BY: TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/18/kansas-board-of-regents-proposes-budget-cut-seeks-reading-and-energy-investment/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Public higher education board offers ‘fiscally responsible’ spending plan

TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents answered political pressure to avoid aggressive 2026 budget requests for public universities and colleges by endorsing a plan calling for a $4.6 million cut from the current year’s state appropriation.

Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas higher education board, praised the cooperative effort during the past three months to shrink the size of a preliminary version of the budget drafted in June. The final $1.1 billion budget outline recognized that massive, aspirational spending requests for higher education were unlikely to be warmly received by lawmakers during the legislative session starting in January, he said.

“The message was loud and clear that this budget needed to look much more like this,” Benson said. “The regents carefully evaluated our system’s needs and priorities and developed a request that meets those while remaining fiscally responsible.”

The state’s higher education system has continued to face financial pressure from rising operational costs and limited flexibility to respond to emerging needs.

John Dicus, a Topeka banker and member of the Board of Regents, said the budget plan was a collaboration among the Board of Regents, campus administrators, the governor’s budget director and Republican leaders in the House and Senate.

“This is something we tried to vet with them this year to make sure we got across the finish line,” Dicus said.

In a previous meeting on the budget, Dicus said overly ambitious spending proposals from college and university administrators could trigger further budget cuts. He said maintaining existing levels of state aid for higher education would be viewed as success in 2026.

The Board of Regents, with authority over 32 universities, community colleges and technical colleges, voted to ask the governor and legislators to invest $5.5 million in the Blueprint for Literacy next year. It’s a state-created program to overhaul K-12 reading instruction in Kansas to reverse student academic deficiencies.

The 2025 Legislature dropped funding for Blueprint for Literacy. Residual funding from an initial $10 million state appropriation for the program kept it from going dark.

“This is a nationwide problem and some states are putting in a lot more money than we do,” said Kathy Wolfe Moore, a former Democratic House member who was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2024. “We have to approve the Blueprint for Literacy and go after it with a vengeance in the state Legislature. This is foundational.”

The Board of Regents requested $15 million be invested in $5 million increments on energy research at the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Wichita State University. KU would concentrate on energy production, while K-State would focus on nuclear power. WSU researchers would delve into alternative energy sources.

The proposed budget included $4 million each for the three smaller state institutions — Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University and Emporia State University.

Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the Board of Regents, said the budget included $16.3 million in ongoing support to recruit, retain and graduate students at technical colleges, community colleges and the universities.

The plan included $2 million to help with degree completion for Kansans with some college experience but no diploma. It contained $1.5 million for Washburn University to address workforce development.

He said the budget request recognized state tax dollars would need to be matched with $3 million or $4 million from the universities.

“We’re asking for a portion and a partnership,” Flanders said. “That’s a partnership that functions when both parties are participating.”

The comprehensive budget proposal for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026, must be submitted to the governor’s office by Oct. 1. The Republican-controlled House and Senate would review and modify budgets for higher education, and the Legislature’s bill would be subject to line-item vetoes by the Democratic governor.

Kansas Board of Regents proposes budget cut, seeks reading and energy investment

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The National Weather Service in Dodge City reports&nbsp;Hays is under a flood watch that is in effect from 10 p.m. tonight to 1 p.m. tomorrow.

Isolated storms are expected to begin developing around 7 to 8 tonight, with coverage increasing by 9 to 10 p.m. Following these, a line of storms will move in from Colorado around 10 to 11 p.m. and push southeast into the early morning hours.

As the line progresses, the flooding risk will rise due to already saturated soils and standing water from recent storms. Southwest portions could see rainfall totals of up to 2 inches (with locally higher amounts) with this initial line, with additional showers behind it adding to overall amounts through the morning.

The report adds that with the ground already saturated, gust winds could more easily bring down trees and power lines, leading ot potential power outages.

Tuesday's high is expected to reach 70 with a low of 57 and a 70% chance of heavy rain and showers.

Hays under flood watch tonight until Tuesday

Congratulations to Aaron Steward and Justin Groff from Hays on becoming finalists in the&nbsp;Yuengling Flight Golf Cart Giveaway at Kaiser Liquor on Friday.

Congratulations to Shelli Jones and Neva Hendrix from WaKeeney on becoming finalists in the Yuengling Flight Golf Cart Giveaway at Pit Road Liquor on Saturday.

Congratulations to Matt Mayo and Chris Timken from Hays on becoming finalists in the Yuengling Flight Golf Cart Giveaway at Toby Jugs on Sunday.

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lance Armbruster – Wild West Festival – 7-2-2025 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Curtis Wellbrock – Wild West Festival – 7-2-2025 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ryan Cellmer – Mr. K’s Foodtown – 7-5-2025 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Barry Gilliland – Mr. K’s Foodtown – 7-5-2025 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Debbie Windholz – Malay’s Market – 7-12-2025 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Darren Dunn – Malay’s Market – 7-12-2025 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bernita Augustine – American Shooters – 7-19-2025 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Doug Kutina – American Shooters – 7-19-2025 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Connie Steinle – Stop2Shop/Wilson Wine &amp; Spirits – 7-25-2025 10.&nbsp;Halie Eck - Stop2Shop/Wilson Wine &amp; Spirits – 7-25-2025 11.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kevin Prester - Stop2Shop/Wilson Wine &amp; Spirits – 7-25-2025 12.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tom Quenzer - Stop2Shop/Wilson Wine &amp; Spirits – 7-25-2025 13.&nbsp;Taylor Lunsford – A &amp; A Coors Yuengling Pub Crawl – 7-26-2025 14.&nbsp;Craig Karlin - A &amp; A Coors Yuengling Pub Crawl – 7-26-2025 15.&nbsp;Garrett Dreiling – Lewis Automotive – 8-16-2025 16.&nbsp;Ruthmary Muir – Lewis Automotive – 8-16-2025 17.&nbsp;Dustin Roths – National Radio Day at Eagle – 8-20-2025 18.&nbsp;James Rome – National Radio Day at Eagle – 8-20-2025 19.&nbsp;Melissa Pinkney – LoKal Country Bar – 8-22-2025 20.&nbsp;Bryan Schoepf – LoKal Country Bar – 8-22-2025 21.&nbsp;Ann Gottschalk – Brogden GMC – 8-23-2025 22.&nbsp;Kirk Pfannenstiel – Brogden GMC – 8-23-2025 23.&nbsp;Chuck Staab – Doghouse Liquor – 8-28-2025 24.&nbsp;Chad Stoecklein – Doghouse Liquor – 8-28-2025 25.&nbsp;Aaron Stewart – Kaiser Liquor – 9-19-2025 26.&nbsp;Justin Groff – Kaiser Liquor – 9-19-2025 27.&nbsp;Neva Hendrix – Pit Road Liquor – 9-20-2025 28.&nbsp;Shelli Jones – Pit Road Liquor – 9-20-2025 29.&nbsp;Matt Mayo – Toby Jugs – 9-21-2025 30.&nbsp;Chris Timken – Toby Jugs – 9-21-2025

You're last chance to register to become a finalist in the golf cart giveaway will be Thursday at Elite Detailing and Sales,&nbsp;609 E. Eighth St., Hays.

The golf cart will be given away at this year’s OKTOBERFEST 2:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26!&nbsp;

Special thanks to A &amp; A Coors Yuengling for this great giveaway!

Kaiser Liquor, Pit Road Liquor, Toby Jugs finalists named for Yuengling Flight Golf Cart Giveaway

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will discuss a change order for the new high school and additional work at the new Hays Middle School at its meeting tonight at 6:30.

The board will consider a $88,347 change order for the high school, which includes multiple items.

It will also consider a contract with&nbsp;ACM Removal LLS for&nbsp;$69,480 for the removal of floor tile and abatement of non-friable asbestos-containing mastic in hallway areas of the new HMS building at 2300 13th St.

Work is underway at the former high school to convert it into a new middle school.

Students and staff are set to move into the renovated space in January.

The board will also hear a report on possible changes in transportation eligibility as the middle school relocates to 13th Street.

Superintendent Ron Wilson will give updates about the HMS and O'Loughlin Elementary School construction projects.

Hays USD 489 board to consider change order for Hays High, asbestos removal for HMS

Hays hit a high of 81 Sunday, according to the K-State Ag Research Center.

By 9 a.m. on Saturday, Hays received 2.1 inches of rain.

Hays received no rain as of 9 a.m. today. Hays has received 3.06 inches in the month of September and 19.84 inches of precipitation year to date.&nbsp;

On average, Hays receives 2.24 inches of rain in September and 19.84 inches of moisture year to date by the end of the month. 

The forecast for today is mostly sunny, with a high of 88 and up to a 90% chance of storms and heavy rain, with a low of 61. Winds are expected to be around 9 mph.

More heavy rain is expected Tuesday, with a high of 70, and with more chance of storms at night.

Hays receives weekend rain; more expected Tuesday

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

OPEC+ output increases got started early, as Iraq jumps the gun. Reuters cites Iraq's oil marketing company reporting its crude shipments increasing 20,000 to 25,000 barrels a day. The move follows the agreement last month by eight cartel members to collectively raise output by 137,000 barrels a day starting in October.

The European Union over the weekend bowed to pressure from President Trump and proposed sanctions for Chinese firms buying Russian oil. The measures also includes new banking sanctions, and if approved would blacklist additional companies aiding Russia’s military.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Selling high and buying low nets the government one and a quarter billion dollars. Add another half million barrels to the Strategic Petroleum Reserves. SPR refills in the last year total over 25 million barrels. Since refill operations resumed in April of last year the total is 41.8 million barrels, at markdowns of more than $30 a barrel.

Commercial stockpiles dropped more than two percent from a week ago and 0.5% &nbsp;from a year ago.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration reports inventories of 415.4 million as of September 12. EIA says stockpiles are about five percent below the five year seasonal average.

US crude production for the week through September 12 averaged 13,482,000 barrels per day, down 13-thousand barrels per day from the week before. The four-week and year-to-date averages remain about two percent higher than a year ago.

After dropping by one third the week before, crude-oil exports nearly doubled last week, and almost surpassed imports. The Energy Information Administration reports average exports topped five million barrels a day for only the second time this year at 5.2 million. That's the highest report since December of 2023.

US refiners imported 5.7 million barrels of crude per day last week, down by more than half a million from a week ago. The four-week average is own 2.4% year over year.

Thus, the US is a net crude importer, but only by 415,000 barrels a day, the smallest such comparison since EIA began tracking weekly net imports.

Out of 17 completed wells reported in Kansas this week, seven are dry holes and five are service wells. Independent Oil and Gas Service reports seven well-completions in eastern Kansas and ten West of Wichita. That's 841 wells so far this year compared to 992 a year ago at this time. Total activity statewide is down by a third from last year, with 25 percent fewer wildcat wells, and total footage down by 40 percent.

Kansas regulators okayed 11 new drilling locations this week, 510 so far this year, compared to over 750 a year ago. There are four new permits east of Wichita and seven in Western Kansas, including one in Ellis County.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is up one at six rigs in eastern Kansas and unchanged at ten rigs west of Wichita. The total is down 20 percent from a month ago and 27 percent from a year ago.

The US Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes rises by two oil rigs to a total of 542 active rigs. The gas tally is unchanged. Wyoming and Colorado each rose by two rigs. Texas and Louisiana were each down one rig.

A newly formed company is about to spud new ground in Greenland, the first US public company to do so. The move could reshape the industry and marketplace across the Arctic and around the globe. The Greenland Energy Company has already gained the needed government approvals and is now building the first service roads into the Jameson Land Basin in East Greenland. Seismic research suggests there are more than 50 potential oil and gas drilling targets involving recoverable resources in the multi-billion-barrel range.

News from the Oil Patch: Spudding new ground in Greenland

Ellis County Jail bookings: Sept. 14-20, 2025

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: Sept. 14-20, 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

Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) extends its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in October. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas. 

Listed below are the employees and their hometowns.&nbsp;

Area KDOT employees celebrate service anniversaries

&nbsp;FHSU Science and Mathematics Education Institute

Fort Hays State University’s first Science Café for this semester is set for Monday, Sept. 29.

This month’s presentation, “Eating Well, Living Well,”&nbsp;is sponsored by FHSU’s Science and Mathematics Education Institute (SMEI) and will begin at 7 p.m. at The Venue in Thirsty’s Brew Pub &amp; Grill, 2704 Vine.

Dr. Brooke Mann, FHSU assistant professor of psychology and the director of clinical psychology graduate program, along with Dr. Jessica Phelan, assistant professor of health and human performance, will discuss the issues of food, body, and health.

Many individuals grapple with conflicting messages about food, body image, and health.&nbsp; This presentation will review relevant research and discuss the concept of eating competence—a holistic approach that fosters a harmonious relationship with food and eating habits, with a focus on practical applications.

Please note, while drinks will be available for purchase,&nbsp;NO FOOD WILL BE SERVED&nbsp;during Science Café’s 2025-2026.

Science Café presentations are free and open to the public. Questions can be directed to Cari Rohleder at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cbrohleder@fhsu.edu">cbrohleder@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-628-4743 or by visiting:

<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqhxD-2BcQjFgIRBovAML9-2BM4eClLu2fQOOHuiGSFsY2VCCCRja_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOdULSTjyrQA8Ma7cQfMS04Rpc4lzNZCY9gfUtQAkfQEfYoCrSuax-2BS3hXAEOA7mg9eeawAABBLlRuFUwMkTeKEKU1SBTj4YMTXr9-2B4LepwXRSLjQRQVi7cCJGclFgODoqodHdsfmnqWL7rpzwG2jPsFjMueJQ8ViZa1PhWY9qBEPZmwfj15RbRPDB-2FFjxQSGea-2B4GD7oQem8Fz2w9XJr5zU92tjFQM9V5RUbz3tW5tEFwOdGIz3W-2BpHef9ZcnpXH8">www.fhsu.edu/smei</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqr-2FPdmUUcPHBpOR8JTzWlI2AUSE-2B0-2BRQ5oKpx2jcvODLi45-_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOdULSTjyrQA8Ma7cQfMS04Rpc4lzNZCY9gfUtQAkfQEfYoCrSuax-2BS3hXAEOA7mg9eeawAABBLlRuFUwMkTeKEBvzr-2B-2BoeAiUbD7GeQBlzj4VFVvcp8lospHJyrInxrwkNCnBLkjQLOqhfeWkH0gDBY6xDg0S5Wzu8sS5In-2F-2FBa0TUuoO27orJiHYd1TZJv-2B-2FURY1FZcV0ewOTOnrGiWe0GYZTiDp8PSn3VFBpiOMHqOLFNY5Xv4kk0ORuAs6kKCJ">www.x.com/FHSUScienceCafe</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqgHG-2B9GDc8KXBqj4fLXNv8t-2BV6Hb4Q5M0d-2FSyU8hjsQrSc6LVzLLvmFtB9JY8b1rMg-3D-3DOZUY_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOdULSTjyrQA8Ma7cQfMS04Rpc4lzNZCY9gfUtQAkfQEfYoCrSuax-2BS3hXAEOA7mg9eeawAABBLlRuFUwMkTeKEL6G74FYv69tQKVRPUE8cc4ApJiv-2FlmhAe7nFmA2pnLoVan4o00wd4zikdSmSsSKZ7NkkUlk1fK9hPQ3VqY08MEVdw4QWB6yGWQvvtb7yTqiVemhxR46u2pXqmmHBH3RQ4grrttbhmr5C-2BERJtvoKqfHwFbxFM8B-2FQVqTfODVn93">www.facebook.com/FHSUScienceCafe</a>

Eating well, living well topic for August FHSU Science Cafe

&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

WAKEENEY —&nbsp;We are hosting a double feature at the Trego SkyView Drive-in in WaKeeney on Sat., Sept. 27. Movies shown will be Hocus Pocus &amp; The Little Shop of Horrors.&nbsp; Gate opens at 6:30 p.m. at Interstate 70 Exit 128 &amp; 260th Ave.

This is an effort to raise funds to finish our project and get the drive-in fully functional come spring. We only have the audio/visual equipment and restrooms (that aren't porta-potties) to purchase. All proceeds will go towards those endeavors.



Spooky double feature at Trego SkyView Drive-In Theater set as fundraiser  

ELLIS — Grab a lawn chair, bring a neighbor or friends to the Ellis Community Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 4–7 p.m. at Creekside Park.

The celebration marks the completion of the new picnic pavilion at Creekside Park. 

The 25 ’x 50 ’metal shelter provides ample space for gatherings with eight picnic tables—two of which are ADA accessible. The pavilion also includes four electrical outlets, a 40 ’x 60 ’concrete pad, a conversational firepit area, and two handicap-accessible parking spaces. Designed with comfort and accessibility in mind, the new space offers a welcoming place for the whole community to enjoy.

The Community Block Party, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Ellis, will feature area non-profit booths sharing information about their organizations. Citizens can learn more about the great work happening in our community. 

Starting at 4:30 p.m. take part in the ribbon cutting with generous donor recognitions followed by enjoying a free meal of pulled pork, hot dogs, and chips. At 6 p.m., the crowd is invited to gather around the new firepit to roast marshmallow and make their own s’mores. The CFOE table will display many donated gifts which visitors can register for with the raffle drawing taken place around 6:45 p.m.

Games and activities for all ages will also be available, including cornhole, horseshoes, giant Connect 4, ladder ball, face painting, soda ring-toss, Touch A Truck, the Disaster Truck and the STEM Maker Van from FHSU.

The Community Foundation of Ellis extends its gratitude to the generous donors who made this project possible, helping create a space where neighbors can gather, relax, and celebrate together. Even if Sept. 27 is a busy day for you and your family, try to schedule some time to stop by the Block Party.

Community invited to celebrate new picnic pavilion at Ellis Block Party

By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON Ellis County Ministerial Alliance

The distinctive smell of liver and onions will once again permeate the area around 11th&nbsp;and Fort Streets on Thursday, Oct. 2. Hays First Baptist Church will be having its free “4th&nbsp;Annual Liver &amp; Onions Drive Thru” from 5 to 7 p.m.—or until the food runs on.

Once again the menu will consist of beef liver, grilled onions, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a homemade roll—all prepared by the members of the Men’s Ministry at the church.

Pastor G. Chris Prater said, “We will cook 60 pounds of liver. Those 60 pounds will make 120 meals.” He said the church does not place a limit on how many meals a vehicle may receive.

There are no income requirements to receive the free meal.

“We hold this event to simply love on our community, to remind them that, ‘Hey, we are still here, and we care,’” Prater said. “As the pastor of this church, I love the fact that this is an ‘outside of the box’ event.”

Hays church offers free liver, onions drive-through meal on Oct. 2

COLBY — Western Plains Arts Association (WPAA) opens our 2025-2026 season at the Cultural Arts Center in Colby on Sunday, September 21 at 3:00 p.m. with DIVA 3, an ensemble of superb singers. 

Three female singers with powerhouse voices sing the biggest hits of the greatest divas in music history. This vibrant show spans four decades covering the 1960's through the 1990's with hits by Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Cher, Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, ABBA, and many more!

Individual members of the group have all starred in shows on the Las Vegas strip. Since its inception in 2013, the group has gone on to perform not only at several hotels and casinos throughout their hometown of Las Vegas, but also performing arts centers across the United States, as well as international waters as a headlining guest entertainer act aboard luxury cruise ships.

Admission can be purchased at the door or by WPAA season tickets. You can buy season tickets at the door if you haven’t gotten yours already.

This program is made possible through the generous funds from The Dane G. Hansen Foundation and many area businesses and individuals that sponsor WPAA.

Western Plains Arts Association season opens Sept. 21 with DIVA 3 in Colby

The Hays Arts Council is pleased to announce a community&nbsp;Meet &amp; Greet&nbsp;with new Executive Director Chandler Reich, on&nbsp;Thursday, Sept. 25 9-11 a.m. at the Hays Arts Center, 112 E 11th. The come-and-go event will feature coffee and donuts and provide an opportunity for the public to meet Reich, learn more about her vision for the organization, and extend a warm welcome.

Reich began her full-time role as executive director in September and has already hit the ground running in leading programs and community initiatives. The council board&nbsp;invites all community members to stop by, say hello, and join in celebrating this new chapter for the region’s oldest arts council.

Public invited to meet and greet for Hays Arts Council executive director

FHSU Student Engagement and Belonging

The 2025 Fort Hays State University Homecoming parade will take place on Saturday, September 27. The parade will take place on The Bricks in downtown Hays, America, at 11:00 a.m. 

Parade entries are still being accepted through September 22. Use the following form to sign up:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tigerlink.fhsu.edu/submitter/form/start/691056">FHSU Homecoming Parade Entry</a>

For more information, please contact the Student Engagement and Belonging office at 785-628-4020 or via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:engage@fhsu.edu">engage@fhsu.edu</a>.

Entries open for FHSU Homecoming parade on Sept. 27

Tasty fundraiser for Hays Area Children's Center; order by Sept. 24

GRAINFIELD — A craft fair will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at the historic Grainfield Opera House, 296 Main Street, Grainfield, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

There will be many vendors with a variety of crafts and lunch is available.

Craft fair Saturday at historic Grainfield Opera House

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that occurred in the 1300 block of S. Topeka in Wichita and have made an arrest.

Just after 8:30 a.m. Sunday, a 62-year-old male victim from Wichita walked to Fire Station #2 with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to a media release from police. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and is expected to survive.&nbsp;

Patrol officers responded rapidly and located the suspect, 43-year-old Anthony Irby of Wichita, according to Sedgwick County arrest records. Irby was nearby and attempted to flee on a bicycle. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.

The investigation revealed that the suspect and victim were involved in an argument over property when the shooting occurred. Irby is being held&nbsp; on requested charges of aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon and interference with law enforcement, according to online records.

This is another incident where someone chose violence to resolve a temporary conflict. The Wichita Police Department remains committed to identifying, apprehending, and holding accountable those individuals in our community who choose to commit acts of violence.&nbsp;

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact WPD Investigations at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="tel:(316)%20268-4407">(316) 268-4407</a>. Those wishing to remain anonymous may submit a tip to Crime Stoppers by calling&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="tel:(316)%20267-2111">(316) 267-2111</a>.

Police: Kansas shooting suspect attempting to flee on a bicycle

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after

Just afater 2p.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to the 1000 block of NE Wabash in Topeka on a report of an individual pouring gasoline in an apartment, according to a media release.

Police evacuated the apartment complex, before entering the suspected unit. One individual, later identified from booking reports as 43-year-old Benjamin Gilbert Brown was taken into custody.

He is being held on requested charges of attempted aggravated arson, aggravated assault, and criminal threat.&nbsp; There were no injured reported&nbsp;and no fire was started. Topeka Fire investigators responded to assist police.

Police: Complex evacuated after Kan. man poured gas in apartment

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday used the platform of the presidency to promote unproven ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism without giving new evidence.

Speaking from the White House, Trump said women should not take acetaminophen, also known by the brand name Tylenol, “during the entire pregnancy.” He said the Food and Drug Administration would begin notifying doctors that the use of acetaminophen “can be associated” with an increased risk of autism, but did not immediately provide any medical evidence for the FDA's new recommendation.

Trump also raised unfounded concerns about vaccines contributing to rising rates of autism, which affects&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/autism-rates-us-rfk-diagnosis-cdc-cb3abd799edd591dc1ea6b63c69a2279">1 in 31 U.S. children</a>&nbsp;today, according to the CDC.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>&nbsp;said that at Trump's urging he is launching an “all-agency” effort to identify all causes of autism, involving the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Scientists, doctors and researchers have attributed increased rates of autism to greater awareness of the disorder and the newer, wide-ranging “spectrum” used to issue diagnoses for people with milder expressions of autism. It’s hard to tell if there may be additional factors behind the increase.

The Trump administration has been under immense pressure from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Kennedy’s</a>&nbsp;diverse Make America Healthy Again movement to provide answers on the causes of the marked increase in autism cases in the U.S. in recent years.

Experts say the rise in cases is mainly due to a new definition for the disorder that now includes mild cases on a “spectrum” and better diagnoses. They say there is no single cause to the disorder and say the rhetoric appears to ignore and undermine decades of science into the genetic and environmental factors that can play a role.

The announcement is the latest step the administration, driven by Kennedy and his supporters, has taken to reshape America’s public health landscape.

Beyond&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-measles-rfk-maha-trump-d863f53a5d370413de8d165d5ab96e65">cutbacks at federal health agencies</a>, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-vaccine-recommendations-data-b4eeba69e03a8d4ed50fb0a12fbcec6e">roiled by disagreements</a>&nbsp;over Kennedy’s vaccine policies. An influential immunization panel stocked by Kennedy with figures who have been critical of vaccines last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-advisers-vaccines-hepatitis-b-covid19-a1fb61ef7e29d93d2828618d890cceb3">changed shot guidance</a>&nbsp;for COVID-19 and other diseases.

Trump on Sunday evening teased Monday’s announcement as a big one, telling reporters, “I think we found an answer to autism.” Experts say that oversells what would be possible from a presidential administration in its first year. They insist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/autism-kennedy-rfk-science-e4a5795275042c29e4a5721b2b163970">more research is needed</a>&nbsp;to conclusively identify whether and how environmental factors may play a role in the disorder.

Kennedy for years has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-health-maha-pharma-autism-55db3f5c14a6e3a2aef2483d21ac679b">promoted debunked theories</a>&nbsp;that vaccines could be responsible for rising rates of autism, which affects&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/autism-rates-us-rfk-diagnosis-cdc-cb3abd799edd591dc1ea6b63c69a2279">1 in 31 U.S. children</a>&nbsp;today, according to the CDC. Scientists, doctors and researchers have attributed that increase instead to greater awareness of the disorder and the newer, wide-ranging “spectrum” used to issue diagnoses for people with milder expressions of autism. It’s hard to tell if there may be additional factors behind the increase.

🎥 Trump, RFK, Jr. link Tylenol with autism, announce action plan

NEW YORK (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-nvidia-trump-xi-314e6fe58119aa66cad01d66cc819ee0">seemingly relentless rally</a>&nbsp;on Wall Street drove U.S. stocks to more records on Monday.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.4% after erasing a modest loss from the morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 66 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.7%. It's the third straight day where all three indexes set an all-time high.

“Every time the market seems to be running out of momentum, it fools most of us by pushing to higher heights,” said Jay Woods, chief market strategist at Freedom Capital Markets.

A familiar face was again the strongest force lifting the market, Nvidia. Wall Street’s most valuable company rose 3.9% after announcing a partnership to train and run OpenAI’s next generation of artificial-intelligence models. As part of the deal,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/openai-nvidia-investment-partnership-chatgpt-610d894d93f9be23c46762950997a67f">Nvidia will invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI</a>.

Oracle also pushed the market higher after climbing 6.3%. A senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-china-d5d8a1d56b5185778536874d7fc1ee62">the tech giant will receive a copy</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-china-bytedance-deadline-05f273261a1dc947609c180bf876b589">TikTok’s algorithm</a>&nbsp;to operate for U.S. users, part of the deal to keep the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-supreme-court-36c3c3b42f743a35c69e1c74341f1f30">popular platform</a>&nbsp;running in the country.

Oracle also named&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oracle-ceo-tiktok-magouyrk-sicilia-catz-ai-69ad588693f0c8de9fe6dcf4632037d3">Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia as its CEOs</a>, with current CEO Safra Catz becoming executive vice chair of the technology company’s board.

Some of the market’s sharpest action was among companies agreeing to buy one another.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pfizer-metsera-obesity-treatments-e85141f89b670b8d9a7520de3a2fd7c5">Pfizer said it would buy Metsera</a>&nbsp;and its pipeline of medicines to potentially treat obesity in a deal initially valuing it at $4.9 billion. The payout for Metsera investors could go up sharply if its candidates win approval from federal regulators and achieve other milestones.

Metsera’s stock jumped 60.7%, and Pfizer’s edged up by less than 0.1%.

ODP, which runs Office Depot and Office Max, leaped 32.9% after Atlas Holdings agreed to buy it in a deal valued at roughly $1 billion.

Anywhere Real Estate soared 45.5% after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/compass-anywhere-real-estate-merger-housing-b260cc3024f492b9ff374207bb3b24f7">Compass said it would buy the company behind the Coldwell Banker and Corcoran brands</a>&nbsp;in an all-stock deal. They said the combined company is expected to have a total enterprise value of roughly $10 billion, including debt. Compass shares sank 15.7%.

Also on the losing end of Wall Street was Coinbase Global, which fell 3.1% as stocks sank across the crypto industry following a pullback for cryptocurrency prices.

But Coinbase is still up 33.7% for the year so far thanks to interest in crypto, whose prices have soared to records recently on expectations for cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 29.39 points to 6,693.75. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 66.27 to 46,381.54, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 157.50 to 22,788.98.

Stocks have surged since April on hopes that Trump’s tariffs won’t derail global trade and that the Fed will deliver several cuts to interest rates to boost the economy. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-trump-2d05401d7c9cb2393925f494aac71d89">Fed made its first cut</a>&nbsp;of the year last week, and officials indicated more could arrive through the end of this year and into next.

The U.S. stock market still faces challenges, though. Chief among them is if the Fed does not cut interest rates as many times as investors expect. The Fed is wary because lower rates can give inflation more fuel, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-trump-federal-reserve-fabecefa501709184895bf73b3dc698a">inflation has stubbornly remained</a>&nbsp;above its 2% target.

An update on Friday will show how much prices are rising for U.S. households based on the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, and economists expect it to show a slight acceleration for last month.

Plus, stocks already look too expensive to many professional investors after their prices surged so much.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in Europe and Asia.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.8% for two of the world’s bigger moves.

US stocks set more records as Wall Street's rally keeps rolling

NEW YORK (AP) — ABC will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show in the wake of criticism over his comments about the assassination of conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">activist Charlie Kirk</a>, officials with the network said Monday.

<a href="https://www.aclu.org/defend-free-speech-letter-kimmel">Click here to see the list </a>of celebrities who signed a petition to support Kimmel.

"We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” said a statement from the network.

ABC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-show-suspended-charlie-kirk-2c79d56fa53779014f2bb2ed9e47da1f">suspended</a>&nbsp;Kimmel indefinitely after comments he made about Kirk, who was killed Sept. 10, in a monologue. Kimmel said “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk” and that “the MAGA gang” was “desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”

Kimmel has hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC since 2003 and has been a fixture in television and comedy for even longer. He is also well known as a presenter, having hosted the Academy Awards four times.

Backlash to Kimmel’s comments about Kirk was swift.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-kimmel-affiliate-charlie-kirk-8eb9dca5dff2c717fd00a7083982c5c4">Nexstar and Sinclair,</a>&nbsp;two of ABC’s largest affiliate owners, said they would be pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from their stations. Others, including several fellow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-suspended-reaction-03c1ae9d16a4a47481e855de1668def3">comedians</a>, came to his defense.

There was no immediate comment from Nexstar and Sinclair in response to messages from The Associated Press.

President Donald Trump, one of Kimmel’s frequent targets, posted on social media that Kimmel’s suspension was “great news for America.” He also called for other late night hosts to be fired.

Kimmel was asked in an interview with Variety this past summer if he was worried that the administration would come after comedians. He expressed concern that a crackdown could be on the way.

“Well, you’d have to be naive not to worry a little bit,” he said. “But that can’t change what you’re doing.”

Kimmel’s suspension arrived in a time when Trump and his administration have pursued threats, lawsuits and federal government pressure to try to exert more control over the media industry. Trump has reached settlements with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68">ABC</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-media-harris-minutes-paramount-6415042fe910ae60b432dd8c73ef61b2">CBS</a>&nbsp;over their coverage.

Trump has also filed defamation lawsuits against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-wall-street-journal-b006f3ef25e6b4ab910cc3b41c865227">The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-lawsuit-new-york-times-b2a615192ebe2dcec859eb883368dfbb">The New York Times</a>. Republicans in Congress stripped federal funding from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/npr-pbs-public-broadcasting-trump-cuts-73de8fadf32655aa74752690d22a3758">NPR and PBS</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brendan-carr-fcc-chairman-jimmy-kimmel-f1c635a8b2184ccf50ed53d1c8d76518">Brendan Carr</a>, the head of the Federal Communications Commission, issued a warning prior to Kimmel’s suspension that criticized Kimmel’s remarks about the Kirk assassination.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said. “These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Carr denied on Monday that he threatened to revoke ABC's local station licenses because of Kimmel's remarks.

“Jimmy Kimmel is in the situation he’s in because of his ratings. Not because of anything that’s happened at the federal government level,” Carr said at the Concordia Annual Summit.

The suspension also happened at a time when the late night landscape is shifting. CBS announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-late-show-cbs-end-8bad9f16f076df62c0ffc50e9c8adbab">the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show</a>&nbsp;over the summer

Kimmel’s contract with The Walt Disney Co.-owned network had been set to expire in May 2026.

Word of the reinstatement came as hundreds of Hollywood and Broadway stars — including Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep — urged Americans “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights” in the wake of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-suspended-charlie-kirk-business-interests-fcc-f18546e00ba03980c03b4cda4c576aa8">Jimmy Kimmel's suspension.</a>

More than 430 movie, TV and stage stars as well as comedians, directors and writers added their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu.org/defend-free-speech-letter-kimmel">names to an open letter</a>&nbsp;Monday from the American Civil Liberties Union that argues it is “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”

Also Monday, ABC's “The View” weighed in on the controversy after not raising it for two episodes after Kimmel was suspended. Co-host Whoopi Goldberg opened the show saying: “No one silences us” and she and her fellow hosts condemned Disney's decision.

Associated Press Media Writer David Bauder and writers Patrick Whittle and James Pollard contributed to this report.

ABC ends Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, show returns this week

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hoping that mortgage rates will keep dropping following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-trump-2d05401d7c9cb2393925f494aac71d89">the Federal Reserve’s first rate cut</a>&nbsp;since last year? Don’t bank on it.

As expected, the central bank delivered a quarter-point cut and projected it would lower its benchmark rate twice more this year, reflecting growing concern over the U.S. job market.

Here’s a look at factors that determine mortgage rates and what the Fed’s latest move means for the housing market:

Mortgage rates have been mostly falling since late July on expectations of a Fed rate cut. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage was at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-0006ffb29d80352c87da5b2b5b08e8fa">6.35% last week</a>, its lowest level in nearly a year, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.

A similar pullback in mortgage rates happened around this time last year in the weeks leading up to the Fed’s first rate cut in more than four years. Back then, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage got down to a 2-year low of 6.08% one week after the central bank cut rates.

But it hasn’t come close to that since.

Mortgage rates didn’t keep falling last year, even as the Fed cut its main rate two more times. Instead, mortgage rates rose and kept climbing until the average rate on a 30-year home loan reached just over 7% by mid-January.

Like last year, the Fed’s rate cut doesn’t necessarily mean mortgage rates will keep declining, even as the central bank signals more cuts ahead.

“Rates could come down further, as the Fed has signaled the potential for two more rate cuts this year,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “However, there are still risks of a reversal in mortgage rates. Inflation heated up in August and if the September inflation report shows another bump in consumer prices, it’s possible we could see rates rise.”

The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates. Instead, they’re influenced by several factors, from the Fed’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation.

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