By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners voted unanimously this week on several items that move forward with planned business and housing developments.

Jesse Rohr, public works director, presented recommendations to vacate DK Ranch Addition and a portion of Country Club Estates Sixth Addition for consideration of the Smoky Hill Plains Addition final plat. The project proposal also required the deannexation of DK Ranch and the annexation of Smoky Hill Plains Addition to streamline the property's legal description.

No comments were made during the public hearing for the deannexation.

Several current homeowners in the Columbine and 30th Street area had earlier expressed concerns about additional stormwater runoff and drainage through the new plat.

John Pyle told the commission that a group of neighbors met with Rohr, Curtis Deines, superintendent of the Planning &amp; Development Division, and Kate Armstrong, Planning &amp; Zoning technician, who explained the city's stormwater policy to them.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/343/Stormwater-Division">stormwater management regulations</a> are written so that the post-development cannot shed any more water than the pre-development, which happens through the mandatory retention area.

"They pretty much settled all our concerns," Pyle said. "They were very, very clear in explaining when we had a question...and just put our minds at ease."&nbsp;

The development is designed to have two points of access from Columbine and to include green space for the drainage way running north to south across the property. Street access to future 33rd Street improvements at the north end of the development will also be provided.

A multi-use path will be incorporated from 33rd Street south along Columbine to 27th Street, utilizing the stormwater drainage area/green space.

Also approved was a low bid award of $3.9 million from Smoky Hill, LLC, Salina, for infrastructure in 90 acres owned by the city at Interstate 70 Exit 161.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Because the bid was about $1 million below budget, an upgrade of the 27th Street roadway from the intersection of 27th and Commerce to the new intersection of the internal street will be constructed for an additional $160,000. An additional $203,417 contingency will also be added.

Funding for construction services will be paid from general obligation bonds.&nbsp;A portion of the project will be funded with a $2 million state grant acquired by Grow Hays.

The initial new infrastructure would serve about 11 buildable lots, ranging in size from 2 to 8 acres, for commercial and residential development.

🎙New Hays housing and business developments begin moving forward 

DORRANCE — The Dorrance American Legion Post 334 will host a steak feed Saturday, Dec. 7.

Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with the meal at 6 :30 p.m.

12 or 6-ounce ribeye steak with baked potato, corn, green beans, tea or water, and a big selection of desserts will be served.&nbsp;

Cold beer and mixed drinks will be available.

Call-in and carry-out orders are available by phoning 785-666-4275.&nbsp;

Proceeds benefit the Dorrance American Legion Post 334.

Dorrance American Legion hosts steak feed Dec. 7

If you have tried booking a counseling appointment recently, you may have found that there are longer waitlists than there used to be.

This is due to our mental health system being overwhelmed with high levels of need, and the workers running the system are getting burnt out.

As a graduate student and future social worker, I have the opportunity to witness this crisis firsthand.

As a current case manager working in family preservation, I have seen the struggles of burnout and feelings of failure when the caseload and workload are so high that it feels impossible to give all your families your all when helping and supporting them through difficult situations.

 Therapists, social workers, and case managers are often working overtime to meet this skyrocketing need. With higher-than-manageable caseloads and administrative burdens, many are getting burned out and leaving the field altogether. The result? Even fewer mental health professionals are available to meet the higher demands of people in need, resulting in longer waitlist times.

Mental health issues are on the rise, especially among young adults. Anxiety, depression and burnout are common topics on a college campus, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.

While awareness and sensitivity toward mental health issues appears to be on the rise, access to overall care is decreasing and creating further gaps. 

The U.S. is facing a tremendous shortage of mental health professionals, and rural areas often get hit the hardest.

Why is this happening? To start, the cost of graduate programs to become a mental health professional can be tens of thousands of dollars, with starting salaries often not matching the educational and emotional requirements of being a quality worker.

Fort Hays State University's Master of Social Work program charges roughly $22,000 for online in-state tuition.

The average starting salary for a master's-level mental health professional in Kansas is $45,000, with many individuals also carrying student debt. Burnout is another considerable factor.

1. Support mental health education: Our universities and employers should expand scholarships and loan forgiveness programs for students/employees entering the mental health field.

2. Pay providers fairly: An overall advocacy for healthier wages and benefits (including paid time off) can assist with retention of skilled professionals and attract hard-working individuals.

3. Care for the caregivers: Mental health professionals need to balance their own mental health and needs, too. Ensuring they have access to support systems and resources is crucial for their mental health maintenance.

As students entering the mental health profession or utilizing the mental health field, we can raise our voices and advocate for change. We can support our peers who are choosing to enter this field and make a positive impact on numerous lives.

We can also remind policymakers that mental health care is a necessity and should be a basic human right.

To ensure a healthier future, we must invest in the people who help us get there.

— Jozlyn Karnosky, Master of Social Work student at Fort Hays State University

Opinion: Mental health workers burned out, we are all feeling it

The Sorghum Connection Series, a collaboration between the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission (KGSC), K-State Extension and Plant Pathology, announces its second year of a comprehensive winter educational series focused on enhancing the profitability of sorghum producers across the state.

Following this year’s field day events, which welcomed over 120 growers, Sorghum Connection offers an additional series of multiple one-day events across central and western Kansas. The events are scheduled for:

· December 3 at the South Hutchinson Community Building in Hutchinson

· December 4 at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center in Oakley

· December 5 at the Hy-Plains Feedyard in Montezuma

Each event will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at 2:30 p.m.

Attendees will receive valuable data-driven information from industry leaders from K-State, the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, and many others on key topics for both grain and forage sorghum.

The program also looks to the future of the sorghum crop system, covering advancements such as the application of spray drones in precision agriculture and highlighting breakthroughs in farmer-directed crop improvement.

There is no cost to attend; however, an RSVP is required. To register or learn more about these events, visit <a href="https://ksgrainsorghum.org/">www.ksgrainsorghum.org</a>.

Sorghum Connection launches second year of winter educational series

<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

<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/ZJc4Stoovgc?si=BqCP6pSld018Y_BI">SEE VIDEO HERE</a>

The holiday season in Ellis, Kansas, wouldn’t be complete without the glow of thousands of lights and the sound of a miniature train rolling through downtown.

For 16 years, the Ellis Polar Express, (brought to you by the Ellis Recreation Commission), has been creating magical memories for families—and this year promises to be bigger and brighter than ever.From&nbsp;Friday, December 5th through Sunday, December 7th, downtown Ellis will transform into a winter wonderland.

Recently ranked&nbsp;#7 on “Only in Kansas: 7 Christmas Light Displays That Are Pure Holiday Magic,”&nbsp;the event features a one-mile train track surrounded by dazzling displays. This year’s theme brings a playful twist:&nbsp;

Yeti sightings&nbsp;and a heartfelt&nbsp;tribute to First Responders.But the magic doesn’t stop at the tracks. Families can warm up at&nbsp;Santa’s Workshop in the Ellis Public Library, where the&nbsp;Friends of the Library&nbsp;will be the helping elves serving nightly cookies, hot chocolate, and a&nbsp;Saturday night&nbsp;visit from Santa await.&nbsp;On Sunday evening, kids can join the&nbsp;Free Candy Cane Hunt&nbsp;at Twilight Baseball Field—a sweet way to wrap up the weekend.

The Ellis Polar Express isn’t just about holiday cheer; it’s about community. From the beginning, the Polar Express has been guided by the Ellis Recreation Commission, Ellis Public Library, providing cookies and hot chocolate and supported by Arthur’s Pizza.It has grown into a major event supported by the Ellis Railroad Museum, Ellis Pride Committee, Community Foundation of Ellis, EHS Alumni Association, and more than 25 local sponsors.

Behind the scenes, it takes&nbsp;20 volunteers each night and over 250 hours of setup and teardown&nbsp;to make this tradition possible.Train rides are by donation—just $5 per rider—and every dollar goes toward programs for local kids.&nbsp;So when you hop aboard, you’re not just enjoying the lights; you’re helping make a difference.

So bundle up, bring the family, and get “Yeti” for a holiday experience that’s pure magic. The Ellis Polar Express is waiting for you!

FHSU daily crime log: Nov. 21-27, 2025

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

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Creek Side Resort is lighting up the season with a walking trail illuminated by more than 250,000 bulbs.

Creek Side's trail is at 3301 U.S. Highway 183 bypass and features fire-pit warming stations, along with hot cocoa, beer and snacks for sale. Tickets are $12 at the gate, and children ages 4 and younger are admitted free.

Aaron Dreher, the owner, said the trail is now in its third year and has expanded from basic store-bought decorations to a commercial-grade light display.

"Every year we're gonna keep adding more automation and more unique aspects," Dreher said.

The festive event is open from 6 to 10 p.m. during the following dates: • Nov. 28 to 30 • Dec. 4 to 7 • Dec. 11 to 13 • Dec. 18 to 21 • Dec. 26 to 27

The half-mile trail also features animated lights synchronized to music, a new addition to the resort’s annual tradition.

The trail consists of uneven surfaces, gradual and steep inclines and declines, narrow passages, slick areas, stairs and other potential hazards. Dreher said it is not well-suited for wheelchairs or mobility scooters at the moment, but he hopes to improve accessibility in the future.

"At some point, we'll get to where part of it is drivable with either a golf cart or some sort of tram," he said. "We have people bring out strollers, and that's OK."

Along the route, visitors walk through what Dreher calls the “12 Hays of Christmas,” where local businesses sponsor their own themed display paired with a song.

The event added an inflatable slide last year and remains part of the attraction near the exit.

Creek Side Resort canceled its Nov. 21 opening day due to weather conditions. You can follow its Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CreekSideHays#">here</a>&nbsp;for updates.

📷 Christmas at Creek Side Resort open for season

Downtown Hays is ready to shine brighter than ever as The Bricks hosts two beloved&nbsp;holiday traditions in a single spectacular day: Small Business Saturday in the morning and the Christmas&nbsp;Magic on Main Street Jubilee in the evening.

Kick off your holiday shopping season by supporting local retailers during Small Business Saturday. 

Shoppers can enjoy exploring unique boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and specialty shops throughout&nbsp;The Bricks. This event encourages residents and visitors alike to shop local and uplift the small&nbsp;businesses that help make Downtown Hays vibrant and thriving.

“Our small businesses are the heartbeat of The Bricks,” said Lee Ann June, executive director of The&nbsp;Bricks in Downtown Hays. “Shopping local keeps the community strong and full of life.”

Christmas Magic on Main Street Jubilee | 6–8 p.m.

As night falls, Downtown Hays will transform into a glowing winter wonderland for the Christmas Magic&nbsp;on Main Street Jubilee, a free, family-friendly celebration filled with holiday cheer. Guests can enjoy&nbsp;festive activities including:

• Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus • Free Soup Supper for the first 500 guests • Free hot cocoa and cookies • Holiday crafts, festive music, and community fun

This event is part of a full season of activities planned to bring even more lights, joy, and memorable&nbsp;moments to Main Street. The Christmas Magic on Main Street initiative is supported by generous&nbsp;community sponsors through tiers like Tree Topper, Secret Santa, Sleigh Sponsor, and more.

Both events are part of the 2025 season-long celebration that includes Holiday Open Houses, Clydesdale&nbsp;rides, Santa photos, the Downtown Dollar Giveaway, and the 25th Annual FrostFest Illuminated Parade.

• Small Business Saturday | Nov. 29 • Christmas Magic on Main Jubilee &amp; Tree Lighting (10th &amp; Main St) | Nov. 29, 6–8 p.m. — Free train&nbsp;rides, craft vendors, and soup supper for the first 500 guests (soup supper sponsored by Women&nbsp;Who Lead, prepared by Pfonz Smokehaus &amp; Catering) • Clydesdale Rides (sponsored by Meckenstock Group) &amp; visit with Santa at the Downtown&nbsp;Pavilion (10th &amp; Main St) | Dec. 5 &amp; 12, 5–7 p.m. • 25th Annual FrostFest Illuminated Parade (Main Street) | Dec. 7, 6 p.m. — Theme: “Timeless&nbsp;Traditions” • Customer Appreciation Weekend | Dec. 11–13 • Free Holiday Movie at The Fox (sponsored by Golden Belt Bank) | Dec. 14, 3 p.m. • Downtown Dollar Giveaway (Live on Facebook) | Dec. 20, 5:05 p.m.

To learn more, view the full event schedule or to register for the FrostFest Parade (deadline to enter is Nov.&nbsp;30), visit <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/frostfest">downtownhays.com</a>.

The Bricks continues to bring fun for the whole community Saturday in downtown Hays

HaysMed proudly announces that Annette Herman, clinic office assistant in the Orthopedic Clinic, has been honored with the BEE Award for her exceptional dedication and service.

HaysMed proudly participates in the DAISY Award program, a nationally recognized initiative that honors nurses for the extraordinary care they provide every day. Just as a daisy depends on the bee to thrive, our nurses rely on the support and collaboration of non-nursing healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care. 

To recognize this vital partnership, HaysMed created the Being Excellent Everyday (BEE) Award, which celebrates outstanding contributions from non-nursing team members who go above and beyond to ensure patients receive the best possible experience.

Herman was nominated multiple times for this award, which speaks volumes about her impact. With over 20 years of experience in the HaysMed Orthopedic Clinic, her primary focus is to always put patients first, and she continues that commitment every day.

Shawna North, physician practice administration business operations manager at HaysMed, shared her enthusiasm for the award and Herman’s recognition, “Annette wears many hats in the orthopedic clinic, and we are incredibly grateful to have her on our team. Her contributions go far beyond her job description to keep the clinic running smoothly.”

Patients, families, and associates are encouraged to nominate non-nursing associates who go above and beyond in their roles. Recipients are selected by a HaysMed committee and honored with a BEE Award pin and a certificate of excellence.

If you know a non-nursing team member who exemplifies excellence in patient care, please take a moment to fill out the BEE Award nomination form and help HaysMed celebrate their incredible impact.

HaysMed honors Annette Herman with BEE Award

Cookies with Santa presented by Hays Lions Club on Dec. 3

&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

BUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills PBS is proud to continue its tradition of bringing local sports to viewers across Kansas this Thanksgiving season.

On Thanksgiving Day, tune in for a special broadcast of the&nbsp;2025 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of legendary Kansas athletes and coaches. It all starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 27.

Then, on&nbsp;November 28h and 29, Smoky Hills PBS will be live from Gowan Stadium in Hutchinson.

Watch the top teams of&nbsp;1A, 2A and 3A high school football&nbsp;teams from across Kansas compete in the KSHSAA State Football Championships&nbsp;Games.&nbsp;Jeremy McGuire and Larry Jantz provide commentary as we&nbsp;find out who will win the KSHSAA State Football Championships.

The action continues in December. On&nbsp;Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, Smoky Hills PBS will broadcast the&nbsp;8-Player Division I, Division II, and 6-Player State Football Championship Games&nbsp;that will be played in Greensburg on November 29.&nbsp;

These broadcasts are made possible thanks to the generous support of viewers like you. Your donations help Smoky Hills PBS continue to share local stories and sports that matter to our communities.

Smoky Hills PBS brings viewers exciting lineup of sports this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest traveling holidays, with that comes an increase in crashes. The Hays Police Department wants to remind everyone to always buckle up.

Hays PD joins law enforcement across the state to provide education about the importance of seat belts. Drivers can expect to see increased law enforcement presence on local roads during the statewide Thanksgiving Safe Arrival campaign, which runs from Nov. 22-29.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Being buckled up during a crash helps keep you safe and secure in your vehicle.

· The shoulder belt should lay flat across the middle of the chest and away from the neck · The lap belt should fit across the hip, not stomach · Never put the seat belt behind the back or under the arm · Children should be properly restrained in car seats according to weight, age and height

For more information on seat belts go to <a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/seat-belts">www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/seat-belts</a>.

Hays police Thanksgiving campaign stresses importance of buckling up

The culvert replacement project scheduled to take place in the 1400 block of Grants Villa Road has been postponed due to the recent weather conditions. 

 If you have any questions, please call Road and Bridge at 785-628-9455.

Culvert replacement project postponed

By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON Special to Hays Post

The free Community Thanksgiving Feast, sponsored by the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance (ECMA), will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, at the Kansas National Guard Armory, 200 Main St., Hays.

No reservations are required; the meal is first-come, first-served. There will be no individual carry-out meals. Cheryl Glassman, ECMA president, said that 530 meals have been ordered from the caterer; 225 of those meals will go to Meals on Wheels clients and residents of local shelters and group homes.

On the menu will be roasted turkey, dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, a roll, drink, and dessert.

The Union Catering Co. is catering the main meal. The ECMA is seeking desserts from churches and individuals. Desserts may be brought to the office of First Call for Help of Ellis County, 607 E. 13th, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, and Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Glassman said volunteers are needed at the dinner, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, to help with set-up, serving plates, slicing pies, cleaning up, and other duties. Volunteers may sign up by calling First Call for Help at 785-623-2800.

One familiar aspect of the dinner will be the grocery give-away. Every household in attendance who wants one will receive a free sack of groceries, Glassman said. One feature that will be new this year is each sack will contain recipe cards featuring the food items in the sack. Last year around 200 sacks were distributed.

Glassman said the ECMA sponsors the free community meal each Thanksgiving because “Thanksgiving is a time for gathering--gathering with family, gathering with community.&nbsp;There are also people who are alone for the holidays .&nbsp;. . We want people to feel welcome. All are invited.”

Tax deductible donations to help with the cost of the dinner may be sent to ECMA, P.O. Box 173, Hays, KS 67601, with proceeds to benefit the ECMA Second Mile Fund.

Free Community Thanksgiving Feast to be held at Hays armory

Ellis Knights of Columbus host free Thanksgiving Day meal

Cattleman’s Café, 1230 E. 27th, Hays, will once again offer a free sit-down turkey dinner from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

No reservations or pre-orders will be taken; it is first-come, first-served until the food runs out, a news release said.

A slice of pumpkin pie will be $1. Water will come with the meal, but other drinks will be $2.99 each. 

To-go meals through the drive-thru will be $5 each.

Free Thanksgiving turkey dinner offered by Cattleman's Cafe in Hays

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Tyson Foods' decision to close a beef plant that employs nearly one third of residents of Lexington, Nebraska, could devastate the small city and undermine the profits of ranchers nationwide.

Closing a single slaughterhouse might not seem significant, but the Lexington plant employs roughly 3,200 people in the city of 11,000 and has the capacity to slaughter some 5,000 head of cattle a day. Tyson also plans to cut one of the two shifts at a plant in Amarillo, Texas, and eliminate 1,700 jobs there. Together those two moves will reduce beef processing capacity nationwide by 7-9%.

Consumers may not see prices change much at the grocery store over the next six months because all the cattle that are now being prepared for slaughter will still be processed, potentially just at a different plant. But in the long run, beef prices may continue to climb even higher than the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beef-prices-record-high-cattle-steak-cows-e9fc33bbaec6a76fb243e277bbbb7c0e">current record highs</a>&nbsp;— caused by a variety of factors from drought to tariffs — unless American ranchers decide to raise more cattle, which they have little incentive to do.

An increase in beef imports from Brazil, like President Donald Trump encouraged last week by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-brazil-tariffs-coffee-fruit-beef-1754b7cd5f33e899bf2876a4fd66f549">slashing tariffs</a>&nbsp;on the South American country, may help insulate consumers while ranchers and feedlots struggle with high costs and falling prices.

Here's what we know about the impact of the plant closure and the changing tariffs:

Clay Patton, vice president of the Lexington-area Chamber of Commerce said Monday that Tyson’s announcement Friday felt like a “gut punch” to the community in the Platte River Valley that serves as a key link in the agricultural production chain.

When it opened in 1990, the Lexington plant that Tyson later acquired revitalized and remade the formerly dwindling town by attracting thousands of immigrants to work there and nearly doubling the population.

When the plant closes in January, the ripple effects will be felt throughout the community, undermining many first-generation business owners and the investment in new housing, Patton said. Tyson said it will offer Lexington workers the chance to move to take open jobs at one of its other plants if they are willing to uproot their families for jobs hundreds of miles away.

“I’m hopeful that we can come through this and we’ll actually become better on the other side of it,” Patton said.

Elmer Armijo was struck by how established the community was when he moved to Lexington last summer to lead First United Methodist Church. He described solid job security, good schools and health care systems and urban development — all in doubt now.

“People are completely worried,” Armijo said. “The economy in Lexington is based in Tyson.”

Many local churches, Armijo’s included, are already offering counseling, food pantries and gas vouchers for community members.

The prospect of losing a major buyer for cattle and increasing imports from Brazil, which already accounted for 24% of the beef brought into the country this year, only adds to doubts about how profitable the U.S. cattle business might be over the next several years, making it less likely that American ranchers will commit to raising more animals.

“There’s a just a lack of confidence in the industry right now. And producers are unwilling to make the investment to rebuild,” said Bill Bullard, president of Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America.

Boosting imports from Brazil has the potential to affect the market — much more than Trump's suggestion to increase&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beef-prices-cattle-imports-trump-argentina-9f8e9efd6e74e958c586ea1e32797ba2">imports from Argentina</a>&nbsp;— since the country sends more beef to America than any other. But for steak lovers, the sky-high price of the cut isn’t likely to be affected regardless, as most imports are lean trimmings that get mixed into ground beef.

Kansas State University agricultural economist Glynn Tonsor said it's hard to predict whether imports will continue to account for roughly 20% of the U.S. beef supply next year. He pointed out that Trump's tariffs have changed several times since they were announced in the spring and could quickly change again.

The only constant in the equation has been that consumers have continued to buy beef even as prices soar. Tonsor said on average Americans will consume 59 pounds (27 kilograms) of beef per person this year.

Tyson faces continued losses in the beef business

There has long been excess capacity in the meat business nationwide, meaning the nation’s slaughterhouses could handle many more cattle than they are processing. That has only been made worse in recent years as the government has encouraged more smaller companies to open slaughterhouses to compete with Tyson and the other giants that dominate the beef business.

Tyson expects to lose more than $600 million on beef production this year after already reporting $720 million of red ink in beef over the past two years.

Tonsor said it was inevitable that at least one beef plant would close. Afterward, Tyson's remaining plants will be able to operate more efficiently at closer to full capacity.

Ernie Goss, an economist at Creighton University in Omaha, said the Lexington plant likely wasn’t measuring up in the industry increasingly reliant on technological advancements that enhance productivity.

“It’s very difficult to renovate or make the old plant fit the new world,” said Goss, who completed an impact study for a new Sustainable Beef plant. The Lexington facility “just wasn’t competitive right now in today’s environment in terms of output per worker.”

Tyson's beef plant closure in Nebraska will impact ranchers nationwide

KANSAS CITY— Two Mexican nationals pleaded guilty in federal court this week for possessing more than 56 pounds of methamphetamine, according to the United State's Attorney.

Pedro Alberto Quiroz Ayala, 22, and Pablo DeJesus Peralta Anguis, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.&nbsp;Anguis also pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry after removal.

On Sept. 3, 2024, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper pulled over a gray 2011 Acura MDX on Interstate 29, near the N.W. 112th&nbsp;Street exit in Kansas City, Mo.&nbsp; Ayala, who did not have a valid driver’s license, was driving the Acura, with a female juvenile in the front passenger seat and Anguis and Apolinar Gocovachi Pacheco in the back seat.

When the trooper searched the vehicle, he found a large duffle bag in the third-row seating area that contained approximately 55.6 pounds of methamphetamine. He also found a grocery bag that contained approximately one pound of methamphetamine on the floorboard where the female juvenile had been sitting, and a loaded firearm in the driver’s door pouch.

When the four occupants got out of the vehicle for the search, Ayala and Anguis fled on foot. A manhunt ensued and both were apprehended a short time later.

Ayala told investigators that he, Pacheco and Anguis drove to Omaha, Neb., to pick up drugs and that he was going to receive approximately $2,000 for his help in transporting the drugs.

Anguis told investigators that he was illegally in the United States from Mexico and that he had arrived in the United States two days before his arrest.

Officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that Anguis and Pacheco had previously been found illegally in the United States by Border Patrol Agents near Nogales, Arizona on Aug. 22, 2024.&nbsp; Anguis and Pacheco were removed from the United States to Mexico that same day.

Co-defendant Apolinar Gocovachi Pacheco, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of unlawful reentry after removal, on Nov. 19, 2025.

Under federal statutes, Ayala, Anguis and Pacheco are each subject to a sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the FBI, DEA, Jackson County Drug Task Force, Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Trooper found 55 pounds of meth during KC traffic stop

President Donald Trump said Friday he will try to reverse any law, pardon or still-in-effect executive order that former President Joe Biden signed with an autopen, though it wasn’t immediately clear how that would work or whether it would be legal.&nbsp;

Trump declared in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115629010097815862" target="_blank">a social media post</a>&nbsp;that any documents Biden signed with the autopen are “hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect.”

“I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden, because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally,” Trump alleged. “Joe Biden was not involved in the Autopen process and, if he says he was, he will be brought up on charges of perjury. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The White House press office didn’t immediately respond to a request for the list of documents Trump believes he has the ability to rescind based on the manner they were signed.

States Newsroom also asked the Trump administration if officials believe the president would need to sign an executive order in order to implement his social media post.&nbsp;

Experts dismissed earlier autopen challenge&nbsp;

The post was similar to one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/legal-experts-quash-trump-argument-biden-pardons-signed-autopen-are-void" target="_blank">Trump published in March</a>&nbsp;when he claimed any pardons Biden signed with the autopen were void, something legal experts said at the time was “absurd” and a “red herring.”

Trump brought up his frustration with autopen use again in June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-opens-investigation-biden-autopen-use" target="_blank">when he ordered</a>&nbsp;the White House legal counsel and U.S. attorney general to investigate when and why Biden administration staff used an autopen.&nbsp;

Trump said during an Oval Office appearance at the time he hadn’t found any evidence Biden aides violated the law.

“No, but I’ve uncovered the human mind,” Trump said. “I was in a debate with the human mind and I didn’t think he knew what the hell he was doing. So it’s one of those things, one of those problems. We can’t ever allow that to happen to our country.”

Biden and spokespeople working for him have repeatedly said he knew what official documents were being signed in his name and rejected claims that White House staff used the autopen without his authorization or knowledge.&nbsp;

Biden released a statement in June following the Trump memorandum, saying the investigation “is nothing more than a distraction by Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans who are working to push disastrous legislation that would cut essential programs like Medicaid and raise costs on American families, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.”

“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations,” Biden wrote at the time. “Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”

While presidents have regularly rescinded their predecessors executive orders, usually within their first few days or weeks in office, Congress would very likely need to act in order to alter or eliminate any laws that Biden signed with an autopen. Trump seeking to overturn a law, or part of a law, unilaterally would likely lead to a lawsuit over whether he holds that power.&nbsp;

It also wasn’t immediately clear what legal authority Trump believes he has as president to undo pardons if Biden used an autopen to sign the documents.&nbsp;

David Super, a constitutional and administrative law professor at Georgetown University, told States Newsroom in March that “the Constitution does not require signatures for pardons. It simply says the president has the power to pardon.”

“So if President Biden wanted to simply verbally tell someone they’re pardoned, he could do that. It wouldn’t have to be in writing at all,” he said. “Administratively, of course, we want things in writing. It makes things a lot simpler, but there’s no constitutional requirement.”

Ashley Murray contributed to this report.&nbsp;

Trump social media post claims to void Biden orders

SEWARD COUNTY– The U.S. Marshals are seeking the public’s help and offering a reward of up to&nbsp;$5,000&nbsp;for information leading to the arrest of a Guatemalan man wanted in Seward County on multiple counts of crimes against children, according to a media release.

Juan Ralios-Batz, (estimated age) 30, is wanted on three counts of rape of a child, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated human trafficking, and one count of abuse of a child.

Batz and his sister are alleged to have sponsored a 13-year-old unaccompanied alien child and, over a two-year-period, Batz allegedly raped the child and forced the child to do manual labor. &nbsp;The child eventually became pregnant and has a child with Batz. When Batz became aware of his wanted status, his family allegedly helped him escape to Fremont, Nebraska, to evade the charges against him. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Batz is a white or Hispanic man, stands 5-feet-1 inch and weighs approximately 115 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and a tattoo of the letter J on his right arm.&nbsp;

Batz, who is in the U.S. illegally, is known to use multiple aliases, including Juan Ralios, Juan Batz, Randy Guerro, Juan Ramos-Batz, Juan Ramos and Omar Gonzalez.&nbsp;

Anyone with information regarding his location is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at&nbsp;1-877-WANTED-2&nbsp;or send tip information via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/submitting-a-tip">USMS Tips App</a>.

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