By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

After 34 years of protecting highways and helping save lives, Kansas Highway Patrol Captain Travis Phillips turned in his badge Thursday.

"I don't know any other career in the world that gives a person the power to make a difference in somebody's life, no matter how significant or insignificant that might be," Phillips said.

Phillips was born in Nebraska but raised in Ellis, where he graduated from Ellis High School in 1986. He later earned a criminal justice degree from Fort Hays State University in 1994.

Phillips said he was inspired by a trooper who visited his school regularly as a child and later by KHP&nbsp;Trooper Kennith McGlasson, whom he often saw during his high school years.

"I would see him at Ellis once in a while at fuel stops. When I saw his blue and gray patrol car parked at the convenience store, I'd always stop and fuel my pickup just for a chance to talk to him," Phillips said. "He always gave me the time of day, and it planted a seed with me."

He began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Hays Police Department&nbsp;before quickly making his way to the KHP in 1994. Phillips rose through the ranks of the KHP, serving as sergeant, master trooper, lieutenant and eventually captain six years ago.

"If you care and you show up, you're going to be successful in law enforcement," he said.&nbsp;

Throughout his career, Phillips faced several defining moments, including being pinned down by a gunman in Wallace County, stopping a wrong-way felon with a tactical vehicle maneuver and rescuing dozens of people during dust storms and blizzards.

Most recently, he was honored for his response to a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8ca4c0a7-0dc0-4dd3-8b6e-833e1efc6754">major multi-vehicle crash on March 13 on Interstate 70 in Sherman County</a>.

Phillips has saved lives in dangerous situations and supported former offenders he once had to remove from the streets.

"Sometimes you get a call from somebody that you arrested for DUI and they thank you for how you treated them, for helping them get sober," he said.

Phillips said one of the most significant challenges in his law enforcement career is maintaining morale in the face of national scrutiny. However, he recognizes the strong support he has received from the local community.

Phillips said support from organizations like the <a href="https://www.1033foundation.org/">10-33 Foundation</a>, a nonprofit offering mental health crisis intervention for first responders and their families, helped sustain him throughout his career up to his decision to retire.

"We all carry a [hypothetical] backpack out here, and every once in a while, your backpack gets full, and that's why we have peer support and mental health services available to help unpack our backpack," he said.

Phillips hopes to remain in law enforcement in a smaller and community-focused role. He is the father of two daughters and grandfather to three.

Phillips said he is grateful to his wife, who often left meals in the microwave when Phillips could not make it home for dinner, and to the fellow troopers he served alongside throughout his career.

"I got a blood family and I got a blue family," he said. "I want to thank my blue family for doing the job. Make me proud."

Phillips advises new troopers joining the force to prioritize faith, family and their work in that order.

Kansas Highway Patrol Captain retires after three decades on the road

A&amp;W of Ellis is ready to sweeten your day! Celebrate National
Root Beer Float Day on August 6th with a Free Small root beer float from 2 to 8
PM. Indulge in their creamy, homemade root beer, with delicious vanilla Ice
cream! It's the perfect way to cool off and enjoy a summer treat with friends
and family.

So mark your calendar and bring everyone along for a float-tastic
time. For more details, follow A&amp;W of Ellis on Facebook. National Root Beer
Float day is August 6th from 2-8 only at A&amp;W of Ellis.

A&W Float-Tastic Sweepstakes!

 3rd-annual women's self-defense workshop set in Hays

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) invites the public to join its staff for a free, family-friendly meteor shower watch party on Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

This annual event celebrates the end of summer as the Earth passes through the dust and debris of the Swift-Tuttle comet, creating a spectacular display of meteors or “shooting stars” in the night sky. This year, our event will coincide with peak viewing dates, and stargazers may be able to spot 60-100 meteors per hour.

Located northeast of Great Bend on K-156 Highway, the KWEC offers an ideal location for comfortable sky-watching. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to relax on the KWEC lawn while enjoying the celestial show.

In addition to meteor watching, the evening will feature s’mores making and eating, and several space-themed learning stations inside the KWEC. Activities include a magnetic meteor hunt, spectroscope building, a space lander challenge, an asteroid belt art project, and using a blender bike to make galaxy smoothies. Planetarium shows will be offered in the inflatable planetarium, and we will have real meteorites on loan from the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

The event will proceed rain or shine, but clear skies are necessary for optimal meteor shower viewing.

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center, affiliated with FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend along Kansas Highway 156 at Cheyenne Bottoms, 592 NE K-156 Hwy., Great Bend.

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqiohrCVEzT-2Bu22yVklcaqOvmZGt05-2BeOL3r-2Flc3NH2OV__SK_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfO9ovZePPueXoOYjqeKnABTqUprH1DWoHlNK6oTYNLIL3frrCD5Zg5SitaprItwmilgdkg5kTH2cnJHgTyIuGyaV55gXhnyd-2FCFT3UrSdSD-2FcMxcM2kdsRqnH-2BkYbAmtZFiEJ6vonVmM14WEb2q9YBjTV4-2F7BYHmfKaFspyhE1VKi04Pm3qE62wIGxnR71QrpNrNgwI0flpx9OW6CuX7sLAbSEkWvVzUzZLE1VJ8uFAGyAGE-2FgTubSuTlgLxMGVnTr">wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call 1-877-243-9268.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center hosts Perseid meteor shower watch party

Kansas Interscholastic Cycling League mountain bike racing team forming in Hays

<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

By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University&nbsp;

I love it when young alumni remind us why we do what we do—why we teach, mentor, and build programs that stretch beyond the classroom. Kiley Whipple is one of those students. A recent graduate of Fort Hays State University, Kiley embodies the spirit of a Tiger: bold, compassionate, and committed to making a difference.

Originally from Ingalls, Kansas, Kiley graduated this spring with a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning dual degrees in Agricultural Education and Secondary Education. Her academic excellence is matched only by her dedication to service and leadership. From her work as a VIP Ambassador to her role in the registrar’s office, Kiley has left her mark on nearly every corner of our campus. And now, she’s blazing a new trail—one that connects agriculture, education, and community in a way that’s never been done before at FHSU.

This summer, Kiley took on a pioneering role as the lead organizer and educator for the first-ever FHSU Farm to Plate summer camps, a collaboration between our Department of Agriculture and the Sternberg Museum Science Camps. These camps, designed for children ages 6 to 11, offered an immersive week-long experience in agriculture, food science, and sustainability. From soil health and gardening to animal science and nutrition, the camps answered one simple but profound question: Where does our food come from?

Kiley’s leadership was instrumental in transforming this idea into reality. Selected as a local food fellow through the K-State Extension Farm to Plate initiative, she spent four weeks preparing the camp curriculum and logistics, followed by two weeks of hands-on camp instruction. Her vision was clear: to give children meaningful, tactile experiences that would spark curiosity and foster a lifelong appreciation for agriculture.

“The summer camps were really successful,” Kiley shared. “We wanted to make sure the kids had as much hands-on experience as we could get in the week they were here with us.”

And hands-on they were! Campers interacted with live animals, including pigs, goats, calves, and sheep. They fed a bottle calf brought in by Kiley’s own family, explored gardening techniques, and learned about production agriculture. They even climbed aboard a combine brought by Carrico Implement. Community partners like Harvest Hays and Midland Marketing provided engaging presentations and activities that brought the food system to life.

Kiley’s humility and gratitude shine through when she talks about the people who helped make the camps a success. She credits Dr. Sophie Ano, chair of the FHSU Agriculture&nbsp;Department, and Polly Pfeifer, the department’s administrative assistant, for their tireless coordination and support. She also praises Gene Hanson, Mark Weve, and the entire University Farm team for their readiness to jump in and assist wherever needed.

“There are so many people I need to thank,” Kiley said. “It was a real community effort.”

That phrase—community effort—is at the heart of everything Kiley does. Whether she’s mentoring young students, collaborating with local organizations, or preparing to teach agriculture and advise FFA at WaKeeney High School this fall, Kiley brings people together. She builds bridges between generations, between communities, and between education and real-world experience.

Kiley’s work with Harvest Hays this summer is another example of her heart for service. This social enterprise, run by The Arc of Central Plains, empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through high tunnel farming.

As she begins her new teaching role in WaKeeney, Kiley will also be pursuing her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction right here at FHSU. Her commitment to lifelong learning and educational excellence is a testament to the values we hold dear at Fort Hays State.

I am incredibly proud of Kiley and the legacy she is building. Her story reminds us that education is not confined to textbooks or lecture halls—it lives in the soil, in the barn, in the conversations between a child and a farmer. It thrives when we connect knowledge with action, and when we empower students to lead with heart.

Become Miller Lite UTV giveaway finalist today at Discount Smokes in Hays!

PHILLIPS COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before noon Thursday in Phillips County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Honda passenger vehicle driven by Patricia A. Stear, 72, Lincoln, Nebraska, was westbound on U.S. 36 before making a left turn, south onto U.S. 183. 

While making the turn, the Honda struck the passenger side of an eastbound a 2023 Chevy SUV driven by Matthew W. Haack, 40, Smith Center, who was unable to clear the eastbound lane before the crash.

EMS transported Stear and a passenger Sarah&nbsp; Fuenning, 30, Lincoln, Nebraska, to the Phillips County Hospital. Haack and five passengers in the SUV were not injured. All were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2 hospitalized after 2-vehicle NW Kansas crash

OVERLAND PARK – With the intention of elevating Kansas as a destination for trails&nbsp;and outdoor connection, Kansas Trails, Inc. (KTI), has launched as the first statewide&nbsp;nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and empowering the vibrant&nbsp;trail community across the state.

Ellis County trails include Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trail at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays, and the Ellis Schoenthaler Memorial Walking Trail.

Designed to serve every trail organization, city, steward, and volunteer in Kansas, KTI aims&nbsp;to provide trail maps, expert resources, technical assistance, advocacy and support to help&nbsp;ensure Kansas trails are accessible, sustainable and thriving both now and for future&nbsp;generations.

“Kansas Trails, Inc., is here to empower everyone who loves, builds, and maintains trails,”&nbsp;said Mike Scanlon, KTI Executive Director. “We commit ourselves to developing and&nbsp;supporting trail systems that enrich public health, fuel local economies, and preserve the&nbsp;natural and cultural heritage of this state.”

As a central hub for trail enthusiasts, KTI offers an array of services and resources,&nbsp;including:

• Interactive maps to help Kansans discover trails (See KTI’s Kansas trail map);

• technical assistance and resources for communities and organizations to plan,&nbsp;design and construct sustainable trails;

• promotional assistance to help spread the word about trail events across the state&nbsp;and inspire more people to explore and take advantage of the benefits of connecting&nbsp;with the outdoors;

• networking and membership opportunities to help build and foster a statewide&nbsp;community of trail advocates (Become a member);

• advocacy and support to ensure Kansas trails are accessible, sustainable, and wellmaintained.

As part of its mission to connect and empower trail users, builders and communities, KTI&nbsp;recently launched its Trail.Talk.Tuesday free webinar series. The hour-long webinars, which&nbsp;started July 8, are scheduled for noon on the second Tuesday of each month through&nbsp;January 2026.

With topics ranging from planning, building and maintaining trails, to&nbsp;exploring and celebrating Kansas’ thriving trail network, the series has something for&nbsp;everyone who has a passion for trails. Register here for the next session on Aug. 12.

KTI also works in close partnership with state and local agencies to underscore the&nbsp;importance of trails in boosting outdoor recreation, rural revitalization, tourism, and&nbsp;community well-being.

“In every trail we support, every community we empower, and every mile we map, we carry&nbsp;forward the belief that Kansas belongs to all who walk it – now and for generations to&nbsp;come,” Scanlon said.

Born from a virtual roundtable of local leaders, nonprofits, and state agencies, KTI grew into&nbsp;a grassroots coalition. With startup funding from Sunflower Foundation, a statewide health&nbsp;philanthropy serving all of Kansas, KTI became an established nonprofit and was granted&nbsp;501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

The organization is governed by a board of directors consisting of dedicated trail advocates,&nbsp;community leaders and outdoor enthusiasts from across Kansas.

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

Kansas Trails, Inc., is a statewide nonprofit organization created to serve as a unified voice for Kansas trails, providing communities and volunteers with comprehensive trail support and membership opportunities to foster a strong, connected trail network across the state.

Two Ellis County locations included in new trails organization

WILSON&nbsp;STATE PARK — Lovegrass Music Festival FAQ and festival information. Please read!

Every motorized vehicle that enters Wilson State Park needs a daily vehicle permit ($5 per day). That can be obtained at the Park office, at the entrance of the park. The office closes at 6:00 p.m. -&nbsp; if you arrive later, please purchase a day pass at the self-pay station. You can pick up the pass in advance at any state park, or online.&nbsp;

Parking is extremely limited near the festival grounds so please carpool, walk, or bike to the festival area!&nbsp; Parking areas will be marked and staff will assist you to Day Parking. It is essential you do not obstruct the flow of traffic and be COMPLETELY pulled off of the pavement if you do park.&nbsp; Parking is permitted on any areas of grass that have been mowed.&nbsp; Please plan to walk a distance, as there is no parking directly on the festival grounds, except handicapped parking.&nbsp; Please have your handicap placard displayed for parking attendants to recognize and direct you accordingly.

Day Parking will not be allowed in the Buffalograss or Big Bluestem areas, as these are reserved for those who are camping in these areas.&nbsp; You will not be allowed in these areas without a Campground Vehicle Permit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Everyone must enter and exit through the designated gate.&nbsp; Please stay out of areas fenced off in orange.&nbsp; We will have an increased presence of staff and security placed throughout the festival grounds, in CREW shirts to assist if you have questions or concerns.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you are planning on bringing a new canopy, grill, or other apparatus, please leave the box at home or pack it back in the box to return home. The park dumpsters fill quickly, so please try to keep litter to a minimum.&nbsp; Kans for Kids, a fundraiser for childhood cancer, will have aluminum can recycling containers around the festival grounds.&nbsp; Please no glass or breakable containers in the festival grounds or near the water.&nbsp; Let’s all do our part to keep the park beautiful.&nbsp;

You may bring food and beverages into the festival area.&nbsp; Please no large coolers, as space is limited. We ask that you refrain from single-use plastic water bottles to minimize trash and promote sustainability.&nbsp; A filtered water station will be available to refill water bottles near the activity tent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Food vendors will be available on the festival grounds on Friday and Saturday.&nbsp; The nearby marina offers snacks, beverages, and grocery items as does Knothead’s Baitshop, located just outside the park.&nbsp; Dining and grocery options can also be found in the nearby towns of Lucas, Wilson, and Dorrance.

Limited Lovegrass Festival merchandise will be available on-site for sale each evening from 5-11 p.m. (We accept Cash, Venmo and PayPal.&nbsp; We can also accept GooglePay, ApplePay, and Credit Cards ONLY if you have a smartphone to scan a QR code for checkout). &nbsp; We will also be hosting a 50/50 raffle which is CASH ONLY, so please plan accordingly, and GOOD LUCK!

Pets are NOT allowed in the festival area.&nbsp; Unless your animal meets the ADA definition of a SERVICE ANIMAL, do not bring them onto the festival grounds.&nbsp; Under Title II and Title III of the ADA, a service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pets are allowed in the other areas of Wilson State Park, but must be restrained by a camper, kennel, hand-held leash, or tether, no more than 10 feet in length.&nbsp;

Thank you in advance for reviewing all of the Wilson State Park and Lovegrass Music Festival Association rules and regulations on our website at <a target="_blank" href="https://lovegrassmusicfestival.com/so/4ePXDgVK7/c?w=PCAGl9XBnKQfWUr97REj0YeND1_GTkZ_uSq9LguzdvE.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5sb3ZlZ3Jhc3NtdXNpY2Zlc3RpdmFsLmNvbSIsInIiOiIxMzM2N2I4NS0yNTQ2LTRkOTAtODM2NS05OWEyMzEzMWY5ODMiLCJtIjoibWFpbCIsImMiOiIwYjg3MTdiNC1kNWZlLTQzZjQtOWI4Ni1hODQzMDBiNDNlNGUifQ">www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com</a>/experience before attending. Be sure and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lovegrassmusicfestival">Facebook</a> for updates as the festival nears.

<a href="https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/register?utm_campaign=ed61931f-08e9-4fd0-8ff4-79d4c445824e&amp;utm_source=so&amp;utm_medium=mail&amp;cid=0b8717b4-d5fe-43f4-9b86-a84300b43e4e">Register here for tickets</a>.&nbsp;

Information for Lovegrass Music Festival Aug. 7-9 at Wilson State Park

&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

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

ELLSWORTH – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host a free four-hour public tour of a wild horse off-range pasture in Ellsworth, Saturday, August 9.

The purpose of the tour is to allow public access to the private facility and learn more about BLM’s wild horse and burro management responsibilities. 

Tour attendees will have the opportunity to view more than 220 horses roaming approximately 1,700 acres of grassland in central Kansas. These animals were gathered from overpopulated herds on western public rangelands as part of BLM’s mission to protect and manage America’s wild horse and burro herds. 

The off-range pasture, known as Svaty Ranch, is a private ranch under contract with the government to feed and care for federally protected wild horses in a natural free-roaming environment. 

No registration is needed, and parking is available on site. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Cameras and video recorders are welcomed and encouraged. Other personal items may also be brought along, including non-alcoholic drinks in sealable containers. Attendees are advised to dress appropriately for the summer season. Restrooms will be available.

Event Details Tour time: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Address and directions: Svaty Ranch, 1016 Avenue J, Ellsworth, KS 67439. From I-70 proceed south on Highway 14 into and through the town of Ellsworth (main street), cross the river bridge and take an immediate right onto Avenue K. Take Avenue K and proceed west for 3 miles, at the "T" intersection stay right at the intersection and go 1/2-mile north, bear left for 3/4 of a mile. Then, the corrals are on the left at 1016 Avenue J.

The BLM manages and protects wild horses and burros across 175 herd management areas spanning 25.5 million acres in 10 western states, aiming to maintain healthy herds and rangelands. With few natural predators, herds can double in size every four to five years, leading to overpopulation that threatens the land, wildlife and other authorized uses. 

As of March 2025, the on-range population was estimated at 73,130, far exceeding the appropriate management level of 25,556. To achieve balance on the range, BLM gathers and removes excess animals, placing many into private care through adoption or sale, while unadopted animals are provided space on contracted pastures like the Svaty Ranch for long-term care. Approximately 62,853 animals are in off-range corrals and pastures as of June 2025. 

For more information, please contact the Wild Horse and Burro Program National Information Center at 866-468-7826 or email wildhorse@blm.gov.&nbsp;

Free tour of wild horse off-range pasture in Ellsworth offered by Bureau of Land Management

Fort Hays State University Sigma Chi's first annual Back to School Bash on Thursday, Aug. 21,&nbsp; features an outdoor concert with Logan Mize as the headliner. 

The concert starts at 6 p.m. in the FHSU quad, and will be open to students and the general public for a $5 admission charge per head. This concert will be a dry event.

For more information, contact Hunter at htaphorn24@gmail.com.

Logan Mize featured at FHSU Sigma Chi Back to School Bash on Aug. 21 

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the Russell County Rural Water District 3 public water supply system located in Russell County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on July 28 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. 

KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-653-2649, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:

<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F468%2FDisruption-in-Water-Service%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019852f13906-7103a035-e9e9-4412-a2b9-b37f6c5b5ce2-000000/B7Jukr0PIg60Xj1doyrzAzUe7uUS_PICua6dDa8wKXQ=415">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

Boil Water Advisory issued for Russell County Rural Water District 3

July 31, 2025 is a fifth Thursday; therefore, there won't be a Hays City Commission work session that day.&nbsp;

No Hays City Commission work session this week

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple possible charges after an incident at a Kansas City area home.

Just after 5a.m. Thursday, the&nbsp;Lake Lotawana, Missouri Police Department was dispatched to the 9500 block of S. Main Entrance Drive regarding an armed disturbance, according to a statement from the Jackson County Sheriff's office.

Upon arrival, officers spoke to an Uber driver who indicated he was called to the residence to pick up a woman and a male inside the residence was armed and would not let her leave.

Officers attempted to contact the residents, but after being unsuccessful, they requested assistance from Jackson County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office. Jackson County Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence, and after announcements from the Emergency Response Team, the suspect surrendered without incident and was taken into custody. The woman was treated by EMS at the scene.

"This serves as a strong reminder of the importance of the ‘see something, say something’ principle,” said Sheriff Forté. “In this instance, we are grateful that the Uber driver was alert and observant, recognizing that something was amiss and promptly contacting law enforcement.

Thanks to their vigilance and the swift response of our team, the suspect was safely taken into custody.”

The name of the suspect is currently being withheld pending possible charges. Lake Lotawana is a city in Jackson County located 35 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City.

Alert Uber driver's report helps save KC woman from violence

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a violent knife attack and looking for a suspect.

Just after 1:30p.m. Thursday the Shawnee Police Department responded to a physical disturbance in the 10900 block of W. 75th Street in the city of Shawnee, according to a media release. A male suspect stabbed a victim inside a local business.

The male victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect then ran south from the scene. He is described as a white male with long black hair, wearing a black shirt, black shorts or pants, and black shoes.

Officers were searching for the suspect near 79th and Nieman. Call 911 if you see anyone matching the suspect’s description. Do not approach him. If you recognize the suspect, please contact the Shawnee Police Department at 913-631-2150 or call 911. 

Police ask for help to find Kansas knife attack suspect

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump on Thursday</a>&nbsp;reestablished the Presidential Fitness Test for American children, a fixture of public schools for decades that gauged young people's health and athleticism with 1-mile runs, sit-ups and stretching exercises.

Click below to watch President Trump comment on Chiefs' kicker Harrison Butker.

This is a wonderful tradition, and we're bringing it back,” Trump said of the fitness test that began in 1966 but was phased out during the Obama administration.

An executive order he signed Thursday also reinvigorates a national sports council that the president stocked with former and current athletes and other figures from the sports world. Several prominent athletes joined Trump and top administration officials, including allies such as friend and pro golfer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-turnberry-dechambeau-british-open-312c12266062ffe863566c10e9049dff">Bryson DeChambeau</a>; and others who've attracted controversy such as former New York Giants linebacker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawrence-taylor-nfl-charged-florida-152a808ded5b29e5ea71b6110bd5209d">Lawrence Taylor</a>, a registered sex offender.

It's the latest athletics-related push from Trump, an avid golfer who remains enthralled with the world of sports. He played baseball in high school and plays golf almost every weekend. Much of the domestic travel he has done this year that is not related to weekend golf games at his clubs in Florida, New Jersey and Virginia was built around attending sporting events, including the Super Bowl, Daytona 500 and UFC matches.

“I was always a person that loved playing sports. I was good at sports,” Trump said. “When you are really focused on sports, you’ve thought about nothing else. To an extent, this is one of the reasons I like golf. You get away for a couple of hours.”

The announcement also came as Trump readies the United States to host the 2025 Ryder Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup games and the 2028 Summer Olympics. He also signed a different executive order earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-name-image-likeness-order-standards-ncaa-fc81ce9ab3813e02b763494223930a93">mandating that federal authorities clarify</a>&nbsp;whether college athletes can be considered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-lawsuit-settlement-c5e0cea45fd210cc935cff992ab16f25">employees of the schools</a>&nbsp;they play for.

Trump on Thursday said the council, known formally as the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, will also deal with various issues on college athletics, such as the transfer portal that has more easily allowed athletes to switch from school to school. The council, which will have up to 30 members, will also develop criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award. The fitness test will be administered by his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In the test, children had to run and perform situps, pullups or pushups and a sit-and-reach test, but the program changed in 2012. It evolved into the Youth Fitness Program, which the government said “moved away from recognizing athletic performance to providing a barometer on student’s health.” Then-first lady Michelle Obama also promoted her “Let's Move” initiative focused on reducing childhood obesity through diet and exercise.

The Youth Fitness Test, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://odphp.health.gov/pcsfn/programs-awards/presidential-youth-fitness-program">Health and Human Services Department website</a>&nbsp;last updated in 2023 but still online Thursday, “minimizes comparisons between children and instead supports students as they pursue personal fitness goals for lifelong health.”

Among those who joined Trump on Thursday, in addition to DeChambeau and Taylor, were Kansas City Chiefs kicker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-butker-6b308c23c218a10201a3c3bafa2aaca1">Harrison Butker</a>; Swedish golfer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-golf-gary-player-kayleigh-mcenany-8353c96f50a00ecf4c868c3c9e1a3992">Annika Sorenstam</a>; and WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, the son-in-law of Trump's education secretary, Linda McMahon.

Taylor, who has appeared on stage with Trump at campaign rallies,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-sports-entertainment-lawrence-taylor-arrests-c132f6917890586f7eeb490430a08f49">pleaded guilty in New York in 2011</a>&nbsp;to misdemeanor criminal charges of sexual misconduct. He was sentenced to six years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender. He was arrested in 2021 in Broward County, Florida, and charged with failing to report a change of residence as a sex offender. He later pleaded no contest to an amended charge, was ordered to pay $261 in court fees, and the case was closed, court records show.

“I’m just proud to be on this team,” Taylor said as he briefly took the microphone at the signing. “I don’t know why, I don’t know what we’re supposed to be doing, but I’m here to serve. And I’m here to serve you.”

The NFL distanced itself from comments Butker made last year during a commencement address at a Kansas college, when he said most of the women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having children than entering the workforce and that some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.” Butker also assailed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pride-parade-protest-lgbtq-nyc-6afa739efa2f66d750175b3db77516fc">Pride Month</a>&nbsp;and railed against Democratic President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion.

Butker later formed a political action committee designed to encourage Christians to vote for what the PAC describes as “traditional values.”

Sorenstam faced backlash for accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump on Jan. 7, 2021, the day after rioters spurred by Trump's false claims about his election loss to Biden stormed the Capitol in Washington.

Other well-known figures in athletics are on the council but did not attend the event Thursday. They include retired golfers Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League.

The return of the exam brought mixed reactions from some who study exercise.

Trump is putting a welcome focus on physical activity, but a test alone won’t make America’s children healthier, said Laura Richardson, a kinesiology professor at the University of Michigan. The exam is only a starting point that should be paired with lessons to help all students improve, she said.

“It’s not just, you get a score and you’re doomed,” said Richardson, whose teaching focuses on obesity. “But you get a score, and we can figure out a program that really helps the improvement.”

Associated Press writers Jeff Martin in Atlanta, Collin Binkley in Washington and John Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, contributed to this report.

🎥 President Trump compliments Chiefs' Butker during  White House event

KANSAS CITY—A driver injured in a crash that occurred July 10 in Kansas City has died.

A Subaru Forrester was northbound on Eastern Avenue and entered the intersection at Blue Ridge Boulevard from a stop sign and struck a southbound Dodge Dakota, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

The impact caused the Dodge to rotate, striking the curb and a metal light pole before overturning.&nbsp;The front seat passenger of the Dodge was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries and was pronounced deceased on Thursday afternoon, according to DiMartino.

The driver and rear seat juvenile passenger of the Subaru were uninjured in the collision.&nbsp; The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the names of the victims.

Driver dies 3 weeks after pickup, SUV crash in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City woman has been charged in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred earlier this year.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2678/Anderson-Caitlin---Warrant-Packet-redacted">Caitlin L. Anderson</a>, 32,&nbsp;faces one count of 1st Degree Involuntary Manslaughter, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2679/Anderson-Caitlin---Probable-Cause_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to a residence in south Kansas City on Feb. 21 on a medical call. Upon arrival, they located the victim deceased. A later autopsy determined the cause of death was combined fentanyl and ethanol use.&nbsp;

Detectives recovered the victim’s cell phone and text messages between Anderson and the victim discussing drug sales. The victim had purchased fentanyl from Anderson two weeks before his death and overdosed. The victim purchased fentanyl from Anderson again on Feb. 21 and overdosed shortly after their meeting.&nbsp;

In a text message to the victim, just two and a half hours before he was declared deceased, Anderson asked him to delete their conversation.&nbsp;

During an interview with detectives, Anderson admitted to selling the victim the fentanyl on both occasions.&nbsp; She is being held on a $100,000 cash bond.

KC fentanyl dealer tried to hide text message before deadly overdose

SEDGWICK COUNTY –&nbsp;Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred late Wednesday night at the Longbranch Mobile Home Park near Derby.

At 11:32 p.m., Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from 49-year-old Sharmaine Marlene Burke, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. Burke reported that her son-in-law, 29-year-old Stephen J. Rogers of Wichita, was drunk and had threatened to shoot her. She also stated that her eight-year-old grandson, Rogers’ son, was inside the home at the time.

The 911 call-taker stayed on the line as deputies responded. A few minutes into the call, gunshots were heard, and the line went silent.

Deputies arrived at 11:41 p.m. and found Burke with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. Deputies and Sedgwick County EMS attempted life-saving measures, but Burke succumbed to her injuries at 11:57 p.m.

Rogers and his son were not at the scene when deputies arrived. An immediate search for both the suspect and the child began. Deputies obtained critical information, including a description of Rogers’ vehicle, and shared it with surrounding law enforcement agencies.

At 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, FLOCK camera technology detected Rogers’ vehicle in Augusta. Butler County law enforcement quickly located and stopped the vehicle on U.S. Highway 54 near Haverhill Road. Rogers was arrested and the child was found unharmed inside the vehicle.

Rogers was taken to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigations Division, and he has since been booked into jail on requested charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child endangerment.

Deputies and investigators provided immediate resources to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing.

The Sheriff’s Office coordinated with multiple agencies during the investigation. Quick action and cooperation allowed law enforcement to safely locate the child and apprehend the suspect.

As part of the investigation, it was determined that an Amber Alert was not necessary because investigators obtained real-time intelligence on the suspect’s vehicle and used FLOCK technology to track it. Issuing an Amber Alert could have alerted the suspect, increasing the risk to the child and complicating the search.

 The process for issuing an alert also involves the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the timeline indicates the alert would have been issued only after the suspect and child were located.

8-year-old Kan. boy found safe after his grandmother is killed

Washington, D.C.&nbsp;— For 150 years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed. 

President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people.

The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance. 

The White House State Ballroom will be a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately 90,000 total square feet of innately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of 650 people — a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House.

In recent weeks, President Trump has held several meetings with members of the White House Staff, the National Park Service, the White House Military Office, and the United States Secret Service to discuss design features and planning.&nbsp;President Trump has chosen McCrery Architects as lead architect, which is well-known for their classical architectural design and based in our nation’s capital. 

CEO Jim McCrery said: “Presidents in the modern era have faced challenges hosting major events at the White House because it has been untouched since President Harry Truman. I am honored that President Trump has entrusted me to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The People’s House, while preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance.”

The construction team will be headed by Clark Construction, and the engineering team will be led by AECOM.&nbsp;The project will begin in September 2025, and it is expected to be completed long before the end of President Trump’s term.&nbsp;

President Trump, and other patriot donors, have generously committed to donating the funds necessary to build this approximately $200 million dollar structure. The United States Secret Service will provide the necessary security enhancements and modifications.&nbsp;

The White House Ballroom will be substantially separated from the main building of the White House, but at the same time, it’s theme and architectural heritage will be almost identical. The site of the new ballroom will be where the small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits. 

The East Wing was constructed in 1902 and has been renovated and changed many times, with a second story added in 1942.

&nbsp;The White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said the following: “President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail. The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserving the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future Administrations and generations of Americans to come.”&nbsp;

See images of White House plans for new $200M ballroom

By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation Writer

Long-standing concerns about military helicopters flying in crowded airspace and worries over short staffing among federal aviation workers emerged Thursday as key factors in investigators' inquiry into the fatal midair crash between an Army helicopter and a commercial airliner earlier this year.

During the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midair-collision-ntsb-washington-dc-army-helicopter-40f94a495e2e60b9adc5b9a49cce6437">second of three days of witness testimony and public inquiry</a>&nbsp;by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-american-airlines-helicopter-ntsb-b78bce07efa055aa6f9c04e580ffe24e">National Transportation Safety Board</a>&nbsp;into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b#:~:text=a%20military%20helicopter.-,ARLINGTON%2C%20Va.,in%20almost%20a%20quarter%20century.">January midair crash</a>&nbsp;over the Potomac River, the board focused on air traffic control.

The NTSB heard Thursday that it was common for pilots to ask to use visual separation — basically relying on their eyesight — just as the Army Black Hawk’s pilot agreed to do the night of the crash. FAA officials also said controllers relied heavily on pilots using visual separation as a way to manage the complex airspace with so many helicopters flying around Washington D.C.

But Rick Dressler, an official with medevac operator Metro Aviation, told the board it is difficult to identify other aircraft in the night sky around Ronald Reagan National Airport, especially if an onboard locator system was switched off, as Army choppers routinely did.

Dressler said that he and other civilian helicopter pilots have long been concerned about military helicopters flying around Reagan airport.

“I don’t like saying this. I’ll say it again on the record," Dressler, a former Army aviator and retired Air Force officer, said. “I’m speaking for my group there. We we are all very uncomfortable when those two units are operating.”

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements