By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

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

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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

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on multiple allegations after a high speed chase at speeds of 100mhp.

Just before 11 a.m. Monday, a deputy on Interstate 70 just east of the Brookville exit was attempting to locate a 1997 Toyota Camry&nbsp; reported stolen out of Hays by the Kansas Highway Patrol, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

The deputy located the vehicle. He and other law enforcement began a pursuit eastbound.&nbsp; The driver exited onto Hedville Road and continued northbound with speeds ranging from&nbsp;75-120 mph.

The driver entered into Ottawa County and came to the intersection of K-18 going eastbound. As the pursuit continued, the driver tried to pass a Nissan Versa but there was oncoming traffic. The driver then re-corrected back onto the eastbound lane, sideswiping a Nissan that was in front of the Toyota.&nbsp; The Nissan driver was not injured.

The suspect continued eastbound on K-18, following K-18 north and then east into Bennington. The suspect drove a short distance into Bennington, before returning to K-18 and heading back east on K-18.

At the intersection of K-18 and Lincoln Street the driver lost control and struck a tree on the northeast corner of the intersection.&nbsp;

The suspect identified as 37-year-old Shawn Hiatt of Leavenworth was arrested on the scene and transported to Salina Regional Health Center by Ottawa County EMS. Upon his release, Hiatt was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of No Drivers License, Felony Flee and Elude, Possession of Stolen Property Aggravated Battery and a Warrant out of Leavenworth County for Domestic Battery.

Suspect in car reported stolen in Hays captured after chase, crash

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

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

I don’t know about your house but the aftermath of the holidays can sure take a toll on my home organization. There are extra boxes and bags, that carton of something at the back of the fridge, and often, just too much stuff!

Karen Blakeslee, K-State food scientist and coordinator of the Rapid Response Center for food science, notes that this can be a great time to tackle cluttered cabinets, crowded refrigerators, and stuffed drawers.

In an article provided by K-State, Blakeslee says, “The start of the new year, everybody’s trying to get organized, clean things out, so why not start in the kitchen area and see what kind of mystery food you might have in your kitchen.”

Her advise is that if a utensil or gadget hasn’t been used in a year or more, it may be time to let it go. Extra items can be donated or passed along to college students or others who are just starting out.

Checking dates is another key step. Spices typically last six months to a year, and canned foods should be rotated so the oldest items are used first. High-acid canned foods, such as tomatoes and fruit, generally keep 12 to 18 months, while low-acid foods like vegetables and soups may last two to five years. Home-canned foods should be used within one year.

Refrigerators and freezers also need regular attention. Blakeslee recommends removing everything, cleaning shelves and drawers by hand and sanitizing surfaces with a mild bleach solution. Labeling and dating freezer items can help prevent forgotten leftovers from lingering too long.

“Things don’t last forever,” Blakeslee said. “But when you organize your kitchen in a way that makes sense, you can save money, reduce food waste and make cooking safer and less frustrating.”

One of my own goals is to go through the kitchen drawers and pantry cabinets to review, pare down, and reorganize. Oh yeah, and I’ll be checking all the labels in the fridge while I’m at it!

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other K-State Extension resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: Kitchen organization after the holidays

<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

Developer ibV of Florida&nbsp;is requesting a conditional-use permit from Ellis County to erect solar panels in its&nbsp;Tallgrass Development in southwest Ellis County.

The facility would generate 175MW of power for the Southwest Power Pool energy market, connecting via ITC Great Plains’ 345-kilovolt Spearville-Post Rock transmission line.

Tallgrass Development will host two open house events at Gella’s venue room. They will be from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22.

This will be in a station-type setting where community members can engage directly with the Tallgrass Development Team on specific areas of interest, such as engineering, environmental, community benefits and solar technology.

NW Kansas woman hospitalized after van rolls into a field

TMP-Marian v Hoxie Tuesday, Jan. 13th, 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/3315123">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The TMP-Marian Monarchs host the Hoxie Indians in a key MCL showdown Tuesday night at Al Billinger Fieldhouse.

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 hosts Hoxie in MCL showdown

TREGO COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Trego County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Nissan Rogue driven by Jordan Michael&nbsp;Schneider, 35, Collyer, was entering Interstate 70 one mile east of the Kansas 98 Junction. The driver was distracted by talking to the passenger. The SUV veered off the roadway, hit a guardrail and rolled onto its top facing southeast.

EMS transported Schneider and a 6-year-old female passenger to the Gove County Medical Center. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

NW Kan. man, 6-year-old hospitalized after SUV rolls

&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

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

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

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday appeared ready to deal another setback to transgender people and uphold state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2025/24-38">Click here to listen to the argument in Little vs. Hecox</a>

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2025/24-43">Click here to listen to the argument in West Virginia vs. B.P.J.</a>

The court's conservative majority, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-nonbinary-passport-sex-marker-5040c6412e06a072889af30cfae97462">repeatedly ruled</a>&nbsp;against transgender Americans in the past year, signaled during more than three hours of arguments it would rule the state bans don't violate either the Constitution or the federal law known as Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education.

More than two dozen Republican-led states have adopted bans on female transgender athletes. Lower courts had ruled for the transgender athletes who challenged laws in Idaho and West Virginia.

The legal fight is playing out against the backdrop of a broad effort by President Donald Trump to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sex-gender-transgender-dei-order-245350b97e0c4dcc221fefc49ef44699">target transgender Americans</a>, beginning on the first day of his second term and including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-troops-ban-military-trump-9c3018034a2608a28f6146fe17f0fe4b">the ouster of transgender people</a>&nbsp;from the military and declaring that gender is immutable and determined at birth.

The justices are evaluating claims of sex discrimination lodged by transgender people versus the need for fair competition for women and girls, the main argument made by the states.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who coached his daughters in girls basketball, seemed concerned about a ruling that might undo the effects of Title IX, which has produced dramatic growth in girls and women's sports. Kavanaugh called Title IX an “amazing” and “inspiring” success.

Some girls and women might lose a medal in a competition with transgender athletes, which Kavanaugh called a harm “we can’t sweep aside.”

The three liberal justices seemed focused on trying to marshal a court majority in support of a narrow ruling that would allow the individual transgender athletes involved in the cases to prevail.

A ruling for West Virginia and Idaho would effectively apply to the other two dozen Republican-led states with similar laws.

But the justices soon might be asked to decide about the laws in an additional roughly two dozen states, led by Democrats, that allow transgender athletes to compete on the teams that match their gender identity.

The outcome also could influence separate legal efforts by the Trump administration and others seeking to bar transgender athletes in states that have continued to allow them to compete.

In the Idaho case, Lindsay Hecox, 25, sued over the state's first-in-the-nation ban for the chance to try out for the women's track and cross-country teams at Boise State University in Idaho. She didn’t make either squad because “she was too slow,” her lawyer, Kathleen Hartnett, told the court Tuesday, but she competed in club-level soccer and running.

Becky Pepper-Jackson, a 15-year-old high school sophomore, was in the courtroom Tuesday. She has been taking puberty-blocking medication, has publicly identified&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-athletes-k12-schools-state-restrictions-ec0b1d2ea162855131264c88bb992e2e">as a girl</a>&nbsp;since age 8 and has been issued a West Virginia birth certificate recognizing her as female. She is the only transgender person who has sought to compete in girls sports in West Virginia.

Pepper-Jackson has progressed from a back-of-the-pack cross-country runner in middle school to a statewide third-place finish in the discus in just her first year of high school.

Prominent women in sports have weighed in on both sides. Tennis champion Martina Navratilova, swimmers Summer Sanders and Donna de Varona and beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh-Jennings are supporting the state bans. Soccer stars Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn and basketball players Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart back the transgender athletes.

In 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-supreme-courts-mi-state-wire-neil-gorsuch-ap-top-news-5a7b0e41a47a3c571dda69194758e7b1">the Supreme Court ruled</a>&nbsp;LGBTQ people are protected by a landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace, finding that “sex plays an unmistakable role” in employers’ decisions to punish transgender people for traits and behavior they otherwise tolerate.

But last year, the six conservative justices declined to apply the same sort of analysis when they upheld state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

Chief Justice John Roberts signaled Tuesday he sees differences between the 2020 case, in which he supported the claims of discrimination, and the current dispute.

The states supporting the prohibitions on transgender athletes argue there is no reason to extend the ruling barring workplace discrimination to Title IX.

Idaho's law, state Solicitor General Alan Hurst, said, is “necessary for fair competition because, where sports are concerned, men and women are obviously not the same.”

Lawyers for Pepper-Jackson argue that such distinctions generally make sense, but that their client has none of those advantages because of the unique circumstances of her early transition. In Hecox's case, her lawyers want the court to dismiss the case because she has forsworn trying to play on women's teams.

NCAA president Charlie Baker told Congress in 2024 that he was aware of only 10 transgender athletes out of more than a half-million students on college teams. But despite the small numbers, the issue has taken on outsize importance.

Baker's NCAA and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committees&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-transgender-athlete-ban-2e10a02fea22583ea00403c57a3567b9">banned transgender women</a>&nbsp;from women’s sports after Trump, a Republican, signed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transgender-athletes-3606411fc12efffec95a893351624e1b">an executive order</a>&nbsp;aimed at barring their participation.

The public generally is supportive of the limits.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AP-NORC-October-2025-Topline.pdf">An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll</a>&nbsp;conducted in October 2025 found that about 6 in 10 U.S. adults “strongly” or “somewhat” favored requiring transgender children and teenagers to only compete on sports teams that match the sex they were assigned at birth, not the gender they identify with, while about 2 in 10 were “strongly” or “somewhat” opposed and about one-quarter did not have an opinion.

About 2.1 million adults, or 0.8%, and 724,000 people age 13 to 17, or 3.3%, identify as transgender in the U.S., according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.

🎧 Court likely to uphold state bans on trans athletes in girls sports

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man accused of killing a man in July will return to court Wednesday.

Andrew Presley, 31,&nbsp; will appear in Judge Roger Woods courtroom for a preliminary hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp; He was charged with second degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Kelly Black.

He is also charged with criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.&nbsp;

On July 15, police in Hutchinson arrested Presley after a brief standoff, according to a media release from the Wichita Police Department.

Just before 6p.m. July 13, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting in the 7000 block of E. Lincoln in Wichita.. First responders found&nbsp; Black lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead.

Presley remains jailed on bond totaling over&nbsp;$1,000,000.00, according to online jail records.

Preliminary Hearing: Kan. murder suspect arrested after standoff

The wins: Chiefs deal, stable budget, tax cuts, education funding and ‘civility’

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

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly says Kansans wouldn’t have elected her if she were the type of politician who screamed the loudest and relied on bullying others to get her way.

She said during her annual State of the State speech Tuesday night it was a certainty Kansas would have suffered in terms of managing the government, advancing economic activity and elevating the quality of life if voters had chosen a governor who confused toxicity for leadership.

“I’m here because Kansans were looking for someone who would turn the volume down, to do more listening than yelling, to bring people together, to compromise and govern from the middle,” Kelly told the joint session of the House and Senate. “Kansans are the most civil, decent people on earth. And they expect that from us, too. I say to everyone here — do not let the loudest voices, on either extreme, drown out the voices of the vast majority of Kansans who want to see us work together.”

Kelly said placing cooperation ahead of partisanship and having the courage to treat colleagues with respect was key to finding common ground among politicians with different ideologies and backgrounds. She said this form of leadership led to enactment of 587 bipartisan bills in her seven years as governor. It created an environment where cross-party dialogue could produce an economic incentive deal for construction of a stadium in Wyandotte County to host the Kansas City Chiefs.

“To land the Chiefs, we all put politics aside,” the Democratic governor said. “We all put personal differences aside. And we didn’t care who got the credit.”

She said the core of this mostly collegial relationship was borne through years in which Kansas overcame major challenges. She said the state moved away from an era of budgeting woes marked by “gimmicks and funny money,” underfunding of K-12 schools, crumbling bridges and highways, a quality of life that fed a youth brain drain and missed opportunities for job growth.

The perception of Kansas was transformed by attracting more than $30 billion in business investment and the creation of 80,000 good-paying jobs since 2019, Kelly said. The state slashed annual taxes by more than $1 billion, including elimination of the unpopular $500 million state sales tax on groceries. The balance in the state’s rainy-day fund mushroomed to $2 billion. High-speed internet was provided to 117,000 homes and businesses. Kansas paid down debt. The state’s crime rate fell to a 20-year low.

“I know there is more to do,” Kelly told the GOP-dominated House and Senate. “But after seven years, I also know that the state of our state has never been stronger.&nbsp;Ultimately, we were able to get our state back on track because we showed that civility can still exist in our politics, that you can get a whole lot done when you work with others.”

Kelly, a term-limited governor who leaves office in January, said this moment in Kansas politics shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“There are too many forces trying to push us all into our partisan corners and make the other party the enemy,” Kelly said. “Let me state the obvious. We live in extraordinarily challenging times. And I don’t just mean our politics.”

Kelly said societal change in the past decade was head-spinning. People found themselves more attached to telephones and other electronic devices than ever before. The world crashed into the COVID-19 pandemic. People emerged from the other side to more remote work, AI bots and self-driving vehicles that made people yearn for simpler times, Kelly said. An era defined by disruption required more, not less, from political leaders, she said.

Kansans demonstrated at the ballot box they yearned for leaders who could offer strength, resolve, character and a clear vision, Kelly said. She said the United States received the opposite at the national level in Washington, D.C.

“From both parties,” Kelly said. “Where it became acceptable for our nation’s leaders to treat one another in the most uncivilized ways imaginable. Language and behavior we’d never tolerate from our own children. Instead of using this new technology to reach people with messages of unity and hope, these devices have been turned into weapons for elected leaders to ignite chaos and anger and even violence.”

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