By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Workforce Committee discussed health needs for small businesses and the creation of a new Wellness Committee.

The task force, led by Sarah Wasinger, president and CEO of the Chamber in Hays, suggested the wellness committee should centralize local resources to promote workplace health.

Jay Harris, K-State Cottonwood Extension District, showed interest in the idea and requested to be a part of it.

"We could even offer some additional resources and training to help the employer pass on to the employee. I think the committee is a great idea," he said.

Other representatives in attendance, including RANS Aircraft, city of Hays and Fort Hays State University, shared what their businesses offered for wellness, ranging from premium discounts, creating company walking paths and covering gym memberships.

However, the task force also highlighted the challenges associated with these benefits, such as low engagement without greater incentives.

Shelly Schlitter with RANS Aircraft said employees never utilized a bike trail installed behind its factory, although its gym membership discounts for employees have seen success.

Wasinger also highlighted the current chamber health-related support for businesses, such as health insurance offered through Aetna, which helps chamber members save 2% on open market plans. An informational meeting on the plan is set for noon on Oct. 22 at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall.

The committee had a debrief of the Hays High School Career Cluster in September that featured manufacturing, distribution and welding. It was seen as a success.

Upcoming events on the committee agenda include High School Career Exploration Day on Oct. 29 at Hays High, open to students from surrounding high schools, and the next cluster meeting set for Oct. 15.

Ellis County Workforce Committee discusses health programs

LAWRENCE - Kelly Chrisman Jacques will be the next director of the University Press of Kansas, following an appointment by the UPK board of trustees, which is composed of provosts from each of the six Kansas Regents institutions.

As UPK’s current assistant director and managing editor, Chrisman Jacques brings more than 15 years of experience in scholarly publishing. She oversees daily on-site operations of the Press, including the production of multiple publications each year, and managing a team of fulltime staff, freelancers, interns and printing vendors. In 2023, she served as interim director of the Press.

“Kelly has been a cornerstone of the Press for many years, and her promotion to director is a reflection of her exceptional leadership, deep knowledge and unwavering commitment to the mission of the Press,” said Brent Thomas, chair of the UPK board of trustees and provost of Emporia State University. “We’re thrilled to welcome her into this new role and look forward to the continued impact she’ll make.”

Chrisman Jacques will succeed Tim Paulson, who has accepted the position of executive vice president and publisher of Andrews McMeel Publishing. His last day was Oct. 10.

"Over the past two years, Tim’s transformative leadership has driven innovation and placed the Press in stable financial footing amid the challenges of scholarly publishing,” Thomas said. “With her experience and understanding of the Press, Kelly is well positioned to continue the momentum of the current strategic direction.”

As the director, Chrisman Jacques will lead organizational decision-making, strategic development and public outreach for the Press.

She will continue to work closely with staff, editorial board members, authors, scholars and reviewers to acquire and publish scholarly and regional books. Among other responsibilities, Chrisman Jacques will also collaboratively develop strategies to build the publishing program of the Press and promote the Press to the faculty at consortium universities and other constituent groups.

“It is my honor to lead the dedicated team at the University Press of Kansas to serve our consortium, authors, Kansas, and beyond. As the Press heads into its 80th year of publishing excellence, we’re committed to publishing sound scholarship that makes an impact and eager to elevate voices from America’s Heartland via our new imprint, Plainspoken,” Chrisman Jacques said.

Chrisman Jacques first joined UPK in 2007 as a production assistant. She has held multiple leadership positions within the Press since then, including production editor and managing director, before assuming the roles of assistant director and managing editor.

Chrisman Jacques, a native of Winfield, earned her master’s degree in English from KU and her bachelor’s degree in English from Fort Hays State University.

About the University Press of Kansas

The University Press of Kansas was founded in 1946 and represents the six state universities in Kansas: Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University. The Press is located in KU’s West District and functionally operates as a department of KU, while being governed by the board of trustees.

FHSU graduate to serve as director for University Press of Kansas

NORTON COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Friday in Norton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Jonah M.&nbsp;Black, 20, Almena, was westbound on U.S. 36 three and one half miles west of U.S. 36. The driver attempted to turn southbound onto Norton County Upper Dam Road. The Dodge turned into path on an eastbound 2018 Toyota Rav4 driven by Jesse D.&nbsp;Rhee, 35, Phillipsburg. The impact caused the pickup to spin.

EMS transported Black, a passenger in the Dodge identified as Rylee J.&nbsp;Ankenman, 24, Norcatur and Rhee to the Norton County Hospital. The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

3 hospitalized in NW Kansas after SUV, pickup crash

Healthworks is pleased to announce the successful completion of the 24th Annual Health Care Scholarship Program. Healthworks partnered with the Kansas Hospital Human Resources Association and the Kansas Association of Health Care Executives to provide 26 scholarships totaling $36,000. Each application was considered by Healthworks’ Scholarship Review Committee according to established criterion. This year’s scholarships were awarded in the following categories: 

♦ Advanced Clinical Practice; ♦ Health Care Administration; ♦ Human Resources; ♦ Undergraduate Health Care; ♦ Undergraduate Nursing; and ♦ Future Faculty.

The following 26 individuals have been awarded a scholarship to assist in pursuing excellence in their health care career:

• Nora Bosse, Community Healthcare System, Inc. (Onaga), Undergraduate Health Care Category • Jayci Burgardt, Lindsborg Community Hospital (Lindsborg), Undergraduate Health Care Category • Stanton Custer, Minneola Healthcare (Minneola), Undergraduate Health Care Category • Alexandra Diskin, Labette Health (Parsons), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Brooklyn Gilchrist, Kiowa County Memorial Hospital (Greensburg), Undergraduate Health Care Category • Chelsa Goertzen, Stormont Vail Flint Hills Campus (Junction City), Health Care Administration Category • Reagan Goetz, Salina Regional Health Center (Salina), Undergraduate Health Care Category • Lisa Gordine, Salina Regional Health Center (Salina), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Christina Graham, Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital (Medicine Lodge), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Sarah Hardy, Ashland Health Center (Ashland), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Lauren Howerton, William Newton Hospital (Winfield), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Ayla Johnson, Clay County Medical Center (Clay Center), Human Resources Category • Jalin Johnson, Minneola Healthcare (Minneola), Health Care Administration Category • Mackenzie Lampe, Cheyenne County Hospital (Saint Francis), Undergraduate Health Care Category • Kimberleigh Lansdown, Greenwood County Hospital (Greenwood), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Alexandria Nickel, NMC Health (Newton), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Quinn Ottley, Logan County Health Services (Oakley), Advanced Clinical Practice Category • Bailee Rehmer, AmberMed Sheridan County Hospital (Hoxie), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Caitlin Schasteen, AdventHealth Ottawa (Ottawa), Future Faculty Category • Savannah Souder, The University of Kansas (Lawrence), Human Resources Category • Bethany Sowers, Kingman Healthcare Center (Kingman), Advanced Clinical Practice Category • Ella Sudbeck, Nemaha Valley Community Hospital (Seneca), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Heather Suther, Nemaha Valley Community Hospital (Seneca), Undergraduate Health Care Category • Jolene Wessel, Community Healthcare System, Inc. (Onaga), Undergraduate Nursing Category • Zane Wilson, LMH Health (Lawrence), Advanced Clinical Practice Category • Julia Zadina, HaysMed (Hays), Undergraduate Nursing Category

Congratulations to the recipients and their hospitals. More information on the Healthworks Scholarship Program is available at <a href="https://www.kha-net.org/aboutkha/healthworks/">www.HealthworksKHA.org</a>.

Established in 1969 by the Kansas Hospital Association and renamed in 2020, Healthworks’ mission is to facilitate collaboration and innovation to improve health. At Healthworks, we are health care delivery revolutionaries, using our time, energy and resources to spark action. We educate our partners, bring groups together, find funding and provide services that will change the health care delivery system for the bette

Scholarships Awarded from Kansas Health Care Organizations

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

In the past week, sorghum ergot has been detected in several locations in Kansas, primarily in forage sorghum fields, but also in grain sorghum. This is a relatively rare event, with notable prior occurrences in 1997 and 2017. Sorghum ergot in the U.S. is caused by the fungus Claviceps africana. Claviceps africana has been reported in Australia, Central America, North America, South America, and South Africa. Sorghum ergot is not the same pathogen that causes ergot in wheat (Claviceps purpurea).

Sorghum ergot development - this fungus, Claviceps africana, infects unfertilized sorghum ovaries, resulting in no development of grain. Pollen present at the same time as ergot inoculum usually prevents ergot infection because pollination occurs much more quickly. The absence of pollen in male-sterile sorghum forage fields makes them extremely susceptible to infection by C. africana when both the pathogen and a favorable environment/weather are present. Sorghum ergot can also be a problem if pollen is somehow absent or ineffective at the flowering stage. This can occur if the plants were subjected to cool, moist conditions prior to or during the flowering period. Anything that reduces pollination increases the potential for ergot infection.

Studies have shown a higher risk of sorghum ergot infection when minimum temperatures are ~53°F. Additionally, the chance of infection decreases when temperatures are above 75°F prior to flowering.

Symptoms and Dispersal - sorghum ergot is a grain replacement disease that creates two major problems.

· First, infection of non-pollinated ovaries precludes normal seed-set or development. Thus, infections are directly responsible for grain yield losses. · Secondly, seed developing adjacent to infected florets often become contaminated with sugary, sphacelia honeydew, which is a sweet, sticky, amber-colored fluid (Figure 1).

Ergot infection is easy to identify because of the abundance of honeydew that the fungus produces. Thick, sticky, ambered colored, syrup-like honeydew drips from the sorghum head to the leaves and to the ground, where it often dries in a white powdery like substance. The honeydew also sometimes appears as a dried brown to black colored mass in place of kernels in the sorghum head.

Is ergot in sorghum toxic to cattle and other livestock? We are not aware of any issues with toxicity in the past or present in the US caused by the ergot fungus Claviceps africana that infects sorghum. This includes forage fed as silage or hay. It is very important to note that this is not the same ergot fungus that infects wheat, rye, triticale and fescue. The honeydew itself contains very little toxin (alkaloids). In the sorghum head, instead of grain being produced, a compact, hard fungal mass called sclerotia may develop in the later stages of infection. It has a tough outer rind and a compact inner core that may be reddish brown in color and replaces kernels. Do not confuse this with dried honeydew or secondary infections. These sclerotium fall to the ground or are generally separated from the grain during processing. These sclerotia would be expected to have a higher level of alkaloids. However, it is important to note that in the High Plains, there is some question about whether sclerotia is even produced.

· Fungicide applications at this point in time will not be effective. · Harvesting of sorghum, for grain or silage, may prove difficult due to the sticky nature of the honeydew. · If portions of the field are more severely affected than others, producers may consider not harvesting that portion of the field or keeping the resulting hay lots separate for future testing. · Delaying harvest until after a rain or freeze can help reduce the amount of honeydew on the plant. · Honeydew can cause mold formation in baled hay or silage. Mold formation will reduce feed quality and can form mycotoxins. · The presence of alkaloids, which are a toxic concern for livestock feeding, is reliant on the production of sclerotia. At this time, sclerotia production has not been verified in Kansas fields.

K-State Extension is continuing to monitor this situation and evaluate the infections present in Kansas. If you have any additional questions please reach out to us in the Cottonwood Extension District.

Information provided by Rodrigo Onofre, K-State Extension Row Crop Plant Disease specialist.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Sorghum ergot in Kansas

NORTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Friday in Norton County,

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 GMC Sierra driven by Warren D.&nbsp; Barnett, 68, Colby,&nbsp;was northbound on Kansas 25 seven miles north of Colby. The vehicle rear-ended a&nbsp;1997 Chevy truck driven by Daniel L&nbsp;Urban, 67, Colby, who was slowing down to turn right on County Road AA.&nbsp;

EMS transported Urban to Citizens Medical Center.&nbsp;Barnett was not injured. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Northwest Kan. man hospitalized after rear-end crash

<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

Watch a video of how this trailer works by clicking the video below.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Cj2V4YHeBOU">https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Cj2V4YHeBOU</a>

The TUMBLEBUG is truly a one man (timesaving) machine. It requires no winches, no ropes, no hydraulics, it's "self loading", quality built and ready for the big bales. The loading action is UNBELIEVABLE until you have seen it perform. Back up to the bale, flip the switch, the brake action does the trick. You can see a video of the Tumblebug and how it works online at betterbuiltkansas.com. weight: 500 lbs. (approx) / Length: 144" / Between the Wheels: 82" / Electric Brakes / Cradle &amp; Tongue: Tubular Steel 2" Ball Coupler / Complete Wiring Kit for Towing Service. SAVE TIME, LABOR AND HAY.... THE TUMBLEBUG WAY! To see how the Tumblebug Hay Dolly works, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Cj2V4YHeBOU

Tumblebug self-loading hay dolly for sale on Eagle Radio auction; sale ends Sunday

#3-5A Hays High (5-1, 2-0 WAC) vs #2-5A Great Bend (6-0, 2-0) Friday, Oct. 17 - 7 p.m. Hays, 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 - <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2551502">CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE</a>

The Hays High Indians face-off with rival Great Bend at Hays High School.

The Panthers are the current top seed in 5A West. Hays is the current four seed.

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

🎧🎥 Hays hosts Great Bend in state ranked showdown

1200 S. WashingtonPlainville, KS 67663(785) 434-4824<a href="https://www.farmimp.com/" target="_blank">https://www.farmimp.com/</a>

The Bad Boy Magnum – EV is an electric, zero –turn lawn mower featuring a 42 inch fabricated steel deck, a 80 volt universal battery system with long lasting run times, and a patent pending independent front suspension for a smoother ride. Key features include quiet operation, LED headlights, a digital display with diagnostics, a USB port, and on-board/off -board 120 V charging with 90 minute charge time. The E-Magnum integrates with the entire Bad Boy E-Series battery lineup, offering strong performance and an eco-friendly mowing experience with an industry leading fabricated deck. Bad Boy Magnum EV zero turn mower from Farm Implement &amp; Supply in Plainville.

Current Bid: $3,807.00 Retail Price: $7,699.00 <a href="https://www.rabezauction.com/gocart/main.cfm?mid=65">Click here to bid</a>

Bid on riding mower in Eagle Radio auction; sale ends Sunday

TMP-Marian (3-2, 3-2 MCL) vs Oakley (2-3, 1-2 MCL) Friday, Oct. 17, 6 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;<a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2552024">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The TMP-Marian Monarchs are on the road for the final time in district play Friday night as they travel to southwest Kansas to take on the Syracuse Bulldogs.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Live
coverage includes The Monarchs Sports Network and radio.

🏈🎥 TMP back on the road for district matchup with Syracuse

HaysMed sponsors Medicare vs Medicare advantage event

&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

The City of Hays is issuing a final reminder to residents that the annual Fall Cleanup is set to begin at 7 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 20. All materials for collection must be sorted and placed at the proper pickup location (curb or alley) by this deadline to ensure pickup.

Crews will make only one pass through the city.

To serve every household, a time limit of 10 minutes per residence will be strictly enforced.

An additional 10 minutes will be allotted for the collection of tree limbs and brush.

Any items remaining after the time limit has been reached will be the responsibility of the property owner to remove.

"The success of the cleanup hinges on resident cooperation," said Joe Billinger, solid waste superintendent. "Properly sorting items into the four required categories is the most important step a resident can take. It allows our crews to use the right equipment for each type of material, which protects our staff and machinery and helps us stay on schedule for the whole community."

Waste must be separated into the following four piles:

Construction &amp; Demolition Debris: Lumber, drywall, bricks, sinks. Please bend over or pull all nails from lumber and place small quantities of brick or concrete in containers. A maximum limit of 5 pallets will be collected.

Tree Limbs &amp; Brush: Small quantities only. No other yard waste will be collected. Citizens must instead use the compost site or the yard waste tag program

White Goods / Metals: Refrigerators, dryers, guttering. All refrigerators and freezers must be completely emptied of food and other contents to be picked up.

Municipal Waste: Furniture, carpet, large toys. Exceptionally large items like hot tubs must be cut into manageable pieces.

Residents are also reminded that the city will not collect tires, hazardous waste, batteries, or medical waste.

Tires should be taken to the Ellis County Landfill (785) 628-9460, and hazardous waste can be taken to the Ellis County Hazardous Waste Facility.

To avoid accidental collection, any "treasured items" like yard art or equipment located near the pickup area should be clearly tagged or moved away from the refuse piles. Full details can be found on the city’s website: <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/303/Annual-Fall-Cleanup">www.haysusa.com/303/Annual-Fall-Cleanup.</a>

Hays Annual Fall Cleanup begins Monday; residents reminded of sorting guidelines

Event Details: Date: Monday, November 11 Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM Location: Hays High School, 2500 E. 13th Street, Maroon Gym Donors must be 16 years or older to donate. Sixteen-year-olds will need a signed parental consent form. Appointments can be scheduled by visiting <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org">RedCrossBlood.org</a> and entering the sponsor code Indians.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays High HOSA annual blood drive set for Nov. 11

The Fort Hays Singers, Concert Choir, and Smoky Hill Chorale at Fort Hays State University will present their Fall Concert on Friday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the FHSU Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall. The choirs are conducted by Dr. Terry Crull,  director of choral activities at FHSU.

The Smoky Hill Chorale will begin the concert, followed by the Fort Hays Singers, and the FHSU Concert Choir. Selections from folk songs, popular tunes, musical theater, and vocal jazz will be presented for a very entertaining concert.

The concert will last approximately 75 minutes, and is free of charge.

Free fall choral concert presented Friday at FHSU 

LARNED — Sometime on or before Oct. 10, four pairs of cows and calves were stolen from a pasture in the area south of Sanford Junction around I Rd and U.S. Highway 183.

If you have any knowledge of this theft, or noticed any suspicious behavior in the area, contact the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office at 620-285-2211.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cows, calves stolen near Sanford Junction in Pawnee County

Motorcyclists are invited to the “9th&nbsp;Annual Hays Kansas Area Toy Run” on Saturday, Oct. 25. Bikers will line up at 2:30 p.m. at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, 4310 Vine St. At 4 p.m., they will parade down Vine Street to 13th&nbsp;and Main. The parade will end at Toby Jugs, 104 E. Seventh St.

Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl ages infant to 18 years. The toys will go to Teaming Up for Tots, said Kent Gottschalk, one of the organizers.

No bicyclists are allowed to participate, he said.

The event is being sponsored by Free Tomorrow MC &amp; Good Times Motorcycle.

Motorcyclists invited to annual ‘Toy Run’ in Hays

Philip Daniel, film/dance composer and touring artist from Lincoln, Nebraska will be the next WPAA artist in concert He will do school workshops for students in St. Francis at 10:00 am and Colby at 12:50 pm on Thursday, October 16th. The evening of the 16th, he will perform a concert in the Cultural Arts Center in Colby for the general public.

The workshops and the concert will be free to all those in attendance, thanks to the support from the Thomas County Community Foundation, the Cheyenne County Community, and the Dan Hansen Foundation. Everyone is invited to come join this free evening concert.

Film, dance composer to perform free concert in Colby Oct. 16

If your pillows are looking a little flat or worn out, here’s your chance to give them new life!&nbsp;Kraft Pillow Service&nbsp;will be in&nbsp;Hays on Thursday, October 23rd, at&nbsp;Master Cleaners&nbsp;from&nbsp;8 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering professional pillow cleaning and restoration services —&nbsp;no appointment needed.

During their one-day visit, customers can bring in their pillows for a complete refresh — cleaned, sanitized, and re-fluffed on-site. Kraft Pillow Service removes old filling, cleans and sanitizes the ticking, and then refills each pillow with fresh, clean filling to restore its shape and comfort.&nbsp;All pillows are welcome, including down, foam, and synthetic varieties.

This convenient, same-day service has been trusted by families across the region for years, helping extend the life of quality pillows without the need to buy new ones. It’s an easy, affordable way to keep your bedding fresh and comfortable.

Don’t miss this one-day event — stop by&nbsp;Master Cleaners in Hays, October 23rd from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.&nbsp;to have your pillows cleaned and ready for a better night’s sleep.

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kraftpillowservice.com/">KraftPillowService.com</a>.

Facebook:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063768623114">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063768623114</a>

Kraft Pillow Service coming to Hays Oct. 23

Haunted House fundraiser for FHSU Tourism, Hospitality Management Oct. 25-26

WASHINGTON (AP) — Protesting the direction of the country under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, people will gather Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protests-trump-immigration-first-amendment-f04e7a4728c10b694f540bcef0646370">“No Kings”</a>&nbsp;demonstrations — what the president’s Republican Party is calling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7REVjTcBdc" target="_blank">“Hate America” rallies</a>.

This is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/no-kings-protest-trump-us-b5de52994b7c592034fb19b7d3e9d577">third mass mobilization</a>&nbsp;since Trump’s return to the White House and it is expected to be the largest. It comes against the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;that not only has closed federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-food-aid-snap-november-417bd9a473701b6334491c9e6e28a1c4">programs and services,</a>&nbsp;but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-layoffs-trump-unions-b312b3ca77cbdbc72e778ece3b2cbffc">Congress and the courts</a>&nbsp;in ways that organizers warn is a slide toward American authoritarianism.

Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

“They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. super PAC fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago. Protests are expected nearby Saturday.

While the earlier protests this year —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-protests-hands-off-472c574303260cbac315367cc808960d">against Elon Musk’s cuts in spring,</a>&nbsp;then to counter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">Trump’s military parade</a>&nbsp;in June — drew crowds, organizers say this one is building a more unified opposition party movement. Top Democrats such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Senate Leader Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;and Independent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bernie-sanders">Sen. Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;are joining in what organizers view an antidote to Trump’s actions, from the administration’s clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

“There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power,” said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, among the key organizers.

As Republicans and the White House dismiss the protests as a rally of radicals, Levin said their own sign-up numbers are growing. More than 2,600 rallies are planned in cities large and small, organized by hundreds of coalition partners. They said rallies are being planned within a one-hour drive for most Americans.

Republicans have have sought to portray participants in Saturday’s rallies as far outside the mainstream of American politics, and a main reason for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7REVjTcBdc" target="_blank">prolonged government shutdown</a>, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60epVqMtYPg" target="_blank">GOP leaders</a>&nbsp;disparaged the rallygoers as “communists” and “Marxists.”

They say Democratic leaders, including Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.

“I encourage you to watch — we call it the Hate America rally — that will happen Saturday,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">House Speaker Mike Johnson,</a>&nbsp;R-La.

“Let’s see who shows up for that,” Johnson said listing off groups including “antifa types,” people who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.”

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after government reopens.

But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the U.S. system as a co-equal branch of the government.

In a Facebook post, Sanders of Vermont, himself a former presidential contender, said, “It’s a love America rally.”

“It’s rally of millions of people all over this country who believe in our Constitution, who believe in American freedom and,” he said, pointing at the GOP leadership, “are not going to let you and Donald Trump turn this country into an authoritarian society.”

The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent, unsure about how best to respond to Trump’s return to the White House. Schumer in particular was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.

In April, the national march against Trump and Elon Musk had 1,300 registered locations. In June, for the first “No Kings” day, there were 2,100 registered locations. The march Saturday will have more than 2,600 registered locations, Levin said.

“What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine,” Levin said. “The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he wasn’t sure if he would join the rallygoers Saturday, but he took issue with the Republicans’ characterization of the events.

“What’s hateful is what happened on January 6th,” he said, referring to the 2021 Capitol attack, as Trump’s supporters stormed the building to protest Joe Biden’s election victory. “What you’ll see this weekend is what patriotism looks like, people showing up to express opposition to the extremism that Donald Trump has been unleashing on the American people.”

Riddle reported from Montgomery, Ala. Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed.

'No Kings' protests planned nationwide, in what the GOP calls 'hate America' rallies

HUTCHINSON — A tragic case that shocked the community earlier this year reached a major turning point Friday when 37-year-old Wendell Payton pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges in connection with the February deaths of his wife and young daughter.

According to the Hutchinson Police Department, officers were dispatched to 1014 East 3rd Avenue in the early morning hours of February 1, 2025, after neighbors reported hearing screams and seeing smoke coming from the home. When officers arrived, they found a young girl outside the residence and observed an active fire. Firefighters from the Hutchinson Fire Department quickly responded and extinguished the blaze.

Once the fire was under control, investigators discovered three people inside the home. Two of them—a four-year-old girl and an adult female identified as Kalsey Payton—were pronounced dead at the scene. Autopsies determined that the child died from blunt force trauma, while Kalsey Payton died from sharp force injuries. Both deaths were ruled homicides.

The third person in the home, Wendell Payton, was found alive with self-inflicted wounds from which he later recovered. Following an extensive investigation involving the Hutchinson Police Department, Hutchinson Fire Department, Reno County EMS, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Sedgwick County Fire Department, the Reno County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple charges against him in case number 25 CR 89.

On October 17, 2025, Payton pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional, premeditated first-degree murder, aggravated arson, aggravated endangering of a child, two counts of interference with law enforcement officers, and domestic battery against Kalsey Payton. Judge Daniel Gilligan accepted the pleas and found Payton guilty as charged.

Sentencing is set for December 15, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Reno County District Court.

Kan. man enters plea in murder of wife and daughter

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States took survivors into custody after its military struck a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean — the first attack that anyone escaped alive since President Donald Trump began launching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">deadly strikes in the region</a>&nbsp;last month, a defense official and another person familiar with the matter said Friday.

“We attacked a submarine, and that was a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs” Trump said while hosting the Ukrainian president at the White House.

Secretary of State Rubio did not dispute that there were survivors, but he repeatedly said details would be forthcoming.

The strike Thursday brought the death toll from the Trump administration’s military action against vessels in the region to at least 28.

It is believed to be at least the sixth strike in the waters off Venezuela since early September, and the first to result in survivors who were picked up by the U.S. military. It was not immediately clear what would be done with the survivors, who the people said were being held on a U.S. Navy vessel.

They confirmed the strike and the seizing of survivors on the condition of anonymity because the attack had not yet been publicly acknowledged by Trump’s administration.

Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, relying on the same legal authority used by the Bush administration when it declared a war on terror after the Sept. 11 attacks. That includes the ability to capture and detain combatants and to use lethal force to take out their leadership.

Some legal experts have questioned the legality of the approach. The president's use of overwhelming military force to combat the cartels, along with his authorization of covert action inside Venezuela, possibly to oust President Nicolás Maduro, stretches the bounds of international law, legal scholars said this week.

Trump on Friday appeared to confirm reports that Maduro has offered a stake in Venezuela’s oil and other mineral wealth in recent months to try to stave off mounting pressure from the United States. The New York Times last week first reported about the effort by the Maduro government.

Venezuelan government officials have also floated a plan in which Maduro would eventually leave office, according to a former Trump administration official. That plan was also rejected by the White House, the AP reported.

“He’s offered everything,” Trump said in an exchange with reporters at the start of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "You know why? Because he doesn’t want to f—- around with the United States.”

For the survivors of Thursday's strike, the saga is hardly over. They now face an unclear future and legal landscape, including questions about whether they are now considered to be prisoners of war or defendants in a criminal case. The White House did not comment on the strike.

Reuters was first to report news of the strike late Thursday.

The strikes in the Caribbean have caused unease among both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill, with some Republicans saying they have not received sufficient information on how the strikes are being conducted. A classified briefing for senators on the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month did not include representatives from intelligence agencies or the military command structure for South and Central America.

However, most Senate Republicans stood behind the administration last week when a vote on a War Powers Resolution was brought up, which would have required the administration to gain approval from Congress before conducting more strikes.

Their willingness to back the administration will be tested again. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, along with Sens. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, and Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, is bringing another resolution that would prevent Trump from outright attacking Venezuela without congressional authorization.

Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Aamer Madhani contributed reporting.

🎥US seized survivors after strike on another drug-carrying vessel 

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday he had commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-santos">George Santos</a>, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-sentencing-prison-0961831af8870686853acb22d049c85e">was slated to serve</a>&nbsp;more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges.

Joseph Murray, one of Santos’ lawyers, told The Associated Press late Friday that the former lawmaker was released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, around 11 p.m., and was greeted outside the facility by his family.

The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people — including his own family members — to make donations to his campaign.

He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-prison-29cdb8a9e9dfe7283d53091a6e20b1ba">reported to</a>&nbsp;FCI Fairton on July 25 and was housed in a minimum security prison camp with fewer than 50 other inmates.

“George Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison," Trump posted on his social media platform. He said he had “just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY.”

"Good luck George, have a great life!” Trump said.

Santos’ account on X, which has been active throughout his roughly 84 days in prison, reposted a screenshot of Trump’s Truth Social post Friday.

During his time behind bars, Santos has been writing regular dispatches in a local newspaper on Long Island, in which he mainly complained about the prison conditions.

In his latest letter, though, he pleaded to Trump directly, citing his fealty to the president's agenda and to the Republican Party.

“Sir, I appeal to your sense of justice and humanity — the same qualities that have inspired millions of Americans to believe in you," he&nbsp;<a href="https://southshorepress.com/stories/675756835-santos-in-solitary-a-passionate-plea-to-president-trump">wrote in The South Shore Press</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 13. "I humbly ask that you consider the unusual pain and hardship of this environment and allow me the opportunity to return to my family, my friends, and my community.”

Santos’ commutation is Trump’s latest high-profile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikola-trevor-milton-fraud-trump-pardon-3fcebb0a3820cecb205656f2dc3f6764">act of clemency</a>&nbsp;for former Republican politicians since retaking the White House in January.

In late May, he pardoned former U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-grimm">Michael Grimm</a>, a New York Republican who in 2014 pleaded guilty to underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran in Manhattan. He also pardoned former Connecticut Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/former-connecticut-governor-john-rowland-pardoned-trump-3f64b89567cb5f688808eb1b1ddd581f">John Rowland</a>, whose promising political career was upended by a corruption scandal and two federal prison stints.

But in granting clemency to Santos, Trump was rewarding a figure who has drawn scorn from within his own party.

After becoming the first openly gay Republican elected to Congress in 2022, Santos served less than a year after it was revealed that he had fabricated much of his life story.

On the campaign trail, Santos had claimed he was a successful business consultant with Wall Street cred and a sizable real estate portfolio. But when his resume came under scrutiny, Santos eventually admitted he had never graduated from Baruch College — or been a standout player on the Manhattan college’s volleyball team, as he had claimed. He had never worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs.

He wasn’t&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-business-bb455cc02b70e5366b9c5e347da8ad38">even Jewish</a>. Santos insisted he meant he was “Jew-ish” because his mother’s family had a Jewish background, even though he was raised Catholic.

In truth, the then-34-year-old was struggling financially and even faced eviction.

Santos was charged in 2023 with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-credit-card-fraud-f723e69a777b02a2e6b87595f45c21ce">stealing from donors and his campaign</a>, fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits and lying to Congress about his wealth.

Within months, he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-expulsion-vote-ethics-investigation-fd0f1524065883c6b2fe3e6f9afd84db">expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives</a>&nbsp;-- with 105 Republicans joining with Democrats to make Santos just the&nbsp;<a href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/">sixth member</a>&nbsp;in the chamber’s history to be ousted by colleagues..

Santos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-plea-court-new-york-90741d068fd94090419fc0fd79be30cc">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;as he was set to stand trial.

Still, a prominent former House colleague, U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marjorie-taylor-greene-republican-governor-georgia-3afd2ed330a227c42710ae664a12cf6a">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>, urged the White House to commute Santos’ sentence, saying in a letter sent just days into his prison bid that the punishment was “a grave injustice” and a product of judicial overreach.

Greene was among those who cheered the announcement Friday. But U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, a Republican who represents part of Long Island and has been highly critical of Santos, said in a post on social media that Santos “didn’t merely lie” and his crimes “warrant more than a three-month sentence.”

“He should devote the rest of his life to demonstrating remorse and making restitution to those he wronged,” LaLota said.

Santos’ clemency appears to clear not just his prison term, but also any “further fines, restitution, probation, supervised release, or other conditions,” according to a copy of Trump’s order&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/EdMartinDOJ/status/1979311737943003393">posted on X</a>&nbsp;by Ed Martin, the Justice Department’s pardon attorney.

As part of his guilty plea, Santos had agreed to pay restitution of $373,750 and forfeiture of $205,003.

In explaining his reason for granting Santos clemency, Trump said the lies Santos told about himself were no worse than misleading statements U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal -- a Democrat and frequent critic of the administration -- had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-elections-politics-ct-state-wire-04d76dfc292548efb2d03b54c762a24b">made about his military record.</a>

Blumenthal apologized 15 years ago for implying that he served in Vietnam, when he was stateside in the Marine Reserve during the war.

“This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!” Trump wrote.

The president himself was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">convicted in a New York court</a>&nbsp;last year in a case involving hush money payments. He derided the case as part of a politically motivated witch hunt.

Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak in New York and Susan Haigh in Connecticut contributed to this report.

Trump commutes former Rep. George Santos' 7-year fraud sentence

WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita police have arrested an 18-year-old from Wichita, in connection with a shooting that left four people wounded.

Just before 3a.m. on October 12,&nbsp; police responded to a local hospital regarding multiple walk-in shooting victims. Upon arrival, officers located several individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.

Preliminary investigation revealed the victims were inside a vehicle at the intersection of Clifton and Morris in Wichita when an unknown suspect fired multiple shots at them.

The victims included a&nbsp;22-year-old woman who sustained an injury to her lower leg and was in stable condition.; a 21-year-old man with an injury to his lower leg and was in stable condition; a 19-year-old man with an injury to his midsection and was in stable condition and a 26-year-old man wath a gunshot wound to his upper body and was in critical condition.

Through the use of technology, including FLOCK, surveillance cameras, and NIBIN, investigators were able to identify and apprehend the 18-year-old suspect identified in booking records as Diego Murdock.

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