By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Hays High School's Homecoming parade made its way through downtown Hays on Friday.

The parade included this year’s Homecoming Court, the cheer team and marching band, along with current students and alumni dating back to the class of 1965.

📷 2025 Hays High School Homecoming parade

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hppr.org/people/calen-moore">CALEN MOORE</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2025-09-22/kansas-sorghum-farmers-will-have-their-biggest-yield-in-years-but-tariffs-killed-the-market">Kansas News Service&nbsp;</a>

Kansas farmers are hurting after China’s retaliatory tariffs on the United States closed a major market for the state’s biggest crop. Despite a productive year, farmers across Kansas may not break even.

Farm fields across Kansas are turning amber as sorghum crops come to full maturity. The state's farmers are expecting a bountiful harvest this year thanks to more rain than recent years.

But that's also coming at the same time the sorghum market is drying up thanks to U.S. tariffs on China. That means Kansas farmers are losing out.

Historically, Kansas is known as the wheat state. But in more recent years, it’s become the king of sorghum. The grain grows really well in Kansas. It’s also versatile like corn and can be used for livestock feed and biofuel production.

In Scott City, Amy France and her husband have been growing sorghum for decades. Even one of their children started farming nearby.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She said their crop was gorgeous this year.

“It was the best crop we’ve had in years,” France said. “We're expecting a 23% larger crop this year, which is absolutely a blessing.”

More rain than usual in semi-arid western Kansas has led to healthy sorghum and a higher yield of the grain.

For the first time since 2016, Kansas is&nbsp;<a href="https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?KS" target="_blank">mostly out of drought</a>&nbsp;— 80% of the state is without any dry conditions.

Despite the crop doing well, farmers are finding it hard to sell.

President Donald Trump's trade war with China resulted in the sorghum price plummeting, leaving Kansas farmers unable to benefit from their productive crops.

In 2022, the price for grain was&nbsp;<a href="https://ksdata.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/ag/16ag14.pdf" target="_blank">$12.30 per hundredweight</a>, which would be a little over $6 per bushel. For an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news-and-publications/news/stories/2025/02/agriculture-grain-sorghum-crop-trials-2024.html#:~:text=And%20yet%2C%20says%20Kansas%20State%20University%20assistant,13%20bushels%20higher%20than%20the%20previous%20year." target="_blank">average Kansas farmer</a>, that would be about $400 per acre.

But now the price is hovering around $3 per bushel, or about $200 per acre

Sorghum producers rely on the international market. The crop does not have a robust domestic market because most ethanol plants and feedyards prefer corn.

Over half of the state’s sorghum is exported, mostly to be used as animal feed or as an ingredient in a popular alcoholic drink in China.

Earlier this year, the U.S. imposed new tariffs on China. In retaliation, China enacted its own new tariffs on American imports. That’s led to buyers there purchasing little to no sorghum from U.S. farmers since April.

“China has been our number one export market,” France said. “With that being gone at the moment, it is difficult, leaving our producers without our single most critical outlet.”

Mark Welch, grain economist for Texas A&amp;M University, said China can do without American sorghum for a while. The big sorghum consumer has recently made Brazil and Australia as its new sources for the grain.

“Now we've got all this grain sorghum piling up,” Welch said, “what are we going to do with it?”

The U.S. sorghum will eventually sell because the price is so low. Some will go to Mexico or Europe, and some U.S. feedyards will buy a little more sorghum at a discount price.

But Kansas farmers won’t see great returns on their investment.

Welch said that’s not a sustainable situation for the grain belt.

“We're just built for a competitive advantage in the global ag markets,” Welch said, “and to step away from that would be a seismic shift in the structure of American agriculture.”

Kansas sorghum farmers will have their biggest yield in years. But tariffs killed the market

&nbsp;FHSU University Communications

As they prepared to enter their senior year at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), Honors College students Hazel Frans and Eric Moon had the chance to “test the waters before diving in” through competitive summer research internships funded by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.

Frans, a biology major and graduate of FHSU’s Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS), spent her summer at Cornell University, where she participated in a research project on cold tolerance in maize. The long-term goal of the research, she explained, is to make corn more resilient to cold temperatures, expand the growing season, and prevent crop loss due to early spring freezes.

“Ultimately, after we did our initial research, our goal was to take the mutations or knockouts of the genes that we were studying and put them in maize and see how they reacted,” Frans said. “So, we were testing the waters before we dove in.”

Alongside her rigorous research schedule, Frans took time to explore the culture and architecture of New York state, from waterfalls to art museums to historic landmarks.

Frans has been actively engaged in research throughout her undergraduate years. She presented at the Kansas Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE), received a grant to continue her research as a K-INBRE Star Trainee, and earned an Award of Excellence at the 2025 K-INBRE Symposium for her poster titled&nbsp;Impact of CRISPR-induced Mutations on Arabidopsis thaliana Gene APETALA3 Sites AP3-3 and AP3-5.

Dr. Tara Phelps-Durr, chair of FHSU’s Department of Biological Sciences, has mentored Frans and suggested that she apply for the summer REU program.

“Dr. Phelps-Durr really paved the way for me to apply to these internships,” Frans said. “I didn’t know they existed until she suggested I apply.”

“Hazel is an outstanding student, and it’s been a pleasure working with her,” Dr. Phelps-Durr said. “At FHSU, we are fortunate that we can provide students with undergraduate research experiences that prepare them for success beyond our campus.”

Moon, a mathematics major, completed his REU at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he used simulation software to model traffic through work zones. His project explored 45 different scenarios based on an active work zone in Nebraska City.

“I had never done anything like this before,” Moon said. “I don’t know if it’s enough to pull me away from pure theoretical applications, but it would be nice to do something like network analysis in the traffic engineering area on a more broad scale.”

Despite entering the program with minimal experience, Moon quickly learned Python programming to conduct his research. The experience, he said, broadened his perspective and provided valuable preparation for graduate-level study.

Moon has also pursued undergraduate research prior to his REU experience. He co-authored a paper on irreversible k-threshold processes in corona and double corona product graphs, posted on arXiv in 2025, and is now preparing it for journal submission.&nbsp;He presented this work at the Kansas Section of the Mathematical Association of America and FHSU’s Scholarly and Creative Activities Day (SACAD) and continues his research in graph theory under the mentorship of Dr. Soumya Bhoumik and Dr. Paul Flesher.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both Frans and Moon credit FHSU’s Honors College for fostering an environment that encouraged them to pursue these opportunities.

“That’s the best part of being here - being part of that very successful network,” said Kevin Amidon, director of the Honors College. “Our colleagues at Fort Hays are very good at helping students tell the story of why they are going to be good contributors to a program. This is one of the great strengths here that other universities don’t offer because they are so much bigger.”

Frans also credited KAMS for giving her a head start in research early in her academic career. “KAMS has always been very encouraging about going to conferences and presenting at SACAD,” she said. “Without the help of KAMS, I don’t believe I would have had this opportunity to do this research.”

“Most students don’t have the opportunity to do research until they are earning their master’s,” added Suellyn Stenger, KAMS assistant director. “To be able to experience that as a junior in high school is a tremendous plus for our students.”

Despite early concerns about potential NSF funding cuts in summer 2025, both internships went smoothly. For Frans, challenges to future scientific funding only underscore the resilience of the research community.

“One thing about the sciences is that researchers are very persistent and very passionate,” she said. “We will overcome challenges and come out a lot stronger in the end.”

Both students will graduate from FHSU in May 2026, and just weeks later, they plan to get married. They are currently exploring graduate schools where they can continue their studies in the same city.

“There are a lot of opportunities we could take,” Frans said. “We will just have to see how it goes. It’s a unique situation.”

FHSU students gain hands-on experience through National Science Foundation internships

Rehearsals are now underway for the Hays High School fall play, “Peter Pan – Journey To Neverland.”

Scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13-15 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16, it will be the first theatrical production in the new Performing Arts Center (PAC) at HHS. Ticket information will be announced at a later date.

According to director Bill Gasper, the play is an original non-musical adaptation of the 1911 novel by J.M. Barrie, which is an expanded version of his 1904 play. Gasper said both the novel and play are in the public domain, which has led to numerous non-musical and musical adaptations.

“Many people mistakenly believe that Peter Pan is a musical, but that’s not the case,” Gasper said. “The first musical adaptation was the 1950 Broadway production with music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein. In fact, it wasn’t even a full-scale musical. A later 1954 musical adaptation became the version most people recognize. Disney also released an animated musical version in 1953.”

Gasper said the HHS version maintains the charm of the original, which follows the adventure of Peter Pan and his friends, including Wendy Darling, her brothers, the Lost Boys, and the pirate Captain Hook, in the magical land of Neverland. The story explores themes of childhood, imagination, and the transition from childhood to adulthood.

“Although we’re not equipped to actually ‘fly’ actors, our version features plenty of action with humorous moments throughout,” Gasper said. “It truly is a fun performance for the entire family.”

Auditions for the play took place on Sept. 9 and 10, with rehearsals getting underway on Sept. 16. It features a cast of 24 with additional students serving as members of the crew.

“The first week of rehearsals went very well,” Gasper said. “I’m very pleased with the overall talent of the cast and crew, and the new Performing Arts Center is simply a great facility. The transition to working in a new space comes with certain challenges, but I’m excited to be part of its first theatrical production.”

From the public domain works of J.M. Barrie

Hays High School to present ‘Peter Pan–Journey To Neverland’ in new Performing Arts Center in November

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Modern-day precision agriculture relies heavily on sensor technology, and among these, remote sensing is the most widely used tool. The term remote sensing consists of two words, “remote”, which means from a distance, and “sensing”, which means the collection of information or data. Therefore, remote sensing refers to studying or collecting information about objects such as crops, soil, water, or the surrounding environment from a distance, without direct contact.

Common examples of remote sensing are drone and satellite imagery, as well as handheld devices or sensors mounted on any of our farm equipment, such as tractors. These technologies use sensors to measure sunlight reflected by the crops and soil to create a map that can be used to understand the crop health, soil condition, and water stress, which our eyes usually cannot see.

Application of Remote Sensing in Agriculture

Understanding field variability: Each field is unique and consists of different soil types, soil nutrients, moisture levels, disease, and pest pressure. Due to these reasons, crop growth is not uniform throughout the same field. Therefore, remote sensing can help farmers to understand such variability of crop growth by creating maps of the fields (Figure 2).

For example, a drone was flown to collect field variability information at the Flickner Innovation farm in McPherson County. In such collected drone imagery, green areas represent higher canopy cover, healthier crops, and better growth. Yellow areas indicate moderate crop vigor, while red areas show little to no canopy cover, corresponding to reduced growth, bare soil, and equipment tracks, particularly caused by pivot irrigation. Such maps provide valuable insights for monitoring and managing field variability using drone-based remote sensing.

Crop stress detection: Remote sensing can help farmers by detecting the early signs of crop stresses such as nutrient deficiency, moisture issues, disease, and pests that may not be seen early enough with the naked eye. Such information can be used as a guide for site-specific nitrogen, irrigation, or pesticide applications by applying inputs only in the areas where it is needed.

Weed identification: High-resolution remote sensing images, especially using drones, can help identify the weeds in the fields. As the weeds have different colors, leaf structure, shape, or growth patterns compared to the crops, using remote sensing, we can identify them to create a weed map of the field. These weed maps can be used for site-specific herbicide application using spray drones or any other farm applicators.

Different types of remote sensing tools

Satellite: Satellite images are now used for various on-farm decisions, including variable-rate technology. Satellites provide large-scale imagery that can cover an entire farm, county, state, or even the whole earth. Many satellite datasets, such as Sentinel-2 and Landsat, are freely available at no cost, which can be used by growers for various on-farm decisions. However, weather conditions, especially cloud cover, can affect the availability and quality of these images. Drones: Drones provide high-resolution images and can capture crop and soil information at the centimeter level. They can also be flown as needed, offering greater flexibility. Drone imagery is commonly used for early-

season scouting, detecting crop stress, and identifying weeds.

Handheld sensors: Some sensors can be handheld or mounted on farm equipment to collect information about soil and crops. Common handheld sensors used in agriculture include CropScan, GreenSeeker, fluorometers, and chlorophyll meters.

Conclusion - Remote sensing has become very popular and is accessible to farmers to make more informed and smarter decisions. This technology can help farmers to “see” crops and soil conditions that are not visible to the naked eye, thus allowing for more timely and precise decisions on their farms.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Basics of remote sensing in precision agriculture

<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!

KHP: Don't use our state as a trash dumpster

Congratulations to Bernita Augustine for being named the winner of the&nbsp;Yuengling Flight Golf Cart giveaway from A&amp;A Coors Yuengling.

Augustine was drawn as a finalist on July 19 at American Shooters.

Thanks to all who registered this summer.

See below for a complete list of finalists.

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 31.&nbsp;Rick Summers — Elite Detail and Sales —&nbsp;9-25-2025 32. Jared Wickham — Elite Detail and Sales — 9-25-2025

Winner of Yuengling Flight Golf Cart giveaway named at Oktoberfest

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

Because of this, the auction has started early, and is going on right NOW!&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

Be on the lookout for "Bison on the Loose" in Hays next spring.

It's a public art project of the Heartland Community Foundation Youth Action Council to highlight the history and heritage of Ellis County.&nbsp;

At least 25 <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/07bdd861-fa34-4686-8c39-2587327f3009">life-size fiberglass bison sculptures </a>will be placed on city and private properties in Hays, Ellis and Victoria.

"They'll be painted by local and student artists in colorful ways," said Savannah Clingan.&nbsp;"Our goal is to attract tourists and residents to places of interest."

Clingan,&nbsp;Mariella Dreiling and Oaklye Wichers, Hays High School seniors, appeared before the Hays City Commission on Thursday seeking permission to install the statues in some public spaces. The city of Ellis has already given its approval.

First-priority locations requested by project donors include Municipal Park, Frontier Park, Sunrise Park, Hays Regional Airport, Downtown Pavilion and the Hays Public Library.&nbsp;

Each statue will cost $5,000, which will include its placement. The students have raised $120,000 towards their goal of $125,000 from private donations and grants.

"It generates family-friendly experiences," Wichers said. 

The students are working on an interactive app that would encourage users to visit and take pictures with each bison as a kind of scavenger hunt.

Wichers said bison were chosen by the students because in 2026 "we will celebrate 110 years since James “Scotty” Philips brought Hays’ first bison herd in 1916. This honors the city's&nbsp;historic herd and the frontier heritage."

Other themes expected to be represented include Volga Germans, the railroad, Wild West frontier, Big Creek, Fort Hays State University, native tribes, Oktoberfest, historic Fort Hays, oil and agriculture industries, fossils, sunflowers, HaysMed, veterans, downtown Hays, roundabouts, water, and bike trails.&nbsp;

All designs will go through a submission and jury&nbsp;process before approval.&nbsp;No offensive imagery,&nbsp;words or business logos will be allowed.

The painting process, under the direction of Amy&nbsp;Schmierbach, FHSU art professor, will be done at the Microfactory.

"The project really encourages collaboration between teens, local artists, Hays, TMP-Marian, Ellis and Victoria high schools, and businesses so we can all celebrate our shared heritage and culture," Dreiling said, "making it a more fun and inviting place to be in."

Expected lifespan of the statues is 15 to 20 years.&nbsp;

The commission also granted permission to the Arc of Central Plains to proceed with construction of Phase 3 of the ARC Park, 3300 Hillcrest.

Sarah Meitner, board president of Arc of Central Plains, presented the plan, which includes two shelter houses, a gazebo-type picnic pavilion and a nearby flower garden, along with two permanent cornhole courts with 10 total lanes and shaded dugouts.

The Arc of Central Plains has raised $500,000 for the construction, which will be put out to bid to local contractors. Parks Director Jeff Boyle will oversee the project.

"We want to go with the most maintenance-free we can," Boyle said.

More bison coming to Hays next spring; sculptures to celebrate history, heritage

&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

Jana’s Campaign, an organization dedicated to preventing relationship-based violence, will have its annual fundraising gala, “Empty Place at the Table,” at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. Eighth St., Hays.&nbsp;

Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased at <a href="https://www.janascampaign.org/">janascampaign.org</a>.

“This cherished community event brings together friends and supporters to honor the life and legacy of Jana Mackey while celebrating 16 years of prevention education and impact,” Kaiti Blackburn, Jana’s Campaign executive director, said in a news release.

“The evening will reflect on the organization’s achievements in building safe, healthy communities and reaffirm their mission to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking through evidence-based education.”

Jana’s Campaign was founded in memory of Hays native Jana Mackey, a 25-year-old law student at the University of Kansas who lost her life to violence perpetrated by an ex-boyfriend in 2008.

The organization has presented educational programs to more than 102,000 middle school and high school students from 677 schools across 10 states, Blackburn said, all with the goal of informing young people about domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

“Our prevention approach creates ripple effects that extend far beyond individual students. When we teach one young person about healthy relationships, they carry that knowledge to their families, friend groups, and future relationships,” Blackburn said. “Prevention education is an investment that pays dividends for decades.”

This year’s fundraiser will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, live entertainment, and both silent and live auctions. The event is being sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.

Tickets on sale for Jana's Campaign 'Empty Place at the Table' on Oct. 11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community Block Party celebrates latest Community Foundation of Ellis project

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

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

Ellis County Ministerial Alliance to meet Oct. 8

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 2900 Canal Blvd., Hays, will hold its annual pet blessing following the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Pastor Ben Houchen said, “Bring your beloved pets to receive a blessing and share in this joyful celebration of God’s creation.”

In addition, the church will hold a “Pet Supply Drive” that day, with donations going to the Humane Society of the High Plains.

Annual pet blessing Oct. 12 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Hays

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming beginner-friendly painting classes in Logan

Family Literacy Night celebrates FHSU Homecoming 

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/matthew-perrone">MATTHEW PERRONE</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, federal health officials are taking aim at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hims-ro-lemonaid-subscription-health-care-6bbd960335fd8a7cc71563858e1a441a">telehealth companies</a>&nbsp;promoting unofficial versions of prescription drugs — including popular weight loss medications — as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-drug-ads-kennedy-tv-advertising-ee17bd8b64381da99ca4f6af4ff78fde">Trump administration’s crackdown</a>&nbsp;on pharmaceutical advertising.

The Food and Drug Administration posted more than 100 letters to various drugmakers and online prescribing companies, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-18f50ba8671d44e592ac7c46a614cd22">Hims &amp; Hers</a>, which has built a multibillion-dollar business centered around lower-cost versions of blockbuster&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wegovy-zepbound-obesity-drugs-coverage-access-142e234c16df4443e8f66c27d01f44e2">obesity injections</a>.

The FDA warned the company to remove “false and misleading” promotional statements from its website, including language claiming that its customized products contain “the same active ingredient” as FDA-approved drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. The formulations cited by regulators are produced by specialty compounding pharmacies and aren’t reviewed by the FDA.

“Your claims imply that your products are the same as an FDA-approved product when they are not,” states the warning letter, dated Sept. 9.

Hims said Tuesday that it “looks forward to engaging with the FDA.”

“Our website and our customer-facing materials note that compounded treatments are not approved or evaluated by the FDA,” the company said in a statement.

It’s the first FDA attempt to directly police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/telemedicine-amwell-artificial-intelligence-706e120a490a8c479691c07a0691ef0b">online platforms</a>&nbsp;like Hims, which have long argued they’re not subject to traditional drug advertising rules.

The FDA also posted separate warning letters to manufacturers of the so-called GLP-1 drugs, taking issue with a 2024 infomercial featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-lauren-nyfw-spring-2026-collection-oprah-889a5f2e1019b5132265951168c61dc8">Oprah Winfrey</a>. Regulators said the 42-minute TV segment from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk gave a “misleading impression” about the safety of Zepbound, Wegovy and similar “drugs with multiple serious, potentially life-threatening risks.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-cdc-covid-hepatitis-chickenpox-844d270e69b77f8fe2da12eab75ed926">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;has long been a critic of the pharmaceutical industry, including GLP-1 drugs, and previously suggested Americans can reverse obesity with diet and exercise alone.

A memo signed by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-court-death-penalty-f541df08a936e06497ee2342296bc398">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;last week directed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-cdc-covid-hepatitis-chickenpox-844d270e69b77f8fe2da12eab75ed926">Kennedy</a>&nbsp;and the FDA to ensure that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drug-ads-fda-risks-side-effects-influencers-80bbe076f4ed743ebde3923dd28be004">pharmaceutical ads on TV</a>, social media and other websites are “truthful and non-misleading.”

The new FDA letters each contain “cease and desist” language. That’s a different approach for the agency, which typically drafts its letters in highly bureaucratic language citing specific FDA regulations.

Hims has been under scrutiny from Washington for some time.

Earlier this year, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/sports">Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;ad from the company touted the benefits of its weight-loss medications but didn’t list any of their side effects or potential harms. FDA rules require advertisements to present a balanced picture of drug risks and benefits.

Makary singled out the ad in last week’s Journal of the American Medical Association, calling it a “brazen” example of how advertising is “contributing to America’s culture of overreliance on pharmaceuticals for health.”

Hims and similar companies initially sold cheap generic versions of drugs for hair loss, erectile dysfunction and other health issues. But booming demand for obesity medications opened the door to selling cheaper copies.

The FDA permits so-called compounding, or customized production, when there is a shortage of the official versions of FDA-approved medications.

FDA recently determined that GLP-1 drugs no longer met the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obesity-drugs-zepbound-shortage-fda-13d18b0e3e74a7f7355521bf8e38cb5b">criteria for a shortage</a>. That should have ended the compounding, but there is an exception: The practice is still permitted when a prescription is customized for the patient.

Hims and other companies have taken to offering “personalized” dosages and formulations for certain patients, arguing they offer extra benefits.

Shares of San Francisco-based Hims &amp; Hers Health Inc. fell more than 6.47% in trading Tuesday.

The letters posted Tuesday come from FDA’s drug center.

A letter posted last week from FDA’s vaccine division took issue with a TV ad for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-covid-eu-a3c108dd0ca305cf1b6da764e9a37abc">AstraZeneca’s</a>&nbsp;FluMist vaccine, saying the spot’s “background music and visual distractions” detract from information about side effects. The letter was signed by FDA vaccine chief&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prasad-fda-vaccines-eef30969c22d3e881341b8359f18c429">Dr. Vinay Prasad</a>, an ally of Kennedy who recently returned to his job at the agency after briefly being forced to step aside.

Researchers and consumer advocates have long complained that the upbeat TV images of patients enjoying life with family and friends often overshadow discussions of side effects.

Additionally, studies have shown that patients exposed to drug ads are more likely to ask their doctors about the medication, even if they don’t fit the prescribing criteria. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccine-committee-cdc-cfbdcab84b2a919a6131d471959c3431">American Medical Association</a>, the nation’s largest physician group, came out in support of a ban in 2015, citing TV advertising’s role in “inflating demand for new and more expensive drugs.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

FDA takes aim at Hims & Hers weight loss drugs in new advertising blitz

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident that occurred Thursday afternoon in Wichita.

Wichita police reported&nbsp; a motorcycle driven by 53-year-old Jason Young, of Wichita, was traveling on Ridge Road between Douglas and Central. The motorcycle rear-ended a truck that was stopped to make a turn.

Young was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other injuries.

Kansas man dies after motorcycle rear-ends truck

A juvenile is in custody after a bomb threat temporarily shut down operations Friday morning at Hutchinson Regional Airport.

According to the Hutchinson Police Department, officers were dispatched to the airport at 8:16 a.m. on Friday, after staff reported receiving a threatening voicemail late the previous night. The caller claimed a bomb had been placed on an airplane at the airport. Investigators said the voice appeared to belong to a juvenile male.

Airport officials immediately locked down the facility and restricted both incoming and outgoing flights. Police, along with supporting agencies, conducted a comprehensive sweep of all aircraft and airport facilities. By 10:00 a.m., authorities declared the scene all clear, finding no evidence of explosives or credible threats.

Investigators were later able to identify a possible suspect, and with help from the Wichita Police Department, made contact with the juvenile and his parents in Wichita. Hutchinson officers took the suspect into custody and transported him to the Reno County Youth Shelter.

No devices were found, but police have referred charges of aggravated criminal threat to the Reno County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities emphasized that the suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

9:30 a.m. Law enforcement agencies have given the all clear.&nbsp; Police did not report what prompted their response.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Multiple law enforcement agencies are responding to a threat at Hutchinson Regional Airport on Friday morning.

Officials said the airspace around the airport has been closed until noon while the situation is investigated. No further details have been released, and authorities said additional information will be provided when available.

Juvenile in custody following alleged bomb threat at Kan. airport

TOPEKA, KAN. —A Kansas woman was sentenced to 293 months in prison for the murder of her husband, a U.S. Army soldier, according to the United State's Attorney.

On February 14, 2025, a federal jury found Margaret E. Shafe, 31, guilty of murder in the second degree for killing her husband, Greg Shafe, in February 2024 at their home on the Fort Riley military installation. Evidence presented at trial showed that Shafe shot her husband in the face while in the presence of two minor children.&nbsp;

“Margaret Shafe deserves to go to prison. The evidence in this case showed she murdered her husband while the couple’s two young daughters were in the home,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “The Court heard brave testimony from Ms. Shafe’s own daughter who witnessed her mother shoot her stepfather in a fury.”&nbsp;

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division, and Fort Riley Fire and Emergency Services investigated the case.

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