By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays Public Library met on Wednesday to a standing-room-only crowd after criticism erupted on social media about a display of books in the young adult section of the library during Banned Book Week.

The president of the library board read a statement concerning the book display, followed by 30 minutes of comments from community members in support and against the display.

Amy Feauto, board president, said the books displayed last week in the young adult section of the library addressed the practice of banning books and were part of an American Library Association awareness campaign that runs for one week every year.

"While we understand that a number of the comments circulating on social media these last few days focused on content within examples of books that have been targets of banning that were on display, the display was not about promoting any particular book," Feauto said.

"It was instead about the free and open exchange of ideas. The display included, in fact, arguments on both sides of the issue of book banning, including examples of arguments for and against banning certain books, in keeping with the idea that the foundation of a public library rests upon a free and open exchange of ideas," she said.

Sophie Miller, a young Hays resident, said she had the unique perspective of being able to read most of the books that were part of the display.

Miller described herself as an avid reader when she was 13, checking out as many as 10 books at a time.

"I am so grateful that was something that was available to me and that I was able to learn about it through a source of educational library books, and not through sketchier sources on the internet&nbsp;or through peers who are less knowledgeable on these subjects," Miller said.

She said she thought all ages having access to information is important.

"I'll say that I have experienced no negative results from having read any of those books, and, in fact, it made me a more knowledgeable and more thoughtful person having been well read from a young age," Miller said, "So I would like to thank the board for allowing libraries to exist in this community."

Hays resident John Pyle said he was not supporting banning the books in question, but he thought books on sex or LGBTQ issues should be moved to the adult section of the library.

He compared the books to Playboy or Hustler magazines and called them porn.

"The LGBTQ movement takes a route to teach and normalize gender confusion and transgenderism, and the children will likely grow up to be at least accepting of the movement, or at worst, a part of it, as at the core of this is a sick perversion that seeks to display sexuality to children and, of course, sexualize them," Pyle said.

Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, a former library employee, spoke in favor of access to diverse titles in the library and urged parental supervision of children's book choices.

Although speaking only as a Hays resident Zampieri-Lillpopp, who is the director&nbsp; of client service at Options Domestic and Sexual Violence services, described how books can be outlets for survivors of vioelnce both young and old to deal with their trauma.

&nbsp;"This curfuffle began over a week ago, and since then, no fewer than three women have told me or the public that bad things were happening in their home when they were young," Zampieri-Lillpopp said. 

"They didn't know that these things were bad, because the person hurting them was supposed to love them. They had to seek outside help, and in some cases, not all of them, that outside&nbsp;help was books."

She gave several examples of books that people have tried to ban, which feature characters dealing with traumatic experiences, including "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," "The Kite Runner" and "13 Reasons Why."

"Brave authors, especially those who share their own life stories, give us the words and hope we need sometimes to keep going," Zampieri-Lillpopp said. "I've seen people find themselves in a book after years of feeling invisible. I've seen people find recovery from their failures. ...

"I found the courage to face my fears after reading a book that took me six months. I've seen people find God in the library."

She added, "The greatest gift my mother ever gave me was the unwavering freedom to read. No book ever hurt me. Plenty of people have, and the books laid a path for me to find my way back. Not every book for every reader, but every reader for its book."

Jessica House of Hays said she appreciates what the Hays Public Library provides the community. She said it is more than a building full of books.

"It's a place where people come to learn, connect and grow. I've learned a lot through the programs I've attended here," she said, "practical things to new perspectives that I might not have understood before. That's what a good library does. It opens minds and it brings people together.

Joe Giebler, a rural Ellis County resident, expressed concerns about youth having access to books that contained sexual material.

Giebler said he asked Brandon Hines, library director, if he would allow his own children to read some of the books in the banned book display, and he said no. Giebler called that a double standard.

"I'm not saying anyone should ban any book ever. You can't go to a rated R movie if you're under 18. There are reasons for restrictions, I believe this is one," he said.

David Koshiol, Hays resident, read from a book titled "Gender Queer" that is found in the young adult section.

It describes the use of dildoes, strapons and a blow job.

"There are so many books in publication worldwide that you could fill the library numerous times and still not have any of these books that are inappropriate for our children in Hays, Kansas," he said.

Bernie Hayward, Hays residents, said the library needs to take steps to correct the book issue.

"We've got enough bad things going on in this world. We need to start taking the right steps to correct all this. I don't know what it's going to take to get the people doing what is morally right. Right now, we're going down the wrong track," he said.

Anna Towns, a former interlibrary loan coordinator for the library, said she is proud of the library.

"I am proud of what we have built here as a community. I am proud of every book that's on the shelf," she said. 

"It might not be something that I agree with, and oftentimes in interlibrary loan, I was requesting books that were on topics that I did not agree with, or by authors that I did not think we should be promoting, but I am proud that we offer something for everyone."

She added, "It's OK to read something and disagree with it, but it's not OK to tell other people that they can't read about it, that they can't have those conversations in their family. 

"Just because it's not something that your kid is ready for doesn't mean that every kid can't have access to it."

Towns also noted that youth have to have their parents' permission to have their own library cards. Parents can also access a list of all the books their children have checked out.&nbsp;

Some of the speakers and social media posters had referenced the banned book display being in the children's section. However, all of the books were in the young adults section, which is geared toward youth ages 11 to 18, she said.

She said moving the books to the adult section of the library was not appropriate because they are not adult books; they are young adult books geared specifically to that age group.

"It's ironic to have this happen during Banned Books Week," she said. "And yes, what you're doing is trying to ban books."

Kelly Ancar, Hays resident, said she thought the library is robbing parents of the right to decide what books their children are exposed to.

"All we're asking is that the books be put somewhere, that an adult can have some supervision," she said. "There are other ways to address kids who are at risk, like Ms. Towns reflected, that there are some kids who reach out to books to learn about situations for themselves and find a way to reach out for some help."

Ancar said other programs exist to help children who are at risk.

Hays residents support, denounce Banned Book Week display during library meeting

FHSU daily crime log: Oct. 10-16, 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.

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Recent obituaries and service times

Welcome to Cash Grab! It is your chance to win $250 on Friday's in October!

Keywords are given out at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. You will have 20 minutes to enter the correct keyword that you heard on our radio stations. We will then draw out one winner on Friday morning!

Cash Grab is presented by Robert Brogden GMC in downtown Hays, Whitetail Properties Agents Adam Hahn and Mitch Keeley, Tri-Central Office Supply, and Vanderbilt’s of Hays.

💰 ENTER CASH GRAB HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN $250!

The items are arriving fast and furious for the Eagle On-Line Auction at Hays Post.

&nbsp;If you would like to get in on the action of this year’s online auction, click on the link below.&nbsp;

Dive into a digital treasure trove of savings with the Eagle Radio Online Auction!

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here&nbsp;to get registered, view items and bid.</a>

Bid now on an expansive collection ranging from home essentials to tantalizing restaurant gift cards, and valuable services from esteemed local companies and save.

 Whether you're seeking something specific or just browsing for unexpected finds, our vast selection promises both variety and value. 

The Eagle Radio online auction — where saving money is just a click away!

Eagle Radio Auction live now!

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Recommended bid awards for two projects in Hays will be presented to the city commission during its meeting today.

Jeff Crispin, water resources director, will talk about the 2025 sanitary sewer cleaning and inspection program.&nbsp;

The low bid for light cleaning and video inspection of about 20 miles of sewer line was from CC Steel, LLC, North Dakota, for&nbsp;$145,022.

Replacement of the playground equipment at Massey Park, 17th and Allen, will be discussed by Jeff Boyle, parks director.

&nbsp;The selection committee reviewed all of the proposals and recommended&nbsp;approval of the Aspire 2 Play&nbsp;for $119,363. Boyle said the  playground unit would be unlike any other in Hays.

The existing playground at Massey Park was installed in 2002.

Jesse Rohr, public works director, will also present a proposal for consent to vacate annexation, or deannex, the plat of DK Ranch Addition west of Columbine Drive in anticipation of the planned&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/fd7b7dd8-86e3-4e72-bcfb-91fa38f6f8a8">Smoky Hill Plains Addition</a> housing development.

The complete Oct. 16 agenda is available <a href="https://haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10162025-1575">here</a>.&nbsp;

The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

Hays City Commission to discuss bids for sewer cleaning, playground equipment 

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

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

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

Free fall choral concert presented Friday at FHSU 

The five candidates for Hays USD 489 were interviewed by the Hays Post. Their responses are being presented in a question-and-answer format. The other candidates running include: Kelly Ancar, Craig Pallister, Curt Vajnar and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp.

Three seats are available on the board. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Age: 56 Occupation: A loss control safety specialist for Insurance Planning. I have been there for 18 years.

What do you think qualifies you to run for the school board? Well, I have a love for our community, and I have a love for kids. I decided four years ago, when I first ran, that I wanted to be a part of improving our community and making it better.&nbsp; And so, I looked at what was going on within our school district and looked at the community and felt like this is where I could serve.

As far as what qualifies me to do it, I have a good ability to listen to people and understand their point of view. I try to understand where people are coming from. At the same time I'm doing that, I'm looking at how we can make our community better and how we can make our school district better. I take the time to really study what they give us to vote on and what they require for us, and so I have the time, I have the patience and I have the love for this, for Hays.

Do you have a child or grandchild currently attending Hays USD 489 schools or did any of your children attend in the past? Currently, I don't have any kids in the school district. All three of my daughters graduated from Hays High. The last one graduated in 2023, so right after I got on the board. All three of them grew up in the Hays School District, and it was a great district for them. I think pretty much everything they needed in life, they learned here, and they never had struggles. I think all three of my girls were fairly good about school and our teachers in this district were great at being there for them.

Why are you running for reelection? I'm running for reelection because I still have a great love for this community, and I want to continue.

In the last four years, we've seen the bond passed. We've successfully built a high school and opened it up. When I ran the first time, I had certain goals in mind. I didn't have an agenda so much, but I did want to get that bond passed.

I did want to lower the fees for kids enrolling in school. When my oldest was a senior, as a single dad, it cost me $1,000 to enroll all three kids. To me, it seems like a lot for public schools. And so it has been my goal to help lower those fees. Since I've been on the board, we've lowered the school fees, I think, every year, but this year. I want to continue to work toward that.

I want to continue to do positive things for our kids, our teachers and the&nbsp;district. Another goal I had in mind when I ran last time was one of the most inconvenient things: the early release days. As a single dad, boy, that was so inconvenient, and it was always my plan to try to figure out something there. The teachers were the ones who figured that out, and they brought it to us that first year after I got on the board. I think the Monday once a month has been a great deal for their teacher planning time.

Do you support the district's five-year capital improvement plan? And if not, is there anything that you would change about it?

I do support the five-year capital outlay plan. It's been a great tool for us to use when planning for the future. It's also been great to look at and say, 'Hey, this is how we need to budget.' They've been in need of a list more than anything else. And so I think the district has utilized that, and it's been a great tool.

Do you support the plans for the remaining bond projects? If not, is there anything that you would change about those projects?

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7b175c88-0297-4573-a357-7f54d01571ee">I do support those, the remaining bond projects. The biggest major change has been at O'Loughlin [Elementary School]. We had to approve extra for the sewage line.</a> Outside of that, I think we're keeping on pace for every project, and I don't see anything that I would change. I think that what the city voted on has been well handled, and it looks good.

How would you view your role as a school board member, oversight with administrators and teachers handling day-to-day operations, or the board manages all aspects of operations?

I would go with the first choice. I don't think that we need to micromanage our school district. I think the oversight with administrators and teachers handling the day-to-day operations. That's how our board is set up to be.

There's only one employee in the district who answers to the board, and that's our superintendent. I think that's how it should be. Our district is not a size where we can, as seven members, go in there and micromanage everything as a collective. There's not that much construction knowledge among most of the board members to be there every day on the bond. There aren't enough of us to be in there telling the principals and teachers, 'Here's how you need to do it every single day.' It's not our job. We're just there to approve what needs to be approved or what doesn't need to be approved, and let the administration handle the rest.

Do you think the district is adequately managing its budget? If not, what would you change or cut?

I would say yes, I do feel they manage their budget adequately. We have a vocal minority in Hays who have scoured through that budget, and they've gone through and they're looking for what they're doing wrong. And in my whole time as a board member, they haven't found that there has been. That's my opinion about this. 

There hasn't been anything where our school district has proven they're not responsible with their budget. We have people in our administration who are just so trustworthy. Chris Hipp, [assistant superintendent for business], Ron Wilson, [superintendent], all of the administration has proven time and time again that when it comes to our budget, they are trustworthy people. They're people we can depend on to give us answers as we need them, and they're people who are going to be doing what's best for our district.

Are there any policies that you think should be changed? How would you change those policies if you had the ability?

I can't think of anything. I would continue to try to lower the fees for enrollment. 

We're having to look at what's happening nationally and statewide. That's uncertain right now, and so what we need are people on the board who have proven their leadership and are looking at all of that to try to make sure that we continue to be fiscally responsible and, at the same time, help Hays grow.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

There is this feeling that the schools should be funded by the states. The issue is [special education] has never been fully funded from the state and so that's always been a concern. It will always be a concern, but in our current political climate, it seems to be a growing concern, more so than it has been in the past. 

I don't have the solution, except for us to watch it. But it's going to impact us more next year, I think, than any year previous.

I can let you know what I'm really excited about: the high school. That first home game was incredible. I can't wait to see what happens from here. I was helping with mock interviews and talking to the students last week, and they seemed to be loving that high school, and I'm so excited for them.

As told to Cristina Janney/Hays Post

USD 489 candidate Q&A: Ken Brooks

GRAHAM COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Wednesday in Graham County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Silverado driven by Carter L. Underhill, 21, Hill City, was northbound on&nbsp;340th Road one and one half miles west of Bogue. The driver attempted to navigate a curve. The pickup traveled off the road, rolled and came to rest against a tree.

EMS transported Underhill to&nbsp;Graham County Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas man hospitalized after pickup rollover accident

As we enter the time of year when respiratory viruses are more prevalent, we would like to share a few observations. We represent hundreds of years of clinical experience taking care of patients here in Hays and in the region.

We can remember when the seasonal flu shot was less available than it is today. Twenty-five years ago, there was an observable decrease in hospitalizations and the need for respiratory tests and treatments when free community flu shots became available.

We have built our careers in this community, raised our families here, and collectively cared for thousands of patients across generations. We care deeply for our community. We encourage anyone with questions about vaccinations for themselves or for their children to reach out to their trusted health care providers with those questions. Their training and experience is a valuable resource. Even more than that, though, they know you, they know your family, and they care about our community.

Bob Albers, MD&nbsp; Internal Medicine

Robert Cox, MD&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Pediatrics&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jeff Curtis, MD Cardiology

Ron Holweger, MD Ophthalmology&nbsp;

Kevin McDonald, MD Urology&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Tom McDonald, MD Ophthalmology Rick Rajewski, MD&nbsp; Family Medicine Dallas Richards, MD&nbsp; Internal Medicine

Steven Waring, MD Family Medicine

LETTER: Hays doctors encourage reaching out with questions about vaccinations

&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

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

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

Cows, calves stolen near Sanford Junction in Pawnee County

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

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

No bicyclists are allowed to participate, he said.

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

Motorcyclists invited to annual ‘Toy Run’ in Hays

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kraft Pillow Service coming to Hays Oct. 23

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

'Dawgz and Drawz' to benefit shelter dogs 

WICHITA — The&nbsp;American Red Cross asks donors to&nbsp;make an appointment now to&nbsp;give&nbsp;blood&nbsp;to support patients&nbsp;counting on&nbsp;a consistent&nbsp;blood supply to survive and heal.&nbsp;While emergencies often grab headlines, the need for blood is constant.&nbsp;Especially in October, as donation appointments can often drop quickly when people settle into busy fall routines and make plans around upcoming school breaks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Additionally, the threat of hurricanes persists this month. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for those seeking medical care.&nbsp;

Prepare now — Help patients this fall and make an appointment to give blood by visiting <a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsyzGu6yAQheHVQIc1DDBAQZEm24gMM06sZ8t5YCW6u79KdNvvnJ8LpuaBtBQbQ07kYkT9KC1QyBgdNrALo6tLopDQ1szAvlm9FkoSyFGqBIg369AuCD4lRwsqD2Nl-bf-N_u8btKHiaHmuFCo1bzqC2n6DHorj_N8DuUuCq8Kr-_3e-rCrR9j1O04eDr6XeFV78LrbLpsMg8xK5cv3P5AuYslyBl1L4_5ZzyPcSoPMt83-R6ndux6nF1k_8TecRSxYCiDNx5hMdWDN7nVGZhdaI71q-BvAAAA___fuFbK">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Sept. 22-Oct. 19 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, see <a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy01uwyAQxfHTwA4LD3iABYtsfI2IjyG2iksKlqPevkrU7e-9f_Zgk5bIyc9mcRaVMcA3X9ycDSqbMGDRYdGZDMxOKpQGkg1892hpQYU2ogS4zwrmAlJbq7AA03Lsmb72H3GEvVIfwizRmYJLjOKKF-D0Hnj123k-B1M3BiuD9fV6TZ1y6m2MWFvLU-sPBmttKVSxtYOe4UEMVrro-xwM1hJqnbbzqPygvAfRqVIYJPbsP3D_B6ZuM0rngHe_hd_xbONkWlJ4VPocp9QOPs5OdLxjrbIhmqVAJ7XQIIuIWmrhUgwyZ7Uklfnl4S8AAP__eEJjpQ">RedCrossBlood.org/Fall</a>.

Those who give Oct. 20-Nov. 16, 2025, will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. See <a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy01uwyAQxfHTwA4LD3iABYtsfI2Ij3FsFZcUkKPevkrU7e-9f_Zgk5bIyc9mcRaVMcB3T3JOKqOzcdHGggNpjFlSzMomhwj88GhpQYU2ogS4zwrmDaS2VuEGTMt-ZPo6fsQZjkKtC7NEZzZcYhRXvACn98CL38d4dqZuDFYG6-v1mhrl1GrvsdSap9oeDNZSUyhiryc9w4MYrHTR9-gM1j20i_qY9nEWflI-gmhUKHQSR_YfuP8DU7cZpXPAm9_Db3_WPpiWFB6FPscp1ZP30YjOd6xVNkSzFOikFhrkJqKWWrgUg8xZLUllfnn4CwAA__94amSv">RedCrossBlood.org/Harvest</a> for details.&nbsp;

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 16-31:&nbsp;

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit <a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsyzGu6yAQheHVQIcFMzBAQZEm24jAM06sZ8t5YCW6u79KdNvvnJ8LpNlb0lJcDDkRxgj6UYilgnVLzYFQkssgM2J0xL66FlCvhZIEQkqNLMDNIbgFrE8JaQHl7VhZ_q3_zV7XTfowMbQcFwqtmVd7AU2fQW_lcZ5PhRcFVwXX9_s9deG5H2O07Th4OvpdwVXvwms1XTapQ8zK5Qu3P1B4cWRzBt3Lo_6M5zFO5a3U-ybf4zQfux5nF9k_sUeOIs4aytYbD3YxzVtv8tyqZcYwI-tXgd8AAAD__6cUVoM">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.&nbsp;

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at <a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy82OgyAUxfGngR0GL98LFt34Gg14r5WMFgdMm779pGa2v_85GMHPWlpOcXQmeKucA75GtCGPGLSxo9E-O_LBoUo6m2ySNMBLtJ6MVdZnKwHuo4JxAam9V3YBpmUvSD_lV-ypbNS6cCYHt1iTs3jlF9jhG_gW1_M8OlM3BhOD6f1-D41wbrX3vNWKQ20PBhPWZzpJXMRg2tMzPUjsH3GFUp-dwdTSUfBIvQ_ruW98JyxJNNoodRIF4wX3f2DqNloZAvAW1_TpR-0n05LSY6NrOMx15_1sRPv3rBU6olEKG6QWGuQispZahDkniajMrJC_IvwFAAD__2_baew">RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass</a> or use the Blood Donor App.&nbsp;

Gifts given to donors at upcoming area blood drives

Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling announced that early voting for the upcoming election will begin on Monday, Oct. 20, at the Ellis County Administration Center, 718 Main St., Hays.

Early voting hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The final day of early voting will be Monday, Nov. 3, ending at noon. For voter convenience, there will also be Saturday early voting on Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon at the administration center.

The last day to register to vote is today when voter registration books will close.

Advance mail ballots will be mailed on Wednesday. Voters may request an advance mail ballot by completing an application. Applications are available online, by calling the County Clerk’s Office to have one mailed, or by visiting the office at 718 Main St.

“As always, my office is here to assist voters,” Dreiling said. “If you have questions about registration, early voting or advance ballots, please don’t hesitate to call us.”

For more information, contact the Ellis County Clerk’s Office at 785-628-9410.

Last day to register to vote is today; early voting starts Monday for Nov. election

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

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Thursday he will meet again with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in an effort to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war in Ukraine</a>. A date has not been set, but Trump wrote on social media that the meeting would take place in Budapest, Hungary.

“I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation,” Trump wrote after talking to Putin. They previously met in Alaska in August, which did not produce a diplomatic breakthrough.

Before Trump and Putin meet, U.S. officials led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio will sit down with Russian representatives next week. It’s unclear where that meeting will take place.

The call came ahead of Trump’s meeting on Friday at the White House with Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>, who has been pressing Trump to sell Kyiv Tomahawk missiles that would allow Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian territory. Zelenskyy has argued such strikes would help compel Putin to take Trump’s calls for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the war more seriously.

Trump had told reporters traveling with him to Israel on Sunday that he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tomahawk-missiles-russia-ukraine-war-522fb8bb8fe8ce87107e1eb320abae0e">planned to discuss the Tomahawks</a>&nbsp;with Putin as a way to pressure him to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war in Ukraine</a>. “Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don’t think so,” Trump said on Sunday. “I think I might speak to Russia about that.”

With a fragile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-latest-10-15-2025-6ce9818c8d0474a2986ac6544a49a2b0">Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal</a>&nbsp;holding, Trump has said he’s now turning his attention to bringing the war in Ukraine to an end and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tomahawk-missiles-russia-ukraine-war-522fb8bb8fe8ce87107e1eb320abae0e">weighing providing Kyiv long-range weaponry</a>&nbsp;as he looks to prod Moscow to the negotiating table.

Ending the wars in Ukraine and Gaza was central to Trump’s 2024 reelection pitch, in which he persistently pilloried President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;for his handling of the conflicts. Yet, like his predecessor, Trump also has been stymied by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Putin</a>&nbsp;as he’s unsuccessfully pressed the Russian leader to hold direct talks with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;to end the war, which is nearing its fourth year.

But fresh off the Gaza ceasefire, Trump is showing new confidence that he can finally make headway on ending the Russian invasion. He’s also signaling that he’s ready to step up pressure on Putin if he doesn’t come to the table soon.

“Interestingly we made progress today, because of what’s happened in the Middle East,” Trump said of the Russia-Ukraine war on Wednesday evening as he welcomed supporters of his White House ballroom project to a glitzy dinner.

Earlier this week in Jerusalem,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-egypt-6347e7da64f6c97b95109558096c0b6c">in a speech to the Knesset</a>, Trump predicted the truce in Gaza would lay the groundwork for the U.S. to help Israel and many of its Middle East neighbors normalize relations. But Trump also made clear his top foreign policy priority now is ending the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

“First we have to get Russia done,” Trump said, turning to his special envoy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/steve-witkoff-special-envoy-russia-ukraine-mideast-d26c80c87a57fd3a811e4b0aa0eda58e">Steve Witkoff</a>, who has also served as his administration’s chief interlocutor with Putin. “We gotta get that one done. If you don’t mind, Steve, let’s focus on Russia first. All right?”

Trump is set to host Zelenskyy for talks Friday, their fourth face-to-face meeting this year.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump has said he’s weighing selling Kyiv long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. Putin has made clear that providing Ukraine with Tomahawks would cross a red line and further damage relations between Moscow and Washington.

“He’d like to have Tomahawks,” Trump said of Zelenskyy on Tuesday. “We have a lot of Tomahawks.”

Agreeing to sell Ukraine Tomahawks would be a splashy move, said Mark Montgomery, an analyst at the conservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington. But it could take years to supply and train Kyiv on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-zelenskyy-weapons-31e8d494c92300524a0f50cebff28f7d">Tomahawk system</a>.

Montgomery said Ukraine could be better served in the near term with a surge of Extended Range Attack Munition, or ERAM, missiles and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-biden-what-are-atacms-missiles-8d8621321af8c673bd42a5693c2ad1f4">Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS</a>. The U.S. already approved the sale of up to 3,350 ERAMs to Kyiv earlier this year.

The Tomahawk, with a range of about 995 miles (1,600 kilometers), would allow Ukraine to strike far deeper in Russian territory than either the ERAM (about 285 miles, or 460 km) or ATACMS (about 186 miles, or 300 kilometers).

“To provide Tomahawks is as much a political decision as it is a military decision,” Montgomery said. “The ERAM is shorter range, but this can help them put pressure on Russia operationally, on their logistics, the command and control, and its force disbursement within several hundred kilometers of the front line. It can be very effective.”

Signs of White House interest in new Russia sanctions

Zelenskyy is expected to reiterate his plea to Trump to hit Russia’s economy with further sanctions, something the Republican, to date, has appeared reluctant to do.

Congress has weighed legislation that would lead to tougher sanctions on Moscow, but Trump has largely focused his attention on pressuring NATO members and other allies to cut off their purchases of Russian oil, the engine fueling Moscow’s war machine. To that end, Trump said Wednesday that India, which became one of Russia’s biggest crude buyers after the Ukraine invasion, had agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-india-russian-oil-ukraine-1b2b993847d5d03f9a23f47bd035270a">stop buying oil from Moscow.</a>

Waiting for Trump’s blessing is legislation in the Senate that would impose steep tariffs on countries that purchase Russia’s oil, gas, uranium and other exports in an attempt to cripple Moscow economically.

Though the president hasn’t formally endorsed it — and Republican leaders do not plan to move forward without his support — the White House has shown, behind the scenes, more interest in the bill in recent weeks.

Administration officials have gone through the legislation in depth, offering line edits and requesting technical changes, according to two officials with knowledge of the discussions between the White House and the Senate. That has been interpreted on Capitol Hill as a sign that Trump is getting more serious about the legislation, sponsored by close ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., along with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

A White House official said the administration is working with lawmakers to make sure that “introduced bills advance the president’s foreign policy objectives and authorities.” The official, who was granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations, said any sanctions package needs to give the president “complete flexibility.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday the administration is waiting for greater buy-in from Europe, which he noted faces a bigger threat from Russian aggression than the U.S. does.

“So all I hear from the Europeans is that Putin is coming to Warsaw,” Bessent said. “There are very few things in life I’m sure about. I’m sure he’s not coming to Boston. So, we will respond ... if our European partners will join us.”

AP writers Fatima Hussein, Chris Megerian and Didi Tang contributed to this report.

Trump announces another face-to-face meeting with Putin 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats rejected for the 10th time Thursday a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government, insisting they won’t back away from demands that Congress take up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-subsidies-congress-shutdown-democrats-republicans-bb3464820a347fd2c0399e78e335881e">health care benefits</a>.

The vote failed Thursday morning on a 51-45 vote, well short of the 60 needed to advance with the Senate's filibuster rules.

The repetition of votes on the funding bill has become a daily drumbeat in Congress, underscoring how intractable the situation has become. It has been at times the only item on the agenda for the Senate floor, while House Republicans have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-government-shutdown-grijalva-526647b57faa2710382674646dfd2b37">left Washington altogether</a>. The standoff has lasted over two weeks, leaving hundreds of thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-federal-workers-shutdown-layoffs-5bef57b6c431830a9af84fbfcc59b324">federal workers</a>&nbsp;furloughed, even more without a guaranteed payday and Congress essentially paralyzed.

“Every day that goes by, there are more and more Americans who are getting smaller and smaller paychecks,” said Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/john-thune">John Thune</a>, adding that there have been thousands of flight delays across the country as well.

Thune, a South Dakota Republican, again and again has tried to pressure Democrats to break from their strategy of voting against the stopgap funding bill. It hasn't worked. And while some bipartisan talks have been ongoing about potential compromises on health care, they haven't produced any meaningful progress toward reopening the government.

Thune has also offered to hold a later vote on extending subsidies for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-tax-credits-obamacare-shutdown-f1ee636ddba7f65baa5234c55cb0c96e">health plans offered</a>&nbsp;under Affordable Care Act marketplaces, but said he would not “guarantee a result or an outcome.”

Democrats say they won't budge until they get a guarantee on extending the tax credits for the health plans. They warn that millions of Americans who buy their own health insurance — such as small business owners, farmers and contractors — will see large increases when premium prices go out in the coming weeks. Looking ahead to a Nov. 1 deadline in most states, they think&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-tax-credits-health-insurance-trump-poll-obamacare-dab7b10bf13dec33a884df5f9fe343f6">voters will demand</a>&nbsp;that Republicans enter into serious negotiations.

"The ACA crisis is looming over everyone’s head, and yet Republicans seem ready to let people’s premiums spike,” said Senate Democratic leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;in a floor speech.

Meanwhile, Thune was also trying a different tack Thursday with a vote to proceed to appropriations bills — a move that could grease the Senate's gears into some action or just deepen the divide between the two parties.

Democrats have rallied around their priorities on health care as they hold out against voting for a Republican bill that would reopen the government. Yet they also warn that the time to strike a deal to prevent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-tax-credits-obamacare-shutdown-f1ee636ddba7f65baa5234c55cb0c96e">large increases for many health plans</a>&nbsp;is drawing short.

When they controlled Congress during the pandemic, Democrats boosted subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans. It pushed enrollment under President Barack Obama's signature health care law to new levels and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obamacare-aca-health-care-coverage-biden-trump-0c73dcde4a19aea65cb83de01f2d5d2e">drove the rate of uninsured people to a historic low</a>. Nearly 24 million people currently get their health insurance from subsidized marketplaces, according to health care research nonprofit KFF.

Democrats — and some Republicans — are worried that many of those people will forgo insurance if the price rises dramatically. While the tax credits don't expire until next year, health insurers will soon send out notices of the price increases. In most states, they go out Nov. 1.

Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said she has heard from “families who are absolutely panicking about their premiums that are doubling."

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