By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

For 53 years, Lucy Boucher has opened her home to children in Hays, preparing them for the world while forming lasting ties with families.

"They're just so charming. Look at this little guy here. He doesn't want to leave my side. I've had him ever since he was an infant," Boucher said regarding one of her day care children who was present for the interview.

Boucher started her day care while raising her own children before gradually expanding to care for more, typically from infancy through school age.

"I started out with two and then from there I went up to 10 kids, counting my own kids," she said.

Over the years, she has cared for hundreds of children and built lasting relationships that led to invitations to graduations and weddings. Her own children grew up helping with the day care after school.

Boucher said she remains motivated because she enjoys making children smile and getting them ready for school, with no plans to step away from this role.

"I just take it one day at a time," she said.

Boucher said since she began, children’s behavior and parents’ involvement have changed, with parents becoming less engaged over time, likely because they are in a hurry, she said.

Boucher said children do not listen as well as they once did, but she still has fun with them, often caring for more of them during the summer.

"We play music all the time, I take them outside, and I teach them their letters, numbers and colors. All the stuff they need to know before they go to school," she said.

Boucher voiced concern that large day care centers are pushing out independent providers in the area. She advised those considering the line of work to stay committed, saying many quit too quickly due to the workload.

"They can't handle it. It's a lot because you have to prepare meals and other things every day. Some people don't like to do that," she said.

Boucher was nominated as the August Child Care Champion by Dana Stanton, child care program specialist with the Northwest Kansas Economic Incentive Center.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0f64ddb1-ba92-40fa-a22f-94a557aaf629">Nominate a Child Care Champion here.</a>

Child Care Champion shapes children's lives for more than 50 years

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The Hays City Commission will vote on financing for several new development projects during its meeting on Thursday. 

Kim Rupp, finance director, will present ordinances and resolutions in the process of issuing general obligation bonds and temporary notes for the projects, including:&nbsp;

• Automated water meter infrastructure — $3.6 million • Police department and municipal court facility — $6.85 million • The Grove Reinvestment Housing Incentive District — $3.675 million • The Grove economic development grant — $825,000 • Construction of infrastructure at Interstate 70, Exit 161 — $4 million

"This authorizes the bonds to be issued to pay costs of improvements and allows the city to levy for debt service, if necessary," Rupp said.

In a separate discussion, Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director, will update the commission on construction at The Grove, which is south of HaysMed on Canterbury Drive, and the associated&nbsp;Reinvestment Housing Incentive District.&nbsp;

Jesse Rohr, public works director, will present a rezoning request for the proposed Lincoln School apartment complex, 1906 Ash, from a public and institutional district to a residential multi-family district.

The owner of the property, Hays developer Michael Graham, is proposing remodeling the former elementary school into apartments and also constructing a residential multi-family housing development on the surrounding property.

A low bid award will be recommended for the Hays Regional Airport terminal passenger parking lot expansion. The airport has been seeing record enplanements, and the parking lot needs to be enlarged for a second time since 2018.

Estimates are for another record high of 17,000 passenger boardings in 2025.

Morgan Brothers Construction of La Crosse was the low bidder at $248,019.&nbsp;

The complete Aug. 28 agenda is available <a href="https://haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08282025-1566">here</a>. The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Hays City Commission to vote on financing plans for new projects

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Recent obituaries and service times

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, the tenth leading cause of death in Kansas, and the second leading cause of death of Kansans ages 10-44, yet suicide can be prevented. 

Volunteers from Hays and the surrounding area are joining the thousands of people who are gathering this season in towns across the United States to promote suicide prevention and change the conversation around mental health. 

The annual Hays area Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Greater Kansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at North Frontier Park in Hays.

This gathering will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education, research and support for survivors of suicide loss. In addition to raising awareness and funds to fight suicide, the walks give those who attend a chance to connect with others and know they are not alone, whether they walk in memory or in support of a loved one or in honor of their own mental health journey. 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a leader in the fight against suicide — we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

“Suicide touches one in five families in the United States on average, and the data shows that suicide rates are higher in rural areas," said Leigha Dobson, Hays walk chairwoman and AFSP Greater Kansas board member.

 "We hope that by connecting with one another, we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Together, we can encourage those who struggle to seek help and remember they’re not alone.

“We had more than 70 people walk with us last year, and this year, we’re hoping twice that will walk with us towards a future without suicide," Dobson also said.

The Hays area Out of the Darkness Community Walk is just one of the hundreds of events being held nationwide this year. To join this event or make a donation, visit <a href="https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/Hays">afsp.org/hays</a>.

Volunteers in Hays to walk to fight suicide during National Suicide Prevention Month 

THOMAS COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 10p.m. Tuesday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1994 GMC Sierra driven by&nbsp;Jesse Jacoby Coon, 21, Oakley, was eastbound on U.S. 24. approximately two miles East of Kansas 25 Highway. The pickup traveled off the road, entered the north ditch, continued northeast through the ditch and into a pasture where it came to rest against a fence.

EMS transported Coon and a passenger, 10-month-old Lucas Leo Craig Coon to&nbsp;Citizens Medical Center. The driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NW Kan. man, baby hospitalized after pickup crash

The Heartland Community Foundation granted a record $691,954.80 to local nonprofits and community organizations during its fiscal year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. This is the largest annual distribution in the foundation’s history — nearly $265,000 more than last year’s $426,339.10.&nbsp;

In total, the Heartland Community Foundation awarded 207 grants to 115 organizations, with dollars reaching communities across Ellis County ($320,872.43), Rooks County ($230,204.04), Trego County ($102,752.69), and other counties ($38,125.61). Since 2014, HCF has granted nearly $5.3 million throughout the area.

At the core of Heartland’s mission is the belief that strong nonprofits create strong communities. The community foundation serves as a bridge — connecting local generosity with local needs — and ensures charitable dollars raised are granted back into the region to strengthen nonprofit organizations and build long-term capacity. 

“Seeing nearly $700,000 granted back into our communities this year fills me with both pride and gratitude,” said Sarah Meitner, executive director of Heartland Community Foundation. “These dollars aren’t just numbers on a page — they represent stronger nonprofits, expanded services, and the caring spirit of our donors.”

Grants from Heartland come in many forms: competitive grant cycles, special initiatives like the community giving day — Give Fest, or distributions made directly by organizations from their endowed funds. In every case, the outcome is the same — stronger nonprofits and greater community impact. Granting is also part of Heartland’s larger role as the local expert on charitable giving. By pooling resources and investing gifts for long-term growth, the community foundation amplifies individual&nbsp;giving through the power of collective generosity. 

Donors who give through Heartland gain more than a tax deduction — they receive personal service, confidence that their gifts are stewarded wisely, and assurance that their dollars will have the greatest impact possible. This model means that a single gift becomes part of a larger, permanent endowment that continues giving year after year. As those funds grow, so does the foundation’s ability to support local nonprofits — creating a cycle of generosity that benefits the entire region. 

Recent grants have supported efforts such as expanding food pantries, enhancing library spaces, improving access to healthcare, and strengthening community resources including the senior center, mental health services, economic development initiatives, school needs, playground improvements, and more. These investments not only meet today’s needs but also help build capacity for the future. &nbsp;

Much of this year’s record growth is attributed to Give Fest 2024, a community-wide giving event that mobilized donors across the region.&nbsp;HCF granted more than $160,000 in match dollars during that initiative to local agencies.

&nbsp;Heartland is already preparing for Give Fest 2025, which will be held all day on October 10, with in-person giving events in Hays, Stockton, and WaKeeney. Local nonprofits and community organizations are invited to participate in Give Fest 2025 and showcase their programs to donors across the region and earn some match dollars. Organizations must have a fund at Heartland in order to participate; the deadline to register is September 6, 2025. 

“This milestone shows what’s possible when generosity is pooled and focused on the common good,” Meitner added. “Our goal is not just to meet immediate needs, but to create a foundation of support that will serve these communities for generations.” 

Heartland Community Foundation grants $692K to communities; record-setting year

PLAINVILLE — Iron Insurance Partners, an independent insurance brokerage with offices across Central and Western Kansas, is proud to announce its merger with Plainville Insurance Agency.

This partnership strengthens the agency’s commitment to providing clients with trusted local service and expanded access to coverage options.

Plainville Insurance Agency, founded in 1993 by Paul Gross, has a long history of serving the Plainville community with care and reliability. By joining Iron Insurance Partners, their clients will continue working with the same local team while also benefiting from broader carrier access, advanced risk management services, and specialized expertise across industries including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, municipalities, and agriculture.

“This merger allows us to preserve the relationships and community trust built over decades at Plainville Insurance Agency, while enhancing the resource and coverage options available to clients” said Shawn Myers, CEO, Iron Insurance Partners.

Together, the agencies will offer a full range of personal, commercial, farm, crop, and risk management solutions tailored to the needs of families, businesses, and communities across Kansas.

For more information about Iron Insurance Partners and its services, please visit <a href="https://ironrisk.com/">www.ironrisk.com</a>.

 Iron Insurance Partners announces merger with Plainville Insurance Agency.

<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

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Hays Police Department arrest log: Aug. 17-23, 2025

Hays Police Department activity log: Aug. 17-23, 2025

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

City of Hays offices will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Hays city offices closed Monday for Labor Day holiday

Girl Scout sign-up event set for Sept. 4 in Hays

Go Truck Go, a free family event, will be on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Early Childhood Connections, 2501 E. 13th across from Hays High School.

Children will get to experience vehicles they see daily. Go Truck Go features an ambulance, fire truck, police car, implements and construction vehicles.

Free food and drinks and free informational booths from area resources.

Go Truck Go to be Sept. 11 at Early Childhood Connections

Special edition of FHSU Science Cafe features dark matter, dark energy

 Eagle Media Center in Hays will be hosting free marketing workshops on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. &nbsp;For more information or to schedule a time to attend, please contact Scarlett at 785-301-2211

Free marketing workshops hosted by Eagle Media on Aug. 27

Phillips County Rod &amp; Custom club is hosting their 3rd annual All Wheels Car Show on Saturday, September 20.&nbsp;

The show is open to muscle cars, hot rods, pickup trucks, semi trucks, rat rods, motorcycles, golf carts, UTVs and more.&nbsp;First 100 car show entries will receive a free goody bag.

There will be food trucks onsite along with several great local restaurants that will be open.

Approximately 30 awards will be presented and given out along with door prizes all day.

There will be a 50/50 raffle drawing and an engine blow contest.

Registration is from 8:00 a.m. – 10 a.m. Car show is from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with awards at 3 p.m.

For additional information and the latest information, please visit and be sure to like and follow us on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/phillipscountyrodandcustomclub/">https://www.facebook.com/phillipscountyrodandcustomclub/</a> or call 785-543-9000 or 785-543-7689.

All Wheels Car Show in Phillipsburg Sept. 20

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Countryside Estates Mobile Home Park, Hays, public water supply system located in Ellis County. 

The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure due to water main breaks. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the Countryside Estates Mobile Home Park indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind notice following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 308-629-7874 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit our webpage:&nbsp;<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/1/01000198d25f9524-f7654a83-a856-44b0-9b2b-8b9023b12a28-000000/MnWJRWFVuA6x_VD3vR714V82LXQUmM4s0Vzpn-nFI7M=419">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>.

Boil Water Advisory rescinded for Hays' Countryside Estates mobile home park

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A shooter opened fire with a rifle through the windows of a Catholic church in Minneapolis and struck children celebrating Mass during the first week of school, killing two and wounding 17 people in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-school-shooting-286c32580b1bd05cef08b8e13509e374">act of violence</a>&nbsp;the police chief called “absolutely incomprehensible.”

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter — armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol — approached the side of the church and shot dozens of rounds through the windows toward the children sitting in the pews during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School just before 8:30 a.m. Police believe the shooter then killed himself.

The children who died were 8 and 10, and 14 other kids were among the wounded, the chief said. Dozens of youngsters were inside.

Michael Simpson said his 10-year-old grandson, Weston Halsne, was nicked by a bullet as he sat near the church windows. His voice shaking as he left the area around the school, Simpson said the violence during Mass on the third day of school left him wondering whether God was watching over.

“I don’t know where He is,” Simpson said.

The police chief said the shooter was in his early 20s, did not have an extensive known criminal history and is believed to have acted alone, but did not release the name or information on possible connections to the school. A law enforcement official told The Associated Press authorities have identified the shooter as Robin Westman. That official was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The police chief said a wooden plank was placed to barricade some of the side doors, and that authorities found a smoke bomb but no explosives at the scene.

“The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” O'Hara said at a news conference as church bells rang out. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey lamented that the violence had forever changed the students' families and the city along with them.

“Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now,” Frey said. “These kids were literally praying."

Westman’s uncle, former Kentucky state lawmaker Bob Heleringer, said he did not know the accused shooter well and was confounded by the violence: "It's an unspeakable tragedy.”

“We’re praying for my sister and her other children and also, obviously, for these poor, poor children,” Heleringer said by phone. He said he had last seen Westman at a family wedding three or four years ago.

Bill Bienemann, who lives a couple of blocks away and has long attended Mass at Annunciation Church, said he heard as many as 50 shots over as long as four minutes.

“I was shocked. I said, ‘There’s no way that could be gunfire,’” he said. “There was so much of it. It was sporadic.”

Bienemann’s daughter, Alexandra, said she was an alumna of the kindergarten-to-eighth-grade school, and it made her sick to her stomach to think she might know some of those who were injured.

“It doesn’t make me feel safe at all in this community that I have been in for so long," she said.

Police chief says officers rescued children who hid

The police chief said officers immediately responded to reports of the shooting, entered the church, rendered first aid and rescued some of the children hiding throughout the building as other emergency responders arrived.

The school was evacuated and students’ families later were directed to a “reunification zone” there. Outside, amid a heavy uniformed law enforcement presence, children in dark green uniforms trickled out of the school with adults, giving lingering hugs and wiping away tears.

Aubrey Pannhoff, a 16-year-old student at a different Catholic school, stood crying just outside the police cordon. She had rushed to Annunciation after her own school’s lockdown and prayer service, and she said she was asking God: “Why?”

“It’s little kids,” she said. “It’s just really hard for me to take in.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the violence “horrific” and his state is heartbroken in posts on X. On Truth Social, President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the shooting. The White House later said Trump spoke with Walz. The governor was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in last year’s election against Trump's running mate, now Vice President J.D. Vance, a Republican.

From the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram of condolences. The Chicago-born Leo, history’s first American pope, said he was praying for relatives of the dead.

Democratic officials from around country were meeting in Minneapolis, and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin told the gathering what was happening and said it was “a tragic day for Minnesotans.”

Hennepin Healthcare, the main trauma hospital in Minneapolis, said it received 10 patients, including eight children — aged 6 through 14 — and two adults. Seven were considered to be in critical condition. Children’s Minnesota, a pediatric trauma hospital, said it admitted seven children, ages 9 through 16.

A string of fatal shootings in Minneapolis

Monday had been the first day of the school year at Annunciation, a 102-year-old school in a leafy residential and commercial neighborhood about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of downtown Minneapolis. Recent social media posts from the school show children smiling at a back-to-school event, holding up summer art projects, playing together and enjoying ice pops.

Karin Cebulla, who said she had worked at the school and sent her two now-college-aged daughters there, said Wednesday she had “never met such authentic, accepting, loving, gracious people” as she did there.

The gunfire was the latest in a series of fatal shootings in the city in less than 24 hours. One person was killed and six others were hurt in a shooting Tuesday afternoon outside a high school in Minneapolis. Hours later, two people died in two other shootings in the city.

O’Hara, the police chief, said the Annunciation shooting does not appear to be related to other recent violence. Still, Dr. Thomas Wyatt, the Hennepin Healthcare emergency medicine chief, noted the toll of responding to two mass-casualty shootings in 24 hours.

Wednesday's school shooting also followed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/active-shooter-calls-hoaxes-arkansas-villanova-iowa-7fae16fae9025cf421acb6115c30c3d3">spate of hoax calls</a>&nbsp;about purported shootings on at least a dozen U.S. college campuses. The bogus warnings, sometimes featuring gunshot sounds in the background, prompted universities to issue texts to “run, hide, fight” and frightened students around the nation as the school year begins.

Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz in New York; Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa; Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota; Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland; Will Weissert and Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington; Bruce Schreiner in Shelbyville, Kentucky; Nicole Winfield in Vatican City; and Giovanna Dell’Orto and Steve Peoples in Minneapolis contributed to this report.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A gunman opened fire with a rifle through the windows of a Catholic church and struck a group of children celebrating Mass during the first week of school, killing two and wounding 17 in an act of violence the police chief called “absolutely incomprehensible.”

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter — armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol — approached the side of the church and shot through the windows toward the children sitting in the pews during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School.

O’Hara said the shooting suspect is dead and in his early 20s and does not have an extensive known criminal history. Officials are looking into his motive.

“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible," said the police chief, who noted that a wooden plank was placed to barricade some of the side doors.

The children who died were 8 and 10, he said.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the violence “horrific” in a social media post.

Children’s Minnesota, a pediatric trauma hospital, said in a statement five children were admitted for care. Hennepin Healthcare, which has Minnesota’s largest emergency department, said it also was caring for patients from the shooting.

Bill Bienemann, who lives a couple of blocks away and has long attended Mass at Annunciation Church, said he heard dozens of shots, perhaps as many as 50, over as long as four minutes.

Bienemann’s daughter, Alexandra, said she attended the school from kindergarten to 8th grade, finishing in 2014. After she heard of the shooting, she said she was shaking and crying, and her boss told her to take the day off.

“It breaks my heart, makes me sick to my stomach, knowing that there are people I know who are either injured or maybe even killed,” Alexandra Bienemann said. “It doesn’t make me feel safe at all in this community that I have been in for so long.”

The school was evacuated, and students’ families later were directed to a “reunification zone” at the school. Outside, amid a heavy uniformed law enforcement presence, were uniformed children in their dark green shirts or dresses. Many were trickling out of the school with adults, giving lingering hugs and wiping away tears.

Local, state, county and federal law enforcement officers and agents converged on the area, a leafy residential and commercial neighborhood about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of downtown Minneapolis. On Truth Social, President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the “tragic shooting” and that the White House would continue to monitor it.

Dating to 1923, the pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school had an all-school Mass scheduled at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to its website. Monday was the first day of school. Recent social media posts from the school show children smiling at a back-to-school event, holding up summer art projects, playing together and enjoying ice pops.

At a meeting of Democratic officials elsewhere in Minneapolis, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin noted the shooting and “unknown amount of victims.”

Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa; Jennifer Peltz in New York; Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota; and Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland; contributed to this report.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — At least five children were injured in a shooting Wednesday during the first week of classes at a Minneapolis Catholic school, authorities and a hospital said. Gov. Tim Walz called the violence “horrific.”

The Minneapolis city government said the shooter had been “contained” after the gunfire at Annunciation Catholic School and there was no longer any “active threat” to residents.

Walz said on social media that he had been briefed on the shooting.

“I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” Walz wrote on X.

As police, FBI and other federal agents and ambulances converged on the school, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that he was briefed on the “tragic shooting” and that the White House would continue to monitor it.

The school was evacuated, and students’ families later were directed to a “reunification zone” at the school.

Officials ID shooter who killed 2 at Catholic school in Minnesota

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, keeping him out of a series of high-profile games starting with next week’s season opener against the Chargers in Brazil.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-charges-dallas-crash-kansas-city-chiefs-d71cfd66fabfc151111d67ea1bfa0f74">Rice pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;about six weeks ago to two third-degree felony charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. As part of his plea agreement from the March 2024 crash on a Dallas highway, prosecutors said, Rice also received a sentence of five years of deferred probation and 30 days in jail as a condition of his probation.

The NFL handed down its suspension, which Rice will not appeal, after its own internal investigation. It voids a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rice-chiefs-hearing-f2de00e8e78ef7ff0f572c587a1c708b">Sept. 30 hearing</a>&nbsp;before former federal Judge Sue L. Robinson that was scheduled for the NFL’s headquarters in New York.

Along with missing the Chargers game, Rice will miss a Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles on Sept. 14 at Arrowhead Stadium; a Sunday night trip to New York to face the Giants; a high-profile matchup with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Sept. 28; a game against Jacksonville the following Monday night; and a Sunday night showdown with the Lions.

Rice will be eligible to return to the field when Kansas City faces the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afc-west-broncos-chiefs-chargers-raiders-3c6e2e509b8c54aef4b327d253d8f878">AFC West</a>&nbsp;rival Raiders on Oct. 19.

The Chiefs did not make Rice nor coach Andy Reid available Wednesday. Rice also was not at their final practice before Sunday, when the Chiefs go into their game-week schedule to prepare for the Friday night matchup with the Chargers.

“We're just going to go out there, trust what the coaches put on our plates, whatever game plan we have regardless of who is in there,” tight end Noah Gray said Wednesday. “I'm extremely confident in all the guys.”

Rice’s status has been in limbo ever since he was driving a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-corvette-lamborghini-crash-dallas-2f3ac72c23b1d9ca4860f8cacc8b173e">Lamborghini Urus SUV</a>&nbsp;at 119 mph (191 kph) on the North Central Expressway, made “multiple aggressive maneuvers around traffic” and struck other vehicles, prosecutors said. After the crash, Rice did not check on the welfare of those in the other vehicles but instead fled on foot.

Rice said in a statement issued by his attorney that he’s had “a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole.”

The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office said the 25-year-old Rice will have some flexibility in when he must serve his jail time. He also was required to pay the victims for their out-of-pocket medical expenses, which totaled about $115,000.

“I’ve completely changed. You have to learn from things like that,” Rice said during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-rashee-rice-7a914217238f4fa8cbdacedf59d5a93f">brief media availability in training camp</a>. “All I can focus on is what I can control right now and that’s me doing what I do.”

After a breakout rookie season, Rice was on his way to a memorable follow-up last fall, catching 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games. But in Week 4, after Patrick Mahomes had thrown an interception, the QB accidentally dived into Rice’s leg as they were trying to make a tackle, tearing the lateral collateral ligament in his knee.

Rice wound up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-kansas-city-rashee-rice-8bf46efe2fe8a336bbc751de9121c17b">missing the rest of the season</a>, including a loss to Philadelphia in the Super Bowl.

He spent the offseason rehabbing the knee, and Rice was ready to participate in the Chiefs’ offseason program. But under terms of the suspension, Rice now will be barred from the practice facility until the middle of next month.

The Chiefs undoubtedly believed a suspension was coming. They kept eight wide receivers on Tuesday, when NFL roster cuts were due. That group includes rookie Jalen Royals, who has been dealing with an injury and may not be available for the season opener in Brazil, and Marquise Brown, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury.

Now, the Chiefs will be relying on Brown and second-year pro Xavier Worthy alongside tight end Travis Kelce in their passing game. The other wide receivers on the initial roster are veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster, return specialist Nikko Remigio, preseason standout Tyquan Thornton and Jason Brownlee, who spent part of last season with the Jets.

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is suspended 6 games by NFL

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a teen will return to court on Wednesday afternoon.

Gauge Brasher, 19,&nbsp; will appear for a hearing on the crime in the courtroom of Judge Jeffrey Goering, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The DA's office charged Brasher with 2nd degree murder in the death of&nbsp;14-year-old Jackson Nzabonimpa. He is also charged with failure to stop at an accident and criminal damage to property.

&nbsp;Wichita police took Brasher&nbsp; into custody shortly after 4 p.m. August 15, in the 3100 block of E. Range Road, according to a statement from Wichita Police.

Around 6:30 p.m. August 13, a nearby Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in the area saw the aftermath of the crash that killed&nbsp;14-year-old Jackson Nzabonimpa and saw two men running from a black BMW that had crashed. After a short foot pursuit, both men were apprehended.

The preliminary investigation indicated the BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit a power pole and then a utility box. The impact forced the power pole and utility box into Nzabonimpa, who died on scene from his injuries.&nbsp;

Witnesses at the intersection identified the 19-year-old suspect Gauge Brasher, who fled as the driver. He is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. The investigation indicated that impairment and speed were likely contributing factors in the collision. Brasher was admitted to the hospital for medical treatment and later left the hospital. Police issued an alert in attempt to locate him. The passenger in the BMW is a 24-year-old man who was detained and later released with no charges.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 Brasher remains jailed on bond totaling over $500,000.00, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

Suspect who hid after crash that killed teen is due back in court

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement in a joint post on Instagram Tuesday. Union Station in Kansas City offered their congratulations Tuesday night with a fantastic light display.

Union Station congratulates Travis and Taylor

SEDGWICK COUNTY — An inmate who admitted throwing scalding water on a Kansas jail deputy will learn his fate Wednesday.&nbsp; A hearing on Friday to sentence him was continued.

Judge Chrystal Krier will sentence 21-year-old James Chavez. In July he entered a guilty plea to charges of aggravated battery.

On April 14, a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Detention Deputy suffered serious burns after an inmate identified as Chavez launched a targeted attack inside the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.

The incident happened while the deputy was speaking with inmates in a housing pod.&nbsp; Chavez obtained a pot of boiling water and threw it on the deputy, causing second and third-degree burns to the back part of his body.

Sedgwick County EMS transported the deputy to a local hospital, where he was admitted to the Burn Unit. The 30-year-old deputy who has served with the Sheriff’s Office for nearly two years was expected to make a full recovery.

Chavez was originally booked into the detention facility in March 2024 on pending juvenile charges and later faced an additional charge for trafficking contraband into a correctional facility. He has had 39 documented disciplinary incidents since entering the facility.

Prisoner who threw scalding water on Kan. jail deputy will learn his fate

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;seemingly caught his loyal conservative base off-guard and sparked backlash by saying he would allow 600,000 Chinese students into American universities.

That would be a departure for the Trump administration after it added&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-visa-social-media-d71aa33ff756c1383b362f69bf5b7a17">new vetting</a>&nbsp;for student visas, moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-international-students-trump-what-to-know-6defa20d617f1ef297402e0d84c55e1e">block foreign enrollment</a>&nbsp;at Harvard and expanded the grounds for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-visa-f1-sevis-status-716ce8e67e2c3093eba4092e57ba1612">terminating international students’ ability</a>&nbsp;to study in the United States.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has singled out China, the second highest source of international students in the U.S.,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/05/new-visa-policies-put-america-first-not-china" target="_blank">saying in May</a>&nbsp;that the State Department would revoke visas for students tied to the Chinese Communist Party and boost vetting of new applicants.

Trump’s announcement Monday adds to the confusion about the administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-visas-deportations-068ad6cd5724e7248577f17592327ca4">restrictive visa policies</a>&nbsp;and its approach to China as the superpowers tussle over trade and intensifying tech competition. It also marks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-maga-tucker-carlson-charlie-kirk-409c839e4eadf2a39a1b957213379b08">another divide with figures in Trump’s “Make America Great Again” base</a>, who tout an “America First” agenda and had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-maga-tucker-carlson-charlie-kirk-409c839e4eadf2a39a1b957213379b08">contested the U.S. inserting itself</a>&nbsp;in the recent Israel-Iran war.

Some of Trump’s most ardent supporters — from U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to former adviser Steve Bannon and far-right activist Laura Loomer — rejected the idea of welcoming more Chinese students.

It’s not immediately clear why the figure Trump cited was so high — more than twice the number of Chinese students enrolled in the 2023-2024 school year. The total also has been falling in the past few years. The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Here’s what to know about Trump’s announcement and the reaction:

What did Trump say about Chinese students?

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-south-korea-trade-lee-jae-myung-f80efa062dcc1b2430bbe3f12d6d1b6e">a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung</a>&nbsp;in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump was asked by reporters if he would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“President Xi would like me to come to China. It’s a very important relationship. As you know, we are taking a lot of money in from China because of the tariffs and different things,” he said. “I hear so many stories about ‘We are not going to allow their students,’ but we are going to allow their students to come in. We are going to allow it. It’s very important — 600,000 students.”

Trump doubled down at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, sitting next to Rubio, where he said he was “honored” to have Chinese students in the U.S. and said they help colleges stay afloat.

“I told this to President Xi that we’re honored to have their students here,” Trump said. “Now, with that, we check and we’re careful, we see who is there.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also said that Trump told Xi in a June phone call that “the U.S. loves to have Chinese students coming to study in America.”

It was a shift after the State Department announced in late May that it would “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections with the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.”

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