By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays chief of police spoke to a Senate committee on Wednesday in Topeka, voicing support for legislation that provides assistance to police departments in navigating the death of an officer.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb445/">Senate Bill 445</a> would add a provision that, upon request of a Kansas law enforcement agency, the Kansas Highway Patrol superintendent and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation director would provide temporary personnel and other assistance to support funeral services for officers killed in the line of duty.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler addressed the Senate Committee on Transportation on Wednesday, representing the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, the Kansas Sheriff Association and the Kansas Peace Officers Association.

Scheibler said a line-of-duty death is devastating, yet the agency must immediately manage complex ceremonies and continue maintaining public safety.

He refers to the killing of <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dad498b8-5493-4a23-9cc1-5faf59fd11a3">Hays Police Sgt. Scott Heimann</a>, who died Sept. 28, 2025. He was the first officer in the department’s history to be killed in the line of duty.

"Our department was grieving, and our responsibility to honor Scott, care for his family, support our personnel and continue to serve the public quickly became overwhelming," Scheibler said.

Kansas Line of Duty Death Coordinator and Director of the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Advisory Committee Doug Woods also voiced support for the bill.

Woods said Kansas saw significant loss in 2025 with the additional deaths of <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/864c86dc-8386-4c4f-8080-802f3b27bcd2">Phillips County Undersheriff Brandon Gaede</a>, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/805c7852-0c70-4bcb-a842-1e6657491422">Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Ming</a> and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4ead6c32-a2f8-4201-a0b7-83778d8db753">Kansas City Police Officer Hunter Simoncic</a>.

All four officers died between June and September.

"This was a pretty terrible summer," KBI director Tony Mattivi said at the hearing. "One of the many things we learned this summer is the diversity when it comes to law enforcement agencies in Kansas. Some don't need much help, but there are others who need a great deal of help."

Woods said the KHP and KBI are well-equipped to assist other agencies.

Mattivi said he is concerned future directors and successors might not continue the practice, and supports making it a formal obligation.

During these tragedies, the Kansas line-of-duty funeral assistance team supported law enforcement with funeral services, parking control, temporary staffing, honor guard details and peer counseling.

Scheibler said the line-of-duty death team coordinated plans to bring Scott home from Wichita, where he died, and organized the candlelight vigil and graveside services.

"I was impressed by their professionalism, attention to detail and especially their patience with me," Scheibler said. "I personally witnessed their compassion as they worked closely with Scott's wife... ensuring her wishes were honored."

Scheibler said the team also assigned a dedicated family liaison to the Heimann family.&nbsp;The KBI provided more than 700 hours of peer support to the Hays Police Department alone.

Scheibler read a letter from Beth Heimann, Scott's wife, about the assistance provided by KHP and the KBI

"They did not simply show up in my darkest hour. They stayed, walked beside me through shock, grief, logistics and survival. They treated me not as a case, but as a person, wife and mother whose life has been shattered. Their compassion, professionalism and humanity are the reasons I'm standing today."

The committee passed the bill without objection.

Hays Police Chief backs bill to formalize funeral assistance for fallen officers

TMP-Marian vs Phillipsburg Friday, Feb. 13th, 6 p.m Hays, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KHAZ (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Monarchs Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/3489434">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Tip-off for the girls' game is set for 6:00 p.m. The Hertz Rent-a-Car Pregame Show begins at 5:40 p.m. on 99.5 KZ Country.

🏀🎥 TMP-Marian hosts Phillipsburg for Senior Night

Hays High at Liberal Friday, Feb. 13 - 6:00 Liberal, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Hays High Sports Network &nbsp; WATCH HERE - <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/3483733">CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE</a> &nbsp;

Hays High resumes Western Athletic Conference play as they head to Liberal on Friday evening. Both Indian programs currently lead the conference standings.

Girls: #5-5A Hays (17-1, 4-0) at Liberal (13-2, 3-1) Boys: #7-5A Hays (14-4, 4-0) at McPherson (1-15, 0-4)

Tip-off is set for 6:00. The Hertz Pregame Show will begin at 5:40 on 96.9 KFIX.&nbsp;

🏀📺 Hays High resumes WAC play in Liberal

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Krista Schneider of the Olmitz Park Project.

🎥  Forward Ever: Olmitz Park Project

There will be a celebration of life for artist Pete Felten at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the&nbsp;Ellis County Historical Society, 100 W. Seventh, Hays.

The event will start with a public reception with Felten exhibits, displays and refreshments. There will be a tribute at 2 p.m., followed by an open house at the Stone Gallery and Studio.

Contributions to the Felten Legacy Fund are accepted through the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandCF?__cft__[0]=AZZi369okAhp8AG1kf7bR2tAIFfL9RB9jMd2xLEh5fR_ttlJBlztFKFJaNfctfGcMAxaOF4Fr6kCj2fK1584jfF_TnDX3uBNAgyMQ92oZQI6p2LUsSS09QGKVF3quj_fxEBzEUT1BCq_CxxFUgEdvbDNqOoxIn6fRewKGaps2sHZEA&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Heartland Community Foundation</a>. They will be used to turn Felten's gallery and studio into a museum.

Donate online here <a href="https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEycGozRlRTZG0yQ3ZLcGF1OHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR45AWgG02wsxKnzJyrFi4t5I3Jlvg7wevlbuGsD6jwDuJF3Zfz_5KrfxnS_nA_aem_9SeCaU-eivfC1Zsbt2NcAw" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/ywfpju6n</a>&nbsp;or mail your gift to PO Box 1673, Hays, KS, 67601. Please note “Pete Felten Legacy Fund” in the memo or Pete Felten Memorial.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f8028923-65bd-48c2-b29d-d2a1cb622950">A legacy carved in stone: Hays Community remembers artist Pete Felten</a>

Pete Felten celebration of life announced

By TISA MASON FHSU president

In the quiet hours before the Kansas sun touches the horizon, Gabrielle Davis is already immersed in her studies. It’s 5 a.m., and while most of the neighborhood is still asleep, Gabrielle is navigating the complex anatomy and pharmacology content she must master in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. 

Across the state line in Arapahoe, Nebraska, Janine Van Niekerk, serving as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in a rural nursing home,&nbsp;is balancing a similarly delicate act.

Janine and Gabrielle are pioneers. As members of the inaugural BSN hybrid (combined on-campus and online) program cohort at Fort Hays State University, they represent a shift in nursing education—one built for people with a deep connection to their hometowns and families, coupled with a purposeful commitment to ensure their rural communities have access to highly trained, compassionate nursing care.

For both women, nursing is a profound calling rooted in an ethic of care. 

Gabrielle, an LPN at the HaysMed walk-in clinic, represents the deep roots of Kansas healthcare. A third-generation nurse, she was inspired by her grandmother, mother, and an uncle, a physician. “I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a nurse,” Gabrielle says. “Especially watching my mom. She is the nurse that I aspire to be.”

Gabrielle’s resilience was forged during the COVID-19 pandemic. While still in high school, she completed her courses via Zoom and then worked until 10 p.m. at a nursing home in Atwood to help cover staffing shortages. She continues to work there one weekend a month because of the deep bond she shares with the residents. “I don’t want to give up my residents,” she says. “A lot of them I call grandparents. They consider me their grandchild.”

This same dedication drives Janine Van Niekerk. Originally from South Africa, the 45-year-old mother of six now lives in a rural area of Nebraska. 

For her, the FHSU hybrid program provided a way forward that seemed almost tailored to her life. She began her general education courses while still living abroad and was moved by the university's support during her transition back to the States. “Everyone was so helpful in helping me register, so patient in going through my credits,” Janine recalls. “I knew FHSU was the right choice.”

The stories of Janine and Gabrielle are individual threads in a much larger tapestry. Fort Hays State University serves as a primary engine for the Kansas nursing workforce with a simple priority: getting nurses to rural Kansas. The university doesn’t just graduate students; it delivers them where the need is most acute.

Currently, approximately 70% of FHSU BSN graduates and more than 90% of family nurse practitioners go straight to work in rural communities. With 80% of total nursing graduates staying in Kansas, FHSU is a proven, high-yield investment in our state’s future. 

Beyond the classroom, FHSU serves as a regional hub for healthcare excellence, providing guaranteed&nbsp;admission to Kansas community college students and serving as a vital training ground for HaysMed, EagleMed, and 25 critical access hospitals.

The hybrid BSN program is the latest tool in this mission, combining the convenience of online learning with the rigor of on-campus clinical clusters. For Janine, whose husband travels for work, this flexibility is a necessity. “For me, time is vital,” she says. “The hybrid gives me more flexibility with my schedule and everything I’m responsible for.”

Janine’s passion is fueled by a desire to rectify disparities she sees in rural healthcare. “I’m very disappointed in the healthcare system, the more I learn, especially in rural areas,” she explains, noting the high costs of basic lab tests and clinic fees. “Ultimately, what I’ve decided now to do is look into being a legal nurse consultant, so that I can help rectify the wrongs that are so very evident in healthcare.”

Gabrielle similarly integrates her clinical training into the margins of a busy life, studying between serving patients and after shifts. She finds a spiritual anchor in her daily routine. “Before I go to work, I pray about my day,” she says. “I pray for good patient outcomes. I pray that all my patients are safe and healthy. That helps me, or else I get very burned out.”

As the first BSN cohort to navigate this hybrid path, Janine and Gabrielle are doing more than just earning a degree; they are helping FHSU refine the program for future generations. 

Gabrielle is already looking toward the finish line in May 2027 with plans to eventually teach. “It opens up a whole new universe of opportunities,” she says. “We are helping them (the FHSU Hybrid BSN Program) figure out their trials and errors for the future of the program.”

For Tanya Smith, BSN Coordinator and Professor of Nursing, the pride in her first Hybrid BSN cohort is apparent.

“The students are very dedicated to the program and have shown resilience despite growth challenges along the way,” she said. “Each student has had becoming a BSN-prepared RN as a personal goal.”

FHSU’s Hybrid pathway has been the route to achieving this goal.

“The students have expressed many thanks to the Department of Nursing for creating this learning path for the BSN degree,” Tanya shared. “As we continue to grow the Hybrid BSN cohort, we are excited to partner with community hospitals across the state to ensure students are receiving clinical experiences close to home.”

The journey of these program pioneers reflects the heart of the FHSU mission. Through grit and a commitment to innovation, they are preparing to meet their communities' healthcare needs with expertise and empathy. Their progress is a testament to the power of a program designed&nbsp;with people, place, and purpose at its core.

FHSU daily crime log: Feb. 8-14, 2026

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

How to submit an obituary to the Hays Post

Please email obituaries to haysobits@eaglemedia.com.

Please allow up to 24 hours from the submission of the obituary for it to be posted on the Hays Post.&nbsp;

If you have questions, please contact Scarlett Deutscher at 785-301-2211.&nbsp;

If you have an issue outside of business hours or your obit has not been published within 24 hours, please email <a href="mailto:hayspost@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">hayspost@eaglemedia.com</a> or call Cristina Janney, Hays Post editor, at 785-301-2077.&nbsp;

Recent obituaries, how to submit an obituary

In conjunction with Heartland Credit Union, Hays 489 Foundation for Education is proud to announce&nbsp;that Hays High School teachers, Luke Lundmark and Jeana Dinkel are the recipients of the Inspire 489&nbsp;Award, which includes prize money of $1,000 for each, given by Heartland Credit Union. 

These&nbsp;individuals exemplify inspiration, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the&nbsp;lives of the students they teach.

The Inspire 489 Award recognizes those who go above and beyond to uplift others through service,&nbsp;innovation, and dedication. Luke and Jeana were nominated for this award for their outstanding&nbsp;contributions and passion for inspiring positive changes in every student every day here at USD 489.

Hays 489 Foundation for Education President, Chrisy Crough, said “Without question Luke&nbsp;and Jeana are worthy of receiving this award. Both are doing more than just teaching our students.&nbsp;They inspire with purpose and are changing lives through learning.”

“It’s an honor to partner with the USD 489 Hays Foundation for Education to recognize educators like&nbsp;Luke and Jeana, whose passion and dedication make a lasting impact on students every day,” said&nbsp;Dan Springer, Heartland Credit Union President and CEO. “Congratulations on this well‑deserved&nbsp;honor and thank you both for the contributions you make to the lives of students in USD 489.”

Nominations for the next round of Inspire 489 Awards is currently open. 

For more information about&nbsp;the Inspire 489 Award, and to nominate a USD 489 staff member, visit <a href="https://www.usd489.com/page/foundation">usd489.com</a> and click on USD&nbsp;489 Foundation.

Hays 489 Foundation for Education announces winners of Inspire 489 Award

FHSU University Communications

A free virtual online open house will be hosted by Fort Hays State University on Tuesday,&nbsp;March 10, 4:30-6 p.m. CDT for area families and adult learners.&nbsp;

The event is open to&nbsp;any prospective student, including:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Parents with&nbsp;college-bound students&nbsp;who want to learn more about admissions, financial aid, and next steps. • Working adults or parents considering returning to school or upskilling. • • Community members exploring flexible online degree options

This is a&nbsp;virtual, drop-in event, allowing participants to join at their convenience. Attendees can:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Connect directly with faculty and university staff. • Get help with&nbsp;applications and FAFSA. • Learn about&nbsp;scholarship opportunities and prize drawings&nbsp;available to participants

Check out the event website to learn more:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fhsu.edu/online/open-house/">https://www.fhsu.edu/online/open-house/</a>.

Free FHSU Online Open House for Hays area families, adult learners

<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

Ana's Gift is collecting new stuffed animals for children who have experienced trauma.

At 16, Ana Hertel embarked on a mission to bring comfort to children experiencing trauma by collecting stuffed animals.

Although Ana died shortly after starting the project, her parents, Lori and Stan Hertel, have continued her mission.

The stuffed animals must be new with tags.

They can be dropped off at Eagle Radio, 2300 Hall; Jeter Law Firm, 1200 Main St #101; Golden Plains Credit Union, 2720 Broadway Ave.; and First Kansas Bank,&nbsp;1200 E. 27th St.

Stuffed animal donations sought for Ann's Gift

The Hays Area Planning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Agenda items include a public hearing for proposed&nbsp;Unified Development Code changes to reduce sideyard setbacks for&nbsp;carports.&nbsp;Under current regulations, carports must meet accessory structure side and rear setbacks of five feet.

Commissioners will also conduct the annual comprehensive plan review.

The complete agenda is available<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02162026-1595"> here</a>.&nbsp;

Hays Area Planning Commission to conduct public hearing on setbacks for carports

Northcentral and Northwest Extension Districts and counties of K-State Research and Extension again will be hosting an online agronomy series, “Crop Talk”,&nbsp; which will highlight several topics important to crop producers. These will be on Tuesdays through March 10, and each session will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. CST.

In the northcentral and northwest agronomy-focused areas, the meetings will feature presentations and comments by K-State Research and Extension faculty to enhance management strategies utilized by crop producers.

Planned topics of discussion include Available Soil Water at Planting and Related Management; Wheat conditions and Breeding efforts on Mosaic Viruses; Fungicide Applications in Corn and Sorghum, and Insects to watch for in the Field.

There will also be time for questions between Kansas crop producers and extension specialists at each of the sessions.

Register online by searching for “<a href="https://www.wkrec.org/events/croptalk/">KSU Crop Talk webinars</a>” or call your local Extension Office. Once you register, a link to the online sessions will be emailed to you.

CCA credits have been applied for with 1 credit for each session.

KSU Crop Talk webinar series returns for producers

Western Plains Arts Association COLBY —&nbsp;&nbsp;Western Plains Arts Association’s January 25th show was postponed because of weather and is now rescheduled for&nbsp;Sunday, February 22.

Jeff Davidson will have his public performance at the Quinter High School Auditorium at 3:00 p.m. Davidson is bringing the history of the Santa Fe Trail to life through song, stories and pictures. Admission will be by WPAA season ticket or at the door.

There will be a school presentation in the Quinter High School Auditorium on Monday, February 23 at 9:00 a.m. and then another at noon at the Oakley High School Auditorium for Oakley Elementary. School performances are free to all who attend.

Thanks again to our area sponsors, especially the Gove County Community Foundation and the Dane G Hansen Foundation. Additionally, it is sponsored in part by the state of Kansas through the Kansas Arts&nbsp; Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

RESCHEDULED: Jeff Davidson brings Santa Fe Trail history to life through song, stories, pictures

&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

HaysMed will host the Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat on Saturday, March 28, 2026, offering a compassionate, supportive one-day program for children coping with the loss of a loved one. The retreat will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bob &amp; Pat Schmidt Community Center, 2510 Canterbury Drive in Hays.

The Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat provides a safe and confidential environment where children can learn healthy ways to understand and navigate grief. Participants will take part in hands-on activities, guided discussions, and meaningful projects designed specifically for their emotional and developmental needs.

“HaysMed is committed to caring for the whole person, and that includes supporting families and children through difficult emotional experiences,” said Sarah Dreiling, HaysMed director of clinical care. “Programs like the Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat help ensure that no child has to navigate grief alone.”

Throughout the day, trained volunteers will guide children through activities that honor the memory of their loved one, encourage healthy expression, and foster connection with peers who have gone through similar experiences. Each participant will be paired with a dedicated adult buddy for support and encouragement.

Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost for children to attend.

Participation is free, but registration is required and limited to the first 20 children. Forms must be submitted by March 1, 2026. Families interested in registering may contact the HaysMed Hospice Department, which can provide all registration details by phone or mail an application upon request.

For more information or to register, contact: Phone: 785-623-6200 Email: mjordan1@haysmed.com

HaysMed hosts Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat March 28 for children experiencing grief

Rose Garden to host Valentine's Day Buffet on Saturday

Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services&nbsp;

The Ellis County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-based Violence at Fort Hays State University invite the community to attend Surviving the I-70 Rapist: A Story of Strength and Healing on April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Beach Schmidt Auditorium on the FHSU campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The evening’s main speaker, Stacie Edgett-Minson, is a survivor of the serial sexual assaults committed by the individual known as the I-70 Rapist. In a powerful and rare public presentation, Edgett-Minson will share her journey of survival and healing, including how her faith, alongside the support of dedicated investigators and prosecutors, helped her reclaim a sense of strength and hope after trauma.

“Choosing to share such a deeply personal experience takes tremendous courage,” said Anniston Weber, community engagement and sexual violence response coordinator at Options. “Stacie’s story is not only one of survival, but of resilience and perseverance. Hearing directly from her reminds our community why believing and supporting survivors matters.”

Edgett-Minson will be joined by Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett, and former Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent Mark Kendrick, both of whom were directly involved in the investigation and prosecution of the case. Their participation offers insight into how collaborative, survivor-centered responses can lead to accountability and justice.

Following the presentation, a panel of local professionals will be available to answer questions about sexual assault response and survivor services in Ellis County. Panelists will include representatives from Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Hays Medical Center, the Hays Police Department, and the Ellis County Attorney’s Office.

“This event is an opportunity for our community to learn, reflect, and strengthen local response efforts,” said Jennifer Hecker, executive director at Options. “By bringing together survivors, advocates, healthcare providers, and law enforcement, we reinforce that healing looks different for everyone, and that survivors deserve support at every step.”

Content Notice: This event includes discussion of sexual violence and may be emotionally difficult for some attendees. Support resources will be available during and after the presentation, and community members are encouraged to care for their well-being when choosing to attend.

Organizers emphasize that the event is grounded in hope, healing, and community responsibility, and encourage anyone interested in understanding survivor experiences and local resources to attend.

For more information, please contact Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services at 785-625-4202.

Surviving the I-70 Rapist: Options to host speakers April 6

How the humanities shape understanding of race, justice, civic responsibility

JOHNSON COUNTY —A man who admitted his role in a fentanyl overdose death is going to prison.

Last month, Judge Thomas Sutherland sentenced 34-year-old Gerrell M. McKoy to 184 months in prison for drug distribution causing death and 12 months for theft of between $12,000 and $100,000.

In October McKoy pleaded guilty to the charges in the death of 25-year-old Michael Danilov in March of 2020.

Kan. man going to prison for deadly fentanyl overdose death

SALINE COUNTY —Two Kansas teens are facing multiple allegations after a burglary in Salina.

Just before 2a.m. Friday, an officer on routine patrol in Salina observed the front door glass of Rod’s 5 convenience story, 680 S. Phillips Avenue in Salina, shattered, according to&nbsp;Police Captain James Feldman.

Officers searched the business and determined a burglary had occurred and numerous vapes had been stolen from the building. 

Officers also located blood near the broken glass. Police alerted the hospital and asked them to contact law enforcement if any came to the hospital with lacerations. 

At about 2:00 AM, the hospital reported a 17-year-old boy arrived with a laceration to his arm. Officers spoke with the boy who confirmed he had broken into the business along with a 16-year-old boy. Officers went to the residence of both suspects located in the 600 block of Gypsum where they took the second boy into custody and recovered the stolen vapes. 

Both boys face charges of Burglary, Felony Theft and Damage to property. The estimated theft is valued at over $1,000, and the damage is valued at about $1,000.

Hospital helps police catch Kansas teen injured in burglary

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday pardoned five former professional football players — one posthumously — for various crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking.

The pardons were announced by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson. Ex-NFL players Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon were granted the clemency.

“As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation,” Johnson wrote on the social media site X, as she thanked Trump for his “continued commitment to second chances.”

Johnson said Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones “personally” shared the news with Newton, who won three Super Bowls with the team.

The White House did not return a request for comment Thursday night on why Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yankees-baseball-first-pitch-sporting-event-trips-79ad4edabf534e1a42e637eece2446ed">an avid sports fan,</a>&nbsp;pardoned the players.

Klecko, a former star for the New York Jets, pleaded guilty to perjury after lying to a federal grand jury that was investigating insurance fraud. A defensive lineman, Klecko was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. He was a two-time Associated Press All-Pro player and a four-time Pro Bowler.

Newton, an offensive lineman, pleaded guilty to a federal drug trafficking charge after authorities discovered $10,000 in his pickup truck as well as 175 pounds of marijuana in an accompanying car driven by another man. Newton was a two-time All-Pro player and six-time Pro Bowler.

Lewis, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns, pleaded guilty in a drug case in which he used a cellphone to try to set up a drug deal not long after he was a top pick in the 2000 NFL draft. Lewis, a running back, was named an All-Pro once and was a one-time Pro Bowler. He was named the 2003 AP Offensive Player of the Year.

Henry, who played for the Denver Broncos, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine for financing a drug ring that moved the drug between Colorado and Montana. He was a running back for three teams and a one-time Pro Bowler.

And Cannon — who played with the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs — admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s after a series of bad investments and debts left him broke.

Cannon was a two-time All-Pro player and a two-time Pro Bowler. Cannon also won the 1959 Heisman Trophy while starring for Louisiana State University, where he had one of the most memorable plays in college football history: an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown against Ole Miss.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ac10ccf096094237bb319f9e4d6a00d1">He died in 2018</a>.

The 5 former NFL players President Trump pardoned for various crimes

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans and a Palantir-backed think tank want to require students to learn about communist and socialist regimes and pass a civics exam to graduate, all in response to political skepticism by Gen Z.

Sen. Brad Starnes, a Republican from Riley and a former district superintendent,&nbsp; introduced the bill Tuesday before the Senate Education Committee. He brought forward statistics: 19% of Americans under age 45 can pass the citizenship test, 34% of Americans ages 18-29 say they have a “favorable view” of communism, and a rising number of Gen Z and millennials who believe the “Communist Manifesto” guarantees freedom and equality better than the Declaration of Independence.&nbsp;

The statistics were provided by the Cicero Institute, a Texas-based conservative think tank founded by the billionaire co-founder of Palantir —&nbsp;the technology software company that combines&nbsp;<a href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/01/30/nj-pension-fund-ice/" target="_blank">government data</a>&nbsp;into platforms for immigration agents. Cicero also lobbies for bills that&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/03/kansas-lawmakers-entertain-texas-groups-plan-to-penalize-homeless/">criminalize being homeless</a>.&nbsp;

More moderate to left-leaning think tanks have found the statistics to be more convoluted. While Gen Z women are the most&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/aug/07/gen-z-voters-political-ideology-gender-gap#:~:text=Percentage%20of%20men%20aged%2018,somewhat%20agree%20with%20the%20following&amp;text=33-,Guardian%20graphic.,conservative%20than%20their%20millennial%20counterparts." target="_blank">progressive group</a>&nbsp;in American history, Gen Z men are becoming increasingly conservative — much more so than millennials when measured at the same age. In large metropolises like New York City, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/energized-dems-trumpet-wins-state-elections-buckle-midterms" target="_blank">residents just elected</a>&nbsp;the city’s first Democratic Socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, support for socialism is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.org/article/2025/11/24/the-wave-of-evolutionary-socialism-in-american-cities/" target="_blank">on the rise</a>.&nbsp;

Starnes’ bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb381/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 381</a>, would direct the Kansas State Board of Education to develop curriculum to give K-12 public school students an understanding of “communist and socialist regimes and ideologies.”

The bill also would require all public and private school students to pass a civics exam in order to graduate high school. Students could retake it as many times as needed, and the bill would respect a student’s individualized education plan.&nbsp;

The questions of the civics exam would be modeled after the U.S. citizenship test.

Opponents — all of whom work in the education space — repeated a phrase commonly heard in Statehouse education hearings: “local control.” Timothy Graham, director of government relations and legislative affairs for the Kansas National Education Association, said he is tired of saying it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“What we’re saying is when you guys decide to get into these decisions that are traditionally left to the locals, because that is the ideal place for them to take place, if you’re going to get into that, then give a compelling reason why you should do that,” Graham said. “I don’t think Senate Bill 381 is a compelling reason. I don’t think it addresses anything that we need to be worried about in schools.”&nbsp;

Leah Fliter, assistant executive director of advocacy for the Kansas Association of School Boards, said: “It’s covered. And the teachers have the ability and the competency to cover that as is already described in graduation standards.”

Sen. Doug Shane, a Republican from Louisburg whose kids are home-schooled, questioned Fliter.&nbsp;

“To say that yeah we have courses in American history, yeah that’s true, but the content that’s being taught is un-American,” Shane said. “And this rise of anti-Americanism is fomented and breeding in our K-12 institutions. So to the point about local control, local control went out the door when unfortunately — not every single Kansas public school — but public schools have been used to foment anti-Americanism. And it’s really, really tragic.”&nbsp;

“Is this a question?” Fliter asked.&nbsp;

“It’s more of a statement,” Shane responded.

Fliter looked at the camera used to livestream hearings and raised her hands in apparent exasperation.

Shane, 37, said he was taught in school that Ronald Reagan was America’s worst president and that Nazism rose from a far-right government, when Shane said it actually emerged from socialism.&nbsp;

Adolf Hitler tied much of his far-right fascist ideas to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.britannica.com/story/were-the-nazis-socialists" target="_blank">socialist rhetoric</a>&nbsp;— like&nbsp;<a href="https://famous-trials.com/hitler/2529-1923-interview-with-adolf-hitler" target="_blank">“our socialism is national</a>” — and both were geared toward appealing to the lower middle class.&nbsp;

“I would imagine that a textbook from 20 years ago is quite different from a textbook being used today,” Fliter said.&nbsp;

Kathy Brown, who identified herself as a Topeka attorney, although she&nbsp;<a href="https://directory-kard.kscourts.gov/" target="_blank">doesn’t appear to be licensed</a>&nbsp;in Kansas, was among seven proponents who testified in support of the bill. There were seven opponents.&nbsp;

“As we see in this Legislature, our public schools are dominated by the left, they describe marxism as ‘Nirvana’, they teach our Judeo-Christian heritage as evil, Satan worshipers and Islam as diverse,” Brown said, without providing evidence to support her claims. “They frame the founders as white supremacists. They’re teaching racism though now, but against a new color — whiteness.”

Kansas bill calls for communism class, civics test amid claims of ‘anti-Americanism’ in schools

DENVER (AP) — Four people are dead after a small plane crashed Friday into mountainous terrain near the Colorado ski resort community of Steamboat Springs, authorities said.

An Epic E1000, a six-seat turboprop plane, crashed around 12:20 a.m. with four people on board, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Four people died at the scene, Routt County coroner Mitch Locke said.

The plane crashed into mountainous terrain in unknown circumstances, according to preliminary information, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board both said they are investigating the crash.

4 dead in small plane crash near Colorado ski resort

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/heraskevych-helmet-ukraine-olympics-skeleton-9f304e1ff834ddab33af2f4e003f04a8">skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych</a>&nbsp;lost an appeal of his disqualification from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Milan Cortina Olympics</a>&nbsp;on Friday, yet already knew there was no pathway for him to compete in the race.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport denied the appeal, agreeing with the International Olympic Committee and the sliding sport's federation that Heraskevych's plan to wear a helmet showing the faces of more than 20 Ukrainian coaches and athletes killed since Russia invaded their country four years ago would be in violation of Olympic rules.

CAS, in a brief statement, said the sole arbitrator who heard the case had no choice but to side with IOC policy about what athletes at an Olympics can say on a field of play — and that the “memory helmet” Heraskevych brought to the Milan Cortina Games would not align with the rules athletes have to follow.

The arbitrator, CAS said, “found these limitations reasonable and proportionate, considering the other opportunities for athletes to raise awareness in mixed zones, in press conferences, on social networks, or in Mr. Heraskevych’s case, wearing the helmet during four training runs.”

CAS added that the arbitrator “wished to state that she is fully sympathetic to Mr. Heraskevych’s commemoration and to his attempt to raise awareness for the grief and devastation suffered by the Ukrainian people, and Ukrainian athletes because of the war.

Ukrainian star disqualified from Olympics over helmet honoring war dead

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military on Thursday reported two major incidents that occurred in recent days tied to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-warships-troops-venezuela-caribbean-f0cea0fbfcd991066b2489460f685001" target="_blank">massive buildup of forces in the Caribbean Sea</a>&nbsp;— a Marine who died after falling overboard and a collision between two Navy ships that left two sailors with minor injuries.

A report was made Saturday that Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, had fallen from the USS Iwo Jima amphibious assault ship, the Marine Corps said in a press release. The military used five Navy ships, 10 aircraft and an Air Force Reaper drone in “an extensive, around-the-clock 72-hour search and rescue operation,” the release said, but he was declared dead Tuesday.

It appears to be the first publicly announced death of a service member during the U.S. military operation in the region. The Trump administration built up the largest military presence in the region in generations before carrying out a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-military-death-toll-venezuela-20cef307b035c386f390df846b6056b7" target="_blank">deadly strikes on alleged drug boats</a>&nbsp;since September, seizing sanctioned oil tankers and conducting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2" target="_blank">surprise raid last month that captured Venezuela’s then-president</a>, Nicolás Maduro.

Also Thursday, U.S. Southern Command announced that the destroyer USS Truxtun and the supply ship USNS Supply collided as the warship was getting a new load of supplies. The maneuver typically has the vessels sailing parallel, usually within hundreds of feet, while fuel and supplies are transferred across the gap via hoses and cables.

The collision occurred when the supply ship was refueling the cruiser USS Gettysburg on one side and the Truxtun approached from the other side, according to a U.S. official familiar with the collision, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a mishap that is under investigation.

Southern Command said two personnel reported minor injuries and that both were in stable condition. The two ships now are sailing safely, the military statement said.

The USS Truxtun left its home port in Norfolk, Virginia, on Feb. 3. The destroyer had to return to port for several days to conduct “an emergent equipment repair” and it ultimately set sail for the Caribbean on Feb. 6, according to a Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive operational details.

In the Caribbean, the naval presence alone stands at 12 ships, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/navy-aircraft-carriers-military-strategy-eda233a4dd0055695fa6d92ccc7c0d05" target="_blank">the world’s largest aircraft carrier</a>, the USS Gerald R. Ford, as well as the Iwo Jima and two other amphibious assault ships, which are carrying thousands of Marines.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the collision, which is rare for warships. The Navy's most recent collision occurred in February 2025 when the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/truman-aircraft-carrier-collision-merchant-vessel-50e039f339c4658d246a08ca496a21d9" target="_blank">collided with a merchant vessel</a>&nbsp;just outside the Suez Canal near Port Said, Egypt. That resulted in minor damage to the Truman but no injuries.

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