By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Hays residents gathered at the corner of Vine and 27th on Sunday to honor Charlie Kirk and what they said was his commitment to peaceful discussions.

Adam Peters, chairman of the Ellis County GOP, said he attended the event because Kirk was killed for his faith and principles.

"He believed that we need to follow God, be faithful and reflect that love in others," Peters said. "He believed in the Constitution, the First Amendment, and the right to speak freely. He died while exercising that right."

Kirk co-founded the nonprofit political organization Turning Point USA, based in Arizona. He was killed by a single shot at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 during a debate.

"Charlie was a man who by all accounts was a decent husband, father and faithful Christian," Peters said.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested Thursday after a family member of Robinson reached out to a family friend with information that Robinson had “confessed” or implied involvement in the shooting,&nbsp;Utah Gov. Spencer Cox&nbsp;told reporters Friday.

You can learn more about the assassination of Charlie Kirk <a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-tyler-robinson-suspect-d893cc16fb0937d507283c710c551ef0">here</a>.

Kayson Unsworth attended Sunday’s event to pay his respects, calling Kirk an American icon who helped many young men.

"I initially felt anger, then sadness and now it's encouragement," Unsworth said.

Unsworth emphasized the need for open debate across political lines, cautioning against the formation of echo chambers.

He compares Kirk’s death to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

"I think it's very similar... hopefully it moves us forward and we can just unite under freedom of speech," Unsworth said.

David Koshiol said he first came across Kirk on social media and admired his work to protect children from what he called “the trans ideology movement.”

Koshiol said the assassination was shocking yet not unexpected in the current political climate.

"I immediately thought that this was bad for our country," he said. "I feel like this is going to be pushing people on both sides towards the other."

Koshiol said although Kirk is gone, the conservative movement will carry on. He also emphasized the importance of open discourse and unity.

"We're all neighbors and live together. We're all sharing the same city and country. We have to learn to work together and do it&nbsp;as harmoniously as we can," he said.

"Charlie Kirk was a fantastic figure for America," Taylor Wright said at Sunday's event. "He didn't deserve what he got."

Wright said she admired Kirk’s student debates and his openness in sharing God’s message.

"Don't be afraid to speak your mind. Even though it was a horrible outcome for Charlie, you shouldn't be afraid to have your own freedom of speech in this country," Wright said.

Unsworth, Koshial and Wright expressed regret or wished that they could have met Kirk. A Facebook event listed <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elliscountyksgop">Ellis County Republican Party</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansasrepublicanparty">Kansas Republican Party</a> as organizers of the event.&nbsp;

Hays residents pay respect to Charlie Kirk's legacy

Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter #1655 in Hays is sponsoring a learn-to-fly informational meeting on Thursday, September 18, 6 p.m., at RANS Aircraft, 4600 U.S. Highway 183 Alternate.

Come learn about what is required to become a private pilot. Meet local&nbsp;instructors and pilots, and register for a chance to receive a discovery flight from Hays Aircraft.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Enjoy a complementary hamburger cookout.&nbsp;

Please register to attend by emailing your name and contact information to eaachapter1655@gmail.com no later than Tuesday, September 16.

Learn To Fly informational meeting in Hays Sept. 18

Government surplus commodities will be distributed in Hays at&nbsp;Unite Free Shelves (inside The Gamers Guild), 200 E. 8th Street in Hays, on Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Commodities will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis until we run out.&nbsp;Doors will not open until 7:30 a.m.

To be eligible for commodities, your household's total monthly income must be below:

$2,413&nbsp;Household of one $3,261&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of two $4,109&nbsp;Household of three $4,957&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of four $5,805&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of five $6,653&nbsp;Household of six $7,501&nbsp;Household of seven $8,349&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of eight

*Add&nbsp;&nbsp;$848&nbsp;for each additional family member after eight

Commodities included in this distribution are anticipated to be mixed fruit, grape juice, diced tomatoes, potato slices, dehydrated potato flakes, applesauce cups, catfish, refried beans, Alaskan pollock, canned pumpkin, and cream of mushroom soup.&nbsp; 

Contact Brandon Nimz, Unite Ministry Leader with any questions at 785-259-2539.&nbsp;

&nbsp; Future commodity distribution times will be posted at:&nbsp;(<a target="_blank" href="http://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/">https://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Government surplus commodities to be distributed Sept. 23 in Hays

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

Rock the Bike, a creative California-based company known for combining sustainability with hands-on fun, has introduced its latest creation: the Spin Art Bike. 

This vibrant, pedal-powered machine turns the art of cycling into a colorful explosion of creativity, bringing eco-conscious entertainment to schools, events, and communities across the country. And Cottonwood District is the proud owner of the new spin art bike thanks to a grant from the Golden Belt Community Foundation!

The Spin Art Bike is a fusion of kinetic energy and artistic expression. Riders pedal to spin a canvas placed on a rotating plate, using centrifugal force to spread paint into mesmerizing patterns. Unlike traditional spin art stations powered by electricity, the Spin Art Bike runs entirely on human energy—no cords, no batteries, and no emissions.

The bike is built on a sturdy steel frame, with a wide front platform that houses the spin art mechanism. It's suitable for users as young as six, making it ideal for family-friendly environments like schools, museums, and community meetings and festivals.

It’s an incredible hands-on learning tool. Kids are not only creating beautiful art—they’re learning about energy, motion, and sustainability in a way that is memorable.

Event organizers are also taking note. The Spin Art Bike has made appearances at summer fairs, street festivals, and even corporate wellness events. Its interactive nature draws crowds and encourages participants to connect with one another through shared experience and creativity.

With its unique blend of physical activity, artistic expression, and environmental consciousness, the Spin Art Bike is more than a novelty—it’s a mobile celebration of creativity, sustainability, and joy.

And the bike is still fully functional as a blender bike as well so we can continue to create tasty smoothies, salsa, and hummus that the bike has already been famous for in the Cottonwood Extension District. 

Whether you're looking to craft a new artistic masterpiece on paper or whip up something delicious with pedal power, now is the perfect time to bring the Spin Art Bike or Blender Bike into your classroom, meeting, or event.

For more information or to book the Spin Art Bike or Blender Bike for your next event, contact Monique Koerner at 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu

🎙 KOERNER: New spin art bike offered by Cottonwood Extension District 

<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 Bobcat is looking for a mechanic. Must have a clean MVR and tools will be required. We are willing to train the right person. Come in for an application. 

Give us a call at 785-621-4841 or stop by our location at 600 East 8th Street in Hays!

Explore Kansas Outdoors: The Great Coon’ Bait Caper

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

High Plains Independence was able to make its payroll for August, allowing it to stay open another month while it waits for its nonprofit status to be reinstated.

The agency that provides&nbsp;support for people with severe mental illnesses in Hays has temporarily lost its funding from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services because of a paperwork error.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4856104b-8a08-4940-8782-edb77105916c">SEE RELATED STORY: Mental health support program in danger of temporary closure because of filing error</a>

All of the organization's services are free.

After a recent audit of the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability, which funds Consumer Run Organizations, High Plains Independence was informed it had not filed the necessary 990 forms with the IRS to maintain its nonprofit status, Ginna Anderson, High Plains Independence executive director, said.

Anderson said she is working with a new accountant to file the proper paperwork to have the group's nonprofit status reinstated and is making progress.

The group is still facing a wait of three to six months before all the paperwork can be processed.

The group received about $5,000 in donations in August to keep the organization running.

&nbsp;"I appreciate what they've done," Anderson said.

However, she said, "Now we have to start over in September."

"We are going to stay open as long as we can," Anderson said this week. ... "I refuse to give up. God did not bring us this far to drop us in the muck."

Donations can be sent to High Plains Independence at PO Box 956, Hays, KS 67601.

Mental Health support program remains open, still in limbo after paperwork error

TOPEKA — Phone and internet services are vital to accessing healthcare and community services, finding employment, and calling for help in an emergency. However, the cost to stay connected is out of reach for many Kansans.

In observance of National Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week, September 7-13, the Kansas Corporation Commission joins utility regulators nationwide in creating awareness of the program offerings and encourages those in need of assistance to apply.

Lifeline provides combined federal and state discounts of up to $17.02 per month to help pay for residential or wireless phone service, internet, or a bundled phone and internet plan. Subscribers living on tribal lands qualify for additional discounts. Currently, nearly 8.6 million Americans, including 19,500 Kansans, are enrolled in the program.

Eligibility&nbsp;is based on income&nbsp;(at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) or participation in certain assistance programs such as:

In addition, the Safe Connections Act (SCA) of 2022 helps survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and related crimes get discounted phone, internet or bundled services through the Lifeline program. Those who qualify under SCA can receive up to six months of emergency Lifeline support and their privacy will be protected. Details are available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.lifelinesupport.org%2Fsurvivor-benefit%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019929edb8d6-2119cd4d-a7ba-475f-b0d5-be85f806625c-000000/5Td5E8YN3_Hd8TJrGGm7M0bJYjXy3SRauGbs6e9U75I=421">https://www.lifelinesupport.org/survivor-benefit/</a>.

More information on income eligibility, participating Lifeline providers, and the enrollment process is available on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kcc.ks.gov%2Ftelecommunications%2Flifeline%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019929edb8d6-2119cd4d-a7ba-475f-b0d5-be85f806625c-000000/UTnfVCxzQie_DaSXazrvtv1_lwFtIyvd9HdLN5nDRF4=421">KCC’s website&nbsp;</a>or by calling 800-662-0027.

Lifeline program helps Kansans in need stay connected

Kansas Department of Transportation

NORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a field survey on a portion of K-27 in Wallace County the week of Sept. 15.

Crews will be working along a 9-mile portion of Highway K-27 between the Smoky Hill River bridge and Zigzag Road to gather information for proposed improvements along the route. Activities will include the use of survey instruments on the ground to determine locations of existing features within the survey corridor.

KDOT expects work to be completed in November 2025.

Crews will contact property owners or tenants for permission to enter private property if access is needed. Michael Lay of SAM will oversee the survey for KDOT.

Persons with questions may contact KDOT Public Information Officer Lisa Mussman at 785- 874-8107 or lisa.mussman@ks.gov.

Field survey planned on Highway K-27 in Wallace County

By BILL FIANDER Insight Kansas

Poor Elbridge Gerry. He wasn’t even a fan of this. Toeing his party’s line, he approved a newly drawn Boston district that was <a href="https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2024/07/gerrymandering-the-origin-story/">lampooned</a> as a mythological menacing-winged dragon, or salamander.

While a salamander-shaped district helped his party hold onto the legislature, this Bill of Rights father lost his governor’s seat, and forever lent his name to unsavory contorted lines re-drawn for partisan political gain

Thus, gerry-mandered maps were born. Power, perils, and all.

Two hundred thirteen years later, partisan gerrymandering is having another moment. No less than nine Republican-led and Democrat-led states, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2025-09-04/kansas-republicans-might-redistrict-to-help-defeat-the-states-only-democrat-in-congress">including Kansas</a>, are actively contemplating <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/08/28/redistricting-between-censuses-has-been-rare-in-the-modern-era/">rare</a> mid-census map changes to congressional districts ahead of next year’s elections; salamanders, pinwheels, Zorros, inkblots, and other odd shapes that only a Rorschach test giver could love will determine control of the U.S. House.

While partisan politics is gratuitously on display in today’s efforts, what is less apparent is what line on a map best serves a representative democracy.

Creation of districts for the House of Representatives was fueled by a fear of tyranny under the constitution; a compromise in our federalist framework that ensured local voices could check the power of a new centralized federal government and president.

But it wasn’t just about the fear of a king’s tyranny or an elite few. Just as important was to prevent a tyranny of the majority. Minority rights in religion, political parties, property, press, commerce, ancestry, etc. had to withstand a majority’s trampling if the newfound freedoms were to mean anything.

To that end, lines on House maps reflected non-partisan coherent geographies of common interest that could elevate the influence of minority groups politically. They represented fisherman, farmers, coalminers, mountain regions, religions, racial/ethnic neighborhoods, and any sub-set of population geography brought together.

Natural boundaries – city/county limits, rivers, major roads, rail, mountains, public universities, etc. – bonded those interests instead of political party. Within those geographies of common interests, political parties vied to become the voice of those interests through ideologies and lawmaking.

But we don’t live in that world anymore, do we?

Unless states say otherwise, splitting geographies of common interest for pure partisan gain is legal after <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/18-422_9ol1.pdf">Rucho v. Common Cause </a>(2019). Most states, including Kansas, do not prohibit the practice.

AI mapmaking algorithms can spit out thousands of district options in the blink of an eye. Flipping 10%-20% (25% in Kansas) of a state’s congressional seats at the touch of a button is an intoxicating power unlike any other tool available that stacks the partisan deck.

In this world, parties have become the common interest; not people, natural resources, schools, local economies, drinking water, or air sheds. The political tail wagging the proverbial geographic dog. A shape that ironically comes to mind when looking at the gerrymandered Kansas congressional district 1 barking from Lawrence to Colorado.

Left to current devices, it doesn’t. Johnson County beware. In Kansas, state voters are not in charge. Legislators are. Courts to a degree. Even the last protected domain under the Voting Rights Act – racial gerrymandering – has a target on its back (<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-109_l53m.pdf">Louisiana v. Callais</a>).

What do we really want out of re-districting? Competitive races? Partisan fairness? Respect for common geographies? All three? Technology can map whatever weighted parameters “we” want.

But until voters in Kansas and other states send a message, “we” are all racing to the bottom lampooning the very foundations of a representative democracy.

Bill Fiander is a university lecturer at Washburn University, Topeka, specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Insight Kansas: Lines on a map: A race to the gerrymandered bottom

Katharinenstadt's Essenfest is Oct. 12; Registration open now

Schoenchen Community Center&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4-7 p.m.

Sauerkraut Soup, Green Bean Dumpling Soup Noodles, Ham &amp; Beans, German Sausage Homemade Bread Pies, Kuchens &amp; Cakes Tea or Coffee

&nbsp; $15.00 8 and under Free&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sponsored by the St. Anthony Altar Society&nbsp;

Fundraiser for the St Anthony Park and Playground

50/50 RAFFLE (Need not be present to win)

Community Calendar

OAKLEY — Oakley will host its annual Gun, Coin, and Knife Show Sat., Sept. 20 and Sun., Sept. 21 at Western Vista Complex, 306 Sunrise.

See the many vendors with guns, rare coins, knives and collectibles.&nbsp;

The show is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is one of the larges and most well attended shows in the region.

Oakley's annual Gun, Coin, Knife & Collectible Show is Sept. 20, 21

Community Shred Day Saturday at Bank of Hays

&nbsp;Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Hays Police Department will partner with the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau to present “Pedal Patrol in the Park,” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13, in Aubel Bickle Optimist Park at 30th&nbsp;and Sherman Ave.

The goal of the event is to promote bike and scooter safety among young riders, with emphasis on learning correct helmet use and rules of the road for bicycles and scooters.

Events will include rides around the park with the HPD Bike Patrol and Hays Area Bicyclists, along with parent/toddler rides and bicycle seat safety checks for those who ride with a grown-up.&nbsp;

Children aged 0-13 will be encouraged to bring their scooters, bikes, trikes, Little Tikes cars, skateboards – whatever wheels they ride – to the event. Parents are also encouraged to bring their bikes.&nbsp;

A limited number of bicycle helmets will be given away, thanks to a grant from the Ellis County Legacy Fund and the Heartland Healthy Living Fund of the Heartland Community Foundation.

“This will help us further our goal of improving public safety,” said Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler. “A helmet will help a child form a lifelong healthy habit of being safe every time they ride.”

Attendees can enjoy food trucks, music, games, and bike safety activities. Pfonz’s Smokehaus, The Local, Frozen Frog, and Suck It Up Bubble Cup are scheduled to be at the event.

Story times with the HPD and the Hays Public Library Bookmobile will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Other activities include safety obstacle courses, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/76c208bb-a6aa-4e68-9115-5092bb6f74a1">safety sessions with HPD Bike Patrol officers</a>, the Fort Hays State University MakerVan, yard games, volleyball, basketball, and bicycle safety checks with Precision Valley Golf and Bike Center.

There will be various giveaways and a raffle for three bicycles and one scooter courtesy of Hays Walmart.&nbsp;Raffle tickets can be earned by participating in the safety events throughout the day.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and coolers to the event, but no glass bottles are allowed.&nbsp;Pets on leashes are allowed but owners must clean up after their pets.

For details and updates on this event, check the Community Events calendar at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.visithays.com/">www.VisitHays.com</a>&nbsp;or search Facebook for the event “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=pedal%20patrol%20in%20the%20park">Pedal Patrol in the Park.</a>”

Pedal Patrol event focuses on bike, scooter safety

DOWNS — The Kansas Storytelling Festival is holding three qualifying events for the 2026 Tall Tales storytelling contest. 

Anyone (amateur) is welcome to enter these preliminary events to become one of four finalists at the Storytelling Festival on April 24-25, 2026 in Downs. All qualifier events are free to attend.

The first qualifier will be held Saturday, September 13 at the Tonganoxie Community Historical Society, 201 W. Washington St., Tonganoxie, beginning at 5:00pm. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tonganoxieartscouncil.org/copy-of-story-telling-festival">Art Events &amp; Workshops | Arts Council</a> Following the Tall Tale contest at about 7:35 p.m., Professional Storyteller Paul Strickland will perform.

The second qualifier will be held Saturday, September 20 at the Mid-America All-Indian Center, 650 N. Seneca St., Wichita, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Following the contest, previous Kansas Tall Tale champions and historical Legends will perform. Register by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kansasstorytelling@gmail.com">kansasstorytelling@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;or contacting Mike at 785-545-5285.

The final qualifier will be held in Downs, the “Storytelling Capital of Kansas” on Saturday, October 11, at the Zion Lutheran Church, 1018 Blunt Street, Downs. The Downs event begins at 7:00 p.m. Register by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kansasstorytelling@gmail.com">kansasstorytelling@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;or contacting Mike at 785-454-1177.

A tall tale is a unique form of American Story Telling in which the narrator usually has a part in the story. Telling a tall tale uses exaggerated detail describing things larger than they really are.&nbsp; A tall tale is a story based on a fact, or facts, and filled with unbelievable elements told as if they were true and factual. A tall tale has just enough truth to make a good story and to incite the imagination. 

Professional storytellers cannot compete. 

Information and rules for the Tall Tale Competition are posted at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">kansasstorytellingfestival.com</a>&nbsp;

Interested individuals can enter any of the events, or all of them if not selected as top qualifier. For more information or to register for each event, please go to the Kansas Storytelling Festival website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/</a>&nbsp;or the Kansas Storytelling FaceBook page at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival">https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival</a>.

Storytelling festival's Tall Tale preliminaries begin Saturday

WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;— Wichita police arrested a 38-year-old man on Friday after he shot and killed his neighbor, identified as 48-year-old Brian Baker.

Just after 6p.m. Friday, police responded to the 900 block of South Vassar Avenue in Wichita, according to a statement from police. First responders found Baker in a front yard with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. Baker was transported to a local hospital and was pronounced deceased at 6:41 p.m.

Investigators learned through multiple witnesses that the incident began as an argument and physical altercation between neighbors that led to the gunfire.

When officers arrived, the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Allan Taylor Gunneson, according to Sedgwick County arrest records, came out of his home and surrendered. 

He was taken to City Hall, questioned, and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. On Sunday, online jail records indicated Gunneson was on&nbsp;Unsupervised Custody; Home Incarceration.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Kan. man accused of killing his neighbor is on unsupervised custody

KANSAS CITY —Worlds of Fun was open for business again on Sunday after the park was evacuated Saturday night on the opening of the park's Halloween Haunt event.

Just before 9:30pm. Saturday, Law enforcement and the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a reported shots fired call at Worlds of Fun, according to KCFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 After a thorough investigation and patient assessment only one individual was transported for an unrelated medical issue. KCFD is unaware of the circumstances leading up to the call only that no injuries related to the shots fired call were reported.&nbsp;

Kansas City police are in charge of the investigation. KCPD Along with Worlds of Fun security evacuated and cleared the park in an extremely short period of time, according to Hopkins. There is no evidence that shots were fired.

Worlds of Fun back open after report of gunfire forced evacuation

GLENDALE, ARIZONA&nbsp; —Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist&nbsp;and close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event in what the governor called a political assassination carried out from a rooftop.

Turning Point USA, Kirk's conservative organization, will hold a memorial for him Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix, where the Arizona Cardinals play. <a href="https://www.fightforcharlie.com/">Click here for more details</a> on the service.

Kirk's casket arrived Thursday in his home state aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance.

A vigil at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., was among numerous tributes to Kirk on Sunday. The line of mourners in Washington wrapped around the center.

Kirk also was memorialized at Dream City Church in Phoenix, where he hosted one of his “Freedom Night in America” gatherings. Attendees viewed clips of Kirk discussing his desire to be “remembered for courage for my faith.” Angel Barnett, a church pastor, called on the crowd to honor Kirk by carrying on his message.

Flowers, U.S. flags and handwritten messages were left at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-students-bc78cfd86a9911b44c9279e32be442bf">a makeshift memorial</a>&nbsp;at Utah Valley University’s main entrance. The school has said there will be increased security when classes resume Wednesday.

His widow, Erika Kirk, vowed to continue his campus tour and his radio and podcast shows.

“To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die,” she said Friday in a livestreamed video. “It won’t. I refuse to let that happen.”

🎥Vigils nationwide, funeral service details for Charlie Kirk

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a double homicide in Kansas City.

Just after&nbsp;7a.m. Sunday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of Longview Road on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 Upon arrival officers were directed to the front of a grocery store where they located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began to render aid as KCFD Medics simultaneously arrived. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene. 

Other officers arriving were directed to the north side of the grocery store parking lot where they located an additional male victim, also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance, with life threatening injuries. Just before 9 AM, investigators were notified that the second male victim died of his injuries at the hospital.

&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates there was an interaction outside of the grocery store between multiple individuals just prior to the shots being fired.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide, and no one is in custody.

2 dead after KC grocery store parking lot gunfight

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Seth Rogen and “The Studio”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/emmy-awards-2025-updates">turned the Emmys</a>&nbsp;into a wrap party, winning best comedy series Sunday and breaking a comedy record for victories in a season with 13, while Noah Wyle and “The Pitt” took the top drama prize.

The evening also brought meaningful wins for Jean Smart, Stephen Colbert and 15-year-old Owen Cooper, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adolescence-tv-show-netflix-filming-05ae1def60757a8cb48ae4ad847be67c">Netflix series “Adolescence”</a>&nbsp;dominated the limited series categories.

“I’m legitimately embarrassed by how happy this makes me,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/studio-seth-rogen-tv-show-52762ef0f06d28099924fecb020eabb9">“The Studio”</a>&nbsp;co-creator Rogen said with his signature giggle, surrounded by cast and crew from the Apple TV+ movie-business romp after it won best comedy at the Peacock Theater in a show hosted by Nate Bargatze that aired on CBS. Rogen personally won four, including best actor.

“The Pitt” from HBO Max completed a sentimental journey with its win for best drama series. The character-driven medical drama won over viewers and gained emotional momentum during a season whose biggest drama prizes once seemed destined to be swept by “Severance.”

Wyle won best actor in a drama for playing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/noah-wyles-new-role-in-the-pitt-563ecc546a504f039a6fddfa5403e7d6">grizzled, warm-but-worn-down supervising doctor,</a>&nbsp;getting his first Emmy after five nominations with no victories in the 1990s for playing a scrubbed young cub doctor on “ER.”

“What a dream this has been,” Wyle said. “Oh my goodness.”

Katherine LaNasa, whose nurse is perhaps the show's most beloved character, was a surprise winner of best supporting actress in a drama over three women of “The White Lotus” on a night when every acting Emmy but one went to a first-time victor.

The first-timers included Britt Lower, who won best actress in a drama, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2025-emmys-tramell-tillman-severance-bc25912d82b017cfd4dae4397b703b82">Tramell Tillman, who won best supporting actor,</a>&nbsp;in the night's two biggest moments for “Severance.”

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