Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about the 24/7 Travel Plaza development on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Two economic development incentives requested from the city of Hays for a planned full-service 24/7 Travel Plaza and convenience store north of Interstate 70 are a good investment, said Mason Ruder, mayor, at Thursday's city commission work session.

"I was looking at the rate of return for the city of Hays. It's almost 2,200%," Ruder said.&nbsp;

Commissioner Sandy Jacobs said, "It's a really exciting project, and I'm ready to see what it does to that interchange with some alternate routes into town.

"I happen to believe it's going to be a really busy interchange as people really get in their brains that that's the way you get down to the university." Shaun Musil, commissioner, expects to see more business develop in the area over time.&nbsp;

"It's going to take a few years, but I think it's going to be a big part of our community and bring in more sales tax," he said.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to move to next week's meeting two resolutions for public hearings, one for a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) project plan and the other for a Community Improvement District (CID).

The financing district would capture all incremental property tax revenues within the TIF District, but&nbsp;no sales taxes, in line with the city’s economic&nbsp;development policy. No bonds would be issued.

The developer,&nbsp;Triplett, Inc., Salina, estimates that the TIF&nbsp;would generate $4.5 million during its 20-year life for TIF-eligible expenses on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Within&nbsp;the improvement district, a 2% CID sales tax would be imposed in addition to the city's current 2.25% sales tax.&nbsp;

The CID sales tax revenues would be used to reimburse the developer on a pay-as-you-go&nbsp;basis for CID-eligible expenses, primarily related to the private construction costs of the&nbsp;Travel Store, gas pumps and related private improvements.

The developer estimates the CID sales tax would&nbsp;generate about $2 million to fund CID-eligible expenses during its 22-year life.&nbsp;

Total project cost is estimated at $11 million.&nbsp;

Triplett already operates a small 24/7 Travel Store in Hays at 3601 Vine St., south of the interstate Exit 159.&nbsp;

Commissioners also moved on two rezoning requests on East 27th Street.

The first request is to rezone property at 2460 E. 27th St. from an agricultural district to a light industrial district.&nbsp;

The property is owned by L&amp;A Enterprises. The owner wants the zoning change in order to expand services.

The second rezoning request is for the adjacent property at 2470 E. 27th St., owned by Josh Ziegler, to change the designation from general commercial district to&nbsp;light industrial district.&nbsp;

Ziegler owns and operates <a href="https://www.tsbstorage.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23323755535&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAokUTqCRaxeubmKyusoso_RcCp8Ue&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAl-_JBhBjEiwAn3rN7Uu-Tmxv4JVtdjMi4Fbm4GUE55Gcd4ji0N4oSpadTrSohYTt32qBghoCp2cQAvD_BwE">T.S.B. Storage</a> on&nbsp;the property.

The Hays Area Planning Commission has already approved both requests.&nbsp;

Mayor Ruder called a 30-minute executive session to include the city commissioners for discussion of personnel matters. No action was taken.

🎙 Plans moving forward for I-70 travel plaza north of Hays

BUNKER HILL — The tradition continues as Smoky Hills PBS will provide live coverage of the 2026 Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Class 3-2-1A State Wrestling Championships. 

The event is begins at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27 through the semi-finals, and continues Sat., Feb. 28 at 9 a.m.&nbsp;at Gross Memorial Coliseum on the campus of Fort Hays State University, Hays.

Smoky Hills PBS will once again showcase both boys' and girls' competitions, continuing a long-standing commitment to local sports and its tradition of bringing live broadcast coverage of high school sports to viewers across central and western Kansas.

Every match will be broadcast live, co-hosted by Eagle Radio's Mike Holliday. You can find&nbsp;3-2-1A and Hays High School state wrestling results on <a href="https://hayspost.com/">Hays Post</a>.&nbsp;

A rebroadcast of the championship finals will air on&nbsp;Sunday, March 1&nbsp;at noon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Our production crew and our many volunteers take great pride in delivering live, reliable coverage of this championship every year," said Les Kinderknecht, senior producer/director at Smoky Hills PBS. "Covering the 3-2-1A State Wrestling Championships is about celebrating the athletes, the schools, and the communities that support them."

3-2-1A state wrestling championships to air live on Smoky Hills PBS

Get your tickets today and then join us&nbsp;as we kick off the Hays Concert Series with a special Lovegrass Music Festival Fundraiser on Saturday, March 14 at the Hays Community Theatre.

Tickets are on sale now at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.list-manage.com/RcpvPPY0b4A?e=ad2f5727f7&amp;c2id=464001e5eac1dfb0bc25eb093087c2fd">https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/benefit</a>

This special night will feature two incredible bands who are not only entertaining but also special to Lovegrass —&nbsp;80 Proof Alice&nbsp;and&nbsp;Rudy and the Lost Boys&nbsp;— plus a silent auction, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres, all in support of Lovegrass Music Festival.

Your attendance helps us raise funds for our upcoming summer concert series, continue our mission of bringing bluegrass arts to rural Kansas, and support our capstone Lovegrass Music Festival this August.&nbsp;

Doors at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. at the&nbsp; Hays Community Theatre, 121 E. 8th, Hays. Suggested donation is $25.

Come enjoy great music, support the arts, and help keep bluegrass thriving in Kansas. We can’t wait to see you there!

Lovegrass Concert Series fundraiser is March 14 in Hays; tickets now available online 

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Chandler Reich, Hays Arts Council executive director, and Brittney Squire, board president,&nbsp; about the arts center renovations and upcoming events on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Arts Council renovations, upcoming events

Construction is complete on the Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex at Fort Hays State University. Those who donated $1,000 or more to the facility, along with all FHSU Difference Makers*, had the opportunity to attend an exclusive preview of the building Feb. 19.

“This impressive project was made possible through the generosity of loyal donors and community members,” said Jason Williby, president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation. “I'm thrilled this group was able to get a VIP tour and first glance of what their support made possible.”

The new 20,000-square-foot facility is located in the south end zone of Lewis Field. Construction for the highly anticipated $11.5 million project kicked off in 2024.

Head Football Coach Chris Brown, was excited to show off enhancements and advanced resources within the building at the VIP preview. “The new athletic training room within this facility will be on par with many Division I universities but will most importantly set us apart as a leader in sports medicine across the highly competitive MIAA Conference and Division II,” explained Brown.

Although the complex will be well-utilized by the Tiger football team, it will enhance training capabilities for all student-athletes. The project will be a recruitment tool, helping FHSU attract top-tier talent from those seeking competitive opportunities and state-of-the-art athletic training amenities. This addition to campus reflects the university’s commitment to keeping student-athletes healthy and performing their best.

“As we look at the future of Tiger Athletics, what unites us is our collective commitment to excellence, ensuring that all our student-athletes have access to the very best resources to learn, train, and compete – the Bickle Schmidt Athletic Complex reflects that commitment,” said FHSU Athletic Director Lisa Goddard McGuirk. 

“We are so appreciative of the unwavering support and generosity of our many dedicated donors, who represent immense Tiger pride, tradition, and a continued commitment to excellence. Their tremendous support enhances and elevates the student-athlete experience here at Fort Hays State University.”

Excitement was in the air as FHSU athletic teams had the opportunity to tour the new facility earlier this week. The first floor features a football locker room suited for 130 players, an expanded athletic training area twice the size of the previous space, and hydrotherapy pools with dedicated treatment areas to promote faster healing and rehabilitation.

Megan Wiman, a member of FHSU’s women’s soccer team, referenced how valuable it will be to have the hydrotherapy component available to student-athletes as it’s an amazing tool for recovery. A senior from Olathe, Wiman said, “As I came back from an ACL tear early in my career, it would have been so beneficial to have access to an underwater treadmill as a key piece in my recovery.” She added, “Overall, this is going to be incredible for all athletes whether they are coming back from an injury or in the peak of their season.”

The second floor of the Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex offers position-specific meeting rooms, coaches’ offices, and a team meeting room large enough to accommodate 130 people.

It’s not too late to be a part of this exciting project! Those interested can:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Make a gift of any amount by visiting <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0b8qTGUC-2BWTp-2FgE8trnmiRAsMCQRtoOOQVDMBAxcIgLYgU77_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOpv7TYX71kO3RvFZRhtZ84PdR9fprxL6bxToVRhUPYvXL6LeLFxjGp9kEKOynq9UPG-2B2BPmT3H-2F5PKTDhFvBLRVObYKLSxa0zO63jFThYARFE7vuns9kVsUlodu-2BF-2Bf2xKNeE9uWOBrn-2FSndJk8t0XF21-2FzgT97EMmGteGSbwhb6BHCkF7yBpoPFh65akdOKZ0yA3CNNh3OYX3W-2FR-2Bz3jwBvoiviy4Rifsk8nP7hRlRiIiDG4OgTstENvDS0-2FD5T5">foundation.fhsu.edu/donate</a> and typing “Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex” as the area of designation.

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Name a space within the Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex on a first-come, first-paid basis in honor of yourself, a loved one, teammate, or business.

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Name a locker in the new football locker room for $3,000 by visiting <a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0b8qTGUC-2BWTp-2FgE8trnmiRA5xSogzSmydL94hpWCLjm7oQBf9asgQxdLcfV0vbOrTw-3D-3DlS8k_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOpv7TYX71kO3RvFZRhtZ84PdR9fprxL6bxToVRhUPYvXL6LeLFxjGp9kEKOynq9UPG-2B2BPmT3H-2F5PKTDhFvBLRdC4Sr80NPtdn0VaUgZRW-2FN3tjdHVtical3PHI3GOvGXhIUROTtjc4n9VTQSa6YaYauDfuBPGTpDURSRu2ZKkkMwJD0E2zs1epW4noolY8KZlldqdqdXDqej2s1tgvCFHgcAKQDjrO2-2BnpAHJsno04seyn2q03PSZQv7z0HGGoMy">foundation.fhsu.edu/football-locker-naming</a>. You have the option to pay this over three years, if needed.

For additional information, contact: Thomas Zimmerman, FHSU Foundation, 785-628-4129, <a href="mailto:tazimmerman@fhsu.edu">tazimmerman@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or Jason Williby, FHSU Foundation, 785-628-5620, <a href="mailto:jjwilliby3@fhsu.edu">jjwilliby3@fhsu.edu</a>.

&nbsp;*Difference Makers - Comprised of a group of individuals and businesses that have chosen to help make FHSU Athletics stronger. This prestigious booster group has made noticeable progress toward enhancing the university’s sports facilities and programs, while increasing scholarship support for student-athletes. In addition, FHSU Difference Makers play a key role in the advancement of our athletic program and help provide opportunities for student-athletes to become leaders in their respective sports. Difference Makers are asked to contribute a minimum tax-deductible gift of $5,000 annually to Tiger Athletics.

Donor support brings FHSU’s Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex to life

On Sunday, February 22, 2026 there will be a special presentation about the Volga German settlements of Rush County, Kansas, "Building the Faith - Volga German Settlements in Rush County."

 The presentation will bring to life the story of Liebenthal, the first Volga German settlement in the area as well as other Catholic and Protestant settlements in Rush and Ellis Counties. It will feature dozens of never-before-seen digitally enhanced photographs illustrating the art and architecture of these magnificent churches.

The presentation will be held at 2:00pm at the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum Conference Room, 120 W. 1st Street in La Crosse. Local author and historian, Bradley Penka will be the speaker. It is free and open to the public.

For questions, contact Rush County Economic Development, 785-222-2808.

Presentation on Volga German settlement set for Feb. 22 in La Crosse

Prescribed burning for rural homeowners is the topic of this Hays Post Podcast with Stacy Campbell, Cottonwood Extension agent, and Becky Kiser, news reporter. A program will be offered Feb. 26 in Hays.&nbsp;

A look at the "Crop Talk" online seminar series is also reviewed.

🎙 Post Podcast: CAMPBELL: Prescribed burning for rural homeowners, Crop Talk

<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

Join us in honoring the Plainville FFA chapter.

FFA Week will be celebrated&nbsp;Feb. 22-28.

🏀🎥 TMP-Marian travels to Norton in regular season finale

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with James Bell, spokesman for Wild West Festival in Hays.

🎥 Forward Ever: Wild West Festival in Hays

This month’s Science Café presentation, “AI for Advancing Research Across Diverse Disciplines,” is sponsored by FHSU’s Science and Mathematics Education Institute (SMEI) and will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at The Venue in Thirsty’s Brew Pub &amp; Grill, 2704 Vine.

Dr. Anas Hourani, FHSU Associate Professor of Computer Science in the Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, will provide an overview of how artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are transforming research across diverse disciplines by enabling knowledge extraction from large-scale data.

Please note, while drinks will be available for purchase, no food will be served&nbsp;during Science Café.

Science Café presentations are free and open to the public. Questions can be directed to Cari Rohleder at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cbrohleder@fhsu.edu">cbrohleder@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-628-4743 or by visiting:

<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqgHG-2B9GDc8KXBqj4fLXNv8t-2BV6Hb4Q5M0d-2FSyU8hjsQrSc6LVzLLvmFtB9JY8b1rMg-3D-3DI8e2_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOxhHfie4Psr7PgSLQuwklupqp6-2Bhxxpc08UdaGL7sxv8fcxRSUu4Oi8fMbn7NlB3xF2IVmdUY0rkyJEMwMnz-2BKSGQGMdt0NrU5sqrW-2BrUn39-2B7lX0fgeFEdloM2R-2FhDWQ7RuK85zg2QmPOUmYRoNb2lnw4sIKHCvntK4Eon0Yd0-2FVuaLhx23DMcs7mizek9UY5rDXOQsq8phghkThfnMdZa-2B1GZ1UVXL0RrEqAMv7E23OCuZRncxaF9kkUJP2rIIN">www.facebook.com/FHSUScienceCafe</a>

FHSU’s upcoming Science Café set for Monday, Feb. 23

&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

VICTORIA - Victoria Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fries, Fridays, February 27, March 13, and March 27 beginning at 5:00 pm at the Victoria VFW Hall.

Victoria K of C Lenten fish fries start Feb. 27

Please save the date for "Vessel of Survival," an MFA thesis exhibition by Jonah Simmons, presented in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree at Fort Hays State University.

The exhibition features sculptural ceramic works that explore themes of endurance, vulnerability, and material transformation, drawing from personal narrative as well as broader social and cultural frameworks.

Exhibition:&nbsp;Vessel of Survival Artist:&nbsp;Jonah Simmons, MFA Candidate (Ceramics) Dates:&nbsp;July 14–17 Reception:&nbsp;Friday, July 17, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Location:&nbsp;Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art, Fort Hays State University

'Vessel of Survival' ceramics exhibition to be presented in July at FHSU

Annual Hays Lions Club pancake feed fundraiser is March 10

Hays USD 489 kindergarten round-up set for next week

First Call for Help seeks Meals on Wheels drivers

The Chamber in Hays announces the 38th Annual Ag Appreciation event, sponsored by High Plains Farm Credit on Tuesday, February 24.

The gathering will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Schenk Building, located on the Ellis County Fairgrounds, 1344 Fairground Rd.

This long-standing tradition honors and celebrates the dedication of farmers and ranchers throughout western Kansas.

The event is free to attend, with the first 300 guests receiving a complementary dinner that includes chili from Gutierrez Mexican Restaurant or green bean and dumpling soup from Gella’s Lb. Diner &amp; Brewing Co. Hot dogs, cinnamon rolls, and traditional fixings will be provided to accompany the chili, as well as pop, water, and two beer vouchers for attendees aged 21 and over.

The evening will conclude with prize drawings, courtesy of generous member sponsors who help make the celebration possible each year.

“Agriculture is a key economic contributor to Hays and Ellis County. Over 600 family farms proudly tend livestock and raise crops to feed our heartland and nation,” said Sarah Wasinger, president and CEO of The Chamber in Hays.

No tickets are required for the event. However, save the date cards may be acquired from title sponsor High Plains Farm Credit. Other locations with cards include: Astra Bank, Carrico Implement, Eagle Radio – KHAZ, Equity Bank, Gella’s Diner and Lb.&nbsp;Brewing Co., Guetierrez Mexican Restaurant, HaysMed, Nex-Tech, and through cultivator sponsor locations, which can be found at hayschamber.com in the event link.

The first 150 guests will be treated to a swag bag full of gifts from sponsors. During the evening, door prize drawings will be held, with items donated by community businesses. With the help of generous sponsors, The Chamber is pleased to celebrate Ellis County’s ag producers at this free and fun event for local ag families.

For additional information contact The Chamber in Hays at 785-628-8201 or visit <a href="https://hayschamber.com/">hayschamber.com</a>.

Chamber invites area farmers, ranchers to 38th-annual Ag Appreciation

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Complex legislation two years in the making addresses market dominance of PBMs

TOPEKA — A bipartisan majority in the Kansas Senate passed a complex bill increasing state oversight of prescription drug middlemen companies accused of manipulating lax regulations to promote anti-competitive practices, monopolize the market for maximum profit, undermine local pharmacies and raise costs for consumers.

Thirty-five states have taken legislative steps to intensify regulation of pharmacy benefit managers that were created to work with drug manufacturers to lower costs for health insurance plans, pharmacies and customers. Advocates of reform asserted PBMs — CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx control 80% of the U.S. market — stepped away from this fiduciary role and took command of the prescription drug market by negotiating mostly on their own behalf.

Under&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/supp_note_sb360_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 360</a>, which advocates spent two years writing, the state insurance commissioner would have more tools to regulate PBMs in Kansas.

The bill would require transparency from PBMs in terms of pharmacy reimbursement and drug pricing. It would deal with PBMs giving their own retailers better deals by requiring all Kansas pharmacies to be reimbursed at or above the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost. A pharmacy dispensing fee would be implemented to better cover costs incurred by local or independent pharmacies, especially in rural communities.

Sen. Brenda Dietrich, a Topeka Republican who carried the bill on the Senate floor, said the time had come for Kansas to answer persistent complaints about pharmacy benefit companies operating in Kansas.

“I feel like this is a bit of a David versus Goliath situation with hometown pharmacies versus billion-dollar PBMs,” Dietrich said. “We’ve just got to stop feeding the beast. The imbalance of power and wealth is inherently unfair and frightening. SB 360 is about saving local pharmacies, fairness and transparency.”

Dietrich highlighted the harm of “spread pricing” in which PBMs charged health plans or insurers more for prescription drugs than PBMs paid a dispensing pharmacy. The PBMs simply retained the difference as profit, she said. The senator referred to spread pricing as “a big black box used by the PBMs to siphon millions from plans and patients with no actual benefit to the plan or patients.”

The bill addressed another state regulatory failing — PBMs have gotten away with auditing pharmacies but refused to allow auditing of their operations, Dietrich said.

“The PBMs are watching out for their exorbitant profit margins,” she said. “They are overcharging our health plans with hidden fees and costs through price spreading, keeping rebates and not reimbursing your local hometown pharmacies as much as they reimburse their own brick-and-mortar pharmacies or their mail-order pharmacies.”

Dietrich said Kansas was so far behind the PBM reform movement that even the federal government approved changes to the industry that would take effect in 2028 and 2029.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she welcomed the state Senate legislation because&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/10/kansas-pharmacists-fight-for-better-oversight-of-pharmacy-middleman-companies/">Kansas pharmacies are struggling</a>&nbsp;to keep their doors open and patients are unable to afford high prices for medications.

“Gigantic insurance monopolies are controlling every aspect of our health care system and they’re using their power to increase costs and eliminate competition,” she said.

The Senate bill was backed by pharmacies in Hoisington, Wichita, Downs, El Dorado, Galena, Winfield, Hesston, Hillsboro, Humboldt, Lawrence, Junction City, Coldwater, Mankato, Holton, Basehor, Phillipsburg, Mulvane, Oakley, Scott City and Baxter Springs. It was endorsed by Hy-Vee, Walgreens, the Independent Pharmacy Association of Kansas, the Kansas Hospital Association as well as individual pharmacists, pharmacy students and consumers.

The bill was derided by PBMs, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, as well as the Kansas Bankers Association and the Kansas Chamber because it could drive up the cost of health insurance.

“I fear this bill doesn’t consider the full potential cost shifting that will happen,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee.

He echoed the message of BCBS of Kansas lobbyist Sarah Fertig, who said the bill incorrectly assumed business issues confronting Kansas pharmacies were the fault of PBMs. She said the bill would increase drug prices for Kansas consumers, but that assertion was criticized by the bill’s proponents.

“The reality is that making Kansans pay more for prescription drugs will not guarantee that all independent pharmacies can stay afloat,” she said. “Consumer choice, population shifts and other players in the drug distribution chain are more impactful to a pharmacy’s success.”

The legislation was approved Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260218181550_042722/" target="_blank">on a vote of 32-8</a>&nbsp;and sent to the Kansas House. The Senate rejected amendments beneficial to PBMs. The measure included an amendment from Sen. Kellie Warren, R-Leawood, to forbid sharing protected, personal health information with the state insurance commissioner.

Sen. Beverly Gossage, the Eudora Republican, said PBM reform was the responsibility of Congress rather than state legislatures. She offered an amendment to remove a requirement that pharmacies receive a $10.50 prescription processing fee. Currently, local pharmacies were paid a fraction of the actual cost of handling prescriptions through PBMs.

Dietrich, the Topeka Republican, said about 20 states had a comparable fee to balance those business transactions.

Gossage’s amendment was blocked by the bipartisan majority, but the concept was supported by Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, and Sen. TJ Rose, R-Olathe. It was Rose who said he supported the idea of deleting the “pill tax” fee, while Klemp said the Legislature needed to err on the side of fiscal responsibility when regulating PBMs.

“The government has no role in ensuring one private industry profits over another,” Klemp said. “The key to this is no other Kansas statute requires a business to pay another a fixed fee. We’re moving into uncharted waters.”

Klemp and others seeking to weaken the PBM bill found themselves facing a tidal wave of opposition from their Republican and Democratic brethren.

“Personally, my own pharmacy was closed because of PBMs and I’m sick of it,” said Sen. Bill Clifford, a Garden City Republican with 138 small pharmacies in his Senate district.

GOP Sen. Michael Murphy of Sylvia said he considered attempts to diminish the bill nothing more than a “PBM enrichment amendment.”

“It’s time to stop out-of-state middlemen companies and corporations from starving our pharmacists, especially our Main Street pharmacists,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker.

Sen. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, said the Senate bill should be placed in law despite the instinct to avoid government intrusion into the economy. He said PBMs operating in Kansas were “playing favorites” and placed local pharmacies at a heavy disadvantage.

“When the free market is no longer free, we as a government have got to step in,” Owens said.

He said Gossage was wrong to expect the federal government to promptly address the long list of shortcomings in the PBM-dominated drug market.

“If we’ve learned anything, it is we cannot have faith in our federal government to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done,” Owens said.

Sen. Scott Hill, R-Abilene, piled on. He said the rise of PBMs was destroying local pharmacies that were more to communities than places to pick up a prescription. He said anyone embracing the PBM model was naive.

“This is about price fixing,” he said. “This is about charging me, for my cancer drugs, $14,000 for a drug that costs $750. This is about gouging and increasing prices.”

He said more than 250 years ago colonists in America objected to a British company’s monopoly on tea.

“Pharmaceuticals have become the tea of our generation,” Hill said. “We have much to do on pharmacy reform as well as health care reform in general. This bill is a start, not an end.”

The bill was expected to receive a committee hearing in the House, but passage could be complicated given House Speaker Dan Hawkins of Wichita is a GOP candidate for state insurance commissioner.

Sen. Tim Shallenburger, a Baxter Springs Republican who worked for two years on drafting the bill, said the Legislature needed to push back against PBMs, including the PBM operated by BCBS of Kansas.

“This a terrible system we have,” Shallenburger said. “It’s not just transparency. We’re looking for equity. There is no reason a PBM should direct my benefit to an out-of-state pharmacy, pay them more money than they’re paying the Walker Pharmacy at home. It’s just not fair.”

He praised Senate President Ty Masterson and Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, both Republicans, for allowing the bill to come to the Senate floor for debate. Masterson and Blasi were among the eight GOP senators voting against the measure.

“Many times in this building good ideas don’t have a chance of a hearing. If they do have a hearing, they don’t have a vote,” Shallenburger said. “I hope the body across the rotunda takes the opportunity to have a hearing and a vote on this bill.”

Kansas Senate plunges ahead with bipartisan bill targeting prescription drug middlemen

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/michelle-l-price">MICHELLE L. PRICE</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was raising the global tariff he wants to impose to 15%, up from 10% he had announced a day earlier.

Trump said in a social media post that he was making the decision “Based on a thorough, detailed, and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision on Tariffs issued yesterday,” by the U.S. Supreme Court.

After the court ruled he didn’t have the emergency power to impost many sweeping tariffs, Trump signed an executive order on Friday night that enabled him to bypass Congress and impose a 10% tax on imports from around the world. The catch is that those tariffs would be limited to just 150 days, unless they are extended legislatively.

Trump’s post significantly ratcheting up a global tax on imports to the U.S. yet again was the latest sign that despite the court’s check, the Republican president was intent on continuing to wield in an unpredictable manner his favorite tool to for the economy and to apply global pressure. Trump’s shifting announcements over the last year that he was raising and sometimes lowering tariffs with little notice jolted markets and rattled nations.

Under the order Trump signed Friday night, the 10% tariff was scheduled to take effect starting Feb. 24. The White House did not immediately respond to a message inquiring when the president would sign an updated order.

In addition to the temporary tariffs that Trump wants to set at 15%, the president said Friday that he was also pursuing tariffs through other sections of federal law which require an investigation by the Commerce Department.

President Trump to impose 15% tariff, up from 10% he announced after Supreme Court decision

Authorities trying to solve the disappearance of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;say they might tap DNA genealogy databases, the same step that police took to unravel a decades-old series of murders in California and the fatal stabbings of four college students in Idaho.

The strategy could be fruitful: If unidentified DNA evidence can be connected to someone — even a distant relative — in a common genealogy database, it would give investigators more information and possibly lead to a suspect in Guthrie’s kidnapping in Arizona.

“It’s a fantastic tool,” said Ruth Ballard, a geneticist in California who specializes in DNA and has testified in hundreds of court cases. “If it’s a good quality sample and they’re able to get a profile, they could find a hit on that fairly quickly.”

The sheriff's department in Pima County, Arizona, said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-guthrie-missing-savannah-guthrie-aadbb20a613491c10373f55ba33d1831">DNA collected so far</a>&nbsp;in the investigation has not turned up any matches in a national criminal justice database known as CODIS, which has DNA profiles from convicted criminals and, in some states, people arrested for certain crimes.

“Investigators are currently looking into additional investigative genetic genealogy options for DNA evidence to check for matches. CODIS is one option of many databases that are available,” the sheriff's department said Tuesday.

The department said Wednesday that biological evidence from Guthrie's Tucson-area home was being examined and that DNA profiles were at a lab for analysis.

Guthrie, the mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing from her home since Feb. 1. The FBI said gloves found about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away appeared to match those worn by a masked suspect who was recorded on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-guthrie-nest-camera-footage-kidnapper-bd5f1d886543e23f2d105535031c9445">porch camera</a>.

Genealogy sites Ancestry, 23andMe and MyHeritage say they can be asked to comply with court orders seeking information. Another site, GEDmatch, said its policy is to ask users if they want to opt in to allow police to look at their data. The Associated Press e-mailed the companies, asking if they have a role in the Guthrie investigation.

GEDmatch has been credited with helping solve the case of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-ca-state-wire-us-news-08a241b485d1d7be03f62293e2da3277">so-called Golden State Killer</a>. Police used DNA from crime scenes to find a distant relative and build a family tree that led to Joseph DeAngelo Jr. In 2020, he pleaded guilty to 13 killings and dozens of rapes in California in the 1970s and '80s. He is serving life in prison without possibility of parole.

Barbara Rae-Venter, an expert genealogist who worked on the DeAngelo case, said patience often is needed in high-tech sleuthing.

“I’ve solved cases in less than eight hours where people shared a lot of DNA with the suspect. Other cases, you’re still working on them two years later. This could take awhile,” Rae-Venter told CNN, referring to the Guthrie effort.

In Idaho, DNA from a knife sheath helped point to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/bryan-kohberger-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-without-parole-for-murdering-4-idaho-students-a5e895b16155474ea89d258bf450a84d">Bryan Kohberger</a>&nbsp;in the killings of four University of Idaho students in 2022. Investigators used genealogy sites to build a family tree and pulled trash from the Pennsylvania home of Kohberger's parents to make a connection. Kohberger pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.

Ballard said the source and quality of the DNA evidence held by police can be factors when trying to find matches on genealogy sites.

“It does require a much better sample than CODIS searching does,” she said.

“There are a lot of unknowns when you go into these databases,” Ballard said. “The databases are not equal in terms of ethnic distribution. It’s comparatively easier to find a Caucasian because more have uploaded their data and there are more family trees to mine.”

Police in Nancy Guthrie mystery might tap DNA genealogy databases

Officers with the Hutchinson Police Department responded to a reported shooting near 4th Avenue and Whiteside Street shortly after 8:15 p.m. Friday.

Dayton Gates confirmed officers were dispatched to a shooting call in the area. When officers arrived at the K-Go convenience store, they located a female victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Her condition has not been released.

Police: Kan. woman wounded in shooting at convenience store

WASHINGTON —The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs in a 6-3 decision on Friday.

On social media, Kansas Junior U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote, "President Trump’s tariffs secured 10 trade deals, brought supply chains back to America, and strengthened our national security. This decision is disappointing — but it won’t stop him from using every tool available to fight for American workers, rebuild U.S. manufacturing, and put America First."

During a press conference Friday afternoon, President Trump said he will impose a global 10% tariff as an alternative while pressing his trade policies by other means.&nbsp;

Kan. lawmakers react to court ruling on President Trump's tariffs

On Friday at the direction of U.S. Southern Command&nbsp; Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, according to an online report from the U.S. Southern Command.

Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed.

🎥 3 more killed after new U.S. strike on a drug boat

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City man was charged with child pornography offenses in a now-unsealed federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.

Luis Leony Valentin, 34, was charged by federal criminal complaint with production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography over the internet, and possession of child pornography. Following his arrest Valentin had his first appearance in court.

An affidavit filed with the complaint alleges that Valentin communicated over the internet with a 14-year-old to obtain depictions of the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Valentin possessed numerous videos of child pornography of minor females.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and the FBI.

Sex crimes: KC man communicated online with 14-year-old

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/matt-brown">MATT BROWN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/lisa-mascaro">LISA MASCARO</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The late Rev. Jesse Jackson will not lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda after a request for the commemoration was denied by the House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office due to past precedent.

Johnson’s office said it received a request from the family to have Jackson’s remains lie in honor at the Capitol, but the request was denied, because of the precedent that the space is typically reserved for former presidents, the military and select officials.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jesse-jackson-dies-43abb84d2ffc76d967f9a5596ebd0be1">civil rights leader died this week</a>&nbsp;at the age of 84. The family and some House Democrats had filed a request for Jackson to be honored at the U.S. Capitol.

Amid the country’s political divisions, there have been flare ups over who is memorialized at the Capitol with a service to lie in state, or honor, in the Rotunda. During such events, the public is generally allowed to visit the Capitol and pay their respects.

Recent requests had similarly been made, and denied, to honor Charlie Kirk, the slain conservative activist, and former Vice President Dick Cheney.

There is no specific rule about who qualifies for the honor, a decision that is controlled by concurrence from both the House and Senate.

The Jackson family&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jesse-jackson-memorial-funeral-south-carolina-washington-dc690a5153483549898d1dfc548015bb">has announced scheduled dates</a>&nbsp;for memorial services beginning next week that will honor the late reverend’s life in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and South Carolina. In a statement, the Jackson family said it had heard from leaders in both South Carolina, Jackson’s native state, and Washington offering for Jackson to be celebrated in both locations. Talks are ongoing with lawmakers about where those proceedings will take place. His final memorial services will be held in Chicago on March 6 and 7.

Typically, the Capitol and its Rotunda have been reserved for the “most eminent citizens,” according to the Architect of the Capitol’s website. It said government and military officials lay in state, while private citizens in honor.

In 2020, Congressman John Lewis, another veteran of the Civil Rights movement, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-ap-top-news-race-and-ethnicity-michael-pence-dc-wire-49f76cd3296678f9c5645250b6b8b13b">the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda</a>&nbsp;after a ceremony honoring his legacy was held outside on the Capitol steps due to pandemic restrictions at the time.

Later that year, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi allowed services for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Capitol’s Statuary Hall after agreement could not be reached for services in the Capitol’s Rotunda.

It is rare for private citizens to be honored at the Capitol, but there is precedent – most notably Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks, in 2005, and the Reverend Billy Graham, in 2018.

A passionate civil rights leader and globally-minded humanitarian, Jackson’s fiery speeches and dual 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jesse-jackson-dead-8ed88b7da0b911ed842f3c219cee77e8">transformed American politics for generations</a>. Jackson’s organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, became a hub for progressive organizers across the country.

His unapologetic calls for a progressive economic agenda and more inclusive policies for all racial groups, religions, genders and orientations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jesse-jackson-legacy-politics-race-ethnicity-7c88b376fbfc94697f2b57797edb24bf">laid the groundwork for the progressive movement</a>&nbsp;within the Democratic Party.

Jackson also garnered a global reputation as a champion for human rights. He conducted the release of American hostages on multiple continents and argued for greater connections between civil rights movements around the world, most notably as a fierce critic of the policies of Apartheid South Africa.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements