By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Governor Laura Kelly said she is concerned the state will face a $700 million deficit by fiscal year 2029 if the current trend in the Kansas budget continues.

Kelly is on the Kansas Budget tour, which made a stop in Hays on Wednesday. Kelly, who was joined by Adam Proffitt, budget director and Secretary of Administration, gave opening remarks on the budget, followed by a town hall.

&nbsp;The governor said she thought putting together the budget was the most important thing that she did.&nbsp;

"I don't see the budget as mine," Kelly said. "I really do see it as the people's. When I am working with Adam and his people, I'm thinking about what Kansans need and how we make that happen through the budget process."

She said she would use input from the budget community meetings to craft the FY27 budget.

She said a good budget attracts strong business investment and allows the state to respond to people's needs when the unexpected happens, including recessions, pandemics or natural disasters.

Kelly recalled what she called the "Brownback tax experiment."

Gov. Sam Brownback, backed by the Legislature, cut taxes, which resulted in budget shortfalls. Revenue fell by $1 billion. Programs and services had to be cut, and the state's credit score was downgraded, Kelly said.

Funds were diverted from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the state pension fund, and schools were underfunded, she said.

Proffitt said the state transferred money, delayed payments and incurred debt so it would not end its fiscal years FY15 through FY18 in the negative. Payments to schools had to be made late to address state cash flow issues, forcing schools to rely on reserves.

"So as the governor came in and started to get things stabilized, she looked at me and my team and gave us a charge, 'Go find every budget maneuver and accounting gimmick and undo every single one of them," Proffitt said.&nbsp;

"I'm happy to report to you, as of today, we have undone every single&nbsp; budget maneuver and accounting gimmick."

Under Gov. Kelly, Kansas has had end-of-year surpluses and established a rainy-day fund of about $2 billion.

"Next time we have a recession, we won't have to do what we did the last time we had a recession," Kelly said.

Under Kelly's administration, taxes have been cut by $2 billion, including a tax elimination of the sales tax on food, she said.

Historically, the governor had gathered budget recommendations from departments and proposed a budget to the Legislature, which made changes in the budget and then sent the budget back to the governor for his or her signature.

For the current fiscal year, the Legislature started with its own budget, Proffitt said. The Legislature used last year's budget as a starting point.

The governor's recommendations were not addressed until midway through the session, he said.

He called it a woefully inefficient process.

He expressed three concerns. He said the first is a structural imbalance with ongoing expenditures exceeding revenues. The budget presented to the governor in the last two budget cycles has included debt.&nbsp;

From a constitutional perspective, Proffitt expressed concern about not including the governor's input in the budget process, and that could be a governor of either party moving forward.

"With all that is happening at the national level, with the tariffs and the cuts to Medicaid and the doubling of your health insurance premiums under the ACA, we've got to continue to exercise fiscal restraint," Kelly said.

&nbsp;Kelly said in her first State of the State speech seven years ago she talked about the state being at a turning point.

"We're at a turning point again," she said. "So I ask you, 'What do you value? What do you want to see reflected in our budget?'"

Kelly then opened the floor to questions and comments from the 80 attendees at the town hall. Her staff also accepted comment cards.&nbsp;

Craig Poe, High Plains Mental Health Center executive director, expressed a need for funding for mental health care for residents who are uninsured or underinsured.

High Plains is building a new Crisis Intervention Center; however, he said care at the facility will not be covered for many who have private insurance.

Kelly said she will continue to work with the insurance department to ensure equal coverage for mental and physical health care.

She also discussed her longstanding support for Medicaid expansion and said she is working with the Kansas congressional delegation to reverse federal Medicaid cuts scheduled for 2026.

Kelly said she supports a decade-long plan to address water resources and believes it should be funded for the same period, as is Kansas Department of Transportation's infrastructure program.

She hailed Hays for its water conservation efforts.

A man from the audience said he is interested in developing new senior care facilities in rural communities. He said he is interested in what assistance the state could provide for that development.

He said finding full financing to build a $20-million to $30-million facility is very difficult. He expressed interest in a state loan system that could help with seed money to get these projects off the ground.

Proffitt said he thought the framework may already be in place, and he could help develop a list of resources.

Roger Hrabe, Rooks County Economic Development director, expressed a need to fund programs that support economic growth in rural communities.

He said he supports the Rural Opportunity Zone program, which has brought families to Rooks County. The county continues to dedicate funds to the program.

However, the program comes up for renewal this year.

The program allows people who move into Kansas counties to receive reimbursement for tuition debt. Hrabe said the program was targeted at counties that had lost population, but was then expanded, resulting in some loss of effectiveness.

Kelly said she thinks incentives need to be tailored to communities' needs.&nbsp;

She said funds have been made available to rural communities through the Kansas Arts Commission, the Department of Tourism and the Main Street Program.

Matt Smith, superintendent of Trego County USD 208, said he appreciated the last increase in special education funding. However, the district still has to transfer $300,000 from its general fund to special education due to unmet obligations by the federal and state governments.

"Those are dollars that otherwise could go to teacher salaries, classroom materials or student programs," Smith said.

Kelly said she had a plan to increase special education funding over five years to meet the state's statutory requirements. The Legislature did not approve that plan.

Jerry Michaud, DSNWK executive director, expressed concerns about compensation for workers caring for individuals who have developmental disabilities.

The rates are established through the legislative process. Some progress is being made, but the base wage for direct workers is only $14 per hour, he said.

He said these low wages have resulted in a "workforce crisis."

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dc146924-9a33-439f-bb6a-180129cff07a">DSNWK also operates the ACCESS public transportation system in Hays. That system is facing budget shortfalls because funding has not kept pace with rising expenses.</a>

He said the public transportation system needs more state support.

Kelly said the state is working to provide more community support waivers so people can receive support with less staff intensity.&nbsp;

She said more people could be served if CMS approves the plan; however, that does not solve the workforce problem. She said she thought the Legislature will attempt to address the workforce issue.

David Vilaysing, Hays resident and city commission candidate, asked the governor what could be done to address rising property taxes.

The state levies 20 mills that go directly to schools, and the Legislature recently eliminated another 1.5 mills.

Kelly said the majority of property taxes are levied at the local level.

She said the Legislature could take action to cap property taxes, but she suggested&nbsp;Vilaysing take issues related to local property taxes to the elected officials of the local governing bodies that levy them.

Vilaysing said he thought the Legislature needs to institute a cap.

Former state Sen. Janis Lee said she thought ad valorem funding for counties should be reinstated to help offset property taxes. Rural counties can't rely on sales tax as a revenue source because they may have very little retail activity.

Kelly said she didn't think the state would restore the local ad valorem fund, but she thought there might be another way to address the needs of rural communities facing high property tax burdens.

Gov. Kelly lobbies for fiscal restraint, executive input in budget process during Hays stop

FHSU daily crime log: Oct. 24-30, 2025

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The Hays school board will consider selling about six acres of land north of the Hays Middle School football field.

The board heard a report on the property from Superintendent Ron Wilson at its work session on Monday.

The board agreed to add the item to the agenda of an upcoming meeting for further discussion and a possible vote.

Wilson said the district has been approached about the possible sale of the property and has completed a boundary survey.

If the board decides to sell the property, it can sell it in three ways: list it with a real estate agent, auction it, or accept sealed bids.

Bill Jeter, the school district's attorney, said the district has sold other property through sealed bid. The district included a clause in those past bids that allowed it to refuse any bid.

Wilson said three comparable properties sold at a few cents more than $2 per square foot.

Board member Allen Park asked whether an appraisal of the property could be conducted.

Because the lot is vacant, Jeter said an appraisal would be based on comparable sales, which the district already has. Wilson said he would look into the cost of an appraisal.

Board member Derek Yarmer asked whether the revenue from the property sale could be deposited into the general fund. Hipp said the money would have to be deposited in the capital outlay fund.

Hays USD 489 board to consider selling land north of Hays Middle School

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

Make-A-Wish Kansas recently recognized Thunder on the Plains and the Lang family.

Earlier this month, at the annual Kansas Regional
Recognition Event in Wichita, Make-A-Wish of Kansas named Thunder on the Plains
this year’s Wish Champion – Continuing Excellence Award recipient.

The honor celebrates individuals and organizations that go
above and beyond in fundraising, raising awareness and inspiring their
communities to give back.

Since 2016, through the annual Thunder on the Plains Car,
Truck and Cycle Show, the group has supported more than 30 local organizations
and established a scholarship fund for Ellis County students pursuing
automotive studies.

To date, Thunder on the Plains has raised and given back more
than $140,000 to the community.

Thunder on the Plains Secretary Jackie Lang said they are
proud of the work they have done for the groups.

“It's always nice to be recognized,” Lang said, “but that's
not the only reason we do it.”

A few years ago, the group began looking for a bigger organization
to support. After Jackie’s husband, Mark, passed away, they decided to look
into Make-A-Wish because he was very supportive of its mission.

The Langs’ oldest son, Brett, received a wish in 2009 when
the family was living in Oklahoma. 

Jackie Lang said they chose to support Make-A-Wish Kansas
because of the impact it makes for local children.

"We wanted the money that we raise here to help kids that
are in our area, not that we don't appreciate that kids all over Missouri and
Kansas need wishes, but we wanted our money to stay mostly as local as we could
get it, to help the kids around here," Lang said.

In the spring, during the annual car, truck and cycle show, 12-year-old
Kinley Niernberger of Hays was granted her wish thanks to the support of
Thunder on the Plains. 

Kinley’s wish was to ride horses in Hawaii.

The year before, a young boy from Victoria received his wish
to visit Disney World.

In just two years, Thunder on the Plains has raised more
than $25,000 through live auctions at the annual shows, helping grant the
wishes of four kids with illnesses.

Also, as part of the event in Wichita earlier this month,
Jackie and the Lang family received Make-A-Wish’s highest honor for continued
wish-family involvement, the Rhonda Moler Award. 

The award is named after 10-year-old Kansas wish child Rhonda Moler,
whose 1985 wish was to ride her horse in Arizona’s Parada del Sol Parade. She inspired
her community to rally around her, and the award honors families who carry forward
the Make-A-Wish mission through extraordinary volunteerism and advocacy.

Before Brett passed away from cancer in 2011, at the age of
18, he was able to experience his wish, a trip to Disney World.

"It just takes all the pressure off of you for a week. You
don't have to worry about anything," Lang said. "Brett and our whole family
just had a blast. It's something that's always been special to us."

When presenting the Lang family with the honor, Make-A-Wish
said, “Jackie and her family have become true champions for our mission.”

“Their compassion and generosity embody the spirit of the
Rhonda Moler Award, creating hope and healing for countless children and
families.”

Thunder on the Plains, Lang family honored for support of Make-A-Wish

Drive around prairie communities or rural farmsteads, and you’ll find numerous overgrown lilac hedges attesting to early residents’ fondness for this sweet-scented flower. These rows of easy-to-grow woody bushes require little attention even during harsh weather and when mature, break gusty winds around a house, outbuilding, or patio. As a bonus, they perfume spring breezes about the time housekeepers throw open windows to freshen winter-stale rooms. Like poppies, daffodils, iris, and other spring flowers, their short blooming season invites folks to appreciate them when those multitudinous tubular blooms are most glorious. To my surprise, Western Kansans got another chance to see a favorite flower during this autumn’s unusual second bloom.

A few weeks ago, I noted local lilac bushes producing their signature palm perfect bouquets—again…. To my marveling eye, hedges set enough blossoms a person could create several lovely lavender arrangements. Granted, these weren’t densely flowered like we expect each spring, but it was notable due to the number of out of season blooms on each plant. I made a point of driving around towns like Herndon, Oberlin, Hill City, and Atwood to note the same phenomena of lilacs blooming while tree leaves turned gold and orange. My first thought was Mother Nature is off her meds. Then I investigated.

Multiple horticultural journal articles explained stressed lilacs produce second blooms to guarantee survival of the species. My first thought was what stress? We had more rain and gentler temperatures this summer than we normally experience in Western Kansas. As I read university research articles, I discovered that just as humans experience continued stress with resulting symptoms, lilac bushes also suffer post-incident stress-induced consequences.

That made sense. Western Kansans have survived a sequence of drought years combined with periods of hot or frigid winds. To multiple those effects, most plains residents expect lilac hedges to take care of themselves. After all, that was one reason early settlers planted them. They don’t require focused attention to keep growing and blooming. Researchers suggest this possibly led to this year’s producing seeds twice to save the species reaction.

As a bonafide worrywart, I thought that this expenditure of extra energy in a second bloom might wipe out one of my favorite plantings. Those journal articles calmed my fears and let me know the hedges will most likely survive unless they have other issues. What did happen is the new buds that emerged after the spring bloom became this fall’s bouquets. This fall flowering will limit production of next spring’s blossoms. Next April and May, don’t count on as many perfumed breezes as we enjoyed this year.

Nature has so many ways of keeping us on our toes if we pay attention. While I’ve seen the odd lilac bloom out of turn, this is the first time in 8 decades I saw entire hedges producing multiple blossoms. Since that won’t likely happen again during my lifetime, I’ve purposely sought those out of season flowers and rolled down the window on warmish autumn days to enjoy Spring in the Fall.

MADORIN: Mother nature’s surprise

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

The Hays Area Chapter of Ducks Unlimited invites the community to its annual fundraising banquet on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for an evening of fun, food, and fundraising for wetlands conservation.

This year's event features an amazing meal catered by Chubb’s Que and includes an open bar, social hour, raffle games, a silent auction, and a thrilling live auction.

Attendees will have the chance to win an incredible selection of prizes, including:

A special Ladies' Table will also feature its own set of amazing prizes.

Tickets are $60 per couple. This event is expected to sell out, so advance purchase is required.

To secure your tickets, please visit the link below:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Hays-Banquet-115190/purchase">https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Hays-Banquet-115190/purchase</a>

Sentencing delayed for NW Kan. CPA, creator of ‘Middle Finger Ranch,’ fraud scheme

Hays Police Department activity log: Oct. 19-25, 2025

Hays Police Department arrest log: Oct. 19-25, 2025

&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

Looking for a fun, safe, and family-friendly place to trick or treat? Join us at North Oak Community Church from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.&nbsp;

Bring your family for an evening full of decorated trunks, carnival games, a free meal, and LOTS of candy! 

We’re also collecting non-perishable food items for our North Oak Food Pantry. If you’re able, bring a few items to donate and help us bless families in our community this season.

It’s a great way to celebrate together in a safe and encouraging environment — we’d love to see you there!

Trunk or Treat at North Oak Community Church on Halloween

GRAINFIELD — Grainfield Supply Inc. is celebrating 80 years of business on November 7, 2025! We invite the public to come celebrate with us in appreciation for your patronage.

Factory rep presentations and prize drawings throughout the day. Serving lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 4649 Old Hwy 40, Grainfield.

Grainfield Supply to celebrate 80 years of business 

MANHATTAN — Halloween's tricks and treats can be frighteningly risky for pets, but a few simple precautions can keep them safe during the holiday festivities.

"There are many hazards associated with Halloween," said Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian in the Kansas State University&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksvhc.org/services/pet-health-center/">Hill's Pet Health and Nutrition Center</a>. "From candy and costumes to spooky decorations, these things can pose real dangers to our pets. By planning ahead, we can help them stay safe and stress-free."

Keep candy and other spooky treats out of reach

Nelson encourages pet owners to keep all candy out of reach. Chocolate, xylitol and other artificial sweeteners, raisins, and certain nuts can be toxic to pets or cause gastrointestinal blockages and injuries.

Moldy pumpkins should be discarded promptly to prevent pets from eating them and becoming ill.

Keep pets away from electrical cords,&nbsp;<a>candles</a>&nbsp;and decorations — like glow sticks — to prevent injuries or accidental ingestion.

Costumes can also pose hazards. Nelson suggests choosing pet-friendly outfits that avoid small or loose decorations that could be swallowed and cause obstructions."

Owners should try costumes on their pets in advance," she said. "If a costume makes them stressed or restricts their ability to see, hear, smell or breathe, it should be skipped altogether. Consider opting for a simple Halloween-themed bandana instead. This is a fun and safe alternative."

Pets may become frightened by even their own family members in costume. To help them feel at ease, consider letting the pets see and smell the costume in advance.

Consider your pet's needs during trick-or-treating time

Keeping pets calm during trick-or-treating is also important. If your pet becomes anxious with strangers, children in costumes or frequent doorbell sounds, secure them in a quiet room.

Consider greeting trick-or-treaters at the end of the driveway — weather permitting — or temporarily disconnecting the doorbell to avoid constant ringing. Keep pets indoors on Halloween night, especially black cats, which can be targeted for pranks.

Owners should also ensure that pets wear ID tags or have a microchip, ideally with a reflective collar, Nelson said."

Halloween should be fun for the whole family — including pets," Nelson said. "A little extra caution can help prevent an emergency and make the holiday more enjoyable for everyone."

If you suspect your pet has ingested something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 for guidance.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prevent Halloween pet scares with these tips from a K-State veterinarian

LENORA —&nbsp;Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Janette Meis as its new Executive Director. Meis brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, higher education, and youth programming, with a career dedicated to advancing opportunities for young people and strengthening Kansas communities.

Prior to joining Nex-Generation, Meis spent 10 years at Fort Hays State University, including two and a half years with the FHSU Alumni Association and the remainder as Communications Specialist in the Office of the President. Before her time at the university, she served 15 years as the State Director for Kansas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), where she led statewide efforts supporting volunteers who advocate for children in the foster care system.

“I’m thrilled to join an organization that’s making such a tangible difference in the lives of rural youth,” said Meis. “Nex-Generation’s programs open doors for young people to explore careers, build real-world skills, and envision a future right here in Northwest and North Central Kansas. I’m excited to help strengthen and grow those opportunities.”

Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth continues to invest in the region’s future leaders through a variety of educational and career-based programs:

· Internship/Work Study Programs: Connecting high school and college students with local businesses to gain hands-on career experience. Business applications to host interns are currently open until December 1.

· Life$kills: In-person Interactive classroom sessions that teach students essential financial literacy and personal development skills. The deadline to apply is November 21.

· Virtual Career Fairs: Engaging online events that introduce students to regional employers and career pathways. Deadline for participating is October 30.

· Young AmeriTowne of Kansas: A hands-on learning experience designed for 4th – 8th grades, where students operate a simulated town, learning about entrepreneurship, civics, and economics. School enrollment deadline for Young AmeriTowne is October 31. To enroll go to: <a href="https://www.nex-generation.org/young-ameritowne">www.nex-generation.org/young-ameritowne</a>

Starting in 2013, Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing and retaining youth for future careers in the 28 counties of Northwest and North Central. Through career exploration, leadership, and entrepreneurship programs, the organization helps young people envision their future close to home.

For more information about Nex-Generation’s programs or to apply/enroll in one of our programs, visit <a href="https://www.nex-generation.org/">www.nex-generation.org</a> or contact Janette Meis at jmeis@nex-generation.org.

Nex-Generation round up for youth welcomes new executive director

Wednesday, Oct. 29 Annual Fort Hays State University Agriculture Department Halloween Hoedown Trunk or Treat, 4 to 6 p.m., University Farm, Andrew D. Riegel Building. Free.

Trunk or Treat, 5:30 to 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 305 W. Seventh St. Free.

Thursday, Oct. 30 Sternberg Museum: Monster Mash, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.,&nbsp;3000 Sternberg Drive. $10 general admission, $8 for members, and children 2 and younger are free.

Friday, Oct. 31 Trick or Treat on the Bricks, 3 to 5 p.m., Main Street. Free.

Trick or Treating at The Northridge Plaza, 3 to 5 p.m., North Ridge Plaza.

Trick or Treat on the Bricks at Hays Public Library, 3 to 5 p.m.,&nbsp;1205 Main St.

Trick-R-Treating at Big Creek Crossing, 3 to 5 p.m., 2918 Vine St.&nbsp;

Trick or Treat at Centennial Towers, 3 to 7 p.m., 2502 Sherman Ave.

Trunk or Treat at North Oak Community Church, 5:30 to 7 p.m., 3000 Oak St.

Paisley Pear hosts: Dancin' Stew, 8 to 10 p.m.,&nbsp;1100 Main St.

Halloween events in Hays, starting tonight

Submit your fall harvest photo until Oct 29th at 11:59pm. The photo with the most votes will win their choice of Asgrow Soybeans, or DeKalb Corn seed! Voting takes place Oct 30th-Nov 5th!

Midland Marketing Farmers of Fall 2025

The deadline for letters to the editor about the upcoming local elections on Nov. 4 will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Letters can be sent to hayspost@eaglemedia.com. All letters must be typed and signed.

Letters must pertain&nbsp;to&nbsp;a local&nbsp;topic and be written by someone from&nbsp;the&nbsp;Hays&nbsp;Media Center&nbsp;coverage area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Hays Post reserves&nbsp;the&nbsp;right&nbsp;to&nbsp;reject&nbsp;letters.&nbsp;

Election letter to the editor deadline

Annual Turkey Shoot at New Almelo on Nov. 9; pre-shoot on Nov. 2

October 30 is a fifth Thursday of the month; therefore, there won't be a Hays City Commission work session that day.&nbsp;

No Hays City Commission work session Thursday

KANSAS CITY—Authorities investigating the death of an inmate in Jackson County, Missouri have released his name.&nbsp;

On October 21, the Sheriff’s Office was notified that 44-year-old Billy Joe Hercules, who had been transported to a local hospital on October 19, had died, according to a statement from Sheriff Daryl Forte'. Hercules is from Independence, Missouri.

Preliminary findings continue to indicate that no physical interaction occurred between Hercules and corrections officers prior to his death.

The cause and manner of death remain under investigation by the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office, which has not yet issued its official report. Hercules was being held for the Johnson County Kansas sheriff's office, according to online jail records. Authorities releas

Sheriff: Investigation on cause of death of inmate continues 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump's comments Thursday suggesting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-nuclear-weapons-testing-7a4626d2f9f8df62aa250b2acded51fd">the United States will restart its testing of nuclear weapons</a>&nbsp;upends decades of American policy in regards to the bomb, but come as Washington's rivals have been conducting their own atomic tests and expanding their arsenals.

Nuclear weapons policy, once thought to be a relic of the Cold War, increasingly has come to the fore as Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-nato-moscow-b7696dca6ca1d517f59179f981a57c56">has made repeated atomic threats</a>&nbsp;to both the U.S. and Europe during its war on Ukraine. Moscow also acknowledged this week testing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-missile-nuclear-test-launch-drills-burevestnik-dd6a424d6c545ad42848416b77e93619">a nuclear-powered-and-capable cruise missile</a>&nbsp;called the Burevestnik, code-named Skyfall by NATO,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-nuclear-poseidon-drone-burevestnik-missile-6c0d55d4d1a56e60ce750f8abe5eccab">and a nuclear-armed underwater drone</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-europe-business-science-china-79388639f73d8c8835001982bcb016d6">China is building more ground-based nuclear missile silos.</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, North Korea just unveiled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-kim-jong-un-8a6b9f3498d50effe3f72969bfe9c842">a new intercontinental ballistic missile it plans to test,</a>&nbsp;part of a nuclear-capable arsenal likely able to reach the continental U.S.

The threat is starting to bleed into popular culture as well, most recently with director&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/movies-general-news-arts-and-entertainment-d87d1268a80544949b28980107956b40">Kathryn Bigelow</a>&nbsp;'s new film&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-of-dynamite-movie-kathryn-bigelow-interview-e0dff7fbedd3f5076d975762e608e50c">“A House of Dynamite.”</a>

But what does Trump's announcement mean and how would it affect what's happening now with nuclear tensions? Here's what to know.

Trump’s remarks came before meeting with China’s Xi

Trump’s comments came in a post on his Truth Social website just before meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In it, Trump noted other countries testing weapons and wrote: “I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”

The president’s post raised immediate questions. America’s nuclear arsenal is maintained by the Energy Department and the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semiautonomous agency within it — not the Defense Department. The Energy Department has overseen testing of nuclear weapons since its creation in 1977. Two other agencies before it — not the Defense Department — conducted tests.

Trump also claimed the U.S. “has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country.” Russia is believed to have 5,580 nuclear warheads, according to the Washington-based Arms Control Association, while the U.S. has 5,225. Those figures include so-called “retired” warheads waiting to be dismantled.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute further breaks the warhead total down, with the U.S. having 1,770 deployed warheads with 2,591 in reserve. Russia has 1,718 deployed warheads and 1,930 in reserve.

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