By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Protestors gathered Sunday afternoon in Hays, voicing opposition to ICE deportation efforts following the shooting of a&nbsp;Minneapolis woman.

A<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events_invite_off_fb/link_sharing/4516540295296628/?inviter_id=16819363&amp;token=Xi28jlg30kdadUVcKedBQlK0ez-mCwmuptfqMbaCZos&amp;mibextid&amp;__cft__[0]=AZZbzrv45gVwdooUx1M4NNvBhvC-gBtflkyFUdZuZJQICEiCQBumId5kAbtwyaF0DoS7Tupr_W2rB3qZLIyo6kjDEcKLxYNMPZ9wdbZEuoxSAMCPqCPtIddawmC1KAznK97NWSDBzbaHyLLj9rxwVrpywGYr2g4GJPAtffZy1S8wsfHOs4DHy9YJXcCSEkgX8TY&amp;__tn__=H-R"> Facebook event page</a> said the demonstration was organized to oppose cruelty, militarized enforcement and the normalization of violence in communities.

The protest was held in solidarity with events in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Macklin Good was shot and killed by a U.S. ICE officer.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/29daa820-ea39-4dfc-82ca-0d9b6c7cda0f">SEE RELATED STORY: Woman killed by ICE agent was mother who had moved from Kansas City to Minneapolis</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d94d8a86-453f-43fb-b84a-6cc0c66d3b2a">SEE RELATED STORY: ICE officer who shot woman in Minneapolis identified in court records</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2802ff35-afaa-467d-a385-f53f0869e47f">SEE RELATED STORY: White House releases phone video from ICE agent before fatal shooting</a>

Janae Morton said she attended the protest because she believes the current state of the country calls on people everywhere to take a stand.

"I think in western Kansas, a lot of times we think we're immune to what happens in bigger cities and places across the country, but we're not," Morton said.

Morton described the Minneapolis incident as a murder.

"The federal government murdered a citizen in broad daylight, and they're lying about it. I don't think there's really anything to argue or debate, even if what she did was wrong," she said. "They're federal ICE agents and couldn't detain her. She was a citizen."

Morton said immigration enforcement should be carried out legally and humanely and called for easier pathways to citizenship.

"I don't think ripping people away from their families and throwing them violently out of the only home that most of them have ever known is the right way to handle it," she said.

Allie Baranowski said she attended the rally in support of Rene Good and criticized ICE's deportation tactics.

"They're awful," Baranowski said. "They're taking people out of courtrooms."

She said children are also being picked up at schools.

"They're picking areas where people are going about their normal lives," she said.

Allie Baranowski also criticized ICE for carrying firearms and questioned why agents operate with masks instead of having their faces in open view.

Gary Brinker said he also opposes current deportation practices.

"It's a milestone in what ICE is getting away with and what the federal government is getting away with," Brinker said. "It's one of those points where I hope someday enough people put their foot down to stop it."

Brinker said immigration laws were originally designed to exploit immigrants and that the country benefits from undocumented workers.

"They work for less money, and so we pay lower prices because of them. I think that's one reason prices are going up, because all the people who are replacing [immigrants] want more money, and that's what makes prices go up," he said.

Brinker and Baranowski said they support deporting violent criminals. Morton said it is essential to keep an open mind and avoid being influenced by agendas pushed by either side.

"We need to use common sense. We need to appeal to our own empathy and humanity," she said. "The violence that ICE officers are committing is not right. They need to go through legal channels, do it the appropriate way and not be violent."

📷 Hays residents stand with Minneapolis after ICE agent fatally shoots woman

TMP-Marian v Hill City Monday, Jan. 12th, 6 p.m Hays, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KHAZ (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Monarchs Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/3315092">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The TMP-Marian Monarchs return to Mid-Continent League play Monday night against the Hill City Ringnecks.&nbsp;

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

🏀🎥 TMP return to MCL action against Hill City

Russell County Road and Bridge Department

The Russell County Road and Bridge Department will reduce a portion of Highway 40 to one lane, at the Pioneer/Old 40 transition curve, starting today through Wednesday, Jan. 14, for a culvert installation. Portable signal lights will be in place to direct traffic. Please reduce speeds within the construction area.

Also, the Russell County Road and Bridge Department will close a portion of 15th St., from 181st to 182nd St., starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, for bridge repairs. Repairs are expected to be completed by 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route and be mindful of construction in the area. For your safety and the safety of the workers, please obey signage and do not drive around barricades.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Justin Mermis, Russell County Public Works Director, at 785-483-4032.

Portion of Highway 40 in Russell County to go to one lane for drainage work

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Liebenthal public water supply system located in Rush County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on January 12, 2026, and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of an equipment failure resulting in the city being unable to currently maintain the minimum required chlorine residual. Failure to maintain required chlorine residual levels may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-222-6122, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&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/1/0100019bb3e0095c-14361626-cce4-408f-a1c6-473cb90a591c-000000/x7cPElx69EpajapUu1IETX0iYJGQA1iEBLuom75Jm_0=439">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>

Restaurants and other food establishment&nbsp; that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

Boil Water Advisory Issued for city of Liebenthal, Rush County

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission will hear an update on the county's Rural Opportunity Zone status during its 8:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.

Although the county was designated as one in 2021, changes in state law mean it is no longer eligible for the program starting this year.

Designation under the program can help reduce the cost of living and provide financial incentives to new residents, including student loan repayment assistance and a five-year state income tax waiver.

The county must continue making payments to previously approved student loan program participants as long as they remain eligible.

Generally accepted accounting principles

The commission will be asked to approve a resolution requesting a waiver from generally accepted accounting principles.

If the county does not waive the standards, it would need to hire staff to manage the additional workload. Approving the waiver would not affect the county’s ability to issue bonds in 2026.

Commissioners will be asked to approve a resolution adjusting salaries for elected officials for 2026.

The adjustments follow a countywide pay study and a 2024 compensation policy, ensuring elected officials’ salaries remain competitive with market rates.

The commission will be asked to approve a resolution to update and formally establish a county policy for moving buildings, structures and other oversized loads on county roads.

The commission will be asked to renew the appointment of Ellis County EMS Director Danita Schroeder to the Region One EMS Council.

Bobbi Dreiling, county clerk, will request approval and signage of the 2026 departmental inventory report.

Commissioners will be asked to approve updated job descriptions for the public works department and the solid waste division.

You can view the full agenda <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-721">here</a>.

Ellis County no longer be eligible for Rural Opportunity Zone

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

Kansas crude prices post mixed messages, up two dollars on the week, but still hovering near five-year lows.&nbsp; Kansas crude prices spiked on Friday to post a two-dollar weekly gain.&nbsp; &nbsp; Kansas Common starts the week at $49.25 per barrel.&nbsp; Prices at CHS in McPherson dipped to five-year lows below $50, and stayed there, beginning in mid-November. Crude futures prices in New York also posted two percent gains Friday.

Year-end analysis by The Energy Information Administration shows global prices dropping from a monthly average of $79 per barrel in January to a low of $63 per barrel in December. That's the lowest monthly average for Brent crude since early 2021. The annual average last year was just $69 a barrel, which is the lowest since 2020. EIA estimates global production outpaced consumption all year, prompting one of the biggest inventory build-ups in 25 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Operators in Kansas drilled 781 wells to total depth last year, down 587 wells or 43% from the year before. Independent Oil and Gas Service reported Overall oilfield activity dropped 37%, and the number of active operators to drill a well was 189, down from 258 the year before. Operators here completed 18 wells this week including one wildcat well, and one service well in Ellis County.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service lists 14 active drilling rigs. Seven are east of Wichita, which is up two, and seven are in Western Kansas, which is down two. The statewide tally is down more than six percent from last month, and 22 percent lower than a year ago. Drilling was underway or about to begin on a lease in Russell County.

At 544 active rigs, the weekly Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes drops by three oil rigs and one gas rig. Louisiana is down three rigs for the week; Utah is up four. Wyoming is down one; Colorado is up one.&nbsp; Texas, New Mexico and North Dakota each drop by one rig.

Over the long haul, the top three producers are reporting production increases despite declining rig counts. Texas is down 52 rigs from a year ago. North Dakota is down by ten rigs from the same week last year. New Mexico is down just three rigs, year-over-year. A few states are posting year-over-year increases. Louisiana is up ten rigs from a year ago. Utah is up six rigs. Ohio posts an increase of five rigs over last year.

US crude-oil production drops slightly this week but remains over 13.8 million.&nbsp; Production is a quarter million daily barrels higher than the same week last year.&nbsp; The Energy Information Administration reports the four-week average is also over 13.8 million barrels per day.

Commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) decreased by 3.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 419.1 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% below the five year average for this time of year.

The government adds another 200,000 barrels to the Strategic Petroleum Reserves, which now total more than 413 million barrels. That's an increase of nearly 20 million barrels or five percent in the last year.

Crude imports are up nearly 1.5 million barrels per day from last week at just under 6.4 million barrels a day.&nbsp; The four week average is down about ten percent from a year ago. Crude exports are up nearly a million barrels a day. Refined product exports beat last week by half a million barrels a day. Product exports surpass the tally a year ago by 1.4 million, and beat the year before that by two million barrels a day.

News from the Oil Patch: Crude prices post mixed messages

Ellis County Jail bookings: Jan. 4-10, 2026

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: Jan. 4-10, 2026

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

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

How to submit an obituary to the Hays Post

Please email obituaries to haysobits@eaglemedia.com.

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

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

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

Recent obituaries, how to submit an obituary

Tony Guerrero, news reporter, talks with Kim Cebula, Fort Hays State University alumni director, and John Armstrong, admissions director, about Student Recognition Programs and recruitment at the university.

🎙 Post Podcast: FHSU Alumni Office on student recruitment programs

SENIOR All A Honor Roll Gracie Ball, Elie Brull, Ethan Carroll, Jaren Frickey, Ashlyn Kroeger, Kia Mader, Gus Peine (KAMS), Owen Richards, Carson Schartz, Sienna Schmidt, Kinzie Sunley

A-B Honor Roll Avery Boydston, Payten Burd, Brody Fischer, Leah Reed, Mason Rohleder, Tayler Schmid

JUNIOR All A Honor Roll Madison Birdsong, Jocelyn Eck, Maggie Fitzgerald, Taylor Kohl, Evelyn Merriman, Colton Metzler

A-B Honor Roll Aiden Aschenbrenner, Baylor Born, Braidyn Cox, Cody Cullison, Wyatt Dixson, Jersee Fabrizius, Jacob Luea

SOPHOMORE All A Honor Roll Rylan Aschenbrenner, Dora Bencze, Haylee Comer, Emma Downing, Hannah James, Arien LaDuke, Talon Pyle, Mackinley Rhoden

A-B Honor Roll Asher Haag, Jaxin Howland, Lyla Richards, Trenton Schartz, Journey Swagerty, Westin Vine

FRESHMAN All A Honor Roll Cayson Boydston, Taryn Boydston, Henry Brull

A-B Honor Roll Nora Andrews, Skylynn Begler, Maggie Downing, Emma Flax, Addalyn Haas, Kooper Hankins, Hunter Honas, Beckett Longbine, Colt McCoy, Chevelle Morton, Amethyst Moses, Carter Starns

8th Grade All A Honor Roll Charly Amrein, Brody Armbrister, Lux Bell, Derek Flax, Lona Guffey, Hailey McMillan, Addilyn Priest, Caleb Schield, Myles Vine

A-B Honor Roll Lane Dixson, Presley Eaton, Brandon Gilbert, Jadyn Hann, Brayden Hept, Jonathan Luea, Adalyn Nilhas, Josey Schoenthaler, Lane Shannon, Elijah Wagner

7th Grade All A Honor Roll Judah Albin, Chase Aschenbrenner, Luke James, Brielyn Keller

A-B Honor Roll Gabriel Ball, Kraytyn Blide, Andrew Corbett, Isabelle Fondoble, Brigham Hankins, Jaxon Henman, Katie Hines, Breckyn Honas, Collin Howard, Beckem Jimenez, Graeme Matzke, Clancy McCaffery, Lula McCaffery, Gage Robins, Sophie Seibel, Cade Starns, Maverick Swagerty, Mason Yunker

Ellis High School 2025-2026 semester one honor roll

Ellis Fire Department pancake fundraiser set for Jan. 29

&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

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in this year’s first Virtual Statewide Job Fair, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 22.

“The new year is all about new doors opening and new opportunities on the horizon,” Toland said. “And what better way to kickstart your new year than exploring the wide array of fulfilling career opportunities available in Kansas.”

The Virtual Job Fair format allows anyone searching for a new job to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.

This month’s Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as they might be asked to engage in an interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation by contacting their nearest workforce center at 877-509-6757 prior to the event.

Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fapp.premiervirtual.com%2Fevents%2F4fa13887-56f5-4f70-8a8e-15ad40a883d7%2Fkansasworks-virtual-statewide-job-fair-january-22,-2026/1/0101019b9e565055-72d4cf41-20e4-4c41-9820-f0a8bc7fed66-000000/v50bB3OSjtVIxQCAmWqClvLzUIj5ESUlPUK-Dr4ubFE=439">here</a>.

Commerce hosts first Virtual Job Fair of new year with new opportunities

Join us as we kick off the Hays Concert Series with a special Lovegrass Music Festival fundraiser on March 14 at the Hays Community Theatre!

Tickets are on sale now at <a target="_blank" href="https://lovegrassmusicfestival.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=05689fbd61bb2baeb0642f1e0&amp;id=66906f2319&amp;e=ad2f5727f7">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;

&nbsp;Doors at 6:00 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. at the Hays Community Theatre, 121 E. 8th.&nbsp;

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 kicks off in Hays with fundraiser on March 14

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we work to make drop-off and pick-up as smooth and safe as possible.

Morning Drop-Off: Please continue using both lanes.

Inside lane (next to the school): You may drop your student off anywhere along the sidewalk, even past the raised crosswalk and all the way to the north end of the building. The more vehicles that pull forward, the quicker the line moves.

Outside lane: For safety reasons, students should exit only at the raised concrete area by the stop sign.We also ask that you continue entering from Hays Way to reduce congestion at 13th &amp; Canterbury. With both lanes in front of HMS being used, we saw a noticeable improvement this morning, and this should continue to help traffic move efficiently.

Thank you again for your patience, flexibility, and support as everyone adjusts to this system. We truly appreciate you.

Hays Middle School offers traffic update

SCHEDULE CHANGE: Tonight’s varsity high school basketball games vs. Sacred Heart will begin at 5 p.m.. The girls' varsity game will tip off at 5 p.m., followed by the boys' varsity game. JV/C games will not be played.

TMP basketball schedule change for tonight

The annual Hays Holy Family Elementary School Chili Supper &amp; Bazaar will be held Sunday, January 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the school, 1800 Milner.&nbsp;

The event includes a book fair, bingo, game room, cake walk, Feed the Pig, raffle and silent auction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Chili Supper &amp; Bazaar is one of the largest fundraisers held to support Holy Family Elementary School every year. Each dollar raised directly affects our educational efforts for the 380+ students in our school as well as helps us maintain a safe environment for our students, staff, and visitors.

Silent auction items are still being sought for donation. For more information call Kelsey Konz at 785-410-8668.

Holy Family Elementary annual Chili Supper, Bazaar Jan. 25

Thank you for your patience and cooperation with drop-off and pick-up. We know the past few days have been frustrating, and we truly appreciate your flexibility as we continue working to make the process smoother. Today was already better, and we expect things to keep improving.

Morning Drop-Off (Drop-Off Only): To help traffic move more quickly, please use both lanes, even though they are not marked. ( We will get lanes marked when weather improves.)Inside lane (next to the school): You may drop off your student anywhere along the lane. Students can walk on the sidewalk to the gym commons entrance.Outside lane: Please pull up to the crosswalk area with the stop signs before letting your student out.Using both lanes consistently will help speed up the entire drop-off process.

Afternoon Pick-Up: To keep traffic flowing and ensure student safety:Please do not park and wait in the inside lane. If your student isn’t ready, pull into the parking lot or loop back around.The outside lane must remain a through lane. Students should not enter vehicles from the outside lane for safety reasons.

Crossing 13th Street: If your student walks home and needs to cross 13th, please remind them to use one of the two designated crosswalks and press the crossing button. This keeps traffic moving safely and protects students from dangerous crossings.Thank you again for your understanding, patience, and support as we work through these improvements. We truly appreciate you.Go Indians!

Hays Middle School offers direction on new student pick up, drop off

'The Feast' fundraiser for Codell Community Church Feb. 7

KANSAS CITY — Kansas man has been charged for his role in a fatal shooting that occurred on East Interstate 70 Highway in 2022.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2797/Daimon-Benson-Complaint--PC">Daimon Benson</a>&nbsp;faces one count of 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Shoot at/from Motor Vehicle, at Person, Motor Vehicle or Building, Resulting in Death or Injury, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

On October 21, 2022, Kansas City police responded to a shooting on East Interstate 70 at Interstate 29 and located a crashed white Toyota Camry. Officers found a female victim in the driver’s seat suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. She was later pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital, according to court records.

Based on several investigative leads, detectives determined a gray Dodge Charger began chasing the Toyota at a high rate of speed after the Toyota cut off the Charger. An individual in the passenger seat of the Charger, later determined to be Benson allegedly fired into the Toyota. The Toyota crashed and the Charger fled the scene.

Benson told detectives he did not remember having any involvement in the 2022 shooting but estimated to have shot about 400 people. He estimated he has shot about ten people every month from inside a vehicle.&nbsp;

The defendant was a juvenile at the time of the shooting and was certified&nbsp; in Family Court.

He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond. The defendant is a SAVE KC client and did not attend a call-in.&nbsp;

Kansas man shot and killed woman driver on I-70 

MIAMI COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple drug allegations after a drug bust at a property in northeast Kansas.

Just before 8:30a.m. January 8, police executed a narcotics search warrant at 140 14th Street in Osawatomie, according to a media release from police. The residence had been under investigation for several months following reports to law enforcement alleging the sale of narcotics by an individual who lived at the residence.

After establishing probable cause that narcotics were sold on the property, investigators, with their approved search warrant, took 61-year-old Gary L. Burnett into custody. He was living in the detached garage located behind the main residence.&nbsp;

A search of the garage resulted in the seizure of meth, scales, a firearm, drug paraphernalia and additional items related to the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;pachaging and sale of narcotics.

Barnett is being held in the Miami County Jail on requested charges that include distribution of meth within 1000 feet of a school, using a phone to arrange the sale of narcotics, no drug tax stamp affixed,&nbsp; possession of meth with intent to distribute, felony possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Police: Kan. felon was selling drugs from garage on property

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s feud with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has escalated into a Department of Justice investigation, raising alarm bells among some Republicans in the Senate, where Trump will need broad backing from GOP lawmakers to get his choice for the next Fed chairman approved after Powell’s term ends in May.

Retiring North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who sits on the narrowly divided Banking Committee that will hold hearings on the next nominee, wrote in a statement he won’t approve anyone to fill Powell’s seat if Trump or administration officials try to further erode its independence.&nbsp;

“If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none,” Tillis wrote. “It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.”

Tillis added he plans to “oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed—including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy—until this legal matter is fully resolved.”

Trump has criticized Powell repeatedly since retaking the Oval Office in January, pressing him to reduce interest rates faster and signaling he wanted to fire him.&nbsp;

Powell said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/powell20260111a.htm" target="_blank">a video</a>&nbsp;released this weekend that Justice Department officials on Friday “served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas, threatening a criminal indictment related to my testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last June.”

Powell alleged the DOJ investigation is not purely about oversight of the multi-year renovation project at the Fed’s offices in Washington, D.C., but “a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president.”

“This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation,” Powell said.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-nomination-jerome-powell-chairman-board-governors-federal-reserve-system/" target="_blank">first nominated</a>&nbsp;Powell to be chairman of the Federal Reserve in November 2017 for a four-year term that began in February 2018, writing in a statement that Powell had “demonstrated steady leadership, sound judgment, and policy expertise.”

“Mr. Powell will bring to the Federal Reserve a unique background of Government service and business experience,” Trump wrote. “He previously served as Under Secretary at the Department of Treasury in the administration of President George H.W. Bush. Mr. Powell also has nearly three decades of business experience.”

The Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1152/vote_115_2_00019.htm" target="_blank">voted 84-13</a>&nbsp;in January 2018 to confirm Powell to the role.&nbsp;

President Joe Biden re-nominated Powell in November 2021 for another four-year term that began in May 2022 after the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00176.htm" target="_blank">voted 80-19</a>&nbsp;to confirm him for a second time.&nbsp;

Trump hasn’t said publicly whom he will nominate to succeed Powell as Fed chairman, but whoever he picks will need to move past the Senate Banking Committee in order to receive a confirmation vote on the floor and actually take on the role.&nbsp;

The Banking Committee holds 13 Republicans and 11 Democrats, giving Tillis considerable leverage to block any Trump nominee from advancing if all of the Democrats on the panel also vote against reporting that person to the floor.&nbsp;

Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, ranking member on the committee, wrote in a statement that “Trump is abusing the authorities of the Department of Justice like a wannabe dictator so the Fed serves his interests, along with his billionaire friends.”&nbsp;

“As Donald Trump prepares to nominate a new Fed Chair, he wants to push Jerome Powell off the Fed Board for good and install another sock puppet to complete his corrupt takeover of America’s central bank,” Warren wrote. “This Committee and the Senate should not move forward with any Trump nominee for the Fed, including Fed Chair.”

Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., had not released any public statements about the Department of Justice investigation into Powell as of Monday morning.&nbsp;

Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who isn’t on the committee, released a written statement after speaking with Powell on Monday morning, saying “it’s clear the administration’s investigation is nothing more than an attempt at coercion.”&nbsp;

“If the Department of Justice believes an investigation into Chair Powell is warranted based on project cost overruns—which are not unusual—then Congress needs to investigate the Department of Justice,” Murkowski wrote. “The stakes are too high to look the other way: if the Federal Reserve loses its independence, the stability of our markets and the broader economy will suffer. My colleague, Senator Tillis, is right in blocking any Federal Reserve nominees until this is resolved.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a statement the Justice Department’s actions represent “the kind of bullying that we’ve all come to expect from Donald Trump and his cronies.”&nbsp;

“Anyone who is independent and doesn’t just fall in line behind Trump gets investigated,” Schumer wrote. “Jay Powell and the Fed aren’t the reason Trump’s economy and his poll numbers are in the toilet. If he’s looking for the person who caused that he should look in the mirror.”

Former Federal Reserve chairmen, Treasury secretaries and White House economic advisers released&nbsp;<a href="https://jointstatement.substack.com/p/statement-on-the-federal-reserve" target="_blank">a written statement</a>&nbsp;that the Fed’s “independence and the public’s perception of that independence are critical for economic performance, including achieving the goals Congress has set for the Federal Reserve of stable prices, maximum employment, and moderate long-term interest rates.”

“The reported criminal inquiry into Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell is an unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine that independence,” they wrote. “This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly. It has no place in the United States whose greatest strength is the rule of law, which is at the foundation of our economic success.”

​​US Senate Republicans defend independence of the Fed after DOJ launches Powell probe

SEDGWICK COUNTY— The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office updated the investigation involving the recovery of a body from Lake Afton on Saturday, Jan. 10.

The Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center has positively identified the remains as those of 30-year-old Ian Alexander Shelton, who had been reported missing in the early morning hours of Dec. 3, 2025.

The cause of death is still under investigation, with additional testing pending. This case remains an open and active investigation.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the family and friends of Ian Alexander Shelton during this difficult time.

Sheriff: Body found in lake identified as missing Kansas man

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of an infant an have nade an arres.

Just after 7:30a.m. Monday, police&nbsp;&nbsp;responded to a single-family residence in central Salina for a medical call involving an unknown disturbance, according to Salina Police Lt. Andrew Ziegler.

Officers and Medics arrived and contacted the occupants of that home. Just prior to the call to police, one of those occupants had discovered their 5-month-old male unresponsive in their crib, according to Ziegler. 

Both adult occupants of the home were interviewed by Salina Police Detectives. Adyson Burr, 21 years of age and resident of that address, has been arrested on a requested charge with 1 count of 1st Degree Homicide and 1 count of Child Abuse.&nbsp;

An autopsy to be performed in Kansas City later this week.

Police: Kan. woman arrested in death of 5-month old boy

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street ticked to more records Monday after bouncing back from losses taken because of worries about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-federal-reserve-d87eedf1e35195957f903f9963aeaf99">worsening feud</a>&nbsp;between the White House and the Federal Reserve, one that experts warn could lead to higher inflation in the future.

The S&amp;P 500 tacked 0.2% onto&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-trump-oil-ai-d6cf868b23a814a3a2038aca24a0de93">its prior all-time high</a>&nbsp;set on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average recovered an early loss of nearly 500 points and added 86, or 0.2%, to its own record, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.3%.

Some nervousness was still evident in the market, though, amid concern that the Fed may be on the path to less independence in setting interest rates to keep inflation under control. Prices for gold and other investments that tend to do well when investors are nervous rose, while the value of the U.S. dollar dipped against other currencies.

Walmart helped drive the U.S. stock market higher despite the worries. It climbed 3% after learning that its stock will join the widely followed Nasdaq 100 index. Google also said Sunday that it’s expanding the shopping features in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-gemini-ai-shopping-checkout-walmart-f1679240ba93d40b90a97348b73039d3">AI chatbot by teaming up with Walmart</a>&nbsp;and several other big retailers.

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, rose 1% to bring its total market value above $4 trillion following a torrid run aided by its artificial-intelligence offerings.

They helped offset losses for a slight majority of stocks within the S&amp;P 500. Leading them all were credit card companies after President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-credit-cards-interest-rates-savings-banks-dba221f122789427c1c625ba873c9b71">Trump threatened moves</a>&nbsp;that could eat into their profit.

Synchrony Financial fell 8.4%, Capital One Financial sank 6.4% and American Express dropped 4.3%. They weakened after Trump said he wanted to put a 10% cap on credit card interest rates for a year.

But it was a separate move involving Washington that grabbed the most attention across financial markets. Over the weekend, the Federal Reserve’s chair said the U.S. Department of Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-trump-subpoena-bf4fc6c690fa248fbc531bc9bc7f1758">subpoenaed the Fed</a>&nbsp;and threatened a criminal indictment over his testimony about renovations at its headquarters.

Through an unusual video statement released on Sunday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said his testimony and the renovations are “pretexts” for the threat of criminal charges, which he said is really “a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President.”

The Fed has been locked in a feud with Trump, who has loudly called for lower interest rates to make borrowing cheaper for U.S. households and companies and give the economy a kickstart. The Fed did lower its main interest rate three times last year and indicated more cuts may arrive this year, but it’s moved deliberately enough that Trump has nicknamed Powell “Too Late.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that Trump did not direct his Justice Department to investigate Powell.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-independence-5c2ec1a37dc4aca6a59544f8b4513a45">Fed has traditionally operated separately</a>&nbsp;from the rest of Washington, making its decisions without having to bend to political whims. Such independence, the thinking goes, gives it the freedom to keep interest rates high when necessary to drive down high inflation, even if it slows the economy and frustrates politicians looking to please voters.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury briefly rose to 4.21%, up from 4.18% late Friday, amid concerns that a less independent Fed could lead to higher inflation over the longer term. But it later eased back to 4.18%.

The worries also hit the value of the U.S. dollar, which slipped 0.4% against the euro and 0.6% against the Swiss franc.

Analysts said financial markets shook off the concerns about the Fed’s independence for several potential reasons. Traders could see “a limitation to the White House’s success in getting its way,” according to Thierry Wizman, a strategist at Macquarie Group, because Congress could deny confirmation of any nominees for the Fed from the White House.

“It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question,” Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, said on social media. “I will oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed—including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy—until this legal matter is fully resolved.”

Trump has already criticized the Fed sharply, and he’s trying at the moment to fire Fed Gov. Lisa Cook, but the Fed’s rate-setting committee still seems to be acting independently.

Plus, this latest move could encourage Powell to stay on at the Fed as a governor until his term expires in 2028, even though his term as chair will end in May, said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management.

“With the political pressure on the Fed, he may choose to stay on as a governor out of spite,” he said. “It would deprive President Trump of the ability to stack the board with another appointee.”

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