By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Sen. President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, was in Hays Thursday on the campaign trail for governor in 2026.

Masterson stopped at a couple of locations to meet with constituents to discuss rural revitalization and also visited the Eagle Media Center to speak with the Hays Post.

Masterson began with property taxes. The state removed a state assessment for institutional buildings. That cut about $90 million in taxes.

"Now it is about how the system is put together," he said. "It's going to take a constitutional amendment to change the way we assess to be able to cap the increases to make sure people can sustain it."

"We've seen double-digit increases multiple years in a row," he said.

He said he is also a proponent of elected appraisers because property taxes tend to be lower in communities with appraisers who have more accountability.

Hays school district officials have lobbied for more state funding for special education. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1ddb7029-9e09-4f6a-8c1f-c0c5f03f27ed">Hays USD 489 saw a cost increase of almost $822,000 for special education for the 2025-26 school year.</a>

The state is not paying the percentage required by state statute, which means the balances for those services must come from schools' general funds.

Masterson noted the federal government is also not paying its share toward special education.

The state added $10 million more for special education for the coming year, but that has not bridged the funding gap.

Masterson mentioned the Gannon and other lawsuits regarding state education funding.

"We have been dumping more and more funding into the system," he said, "and in 2024, the courts came out that we met adequate funding."

"I don't think the issue is the volume of money. It's how it's being allocated that's the biggest issue," he said. "It's the formula that drives what gets allocated to each district."

Per-pupil funding has hurt rural districts as they have lost population, Masterson said. Block funding was proposed, but was not passed.

He expressed concerns about how at-risk funding is being allocated, citing issues discovered after state audits.

&nbsp;"I don't think it's about overall dollars, because overall Kansas spends more per pupil than the surrounding states, and we are not getting an outcome that matches that investment," Masterson said.

"There's conservation and property rights. There's a balance between the two. I do think those ultimate solutions need to have a local focus. I have heard Hays has done an incredible job on conservation."

Masterson said he was not aware of the R9 Ranch project, but asked Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, questions about the project.

He said money should be allocated to water projects based on need and not population.

Masterson cited the Mexican border and drugs as sources of violence in the state.

He expressed concerns about the increase in no cash bail.

"People commit a violent crime and just get out on their signature," Masterson said.

Masterson cited a cash bail case out of Johnson County in which a man out on bail after discharging a firearm in a hospital stabbed a manager of a barbecue restaurant.

"We've got to make sure we keep violent people incarcerated," he said.

He said funding should also be prioritized for law enforcement, so communities can have a sufficient number of officers and state highway patrol troopers.

Although judicial selection is not directly an issue in the governor's race, it will come up as a ballot question in 2026.

"We have the least democratic, most secretive way of appointing our Supreme Court justices. It is controlled by five lawyers," Masterson said.

He said it was not a merit-based system and did not reflect the population of Kansas. He said the Kansas Supreme Court justices should be elected.

Masterson discussed the issues with staffing the state mental hospital in Larned due to the rural community where the facility is located.

The state's costs to pay traveling medical staff for the facility have significantly increased.

"We used to spend $10 million on contract nursing. It was $40 million [last year]. That's not sustainable," he said. "There's going to be some hard decisions to be made. We have to move that responsibility to somewhere we have more people to work."

Masterson said he was concerned about the error rate on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is also known as SNAP or formally known as food stamps.

"It's not just that we are giving the benefit to people who aren't eligible for it, but also processing. There are people who aren't getting processed that are eligible for it and not getting the benefit."

He added, "It's important how a law is implemented and enforced."

In the last budget cycle, Masterson said the Legislature made some increases in Medicaid reimbursements.

He said he did not foresee any expansion of Medicaid.

"Expansion has proven to displace people who are disabled, frail and elderly, low-income mothers and children because you put all these able-bodied people into the system. You have a fixed number of Medicaid providers. It's not saving rural hospitals.

"You don't have to guess the results of Medicaid expansion. You can see it in the states that have expanded, and I think Kansas has proven it made the right decision by not having expanded Medicaid."

Gubernatorial candidate Masterson seeks to cap property taxes

TMP-Marian (2-2, 2-2 MCL) vs Oakley (2-3, 1-2 MCL) Friday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m. Hays, Kan. Radio:&nbsp;KHAZ (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Monarchs Sports Network&nbsp;CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)

The TMP-Marian Monarchs return home Friday night for a key district matchup with the Oakley Plainsman at Lewis Field in Hays.

Both teams are looking to bounce back from district losses with two games left.

Meanwhile the Monarchs will honor our nation's service members and the St. Joeseph's Military Academy Cadets with Military Appreciation.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Live
coverage includes The Monarchs Sports Network and radio.

🏈🎥 TMP returns home for Military Appreciation Night with Oakley

#3-5A Hays High (4-1, 1-0 WAC) at Dodge City (2-3, 0-2) Friday, Oct. 10 - 7 p.m. Dodge City, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Hays High Sports Network - Unavailable due to streaming restrictions by Dodge City High School.&nbsp;

The Hays High Indians finish out the regular season with three consecutive Western Athletic Conference games. The first of those three is in Dodge City.

There will be no live video stream available due to streaming restrictions by Dodge City High School. The Hays Post sports crew will record the game post at the conclusion of the contest.

Kickoff is at 7
p.m. with the Hertz Rent-A-Car Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. on 96.9 KFIX.

🏈 Hays High travels to Dodge City for WAC play

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Doug Johnson, director of public relations at Colby Community College.

🎤 Forward Ever: Doug Johnson of Colby Community College

The Heartland Community Foundation is excited to host the second annual Give Fest — communitywide giving day — on Friday, October 10 in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties! Get ready to experience a day filled with philanthropy, community spirit, and Oktoberfest-themed fun. With up to 100% of donations matched by the Heartland Community Foundation, this is a powerful opportunity to maximize your impact while supporting your favorite local nonprofits.

During the 24-hour giving period, all donations made to participating nonprofits will be matched from a $150,000 match pool, with $50,000 designated for each county. These donations go directly to the nonprofit's endowed fund at the Heartland Community Foundation, ensuring a stable financial future for the organization, while the match dollars are available for immediate use, providing vital, immediate support.

With 58 participating organizations, there’s a cause that will speak to everyone’s unique charitable passion. Whether your interests lie in education or healthcare, first responders or food insecurity, and many more, there is a nonprofit that aligns with the causes that matter most to you.

&nbsp; To give even more people the chance to give, early-bird giving&nbsp;began online Oct. 1, at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heartlandgivefest.org/">www.HeartlandGiveFest.org</a>&nbsp;and continues&nbsp;through 11:59 p.m., Oct. 10.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nonprofits will share information with visitors, and attendees can enjoy Oktoberfest food, drinks, and entertainment while connecting with local organizations and learning more about the causes they can support.

Returning this year, nonprofits will get to compete in a lively cornhole challenge for a chance to win up to $400 in bonus match dollars for their organization. Attendees can also take part in the Nonprofit Passport activity: visit nonprofit tables (8 in Ellis County, 6 in Rooks and Trego counties) to be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card for yourself and $100 in bonus match dollars for your favorite organization. Come cheer on your favorite nonprofits and join in the fun! 

In a heartwarming effort to inspire the next generation of givers, Heartland Community Foundation is proud to bring back the 5th Grade Give Bucks initiative. Every 5th grader in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties will once again receive funds to donate to a local nonprofit of their choice. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, Ellis County students will each receive $15, while Rooks and Trego County students will each receive $10. On October 10, students will visit the Give Fest events to meet nonprofits throughout the day, learn about their missions, and choose where to donate their Give Bucks. This initiative teaches young people firsthand the joy and power of philanthropy.

This is an opportunity to come together and make a difference. In 2024, Give Fest raised over $240,000 in donations, and with $160,000 in matching funds, more than $400,000 went directly to strengthen local nonprofits.&nbsp;

Heartland Community Foundation Give Fest is today in Ellis, Rooks, Trego counties

Congratulations to our first winner in Cash Grab this fall! Jeanne Schwartz of Hays had her name drawn out on Friday morning and walked away with $250.

Keywords will be given out at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. You will have 20 minutes to enter the correct keyword that you heard on our radio stations. We will then draw out one winner on Friday morning!

Be listening to your favorite radio station (94.3 FM/1400 KAYS, 99.5 KHAZ, 101.9 The Bull, Mix 103.3, 96.9 KFIX) on Monday morning at 9:00 for the first keyword!

Cash Grab is presented by Robert Brogden GMC in downtown Hays, Whitetail Properties agents Adam Hahn and Mitch Keeley, Tri-Central Office Supply, and Vanderbilt’s of Hays.

💰Cash Grab Winner - Week #1

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>

<a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/search.cfm?mid=65&amp;search=all">3 MONTHS OF BOOKKEEPING SERVICE</a>

Freedom Tax and Accounting, Hill City 3 Months of Bookkeeping Services Retail Price $600

Attention small business owners — this one’s for you! Did you know that clean, consistent bookkeeping can be the difference between smart decisions and stressful surprises? Freedom Tax &amp; Accounting is auctioning off&nbsp;3 months of bookkeeping services — a $600 value&nbsp;— with the&nbsp;Freedom Basics Package. This includes up to two managed checking, credit card, or loan accounts, up to 225 transactions, and unlimited email and phone support. Take the guesswork out of your numbers and let Tawny at Freedom Tax &amp; Accounting help your business stay on track. Bid now for this 3-month bookkeeping package — and give your business the gift of clarity and peace of mind!&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/search.cfm?mid=65&amp;search=all">SENIOR PHOTO SHOOT</a>

Christopher's Creations 1700 Main Hays&nbsp; Senior Photo Shoot Retail Price $150

Bid on this gift certificate for one senior photo shoot from Christopher's Creations in Hays. This gift certificate, valued at $150, is good for a 1.5-hour senior photo shoot and includes 5 digital downloads. The shoot covers a single session within Ellis County. If located outside of Ellis County, a mileage rate will apply. It's a great option for a senior graduating this year or a junior graduating next year. The certificate expires in December 2026. Book your session by calling 785-380-9040 or online at ccreationsks.net.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/search.cfm?mid=65&amp;search=all">$100 CERTIFICATE</a>

<a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/search.cfm?mid=65&amp;search=all"></a>AccuSpray Lawn Service 127 N. Lincoln Russell, KS 67665 785-483-7811

This $100 gift certificate is to AccuSpray, your #1 choice for lawn and tree spraying. They are locally owned. Services include: - Lawn &amp; Tree Fertilization, - Insect, Disease, and Weed Control, - Tree Injections &amp; Root Feeding, - Bare Ground Sterilization. ONLY one gift certificate per spraying please. Find and book them on Facebook at Accuspray– or call Jeremy Zorn at 785-639-8733.

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

KDHE: Boil Water Advisory rescinded for Osborne County RWD 1A

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

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Gene Stramel of Insurance Planning about Medicare Part D and C open enrollment on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: Insurance Planning on Medicare Part D, C open enrollment

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

With the ongoing federal government shutdown, the subsidy funding for the national Essential Air Service (EAS) program was due to expire at midnight on Sunday.

Hays Regional Airport Director Jamie Salter said Thursday she received the notice&nbsp;from the U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday.

Two days later, Salter received an updated memo from the department funding has been found for the subsidies to run through Nov. 2.

Hays Regional Airport is one of five Kansas airports that receive Essential Air Service funding.

The service provides subsidies to air carriers to operate out of rural airports for routes that are not profitable. The service connects small- and medium-sized communities with larger airports.

SkyWest, the regional air carrier serving Hays with daily United flights to Denver, receives an annual $6.5 million subsidy for commercial flight service for Hays.&nbsp;

Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal and Salina airports also utilize the Essential Air Service program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Salter said SkyWest is assessing the situation.&nbsp;

Federal funding for subsidies at Hays Regional Airport in place until Nov. 2

&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

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 18 is now offering services in Ellis County and surrounding areas through its new office at Hays First United Methodist Church, 302 W. Eighth St., Room 205, and it is now seeing clients.

Chris Deitering, department service officer, will help to expand access to resources for injured veterans by providing free assistance to veterans and their families, including help with VA and federal claims, survivor and burial benefits, membership assistance, and disaster relief, a news release said.

Deitering’s office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

According to the news release, “The DAV is a nonprofit that remains committed to the nation's injured heroes and former federal employees of all generations to ensure they are not alone on their road to recovery by aiding service members in the transition to civilian life, fighting for their rights on Capitol Hill, and funding rehabilitation programs.”

Disabled American Veterans has new office in Hays church

Thomas More Prep-Marian Parents Teachers Friends Soup Supper is Sunday, October 26 from 4-7 p.m.&nbsp; We will have chili, green bean dumpling soup, sandwiches and cinnamon rolls.&nbsp;Carry out is available. 

It is a free will offering with proceeds to support classroom and student scholarships.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thomas More Prep-Marian PTF Soup Supper fundraiser is Oct. 26

The Hays Public Library is hosting a special book talk with Kansas author George Frazier, as he discusses his latest release,&nbsp;Riverine Dreams: Away to the Glorious and Forgotten Grassland Rivers of America, published by the University of Chicago Press.

The event is set for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, in the HPL Kansas Room.

Prepare for tales of strange riverine forests left over from the ice age, leviathan fish migrations, modern grizzlies roaming the plains, endangered plants as rare as mastodon ivory, an audacious plan to return 10,000 bison to a Great Plains biosphere reserve, and of course, river otter mayhem.

If you thought you knew about the wild lands of Kansas and the surrounding states, get ready for some surprises. Grassland rivers are the most unheralded gems of the entire American backcountry, and Frazier will tell us about the “Grassland River revival” he discovered while exploring eight of the wildest stretches of rivers that remain.

The Hays Public Library is coordinating with Russell Specialty Books and Gifts for this event.

You can find out more about this and other library programs at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://hayslibrary.org/">hayslibrary.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling 785-625-9014.

Hays Public Library to host Kansas author George Frazier Oct. 11

PAWNEE ROCK — To commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Heartland Center for Spirituality and Heartland Farm invite the public to a special viewing of The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code, followed including discussion led by Dr. Leo Oliva. The event will take place on Sunday, October 12, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Great Bend Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse.

Dr. Oliva, a retired history professor from Fort Hays State University, will offer historical insights into the Doctrine of Discovery and engage with attendees during a Q&amp;A session.

Originating from 15th-century Papal Bulls, the Doctrine of Discovery laid the groundwork for colonial expansion, legitimizing the seizure of Indigenous lands, the suppression of native cultures, and brutality toward and enslavement of African and other peoples. The Doctrine continues to influence U.S. and international property law to this day.

Dr. Oliva graduated from FHSU before seeking both his master’s degree in American History and doctorate in American Studies from the University of Denver. He is the author of eight books and many articles and served as the editor of the Santa Fe Trail quarterly, Wagon Tracks, for 25 years. Dr. Oliva’s areas of interest include the Santa Fe Trail, frontier military history, the conquest of Indigenous nations and their lands, and Kansas history since 1959. Dr. Oliva was a member of the Humanities Kansas Speakers’ Bureau and has presented more than 400 programs on various historical topics.

 In March 2025, FHSU honored Dr. Oliva with a distinguished professorship in history in his name.

Join us for this free event will be held in the auditorium at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse, located at 3600 Broadway, Great Bend. Light refreshments will be available, and voluntary donations are welcome.

To RSVP, please email your name and the number of attendees to ann.axman@heartlandspirituality.org or hfarminfo@oppeace.org.

Retired FHSU professor to discuss Doctrine of Discovery commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Donation accepted Oct. 17-31 for annual Hays Coat Drive 

Area Pizza Hut fundraisers today for HPD Officer Scott Heimann family 

STOCKTON — Halloween&nbsp;fundraising event at the Rooks County Historical Society Museum Sat., Oct. 18 in Stockton.

Monster Mash Dance-A-Thon, Karaoke, Outside Games

Halloween fundraising event for Rooks County Historical Museum Oct. 18

Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation is seeking input from the public on regional transportation priorities at Local Consult meetings across the state in October.

“Local Consult meetings are a great opportunity for those who use our highways to give feedback on the projects and improvements that are most important to them,” said District Three Engineer Jeff Stewart. “That feedback is important to help KDOT prioritize and identify projects that will best serve our communities.”

People in northwest Kansas (District 3) are invited to participate:

COLBY - 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 15: City Limits Convention Center, 2227 S. Range Ave.

Attendees will also hear about transportation investments being made in their area and learn about various grant funding programs available through KDOT.

STATEWIDE VIRTUAL MEETING - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28:&nbsp;Please register in advance – visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.ksdot.gov%2Flocal-consult-2025%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010199b9b4cec1-ff7a1d38-9138-4660-892b-63a458da4a6a-000000/VkUsBu5dZMEJq9oy5o7thBvm6cxFG-rjCzjWj8hCUgY=425">https://www.ksdot.gov/local-consult-2025</a>&nbsp;to attend the virtual meeting.

Local Consult meetings occur every two years to provide Kansans opportunities to ask questions and speak with local, state and federal officials about transportation needs across the state.

For more meeting or project information, please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KDOT.Engagement@ks.gov">KDOT.Engagement@ks.gov</a>.

Local Consult meeting in Colby on Oct. 15 to focus on regional transportation priorities

The Healing Hearts Grief Support Group will have its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Schmidt Community Center, 2510 Canterbury. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Please use the south entrance.

The speaker will be Dr. Tim Davis, chair of the social work department at Fort Hays State University. Davis will discuss grief and its long-term effects and then will facilitate the meeting's share and support session.&nbsp;

The Healing Hearts group welcomes any adult who has lost a loved one of any age. The group’s facilitator is Dr. Kate McGonigal, who teaches in the Sociology Department at Fort Hays State University.

Social work professor to address grief support group

DICKINSON COUNTY —A Kansas man is under investigation for allegedly selling drugs in Dickinson County.

In December of 2024, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit began an investigation into the distribution of Methamphetamine in Herington, according to a media release. The approximate ten-month long investigation, resulted in an arrest and a seizure of methamphetamine.

On Thursday, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in the 500 Block of South A Street in Herington. A search of the residence revealed Methamphetamine, Drug Paraphernalia, Cocaine, Marijuana and other controlled substances.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office also served arrest warrants with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Junction City Police Department and the Herington Police Department.

Charles Miller, 48, of Woodbine, Kansas was arrested and booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Distribution of Controlled Substance using communication facility and No Drug Tax Stamp.

Sheriff: Investigation led to arrest of Kan. drug dealer

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man&nbsp; who admitted to vandalizing a&nbsp; church in Wichita learned his fate on Friday.

&nbsp;Judge Tyler Roush sentenced Michael Gonzalez, 23, of Saline County,&nbsp;to 34 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections&nbsp; for his role in the significant vandalism and criminal desecration at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In July Gonzalez pleaded guilty to felony charges: of burglary and criminal desecration and two misdemeanor charges of theft and criminal damage to property.

Just after 8:30a.m. March 15, police responded to a reported burglary at St. Patrick Catholic Church, located in the 2000 block of N. Arkansas Street in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesman Brad Wright.

Officers discovered significant vandalism, including hate speech and damage to items such as statues, candles, and glass. Notably, a United States flag had been burned.

Recognizing the severity of this crime, Wichita Police and investigators—alongside federal law enforcement partners including the FBI and ATF—immediately launched a full-scale investigation. The Wichita Police dedicated Crime Scene Investigation team worked diligently to analyze evidence, leading to the swift identification of a suspect.

Officers from the Wichita Police Field Community Response Teams were provided with critical intelligence and began searching for the suspect. At approximately 2:20 a.m. March 16, officers located and arrested Gonzalez in the 2800 block of N. Hillside in Wichita without incident.

&nbsp;Gonzalez remains jailed on bonds totaling over $500,000, according to online jail records.

Prison time for extreme vandalism at Kansas church

NEW YORK (AP) — A monthslong calm on Wall Street shattered Friday, and U.S. stocks tumbled after President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-xi-china-cc47e258cfc6336dfddcc20fa67a3642">threatened to crank tariffs much higher</a>&nbsp;on China.

The S&amp;P 500 sank 2.7% in its worst day since April. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 878 points, or 1.9%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 3.6%.

Stocks had been heading for a slight gain in the morning, until&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;took to his social media platform and said he’s considering “a massive increase of tariffs” on Chinese imports. He’s upset at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-earths-exports-trump-dad99d532f858f04d750d0b8c50e5ed6">restrictions China has placed on exports of its rare earths</a>, which are materials that are critical for the manufacturing of everything from consumer electronics to jet engines.

“We have been contacted by other Countries who are extremely angry at this great Trade hostility, which came out of nowhere,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He also said “now there seems to be no reason” to meet with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-xi-tiktok-china-united-states-e6b6334aef2946b5b8c809be4240cad1">earlier agreeing to do so</a>&nbsp;as part of an upcoming trip to South Korea.

The ratchet higher in tensions between the world’s largest economies led to widespread drops across Wall Street, with roughly six out of every seven stocks within the S&amp;P 500 falling. Nearly everything weakened, from Big Tech companies like Nvidia and Apple to stocks of smaller companies looking to get past uncertainty about tariffs and trade.

The market may have been primed for a slide. U.S. stocks were already facing criticism that their prices had shot too high following the S&amp;P 500’s nearly relentless 35% run from a low in April. The index, which dictates the movements for many 401(k) accounts, is still near its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-gold-ai-yen-3b5d8a978d326c59cbf484a14868ce66">all-time high</a>&nbsp;set earlier in the week.

Critics say&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-rates-records-shutdown-earnings-ai-251fefd075ac658ce498c9d1953efc70">the market looks too expensive</a>&nbsp;after prices rose much faster than corporate profits. Worries are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-bubble-warnings-bank-of-england-imf-b15e54f6d06992371ee39b27f4e6da3a">particularly high about companies in the artificial-intelligence industry</a>, where pessimists see echoes of the 2000 dot-com bubble that imploded. For stocks to look less expensive, either their prices need to fall, or companies’ profits need to rise.

Levi Strauss dropped 12.6% for one of the market’s larger losses, even though it reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

Its forecast for profit over the full year was also within range of Wall Street’s estimates, but the jeans and clothing company could simply be facing the challenge of heightened expectations after a big run. Its stock price came into the day with a surge of nearly 42% for the year so far.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 182.60 points to 6,552.51. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 878.82 to 45,479.60, and the Nasdaq composite sank 820.20 to 22,204.43.

Some of Friday’s strongest action was in the oil market, where the price of a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude sank 4.2% to $58.90.

It fell as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-shelling-ceasefire-israel-c832ff32cf332805ffb50bffa35e8220">ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. An end to the war could remove worries about disruptions to oil supplies, which had kept crude’s price higher than it otherwise would have been.

Losses accelerated following Trump’s tariff threat, which could gum up global trade and lead the economy to burn less fuel. Brent crude, the international standard, dropped 3.8% to $62.73 per barrel.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury sank to 4.05% from 4.14% late Thursday.

It had already been lower before Trump made his threats, as a report from the University of Michigan suggested that sentiment among U.S. consumers remains in the doldrums.

“Pocketbook issues like high prices and weakening job prospects remain at the forefront of consumers’ minds,” according to Joanne Hsu, director of the Surveys of Consumers. “At this time, consumers do not expect meaningful improvement in these factors.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jobs-openings-unemployment-inflation-federal-reserve-60b8f481cdbc56f96829817a2992e508">job market has slowed so much</a>&nbsp;that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-powell-federal-reserve-jobs-da274909e44aed4ac4c78625db587026">Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;cut its main interest rate last month for the first time this year. Fed officials have penciled in more cuts through next year to give the economy additional breathing room. But Chair Jerome Powell has also said they may change course&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-trump-tariffs-prices-consumer-0a10b8f245eb90115c84026d7061d2b0">if inflation stays high</a>. That’s because lower interest rates can push inflation even higher.

One potentially encouraging signal from the University of Michigan’s preliminary survey said consumers’ expectations for inflation in the coming year edged down to 4.6% from 4.7% the month before. While that’s still high, the direction of change could help the Fed and limit upward pressure on inflation.

In stock markets abroad, indexes fell across much of Europe and Asia.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.7%, and France’s CAC 40 dropped 1.5% for two of the bigger moves. But South Korea’s Kospi leaped 1.7% after trading reopened following a holiday.

Wall Street drops to its worst day since April 

MANHATTAN, KAN. – The Riley County Police Department executed a search warrant at Chill Vibez Smoke and Vape and made an arrest during its investigation on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in the 100 block of Sarber Lane in Manhattan, Pottawatomie County.

According to a media release from the RCPD, the warrant was issued as part of a larger overall investigation that began earlier this year into the distribution of illegal marijuana and THC products in Manhattan. This was an independent investigation by the RCPD and not currently linked to recent enforcement by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

Police make arrest at smoke and vape shop in Manhattan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House budget office said Friday that mass firings of federal workers have started in an attempt to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers in the ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-health-care-54b2a584657a0b619bc8326708a05604">government shutdown</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-doge-russell-vought-project-2025-f403174299933b7e3a3b6ebd779c146c">Russ Vought</a>, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said on the social media site X that the “RIFs have begun,” referring to reduction-in-force plans aimed at reducing the size of the federal government.

A spokesperson for the budget office said the reductions are “substantial” but did not offer more immediate details.

The Education Department is among the agencies hit by new layoffs, a department spokesperson said Friday without providing more details. The department had about 4,100 employees when Trump took office in January, but its workforce was nearly halved amid mass layoffs in the Republican administration’s first months. At the start of the shutdown, it had about 2,500 employees.

The White House previewed that it would pursue the aggressive layoff tactic shortly before the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, telling all federal agencies to submit their reduction-in-force plans to the budget office for its review. It said reduction-in-force plans could apply for federal programs whose funding would lapse in a government shutdown, are otherwise not funded and are “not consistent with the President’s priorities.”

This goes far beyond what usually happens in a government shutdown, which is that federal workers are furloughed but restored to their jobs once the shutdown ends.

Democrats have tried to call the administration’s bluff, arguing the firings could be illegal, and seemed bolstered by the fact the White House had yet to carry out the firings.

But President Donald Trump had said earlier this week that he would soon have more information about how many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-government-shutdown-firings-layoffs-vought-1fd57313272ec4db5984f653b095be33">federal jobs</a>&nbsp;would be eliminated.

“I’ll be able to tell you that in four or five days if this keeps going on,” he said Tuesday in the Oval Office as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-trump-carney-white-house-59b735b719247c7063777c1edcb10328">he met with Canada's prime minister</a>, Mark Carney. “If this keeps going on, it’ll be substantial, and a lot of those jobs will never come back.”

Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-government-shutdown-grijalva-526647b57faa2710382674646dfd2b37">the halls of the Capitol were quiet</a>&nbsp;on Friday, then 10th day of the shutdown, with both the House and the Senate out of Washington and both sides digging in for a protracted shutdown fight. Senate Republicans have tried repeatedly to cajole Democratic holdouts to vote for a stopgap bill to reopen the government, but Democrats have refused as they hold out for a firm commitment to extend health care benefits.

There was no sign that the top Democratic and Republican Senate leaders were even talking about a way to solve the impasse. Instead, Senate Majority Leader John Thune continued to try to peel away centrist Democrats who may be willing to cross party lines as the shutdown pain dragged on.

“It’s time for them to get a backbone,” Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said during a news conference.

AP Education Writer Collin Binkley contributed to this report.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements