By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Several Hays USD 489 school board members expressed frustration at a special meeting on Monday after being presented with an almost $1 million change order for O'Loughlin Elementary School.

The $987,650 change order includes the replacement of sewer lines throughout the building.

The funds for the repairs would come from bond funds. It would increase the overall cost of the O'Loughlin renovation project to $16.8 million. The overall bond initiative remains within budget, but unallocated bond funds would be reduced to about $1 million, Wilson said.

The largest project in the bond initiative, Hays High School, is nearing completion and is set to open in August. The second-largest project is the Roosevelt Elementary School renovation and addition, which is complete.

Work has yet to be completed at the existing high school and middle schools, but those projects have much smaller scopes than Roosevelt, Hays High and O'Loughlin, with a total budget for both schools of about $10 million.

Dylan Weddle, Nabholz Construction project manager, said a camera survey of the pipes found sewage leaking underneath O'Loughlin Elementary School.

Weddle said during the camera scopes, in several places, workers observed that there were no longer bottoms to the pipes. In other locations, the existing cast iron pipes showed signs of erosion.

O'Loughlin Elementary School was built in the 1960s by the Catholic Diocese and used initially as a girls' high school. It was purchased by Hays USD 489 and converted into an elementary school in 1989.

Renovations to the school have been ongoing this summer, and some floors will have to be dug up to install the new sewage pipes next summer.

Weddle said the sewer issue was discovered in April, and Nabholz has been working with DLR, the district's architect, and Glassman, a local contractor, to develop a plan and estimate the cost of fixing the issue.

Board President Curt Vajnar asked why, if Nabholz had been aware of the sewer issue in April, it had not been brought to the board's attention until now.

"Surely we could have had a heads-up," he said.

He also cited a 2021 building report card, which was released before the bond issue was passed, showing that O'Loughlin had sewer issues.

Vajnar said someone had alerted him to the sewer issue in April. However, he said he had promised that person he would not release his or her name and would not disclose the information publicly or to the other board members.

Weddle said Nabholz had not attempted to hide the problem. The firm was asked to look into the potential issue and provide a price for resolving it.

Vajnar expressed concern that work to renovate rooms in O'Loughlin has been completed this summer, and the floors will have to be dug up next summer to repair the sewer lines.

Weddle said that will have to happen. He said he did not know the exact number of affected rooms. He said the district could explore temporary flooring in the affected rooms, as the floors in the renovated areas have not been finished yet this summer.

The project called for paint and new floor coverings to be added to half of the existing rooms this summer. The work on the rest of the school was set to be completed next summer.

Board member Allen Park called the change order a "large mistake."

"I wouldn't call it a mistake," Weddle said. "It wasn't part of the scope. The cost isn't any more than it would be if it had been added to the project before. I can only go from when we were asked to look at it, and we were asked to look at it in the spring."

Weddle said it would not be standard procedure for an architectural firm such as DLR to scope existing sanitary sewer piping as part of their design.

Board member Ruth Ruder asked Weddle if the school district would be in violation of any health regulations if it did not fix the sewer.

Weddle said he was not aware of the pipes backing up at this point, but the district maintenance department has been cleaning out pipes multiple times per year.

Board member Derek Yarmer also asked why the board was not informed sooner about the need for the sewer repairs.

Yarmer also wanted to know why the project was not bid.

Weddle said, "In a case like this, it is more efficient and extremely helpful to have a contractor on board who can work with you and the engineer rather than having all of those discussions in a vacuum without a contracot's help, especially when the contractor does all of the plumping and mechanical work in that building and has an intimate knowledge of all of the plumbing and fixtures in there."

"I think that got us there quicker, more efficiently and probably at a lower cost design-wise because they helped figure out what that design needed to be," he said.

A Glassman representative said they were able to utilize bulk pricing to order the fixtures for the sewer project because they had already ordered other fixtures in bulk for the project.

Yarmer said, "[The sewer project] should not be a shock to anyone. The fact that it is a shock to you is concerning."

He asked what would be done to prevent a significant change order from being brought to the board again as the district proceeds with renovations of the former high school and middle school.

"It is a mistake," Yarmer said, "and I think Allen [Park] was completely correct that you screwed up on this. You, being the whole group, you Nabholz, DLR, or whoever. This should have been known before passing bond money for it."

He added, "I don't think the discussion is that we're not going to do this because it has to be done. The question is why was it not found earlier, because it should have been found earlier. Two, we should have put more stock into the important things in the school and not the paint and carpet."

Weddle said Nabholz is not under contract for any plumbing work on the former high school. He said the current middle school plumbing could be scoped now, and DLR could include any necessary repairs in the design work.

Board vice president Ken Brooks said, "There was a problem somewhere along the way, obviously. I won't disagree with that. But it's got to be taken care of."

The school board also approved change orders for Hays High School for $163,126.

The change orders included several safety items, including equipment for the elevators, blinds and shades, and a radio frequency booster. DLR had also only included two basketball goals for the auxiliary gym. Four additional goals accounted for $52,799 of the total.

Replacement of O'Loughlin Elementary sewer to add $1M to project

WAKEENEY —&nbsp;The Hoxie Hotrodders are coming to show an outdoor movie at our location at the Trego SkyView Drive-In Theater in WaKeeney on Friday, July 25.

Mini car show, 1950s costume contest and a taste of a drive-in.&nbsp; This will be a small taste of what is to come. Join us with your own hot rod and dress the part.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gates open at 7 p.m. Movie starts at dusk. Concessions will be available.&nbsp;

Suggested donation is $5 per person.&nbsp;

&nbsp;We are still raising funds for our big projector and bathrooms.&nbsp;

Hoxie Hotrodders, 'Grease' Friday night fundraiser at Trego SkyView Drive-In Theater

Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners

Saturday, July 26, from 7:30 a.m. until noon, Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners will demonstrate the dividing and planting of irises at the Downtown Market at the Pavilion, 10th and Main, Hays. 

Rhizomes will be available for a suggested donation of $1.00 each. The proceeds will benefit Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners.

Iris planting demonstration, plant sale Saturday at Downtown Hays Market by Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners

&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

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, July 29 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; $848&nbsp;for each additional family member after eight

Commodities included in this distribution are anticipated to be  kidney beans, dehydrated potatoes, instant milk, chicken breast, apple juice, crackers, chicken leg quarters, peanut butter, and cut beans.&nbsp;

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

****Future Anticipated Commodities Dates for 2025****

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>)

Government surplus commodities to be distributed Tuesday in Hays

Kansas State Department of Education

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education announces the participation of all Kansas school districts and many private schools in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program.

For Hays USD 489, find the free and reduced price lunch <a href="https://usd489nutritionservices.com/">application here</a>.

Local school officials have adopted the following household income guidelines for determining eligibility for Child Nutrition Program benefits:

Application forms and an informational letter to households are available from the school district or private school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s business office in each school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. An application for reduced price or free Child Nutrition Program benefits can’t be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.

Households receiving food assistance or Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF) will be notified that their children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Households receiving assistance under these programs should submit an application only if they aren’t notified of their eligibility by a specified date determined by the schools. If a household receiving food assistance, TAF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) completes an application, the children’s names, the food assistance, TAF or FDPIR case number, as well as the signature of an adult household member, must be provided.

Participants in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or receiving certain Medicaid benefits may be eligible for reduced price or free benefits. Households with WIC participants should complete an application as described above.&nbsp; Households approved for program benefits based on Medicaid will be notified.

Households with children who are enrolled in the Head Start Program or the Migrant Education Program or who are considered homeless or runaway by the school district’s homeless liaison should contact the school for assistance in receiving benefits.

Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a state child welfare agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of income. The state must retain legal custody of a child. Households will be notified that the foster child(ren) will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits.

 Free eligibility is NOT extended to other students in households with foster children, but households with a foster child(ren) can submit an application and list all household members including the foster child(ren). A foster family application could result in different eligibility for family members, such as the foster child(ren) free and the other students could be reduced or free or not eligible for benefits.

Households not receiving Food Assistance, TAF or FDPIR apply for benefits by completing one application for all children in the household. The application must list names of everyone in the household; the amount of income each household member now receives; source of income; the last four digits of the Social Security number of the household member who signs the application or a statement that the household member does not possess one; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. The information is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. The eligibility status may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.

Under provisions of the reduced price and free benefit policy, the determining official will review applications and determine eligibility.&nbsp; Parents or guardians who are dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing on the decision.&nbsp; Contact the school district or private school for the name, address and phone number of the hearing official and information about the hearing procedures.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if household size changes, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the child(ren) in the household eligible for reduced price or free benefits if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Each school’s office and/or the district's/organization’s main office has a copy of the policy for reduced price and free benefits, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

Reduced price, free school meals available for Kansas students

Ellis Police Department school supply drive underway

Hays area employers seeking to fill part-time positions or internships are invited to attend the Part-time Job Fair at Fort Hays State University on Thursday, August 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.

There is no cost to participate, but employers must register no later than August 21 by phone (785-628-4260) or email (careers@fhsu.edu). Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.

Businesses and organizations will have an opportunity to share information with students about part-time jobs or internships that are available.

The job fair will take place in the Fort Hays Ballroom of the Memorial Union. Registration includes a 6-foot table and two chairs. Participating employers are welcome to bring a table cover, visual displays, flyers, application forms, and/or promotional items.

Employers invited to participate in FHSU Part-Time Job Fair on Aug. 28

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the devastating flash flooding in central Texas, many are looking for ways to get and give help. And scammers are looking to prey on people’s generosity. So how can you make sure your donations go to the people who need them and not to a scammer?

To learn more about how to donate safely, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/charity">ftc.gov/charity</a>.

For advice to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from weather emergencies and the scams that follow, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/dealing-weather-emergencies">ftc.gov/weatheremergencies</a>.

FTC: Help the people affected by flooding in Texas — not a scammer

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ellisjrfreefair">Ellis Jr. Free Fair</a>

93rd annual Ellis Jr. Free Fair runs July 22-26 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — “You’ve won!” are two words likely to get your attention – but sometimes it’s a scammer delivering the news. (Spoiler: you didn’t win anything.) Here’s how to spot and avoid prize scams.

These scams usually look something like this: You get a call or a text saying you’ve won thousands (or even millions) of dollars, a car, a fancy watch — or maybe all three! You don’t remember entering a contest, but free stuff sounds good. But if you reply, they’ll say you need to pay to get the prize — maybe for processing fees or taxes.

 No matter what they say, real sweepstakes have free prizes — any money you send is going to a scammer’s pocket…and, sorry, there is no prize.

Scammers often use names that sound like well-known sweepstakes or companies, like Publishers Clearing House (PCH) — to trick you into trusting them. Here are some things to know to avoid a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fake-prize-sweepstakes-and-lottery-scams">prize scam</a>.

Spot a prize scam? Tell the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

FTC: Don’t pay for a prize (scam)

The Ellis County Historical Society has been collecting
artifacts and other historical items for several years and that has led to an
overabundance of items that are duplicate and may not fit their mission.

Executive Director Amanda Rupp says they will host a sale on
Saturday as part of the Bazaar on the Bricks in downtown Hays.

🎙 Post Podcast: Historical Society offering artifacts for sale

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

It might seem odd how I choose to take some vacation time after the heat, humidity, long hours and stress of the fair. I love to help 4-H members learn no matter their county! I will spend several days in July judging a variety of events at other county fairs.

This opportunity to give back to 4-H members and help other agents is fun and worthwhile. Now, you’ll never find me sorting a livestock show or judging woodworking but I love to work with youth on Sewing &amp; Textiles, Fiber Arts, Photography, and a handful of other areas. Being able to share my experience both as a 4-H member in these project areas and as an adult is very gratifying!

I’ve had the opportunity to encourage a youth to consider how their love of photography and distinct perspective can become a career in journalism, advertising, graphic design, and other areas. 

I’ve also been able to encourage a youth in care and styling of their attire for the life skill of understanding a professional wardrobe and the necessary small details of shined shoes, appropriate accessories, and ironing skills. Last summer, I asked a young man about who starched his jeans. He was a bit affronted and proudly stated that he did! We had a great conversation about life skills and how impressed I was that he was willing to learn and practice this skill.

If you have a talent for woodworking, for arts &amp; crafts, for welding, for baking, or for photography and you are interested in sharing your knowledge and expertise, please let me know as we are always on the lookout for project leaders who are registered 4-H volunteers. 

Additionally, there is an opportunity for you to serve as a judge for 4-H or Open Class exhibits in other counties. If you are interested, check out the Kansas 4-H page under County Fairs/Kansas 4-H Judges Database (<a href="https://www.kansas4-h.org/educational-experiences/fair-resources/county-fairs/judgesregistration.html">https://www.kansas4-h.org/educational-experiences/fair-resources/county-fairs/judgesregistration.html</a>).

Some judging areas will need training such as Foods, Food Preservation, and Dogs. For the most part, a willingness to understand 4-H Project Learning principles and give candid but kind feedback is the most important.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is the Family and Community Wellness agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: On the lookout for 4-H project leaders, judges 

<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

WICHITA -&nbsp;The National Baseball Congress defending champion Hays Larks
open play at the World Series Thursday afternoon in Wichita against the Seattle
Blackfins and Eck Stadium.

The game was initially scheduled for a 6 p.m. start, but due
to the chance for severe weather later in the day in Wichita, the game time has
been moved to 2 p.m.

You can watch every Larks game from the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nbcws">NBC World Series</a> on
Hays Post thanks to our sponsors and the NBC.

Hays Larks baseball on Hays Post is brought to you by: Brungardt Hower First Care Clinic Gib’s Auto Supply Glassman Corporation Herrman Physical Therapy Midwest Energy Nex Tech Whitetail Properties Agents Adam Hann and Mitch Keeley Shelter Insurance Agents Dustin Schumacher and Todd Keller The ARC of Central Plains Thrift Store M &amp; D Excavating Incorporated Phaze 2

⚾🎥 LIVE: Hays Larks take on Seattle Blackfins at NBC Word Series

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

The fate of an appeal of a sexual assault case against a former
Fort Hays State University student and a Congolese native rests in the hands of
an Ellis County District Court judge.

Last week, 37-year-old Reagan Booto was back in an Ellis County
courtroom for a second time, appealing his 2018 conviction on two counts of aggravated sexual
battery.

Booto, who was a Fort Hays State student and a soccer player, was accused of sex crimes against three women in late 2017 and
early 2018.

In all the incidents, he was accused of groping the victim. He
was convicted by a jury in January 2020 on two counts of aggravated sexual
battery and sentenced to 84 months in prison.

Booto appealed the ruling, citing issues with the judge's decision
to move forward with the first day of the trial while Booto was stuck in a snowstorm
and not able to attend. The appeals court ruled against Booto, finding that the
judge's errors were insufficient to overturn the verdict.

The Kansas Supreme Court refused to take up the case, ending
his state-level options for appeal.

Booto, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in
Central Africa, is in the United States on a green card. He is scheduled to be
released from prison in September, and if the convictions stand, he is expected
to be deported back to the Congo, according to Booto and his attorney Craig Uhrich.

Booto filed a civil 60-1057 suit against Ellis County
Attorney Aaron Cunningham in May 2023. 

Booto alleged that his criminal defense attorney, Alex
Herman, was ineffective, which resulted in a violation of his constitutional rights.


Following several delays and a change in counsel, Booto was
back in Ellis County in front of 23rd District Judge Curtis Brown on
July 15.

During the day-long hearing, Booto’s attorney called four
witnesses, including Herman and Booto.

Booto’s argument for ineffective counsel centered around the
claim that Herman told him that he was not allowed to testify.

During his time on the stand, Herman denied that claim. 

He testified that he told Booto that he had the right to
testify, but that he did not believe it was in Booto’s best interest.

While he was on the stand, being cross-examined by
Cunningham, Booto admitted Herman told him he could testify, but Herman did not believe it was in Booto’s best interest. 

According to Herman, he told Booto he might look
arrogant or entitled in front of a jury.

Cunningham then presented the transcript from the criminal trial,
in which Judge Glenn Braun reviewed the jury instructions with Booto and
informed him he had the right to testify. He went on to tell him that if Booto
elected not to testify, the judge would then inform the jury that they could
not draw any inferences from his decision. 

Booto then conceded during questioning that he had given up
his right to testify in the criminal trial.

Following Booto’s testimony, his attorney provided Judge
Braun with more than two dozen citations from the criminal case in support of
their most recent arguments.

Brown said because he had not thoroughly reviewed the criminal
trial documents, he would take the case under advisement, review the trial
documents, and issue a written opinion at a later date.

Hays judge reconsiders sentence of convicted sex offender

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A little more rain fell in Hays overnight Wednesday as thunderstorms and lightning moved through the area from northwestern Kansas.

The official measurement at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town was 0.27 inches. The Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, also received just over a quarter-inch, at 0.26 inches.

Hays is closing in on the cumulative average of 3.33 inches of rainfall for July. As of 9 a.m. Thursday, Hays has received 2.66 inches of rain in July.

Hays remains about an inch behind normal for the year-to-date with 13.70 inches of moisture recorded. The 158-year cumulative average is 14.67 inches by the end of July.

Drought conditions in Ellis County have improved slightly, according to the U.S./Kansas Drought Monitor.

As of Tuesday morning at 8 a.m., the entire county was rated as abnormally dry.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/338a43f4-51a3-4ee7-a351-e11c04aee773">three-day weather forecast</a> is calling for chances of rain Thursday and Friday with cooler temperatures, then a return to 100 degrees on Saturday.

More rain falls in Hays overnight Wednesday; drought condition improves slightly for Ellis County 

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the Sunset Valley Mobile Home Park, 122 Burgundy Lane, Hays, public water supply system located in Ellis County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on July 24, 2025 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. 

KDHE officials issued the advisory due to the water supply well having to be shut down for repairs. These repairs may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 308-629-7874, or KDHE at 785-296-5514.

For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F468%2FDisruption-in-Water-Service%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001983ce242c0-e20f3641-44fd-4324-a1c1-4bc70bbfe346-000000/D6sBcH2YpAhNrT3vulErSOuzLdz48TwJ6ZtU1FVAX3U=415">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>

Boil water advisory issued for Sunset Valley Mobile Home Park in Hays 

WICHITA – A Georgia man was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered forever banned from hunting and fishing in Kansas after illegally hunting game, according to the United State's Attorney.

Matt Jennings, 35, of Bowdon, Georgia, pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal taking of a white tail deer in interstate commerce, according to court documents.

On November 11, 2022, Jennings killed an antlered deer near Florence, Kansas. His antlered deer tag did not allow him to take a deer in this part of the state. The next day the Jennings drove to Oklahoma where he fraudulently registered the kill in Oklahoma using an Oklahoma electronic tag.

On November 19, 2022, the Jennings killed another antlered deer near Wakeeney. Although he had a valid tag for that area of Kansas, killing of a second antlered deer in the same year is a violation of state law. He illegally exceeded the bag limit of one antlered deer per season.

Jennings hosts a hunting show titled “The Game." These two illegal hunts were featured as part of his show.

A federal judge ordered Jennings to pay $15,000 in restitution to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, pay a $10,000 fine, and forfeit the antlers from the white tail deer he illegally hunted.

During his five-year probation, Jennings is prohibited from guiding, hunting, trapping, fishing, or being with anyone engaged in those activities in Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks investigated the case with assistance provided by the U.S. Secret Service, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

Hunting show host receives lifetime hunting ban in Kansas 

FHSU crime log: July 18-24, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday signed an executive order mandating that federal authorities clarify whether college athletes can be considered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-lawsuit-settlement-c5e0cea45fd210cc935cff992ab16f25">employees of the schools</a>&nbsp;they play for in an attempt to create clearer national standards in the NCAA’s name, image and likeness era.

Trump directed the secretary of labor and the National Labor Relations Board to clarify the status of collegiate athletes through guidance or rules “that will maximize the educational benefits and opportunities provided by higher education institutions through athletics.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/saving-college-sports/" target="_blank">The order</a>&nbsp;does not provide or suggest specifics on the controversial topic of college athlete employment.

The move comes after months of speculation about whether Trump will establish a college sports commission to tackle some of the thorny issues facing what is now a multibillion-dollar industry. He instead issued an order intended to add some controls to “an out-of-control, rudderless system in which competing university donors engage in bidding wars for the best players, who can change teams each season.”

“Absent guardrails to stop the madness and ensure a reasonable, balanced use of resources across collegiate athletic programs that preserves their educational and developmental benefits, many college sports will soon cease to exist,” Trump’s order says. “It is common sense that college sports are not, and should not be, professional sports, and my administration will take action accordingly.”

There has been a dramatic increase in money flowing into and around college athletics and a sense of chaos. Key court victories won by athletes angry that they were barred for decades from earning income based on their celebrity and from sharing in the billions of revenue they helped generate have gutted the amateurism model long at the heart of college sports.

Facing a growing number of state laws undercutting its authority, the NCAA in July 2021 cleared the way for athletes to cash in with NIL deals with brands and sponsors — deals now worth millions. That came mere days after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-sports-basketball-football-college-basketball-mens-college-basketball-417874bc33f0a791458bb4ad8d414305">9-0 decision</a>&nbsp;from the Supreme Court that found the NCAA cannot impose caps on education-related benefits schools provide to their athletes because such limits violate antitrust law.

The NCAA’s embrace of NIL deals set the stage for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-house-settlement-aa3169056e8194aeebf34495641bce0b">another massive change</a>&nbsp;that took effect July 1: The ability of schools to begin paying millions of dollars to their own athletes, up to $20.5 million per school over the next year. The $2.8 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-b6ff58d62f93359789dde1626f827bf1">House settlement</a>&nbsp;shifts even more power to athletes, who have also won the ability to transfer from school to school without waiting to play.

At Big Ten Conference football media days in Las Vegas, Purdue coach Barry Odom was asked about the Trump order.

“We’ve gotten to the point where government is involved. Obviously, there’s belief it needs to be involved,” he said. “We’ll get it all worked out. The game’s been around for a hundred years and it’s going to be around 100 more.”

The NCAA has been lobbying for several years for limited antitrust protection to keep some kind of control over this new landscape — and avoid more crippling lawsuits — but a handful of bills have gone nowhere in Congress. Trump’s order makes no mention of that, nor does it refer to any of the current&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-ncaa-sports-congress-59d5ed03574fbe1c22063d0d9496eb35">bills in Congress</a>&nbsp;aimed at addressing issues in college sports.

orking with student-athletes, a bipartisan coalition in Congress and the Trump administration,” said Baker, while the conferences said it was important to pass a law with national standards for athletes’ NIL rights as soon as possible.

The 1,100 universities that comprise the NCAA have insisted for decades that athletes are students who cannot be considered anything like a school employee. Still, some coaches have recently suggested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-settlement-tennessee-athlete-bargaining-e6b2c2b30a693a1313d1f04be8d304e9">collective bargaining</a>&nbsp;as a potential solution to the chaos they see.

It is a complicated topic: Universities would become responsible for paying wages, benefits, and workers’ compensation and schools and conferences have insisted they will fight any such move in court. While private institutions fall under the National Labor Relations Board, public universities must follow labor laws that vary from state to state and it’s worth noting that virtually every state in the South has “right to work” laws that present challenges for unions.

— Calls for adding or at least preserving athletic scholarships and roster spots for non-revenue sports, which are those outside football and basketball. The House settlement allows for unlimited scholarships but does impose roster limits, leading to a complicated set of decisions for each program at each school that include potential concerns about Title IX equity rules. Trump said “opportunities for scholarships and collegiate athletic competition in women’s and non-revenue sports must be preserved and, where possible, expanded.”

— Asks the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to “preserve college athletics through litigation” and other actions to protect the rights and interests of athletes — a stance that could influence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-zakai-zeigler-lawsuit-pistons-323876e4b82844a68da27362a1d102da">ongoing lawsuits</a>&nbsp;filed by athletes over eligibility and other issues.

— Directs White House staff to work with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to protect the collegiate pipeline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-olympic-sports-98e974041f0af901b047d69672ad3176">feeding Team USA.</a>&nbsp;College sports programs produce around three-quarters of U.S. Olympians at a typical Summer Games, but some are on uncertain footing as schools begin sharing revenue with athletes and the lion’s share going to football and basketball.

AP National Writer Eddie Pells contributed.

Trump signs order to clarify college athletes' employment status amid NIL chaos

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Fort Hays State baseball team earned the 2024-25 ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award for its performance in the classroom, announced Wednesday by the coaches association.

The squad posted a team GPA of 3.10 over the most recent academic year. The Tigers had 22 student-athletes named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, including a pair of MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award winners in Trey DeGarmo and Derek Woolwine. DeGarmo, Woolwine and Brandon Chavez were all chosen as CSC Academic All-District honorees.

Additional Tigers named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll included Mike Acierno, Luis Ayala, Trevor Baugh, Jeremy Bingesser, Sebastian Burgos, DJ Cavazos, Nolan Dreher, Tytin Goebel, Brock Griffin, Dylan Haselhorst, Brett Jacobs, Tyson Jimenez, Zane Knox, Brady Kreutzer, Spencer Maley, Tony Moore, Cesar Saavedra, Isaiah Ural and Carson Wasinger.

This is the second time the team has received this award, and the first since the 2021-22 season. FHSU was one of four MIAA programs to earn the honor this season.

The award, presented by Sports Attack, recognizes ABCA member teams from all levels of high school and collegiate baseball that achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale during the 2024-25 academic year. More than 440 college programs and 300 high school programs were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement this year.

⚾ Tigers collect ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)&nbsp; &nbsp;

Friday, July 25
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 6:30pm

Saturday, July 26
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 5:30pm

Sunday, July 27
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 12:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

WICHITA - Due to the threat of severe weather in the Wichita area tomorrow evening, the Hays Larks game time against the Seattle Blackfins, in the first game of the day from the NBC World Series, has been moved to 2 p.m.

The live video broadcast will still be available to watch through Hays Post.

WICHITA – The defending champions, Hays Larks, begin play at
the National Baseball Congress World Series on Thursday at Eck Stadium in
Wichita.

The Larks, who claimed their first ever NBC World Series
title last season, will take on the Seattle Blackfins Thursday night, July 24th,
in the first game of the tournament.

Hays is in pool A, alongside the Blackfins, the Oklahoma MVP
and the Lonestar Kraken.

The Larks earned the automatic bid back to the World Series
as the defending champions and clinched their fifth Rocky Mountain Baseball
League title.

Hays will take on Oklahoma MVP at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July
26th and the Lonestar Kraken at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 28th.


You can watch every Hays Larks game from the World Series
through the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nbcws/streams">NBC World Series YouTube channel</a> thanks to our sponsors:

Brungardt Hower First Care Clinic Gib’s Auto Supply Glassman Corporation Herrman Physical Therapy Midwest Energy Nex Tech Whitetail Properties Agents Adam Hann and Mitch Keeley Shelter Insurance Agents Dustin Schumacher and Todd Keller The ARC of Central Plains Thrift Store M &amp; D Excavating Incorporated Phaze 2

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements