">OurPeopleOurHome.org</a> website as plans are finalized.

The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia has again chosen Hays to host its national conference in 2026, reflecting the area’s importance as a center of Volga German history.

The publication and events are an initiative of the Sesquicentennial Action Committee to engage the public in celebrating 150 years of Volga German contributions to the area.

Rupp said the success of the project depends on broad community participation.

“This project is truly about community collaboration,” she said. “Every photo album or family tale that gets shared brings us one step closer to preserving our history for the next generation.”

Community members can upload their materials via the Submit Materials page at <a href="https://ourpeopleourhome.org/">OurPeopleOurHome.org</a>.

Those needing assistance or more information may reach out through the site’s Contact Us form or call the Ellis County Historical Society.

The committee encourages early submissions as the commemorative publication will be compiled over the coming months in preparation for the 2026 festivities.

By contributing to <a href="https://ourpeopleourhome.org/">OurPeopleOurHome.org </a>local families can help paint a vibrant picture of Volga German life in Ellis County and ensure that our home and our people are remembered for generations to come.

For questions or more information email ourpeople150yearsourhome@gmail.com.

Volga German Sesquicentennial Committee seeks heritage submissions

By TISA MASON FHSU President

Even before classes officially begin, our campus is already alive with energy. You can hear the laughter of our international students during orientation on the Quad. You can feel the determination of our Tiger football players as they power through practice in the sweltering Kansas summer heat. By this weekend, most of our on-campus students will be moved in, and on Monday, we’ll turn the page together and begin the 2025–2026 academic year — another exciting chapter in the proud history of Fort Hays State University.

Among the students returning to our residence halls is Dominic “Dom” Hernandez, a high school senior from Hays who is enrolled in our Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS) — FHSU’s premier early college program. While KAMS is known for its unmatched academic rigor, students like Dom also take full advantage of the opportunities our university offers outside the classroom. KAMS students serve in student government, lead in campus organizations, engage in community service, and even take part in cutting-edge research.

Dom’s story is deeply rooted in the values of family, hard work, and education. His father, Manuel Hernandez, grew up in Mexico City, the son of parents who sacrificed greatly so their children could have a better life. Manuel’s mother worked as a cook in the Spanish Embassy, and his father left elementary school to work in construction. Manuel followed his mother’s culinary path, eventually becoming a professional chef.

Dom’s mother, Erin Schamber, grew up in the tiny rural town of Damar (population 107), in a safe and supportive community where everybody knew everybody. Her father’s Peace Corps service inspired her love for travel and other cultures. After building a life in Colorado, Erin and Manuel moved to Hays so Manuel could join the team at Gella’s Restaurant. They thought it would simply be a good place to raise their family. What they didn’t know then was that FHSU would become central to their story.

Manuel is now head chef with Union Catering, delivering between 2,000 and 3,000 meals daily and providing customized catering solutions for a wide range of campus events. Erin earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology here at FHSU and went on to launch a rewarding career advocating for youth in the Ellis County juvenile justice system. Both parents have embraced our campus and community, attending events like the Hays Symphony and sending their children to STEM summer camps.

About two years ago, Dom came home from school and told his parents about the KAMS program. “I just wasn’t feeling challenged enough in high school,” Dom said. “My dad taught me and my siblings to always be looking for ways to excel and ways to take advantage of the opportunities we are lucky enough to find.” Dom saw KAMS as an opportunity to embrace his dad’s advice.

During his first year in KAMS, Dom conducted research on advanced insulating materials, journeyed to Ireland to participate in archaeological fieldwork, and attended a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association leadership conference in Washington, D.C. Each state sent students to the conference, and Dom was selected by his peers to represent all of his fellow Kansans as a member of the Youth Leadership Council.

Like the majority of FHSU students, Dom also works part-time. He serves as a barista at the Breathe Coffee shop in downtown Hays, and thinks this experience, well beyond the boundaries of campus, has been especially rewarding.

“Breathe is more than a coffee shop in the sense that it's also an outlet for people to find a community and an environment that is understanding. There are a lot of customers that I've become very close with. They’ve helped me with a lot of things, and I think I've helped them as well,” Dom said.

Patrick McGinnis, the owner of Breathe, believes Dom contributed greatly to the warm and welcoming culture of the coffee shop.

“Dominic understands that through excellence even in the small things, you can make a difference in people’s lives,” McGinnes said. “He is authentic. He cares for everyone and is tirelessly dedicated to becoming the best version of himself.”

The Hernandez family’s presence on campus is already strong this fall. Manuel’s culinary team started serving meals on August 13. Dom’s older brother Leonardo, a sophomore physics major and member of the Tiger Cheer squad, is practicing for our first home football game. And Dom is serving as one of my VIP Student Ambassadors, helping us connect with visitors and share the spirit of FHSU.

The Hernandez family reminds us about the connections we cultivate and the hearts we touch. When Dom’s family arrived in Hays, they never anticipated that Fort Hays State University would weave itself into the fabric of their lives. Yet, today, they are enriching our community in ways that inspire and strengthen us all.

Here’s to another year filled with opportunity, discovery, and the heart of a Tiger that beats powerfully within us all.

Dr. Tisa Mason is the president of Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;

Heart of a Tiger: The Hernandez family is back on campus

<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

The Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway will be at Auto Collision Specialists from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Stop by to register to become a finalist for a CF Moto U Force 4 seat UTV.&nbsp; 

Auto Collision Specialists wants to remind you that they work with all insurance companies, they are family owned and always willing to help from start to finish. 

If you ever need any help after a fender bender, keep the gang at Auto Collision Specialists in mind.

Special thanks to A &amp; A Coors Miller, Briney Motorsports, Advantage Glass Plus and Commercial Sign Company!

Keep listening to Eagle Radio and reading the Hays Post all summer long for your chance to become a finalist.

The UTV will be given away at a Fort Hays State University football game on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Become Miller Lite UTV giveaway finalist today at Auto Collision Specialists in Hays!

A Hays man allegedly stole a trailer that has yet to be recovered.

Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 52-year-old Michael Anthony Brower was taken into custody for two alleged counts of felony theft and criminal property damage.

Greenwood said a 7-by-16-foot utility trailer was stolen from the 1000 block of East 29th Street sometime between July 17 and 23, with the theft reported to police on July 24.

Officers reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby business that allegedly captured a suspect vehicle leaving the area. They identified its license plate, and the car was later found and towed as evidence that same day.

Greenwood said Brower was identified through a match with his driver’s license photo and was also arrested that same day. The 2003 dual-axle utility trailer remains missing and is listed as stolen in the National Crime Information Center database.

Hays man arrested for alleged trailer theft

FHSU crime log: Aug. 8-14, 2025

RUSH COUNTY— A Kansas man is going to prison for child sex crimes.

Earlier this month, 31-year-old Tyler Whitten was sentenced to serve 27.5 years in prison, according to the Kansas Attorney General's office. In December he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a child under the age of 14.

The alleged acts in Pawnee County occurred at a private residence in Larned sometime between September 16, 2021, and March 1, 2023, and were discovered during an investigation by the Rush County Sheriff regarding similar allegations.

“We appreciate the hard work of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Rush County Sheriff’s Office, whose thorough investigation provided the evidence necessary for justice in this case,” said Assistant Attorney General Nicole Southall. “We are especially grateful for the bravery of these young girls in coming forward and to their mother for her quick actions in getting her children to safety.”

Rush Co. man sentenced for sex crimes with young children

&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

As announced earlier this year, Brenda Meder, executive director of the Hays Arts Council, will begin a phased retirement in September.

To honor her remarkable 35-year career, the public is invited to a special celebration during the Fall Art Walk on Friday, Aug. 22, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at the Hays Arts Center. 

Guests are encouraged to bring cards filled with stories, gratitude, and well wishes for a community card shower. Those unable to attend may mail cards to the Hays Arts Council, 112 E 11th, Hays, KS 67601.

Hundreds enjoy the four seasonal art walks on The Bricks in Downtown Hays, and it’s only fitting to recognize Brenda during her last one as executive director. Her leadership has shaped the arts in Ellis County, inspiring generations of artists and touching the lives of nearly every child through youth programming.

Let’s come together to celebrate Brenda and the legacy she leaves for the arts in our community.

For more information, visit <a href="http://www.haysartscouncil.org">www.haysartscouncil.org</a>.

Celebration to honor retiring Hays Art Council's Brenda Meder on Aug. 22

Kansas Department of Transportation

NORTON — A project to resurface a portion of Highway K-9 is underway in Norton County.

The Kansas Department of Transportation project involves milling and overlay on 12.5 miles of the highway starting at the east U.S. 283 junction and ending at the Phillips County line. 

During construction, 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.

Venture Corporation, of Great Bend, is the primary contractor for the $1.9 million project.

For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Dan Moore at 785-302-6205 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:daniel.moore@ks.gov">daniel.moore@ks.gov</a>.

Project to resurface portion of Highway K-9 underway in Norton County

This year’s 5th annual Hays Public Library Foundation Fundraiser will feature Kansas basketball great Jackie Stiles as guest speaker. The Wine &amp; Cheese event will be on October 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hays Public Library.

The fundraiser will begin with a wine and cheese social hour, followed by an impactful presentation from Stiles. From her hometown of Claflin, to a professional career in the WNBA, Stiles inspired millions as she rewrote the women’s basketball record books. Stiles held the NCAA women’s scoring record for 16 years and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Stiles continues to reach people of all ages through personal training, basketball camps, and public speaking.

The Hays Public Library Foundation was established in 2001 to serve as a source for funding emergent and unexpected needs and events associated with the library. Most recently the Foundation’s fundraising efforts covered the cost to remodel the Kansas Room, which was completed this spring.

Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased at the library or online at <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/shop/wine-and-cheese-event-ticket/">hayslibrary.org/event</a> beginning August 11. There are a limited number of tickets. Businesses interested in sponsoring the event or providing items for the silent auction or raffle are encouraged to contact Callie Kolacny at ckolacny@hayslibrary.org.

You can find out more about this and other library programs online at <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">hayslibrary.org</a> or by calling 785-625-9014.

Kansas basketball great to speak at Hays Public Library Foundation fundraiser

Grow Hays, in association with the Network Kansas E-Community Partnership, announces the ‘Think Like an Entrepreneur’ - Ice House Entrepreneurship Program offered in Ellis County. Sessions will be held over eight weeks, Wednesdays from September 17 through November 6. The goal of the course is to teach participants to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

Taught by Kris Munsch, a certified Ice House facilitator, this interactive 8-week program provides practical entrepreneurial lessons through first-hand experiences of successful, real-life entrepreneurs. 

Based on the book,&nbsp;Who Owns the Ice House, this curriculum consists of case studies along with individual assignments, assessments, and discussion topics. This popular course is offered only a handful of times per year across the state and Grow Hays is excited to have local resident Kris Munsch teaching the course.

The program fee runs $150 for adults and $75 for students and covers catered meals. We are offering an early bird price of $100 if signed up and paid by September 5. Registration is limited, and in-county attendees will have priority to fill the course. Out-of-county attendees are welcome to register but may be put on a waiting list. 

The deadline to register is Thursday, September 11, 2025.

To register for the&nbsp;Think Like an Entrepreneur&nbsp;program online, visit:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://briefspace.proximity.app/">https://briefspace.proximity.app/</a>

For more information contact James Robben at 785.628.3102 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:james@growhays.com">james@growhays.com</a>.

'Think Like an Entrepreneur/Ice House' program launches in September

Join us for Game Day at the Fox Theatre in Hays!&nbsp;The Heartland Catbackers are teaming up with the Fox Theatre to host a&nbsp;K-State vs. Iowa State&nbsp;football watch party on&nbsp;Saturday, August 23!

Location: The Fox Theatre, 1200 Main, Hays Kickoff:&nbsp;11:00 a.m. Doors Open:&nbsp;10:30 a.m.

Bring your friends and family to cheer on the Wildcats in style—on the Fox’s&nbsp;massive 25-foot big screen.

This is a&nbsp;free, family-friendly event&nbsp;and&nbsp;open to the public.

Enjoy delicious BBQ from&nbsp;The Pfonz, provided courtesy of the Heartland Catbackers.

For more details, visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/678382011894547/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22home%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D">Heartland Catbackers Facebook</a> event page or check out HeartlandCatbackers.org.

Let’s pack the Fox with purple!&nbsp; &nbsp;

Heartland Catbackers host free watch party Aug. 23 at Fox Theatre

Grow Hays welcomes the public to the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center grand opening and ribbon cutting at&nbsp; 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. The Community Center is located at 2510 Canterbury Drive, Hays.

The Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center is a visionary more than 14,300 square foot facility designed to serve as a multigenerational hub for the Hays community. This state-of-the-art center is also home to Bright Minds Academy's third childcare location and the Hays Senior Center, providing essential services and fostering a sense of community for residents of all ages.&nbsp;

"We are excited to see this project come to completion," said Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, Inc. "The Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center will be a cornerstone for Hays, offering valuable resources and a welcoming space for both our youngest and senior citizens."

The ceremony will feature remarks from key community leaders and project stakeholders, celebrating the collaborative effort that has brought this project to fruition.

We invite all members of the Hays community and the surrounding areas to join us for this momentous occasion. 

Attendees are encouraged to park along the new streets in The Grove development and the Hays Medical Center for Health Improvement parking lot.

Public invited to grand opening of Bob & Pat Schmidt Community Center

Beginning Tuesday, August 12, the intersection of 13th Street and Canterbury Drive will become a 4-way stop as this intersection will be getting traffic light upgrades and modifications. 

 Temporary stop signs will be utilized at this intersection. 

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Public Works office 785-628-7350.

13th & Canterbury intersection to be temporary 4-way stop in Hays starting Tuesday

Join our new Hays Post Newsletter and receive the top news stories from your community every morning in your email inbox plus one-click access to the latest obituaries.&nbsp;

Sign up for free Hays Post Newsletter

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-sandwich-assault-f579ab8649ae0f40d03cd4fdb58ed5e9">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;arrived in Alaska on Friday for a pivotal summit with Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/orthodox-christians-prayers-trump-putin-alaska-dbced54d9faa7d230d3df03405491542">Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;that could reshape the war in Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington.

Trump was scheduled to meet Russia’s president at his plane shortly. A large “Alaska 2025” sign, flanked by four parked fighter jets and red carpets, was placed on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage for the leaders’ arrival. Trump and Putin have shared&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-0237e6b133b14b74acf4a2021272ecec">closely watched handshakes before</a>&nbsp;— but the one they are expected to have Friday will be as scrutinized as any, as will any body language or hints about how each is feeling.

The sit-down gives Trump a chance to prove to the world that he is both a master dealmaker and a global peacemaker. He and his allies have cast him as a heavyweight negotiator who can find a way to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">bring the slaughter to a close</a>&nbsp;— something he used to boast he could do quickly.

For Putin, a summit with Trump offers a long-sought opportunity to try to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia’s gains, block Kyiv’s bid to join the NATO military alliance and eventually pull Ukraine back into Moscow’s orbit. Despite having so much at stake, Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://volodymyr%20zelenskyy/">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;and European leaders aren't invited.

There are significant risks for Trump. By bringing Putin onto U.S. soil — America bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for roughly 2 cents per acre — the president is giving him the validation he desires after his ostracization following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-moscow-kyiv-626a8c5ec22217bacb24ece60fac4fe1">his invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;3 1/2 years ago. Zelenskyy's exclusion from Trump and Putin's first meeting is a heavy blow to the West’s policy of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” and invites the possibility that Trump could agree to a deal that Ukraine does not want.

Any success is far from assured because Russia and Ukraine remain far apart in their demands for peace. Putin has long resisted any temporary ceasefire, linking it to a halt in Western arms supplies and a freeze on Ukraine’s mobilization efforts, which are conditions rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies.

"HIGH STAKES!!!" Trump posted shortly before he boarded Air Force One.

On his way to the meeting, Putin stopped in Magadan, in Russia’s Far East, where he visited a factory producing omega-3 fish oil capsules, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Putin used the flight to review materials on Ukraine, tensions with the U.S., economic cooperation and global affairs, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Russian state TV.

Trump said earlier in the week there was a 25% chance that the summit would fail, but he also floated the idea that if the meeting succeeds he could bring Zelenskyy to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting.

Trump has also expressed doubts about getting an immediate ceasefire, but he has wanted a broad peace deal done quickly. That seemingly echoes Putin’s longtime argument that Russia favors a comprehensive deal to end the fighting, reflecting its demands, not a temporary halt to hostilities.

The Kremlin said Trump and Putin will have a one-on-one discussion, followed by the two delegations meeting and talks continuing over “a working breakfast.” The pair are expected to hold a joint press conference.

Trump has offered shifting explanations for his meeting goals

Trump previously characterized the sit-down as “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-strike-575aa4ce590256d50a9d73911f681269">really a feel-out meeting</a>.” But he's also warned of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-8-13-2025">“very severe consequences”</a>&nbsp;for Russia if Putin doesn't agree to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>.

Trump said Friday that his talks with Putin will include Russian demands that Ukraine cede territory as part of a peace deal. He said Ukraine has to decide, but he also suggested Zelenskyy should accept concessions.

“I’ve got to let Ukraine make that decision. And I think they’ll make a proper decision,” Trump told reporters traveling with him to Alaska.

Trump said there’s “a possibility” of the United States offering Ukraine security guarantees alongside European powers, “but not in the form of NATO.” Putin has fiercely resisted Ukraine joining the trans-Atlantic security alliance, a long-term goal for Ukrainians seeking to forge stronger ties with the West.

Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe, is in Alaska to provide “military advice” to Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to a senior NATO military official who wasn't authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. His presence is likely to be welcomed by European leaders who have tried to convince Trump to be firm with Putin and not deal over Kyiv’s head.

On his way to Alaska, Trump sat for an interview on Air Force One with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier. In a clip posted online, he said he thought the meeting would “work out very well — and if it doesn’t, I’m going to head back home real fast.”

“I would walk, yeah,” he added, after a follow up question.

Zelenskyy has time and again cast doubts on Putin's willingness to negotiate in good faith. His European allies, who’ve held increasingly urgent meetings with U.S. leaders over the past week, have stressed the need for Ukraine to be involved in any peace talks.

Political commentators in Moscow, meanwhile, have relished that the summit leaves Ukraine and its European allies on the sidelines.

Dmitry Suslov, a pro-Kremlin voice, expressed hope that the summit will “deepen a trans-Atlantic rift and weaken Europe’s position as the toughest enemy of Russia.”

The summit could have far-reaching implications

Foreign governments will be watching closely to see how Trump reacts to Putin, likely gauging what the interaction might mean for their own dealings with the U.S. president, who has eschewed traditional diplomacy for his own transactional approach to relationships.

The meeting comes as the war has caused heavy losses on both sides and drained resources.

Ukraine has held on far longer than some initially expected since the February 2022 invasion, but it is straining to hold off Russia’s much larger army, grappling with bombardments of its cities and fighting for every inch on the over 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) front line.

Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, said U.S. antagonists like China, Iran and North Korea will be paying attention to Trump's posture to see “whether or not the threats that he continues to make against Putin are indeed credible.”

“Or, if has been the past track record, he continues to back down and look for ways to wiggle out of the kind of threats and pressure he has promised to apply,” said Kendall-Taylor, who is a former senior intelligence officer.

While some have objected to the location of the summit, Trump has said he thought it was “very respectful” of Putin to come to the U.S. instead of a meeting in Russia.

Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin Moscow-based analyst, observed that the choice of Alaska as the summit’s venue “underlined the distancing from Europe and Ukraine.”

Being on a military base allows the leaders to avoid protests and meet more securely, but the location carries its own significance because of its history and location.

Alaska is separated from Russia at its closest point by just 3 miles (less than 5 kilometers) and the international date line.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was crucial to countering the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It continues to play a role today, as planes from the base still intercept Russian aircraft that regularly fly into U.S. airspace.

Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Jonathan J. Cooper in Washington, Elise Morton in London and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.

President Trump arrives in Alaska for pivotal summit with Putin 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflecto</a>r

TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Thursday asked a federal court to remove Gov. Laura Kelly from a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s refusal to release grant money to states.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-governor-joins-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-for-federal-funding-losses/">Kelly joined 22 states and the District of Columbia</a>&nbsp;in the lawsuit last month. Kobach, a Republican, said the Democratic governor doesn’t have the authority under Kansas law to represent the state in federal litigation.

“The governor is purporting to represent the state of Kansas and claiming that Kansas demands and wants the federal government to continue spending this money that these federal agencies have deemed to be unnecessary and wasteful,” Kobach told legislative leaders at a meeting Thursday at the Statehouse.

The states sued the Office of Management and Budget over decisions by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, to terminate billions of dollars in federal funding that had been allocated by Congress. The lawsuit argues those cuts have had a devastating impact on state efforts to combat violent crime, educate students, safeguard public health, protect clean drinking water, conduct medical and scientific research, provide meals for students in school, and ensure access to unemployment benefits.

Olivia Taylor-Puckett, a spokeswoman for Kelly, said the governor joined the lawsuit in her official capacity as governor of the state. The Kansas Constitution vests “supreme executive power” in the governor and makes Kansas governors responsible for “enforcement of the laws,” she said.

“As such, the governor oversees all executive agencies in Kansas and has the power to bring a suit and be sued in her official capacity in fulfilling her constitutional duty,” Taylor-Puckett said. “The attorney general was repeatedly asked to exercise his responsibility to protect the people of Kansas and he refused.”

She said the governor acted to prevent infringement of “states’ rights and the best interests of Kansas.”

When the governor joined the lawsuit, her office said the Trump administration had terminated “millions of dollars used to purchase goods from Kansas farmers, to mitigate natural disasters and to enhance childhood education.”

Kobach appeared before the Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of five Republicans and two Democrats, to ask for a statement of support in dropping Kansas from the litigation. He said he filed an amicus brief Thursday to inform the Massachusetts federal court of his assertion that state law allows only the attorney general to represent the state in federal litigation.

“Otherwise the court might assume that a governor walking into a federal court might have the authority to represent the state in court, but under Kansas law, that is not the case,” Kobach said.

The council on a party-line vote approved a motion made by House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who is running for state insurance commissioner, that declares the governor is violating Kansas law and should be dropped from the case.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements