By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Some kids who have been riding the bus to the school will no longer be eligible when students move into the new Hays Middle School building on 13th Street.

The former high school building is being remodeled to house the middle school. Students and staff are set to move to the new location in January.

To be eligible for transportation, students must live at least 2.5 miles from their school. If students live closer, the school district can't receive state funding for those transportation costs.

Russ&nbsp;Henningsen, transportation director, said 23 students will no longer qualify for bus transportation when the school moves.

However, some students who did not qualify for transportation when the school was at 201 W. 29th will qualify for transportation when the school relocates to 13th Street.

Henningsen said about 300 middle school students will qualify to ride the bus when the school moves.

However, Henningsen said not all students who qualify ride the bus. He said about 200 students now qualify to ride the bus, but only about half of them take advantage of the service.

Henningsen was asked if the district had enough buses to accommodate that many students. He said the district does not have enough buses to add any routes at this time. The district also lacks sufficient bus drivers to add new routes.

He said the district adjusts routes every year.

Superintendent Ron Wilson said anyone interested in applying to be a bus driver can contact the district. Drivers must have a commercial driver's license and undergo additional safety training.

Henningsen said all middle school families have been notified of the transportation changes.

🎙 Busing eligibility to change when Hays Middle School moves to 13th Street

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A Wellington man was arrested Sept. 14 on multiple charges, including alleged underage drinking at Chuck's, 507 W. Seventh St.

Hays Police Lt. Brandon Hauptman said officers responded to a disturbance at the bar shortly after midnight, after staff allegedly caught 18-year-old Carter Gene Burnett of Wellington drinking underage.

Hauptman said Burnett allegedly resisted when staff tried to remove him, resulting in a scuffle. Staff eventually escorted him out of the bar and then called the police.

Burnett was arrested on requested charges of simple battery, underage possession of alcohol and underage possession of tobacco. Hauptman said Burnett sustained minor injuries. No injuries were reported among bar staff.

Wellington man arrested in Hays bar for alleged battery

THOMAS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Wednesday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Nissan Sentra driven by Briella R.&nbsp;Knowles, 15, Rexford, was northbound on U.S. 83. The driver was attempting to make a left turn onto County Road 35 when she swerved to miss a deer.&nbsp; The car struck a KDOT sign and power pole.

EMS transported Knowles to&nbsp;Citizens Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

NW Kan. teen hospitalized after car strikes KDOT sign, power pole

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Bison sculptures and cornhole games are on Thursday's agenda for the Hays City Commission.

The Ellis County members of the Heartland Community Foundation Youth Action Council are asking for permission to place up to 25 life-size fiberglass bison statues on public spaces in Hays.

The high school students have raised almost all the $125,000 needed for the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/07bdd861-fa34-4686-8c39-2587327f3009">public art project</a>, which will depict the history and heritage of Ellis County in Hays, Ellis and Victoria.&nbsp;

Also to be voted on is a request from Arc of Central Plains for permission to proceed with <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/07bdd861-fa34-4686-8c39-2587327f3009">Phase 3 of the ARC Park</a>, 3300 Hillcrest.&nbsp;

The improvements would include two new shelter houses, a second gazebo-type picnic pavilion and nearby flower garden, along with two permanent cornhole courts with 10 total lanes and shaded dugouts.

Arc of Central Plains has raised the money for Phase 3, estimated to cost less than $500,000.

The complete Sept. 25 agenda is available <a href="https://ks-hays.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09252025-1571">here</a>. The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

Improvements to ARC Park, Hays public spaces on Hays City Commission agenda

The items are arriving fast and furious for the Eagle On-Line Auction at Hays Post.

Because of this, the auction has started early, and is going on right NOW!&nbsp; If you would like to get in on the action of this year’s online auction, click on the link below.&nbsp;

Dive into a digital treasure trove of savings with the Eagle Radio Online Auction!

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here&nbsp;to get registered, view items and bid.</a>

Bid now on an expansive collection ranging from home essentials to tantalizing restaurant gift cards, and valuable services from esteemed local companies and save.

 Whether you're seeking something specific or just browsing for unexpected finds, our vast selection promises both variety and value. 

The Eagle Radio online auction — where saving money is just a click away!

Eagle Radio Auction live now!

Nearly two inches of rain fell in Hays overnight Tuesday. 

The official amount measured at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town was 1.90 inches.&nbsp;

The Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, received 1.43 inches, for a total of 3.10 inches of rain since Friday.

As of Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., 5.79 inches of rain has fallen, more than double the average of 2.24 inches by month's end.&nbsp;

The accumulative average of moisture for the year by the end of September is 19.84 inches. Hays has already reached 22.50 inches so far in 2025.&nbsp;

The rain is expected to end today with sunshine and warmer temperatures in the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/93ab47d5-5a48-4b5e-a583-60dae78d3545">three-day weather forecast</a>.

Rain keeps on coming to Hays

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 the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Dr. Jessica Phelan, asst. professor in the Fort Hays State University Department of Health and Human Performance about behavior changes to improve your health.

🎙 Post Podcast: Making behavior changes to improve your health

Fort Hays State University's W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship awarded 296 student scholarships, exceeding $377,000, to business and entrepreneurship students for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The awards, announced at the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship ceremony on Sept. 11 in the FHSU Memorial Union Ballroom, were presented to on-campus and online students.

Robbins Ambassadors Harper Lubbers and Kintzli Wagner, each receiving a $5,000 Robbins Ambassador Scholarship, spoke about their support as undergraduate students at FHSU and the impact that support has had on their educational experience.

“The Robbins College has a reputation for the success of its students and alumni, and this year is no different,” said Lubbers, a junior management major from Wichita. “Every year, hundreds of thousands of dollars are given from our generous donors to help support RCOBE students, granting them access to countless opportunities to grow and learn at Fort Hays.”

Wagner, a senior from Kansas City majoring in accounting, said Robbins College provides opportunities for students far beyond the classroom.

“With smaller class sizes, students can build meaningful relationships with professors,” she said. “The college strongly supports involvement through student organizations, professional workshops, and community involvement.”

“These experiences prepare us not only for successful careers, but also for leadership roles in our communities.”

Learn how to support students within FHSU’s Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship by visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0b8qTGUC-2BWTp-2FgE8trnmiRCmIgKN0RnozggvdgnZC6uLK4qH_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOc7S1lfJIPVniQQo1A-2FcyAohASyujlhjj07IWqKOxChBKf2dqwsD8YWgOOjSC5C3WiPxY6sJJ2ir5b1nNbrFCpdN0VqB09q3FknzJA066xwjqdj3-2FpZuUS-2Bn5L7xeInOsVjuF9ii-2FsPH-2BmYUiOh4X-2FE3BlyfswT05hfsuXoMIfhNdk3wJmAu7Cu0UyBfUdVQQkTmV01p23zOi8JBSvhpU1Dt5kHnrtFOHAQV2zK-2B8NGfQQRqnxzfJ5Q-2FFWVGqoYyE">https://foundation.fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or contacting the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:foundation@fhsu.edu">foundation@fhsu.edu</a>.

FHSU awards $377,000 in business, entrepreneurship scholarships 

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced that the agency has awarded $75,000 in Rural Mural funding to support 12 public art projects in rural communities across the state.

“Our rural communities are the backbone of what makes our state so great — they’re rich in culture, resilience and unique identity,” Toland said. “Investing in these large-scale public art pieces allows communities to signal not only hometown pride but a commitment to harnessing creativity to drive economic growth across Kansas.”

Recipients of the Rural Mural grant include:&nbsp;

“We’re thrilled to be able to support 12 more murals and public art projects across the state,”&nbsp;Director of the Office of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon said. “These works of art will not only beautify and revitalize underutilized spaces but also foster a sense of pride and belonging through these new vibrant gathering spaces.”

The Rural Mural funds are one of the many resources provided by the Department of Commerce that work to support rural communities in Kansas. See all of the grant programs&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fgrantscalendar%2F/1/0101019958c6d370-151550de-1db5-48da-93b1-c647038505ab-000000/ZxiVIzOysavUT3SLwNnTSGv9j8CES3MLfWcN2CsneJQ=423">here</a>.

To learn more about the Rural Murals program, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Forp%2Fkansas-rural-mural%2F/1/0101019958c6d370-151550de-1db5-48da-93b1-c647038505ab-000000/PBOVQr-NH4l_H-igscMzGEGz5vtlEWROmqrNDAf5nL4=423">here</a>.

Phillips, Decatur counties awarded state rural mural funding

Hays Bobcat is looking for a mechanic. Must have a clean MVR and tools will be required. We are willing to train the right person. Come in for an application. 

Give us a call at 785-621-4841 or stop by our location at 600 East 8th Street in Hays!

Ellis County Ministerial Alliance to meet Oct. 8

&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

LOGAN — The Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program is delighted to welcome certified Bob Ross instructor Hope Blakely of Arvada, Colorado, for two Magic of Painting classes on October 18 and 19. 

On Saturday, October 18, participants will paint Tropical Paradise, and on Sunday, October 19, English Village. 

Both classes will take place in the Hansen Museum Community Room, located at 110 W. Main Street in Logan, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day, with a one-hour lunch break.

These classes offer a fun, beginner-friendly introduction to painting. Students will be guided step-by-step through the process of completing a finished painting each day. No prior experience is necessary, and all supplies are provided. Participants need only bring a roll of paper towels. 

Open to individuals aged 13 and older, these sessions provide a relaxed, supportive atmosphere that fosters creativity and camaraderie.

Registration is available online at <a href="https://hansenmuseum.org/schedule-of-classes/">www.hansenmuseum.org</a> under the “Classes &amp; Camps” section. Discounts are offered to Patron and Sustaining Members of the Hansen Museum.

These classes are part of the Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program and are made possible through generous support from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. 

Upcoming beginner-friendly painting classes in Logan

Family Literacy Night celebrates FHSU Homecoming 

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

There will be a VFW Stars and Stripes Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 12 at VFW Post 9076, 2106 Vine, Hays. Advance ticket sale proceeds go to the Cancer Council of Ellis County.

Advance Ticket Prices: $11.50 for Adults, $6.50 for 5 to 11 year old, Kids under 5 are FREE. 

Contact the Cancer Council of Ellis County for tickets at 785-625-6653. Also, enjoy a raffle and bake sale the day of the breakfast. 

VFW breakfast to benefit Cancer Council of Ellis County

Disabled American Veterans fundraiser at Applebee's Wednesday

Volga German Centennial Association&nbsp;

The Volga German Centennial Association has released the full schedule of events for the 2025 Oktoberfest Hays, a two-day festival celebrating the region's deep-rooted history, heritage, and homecoming traditions.

The free-to-attend event is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Sept. 27, in Municipal Park, located in downtown Hays.

The celebration begins Sept. 26, with grounds opening at 9:00 a.m.

Official festivities commence with the Opening Ceremony at 10:30 a.m., followed by the traditional Tapping of the Keg at 11 a.m.

The afternoon is dedicated to a series of spirited, adults-only competitions, with registration for all games starting at 1 p.m. at the Oktoberfest HQ tent.

At 2 p.m., contestants will test their strength in the Masskrugstemmen, a traditional stein-holding contest.

This is followed by the Deutch Hops Contest at 4 p.m., a timed relay race.

At 5 p.m., teams of two will compete in the OktoberFEAST Contest.

The first day of the festival will conclude at 7 p.m.

The festivities continue Saturday, Sept. 27, starting at 10 a.m.

The morning will be highlighted by the Fort Hays State University Homecoming Parade at 11 a.m., followed by the official Oktoberfest Day 2 Welcome at 11:45 a.m.

The afternoon will feature a Cornhole Tournament at noon. Registration at 11 a.m. at Oktoberfest HQ.

Family-friendly activities are a focus for Saturday, with kids' games and entertainment running from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., including a German Freeze Game, Pumpkin Pass and a Pumpkin Rolling Contest.

Bounce houses will also be available for children on Saturday only, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A major new addition to this year's festival is the inaugural “Battle of the Bierock,” sponsored by Lewis Automotive of Hays.

The competition, which invites Oktoberfest vendors to vie for the title of "Best Bierock," is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

"We are incredibly excited to introduce the 'Battle of the Bierock' to this year's festivities," said Emily Knowles, event coordinator. "It's a great way to celebrate a beloved local food and add a new layer of friendly competition and bragging rights to the event. We can't wait to see which vendor is crowned as the winner."

Live entertainment will be featured throughout the two-day event. Friday's musical guests include the Ron Werth Band, German Tuba, Rice County Line and Steel Skarecrow.

On Saturday, the Ron Werth Band and Rice County Line will return to the stage.

In addition to the scheduled events, attendees can enjoy activities throughout the park, including the Beer Puppeteers, a High Striker game and Mug Toss.

"Oktoberfest is a time-honored tradition in Hays, and we are proud to continue to host this event for the community," said Amanda Rupp, president of the Volga German Centennial Association. "We invite everyone to come out and enjoy the food, music, and festivities as we celebrate our shared heritage. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy."

The 2025 Oktoberfest will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

For a complete schedule of events and further details, please visit <a href="https://www.oktoberfesthays.com/">oktoberfesthays.com</a>.

Oktoberfest Hays announces 2025 schedule featuring new 'Battle of the Bierock' competition

The City of Hays has announced its 2025 Annual Fall Cleanup will begin Monday, Oct. 20. This popular city-wide service provides residential customers with an opportunity to dispose of bulky items, excess refuse, and other large materials not collected during the regular weekly trash service.

To participate, residents must place all items for collection at their regular trash pickup location, either at the curb or in the alley, no later than 7 a.m. on Oct. 20. Residents are asked to put items out for collection no earlier than Oct. 17.

The cleanup consists of a single, comprehensive sweep through the entire city.

City crews will not follow a set neighborhood schedule and are unable to predict when they will arrive at a specific residence.

"The Annual Fall Cleanup is a partnership between the city and its residents to maintain the beauty and safety of our community," said Joe Billinger, solid waste superintendent. "It’s a great chance to address property cleanup projects before winter. We handle the disposal, and we rely on our residents to properly prepare their items so our crews can move through the city safely and efficiently."

To ensure a smooth process, residents are required to sort waste into four distinct piles:

· Construction and Demolition Debris: Includes items like lumber, drywall, bricks, wire, and sinks. A maximum limit of five pallets will be collected.

· Tree Limbs and Brush: Includes branches and brush no larger than 6 inches in diameter and no longer than 12 feet. This year general yard waste will not be collected, residents must instead use the compost site or the yard waste tag program.

· White Goods/Metals: Includes appliances like refrigerators and dryers, as well as metal siding, guttering, and swing sets.

· Municipal Waste: This category includes all other allowable items, such as furniture, carpet and mattresses.

Certain items that require special handling will not be collected, including tires, hazardous waste materials (paint, chemicals, oil), batteries of any kind and medical waste.

For a complete list of guidelines, sorting instructions, and details on disposing of prohibited items, residents are encouraged to visit <a href="http://www.haysusa.com/303/Annual-Fall-Cleanup">www.haysusa.com/303/Annual-Fall-Cleanup</a>.

City of Hays announces dates for 2025 Annual Fall Cleanup

Hays High DECA is excited to host the food drive that benefits the Community Assistance Center. 

This year's food drive, Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat, will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, with the collections beginning at 6 p.m. and ending by 9 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Youth and adult volunteers from Hays give of their time to make this food drive a success.

 To assure residents that the items collected are for the Community Assistance Center, all volunteers will be wearing an identification badge with their group name clearly printed. Please leave items on the porch if donors will not be home or do not want someone to ring the doorbell.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Possible items to donate include canned fruits and vegetables, boxed food items such Hamburger Helper or mac and cheese, jars of baby food, and any non-perishable food items. 

Any house missed or those living in a rural area may take food items to the Community Assistance Center in Hays located at 12th and Oak until noon Nov. 28.

If civic organizations or groups are interested in helping with food collection, please contact Shaina Prough at Hays High School, 785-623-2600.&nbsp;

If you prefer to make a cash donation, volunteers can accept cash or check donations the day of the food drive. Checks are always welcome and can be made payable to the Community Assistance Center and may be mailed to their address at 208 E. 12th St. Hays, KS 67601.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Community Assistance Center is a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit organization that helps Ellis County families &amp; individuals of low or no income, transients, homeless, &amp; disaster victims with food, clothing, and household items. The Community Assistance Center does not receive any federal, state, county or local funds and is funded by donations only.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat set for Oct. 14 in Hays 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</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 Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Snap Inc., the parent company of social media platform Snapchat, accusing the app’s creators of harming teenagers.

He said the company designed the social media platform “with manipulative features that prey on the mental health of our children.” He said Snapchat has been marketed as safe for teens.

He added:&nbsp;“They have prioritized profit over safety, and our lawsuit holds them accountable for the devastating harm caused to Kansas families.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showdocument?id=24644&amp;t=638942182987324433" target="_blank">40-page lawsuit</a>, filed in Washington County on Kansas’ northern border, contains redactions and compiles information from internal Snap reports, news interviews and content from the app to build its case.

It alleges Snap violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. Those violations are based on the app’s age rating in app stores, around 12 years old and up, and app store disclaimers citing infrequent or mild profanity, mature and suggestive themes, sexual content, nudity and substance use or references.

“In reality, content in all of those categories appears frequently and is intense on Snapchat,” the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit references the death of a teenage boy from Shawnee, who died in 2021of fentanyl poisoning after reportedly purchasing from a drug dealer on Snapchat.

“Numerous young people, including young people in Washington County, Kansas, have been exposed to drug dealers on Snapchat offering illicit or regulated drugs for sale,” the lawsuit said. “Such content on Snapchat includes posts featuring lists of drugs and prices.”

That was the only mention of Washington County residents, of whom there are around 5,500, in the lawsuit.&nbsp;

A Snap spokesperson said in a statement that the safety of users is a top priority. The company didn’t directly address the lawsuit but said it has incorporated privacy and safety features into the app since its inception.

“Unfortunately, the reality is this — there is no single safety feature or policy that can eliminate every potential threat online or in the world around us,” the statement said. “This is why we continually adapt our strategies to fight against bad actors, who change their tactics to exploit online platforms for their nefarious ends, and this will remain a crucial part of our efforts to help keep Snapchatters safe.”

For the past three years, the company has commissioned research into the experiences of Gen Z teens and young adults from six countries, including the United States, on online platforms.

The 2024 surveys asked more than 9,000 people — around 3,000 teens, 3,000 young adults ages 18-24 and 3,000 parents of teenage children — about online risks, digital wellbeing, defense against online threats and sextortion.

The survey found that online risk was at a three-year high for Gen Z users in 2024. Misinformation, hate speech and bullying, sexual risks, threats of violence, impersonation, extremist content and self-harm were all perceived as more prevalent than in previous years.

Of the Gen Z teens and young adults surveyed, 80% reported experiencing some online risk, a two percentage point increase from 2023. Forty-seven percent of Gen Z respondents said they had some interaction with intimate or sexual imagery.

Of those, 39% received such imagery, 35% were asked for imagery of themselves and 17% shared or distributed content depicting someone else.

Joseph Sciarrotta, the attorney general’s chief deputy who was hired last month, said the office investigated Snap, finding its features “are intentionally designed to exploit the vulnerabilities of young minds.”

“From Snapstreaks that create immense social pressure to an infinite scroll that eliminates natural stopping points, the platform is a digital trap for children,” Sciarrotta said. “This action alleges that the company made deceptive and misleading claims about safety and parental controls that have contributed to an unacceptable mental health crisis among our youth.”

The lawsuit asks for a judge to find Snap in violation of state law, prohibit the company from continuing the violations and force Snap to pay fines, fees and court costs. The attorney general’s office enlisted Washington, D.C.-based firm Cooper and Kirk to help argue its case.

Kan. sues social media app Snapchat for harming teenagers’ mental health

JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a Kansas house fire.

Just before 10a.m. Tuesday, crews assisted one person out of a house fire at 100th and Farley Lane in Overland Park, according to a social media report from Overland Park FIre.

It took crews about an hour to extinguish a stubborn attic fire at the residence. No injuries are reported. Two adults and one canine displaced.&nbsp;

Crews battle fire for nearly an hour in attic of Kansas home

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday recommended the Kansas Legislature gather public testimony about Republican plans to redraw the state’s four congressional districts to disadvantage Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the next election.

“I am calling on legislative leadership to host town halls prior to circulating a petition for a special session,” Kelly said in a statement. “Kansans must be offered the opportunity to express their opinions directly to their representatives, as they have during previous redistricting processes.”

The Republican-led Legislature convened 18 public sessions in 2021 in advance of the House and Senate votes in 2022 to reconfigure U.S. House district boundaries. That congressional map was expected to be in place for a decade, but President Donald Trump applied pressure on Kansas and other states to perform mid-decade redistricting in an attempt to swell the ranks of GOP members in the U.S. House after the 2026 election cycle.

Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, both Wichita-area Republicans seeking election to statewide offices, have contemplated convening a special session in November to work on maps that would split moderate voters of Johnson County among multiple congressional districts.

The political objective would be to make the 3rd District, which is represented by Davids and anchored by Johnson and Wyandotte counties, more winnable for Republican candidates. At the same time, the districts of GOP U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann, Derek Schmidt and Ron Estes would lose a portion of their Republican edge in terms of registered voters.

Kelly said she wouldn’t call a special session for the purpose of redistricting. Masterson and Hawkins have the option of gathering petition signatures from two-thirds of Senate and House members to compel a special session of the Legislature. Currently, Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers and numerically could reach that threshold.

The Democratic governor said discussions about a special session and congressional redistricting “must be brought out from behind closed doors and into the public domain.”

In 2021, then-House Speaker Ron Ryckman said redistricting in Kansas should be viewed as a multi-year process that included town halls to gauge what Kansas wanted to see in terms of adjustments to district boundaries. The Olathe Republican insisted at that time the process should allow for “additional public input” beyond views of legislators.

In 2022, Masterson said it was important to keep a united Johnson County at the core of the 3rd District held by Davids.

In wake of Trump’s call on Kansas to shift its congressional boundaries, Masterson said his consideration of redistricting wouldn’t be connected to his quest to secure Trump’s endorsement in the upcoming governor’s race. While Masterson is among GOP candidates for governor, Hawkins is running for state insurance commissioner.

Kelly said Kansas lawmakers ought to adhere to precedent and offer robust in-person and online public comment options.

She said residents of Johnson County should have a voice in planning an unprecedented mid-decade redistricting of U.S. House boundaries, especially when that action could be taken without referencing new Census data needed to divide the population into four districts.

“I do not agree with mid-decade redistricting based on old data and a clearly partisan agenda,” Kelly said in a statement.

Masterson and Hawkins said they were puzzled Kelly opposed redistricting in Kansas but encouraged redistricting in Democrat-led states such as California in response to action by Republican-controlled states such as Texas. Kelly chairs the Democratic Governors Association.

“Governor Kelly’s recent statements on Kansas redistricting are hypocritical at best,” Masterson said. “She has strongly supported partisan redistricting in California, yet opposes redrawing Kansas’ maps to better reflect the will of most Kansans.”

In terms of redistricting in Kansas, Hawkins added:&nbsp;“To quote the governor, ‘there is a bigger risk in doing nothing.’ It is certainly an issue we are considering seriously.”

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes and House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, both Democrats from Johnson County, echoed Kelly’s opposition to a special session and support for hearings on redistricting.

Kansas governor urges GOP to convene public hearings on U.S. House redistricting

RILEY COUNTY–&nbsp;Law enforcement in Manhattan have made two arrests this week after a lengthy investigation into multiple vehicle burglaries during the last two months.

Just before 3:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested Jessup McClelland, 25, of Manhattan, in the 1100 block of Freemont Avenue in Manhattan. He is being held o a $12,000 bond on requested charges that include three counts of criminal use of a financial card.&nbsp;&nbsp;McClelland has previous convictions for burglary, obstruction and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Just after 12:30p.m. Monday,&nbsp; police arrested Adyson Westgate, 19, of Wamego in the 1800 block of Hayes Drive. He was jailed on two counts of criminal use of a financial card and one count of burglary to a vehicle. 

Westgate met the requirement of a $10,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

The RCPD thanked the community for sharing camera footage that assisted in this ongoing investigation and encourage anyone who may have been a victim of vehicle burglaries and has not yet reported it, to contact the RCPD at (785) 537-2112.

Security camera image helped catch Kan. burglary suspects

DALLAS (AP) —A shooter with a rifle opened fire from a nearby roof onto a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a>&nbsp;location in Dallas on Wednesday, killing two detainees and wounding another before taking his own life, authorities said.

The exact motivation of the attack was not immediately known. The FBI said at a morning news conference that ammunition found at the scene contained anti-ICE messaging. The head of the agency, Kash Patel, released a photo on social media that shows a bullet containing the words “ANTI-ICE” written in what appears to be marker.“

The shooter fired indiscriminately at the ICE building, including at a van in the sallyport where the victims were shot,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a release.

The detainee who survived was in critical condition at a hospital, DHS said.

DALLAS (AP) — A shooter with a rifle opened fire from a nearby roof onto a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a>&nbsp;location in Dallas on Wednesday, killing at least one person and wounding others before taking his own life, authorities said.

The exact motivation of the attack was not immediately known. The FBI said at a morning news conference that ammunition found at the scene contained anti-ICE messaging. The head of the agency, Kash Patel, released a photo on social media that shows a bullet containing the words “ANTI-ICE” written in what appears to be marker.

Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux told reporters that officers responded to a report of four people shot, with two dead. Authorities initially said three people, including the shooter, had been shot.

Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News that no ICE agents were injured.

“We believe he was shooting at law enforcement and detainees from an apartment building,” McLaughlin said. “Detainees were among the victims of the shooting.”

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