By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The <a href="https://arcofcentralplains.org/">Arc of the Central Plains </a>celebrated the opening of its new program center for individuals with disabilities.

The Chamber in Hays hosted a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday at the Buffalo Friends &amp; Family Activities Center, 229 W. 10th St.,  formerly the Home Event Center.

Kathy McAdoo, executive director of the Arc of the Central Plains, said the organization outgrew its former space adjacent to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ARCCPThrift">Arc Thrift Store</a>.

"This building was on the market for a long time," McAdoo said. "All of a sudden, the price dropped, and we got a phone call. We weren't looking for a space, although we needed a space for our activities."

In 2024, the Arc board approved about $150,000 for renovations to the 9,000-square-foot building. Tiffany Schulte, the Arc’s director of activities and programs, outlined the organization’s activities and sports programs, noting its growth over time.

"If you include the athletes along with participants who don't do sports, we easily have over 100 participants. Our Christmas party last year, we had close to 110 come for that," Schulte said.

The building will be used for non-sport activities, life-skills programs, community events and storage space, made possible largely by proceeds from the Arc’s Thrift Store at 600 Main St.

"Basically, we're going to make this place a home away from home," Schulte said.

Renovations to the building included added lighting, a railing along the dance floor and a new entrance ramp. The space also features a hangout area with a ping-pong table, pool table, and shelves stocked with board games and books.

The Arc offers Special Olympics programs, including basketball and bowling, for participants ages 8 and older. McAdoo said a group of athletes will travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, this summer to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

Other non-sports activities the Buffaloes take part in include bingo nights, dance parties and Nerf wars. The new Healthy Buffaloes program offers classes every Sunday and focuses on wellness and life skills rather than competition.

McAdoo said the thrift store funds all of the Arc’s programs, including the Buffaloes and its newest initiative, Harvest Hays, which helps individuals develop teamwork skills through farming and opens doors to employment opportunities.&nbsp;

 She thanked those who donate to the store and shop there.

"This is such a blessing in all of our lives and especially for our athletes and our other participants," McAdoo said.

The Arc purchased the building in October 2024, and it wasn't until October 2025 that they moved in.

You can follow the Hays Buffalo Adventures on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ARCACTIVITIES">Facebook page</a>.

Arc of the Central Plains celebrates new activity center in Hays

GriefShare is a support group offering hope and healing to those who have lost a loved&nbsp;one to death. North Oak Community Church is hosting this 13-week grief recovery program&nbsp;beginning February 12, 2026 – May 7, 2026, on Thursdays from 6:00 – 8:00PM at the North&nbsp;Oak Community Church Center, 3002 Northridge Court in Hays, Kansas, 67601.

Each week you will view a 30-minute video filled with helpful guidance, discuss grief-related issues, and gain personal recovery tips through your workbook in a safe, comforting environment.

For more information call North Oak Community Church Office at (785)628-8887 (Mon.-Thurs. 9:00 - 4:30).

GriefShare support group to offer 13-week program at North Oak Community Church

THOMAS COUNTY—Law enforcement in northwest Kansas are investigating six suspects on multiple drug allegations after a drug enforcement investigation.

On Tuesday, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office concluded a six-month investigation into the trafficking and distribution of narcotics in Thomas County, according to&nbsp;Sheriff Joel Nickols.

 As part of this investigation, deputies executed a total of five residential search warrants within Thomas County during December 2025. As the investigation progressed, the Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). 

On January 13, 2026, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office executed two additional search warrants in Colby, Kansas. Deputies served a search warrant on multiple storage units located within the city limits of Colby, while the Kansas Bureau of Investigation simultaneously executed a search warrant at a residence also located in Colby.

As a result of these investigations, multiple pounds of controlled substances were seized. Items recovered included large quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, THC products, psilocybin mushrooms, Suboxone, and other illicit opiates and stimulants. 

A total of six suspects have been arrested in connection with these cases. The sheriff office did not release the names of the suspects or possible charges in the case.

Sheriff: 6 arrested after large drug bust in northwest Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the first time in program history, the Fort Hays State University Tiger Debs Dance Team participated in an official regional competition. They competed in the Dance Team Union Regional held in Kansas City on Saturday, January 10. The Tiger Debs placed second in the College Jazz Category.

The team met their point goal from each judge and had a score of 85.4 out of 100. Tiger Debs coach Annika Carter-Powell said "we are thrilled to continue to grow the program and compete at future regional and national competitions." The team currently consists of nine individuals.

The team is hopeful to compete in a virtual national competition this coming March and has future plans of competing in regional and national competitions in 2027.

Tiger Debs place second in Jazz Category at Dance Team Union Regional

The months after Christmas until mid-to late March are the most difficult of the year in my opinion. 

Spring and summer have always warmed my heart as well as my back as I bend over tomato plants in the garden or flowers growing in their beds. Over time, I learned to love fall with all its color and pre-frigid weather symphonies despite knowing what comes next.

 However, winter is a struggle. It requires effort to celebrate long nights and colorless days.&nbsp;Years ago, an unexpected visitor brightened our lives and gave me a happy memory.

While gazing at our dusty, forlorn yard, wondering how it would survive continued drought, a small brown creature, looking a great deal like a moving piece of bark circling the trunk of our elm, caught my eye. It started at the bottom and moved corkscrew-like up the tree to the suet basket where it stopped to noodle the fatty, seed-laden glob. After feeding, it continued spiraling upward.

At first glance, I thought our newcomer was an out-of-season wren, but it didn’t fly or feed like a wren. It was small and colored much like summer wrens, but I’d never seen those birds maneuver around a tree the way this little guy did while picking delicately with a down-curved bill into bark crevices.

I called in reinforcement — my husband — and we dashed for the bird book and binoculars. I don’t do so well with binocs, so I scanned pages while my other half noted the creature’s long prop-like tail, mottled wing feathers, and unique bobbing flight, much like a woodpecker’s.

After eliminating all possible wrens, we found our fellow on the same page nuthatches occupy. That ID seemed timely as it shared the tree with several of those upside-down crawling avians throughout the morning. 

While nuthatches maneuvered the world in reverse, the brown creeper circled the trunk, poked into nooks and crannies, snacked on suet, and then bobbed beyond our sight. 

According to my bird book, this newcomer is a “common but inconspicuous small woodland bird.” On an internet site, one writer stated, "His head, which is as the sentient handle to a very delicate instrument, is moved with such science, such dentistry, that one feels and appreciates each turn of it."

 The article itself fascinated me as the author published his work in 1948 in a Smithsonian Museum publication. Apparently, brown creepers’ charms include the fact it’s rarely seen with movements so artful one can’t help but fall under its spell.

For two weeks, we made certain the suet basket was filled, even making an emergency stop in Hays when I accidentally bought a seed block instead of suet for the cage-like feeding station. Our visitor rewarded us with frequent returns to that aged elm.

Though temps required me to wear a coat outside, and our trees stood leafless in a yard dry and dusty, my days brightened. I looked forward to seeing that brown creeper sharing our tree with hordes of nuthatches, juncos, flickers, woodpeckers, and a growing flock of chickadees.

Watching this tiny bird charmed away my wintry blues. I only have to think about that memory to brighten the present.

Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: Brown Creeper therapy

<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

Enter NOW through January 31st at 11:59pm for your chance to win a new BigHorn grill + meat bundle, courtesy of Hays City Automotive!&nbsp;

Hays City Auto Grill & Chill Giveaway

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A short agenda for Thursday's Hays City Commission work session includes a 2025 year-in-review update from Grow Hays by Doug Williams, executive director.

Kim Rupp, director of finance, will present recommended revisions to the Comprehensive Financial Management Policy. The last update was in December 2021.

Rupp is suggesting setting a $3 million cap on the budget stabilization reserve fund. 

"History has proven the city’s budgeted unreserved fund balance, commission capital reserve and budget stabilization reserve have been sufficient to fund unforeseen emergency needs," Rupp wrote in a memo to commissioners.

The Jan. 15 agenda is available <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01152026-1590">here</a>. The&nbsp;work session begins at 4 p.m. on Thursday in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

Hays City Commission to hear 2025 review from Grow Hays

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Recent obituaries, how to submit an obituary

A simple bingo game at the Good Samaritan Society in Hays is helping restore residents' sense of independence.

The care home has introduced bingo bucks. Danielle Mietner, activity director, said residents win laminated dollars through bingo games and can use them to purchase items at its "shop."

Meitner said the program is designed to support decision-making for residents, which often gets lost when they move into long-term care.&nbsp;

"When you come into a nursing home, you have somebody else make decisions for you," Meitner said. "You don't have the privileges of being at home. This gives them a little bit of control back."

Residents have used their bingo bucks to purchase items such as clothing, twin bedding, snacks, room decorations, puzzles and gift cards donated by local businesses.

Meitner said community support through monetary donations and donated goods is essential to keep the bingo shop stocked and diverse. The shop opens up once a month.

"They're pretty much grateful for anything," she said.

Donations may be dropped off at the nursing home, 2710 Canal Blvd., or donors can contact Meitner at 785-303-0325 to arrange a pickup.

One resident purchased a plant for $65 during the holidays following a brief bidding war when the item was auctioned.

"But then I gave it away," the resident said. "I gave it to my cousin's wife. It was a Christmas cactus in this beautiful Christmas mug, which was really pretty."

Another lucky resident used her bingo bucks to buy an $11 blanket for herself.

"It was an avocado cat blanket. Half of it had cats on it, the other half was avocado. I told my mom I've never seen that before," she said.

Before the introduction of bingo bucks last fall, bingo prizes were limited to snacks. Since then, the nursing home has received donations from the Fort Hays State University Nursing Department, Women Who Lead and several other local businesses.

Bingo bucks brings independence to residents at Good Samaritan Society in Hays

A 2022 investigation found serious flaws in the prison medical system. Those same problems persist years later, and the prison medical contractor is making more mistakes.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/blaise-mesa/">BLAISE MESA</a> <a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2026/01/12/kansas-prison-medical-care-is-killing-me-inmates-say/">The Beacon Kansas</a> Darren Powell worries he could die in prison — and not because he’s serving a life sentence. He worries about dying due to a lapse in his medication.

Powell, a type 2 diabetic at the Norton prison, went to refill his medication but it wasn’t ready. Medical staff first told him it was because he didn’t request new medication. Then his wife was told a shipment was delayed. Finally, medical staff said he requested his medication too early.&nbsp;

“I am at a loss of what to do,” he said on the prison messaging system. “My blood sugars are off the wall, who knows what irreparable damage this has caused.”

He filed complaints with prison staff but&nbsp;nothing helpful was done.&nbsp;

“I’m scared to really eat because it raises my sugar,” he said. “This place is killing me, and I’ll be honest with you, I’m scared. I’m on the end of my sentence, and I’m questioning if I’ll see my family again.”

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-09-20/kansas-inmates-say-medical-care-is-so-bad-they-will-let-someone-die-in-here-before-they-try-to-help">2022 investigation by KCUR and the Topeka Capital-Journal</a>&nbsp;found major issues with medical contractor Centurion of Kansas. Inmates said the care was so bad the prison would rather let someone die before they offer help.&nbsp;

The Kansas Department of Corrections said in 2022 that Centurion, which has been the state’s contractor since July 2020, was improving and that the number of fines was dropping every month they were on the job.&nbsp;

That progress has disappeared, though. Inmates say and audits of the system show the contractor is now worse at its job than in 2022.&nbsp;

Centurion was fined almost 5,000 times between January 2021 and May 2022, totaling $900,000 in fines in 16 months. In 2025, Centurion was fined $1 million from just January to September.&nbsp;

The five months with the most fines for medical mistakes have all happened since November 2024.&nbsp;

In February 2025, the Lansing prison was compliant with nonemergency medical care just 1.85% of the time. In November 2024, the Topeka women’s prison was compliant with periodic health assessments just 2.63% of the time. In January 2025, the El Dorado Correctional Facility was compliant with behavioral health crisis follow-ups only 29.79% of the time.

“Compliant” doesn’t measure the quality of the care, said Jennifer King, a spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;

“Compliance is measured by selecting a random sample of incidents and reviewing them using the medical or administrative standards previously mentioned,” King said. “An incident must pass every element to be considered compliant.”

Powell originally messaged The Beacon in September. His condition has since improved, but he is still having issues.&nbsp;

He said his blood sugar is still too high, as is his blood pressure. Powell is struggling to get his blood pressure medication updated. Powell has been in prison since 2022 on drug charges and he said he will be released in February. He plans to go to the doctor.&nbsp;

Other inmates say prison medical treatment is slow — and that’s only if prison medical staff agree that you are sick or injured at all. Some diagnoses are just ignored. Treatment is also subpar whenever it does arrive.&nbsp;

Terry Bowen spoke with KCUR and the Capital-Journal in 2022. The 78-year-old has a host of medical issues. In 2022, he had arthritis, a grapefruit-sized hernia and wires poking his chest. The wires were used to tie his chest back together after a previous procedure, but they broke and are now pointing at his heart.&nbsp;

Bowen said medical care is still bad and only getting worse.&nbsp;

“Really all is about the same as it was then…,” Bowen said. “I don’t know. I’m getting to the point where I’m just tired.”&nbsp;

The prison system backed its contractor in 2022. This year, it said it strives to offer quality care and partners with KU Medical Center to audit the prison medical system.&nbsp;

“The process is exhaustive and designed to ensure all parties are held accountable,” said David Thompson, a spokesperson for the agency.&nbsp;

Thompson also said the medical contractor is required to reply to all grievances and there is an appeal process for people upset with their care. Inmates say the grievances are just ignored and appeals do nothing.&nbsp;

KDOC didn’t comment on Centurion’s performance because the prison medical contract expires by July, and there is an open bid for the next contract. Centurion could be awarded the next contract, but because there is a bid the agency can’t comment.&nbsp;

Centurion of Kansas also did not respond to multiple requests for comment.&nbsp;

Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat, said he has been hearing more complaints about prison medical care.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are some problems for which Schlingensiepen said he doesn’t know who is at fault. Inmates say nobody takes their complaint seriously. That could be a KDOC staffing issue. It could also be Centurion ignoring the problem, Schlingensiepen said, but he just doesn’t know.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Schlingensiepen said the state needs to look at whether privatizing prison medical care makes sense, and Kansas should think more about whether specific people should even be locked up in the first place — like releasing old inmates when recidivism is unlikely.&nbsp;

“Funding is a problem … Health care (is) in general a problem,” he said. “So it’s not surprising that health care in prison should be a problem.”

Schlingensiepen said some lawmakers understand and empathize with the issue, but he doubts legislative leadership will even want to address this issue. That doesn’t surprise Wanda Bertram.&nbsp;

Bertram is a spokesperson for the Prison Policy Initiative, a group that looks at how prisons function.&nbsp;

She said her group has heard complaints about prison medical care from almost every state. Prison health care systems are set up for immediate emergencies, she said, like patching a wound when someone is stabbed. They aren’t great for ongoing treatment, like tweaking blood pressure medications so someone’s levels don’t jump.&nbsp;

In Kansas, the state does have a fine system that more harshly punishes its prison contractor the more mistakes it makes, the department of corrections said. Bertram hasn’t reviewed the Kansas contract and she isn’t an expert on contract law, so she isn’t sure if the language needs to be changed.&nbsp;

Instead, she said, prisons shouldn’t have to handle health care. Prison systems aren’t well funded and adding more money to help inmates has limited political support, Bertram said. So the problems persist.&nbsp;

“I have no love for prison medical contractors, and they are drowning in lawsuits for a reason,” she said. “They are also scapegoated in some conversations about correctional health care. They only have so much money to work with … Even if Kansas looked to change medical providers — it likely wouldn’t be radically changing the money it allocates to health care.”&nbsp;

Norton inmate: ‘This place is killing me’: Prison medical care in Kansas still struggles to help inmates

TIMKEN —  Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 103 S. Main, in Timken is having a Chicken Noodle, Chili &amp; Potato Soup Supper on Sunday, February 1,&nbsp; from 5 - 7 p.m.&nbsp; for a free will offering. 

There will be a silent auction, three drawings for a $300 beef bundle, and two drawings for $500 cash. 

All proceeds go towards the maintenance&nbsp; of the church.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Soup supper to benefit Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Timken

&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

ELLIS — Some moments come around once in 125 years.

 This spring, the Ellis Alumni Association will observe this momentous anniversary on May 22-23 to celebrate&nbsp; their past, present, and future. 

The Ellis Alumni Association&nbsp; is one of the oldest active alumnis in the state of Kansas. For over a century Ellis High School&nbsp; has shaped minds, built leaders and created a legacy&nbsp; that has stood the test of time. 

"We encourage&nbsp; and are thrilled to welcome alumni back to relive the hallways that shaped their future and catch up with friends who helped make their time at Ellis High School so memorable," said alumni president Sylvia Deutscher. "Again, honor classes are graduating classes ending in 1 and 6, but we encourage the other alumni community to join in as well."

Tentative plans the Ellis Alumni Board have announced&nbsp; are:

Friday, May 22 Alumni golf tournament, 9 a.m. Fishing contest, 8-11 a.m., Ellis Lakeside campgrounds&nbsp; Gather and Gab, 7 p.m., Ellis K of C Hall Paramount, Ellis Country Club Geocaching fun, Golden Lantern Hunt

Saturday, May 23 Parade and Chrysler Car Show, 10 a.m. Open houses at EHS, WGS, Ellis Alumni Museum, Weight room and old Ellis High School, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Railer Roll, Fairground activities&nbsp; Banquet&nbsp; and dance, 5 p.m., Dolce Vita, Wes Cossman Band.

As our dedicated historian volunteers worked to establish the EHS Alumni Museum, their research uncovered fascinating stories about the many paths EHS alumni have taken. 

While every career holds value and purpose&nbsp; a few stories stood out as especially&nbsp; memorable. Now through May 2026, the alumni will share weekly notable Alumni stories on their Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ellisalumni">Ellis High School Alumni (KS)</a>&nbsp;spotlighting EHS legacy and their journeys.

For more information about the Ellis Alumni weekend, call 785-520-5030 or 785-656-1955 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ellishighschoolalumni@gmail.com">ellishighschoolalumni@gmail.com</a>.

Ellis Alumni Association announces plans for 125th anniversary

Dinner Show $25 January 31 at 6 p.m. Dessert Show $15 February 1 at 1 p.m. Link to buy tickets&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tmpstage.ludus.com/index.php">https://tmpstage.ludus.com/index.php</a>

TMP-Marian Pop Singers present dinner, dessert shows

CORRECTION: Ellis Fire Department pancake fundraiser set for Jan. 21

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;– 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

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted to dismiss a war powers resolution Wednesday that would have limited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;ability to conduct further attacks on Venezuela after two GOP senators reversed course on supporting the legislation.

Trump put intense pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-war-powers-venezuela-trump-maduro-greenland-e1c5c8390eb2331779504b710fe85025">five Republican senators</a>&nbsp;who joined with Democrats to advance the resolution last week and ultimately prevailed in heading off passage of the legislation. Two of the Republicans — Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana — flipped under the pressure.

Vice President JD Vance had to break the 50-50 deadlock in the Senate on a Republican motion to dismiss the bill.&nbsp; Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall also voted to dismiss the bill.

The outcome of the high-profile vote demonstrated how Trump still has command over much of the Republican conference, yet the razor-thin vote tally also showed the growing concern on Capitol Hill over the president’s aggressive foreign policy ambitions.

Democrats forced the debate after U.S. troops captured Venezuelan leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-capture-trump-attack-military-ceb21da088f0a06b1813e66922def9a3">Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid earlier this month

“Here we have one of the most successful attacks ever and they find a way to be against it. It’s pretty amazing. And it’s a shame,” Trump said at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-michigan-manufacturing-8843cdb26cdfcdf9bf8c8273823c6d84">speech in Michigan</a>&nbsp;Tuesday. He also hurled insults at several of the Republicans who advanced the legislation, calling Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky a “stone cold loser” and Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine “disasters.” Those three Republicans stuck to their support for the legislation.

Trump’s latest comments followed earlier phone calls with the senators, which they described as terse. The president’s fury underscored how the war powers vote had taken on new political significance as Trump also threatens military action to accomplish his goal of possessing Greenland.

The legislation, even if it had cleared the Senate, had virtually no chance of becoming law because it would eventually need to be signed by Trump himself. But it represented both a test of GOP loyalty to the president and a marker for how much&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-strikes-congress-6c0061bf5a9c417e66f76fcc6ee57405">leeway the Republican-controlled Senate</a>&nbsp;is willing to give Trump to use the military abroad. Republican angst over his recent foreign policy moves — especially threats of using military force to seize Greenland from a NATO ally — is still running high in Congress.

Hawley, who helped advance the war powers resolution last week, said Trump’s message during a phone call was that the legislation “really ties my hands.” The senator said he had a follow-up phone call with Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;Monday and was told “point blank, we’re not going to do ground troops.”

The senator added that he also received assurances that the Trump administration will follow constitutional requirements if it becomes necessary to deploy troops again to the South American country.

“We’re getting along very well with Venezuela,” Trump told reporters at a ceremony for the signing of an unrelated bill Wednesday.

As senators went to the floor for the vote Wednesday evening, Young also told reporters he was no longer in support. He said that he had extensive conversations with Rubio and received assurances that the secretary of state will appear at a public hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Young also shared a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.young.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/APNSA-Rubio-Letter-to-Sen.-Young_01.14.26.pdf" target="_blank">letter from Rubio</a>&nbsp;that stated the president will “seek congressional authorization in advance (circumstances permitting)” if he engaged in “major military operations” in Venezuela.

The senators also said his efforts were also instrumental in pushing the administration to release Wednesday a 22-page Justice Department memo laying out the legal justification for the snatch-and-grab operation against Maduro.

That memo, which was heavily redacted, indicates that the administration, for now, has no plans to ramp up military operations in Venezuela.

“We were assured that there is no contingency plan to engage in any substantial and sustained operation that would amount to a constitutional war,” according to the memo signed by Assistant Attorney General Elliot Gaiser.

Trump’s shifting rationale for military intervention

Trump has used a series of legal arguments for his campaign against Maduro.

As he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">built up a naval force</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean and destroyed vessels that were allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, the Trump administration tapped wartime powers under the global war on terror by designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

The administration has claimed the capture of Maduro himself was actually a law enforcement operation, essentially to extradite the Venezuelan president to stand trial for charges in the U.S. that were filed in 2020.

Paul criticized the administration for first describing its military build-up in Caribbean as a counternarcotics operation but now floating Venezuela’s vast oil reserves as a reason for maintaining pressure.

“The bait and switch has already happened,” he said.

Trump’s foreign policy worries Congress

Lawmakers, including a significant number of Republicans, have been alarmed by Trump’s recent foreign policy talk. In recent weeks, he has pledged that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela for years to come, threatened military action to take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-denmark-trump-china-nato-arctic-law-5d92b9439ffa9027598af4be695e6415">possession of Greenland</a>&nbsp;and told Iranians protesting their government that “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-trump-80f937dfbb3e04e5322dae30db3ad4b3">help is on its way</a>.”

Senior Republicans have tried to massage the relationship between Trump and Denmark, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-greenland-trump-denmark-threat-annex-4907c132b499531d8d5fe6cd549c0beb">NATO ally</a>&nbsp;that holds Greenland as a semi-autonomous territory. But Danish officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-united-states-denmark-trump-vance-rubio-meeting-cc278af4f3daf725029101966ba03568">emerged from a meeting</a>&nbsp;with Vance and Rubio Wednesday saying a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland remains.

“What happened tonight is a roadmap to another endless war,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said at a news conference following the vote.

More than half of U.S. adults believe President Donald Trump has “gone too far” in using the U.S. military to intervene in other countries, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-trump-venezuela-foreign-policy-approval-ce8d92a1461abb354f8c799e6b487e49">new AP-NORC poll</a>.

How Republican leaders dismissed the bill

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-war-powers-venezuela-trump-maduro-greenland-e1c5c8390eb2331779504b710fe85025">Last week’s procedural vote</a>&nbsp;on the war powers resolution was supposed to set up hours of debate and a vote on final passage. But Republican leaders began searching for a way to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-split-trump-midterms-obamacare-venezuela-greenland-bafc2793a8d78d530ac424532e426283">defuse the conflict</a>&nbsp;between their members and Trump as well as move on quickly to other business.

Once Hawley and Young changed their support for the bill, Republicans were able to successfully challenge whether it was appropriate when the Trump administration has said U.S. troops are not currently deployed in Venezuela.

“We’re not currently conducting military operations there,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune in a floor speech. “But Democrats are taking up this bill because their anti-Trump hysteria knows no bounds.”

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who has brought a series of war powers resolutions this year, accused Republicans of burying a debate about the merits of an ongoing campaign of attacks and threats against Venezuela.

“If this cause and if this legal basis were so righteous, the administration and its supporters would not be afraid to have this debate before the public and the United States Senate,” he said in a floor speech.

Kaine vowed to force votes on war powers resolutions that would apply to a number of potential military conflicts, including Greenland. House Democrats have also filed a similar war powers resolution and can force a vote on it as soon as next week.

Associated Press writers Josh Goodman, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Joey Cappelletti in Washington and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

🎥Moran, Marshall help Senate kill Venezuela War Powers resolution

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.

Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, crews were dispatched to a reported fire in the 3300 block of Flora Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

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