By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays Arts Council kicked off its $2.2 million renovation project with a celebration on Monday.

The arts council had set a $3 million fundraising goal. However, after working with its architects, the council determined the project could be completed for $2.2 million. 

The $2 million already raised, along with the recent award of tax credits from the Kansas State Historical Preservation Office, allowed the nonprofit to begin work on the project, Brittney Squire, arts council board president, said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b3802757-2724-44c4-9b56-cca58f4db683">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays Arts Council launches $3M capital campaign</a>

The council owns the current gallery at 112 E. 11th St., the connected former Madd Matter storefront and the Hays Arts Center Annex at 1010 Main St.

The project seeks to connect all three spaces—8,300 square feet—to expand gallery space and make the annex more accessible as an educational space.

The former Madd Matter is about 3 feet in elevation different than the annex building. The renovation will include stairs and a ramp to connect the buildings.

The renovation will also include adding a kitchen and conference room.

Joe Jeter, trustee of the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation, which contributed $1 million to the project, provided some background on the art center.

The Hays Arts Council is the oldest community arts organization in the state.

The main gallery building had multiple owners until 1923, when John Bird operated a publishing company from the building. 

The building also housed the Hays Daily News, which was operated by Frank and Leota Motz. The Motzes bought Bird out in 1937 and continued to operate the newspaper from the building until 1951. 

Cal Markwell operated the bookstore in the building before the arts council purchased it in 1977.&nbsp;

"This is just about people and community," Jeter said. "This is really a great project. Congratulations to all of you and to our community. I can't wait for another year or so when we can get in here and really have some fun."

Squire thanked other major contributors: Kansas Department of Commerce, Leo J. Dreiling and Albina Dreiling Charitable Trust, Beach-Edwards Family Foundation, and Dane G. Hansen Foundation, and the 200 local organizations and individual donors who gave to the project.

PWC will be the project's contractor, and Baker McMillan of Manhattan, Kansas, will be the architect.&nbsp;

Construction is expected to take about 11 months, with the fully renovated space opening in early 2027.

The arts center gift shop and office will be closed for a month and will reopen on March 1 at the Hadley Center, 205 E. Seventh. Use the main entrance on Seventh. It will maintain its current hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The arts center annex will serve as exhibition space during the first phase of construction and will then move to the main gallery when the annex is renovated, Chandler Reich, executive director, said.

The annex will be open Thursday through Saturday during exhibit runs.

The arts council plans to continue to anchor art walks and will host the Smoky Hill Art Show and Five State Photography Contest as usual. Entries are now being accepted for the Smoky Hill Art competition.

Youth summer art classes will be conducted in collaboration with the Hays Public Library, and the arts council plans to pilot some adult classes, Reich said.

"We are excited to continue to do what we do best, offering art exhibitions and art programming for this community," Reich said. "During renovation, we want to be open and in full force as much as possible."

Squire said the Hays Arts Council is still accepting donations, which will be used for ongoing operations and to outfit the renovated space.

You can donate online on the council's <a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/give">webpage</a>. You mail checks to 112 E. 11th St. Mail will be forwarded. You can also give through the Heartland Community Foundation.

Squire said the arts council plans to celebrate the renovation in 2027, coinciding with the council's 60th anniversary.

Hays Arts Council kicks off renovation project 

Hays High vs Great Bend Friday, Jan. 30 - 6:00 Colby, 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/3483622">CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE</a> &nbsp;

Hays High opens February by hosting Sunrise Christian Academy on Tuesday evening.

Girls: #4-5A Hays (14-1) versus Sunrise Christian (16-2) Boys: #6-5A Hays (12-3) versus Sunrise Christian (13-9)

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

🏀 Hays High hosts Sunrise Christian to open February

Girl Scouts have always believed that real change happens when people come together with purpose. Our Girl Scouts are learning that giving back is not just an activity, it is a responsibility, a mindset, and a commitment to making our communities stronger.

We are challenging our community to join the cause. Whether through time, resources, mentorship, or simple acts of kindness, every contribution matters. When adults step forward to support service projects, volunteer efforts, and community initiatives, we show our children what leadership truly looks like.

This is more than just helping others with compassion, accountability, and unity. Together, we can create a culture where giving back isn’t just an option but a way of life, where our children see a community that shows up, lifts each other up, and leads with heart.

The Girl Scout Troop 11298 is ready, and so is Little Dillons on Hall Street! We are now asking the community to stand with us.

Girl Scout Troop 11298 of Hays invites the community to give back in a simple yet meaningful way by donating new personal hygiene items while shopping. 

The troop has partnered with High Plains Mental Health Center, specifically the Crisis Intervention Center (CIC), which is scheduled to open in May 2026, to help ensure that individuals aged 18 and older have access to essential hygiene supplies.

Troop members will be stationed at Little Dillons on Hall Street in Hays throughout the weekend of Feb. 6, collecting donations.

 Community members are encouraged to purchase extra items on their way out, such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, or toothpaste. 

Through this effort, Girl Scouts are learning the importance of service and compassion as they work alongside the community to support the future Crisis Intervention Center. The public is encouraged to visit Dillons on Hall Street in Hays to support the new Crisis Intervention Center in our community.

If your organization would like to join Troop 11298’s mission, collaborate on future service projects, or share ideas that can further support the Hays community, the troop welcomes your involvement. 

Together, we can continue to make a lasting difference, one thoughtful act at a time. 

For more information, collaboration opportunities, or to share your ideas, or if your organization has any needs we may be able to support, please contact us at girlscouttroop11298@outlook.com.

Girl Scouts set hygiene item drive this weekend at Little Dillons

Production members needed for 'Annie,' Hays Community Theatre summer musical

This spring, Fort Hays State University’s Career Development Office, in partnership with FHSU departments, will be hosting several career fairs. These events provide students with opportunities to meet numerous potential employers all in one location.

Mark your calendar for the following career fairs:

Health &amp; Wellness Career Fair: Monday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m. - noon, Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union. 35 employers will be on campus to visit with students about opportunities for internships, clinicals, and full-time employment. The fair is aimed at students in the nursing, radiologic technology, medical diagnostic imaging, and health and human performance programs, but all students are invited to attend.

Teacher Exploration &amp; Employment Fair: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. - noon, Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union. Students can meet with representatives from 60 school districts and education co-ops to learn about student teaching and full-time employment opportunities.

Werth College of Science, Technology, &amp; Mathematics Career Fair: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2-4 p.m., Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union. Employers can register in Handshake through February 19 by using this link:&nbsp; <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0dlDVoWxwchLl2zKh5TbK6-2BtPDsVui5UfDpWFlWXbDCfSDrXo3arTEqIxZF4D70y9ZoQGa1HWjbFravITK2nWYtLkhaGYIRjMYouVwFXoh5RGbAk8IyfPLOEPruIBJM4HMvN82WQHIYoV-2BNaa1c1e6O-2BqwK60KWT77A6zaFHKqXj-2By6rM71ruXAHYaQJPerao5qOzyvEHyoeq2y-2BOaud0DxrasVw4sSMU7KOerW92mZZFD-2BeQzG-2FTdITj9dcn0Xn-2BXAP-2BPyhMiF1ygfSULRTC0Y7Czktrzo1-2FWiTericrTDls1-2Bvhd-2FaGo6n7mIku2jPHrs9mo9YiQoX0EFRGbp-2BBCAY03zbwEFqq8n33rDtk0F40FhiVkNR6trIquQ-2FEsEXW4SMMNrovMkvk9yIZO1NBA6KrnxLnhQQUPCUdiskMk0dajAwmQ9ocRA5dJtq5PbtChfq1XSvZYbmusAXpD2tqPu-2BiD5W79LsMKjeLE4QDvpDtBfLf5UQCcO4APhE-2F0EpHUlDgJmQntuhjdYk1ZkGtH2W-2BIw6FN2VmF3-2BgSRw8i2LnomKizsKSb6D8VFWU4d06S4WbfwzNYCGS5Z1954PT0Eela7fTtm6dYpwV4gDBUMAf7REywhSf2NtMubxY1SsySHjNmIXcy7fWGgaspz9C1E-3DWoUT_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfO6zmPasQMqwlhB8lcoWwenQbM15tWVOqmaAzcEEop-2BrfykV-2Bhq2xmcR7UmxDBcHjXUylOOdUzofnZdK6bhVrut7cwcLXfyEXHPJXMFgzTbqU1MvfWtylAsfXHq1hQxD9kgQKfdffeyDMlgcQf-2Ftn7SF3U7AOf65v2XQmNEX-2B04n3Kzg-2Fy3S1MOvbaYgZLCXSwZuV5H1g127VmDG9L-2BqNzPzcgugSD40fQYvzLjLiK3xBrU5NreEle8J1H5w8BYFbF">https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/b8ec06b3-00c4-41de-bf06-dba2ae95847d/employer_preview</a>

This career fair is geared toward students in the following academic programs: agriculture, applied technology, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, geosciences, mathematics, and physics. As with the other fairs, students from all programs are welcome to participate.

Freshmen through seniors, as well as graduate students, are encouraged to attend these events to explore career opportunities and make professional connections. Students do not need to register in advance for the career fairs.

To find out more about FHSU career fairs, contact Career Development at 785-628-2460 or careers@fhsu.edu.

FHSU’s Career Development Office announces career fairs for spring 2026

This year is the 25th anniversary of The Bricks in Downtown Hays.

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser, news reporter, talks with Lee Ann June, executive director of The Bricks, about the historic evolution of the non-profit organization and plans for the future.

🎙 Post Podcast: Celebrating 25 years on The Bricks in downtown Hays

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission approved a resolution authorizing the sale of up to $11 million in bonds to fund multiple county projects during its Tuesday meeting.

These include the law enforcement center remodel, emergency medical services building, courthouse and administrative HVAC improvements, and a fire services storage building.

Darin Myers, county administrator, said the storage building is included only as a placeholder and could be covered by grants, with no funding set aside for it at this time.

Bids for the bonds are due on March 9 and will be paid over the next 20 years using existing savings, not by raising taxes, Myers said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/474951d3-998a-4651-a486-a894aab89ce0">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Commission hears updates on potential bond projects</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3c4ef7e6-c79c-401e-8440-0fcc702901c8">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Commission sees decreased costs for multiple projects</a>

Tallgrass development solar project review agreements

Commissioners approved agreements that would allow legal and technical experts to review documents for the proposed Tallgrass Development solar project.

"This is providing legal expertise where we are not experts," Commissioner Nathan Leiker said.

The proposed $275 million solar project would be in southwest Ellis County. Project documents include a conditional-use permit, county resolutions, payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement and road use agreement.

Myers said no county taxpayer dollars or county subsidies will fund the project or review process, and any tax incentives would come from state or federal programs.

Steven Link, senior project developer, addressed several concerns, including decommissioning and environmental impacts.

"These are very pricey projects. We do study all the risks involved with these before we bring them to market," Link said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d6c9018e-7bf4-4b59-90bc-d89ea87e8d30">SEE RELATED STORY: Solar developer shares maps, more on construction during Hays open house</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/192f7103-1ca0-4e59-9e45-901190d51f50">SEE RELATED STORY: Solar developer answers Ellis County Commission questions</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/46a6d21a-a5df-4f71-9d3b-29a6aa263211">SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Commission to consider multiple solar project agreements</a>

Other business • High-risk urban road agreement • High Plains Mental Health update • 2026 county agreements to treat noxious weeds for the Kansas Department of Transportation • I voted sticker contest for sixth grade through 12th grade

Ellis County Commission approves bond projects

Women Who Lead to offer free senior meal Thursday

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

Sen. Rick Billinger&nbsp;Newsletter February 2, 2026 Topeka

Budget work for the 2026-2027 cycle began early this year. The House met a week before this year’s session began to start developing its budget, and the Senate followed by beginning its work on the second day of session. This is the second year that the House and Senate have worked on their own budget/bills and have not waited for the Governor’s budget. 

The Senate is using the subcommittees and some of our standing committees to hear agencies budget and requests for enhancements. Our subcommittees have been meeting every day not only during committee time but also early in the morning before session starts, over lunch hours and after our work on the Senate floor. 

This week the first week in February we will finish subcommittee work and be ready to build our budget the second week of February. A key challenge this year will be finding ways to reduce the total budget while maintaining core priorities. Throughout the session, I will try to keep you updated on the budget process.

Some of the bills that have been debated on the floor and passed are as follows: Kansas becomes the 20th state to approve the Convention of States. Last session the Senate approved the Convention of States and this year the House passed the resolution calling for a Convention of States under Article 5 of the United States Constitution. 

Under Article 5 of the United States Constitution, there are two methods of adopting a constitutional amendment-Congress adopting said amendments by a two-third majority and then being ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures; or a convention of states, which is called when at least thirty-four state legislatures adopt a similar resolution. 

Any amendments proposed from said convention would then need to be ratified by at least thirty-eight states to become part of the United States Constitution.

The Kansas Senate has the responsibility of confirming nominees by various state officers, usually the Governor. This week, the Senate cleared twenty-one nominees for various boards and commissions.

Senate Resolution 1615 passed honoring Charlie Kirk, through his work at Turning Point USA. Charlie Kirk showcased his commitment to free speech and civil discourse on college campuses across the country, and it is through his efforts we are now seeing a renewed nationwide commitment to promoting free speech for all. 

The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 1615 recognizing Charlie Kirk on his birthday October 14th- as Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day.

I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.

BILLINGER: Senate update, Feb. 2

Emporia State University congratulates the more than 700 undergraduates named to the university honor roll for fall 2025. To qualify for the university honor roll, students earned a minimum 3.80 semester grade point average in at least 12 graded hours.

Students named from this area and their majors include:

Kacie Jones of Victoria, Kansas, Pre-nursing.

Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Library and Information Management and Library and Archives, Science and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.

ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.

For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://email.meritpages.com/ss/c/u001.5lf5EsotJ8kz3SL8MfLMqCngdc05f3WrqGKXBQnTynbEBNN6JpkG2AOUQIFrrb32Xc-eDgTgV2SBo2G3N9FDHAyUYvPlW8sspAw_yzEBjHWpzAJ9BR9FGhRv8snb_gtsD1gg5pLHqRVwzxilht253hEqX4eUIZm0uea7AnZQvWQij4ngpz697Y30XzX0YL9fbncgSGwMtHUMJ4112q1URVL-vm2-LWjI8KO8RAHekpk/4nq/6gC63Qn6Qru9gfJdNA0h_g/h0/h001.yxrO2rPDJNuyuTvLOakKH3SfTgw2wT1XcCmQbIAHQDU">www.emporia.edu</a>.

Emporia State University announces honor roll students

&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

Feb. 2 Morning Mixer - The Hideout, Osborne, 7 am-noon

Feb. 3 Lunch with Us - The Roundhouse, Downs, 11-1:30 PM

Feb. 4 Coffee &amp; Cookies Grant Lab, City Office, Natoma 11-1 - Come learn tips and techniques for writing grants

Feb. 7 Morning Mixer - The Front Porch, Alton, 8:30-10 amFeb. 10 Morning Mixer - VFW, Natoma, 7-9 am

Feb. 11 Coffee &amp; Cookies Grant Lab, Osborne Public Library, 11-1 - Come learn tips and techniques for writing grants

Feb. 13 Trooper Ben "Go and Grow" Event, Osborne High School New Gym, Osborne, 6:30 PM

Feb. 16 Community Soup Supper, Community Center, Portis, 5:30-7:00 PM

Feb. 18 Coffee &amp; Cookies Grant Lab, Roundhouse Coffee, Downs, 11-1

Feb. 23 Morning Mixer, Midway Coop Station, Portis, 8-10 am

February events in Osborne County

Fort Hays Tech | North Central to celebrate opening of construction career center

Join our new Hays Post Newsletter and receive the top news stories from your community every morning in your email inbox plus one-click access to the latest obituaries.&nbsp;

Sign up for free Hays Post Newsletter

Thank you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/haysfumc?__cft__[0]=AZYEZ5UGcHe3-fcLV6ZQ2tDojZwI1mxzSIT7WdEFWBBLZGVFSWRwa3GVcZAeCqPFTzkhsd159eETje633o3Uy7NMHt-hJ2LS5nQb4otDn7SkpzbllhjqXXFm5ZEJnmJvzl4ZSzjclkVhynXurFS0G7NyB9ryOgc-uN9MOuH5gjNwtg&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Hays First United Methodist Church</a> for being the sponsor of Laundry Love for 2026!

They will be sponsoring a second location/date at the 8th Street Laundromat, 225 E. 8th, beginning in April.

Laundry Love will be on the first and third Thursdays of each month starting in April. Until then, we will see you on the third Thursday (February and March) at the 27th and Hall Laundromat only.

The first Thursday will be held at the 8th Street Laundromat and the third Thursday will continue to be located at the 27th &amp; Hall Street Laundromat.

How blessed we are to have such giving community/congregation members to be able to make this happen in our town.&nbsp;

Laundry Love to expand to second Hays location in April

Tryyaki Asian Cuisine and TeaHouse will celebrate its 10-year anniversary of serving the Hays community on Feb. 2.

"Over the past decade, our restaurant has been fortunate to grow alongside this community, and we are deeply grateful for the support we’ve received—especially after experiencing a fire and rebuilding our business," the owners said.

To mark this milestone and say thank you, Tryyaki will donate a portion of its proceeds on Monday, Feb. 2, to the Hays Fire Department and Hays Police Department as a small way of giving back to the community that helped the business recover and move forward.

"We look forward to serving Hays for many years to come. Thank you for being part of our journey," Tryyaki posted on Facebook.

Tryyaki Asian Cuisine, TeaHouse celebrates 10 years, to donate to Hays police, fire

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA's long-awaited moonshot with astronauts is off until at least March because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-moon-artemis-astronauts-space-479f13e074b3df8b9453230cb248c5bf">hydrogen fuel leaks</a>&nbsp;that marred the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-artemis-astronauts-moon-540260c90a45e0de4cb28f3e481777ff">dress rehearsal</a>&nbsp;of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artemis-nasa-moonshot-921fc1a0a832217fae8b57d2fce2dc66">giant new rocket</a>.

It's the same problem that delayed the Space Launch System rocket's debut three years ago. That first test flight was grounded for months because of leaking hydrogen, which is highly flammable and dangerous.

“Actually, this one caught us off guard,” NASA's John Honeycutt said Tuesday, hours after the test came to an abrupt halt at Kennedy Space Center.

Until the exasperating fuel leaks, the space agency had been targeting as soon as this weekend for humanity's first trip to the moon in more than half a century.

“When you’re dealing with hydrogen, it’s a small molecule. It’s highly energetic and we like it for that reason and we do the best we can," Honeycutt explained.

Officials said the month-long delay will allow the launch team to conduct another fueling test before committing the four astronauts — three U.S. and one Canadian — to a lunar fly-around. It's too soon to know when the countdown dress rehearsal might be repeated.

Any repairs to deformed or damaged seals, or other components, can likely be completed at the pad, managers said. A return to the Vehicle Assembly Building would likely result in an even longer delay.

The leaks cropped up early in Monday's loading operation and again hours later, ultimately halting the countdown clocks at the five-minute mark. Launch controllers had wanted to get all the way down to a half-minute in the countdown, but the escaping hydrogen exceeded safety limits.

NASA repeatedly interrupted the flow of liquid hydrogren, which was minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 253 degrees Celsius), in an attempt to warm up the area between the rocket and fuel lines and, hopefully, reseat any loose seals. But that didn't work and neither did altering the flow of the hydrogen — adjustments that allowed the first SLS rocket to finally soar without a crew in 2022.

With their launch now off until at least March 6, commander Reid Wiseman and his crew were given the all-clear to emerge from quarantine in Houston. They will reenter it two weeks before the next launch attempt.

Wiseman said on the social platform X that he was proud of how the dress rehearsal went, “especially knowing how challenging the scenario was for our launch team doing the dangerous and unforgiving work.”

The extreme cold at the launch site did not contribute to the fuel leaks or any other problem, according to officials. Heaters kept the Orion capsule warm atop the 322-foot (98-meter) rocket, while constant purging protected the rocket and ground systems.

Amit Kshatriya, NASA's associate administrator, stressed that the Space Launch System is “an experimental vehicle," with more lessons to be learned. Years between fueling tests and flights don't help, he added.

“I'm just reminded again almost four days and 40 years from Challenger, nobody sitting in one of these chairs needs to be calling any of these vehicles operational,” Kshatriya said at a news conference.

NASA has only a handful of days any given month to send them around the moon — the first time astronauts will have flown there since 1972. They won't land on the moon or even go into lunar orbit during the nearly 10-day mission, but rather check out life support and other vital capsule systems ahead of a moon landing by other astronauts in a few years.

NASA sent 24 astronauts to the moon during the 1960s and 1970s Apollo. The new Artemis program is aiming for new territory — the moon's south polar region — and looking to keep crews on the lunar surface for much longer periods.

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

Why NASA has again postponed long-awaited moonshot 

SUMNER COUNTY —Woods Park and Donut Bay,&nbsp;1500 W Harvey Avenue, in the city of Wellington will be temporarily closed as City staff work to address a potential outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, according to a media release from the city.

Staff are coordinating closely with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Research and Survey Office.

HPAI is a severe and often fatal viral disease that spreads rapidly among bird populations. Residents are urged not to approach, handle, or attempt to assist any birds that appear ill. Birds exhibiting HPAI may show one or more of the following symptoms:

● Neurological impairment, including lack of coordination, disorientation, inability to hold the head up, hunched posture, tremors, seizures, or twisted neck

● Difficulty breathing, such as open‑mouth breathing or wheezing

● Nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing, sometimes with blood‑tinged fluid

While the risk of avian influenza to the general public is considered very low, humans and pets can be vulnerable, especially those with weakened immune systems. Based on guidance from KDWP, the City advises the followingmprecautions:

● Avoid touching or approaching wildlife. Observe from a safe distance. If contact occurs, avoid touching your face and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking, or smoking.

● Do not touch diseased or dead wildlife. Sick birds should not be taken to rehabilitators or zoos, as doing so increases the risk of spreading the disease to vulnerable captive birds. Do not transport sick wildlife in vehicles, into homes, or into public spaces.

● Keep pets away from birds that appear sick. Do not allow them to lick or eat sick or dead waterfowl.

● Do not handle or consume sick game birds.

In an effort to protect the people and pets of our community, Woods Park will remain closed until further notice. No members of the public will be allowed beyond the barricades located at the park entrances. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation in helping protect local wildlife and public health.

Kansas community closes park due to bird flu outbreak

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Tuesday passed a roughly $1.2 trillion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-budget-immigration-trump-homeland-security-39fd7917e39aaf9e4e78e89f3449a587">spending package</a>&nbsp;to end the partial government shutdown, sending the measure to President Donald Trump and setting the stage for a debate in Congress over Homeland Security funding.

The vote was 217-214.&nbsp; GOP members of the Kansas delegation voted with the majority.

The vote wraps up congressional work on 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, funding the vast majority of the government for the budget year ending Sept. 30.

 The last bill still to be worked out covers the Department of Homeland Security where Democrats are demanding more restrictions on enforcement operations.

Trump has said he will sign the bill when it reaches his desk.

Speaker Mike Johnson needed near-unanimous support from his Republican conference to proceed to a final vote. He narrowly got it during a procedural vote that was held open for nearly an hour as leaders worked to gain support from a handful of GOP lawmakers who were trying to advance other priorities unrelated to the funding measure.

"We have to work through individual members’ concerns. That’s the game here. It’s a consensus building operation. We do it every day,” Johnson said.

Trump had weighed in Monday in a social media post, calling on Republicans to stay united and telling holdouts “There can be NO CHANGES at this time.”

“We will work together in good faith to address the issues that have been raised, but we cannot have another long, pointless, and destructive Shutdown that will hurt our Country so badly — One that will not benefit Republicans or Democrats. I hope everyone will vote, YES!,” Trump wrote on his social media site.

The measure once signed will end the partial government shutdown that began Saturday. In addition to funding most of the federal government through Sept. 30, it includes a short-term funding patch for the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 13 as lawmakers negotiate potential changes for the agency that enforces the nation's immigration laws —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-trump-arrests-workplace-agents-chicago-los-angeles-ba352692f27fa6d2846a9410496e4359">U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a>, or ICE.

The House had previously approved the final package of spending bills, but the Senate broke up that package so that more negotiations could take place for the Homeland Security funding bill. Democrats are demanding changes in response to events in Minneapolis, where two American citizens were shot and killed by federal agents.

Johnson said on Fox News Channel's “Fox News Sunday” it was Trump's "play call to do it this way. He had already conceded he wants to turn down the volume, so to speak.” But GOP leaders sounded as if they still had work to do in convincing the rank-and-file to join them as House lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Monday after a week back in their congressional districts.

“We always work till the midnight hour to get the votes,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. “You never start the process with everybody on board. You work through it, and you could say that about every major bill we've passed.”

The path to the current partial shutdown differs from the fall impasse, which affected more agencies and lasted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopen-update-house-returns-5771f2befb15f4ab45e327369f2e98d9">a record 43 days</a>.

Then, the debate was over extending temporary coronavirus pandemic-era subsidies for those who get health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Democrats were unsuccessful in getting those subsidies included as part of a package to end the shutdown.

Congress has made important progress since then, passing six of the 12 annual appropriations bills that fund federal agencies and programs. That includes important programs such as nutrition assistance and fully operating national parks and historic sites. They are funded through Sept. 30. The remaining bills passed Tuesday represent roughly three-quarters of federal spending set annually by Congress, including the Defense Department.

WASHINGTON (AP) —The House has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-ice-funding-471e55ba4c3247051739ee1b50b2857a">passed a bill to end the partial government shutdown</a>&nbsp;in a final vote Tuesday afternoon, cleared by a bipartisan vote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-house-johnson-trump-ice-democrats-bb4cfeaab5f3a17e2fde5c23bb27677f">under the insistence</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>.&nbsp; The measure passed by a vote of&nbsp;217-214.&nbsp; GOP members of the Kansas delegation voted with the majority.

The measure funds most of the federal government through Sept. 30, while providing the Department of Homeland Security with short-term funding for two weeks. Lawmakers will return to negotiate potential changes for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as Democrats demand more restrictions on its operations.

Earlier in the afternoon, Speaker Mike Johnson managed to secure the near-unanimous GOP support needed to pass the bill through a procedural vote, despite some members of the party trying to tack unrelated priorities onto the funding package.

Trump called on Republicans to stay united in a social media post Monday, telling holdouts, “There can be NO CHANGES at this time.”

He has said he will sign the bill when it reaches his desk.

Kan. GOP lawmakers help House pass bill to end partial gov't shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carrier-iran-protests-us-military-58e6da912f9167df94f913d7dafe5af4">the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln</a>&nbsp;in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday, threatening to ramp up tensions as the Trump administration warns of possible military action to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-protests-negotiations-nuclear-deal-9758adb33c0d01c70a07ad7de0f5221b">get Iran to the negotiating table</a>.

The drone “aggressively approached” the aircraft carrier with “unclear intent” and kept flying toward it "despite de-escalatory measures taken by U.S. forces operating in international waters,” Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement.

The shootdown occurred within hours of Iranian forces harassing a U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed merchant vessel that was sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, the American military said.

The developments could escalate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-eu-terrorist-groups-protests-c0023d9ff1e7c4e6fa92077d640e244c">the heightened tensions between the longtime adversaries</a>&nbsp;as President Donald Trump has threatened to use military action first over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-protesters-executions-195edfa07111be782db71af07b538fdc">Iran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests</a>&nbsp;and then to try to get the country to make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-eu-protests-revolutionary-guard-d38bc397f1bb54d7352879401449b50b">a deal over its nuclear program</a>. Trump's Republican administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-middle-east-iran-protests-b7a56659d708f2f11f66a18135f44c40">built up military forces in the region</a>, sending the aircraft carrier, guided-missile destroyers, air defense assets and more to supplement its presence.

The Shahed-139 drone was shot down by an F-35C fighter jet from the Lincoln, which was sailing about 500 miles (800 kilometers) from Iran’s southern coast, Hawkins said. No American troops were harmed, and no U.S. equipment was damaged, the military’s statement noted.

Iranian state media reported that Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is investigating the “interruption” of the drone. Semi-official Tasnim news agency posted on its Telegram that before the footage cut out, the drone was able to successfully transfer the images it took back to Iran.

US says Iran also harassed a merchant vessel

After the shootdown, Revolutionary Guard forces harassed the merchant vessel Stena Imperative, the U.S. military said. Two boats and an Iranian Mohajer drone approached the ship “at high speeds and threatened to board and seize the tanker,” Hawkins’ statement said.

The destroyer USS McFaul responded and escorted the Stena Imperative “with defensive air support from the U.S. Air Force,” the statement said, adding that the merchant vessel was now sailing safely.

Talks between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian officials were still planned, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

“President Trump is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango,” Leavitt said after the incidents. She added, “As always, though, of course, the president has a range of options on the table with respect to Iran.”

Iranian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/irans-reformist-president-pezeshkian-hardens-tone-on-protests-2582f00401b94c0b94fdce9c48a6b17d">President Masoud Pezeshkian</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday that he instructed the country's foreign minister to “pursue fair and equitable negotiations” with the U.S., marking one of the first clear signs from Tehran that it wants to try to negotiate with Washington.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on Telegram that he had spoken with his counterparts in Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey and Oman regarding regional developments and the importance of protecting “regional stability and security.”

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