Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center, which will be opening soon in Hays, on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center is set to open this month.

Grow Hays received its occupancy permit last week.&nbsp;

Bright Minds will be opening its child care facility on the north side of the building, and the senior center will be moving into south side of the building before the end of the month.

The center area of the building is a community room that will be available to rent through Grow Hays. Call 785-628-3102&nbsp;for more information.

Grow Hays will host an official ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Friday,&nbsp; Aug 29.

Please submit your questions for Doug Williams for future interviews to&nbsp;hayspost@eaglemedia.com.

🎙 Schmidt Community Center complete, ribbon cutting set for Aug. 29

SHERMAN COUNTY —The city of Goodland will honor first responders who worked the multi-vehicle crash that killed 8 people last winter.

On March 14, a devastating 71-vehicle accident along Interstate 70 unfolded during a sudden and blinding dust storm, a tragic day that tested the strength of our first responders like never before, the Goodland Police Department shared on their social media page.

"At significant personal risk, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers responded without hesitation, navigating chaos, debris, and limited visibility to save lives, render aid, and bring order to unimaginable devastation."

"On August 23, at 7:00 PM, we will gather at the High School Auditorium 1209 Cherry in Goodland, for the First Responder Awards Ceremony, a moment to honor the courage and professionalism shown that day, and to recognize the profound emotional burden experienced by those who answered the call."

"Their heroism reminds us of the deep humanity behind the badge and the profound courage it takes to serve when everything else is falling apart. The public is welcome and encouraged to join us."

First responders to deadly I-70 multi-vehicle crash will be honored

Beginning Tuesday, 13th Street east of Canterbury Drive in Hays will return to one-way traffic - westbound ONLY - for a mill and overlay of roadway until further notice. 

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Public Works office at 785-628-7350.

13th St. east of Canterbury in Hays returns to 1-way traffic Tuesday

HOXIE – The Main Street Arts Council is excited to announce the final performances of the 2025 Main Street Summer Theater Festival, which will take place in Oakley on August 8 and 9. 

These performances of Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. will bring the festival’s incredible run to a close after an amazing summer of inspiring youth theater across northwest Kansas.

The Main Street Summer Theater Festival has been a celebration of local talent, with performances in six different towns, all showcasing the creativity and hard work of young performers. Oakley will host the last two performances, giving attendees one final chance to experience this magical production of Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr., featuring beloved songs from Encanto, Frozen II, Coco, and more.

Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m. Oakley High School Auditorium, 118 W 7th St., Oakley

In addition to the festival’s final performances, we are also thrilled to announce a special Broadway guest performance by Desi Oakley, a Wichita native and renowned Broadway performer. Desi will be performing live in Hoxie on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, as part of the festival’s 10th-anniversary celebration.

Desi Oakley has an extensive Broadway career, having starred in productions such as Wicked, Waitress, and Chicago. Her concert will offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the talent of this Broadway star in a local, intimate setting.

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Hoxie High School Auditorium, 1625 Queen Ave., Hoxie

We invite everyone to attend both the final festival performances in Oakley and Desi Oakley’s Broadway concert to celebrate the culmination of this incredible summer of youth theater and professional talent.

For more information about the festival, tickets for the remaining performances, or to reserve your seat for Desi Oakley’s concert, visit <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025</a>.

Final summer theater performances in Oakley, Broadway guest Desi Oakley in Hoxie

TREGO COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9p.m. Sunday in Trego County.

&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy Suburban driven by&nbsp; Julio C.&nbsp;Villarreal-Gomez, 36, WaKeeney, was westbound on AA Road seven&nbsp; miles north and two miles east of Ransom. The driver lost control of the SUV and it rolled into the south ditch

EMS transported Villarreal-Gomez to Grisell Memorial Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas man hospitalized after SUV rollover accident

HILL CITY — The Hill City High School Alumni Scholarship Program (HCHSASP) has announced that this year’s winner of the annual&nbsp;Edna Dean Harrell Family Scholarship&nbsp;is&nbsp;Hannah Lee. 

She is a 2025 graduate of Hill City High and was awarded $5,000 to support her continuing education. She received the initial award this summer and will receive additional money in the following semesters. Under the rules of the Alumni Association, Lee must maintain a 3.0 grade point average to receive continuing assistance.

The scholarship winner is chosen annually by the HCHSASP and Mrs. Harrell’s son, Dan Harrell. The scholarship was established in 2009, just weeks after the passing of Mrs. Harrell, making Lee the 17th winner so far.

Originally established as a yearly $1,000 scholarship for a deserving Hill City High graduate to continue their education, the amount has increased steadily to its current award of $5,000 annually. In total, the scholarship has provided the 17 winners with more than $60,000 in educational assistance so far.

Lee commuted more than 25 miles round-trip to Hill City for school from Morland, her hometown. She also worked as an aide at Dawson Place (a retirement community in Hill City) and was a lifeguard at the local pool for several years.

Lee was exuberantly thankful to learn she had won the scholarship.&nbsp;“I am extremely&nbsp;grateful for the opportunity&nbsp;to receive this scholarship,” she said. “I am planning to attend Fort Hays State University in the fall, where I will study Human Health and Performance and get my bachelor’s degree. After I get my bachelor’s degree, I plan on pursuing&nbsp;physical therapy.”

Announcing the award, Harrell said, “In the end, Hannah emerged as the clear winner. She exemplifies the values and purpose that the Harrell Scholarship stands for – love of education, constant striving to be and know more, giving back to the community, and wanting to follow a career path that serves others. Her pursuit of a healthcare career gave her an added advantage as that path most honors my mother’s lifelong work.”

Hannah is the daughter of Barnaby and Melissa Lee.&nbsp;

Hill City High School alumni scholarship program announces winner

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

It may be mid-summer, but veteran gardeners know it’s time to start planning the fall vegetable garden.&nbsp;

“Fall gardens may face additional pressures of pests and heat, but the flavor that comes from these late season crops are often better (than summer crops),” said Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini.&nbsp;She notes that gardeners should count the number of days to harvest, as well as the crops’ tolerance to frost, before deciding when to plant fall crops.

 Crops may be seeded directly, or transplanted into the garden.&nbsp;“Growing transplants is a good choice when the temperature is too warm for starting seeds in the ground, assuming you have grow lights and space available for starting them indoors,” Domenghini said.

&nbsp;She provides some tips for successful fall crops:

&nbsp;· When seeding crops directly into the garden, plant slightly deeper than recommended in the spring to take advantage of the cooler soil temperatures and moisture available

· Water more frequently to prevent the seeds from drying out.

&nbsp;· Overhead watering often causes soil to crust, making it more difficult for young, tender plants to emerge. Prevent this by applying a light sprinkling of vermiculite or compost over the row after seeding, or use a soak hose or drip irrigation right next to the row to allow water to slowly seep into the ground.&nbsp;

Domenghini also suggests a timeline for planting fall crops:

Mid-July Plant potatoes if you can find seed stock or have saved seed potatoes. Do not use freshly dug potatoes as they have built-in dormancy that will prevent growth. Also, grocery store potatoes are often treated, so they don’t sprout.&nbsp;Cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can be started from seed at this time. Choose a protected place where the soil can be kept moist and rabbits will not bother them. This will not be where they will grow the entire season; these crops will be transplanted in August.

Late July Seed beets, carrots and beans.

Late July to early August Seed spinach and long-season maturing lettuce. Leaf lettuce will be seeded later.&nbsp;

Second week of August Transplant cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower to their final location.

Mid to late August Seed radishes and leaf lettuce. There is no need to fertilize these crops before planting. Side-dress two weeks after transplanting, or four weeks after sowing seed, by applying two tablespoons of a 16-0-0 or one tablespoon of 27-3-3, 30-3-4 fertilizer (or something similar) per plant.&nbsp;

More information about fall gardening is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/kansas-garden-guide_S51">available in the Kansas Garden Guide</a>, available online from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/">K-State Research and Extension bookstore</a>.&nbsp;

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Planning time for fall vegetable gardens

<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

Hays, KS — Nex-Tech Wireless is working to bring even better wireless service to communities across Kansas. The company has announced an agreement with US Cellular to acquire additional spectrum in the 700 MHz band. This agreement is about boosting network capacity. It does not involve any changes to customer accounts, phone numbers, or services and there is no action required by current Nex-Tech Wireless or US Cellular customers. This move means stronger signal, faster data speeds, and improved coverage across central Kansas.

“We’re proud to keep investing in the communities we call home,” said Jon Lightle, President and CEO of Nex-Tech Wireless. “This new spectrum is like adding more lanes to the highway. It helps us handle more traffic with quality connections, right were customers need it most.”

· Improved connectivity even in rural areas and inside buildings

· Faster connections for streaming, gaming, and video calls

· Room to grow as more devices and new tech hit the market

About Nex-Tech Wireless Nex-Tech Wireless, a subsidiary of Nex-Tech Inc./Rural Telephone, Golden Belt Telephone and Tri-County Telephone, is a premiere wireless carrier serving over 40 Kansas counties with a mission to provide an unrivaled customer experience by bringing trusted technology and superior service to their hometowns. To learn more about Nex-Tech Wireless, please visit <a href="http://www.nex-techwireless.com">www.nex-techwireless.com</a> or call 1-800-621-2600.

NW Kansas man dies after motorcycle, car accident

Police responded to the Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County ReStore, 2707 Broadway in Hays at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The glass front door was broken. Officers cleared the building and found nothing immediately missing.

Habitat for Humanity rents the building. The nonprofit's landlord is checking with insurance to see if the vandalism will be covered.

The group is part of a global, nonprofit organization operated on Christian principles that works to eliminate substandard housing through construction, rehabilitation and advocacy for fair policies.

Habitat is fundraising to invest in another home for an Ellis County resident. The nonprofit earns money through the ReStore thrift store, which is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Donations can also be made to the local chapter by writing checks payable to Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County and sending them to P.O. Box 444​, Hays, KS 67601.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HFHEC">Follow the ReStore on Facebook</a>.&nbsp;

Habitat for Humanity building in Hays vandalized during weekend

Aug. 9-10 Shady Bend 2-Day Golf Tournament;&nbsp;Shady Bend Golf Course, Osborne;&nbsp;9:00 a.m. 4-Man Scramble. To enter call or text Eric Mans at 785-346-4654

Aug. 12 Mommy &amp; Me Tea;&nbsp;Second Street Café, 715 N. 2nd St, Natoma; 6:00 p.m.; Come on in for an elegant, fun and fanciful tea party; Call 785-346-4772

Aug. 16 See You at the Library;&nbsp;Osborne Public Library, 325 W. Main St., Osborne; BRAVE Books See You at the Library Story Hour 11:00 a.m.

Families will gather in libraries across the country for this nationwide event to celebrate faith, freedom, and the power of storytelling. Together, we’ll rediscover what libraries are meant to be: places that spark imagination, shape character, and speak truth to the next generation. We’ll read books that inspire faith and conviction Spark meaningful conversations And build community with families who care about what really matters Bring your kids. Invite your friends. Let’s fill the library with stories and values that matter.

Aug. 20 Dinner Club at the Second Street Café;&nbsp;Second Street Café, 715 N. 2nd St., Natoma;&nbsp;Enjoy a 7-course meal every third Wednesday at 7:00 at the Second Street Cafe Dinner Club; For more information call 785-346-4772

A super fun day for the whole family in Alton. Starting at 7:00 a.m. at the Front Porch Event Center for coffee and rolls followed by a full day – car and bike shows, cake and pie contests, parade, free watermelon, money dig, food stands, Bull City Olympics, water balloon volleyball, bouncy houses, jam sessions, drawings, Jamie Campbell, comedian, Bull City Newlywed Game, cornhole tournament…it all ends with a free street dance featuring Kill Creek Rising! For more information, check out the Alton Jubilee Facebook page.

Aug. 24 Community Church Service in the Park;&nbsp;10:30 a.m. at the Alton City Park; Sponsored by Mt. Ayr Friends Church and Alton United Methodist Church

Aug. 24 2-Person Golf Tournament;&nbsp;Downs Golf Course, KS-181, Downs;&nbsp;9:00 a.m.; Hosted by Knights of Columbus; Contact Brady Cline at 785-545-6183

Aug. 30 Natoma City Wide Garage Sale, Natoma

August events for Osborne County

2025 Alton Jubilee set for Aug. 23-24

COLBY — The Colby Community College men's basketball team will host their 27th annual Golf Tournament and Sponsor Appreciation event on Friday, August 29 at Meadow Lake Golf Course. All proceeds will be used to support the program.

Registration for the four-person scramble begins at 8 a.m., with a tee time of 9 a.m. Participants are asked to make their own cart arrangements. The entry fee is $300 per team and includes a sack lunch on the course. After golfing, participants and season sponsors will have dinner and an opportunity to meet the 2025-26 men's basketball team.

For more information on being a season sponsor or to register for the golf tournament, scan the QR code or contact Coach Jerrod Stanford at 620-385-0273.

Colby Community College men's basketball team hosts golf tourney Aug. 29

&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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kansas Wetlands Education Center hosts Perseid meteor shower watch party

Kansas Interscholastic Cycling League mountain bike racing team forming in Hays

Become an instant finalist in the Miller Lite UTV Giveaway from A&amp;A Coors-Miller and Briney Motorsports of Hays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Discount Smokes,&nbsp;2504 Vine St., Hays.

Register for a 4-seat CF-Moto U-Force 1000 valued at $20,000.&nbsp;

Additional thanks to Advantage Glass Plus and Commercial Sign of Hays.

Keep listening and reading the Hays Post all summer long for your chance to become a finalist.

The UTV will be given away at a Fort Hays State University football game on Saturday, Sept. 13.

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

WASHINGTON (AP) The president posted on Truth Social about Sweeney’s jeans ad for American Eagle Outfitters, the second time in the last 24 hours in which he weighed in on the controversy over the ad, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-eagle-sydney-sweeney-jeans-dunkin-e4d0cfade207d3b1e1b4e93531bfc082">sparked a debate</a>&nbsp;over race and Western beauty standards.

Trump, misspelling Sweeney’s first name, said it was “the HOTTEST ad out there.”

“It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying of the shelves.’ Go get ’em Sidney,” Trump said in his post.

In the same post, Trump complained about advertisements from Bud Light (which he also misspelled) and Jaguar, along with renewing his complaints about singer Taylor Swift, declaring them all “woke.”

🎥President Trump comments on Sydney Sweeney's jeans ad 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in a two-vehicle accident that occurred just before 6p.m. Saturday in Sedgwick County.

&nbsp;Wichita Police reported a vehicle was southbound on Greenwich Road and turned eastbound onto Zebra Street where it collided with a motorcycle driven by 32-year-old Terrin D. Bradfield of Wichita. First responders found Bradfield in critical condition. He was transported to a local hospital,&nbsp;where he was later pronounced deceased.

The Wichita Police Department's Critical Accident Team was activated. The accident remains under investigation. Police released no additional details Monday morning.

Police: Kansas motorcyclist killed after struck by a car

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a theft from the Farmer's Market in Manhattan.

Just before 10a.m. on Friday, officers filed a report for theft in the 200 block of Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley Police Department activity report.. 

The Downtown Farmer’s Market of Manhattan reported a 46-year-old woman took money. The estimated total loss with this case is approximately $6,000.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

Police: Woman accused of theft of cash from Farmer's Market

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man involved in a&nbsp;deadly shooting&nbsp; rampage in Wichita last fall was sentenced on Friday.

Judge Tyler Roush sentenced&nbsp;Jose A. Acosta, 33,&nbsp;to over 50 years in prison,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In May Acosta pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, aggravated robbery, criminal discharge of a firearm, attempted aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal possession of a firearm, and two counts of battery.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter&nbsp; listed the violent incidents involving Acosta on November 22, 2024.

At 8:52 PM, Wichita Police officers were dispatched to a reported robbery involving a firearm in the 1400 block of North Otis. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jose Antonio Acosta, pistol whipped one individual and pointed the gun at another, stealing their bicycle.

At 8:56 PM, as Acosta walked away from the robbery, he fired multiple shots into a residence in the 1400 block of North Otis. The homeowner narrowly avoided being shot, but the gunfire struck their dog.

At 9:16 PM, another victim reported an attempted carjacking that occurred near 16th&nbsp;and Broadway. Acosta allegedly struck the vehicle's window with a gun before firing several rounds at the car as the driver fled. Evidence of gunfire, including damage to the vehicle’s back window, was confirmed.

At 9:20 PM, officers investigating the area heard gunshots south of 13th and Broadway. It was determined that Acosta had engaged in a confrontation with an unidentified man at 11th and Broadway, firing multiple rounds. Detectives are actively seeking this individual.

Around the same time, Acosta confronted a woman across the street at a convenience store. Following a verbal altercation, he fired several shots at her. Fortunately, she was not injured.

At 9:26 PM, two WPD officers located Acosta near 11th and Broadway next to the stolen bicycle. After repeated commands to surrender, Acosta attempted to draw his firearm, hindered by an extended magazine. He eventually raised the weapon toward the officers, prompting them to fire. Acosta sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital with critical but non-life-threatening injuries.

During interviews with victims of the Otis robbery, officers searched Prospect Park near 13th and Main. There, they discovered the body of 40-year-old Myron Tucker of Wichita, who had sustained gunshot wounds. Investigators believe Tucker was shot around 8:49 PM, shortly before the robbery.

Acosta was released from the hospital and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;

Prison for Kansas man wounded by police in deadly rampage

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/anne-dinnocenzio">ANNE D’INNOCENZIO</a> Associated Press

It’s been almost 100 years since the U.S. had tariffs at the level they could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-effect-05bc12428163b9f28ef80f952cf9dafd">reach on Friday</a>.

Once President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-3b03b98296424e59c7dc19a865d21969">Trump’s planned tariffs</a>&nbsp;take effect, Americans will see an average tax of 18.3% for imported products, the highest rate since 1934, according to the Budget Lab at Yale, a non-partisan policy research center.

Late Thursday, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-effect-05bc12428163b9f28ef80f952cf9dafd">ordered new tariff rates for 66 countries</a>, the European Union, Taiwan and the Falkland Islands. Among them: a 40% tariff on imports from Laos, a 39% tariff on goods&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-tariffs-trump-us-trade-war-3700eaf85a7eac02bb0fd52a0461176b">from Switzerland</a>&nbsp;and a 30% tariff on South African products.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-trade-deals-deadline-3977a3890ab7be85c0e07d5808dd2b55">Other trade partners</a>, such as Cambodia and Bangladesh, had the tax rates on their exports to the U.S. reduced from levels the president had threatened to impose. Trump postponed the start date for all of the changes from Friday until Aug. 7.

Tariffs are a tax, and U.S. consumers are likely to foot at least part of the bill. The Budget Lab estimated that prices will increase 1.8% in the short term as a result of the trade war the U.S. waged this year. That’s the equivalent of a $2,400 loss of income per U.S. household, the group said.

Companies are dealing with tariffs in various ways. Many automakers appear to be swallowing tariff costs for now. But the world’s largest eyewear maker, EssilorLuxottica, said it raised U.S. prices due to tariffs. The maker of Ray-Bans grinds lenses and sunglasses in Mexico, Thailand and China and exports premium frames from Italy.

“Retailers have been able to hold the line on pricing so far, but the new tariffs will impact merchandise in the coming weeks,” David French, chief lobbyist for the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, said Friday. “We have heard directly from small retailers who are concerned about their ability to stay in business in the face of these unsustainable tariff rates.”

Here’s what we know about the tariffs and what their impact will be on U.S. consumers:

Trump unveiled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/trump-announces-sweeping-new-tariffs-to-promote-us-manufacturing-risking-inflation-and-trade-wars/" target="_blank">sweeping import taxes</a>&nbsp;on goods coming into the U.S. from nearly every country in April. He said the “reciprocal” tariffs were meant to boost domestic manufacturing and restore fairness to global trade.

The president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-higher-rates-china-9645cf4608a8c153e90bdd10263ccb01">paused</a>&nbsp;the country-specific tariffs a week later but applied a 10% tax to most imports. In early July, he began notifying countries that the higher tariffs would go into effect Aug. 1 unless they reached trade deals.

In announcing the new rates for dozens of countries on Thursday, Trump delayed their implementation until Aug. 7.

In the meantime, he announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-tariffs-drugs-trade-7d331082f313df53c9ad66271ae8a628">35% tariff on imports from Canada</a>&nbsp;would take effect Friday. But Trump delayed action on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-3b03b98296424e59c7dc19a865d21969">Mexico</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-economy-trade-jinping-trump-bessent-5a2debf89f0f530f80b0a956800d2576">China</a>&nbsp;while negotiations continue.

Other duties not specific to countries also remained in place Friday, like a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-steel-aluminum-trade-240dbc3823ecd66d3dd05a66883f9277">50% tariff on imported aluminum and steel</a>&nbsp;announced in June.

The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-deadline-delay-d8ffef07d944dc1d460b472e4ffd2f57">reached deals</a>&nbsp;with the European Union, Japan and South Korea that put 15% tariffs in place. A deal with the Philippines puts 19% tariffs in place while a deal with Vietnam imposes a 20% levy. This week, Trump announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-russia-india-9e388a55583e7007149819c52f0fd71b">25% tariff on goods from India</a>&nbsp;and ordered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-brazil-tariffs-bolsonaro-lula-trade-imbalance-de4cf0669b00a76149e8f39f200af502">50% tariff on goods from Brazil</a>.

The U.S. Court of International Trade, a federal court that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-4a2b662a908d1d6cec057d88c5059502">specializes in trade disputes</a>, ruled in May that Trump exceeded his authority when he invoked an emergency powers law to implement tariffs.

On Thursday, an 11-judge panel of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-lawsuit-trade-4c289f51008f6a3a02939caa73ab5404">U.S. Court of Appeals considered the case</a>, and judges expressed skepticism that Trump could impose tariffs without congressional approval. The case is expected to wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The U.S. Commerce Department said Thursday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-economy-8c9298ce80d2e40a71a17e0c3af3c292">prices rose 2.6% in June</a>, up from an annual pace of 2.4% in May and higher than the Federal Reserve’s goal of 2%. Furniture, computers and other items that often come from abroad were among the categories with higher average prices.

Wendong Zhang, an associate professor in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, said U.S. consumers could see prices increases in the coming months for appliances and other products that contain a large amount of steel and aluminum.

But Zhang said a 15% tariff doesn’t mean prices will immediately rise by 15%. Companies were aware of the tariff deadlines, and tried to stockpile goods and take other measures to mitigate the impacts, he said.

Zhang noted that Trump’s trade deals often contain specific provisions designed to boost U.S. exports. The agreement with the European Union, for example, calls for European companies to purchase $750 billion worth of natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel from the U.S. over three years.

Some U.S. farmers could also see a potential upside, Zhang said. As part of its trade deal, Vietnam agreed to purchase $2 billion in U.S. agricultural products over three years, including corn, wheat and soybeans, according to the International Trade Council.

But Zhang cautioned that agricultural agreements tend to be short-lived. Over the longer term, the uncertainty over tariffs could cause countries like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-donald-trump-tariffs-agriculture-china-d5674c21e240acdc72cde76e474f172a">China to back away</a>&nbsp;from U.S. agricultural markets, he said.

The tariffs will almost certainly result in higher food prices, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. The U.S. simply doesn’t make enough of some products, like bananas or coffee, to satisfy demand. Fish, beer and liquor are also likely to get more expensive, the foundation said.

Ben Aneff, managing partner at Tribeca Wine Merchants and president of the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance, said shoppers would see prices rise 20% to 25% at his store and others starting Friday because of tariffs and the declining value of the dollar.

“Nobody can afford to eat the tariff. It gets passed on,” Aneff said.

Aneff said shoppers haven’t felt the impact from higher duties until now because distributors and retailers accelerated shipments from France and other European Union countries earlier in the year. But with the EU’s tariff rate set to go up to 15% in a week, Aneff expects European wine prices to jump 30% in September.

Clothing and shoe prices are already creeping up

Ninety-seven percent of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-clothing-shoes-china-vietnam-8eb3c697da9541ca849f6ed52d7279b2">clothing and shoes</a>&nbsp;sold in the U.S. are imported, primarily from Asia, according to the American Apparel &amp; Footwear Association said. China leads the pack, but companies have been shifting more of their sourcing to Vietnam, Indonesia and India.

Steve Lamar, the trade group’s president and CEO, declined to estimate how much apparel and footwear prices may increase due to tariffs. But companies may offer fewer discounts or drop products starting this fall because they’re too expensive to produce, he said.

Matt Priest, president and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, estimates prices for shoes are starting to go up for the back-to-school shopping season. He estimates price increases in the 5% to 10% range.

Some automakers have already raised prices to counteract tariffs. Luxury sports car maker Ferrari said Thursday it was waiting for more details of Trump’s trade deal with the European Union before scaling back a 10% surcharge it put in place in April on most vehicles in the U.S.

But for the most part, automakers haven’t raised prices as they waited for details. Kelley Blue Book, which monitors car pricing, said the average U.S. new car cost $48,907 in June, which was up just $108 from May.

But that could change.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-gm-stellantis-tariff-trump-ev-6b82523319408e03ae2729ab2ebb33b8">General Motors said last week</a>&nbsp;that the impact of the tariffs could get more pronounced in the third quarter of the year. GM has estimated that the tariffs will cost it $4 billion to $5 billion this year.

What you can expect from import taxes as the US sets new tariff rates

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 30-year-old&nbsp;Rahmalle Ceasar, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just before 7p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to 53rd and Prospect in Kansas City, Missouri, on a reported shooting with a victim down in a parking lot, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

As officers arrived they were directed to a convenience store on Prospect. There officers located Ceasar in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. 

Police officers began performing lifesaving measures and summoned medical personnel to the scene. KCFD medics pronounced him deceased at the scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. There is no one in custody.&nbsp;

Homicide: Police found shooting victim in KC store parking lot

WASHINGTON&nbsp;- U.S. Senator Jerry Moran — the chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation&nbsp; released the following statement after the conclusion of the National Transportation Safety Board’s three-day investigative hearing into the January 29 midair collision between American Airlines flight 5342 and an Army Blackhawk helicopter.

“Six months after the tragic crash near DCA, the NTSB laid out a series of failures it has uncovered so far in its investigation of the tragedy that claimed 67 lives, including Kansans. While there is no single factor that led to the crash on January 29, it is alarming that FAA failed to act on years of data and near misses indicating serious problems with the design of the mixed airspace around DCA. The FAA blamed their inaction on bureaucracy but did not take action to try and alleviate the bureaucratic roadblocks within the agency. That is no excuse.&nbsp;

“The NTSB uncovered long-term staffing issues at the control tower that were compounded by a culture of distrust among DCA air traffic controllers and a toleration for unacceptable risks; found inaccurate altitude readings on the helicopter; and discovered the ADS-B Out technology was not transmitting on the Blackhawk likely due to faulty equipment that the Army failed to identify and has now been found to be an issue on numerous other Army helicopters as well.

“I commend Chair Homendy on her thorough investigation into this crash and her dedication in bringing to light the failures in our airspace. Despite numerous warnings signs of serious problems over the last several years, little was done to try and correct them, and these failures by the FAA, the Army and air traffic control cost 67 lives. I know the last few days have been painful for the families of the victims, and I assure them that Congress will not let these failures go unanswered. We cannot undo the tragic loss of life, but we can work to make certain it never happens again.”

Congressional Action since January 29:

Kan. U.S. Senator's statement on NTSB hearing on fatal DCA midair collision 

Installation of the paid parking signage and equipment for phase 2 will begin on August 4, 2025. Phase 2 will focus on public parking lots throughout downtown and&nbsp;includes adding two payment kiosks at Century II.

Download the ParkMobile or PayByPhone apps to get ready! Learn more at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wichita.gov/1559/Park-Wichita">ParkWichita.com.</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://parkmobile.io/">Download the app</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.paybyphone.com/">PayByPhone.com</a>

Buy one Hour, Get one Hour Free Parking when you purchase on an app

Download the Park Mobile or Pay by Phone app and get one-hour free parking each day with the purchase of one hour of parking on public streets and public parking lots. The free hour is part of the purchase of the first hour. That means you get a total of two consecutive hours when you pay for one hour. The free hour is not transferable to a different time. This promotion can be redeemed from July 1, 2025, through August 1, 2025. This promotion is only available on the Park Mobile and Pay by Phone apps within the downtown paid parking boundaries. Public garages are not eligible for the buy one hour get one-hour free parking promotion.

The city council paused the implementation of the paid parking program in downtown in August of 2024 to gather more community feedback. Extensive public engagement occurred over the next several months and the city council voted to move forward with a modified paid parking program on December 17, 2024.

Phase 2 of paid parking in downtown Wichita begins 

NEW YORK (AP) — Boeing workers who build fighter jets went on strike Monday at midnight Central Daylight Time.

About 3,200 workers at Boeing facilities in St. Louis; St. Charles, Missouri; and Mascoutah, Illinois, voted to reject a modified four-year labor agreement with Boeing, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union said Sunday.

In a post on X, the union said: “3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing went on strike at midnight because enough is enough.”

The vote followed members’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-defense-machinists-union-contract-strike-60670fdfd1bbed54eb3e91ed682cc2c8">rejection last week of an earlier proposal</a>&nbsp;from the troubled aerospace giant, which had included a 20% wage increase over four years.

“IAM District 837 members build the aircraft and defense systems that keep our country safe,” said Sam Cicinelli, Midwest territory general vice president for the union, in a statement. “They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise.”

At the time of the earlier vote, union leaders had recommended approving the offer, calling it a “landmark agreement” and saying it would improve medical, pension and overtime benefits.

The union members rejected the latest proposal after a weeklong cooling-off period.

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