By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays Fire Department conducted a wildfire summit to prepare for future blazes by drawing lessons from the region’s past disasters.

Hays Fire Chief Ryan Hagans said the summit consisted of sharing local expertise, a field trip and simulations to address potential threats in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

"The main goal was to help us find the tools and resources to build a partnership within the community, and help spread the word on potential hazards that a wildfire brings when it impacts urban and developed areas," Hagans said.

The summit was a two-day wildfire risk workshop on Friday and Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hays.

SimTables, or simulation tables, let participants model fire spread using real topography and wind data. The projections recreated past incidents, including the 2021 Four County Fire, and hypothetical scenarios for firefighters to study.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/244e646d-1963-4b42-bcf5-c85c78f9b5bb">SEE RELATED STORY: Drought doubles disaster as Four County ranchers struggle to recover year after wildfire</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5b816284-349a-4002-b92c-082d727d3727">SEE RELATED STORY: Third-Generation rancher gives up ag: financial effects of Four County Fire may last years</a>

Firefighters shared their experiences and insights from responding to the Four County Fire, discussing factors that allowed it to spread as fast as it did, such as wind speeds.

"When this started, we had zero visibility in Hays. I was driving around when it progressed and everything browned out," one firefighter said, referring to the Four County Fire.

Firefighters estimated from the projection that fast-moving fires could sweep through Hays in roughly 10 minutes.

The summit also included an outdoor session near the Sternberg Museum to examine grasses, trees and urban-wildland risks. Hagans said the fire department gained a deeper understanding of fire behavior and plans to implement measures.

He said the department will further assess the city for wildfire threats and educate the public.

"There are several areas throughout the outer edges of town that we'd like to evaluate what fuel loads they have and what each individual neighborhood has unique to them," Hagans said. "Steps they can take to help prevent or slow down the spread of a grass fire coming and help protect their homes as well."

Hagans advises regularly clearing dead limbs, trimming trees and bushes, and mowing grass near fences as precautions.

The event also partnered with the Kansas State Forest Service, International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs and National Volunteer Fire Council.

NWester: Hays hosts Wildland Resilience Summit to boost fire preparedness

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

Fort Hays State University Foundation

The Fort Hays State University Foundation welcomes four new members to its board of trustees – Ashley Adorante, Shane DeWald, Chelsey Ladd, and Dr. Ryan Ruda.

“Our board of trustees are a vital part of our Tiger family,” said FHSU Foundation President and CEO Jason Williby. “Their dedication to giving back and helping our students succeed is truly inspiring. We’re excited to have these individuals on our board.”

Ashley Adorante, ’01, Overland Park

In her current role as Outreach Coordinator, Adorante works across Kansas and western Missouri to promote cancer prevention and education for the Masonic Cancer Alliance, the outreach network of The University of Kansas Cancer Center.&nbsp;Adorante completed her bachelor’s in physical education at FHSU and later attended the University of Kansas for her master’s degree in community health.

In 2020, Adorante was recognized by the FHSU Alumni Office as the Nita M. Landrum Award recipient, which honors individuals who have provided sustained volunteer service for the betterment of the Fort Hays State Alumni community or the university.

Shane DeWald serves as executive director of the Blue Valley Recreation Commission in Overland Park. With more than two decades of leadership in parks and recreation, he has helped to expand access and engagement across all age groups. DeWald holds a bachelor’s from FHSU in business administration and physical education, a master’s in sports administration from Wichita State University, and is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional. In addition, he is a former pole vaulter with the FHSU track and field team.

DeWald’s expertise includes sports and recreation management, strategic planning, and community partnership development. He is enthusiastic about public service and dedicated to building healthy, inclusive, and active communities through innovative programming and collaborative leadership.

Chelsey Ladd serves as the Director of Constituent Services for U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, working out of Hays. Ladd obtained her degrees at FHSU in 2008 when she double majored in political science and organizational leadership. She has worked alongside Senator Moran for nearly 17 years in various roles, using her skills to continue serving the people of Kansas.

She brings years of experience in public service and community engagement, including leadership roles with the Kiwanis Club of Hays, as the vice president of the board of directors for The Bricks in Downtown Hays, and as the past chair of the FHSU Alumni Board. A recipient of the 2020 Rising Star Award from The Chamber in Hays, Ladd is devoted to supporting her community in any way she can.

Dr. Ryan Ruda, ’97, ’99, Holcomb

As president and CEO of Garden City Community College, Dr. Ryan Ruda plays an important role in shaping the college’s vision, fostering student success, and strengthening community partnerships. Since 1999, Ruda has held various roles throughout the college, including Dean of Student Services and Vice President of Student Services.

Ruda began his educational career at Fort Hays State, completing a bachelor’s in justice studies and a master’s in counseling and guidance. He went on to earn an Educational Doctorate in community college leadership from National American University in 2018. Ruda brings a wealth of higher-education knowledge to the board and will undoubtedly help contribute to his alma mater’s mission and values.

The Foundation Board of Trustees is comprised of 43 total members, each serving a four-year term. Serving on the board is more than honorary, as these individuals participate in year-round activities that ensure the educational and financial success of Fort Hays State University and the FHSU Foundation.

Members of the Board of Trustees come from diverse educational and industry backgrounds. They represent all five academic colleges at FHSU and are located throughout the United States from coast to coast.

Adorante, DeWald, Ladd, and Ruda will join members of the FHSU Foundation board of trustees in late August for the organization’s annual business meeting. During their time on campus, trustees will get an inside view of what’s happening across Fort Hays State by touring Malloy Hall, Stroup Hall, Albertson Hall, and getting a sneak peek at the Forsyth Library renovation progress.

FHSU Foundation welcomes four new members to its Board of Trustees

<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

&nbsp;Kansas House Democrats announced at the beginning of the summer that they were hitting the road for their inaugural Fight Back Tour, a statewide initiative aimed at engaging directly with Kansans, listening to community concerns, and outlining their vision for the future of the state.&nbsp;

“This tour is about showing up and fighting back against the extremism we're seeing at all levels of government, but especially in Topeka,” said House Democratic Leader Brandon Woodard. “The Kansas House Democrats are committed to listening to Kansans who are not feeling heard right now and taking action. When all is said and done, the Kansas House Democrats will have traveled to 14 different cities throughout the state, energizing hundreds of Kansans for the future of state politics.”&nbsp;

The Fight Back Tour features Democratic legislators traveling across Kansas to meet with constituents, highlight legislative priorities, and discuss ways to protect and expand the rights and opportunities of working families. Kansas House Democrats are working in collaboration with local county parties, stakeholders, and advocacy groups in each community to engage Kansans and amplify voices from every corner of the state.&nbsp;

The Kansas House Democrats' Fight Back Tour is heading to Hays, Kansas, on Friday, August 15.&nbsp;

● Hays: Aug. 15, 6–8 p.m.&nbsp;at Glassman Bird Law, Hays&nbsp;

The Hays event will feature a social hour with local legislators from 6:00 to 7 p.m., followed by remarks and a Q&amp;A session with State Representatives from 7 to 8 p.m.&nbsp;

Additional information and RSVP forms can be found on the Kansas House Democrats website https://www.kansashousedemocrats.com/fight-back-tour-2025&nbsp;

Remaining Fight Back Tour Dates and Locations:&nbsp;

● Aug. 15 – Hays, KS&nbsp; ● Aug. 21 – Kansas City, KS&nbsp; ● Aug. 27 - Manhattan, KS&nbsp; ● Aug. 28 – Leavenworth, KS&nbsp; ● Aug. 29 - Emporia, KS&nbsp; ● Sept. 23 - Lenexa, KS&nbsp;

Sex offender from Ellis County jailed on new drug allegations 

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

Hays Police Department arrest log: July 27-Aug. 2, 2025

Hays Police Department activity log: July 27-Aug. 2, 2025

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

Fort Hays State University has a new vice-president for economic and workforce placement.

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Ben Shears and Tisa Mason, FHSU president.

🎙Post Podcast: Ben Shears, new FHSU vice-president for economic, workforce placement

&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

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

 The Bricks in Downtown Hays invites the community to Sip, Stroll, and&nbsp;Support The Bricks at the return of&nbsp;Wines &amp; Steins, presented by Prospectively Healthy &amp; Wellness Clinic.

Tickets are on sale now for the event, which will take place on Saturday, September 6, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.

This 21+ ticketed event offers guests the opportunity to enjoy carefully curated wine and beer pairings at 12&nbsp;unique “stroll stops” throughout Downtown Hays. Each stop features thoughtfully paired hors d’oeuvres from&nbsp;local restaurants and caterers — all while highlighting the vibrant businesses and cultural atmosphere of The&nbsp;Bricks.

This year’s presenting sponsor, Prospectively Healthy &amp; Wellness Clinic, is also the exclusive glassware&nbsp;sponsor. All attendees will receive a commemorative tasting glass as part of their experience.

New for 2025, each guest will also receive an interactive tasting passport that includes pairing notes, vendor&nbsp;highlights, exclusive coupons, and space to rate your favorite sips and stops. 

Additional fundraising features this&nbsp;year include a gift card pull and a 50/50 raffle to support ongoing initiatives.

Tickets are $75 and available now at <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/wines-steins">downtownhays.com/wines-steins</a>.

Only 250 tickets will be sold. With the&nbsp;cancellation of Brews on The Bricks this year, this event is expected to sell out — early ticket purchases are&nbsp;highly encouraged.

All proceeds support The Bricks in Downtown Hays, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the&nbsp;economic and cultural vibrancy of the downtown district through events, beautification, and community&nbsp;partnerships.

“Wines &amp; Steins is a community favorite that celebrates Downtown Hays,” said Lee Ann June, executive&nbsp;director of The Bricks. “It brings people together in a meaningful and delicious way. We’re thrilled to partner&nbsp;with Prospectively Healthy &amp; Wellness Clinic this year and can’t wait to welcome both new and returning&nbsp;guests to sip, stroll, and support The Bricks.”

For sponsorship information, contact the director at TheBricks@downtownhays.com or call 785-621-4171.

Tickets on sale now for Wines & Steins: A night of pairings and purpose in Downtown Hays

Beginning Monday evening, Aug. 11, the Vine Street roundabouts in Hays will be getting new pavement markings installed. 

This work will be done during the evening hours as to limit daytime traffic interruptions. 

Please use caution in these areas as traffic control devices will be used. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Public Works office 785-628-7350.

Hays roundabouts to get new pavement markings Monday night 

Kansas Department of Transportation

The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin work on a series of improvement projects along portions of highways K-18 and U.S. 183 in Rooks and Ellis counties the week of Aug. 11.

The first project will involve milling and overlay on 12 miles of U.S. 183 starting at S Road north of Plainville and ending at the Ellis County line. 

Crews will then resurface approximately 13 miles of K-18 between Palco and Plainville. 

The final project will continue milling and overlay on 15 miles U.S. 183 in Ellis County beginning at the Rooks County line and ending near 55th&nbsp;Street in Hays.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane and directed by flaggers and a pilot car through the areas where crews are actively working. Motorists should plan for delays not exceeding 15 minutes during daylight hours.

KDOT expects the projects to be completed in late October, conditions permitting.

Bettis Construction and Asphalt, of Topeka, is the primary contractor for the projects with a combined contract cost of $7.2 million. 

For more information, contact KDOT Area Engineer Kevin Zimmer at 785-261-6132 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kevin.zimmer@ks.gov">kevin.zimmer@ks.gov</a>.

Highway construction projects set in Rooks, Ellis counties

Hungry for bierocks? Place your order with the Cancer Council of Ellis County for their BIEROCK FUNDRAISER until Monday, September 1, 2025. These delicious bierocks are made by Cervs on Main Street. 

To place your order call the Cancer Council at 785-625-6653 or mail your order to 701 Riley St., Hays KS 67601. 

Orders must be paid for at time of order. 

Pick up will be Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the south side of Main Street Cervs, 1601 Main Street.

Cost is $30 for ½ dozen or $50 for a dozen; with cheese $35 for ½ dozen or $60 for a dozen.

The Cancer Council of Ellis County is a local organization that has been helping Ellis County residents dealing with cancer for 39 years.

Bierocks fundraiser underway for Cancer Council of Ellis County

Farmers, are you needing to pick a new variety of wheat, or wanting to learn more about the Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus complex?

Then make plans to attend the Pre-Plant Wheat School on Wednesday, August 20 at the Great Bend Event Center, 3111 10th Street.

Registration and supper will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the program will conclude about 8 p.m.

According to Cottonwood District Extension Agent Stacy Campbell, some topics of discussion by Extension specialists will be wheat variety performance and selection, wheat streak mosaic virus complex and there will always be time for Q &amp; A.

Pre-registration is requested by Friday, August 15 to ensure a meal, call 785-628-9430, email Theresa tam3@ksu.edu or scan the QR Code.

Pre-plant wheat school offered for local farmers

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City area man faces charges for that fatal shooting that occurred in northeast Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson .

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2701/Arel-Dawkins-RED-COMPLAINT-AD">Arel Dawkins</a>, 36,&nbsp;faces 1st Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2700/Arel-Dawkins-RED-PC-AD">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to a residence on Morrell Avenue in the northeast neighborhood in Kansas City on August 6 and located the victim on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Based on eyewitness testimony and surveillance footage, Dawkins ran over the victim with his Ford F-150, then got out and shot her multiple times at close range while she was on the ground after premeditation. He walked toward the street, turned back, and fired at her again. After reloading his weapon, he returned and shot her again before driving away.&nbsp;

Dawkins' cell phone also pinged in the area of the crime scene just prior to the homicide.&nbsp;

Court records: Suspect ran over victim with pickup and shot her

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dan-gelston">DAN GELSTON</a>

Hours after Paramount and UFC announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ufc-tko-paramount-ultimate-fighting-3804114c82e30e0359605b16105ff6bc">billion-dollar rights deal,</a>&nbsp;Dana White said he had yet to hear from his friend, President Donald Trump, on his thoughts about the fight company’s new streaming home.

That was fine with White. The UFC CEO was set to travel to Washington on Aug. 28 to meet with Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, to catch up and discuss logistics on the proposed Fourth of July fight card next year at the White House.

Trump said last month he wanted to stage a UFC match on the White House grounds with upwards of 20,000 spectators to celebrate 250 years of American independence.

“It’s absolutely going to happen,” White told The Associated Press. “Think about that, the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the UFC will be on the White House south lawn live on CBS.”

The idea of cage fights at the White House would have seemed improbable when the Fertitta brothers purchased UFC for $2 million in 2001 and put White in charge of the fledging fight promotion.

White helped steer the company into a $4 billion sale in 2016 and broadcast rights deals with Fox and ESPN before landing owner TKO Group’s richest one yet — a seven-year deal with Paramount starting in 2026 worth an average of $1.1 billion a year, with all cards on its streaming platform Paramount+ and select numbered events also set to simulcast on CBS.

ESPN, Amazon and Netflix and other traditional sports broadcast players seemed more in play for UFC rights — White had previously hinted fights could air across different platforms — but Paramount was a serious contender from the start of the negotiating window.

The Paramount and UFC deal came just days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paramount-skydance-media-cbs-trump-merger-a030c4f2c1903ed0e7f927782a64fcc0">Skydance</a>&nbsp;and Paramount officially closed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paramount-skydance-merger-fcc-approval-74836c0da9dc0b33f580f714a3f2bfbb">their $8 billion merger</a>&nbsp;— kicking off the reign of a new entertainment giant after a contentious endeavor to get the transaction over the finish line. White said he was impressed with the vision Skydance CEO David Ellison had for the the global MMA leader early in contract talks and how those plans should blossom now that Ellison is chairman and CEO of Paramount.

“When you talk about Paramount, you talk about David Ellison, they’re brilliant businessmen, very aggressive, risk takers,” White said. “They’re right up my alley. These are the kind of guys that I like to be in business with.”

The $1.1 billion deals marks a notable jump from the roughly $550 million that ESPN paid each year for UFC coverage today. But UFC’s new home on Paramount will simplify offerings for fans — with all content set to be available on Paramount+ (which currently costs between $7.99 and $12.99 a month), rather than various pay-per-view fees.

Paramount also said it intends to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. “as they become available in the future.”

UFC matchmakers were set to meet this week to shape what White said would be a loaded debut Paramount card. The UFC boss noted it was still too early to discuss a potential main event for the White House fight night.

“This is a 1-of-1 event,” White said.

There are still some moving parts to UFC broadcasts and other television programming it has its hands in as the company moves into the Paramount era. White said there are still moving parts to the deal and that includes potentially finding new homes for “The Ultimate Fighter,” “Road To UFC,” and “Dana White’s Contender Series.” It’s not necessarily a given the traditional 10 p.m. start time for what were the pay-per-view events would stand, especially on nights cards will also air on CBS.

“We haven’t figured that out yet but we will,” White said.

And what about the sometimes-contentious issue of fighter pay? Some established fighters have clauses in their contracts that they earn more money the higher the buyrate on their cards. Again, most of those issues are to-be-determined as UFC and Paramount settle in to the new deal — with $1.1 billion headed the fight company’s way.

“It will affect fighter pay, big time,” White said. “From deal-to-deal, fighter pay has grown, too. Every time we win, everybody wins.”

Boxer Jake Paul wrote on social media the dying PPV model — which was overpriced for fights as UFC saw a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mmamania.com/ufc-news/313759/report-ufc-suffered-lower-average-buys-per-event-after-already-bad-ppv-numbers-got-worse" target="_blank">decline in buys</a>&nbsp;because of missing star power in many main events — should give the fighters an increased idea of their worth.

“Every fighter in the UFC now has a clear picture of what the revenue is...no more PPV excuses,”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/jakepaul/status/1954907708437516708" target="_blank">Paul wrote</a>. “Get your worth boys and girls.”

White also scoffed at the idea that the traditional PPV model is dead.

There are still UFC cards on pay-per-view the rest of the year through the end of the ESPN contract and White and Saudi Arabia have teamed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ufc-wwe-saudi-boxing-tko-252c71058acb1aace5c763ea11c3d3c3">launch a new boxing venture</a>&nbsp;that starts next year and could use a PPV home. White, though, is part of the promotional team for the Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford fight in September in Las Vegas that airs on Netflix.

“It’s definitely not run it’s course,” White said. “There were guys out there who were interested in pay-per-view and there were guys out there that weren’t. Wherever we ended up, that’s what we’re going to roll with.”

White said UFC archival footage “kills it” in repeat views and those classic bouts also needed a new home once the ESPN deal expires.

Just when it seems there’s little left for UFC to conquer, White says, there’s always more. Why stop at becoming the biggest fight game in the world? Why not rewrite the pecking order in popularity and riches and go for No. 1 in all sports?

“You have the NFL, the NBA, the UFC, and soccer globally,” White said. “We’re coming. We’re coming for all of them.”

UFC fight at the White House? It’s happening as part of deal with Paramount

LOS ANGELES (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/television-programs-arts-and-entertainment-0f146e9747854c8094002fae40df05d5">Danielle Spencer,</a>&nbsp;who played the wisecracking and tattling little sister Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom “What's Happening!!” has died at 60.

Spencer, who became a veterinarian later in life, died Monday at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia, after a yearslong battle with cancer, family spokesperson Sandra Jones said.

As Dee, Spencer was the smarter, more serious younger sister who offered a steady stream of deadpan roasts of big brother Roger “Raj” Thomas and his friends Dwayne Nelson and Freddie “Rerun” Stubbs.

“Ooh, I’m gonna tell mama,” would become Dee's catchphrase.

The show, set in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts and among the first on television to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-los-angeles-sitcoms-arts-and-entertainment-race-and-ethnicity-29485334613f905bb8274ad7225e2e71">focus on the lives of Black teenagers,</a>&nbsp;was based on the movie “Cooley High” and ran on ABC from 1976 to 1979. It had a long legacy thanks to its memorable characters, including the geeky Raj, the catchphrase-spouting Dwayne, the red-bereted dancing phenom Rerun, and Dee with her eyerolls and icy stare.

Early in the production of the show's first season, Spencer, then 12, was in a major car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, that left her in a coma for three weeks and killed her stepfather, Tim Pelt. She would have spinal and neurological problems that would require multiple surgeries in the years afterward.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, and raised in New York, Spencer began acting when she was about 9. “What's Happening!!” would be her first credited role.

“Imagine being plucked from obscurity to star in a TV show,” she told Jet magazine in 2014. “I had never seen any young Black girl in that type of spotlight, so I didn’t have a reference point in the media as to how to deal with this opportunity. I was from the Bronx.”

Haywood Nelson, who played Dwayne on the show, paid tribute Tuesday to “Dr. Dee, our brilliant, loving, positive, pragmatic warrior.”

“We have lost a daughter, sister, family member, ‘What’s Happening’ cast member, veterinarian animal rights proponent and healer, and cancer heroine. Our Shero,” Nelson said on Instagram. “Danielle is loved.”

Spencer also appeared on a mid-1980s reboot of the show, “What’s Happening Now!!,” which ran for three seasons.

In 2018, she had emergency surgery for a bleeding hematoma, which stemmed from that 1977 car crash. In the immediate aftermath, a family spokesperson said she could only speak slightly and had to use crutches to walk. She had been suffering symptoms from at least 2004, when she had to use a wheelchair and relearn how to walk. In 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy.

She went on to become a veterinarian and advocate for animals. She attended the University of California, Davis, and UCLA, and got a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in 1993.

Spencer continued to dabble in acting in her later years, including an appearance as a veterinarian in the 1997 Jack Nicholson film “As Good as it Gets.”

She is survived by her brother, musician Jeremy Pelt, and her mother, Cheryl Pelt.

Danielle Spencer, who played Dee on 'What's Happening!!,' dies at 60

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in the murder of a woman whose body was found in a Wichita park has admitted to killing 30-year-old Mariana Christian.

On Monday, 31-year-old Kyle Bearden entered a plea of guilty during an evidentiary hearing before Judge Jeffrey Goering, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

The plea agreement calls for the parties to jointly recommend a prison sentence of life with parole eligibility after 25 years, to be followed by an additional 15 years of imprisonment if parole is granted.

Around 10:30 a.m. on July 21, a friend of Mariana Christian filed a missing person report. The friend said Ms. Christian had a history of mental health challenges and often relied on them for transportation to work. That morning, Christian was not at her home in the 1200 block of S. Paige when the friend arrived to pick her up.

At the residence, the friend encountered an unidentified man later identified as Kyle Bearden who said he didn’t know Ms. Christian’s whereabouts.

He claimed Mariana Christian had left the apartment on Friday, July 18, in a truck with an unknown man and woman and hadn’t returned. He also expressed concern for her safety. Although not listed on the lease, the man appeared to be living in the apartment.

Although Ms. Christian was last seen on Friday, July 18, she wasn’t reported missing until Monday, July 21. After multiple failed attempts to reach her and finding her absence unusual, the friend contacted police. Officers issued an attempt-to-locate alert, and investigators took over the case.

WPD investigators identified Bearden as a person of interest. They followed leads to locate Ms. Christian, discovering evidence of her death and where her remains were left in Cottonwood Park near Armor and Bayley in Wichita.

Wichita Police officers responded to the area and located human remains. Investigators believe Bearden shot Ms. Christian.

Crime scene investigators processed Ms. Christian’s apartment and found evidence of foul play.

On the morning of July 31, the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center positively identified the remains as those of Mariana Christian.

Kyle Bearden was arrested on July 30 and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp; &nbsp;His sentencing is scheduled for October 20.

Man found at missing Kan. woman's home admits killing her

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market rallied to records on Tuesday after data suggested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-consumer-prices-jerome-powell-fed-interest-rates-7956da9c097730929b12c269f8c08399">inflation across the country</a>&nbsp;was a touch better last month than economists expected.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 1.1% to top its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-trump-eu-72eaa68a1a9e4079a5ff7adb89a51315">all-time high</a>&nbsp;set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 483 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.4% to set its own record.

Stocks got a lift from hopes that the better-than-expected inflation report will give the Federal Reserve leeway to cut interest rates at its next meeting in September.

Lower rates would give a boost to investment prices and to the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-1831d4d6a716370de822f9851e65e3ee">borrow to buy houses</a>, cars or equipment. President Donald Trump has angrily been calling for cuts to help the economy, often&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114953049546233760">insulting the Fed’s chair personally</a>&nbsp;while doing so.

But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-rates-99d90bab1ba2faa0fc5d4a6106125da7">Fed has been hesitant</a>&nbsp;because of the possibility that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-deadline-delay-d8ffef07d944dc1d460b472e4ffd2f57">Trump’s tariffs</a>&nbsp;could make inflation much worse. Lowering rates would give inflation more fuel, potentially adding oxygen to a growing fire. That’s why Fed officials have said they wanted to see more data come in about inflation before moving.

Tuesday’s report said U.S. consumers paid prices for groceries, gasoline and other costs of living that were overall 2.7% higher in July than a year earlier. That’s the same inflation rate as June’s, and it was below the 2.8% that economists expected.

The report pushed traders on Wall Street to increase bets that the Fed will cut interest rates for the first time this year in September. They’re betting on a 94% chance of that, up from nearly 86% a day earlier, according to data from CME Group.

The Fed will receive one more report on inflation, as well as one more on the U.S. job market, before its next meeting, which ends Sept. 17. The most recent jobs report was a stunner, coming in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-economy-trump-federal-reserve-68a15f89d68793a6cf88a522ff33246c">much weaker than economists expected</a>.

Some economists warn that more twists and turns in upcoming data could make the Fed’s upcoming decisions not so easy. Its twin goals are to get inflation to 2% while keeping the job market healthy. Helping one with interest rates, though, often means hurting the other.

Even Tuesday’s better-than-expected inflation report had some discouraging undertones. An underlying measure of inflation, which economists say does a better job of predicting where inflation may be heading, hit its highest point since early this year, noted Gary Schlossberg, market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute. That helped cause some up-and-down swings for Treasury yields in the bond market.

“Eventually, tariffs can show up in varying degrees in consumer prices, but these one-off price increases don’t happen all at once,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management. “That will confound the Fed and economic commentators for months to come.”

Other central banks around the world have been lowering interest rates, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-interest-rate-reserve-bank-6b2f49f984e0434dccf94aaed35323f8">Australia’s on Tuesday cut</a>&nbsp;for the third time this year.

On Wall Street, Intel’s stock rose 5.6% after Trump said its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intel-china-trump-ai-cotton-bessent-lutnik-4fa333fa6134d01aca85f64bcd7972fb">CEO has an “amazing story,”</a>&nbsp;less than a week after he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intel-trump-tan-cotton-ai-china-492a8d9353cd2396ec03ce1d844d0fd4">demanded Lip-Bu Tan’s resignation</a>.

Circle Internet Group, the company behind the popular USDC cryptocurrency that tracks the U.S. dollar, climbed 1.3% despite reporting a larger loss for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It said its total revenue and reserve income grew 53% in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/circle-ipo-stablecoin-usdc-tether-nyse-b39736690f28824bdd06cfd2ad98dcf3">first quarter as a publicly traded company</a>, which topped forecasts.

On the losing side of Wall Street was Celanese, which sank 13.1% even though the chemical company delivered a better profit than expected. It said that customers in most of its markets continue to be challenged, and CEO Scott Richardson said that “the demand environment does not seem to be improving.”

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