By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

ACCESS General Public Transportation in Hays is still facing a 2026 funding gap after the city of Hays and Ellis County wrapped up their budget processes.

Jerry Michaud, DSNWK executive director, said the gap is about $161,000. Michaud said ACCESS is reaching out to the Kansas Department of Transportation, which has provided some funding, and potentially to legislators to explore funding solutions.

"We need general public transportation in the community. There's no question about that," Michaud said.

Michaud said ACCESS has not experienced federal funding cuts. He said the shortfall stems from limited state support through KDOT, insufficient local contributions, and rising costs for fuel, insurance, maintenance and vehicles.

Michaud said during the COVID-19 pandemic, match rates helped create reserves. However, those reserves are now depleted, resulting in a greater deficit heading into 2026.

Michaud said he also hopes to include the city and county in the conversation in finding long-term solutions for the service that provides transportation to elderly residents and people with disabilities.

Michaud said the city contributed $82,500 and the county $50,000.&nbsp;The service provided about&nbsp;28,000 rides in 2024, with more than 11,000 of those trips related to work.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1c896b49-4c58-4425-a998-474c7c4b6da4">SEE RELATED STORY: ACCESS Public Transportation faces 2026 budget shortfall</a>

Michaid said there are no plans for immediate changes to the service.&nbsp;

You can learn more about ACCESS transportation&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.google.com/mydsnwk.org/access">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ACCESS Public Transportation still faces 2026 budget shortfall

CASA of the High Plains announces that Ashley Kingsley, part-time donor relations and public engagement manager, has submitted her resignation, effective Sept. 11.&nbsp; 

While her departure comes in the middle of our&nbsp;fall fundraising efforts, CASA remains committed to raising $30,000 by year's end to ensure that&nbsp;vital advocacy services for our children continue.

Current campaigns include the&nbsp;Cash for Kids Raffle. Tickets are $25 each, with drawings conducted daily through October and participation in&nbsp;Give Fest&nbsp;on Oct. 10 through the Heartland Foundation.

We encourage community members to join us in these efforts to support their local children in need.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To donate, visit CASA's website at <a href="https://casaofthehighplains.org/">casaofthehighplains.org</a>, which has a donation button, as well as easy links to "How do I get involved?" Checks can be mailed to 107 W. 13th St., Hays, KS 67601.

See CASA's Venmo or PayPal QR codes below.

CASA fall fundraising efforts continue despite loss of donor relations manager

FHSU daily crime log: Sept. 19-25, 2025

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/45c326ac-a856-480a-b491-0312e5d43c5c">Find our obituary posting policy by clicking here.</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Tony Guerrero speaks with Kim Cebula, Fort Hays State alumni director, and Megan Purinton, Fort Hays State director of events, about the university's homecoming weekend.

🎙 Post Podcast: FHSU homecoming kicks off today

<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 LINN ANN HUNTINGTON Special to Hays Post

It’s not unusual for a minister in Ellis County to pastor multiple churches, particularly if some of those are in rural areas. But it&nbsp;is&nbsp;unusual for one minister to pastor churches from two different mainline Protestant denominations.

That is the situation for the Rev. Ben Houchen.

Houchen became the priest at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 2900 Canal Blvd., and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2422 Hyacinth Ave., in 2024. As of Sept. 14, he is now also the part-time pastor at First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall St.

First Presbyterian had been without a pastor since its interim part-time pastor, the Rev. Christine Wagner, retired in December 2024. Its nominating committee had already been searching for a new pastor for several months before that. Since Wagner’s retirement, First Presbyterian’s pulpit has been filled by lay persons from Hays, Ellis, and surrounding communities.

Houchen said the First Presbyterian Church leaders reached out to him several months ago about becoming their new pastor.

“At first, I had some reservations about taking on the work of a third church, but after prompting from my bishop and engaging with the wonderful folks on the First Presbyterian Pastoral Nominating Committee, I knew that this would be an amazing opportunity to bring all of these lovely people together to better serve Hays. The traditions and customs of the three groups may have differences. But the hearts of these people are dedicated to a Christ-like love for their community,” Houchen said.

“In every conversation I heard a heart cry to know how to do more. How to create better care, more love, more engagement, and more resources for the people of our city. These churches are coming together to improve and empower the lives of the people in Hays, America, and I just had to be a part of that,” he said.&nbsp;

Gia Scott, chair of First Presbyterian’s Pastor Nominating Committee, said in a news release, “We’re thrilled to welcome Rev. Houchen as our new pastor. His deep commitment to mission, youth, and community-building made him an ideal fit for our church. We believe this shared ministry will enrich both congregations and expand our collective impact in Hays.”

One of the challenges of pastoring three churches, of course, involves logistics. Houchen said the three churches will continue to have separate worship services in their respective buildings. But all of their worship times have changed.

First Presbyterian now meets at 9 a.m. Sundays, St. Michael’s meets at 11 a.m. Sundays, and St. Andrew’s meets at 1 p.m. Sundays.

“Our hope is to be one church with three services,” Houchen said. “That means we want to do ministry together, serve Hays together, create, and support, and empower our community together.

“But we are still maintaining and respecting the varied traditions of each group in their respective places of worship. I have had a good deal of practice with this already as St. Michael’s and St. Andrew’s have very different traditions of their own, even though they are both of the same denomination.”

Houchen said he is not an ordained Presbyterian minister, “and it won’t be a necessity. The Episcopal Church and The Presbyterian USA Church are finalizing work to be ‘in full communion,’ which will allow me to perform all the same rites for both denominations. But I will be attending some trainings to better understand Presbyterian polity and traditions so I can fully lead in the church with knowledge of and respect for their particular observances.”&nbsp;

Houchen earned bachelor degrees in pastoral leadership and biblical studies from Oak Hills Christian College in Bemidji, Minn., and he has a master’s degree in intergenerational leadership from Denver Seminary.

He served as a pulpit supply pastor in Minnesota for three years, as a youth and family pastor in Colorado for five years, and taught leadership studies classes in China for Fort Hays State University from 2014 to 2021. He began working as the administrator at the two Episcopal churches in Hays in 2022 before becoming the priest at both in 2024.

He and his wife, Nikki, have been married for 21 years and have four children, ages 11 to 20.

Houchen said he has two main goals for his churches’ shared ministry. One of those involves Feeding Hays, a ministry that St. Michael’s began in 2022. Houchen said his wife was the one who originally had the idea of the church providing a free hot meal every week, and someone else had the idea of making it a drive-thru.

Thus, Feeding Hays was born. The church continues to provide a free hot meal from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. each Thursday. There are no income requirements. Normally, the meal is spaghetti and meat sauce, a salad, and dessert.

The ministry that started out serving 20 to 30 people per week is now serving 230 to 250&nbsp; people per week, Houchen said. The meals are free, but some recipients wish to donate money to the church. Feeding Hays donates that money to pay off student lunchroom debt at USD 489 Hays public schools. Houchen said during the 2024-2025 school year, Feeding Hays donated more than $2,500 toward student lunch debt.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Recently St. Michael’s received funds from the United Way to hire an administrator for the Feeding Hays program. It is working on creating a board of directors for Feeding Hays so it can become a separate non-profit 501(c)3 organization.

Houchen’s first goal is “we want to find a way to increase the amount of food we serve and the number of nights we can serve it. But we also want to move beyond food service and help find ways to get people back on their feet and able to self-sustain.

“Getting them fed well is a huge building block towards that end. But it’s just the beginning of what we’ll be doing here. I can’t wait to see what all comes next.”

While his first goal involves meeting people’s physical needs, Houchen’s second goal involves his flocks’ spiritual needs.

“On a spiritual level, our purpose is to continue to stand out as churches that are here for the people who love their faith, as well as those who are looking for a faith to love,” he said. “Our churches aren’t just for those who believe in God. They are for those who don’t have anything to believe in--the lonely, lost, and homeless. They are a place of refuge. And as they continue to grow, they will first and foremost grow in their love, acceptance, and grace for each other.”&nbsp;

1 pastor, 3 churches, 2 different denominations

Community Block Party celebrates latest Community Foundation of Ellis project

Nobody told me when I married a game warden that a pelican might take up temporary residence in my children’s wading pool. 

Nor did I realize my two tiny daughters and I would spend a couple of days throwing hooks and lines off a bridge over Big Creek catching enough fish to satisfy that visitor’s insatiable appetite. On the other hand, that eating machine never expected to vacation at our house, either.

This event occurred in the late '80s. City workers called to explain an injured pelican was devouring gold fish in the power plant pond as they spoke to me.

Eviction was necessary. Every kid in town, little and big, loved that rock pool where they tossed breadcrumbs and oatmeal to feed surfacing swirls of orange and white. Even nourishing something so exotic as a pelican was no reason to sacrifice the fishpond population.

While my husband already knew about pelican beaks, the girls and I learned swiftly to stay out of range of that weapon/lunch sack. Mr. P wasn’t happy about this forced removal and intimidated us with snapping jaws. It wasn’t worth risking hand or fingers to save frantic gold fish.

I distracted the big bird while my brave partner snuck behind to slide a huge rubber band around that slashing defense mechanism. Once we disabled it, we noticed a broken wing drove the creature to the city water hole to dine. Who knows how far the crippled bird walked to fill its belly. We swaddled it in an old blanket and hauled it home to figure out a plan.

Four decades ago, cell phones and instant communication were a thing of future, and the Wildlife and Parks rehabilitator wasn’t answering the phone. This forced us to brainstorm a strategy for the visitor our daughters named "LA Looks" for the spiky top notch on it crown.

The girls volunteered their little blue wading pool to house our guest and their services as fisherwomen. Each had a Mickey Mouse pole they cast off the nearby wooden bridge. It seemed workable, so their dad left us baiting hooks as he drove off on patrol.

After catching a few palm-size fish, our youngsters released them into Mr. Looks’ temporary abode. My husband had unbound its beak so it snarfed our meager contribution. In disbelief, we marveled at how swiftly he scooped our catch and how his pouch expanded once full of flopping protein. Once our contribution slid down his gullet, it shrank to its previous size.

The hungry critter searched for more food. Those little perch didn’t satisfy his hunger, so girls and I returned to the creek, where we filled a stringer. Once again, his response dazzled us.

It occurred to me there was no way the human part of this equation could match the pelican’s gustatory requirements so I visited the IGA fish department. All the way there, I wondered what it would cost to board this fellow until he went to the rehabilitator. I prayed my budget stretched as big as his pouch if he stayed more than a day.

Along with fish the girls and I caught, we supplemented LA’s diet with frozen whitefish. These codcicles confused him at first, but he eventually swallowed them along with live fish.

While I’d never want to feed a pelican week after week, hosting one temporarily was delightful. We happily learned LA Looks survived surgery and would entertain nearby zoo patrons with how many fish he could stash in his pouch.

Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN:  A pelican in the wading pool

This is your last chance to register to become a finalist in the Yuengling Flight Golf Cart Giveaway at Elite Detailing and Sales,&nbsp;609 East 8th Street, Hays Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

While you’re there getting registered, check out their great selection of affordable vehicles and get 10% off of all detailing gift cards during the sign-up period.&nbsp;

 That’s Thursday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Elite Detailing and Sales in Hays!&nbsp; 

Special thanks to A &amp; A Coors Yuengling!

Enter to be finalist for Yuengling Flight Golf Cart Giveaway at Elite Detailing and Sales today

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A Wellington man was arrested Sept. 14 on multiple charges, including alleged underage drinking at Chuck's, 507 W. Seventh St.

Hays Police Lt. Brandon Hauptman said officers responded to a disturbance at the bar shortly after midnight, after staff allegedly caught 18-year-old Carter Gene Burnett of Wellington drinking underage.

Hauptman said Burnett allegedly resisted when staff tried to remove him, resulting in a scuffle. Staff eventually escorted him out of the bar and then called the police.

Burnett was arrested on requested charges of simple battery, underage possession of alcohol and underage possession of tobacco. Hauptman said Burnett sustained minor injuries. No injuries were reported among bar staff.

Wellington man arrested in Hays bar for alleged battery

Feeding Hays volunteers needed for tonight's meal

&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

HOLYROOD — The Heritage Matinee event will kick off at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Holyrood American Legion with archival film footage collected by Arlen Schultz dating from the 1940s depicting scenes such as a football game between Lorraine and Holyrood, and the dedication of the Ellsworth County Courthouse and celebratory parade.

An open mic storytelling time will follow for people to share their recollections about Holyrood and Ellsworth County. Attendees are encouraged to consider sharing a prepared historical anecdote between 1-2 minutes, which will be recorded for Holyrood’s archives. 'Sod and Stubble' Director Ken Spurgeon will introduce his film and entertain audience questions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

'Sod and Stubble' tells the story of the Ise family who homesteaded in Osborne County, Kansas in the 1870s and battled through the many challenges of homesteading on the Kansas plains. The original story was written by John Ise in the 1930s with the help and remembrances of his mother Rosa Ise. In the 1990s, Von Rothenberger added over 150pages of additional text to the new release. Now, the story of Henry and Rosie Ise comes to life on the screen through the work of an award-winning cast and crew.&nbsp;&nbsp;

'Sod and Stubble' was filmed in Downs, Wichita, and El Dorado, Kansas.&nbsp;

The film was produced by New Albany Films and Sod and Stubble LLC, and distributed by Purdie Distribution. 'Sod and Stubble' has been distributed nationwide to theatres and released on streaming platforms.&nbsp; More information about the film is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.sodandstubble.com/">www.sodandstubble.com</a>.&nbsp;

'Sod and Stubble' film featured at Holyrood Booster Club fundraising event Oct. 4

NESS CITY — The 16th annual Fall Festival Auction for Sacred Heart School in Ness City is Saturday, Oct. 4.

Mass is at 4 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. with a prime rib supper from 6 to 7 p.m. Silent auction at 6 p.m. followed by the live auction at 7 p.m.

Drawings include a 2025 CF Moto UTV, a Generac generator, chances to win cash and other prizes.

Reserve your seat today by calling Sacred Heart School in Ness City at&nbsp;785-798-3530 and get your tickets at the school.&nbsp;

Ness City Sacred Heart School Fall Festival Auction is Oct. 4

The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance (ECMA) will have its monthly meeting at noon Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort St., Hays.

Anyone wishing to make a presentation to the group must make arrangements in advance with Cheryl Glassman, ECMA president, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:president@ourecma.com">president@ourecma.com</a>.

Ellis County Ministerial Alliance to meet Oct. 8

LOGAN — The Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program is delighted to welcome certified Bob Ross instructor Hope Blakely of Arvada, Colorado, for two Magic of Painting classes on October 18 and 19. 

On Saturday, October 18, participants will paint Tropical Paradise, and on Sunday, October 19, English Village. 

Both classes will take place in the Hansen Museum Community Room, located at 110 W. Main Street in Logan, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day, with a one-hour lunch break.

These classes offer a fun, beginner-friendly introduction to painting. Students will be guided step-by-step through the process of completing a finished painting each day. No prior experience is necessary, and all supplies are provided. Participants need only bring a roll of paper towels. 

Open to individuals aged 13 and older, these sessions provide a relaxed, supportive atmosphere that fosters creativity and camaraderie.

Registration is available online at <a href="https://hansenmuseum.org/schedule-of-classes/">www.hansenmuseum.org</a> under the “Classes &amp; Camps” section. Discounts are offered to Patron and Sustaining Members of the Hansen Museum.

These classes are part of the Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program and are made possible through generous support from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. 

Upcoming beginner-friendly painting classes in Logan

Family Literacy Night celebrates FHSU Homecoming 

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

There will be a VFW Stars and Stripes Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 12 at VFW Post 9076, 2106 Vine, Hays. Advance ticket sale proceeds go to the Cancer Council of Ellis County.

Advance Ticket Prices: $11.50 for Adults, $6.50 for 5 to 11 year old, Kids under 5 are FREE. 

Contact the Cancer Council of Ellis County for tickets at 785-625-6653. Also, enjoy a raffle and bake sale the day of the breakfast. 

VFW breakfast to benefit Cancer Council of Ellis County

New survey shows rise in problem gambling

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas legislators are considering changes to the way the state taxes sports gambling after receiving less than a 1% cut on more than $2.7 billion in bets in the past fiscal year.

As the expiration dates for contracts between the state and sports wager operators draw nearer, Kansas is confronting an increasingly complex and more profitable gambling climate than when it first legalized sports betting in 2022.

During the 2025 session, the Legislature implemented&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/17/last-minute-moratorium-on-kansas-sports-betting-contract-negotiations-provokes-uncertainty/">a last-minute moratorium</a>&nbsp;on the state approving any contract renewals for online sportsbooks. A hearing Monday was the first public discussion of potential changes to Kansas’ sportsbook market since then.

Legislators toyed with the idea of rejiggering the formula that dictates the allocation of sports betting revenues at a Monday hearing in Topeka. Of the $2.7 billion in wagering revenue in fiscal year 2025, which began in July 2024 and ended in June, Kansas retained about $17 million, or 0.6%, according to state data.

Lawmakers also considered changing the way book operators reach customers.

John Pappas, the state advocacy director for iDevelopment and Economic Association, a national trade group for mobile sportsbook operators and technology providers, said during the hearing that Kansas’ model is a success story.

But Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a Republican from St. Marys, said he struggled to accept that notion.

“I guess we represent different people, right?” he said to Pappas. “ You have your clients. I have the people of my district. The people of Kansas.”

In ranking sports wagering tax revenue per $1 million wagered since inception, Kansas ranks 29 out of 33 states.

“This is absolute failure from my perspective,” Awerkamp said.

“What am I not seeing?” he added. “How can you say that this is a success story when we’re basically one of the worst states in the country?”

Pappas said the answer is simple. Success is based on the size of Kansas’ market. For a small population, Kansas’ sports betting revenues are disproportionately large. In Awerkamp’s eyes, the problem is that the revenues are only taxed at 10%.

Six states and Washington, D.C., set different tax rates for online and retail sports betting. Kansas is one of 11 states that tax online and retail sports betting at the same rate of 10% or less. New Hampshire, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island have the highest tax rates at 51%.

Kansans over the age of 21 can bet on more than 50 categories of live and virtual sports, from bull riding to baseball to chess. Casinos in Kansas are allowed to contract with sportsbook operators, of which there are currently six: BetMGM, Caesar’s, DraftKings, ESPNBet, FanDuel and Fanatics.

The 5-year contracts, which include retail and mobile betting, are set to expire around the same time in August 2027. Other states run their own books, or contract directly with book operators.

Existing sportsbook operators and Kansas casinos opposed a change to Kansas’ model. Some cautioned lawmakers about modifying business in Kansas while sportsbooks are expected to begin operating in neighboring states, including Missouri later this year.

Aaron Gomes, president of the parent company to Kansas Crossing Casino in Pittsburg, said in written testimony, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

The casino works with three book operators: Caesars, Fanatics and BetMGM.

“Untethering sports wagering from casinos would not only disrupt these partnerships — it would risk undermining the very institutions that have delivered economic value to Kansas,” said Gomes, who is the chief operating officer of the casino’s owner, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment.

Earlier in the hearing, in discussion with another casino representative, Awerkamp said the sole purpose of the Kansas Lottery is to generate revenue for the state to offset burdens on taxpayers.

“From my perspective, what’s happened is certain organizations have recognized a tremendous opportunity of essentially a constitutionally protected monopoly and tried to get in the process and take a cut,” he said.

The Kansas Lottery was established for the good of the people, Awerkamp said, not the good of the casinos.

Kansans’ attitudes toward gambling have evolved since the state legalized sports wagering, and problem gambling behaviors have escalated, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_spc_2025_on_fed_and_st_aff_1/documents/testimony/20250922_12.pdf" target="_blank">2025 study</a>&nbsp;that surveyed more than 1,600 Kansas adults.

It was the first time the survey was conducted since 2017, and it recommended enhancing problem gambling messaging, improving state-funded treatment and gambling screening, regulating gambling advertising, and conducting statewide surveys more frequently.

Around 70% of survey respondents reported gambling, and 34% of respondents said they had gambled in the past month, an increase from 19% who reported gambling in 2017.

“The number of Kansans at moderate or high risk for problem gambling has more than tripled since 2017,” the survey found.

Almost everyone surveyed who was classified as high risk acknowledged they had a gambling problem. Many said gambling caused health, financial and relational problems. Substance use and mental health struggles were more likely for those in the high-risk category than those in the moderate and low-risk categories, the study said. Kansans are also less likely to use a gambling hotline than they were eight years ago.

More Kansans are citing their motivation for gambling as paying bills and escaping everyday problems. In 2017, 18% of survey respondents said they gamble to pay bills and 16% said they want to escape their problems. In 2025, those percentages rose to 38% and 35%. Still, between the two surveys, the top motivations remained entertainment and fun, to win money and excitement and challenge.

Around 37% of respondents reported placing a sports wager in 2025. Fewer than half of those surveyed viewed sports betting as entertainment that allows for reasonable gambling.

Kansas legislators look for bigger payout from sportsbooks with contracts set to expire

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned the military's top officers — hundreds of generals and admirals — to a base in northern Virginia for a sudden meeting next week, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The directive did not offer a reason for the gathering Tuesday of senior commanders of the one-star rank or higher and their top advisers at the Marine Corps base in Quantico. The people, who described the move as unusual, were not authorized to publicly discuss the sensitive plans and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Pentagon's top spokesman, Sean Parnell, confirmed that Hegseth "will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week.”

Across the military, there are 800 generals and admirals of all ranks. Many command thousands of service members and are stationed across the world in more than a dozen countries and time zones.

The meeting, first reported by The Washington Post, comes on the heels of several unusual and unexplained actions that Hegseth has taken involving military leaders.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-pentagon-cuts-dd2107dff617951b0edf6ca86074d836">In May, Hegseth ordered</a>&nbsp;that the military cut 20% of its four-star general officers, directed an additional 10% cut from all general and flag officers across the force, and told the National Guard to shed 20% of its top positions.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-brown-joint-chiefs-of-staff-firing-fa428cc1508a583b3bf5e7a5a58f6acf">In February, Hegseth fired</a>&nbsp;Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's top officer, and Gen. James Slife, the Air Force's second highest officer, without explanation. He also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-firing-chairman-lawyers-6bead3346b1210e45e77648e6cbc3599">relieved the military's top lawyers</a>.

Since then, Hegseth has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-trump-dei-chatfield-nato-23df15b59766458d106567ba782d2f15">fired other military leaders</a>&nbsp;without saying why. Most recently it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-dia-iran-intelligence-trump-kruse-5cb1fb89b8f12c3b517f139f6d840b48">a general</a>&nbsp;who led a military intelligence agency whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-military-strikes-trump-f0fc085a2605e7da3e2f47ff9ac0e01d">initial assessment</a>&nbsp;of U.S. damage to Iranian nuclear sites in American strikes angered President Donald Trump.

Hegseth abruptly summons top military commanders to a meeting 

DENVER (AP) — A jury has awarded $205 million to the parents of a 6-year-old girl&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colorado-caves-glenwood-springs-ff78e3ea77521d20115409f6eadb4cc1">who fell to her death</a>&nbsp;at a Colorado amusement park after she wasn't strapped in to a ride.

The verdict was reached Friday in Glenwood Springs, where Wongel Estifanos fell about 100 feet (30 meters) to her death on the Haunted Mine Drop ride at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in 2021.

The floor drops out from underneath riders, who plunge down a mine shaft strapped to their seats.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-colorado-caves-d834535c3cb33dd02cbc8db6ff486772">State investigators found</a>&nbsp;Estifanos was sitting on top of two seat belts instead of wearing them across her lap, and two newly hired operators never noticed despite doing checks. Investigators also found that an alarm system warned of a problem, but one of the workers reset the system and started the ride because they weren’t trained well enough to know what to do about it.

Jurors found the amusement park, the maker of the ride and two operators should pay the verdict, with the park responsible for paying most of it, according to court documents.

In a statement to The Denver Post, Glenwood Caverns spokesperson Kimberly Marcum said the park worked with independent engineers to redesign the ride after Estifanos’ death. She also said the verdict puts the park's existence “at serious risk.”

Marcum did not immediately return a telephone call or email from The Associated Press on Wednesday asking whether the park planned to appeal the verdict.

Family awarded millions after girl, fell to her death from theme park ride

Starbucks said Thursday it's closing hundreds of U.S. and Canadian stores and laying off 900 nonretail employees as it focuses more of its resources on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-third-quarter-earnings-protein-drink-533edb1a204c2048d649d794e38ad303">turnaround</a>.

The Seattle coffee giant said store closures would start immediately. The company wouldn't give a number of stores that are closing, but it said it expects to have 18,300 North American locations when its fiscal year ends on Sunday, which is 124 fewer than it had at the end of its 2024 fiscal year. As of June 29, the company had 18,734 locations.

Starbucks said workers in its stores will be offered transfers to other locations where possible and severance packages.

Starbucks said it will notify nonretail employees whose positions are being eliminated early Friday. Starbucks asked employees who can work from home to do so on Thursday and Friday.

In a letter sent to employees Thursday, Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said a review of the company's stores identified locations where the company doesn't see a path to financial stability or isn't able to create the physical environment customers expect. Those stores are being closed.

“Each year, we open and close coffeehouses for a variety of reasons, from financial performance to lease expirations,” Niccol wrote. “This is a more significant action that we understand will impact partners and customers. Our coffeehouses are centers of the community, and closing any location is difficult.”

Starbucks said it expects to spend $1 billion on the restructuring, including $150 million on employee separation benefits and $850 million related to the physical store closing and the cost of exiting leases.

Starbucks shares were down less than 1% in morning trading Thursday.

It was not immediately clear how many of the stores that are closing are unionized. Workers at 650 company-owned U.S. Starbucks stores have voted to unionize since 2021, but they have yet to reach a contract agreement with the company.

Starbucks Workers United, the labor group organizing workers, said Thursday that the closures were made without input from Starbucks' baristas. The union said it intends to engage in bargaining at every union-represented store that is closing to ensure workers can be placed at another store they prefer.

“Fixing what’s broken at Starbucks isn’t possible without centering the people who engage with the company’s customers day in and day out,” the union said.

News of the store closures came just over a week after unionized employees in three states&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-dress-code-lawsuits-union-9d1eff89242d00f65d459d8a393f409a">sued Starbucks</a>&nbsp;over its new dress code, saying the company refused to reimburse workers who had to buy new clothes.

Starbucks said it used a consistent set of criteria to determine the stores that are closing and union representation wasn't a factor.

It’s rare for Starbucks to shrink its store count during a fiscal year.

Niccol said Starbucks plans to increase its North American store count in its next fiscal year. The company said it also plans to redesign more than 1,000 locations in the next 12 months to give them a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-ceo-niccol-coffee-b547ab2141e194b30675ad8d1caff90d">warmer, more welcoming feel</a>.

This is the second big round of layoffs at Starbucks this year. In February, Niccol&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-layoffs-corporate-ac4110200335139836c6b370d864313c">announced the layoffs</a>&nbsp;of 1,100 corporate employees globally and eliminated several hundred open positions. At the time, Niccol said Starbucks needed to operate more efficiently and increase accountability for decisions.

Niccol is a turnaround specialist who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-ceo-brian-niccol-f2b918d9862a329d7f0ba3373ebbc444">brought into Starbucks</a>&nbsp;a year ago this month to give the brand a jolt. Under Niccol's leadership, the struggling Chipotle chain, where Niccol was CEO for about 6 years, essentially doubled its revenue and its profit, and its stock price soared.

In July, Starbucks reported its sixth straight quarter of lower same-store sales, as weak U.S. traffic continued to be a drain on the company. Niccol is trying to turn that around by adding staff, making stores cozier and introducing software that helps prioritize orders and make sure customers can get their drink within four minutes.

Starbucks to close hundreds of stores, lay off workers 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man injured in a fatal fight on July 4, will return to court on Thursday.

&nbsp;Eduardo Diaz-Yobal, 33, will face a preliminary hearing in Judge Christopher Magana's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick District Attorney's office. Diaz-Yobal is charged with first-degree murder in&nbsp;the death of 33-year-old Cesar Gonzalez.

Early on July 4, police responded to a report of an assault in the 3000 block of North Fairview in Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police. A caller reported witnessing a man attacking another man. The victim was later identified as Gonzalez of Wichita.&nbsp;

Before officers arrived, the suspect fled the scene. Officers found Gonzalez unresponsive in the parking lot. Sedgwick County EMS transported him to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased at 1:54 a.m.

Officers located the suspect identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=254855">&nbsp;Diaz-Yobal, 33, of Wichita,</a>&nbsp;in the 300 block of W. 29th Street and took him into custody without incident.

Diaz-Yobal had injuries consistent with the altercation and was admitted to an area hospital for treatment, released and then booked into the Sedgwick County Jail where he is being on bond of over&nbsp;&nbsp;$1,500,000.00, according to online jail records.

Kansas man faces hearing for deadly 4th of July fight

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/seung-min-kim">SEUNG MIN KIM</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is telling agencies to prepare large-scale firings of federal workers if the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-trump-funding-bill-republicans-shutdown-1fea0f79c85ec69b91d9789fbda00834">government shuts down</a>&nbsp;next week.

In a memo released Wednesday night, the Office of Management and Budget said agencies should consider a reduction in force for federal programs whose funding would lapse next week, is not otherwise funded and is “not consistent with the President’s priorities.” That would be a much more aggressive step than in previous shutdowns, when federal workers not deemed essential were furloughed but returned to their jobs once Congress approved government spending.

A reduction in force would not only lay off employees but eliminate their positions, which would trigger yet another massive upheaval in a federal workforce that has already faced major rounds of cuts this year due to efforts from the Department of Government Efficiency and elsewhere in the Trump administration.

Once any potential government shutdown ends, agencies are asked to revise their reduction in force plans “as needed to retain the minimal number of employees necessary to carry out statutory functions,” according to the memo, which was first reported by Politico.

This move from OMB significantly increases the consequences of a potential government shutdown next week and escalates pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-government-shutdown-schumer-jeffries-meeting-8b1726435066403bf6b9fe4e4fffc029">Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries</a>. The two leaders have kept nearly all of their Democratic lawmakers united against a clean funding bill pushed by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans that would keep the federal government operating for seven more weeks, demanding immediate improvements to health care in exchange for their votes.

In statements issued shortly after the memo was released, the two Democrats showed no signs of budging.

“We will not be intimidated by your threat to engage in mass firings,” Jeffries wrote in a post on X. “Get lost.”

Jeffries called Russ Vought, the head of OMB, a “malignant political hack.”

Schumer said in a statement that the OMB memo is an “attempt at intimidation” and predicted the “unnecessary firings will either be overturned in court or the administration will end up hiring the workers back.”

OMB noted that it held its first planning call with other federal agencies earlier this week to plan for a shutdown. The budget office plays point in managing federal government shutdowns, particularly planning for them ahead of time. Past budget offices have also posted shutdown contingency plans — which would outline which agency workers would stay on the job during a government shutdown and which would be furloughed — on its website, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-resources/guidance/agency-contingency-plans/" target="_blank">this one has not</a>.

The memo noted that congressional Democrats are refusing to support a clean government funding bill “due to their partisan demands,” which include an extension of enhanced health insurance subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, plus a reversal of Medicaid cuts that were included in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">Republicans’ big tax and spending cuts law.</a>

“As such, it has never been more important for the Administration to be prepared for a shutdown if the Democrats choose to pursue one,” the memo reads, which also notes that the GOP’s signature law, a major tax and border spending package, gives “ample resources to ensure that many core Trump Administration priorities will continue uninterrupted.”

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