By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A plan by a Hays resident to develop new housing in west Hays was met by concerns of nearby residents about stormwater runoff and possible flooding during Thursday's Hays City Commission work session.

Several people who live along Columbine and 30th streets questioned whether there would be increased rainfall runoff from the north where existing agriculture fields would eventually become streets, lots and a connecting multi-use path.

"The way our stormwater management regulations are written is that the post-development cannot shed any more water than the pre-development," said Toby Dougherty, city manager. "That happens through the retention area."

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,&nbsp; utilizing he stormwater drainage area/green space.

Proceeding with the annexation will also require vacating DK Ranch Addition and a portion of Country Club Estates Sixth Addition.

Jess Rohr, public works director, said the Hays Area Planning Commission unanimously approved the final plat for Smoky Hill Plains Addition on Sept. 15. He encouraged the homeowners to examine all the stormwater management documents in his office if they had more specific questions.

Developer Don Tillman, Sing&nbsp;Along Ranch LLC and BJKT LLC, was in the audience but did not speak.

Infrastructure at Interstate 70, Exit 161

Tom Howie, project manager, presented a proposed low bid award for infrastructure at Interstate 70, Exit 161, on 90 acres of city-owned property purchased in 2019.&nbsp;The initial new infrastructure would serve about 11 buildable lots, ranging in size from 2 to 8 acres, for commercial and residential development.

The low bid was from&nbsp;Smoky Hill, LLC, Salina, for $3,908,341. 

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

A portion of the project will be funded with a $2 million state grant. Funding for construction services will be paid from general obligation bonds. The city recently paid off general obligation bonds for other projects. New bonds will be issued for this project. The city will not have to raise taxes to pay for the bond,&nbsp;Dougherty said.

Rohr presented recommendations for next year's street maintenance projects. The city spends about $1 million annually on the work.

"More spent on maintenance offsets the higher costs of reconstruction," Dougherty said.&nbsp;

The street maintenance program is funded primarily with special highway funds, which in 2026 include $563,310 paid to the city.

All agenda items were moved on to the Tuesday, Nov. 25, city commission meeting for votes.

Residents concerned about possible flooding from west Hays housing development

Please be advised that beginning Monday, November 24, 2025, the 100 block of West 6th Street in Hays will be closed from Fort Street to Main Street for approximately three days for sewer line repair. 

Traffic control devices will be set in areas of work being completed. 

The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause the public. If there are any questions, please call the Water Resources Department at 785-628-7380.

Portion of W. 6th Street in Hays to close for sewer line repair

Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in December. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.

Area employees include those celebrating 20 years:•

• Mathew Withington, District Maintenance Engineer,&nbsp;Atwood

Atwood KDOT employee celebrates service anniversary

With temperatures set to plunge this weekend, the American Red Cross of Greater Kansas&nbsp;urges families to take several steps to heat their home safely.

“Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in this country,” said Jane Blocher, executive director of the&nbsp;Red Cross of Greater Kansas.

 “But, there are steps people can take to avoid having this happen to them.&nbsp;Help keep your family safe by providing at least three feet of space around all heating equipment, testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute home fire escape plan.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Overall, home fires account for most of the 60,000-plus disasters that the Red Cross responds to each year, and home fire responses are&nbsp;30%&nbsp;higher during cold months than warmer times of year.

HOW TO SAFELY HEAT YOUR HOME&nbsp;

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters are most often responsible for home heating fires. Follow these tips on how to safely heat your home:

To help protect your family year-round, test your smoke alarms monthly and practice your home fire escape plan until everyone can escape in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late.

If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cisionone-email.us.redcross.org/c/eJwsy72O6yAQQOGngQ6LnwFMQZEmrxGNh3GMLr7OgnejvP0q0bafzilZewYkydnEYL2NAUBuGVGnVKxffAqgKRBQsfM6LwgQwKKsOSTNOsXEySW4GUMhzM6Y5EiAHrXwv_qldqyN-1AUVr9GWkBBpL5Ob5ctb-f5GMJdhL0Ke30-n1PnQv0YYzr6XdjrWv8X9Tq-u2oHYVO04ePkPm3n3uTOpaLq3BgHq1ryB25_INzFxBRdlD1v-BqPY5wCNOO98Sec6NjlODvz_p4TzRYsaTVrBwr87NTi4qpw0T5RSYYCyZ9sfwMAAP__zi5fgg">local Red Cross</a>&nbsp;for help.

Cold snap coming─tips to heat your home safely; space heaters responsible for most home heating fires

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about the Agiliti expansion on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: More from Doug Williams of Grow Hays on Agiliti expansion in Hays

A term tossed around by trappers and by people who work with fur is the word “prime.” 

When a fur-bearing animal’s fur is at its very best it’s called prime. An animal’s fur pelt has thick, dense “underfur” similar to the down feathers on a bird that insulates the animal from the cold. That dense underfur is protected by long “guard hairs” that grow long and thick above it. The pelt is considered prime when that underfur is at its thickest and the guard hairs are at their longest. Hunters and trappers get the most benefit from harvesting furbearing animals when their fur is at it very best, or prime.

Animals fur is always prime at the coldest part of the year, so it seems a safe assumption to think temperature is what brings a fur pelt to become prime. Temperature affects fur quality, but temperature actually has nothing at all to do with fur primeness. 

The primeness of fur is controlled by a long scientific term called photoperiodism, meaning the amount of light in a 24-hour period. Light is absorbed through the animal’s retina’s, so when the winter days become short with fewer hours of daylight, that information is transmitted to the animal’s brain, triggering seasonal responses like turning the fur of a weasel or hare from brown to white, signaling for bears to seek their dens and causing fur-bearers pelts to become prime.

It’s no secret that furbearer’s pelts grow thicker and of better quality in parts of the north and west. For instance, a prime coyote pelt from Montana will be thicker and of better quality than a prime coyote pelt from South Carolina. Both pelts will be at their very best because of photoperiodism (the length of sunlight during the day) but the Montana coyote’s pelt will be thicker and better because of the longer, colder and more severe winters where it lives.

Photoperiodism also tells hibernating animals when to hibernate and triggers sexual responses in others, telling them when to search for mates and when to begin breeding.

The fur of Kansas furbearers becomes prime at different times and remains prime and in good condition for different lengths of time. Kansas racoons and coyotes will become prime around mid-November, followed by muskrats and beavers. Coyotes pelts begin to lose quality around mid-January or before as they begin to breed and to rub their shoulders and necks.

Fur primeness is a major factor used by wildlife and parks personnel across the country when deciding trapping seasons. Since prime fur is also the highest quality and most valuable fur, seasons are set to coincide with when fur is prime. 

Kansas trapping seasons end mid-February for all furbearers except beavers and otters. Beavers and otters can be trapped until March 31 partly because their pelts remain prime slightly longer.

As we zip through all the various hunting, fishing and trapping seasons we enjoy, it’s easy for us Kansas outdoorsmen and women to take for granted and not to think about the subtle little ways God has designed all of nature to work. The way He triggers animal’s fur coats to become prime and luxurious after a long, hot Kansas summer is just the tip of the iceberg…

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Fur at its best

Victoria Community Coalition presents annual Holiday Home Tours

A long-time campus tradition is coming up to celebrate the holiday season at&nbsp;Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;President Mason will kick this event off, followed by multiple speakers, including this year’s Homecoming King and Queen, prior to the lighting of the tree.

The holiday tree-lighting ceremony will be in front of Sheridan Hall. The event&nbsp;is&nbsp;open to the public&nbsp;and will begin at&nbsp;5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2. &nbsp;

A variety of activities will follow the tree lighting, including "glice skating", carriage rides, cookies and hot cocoa from SGA, caroling, and a Christmas scavenger hunt to get an FHSU beanie. Visit Santa’s workshop to write letters to Santa, play games, and make Christmas crafts.&nbsp;

The event is sponsored by several FHSU offices: the Office of Student Engagement, the Office of the President, and the Student Government Association.&nbsp;

FHSU Christmas tree lighting celebration is Dec. 2; public invited

By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight Kansas

Reviewing the results from the 2025 <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/">Kansas Speaks</a> poll conducted by Fort Hays State University, one could easily assume that Kansas is dominated by a coalition of moderate and progressive politics. Consider:

● 70% of Kansans support Medicaid expansion, and about 72% say they think about Medicaid expansion at least a moderate amount.

● 58% support recreational marijuana legalization.

● 59% believe that the state should place no regulations on the circumstances under which women can get abortions.

● While detailed questions about gun policy were not asked this time, in 2024, 75% favored background checks for private gun sales and sales at gun shows, while 55% favored banning assault-style weapons.

● Majorities also favored raising the minimum wage (over 55%) and increasing state assistance for childcare (78%).

Those of us who conduct Kansas Speaks know how hard it is to get a representative sample of respondents these days, so the poll was carefully weighted to reflect the state’s political and demographic makeup. Among our poll respondents who reported voting in 2024, Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris by more than 10 points. But, why?

Maybe the answer comes down to Trump’s signature issue: immigration. Yet even when we asked specifically about the illegal immigration, we got the following results:

● Only 43% said illegal immigrants are a danger to public safety (21% neutral)

● Only 42% said illegal immigrants should be arrested and put in detention camps (16% neutral)

● Only 39% disagreed that illegal immigrants contribute more to society than they take (16% neutral)

Kansans are divided and ambivalent about illegal immigration. This does not explain support for Trump.

This puzzle brings to mind Thomas Frank’s 2004 book, What’s the Matter with Kansas? Frank suggested that Kansans vote against their true economic interests, instead choosing conservative candidates due to culture war issues like opposition to abortion and to LGBTQ+ rights. However, this is not borne out either by Kansas Speaks or by the state’s 2022 vote on abortion rights, where the pro-choice stance prevailed by an 18% margin.

Likewise, Kansas Speaks offers few clues as to why Kansans would continue to give supermajority support to Trump and his Republican allies. Is it because the Democratic Party is so unpopular these days? Probably not. Most of the Dems’ drop has come from their own supporters, angry at party leaders for not fighting harder against Trump. Also, the Republicans are similarly unpopular. 

Is there a “sleeper” issue missing from Kansas Speaks? Quite possibly. A recent Pew Charitable Trust poll of Americans found that the Republicans’ biggest advantage today is on fighting crime, and Kansas Speaks does not feature many questions about that.

Perhaps the simplest explanation lies in just how much Kansans hate our entire political system today. Kansas Speaks respondents’ ratings of all elected officials and institutions were abysmal. The highest rating was only 47% approval for Governor Laura Kelly, the lowest was 21% approval for the U.S. Congress. 

Kansans may have simply decided that they have nothing to lose by voting for Trump to send a message. Or, they may have reverted to longstanding party ties, even if these no longer reflect the state’s political realities. No matter the explanation, this year’s poll shows that many of Kansans’ policy views are sharply at odds with the way they vote, raising questions that deserve more attention from scholars, reporters, and citizens alike.

Michael Smith is a professor of political science at Emporia State University.

Insight Kansas: Why do Kansans support Trump?

<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

La Crosse hosts annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Nov. 28 at museum complex

Lovegrass Music Festival Association

We’re kicking off our&nbsp;Giving Tuesday fundraising&nbsp;with something truly special — a chance to win a&nbsp;custom $5,000 Triggs electric guitar, handcrafted right here in Kansas by luthier&nbsp;Jim Triggs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Learn more about the guitar and the luthier in the video&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lovegrassmusicfestival.com/so/02PgNOIbV/c?w=8oa0vJATXhISyW4qSM8-POPuzOvMyp-dK6bOkqV12kA.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dS5iZS80N0hFckdwblVCbyIsInIiOiIiLCJtIjoibWFpbCIsImMiOiIwYjg3MTdiNC1kNWZlLTQzZjQtOWI4Ni1hODQzMDBiNDNlNGUifQ">HERE</a>.

This stunning instrument features a rich burgundy finish, gold hardware, and classic P-90 style pickups. It’s a showpiece&nbsp;and&nbsp;a player’s dream — and it could be yours.

Raffle starts TODAY! <a href="https://skopos.wufoo.com/forms/lovegrasstriggs-guitar-raffle">Enter here. </a>

Every ticket supports the&nbsp;free, community-focused programming&nbsp;of the Lovegrass Music Festival. Winner announced after Giving Tuesday.

Your support helps keep Lovegrass&nbsp;free for everyone, including workshops, concerts, bluegrass education, and year-round community outreach.

Thank you for lifting up rural Kansas through music and art!

For more, go to <a href="https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/">lovegrassmusicfestival.com</a>.

Handcrafted Triggs electric guitar raffle supports Lovegrass Music Festival

By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON Special to Hays Post

Families needing a little help in purchasing Christmas gifts for their children this year can find that help at the Salvation Army office in Ellis County. There are no income requirements, said Laura Allen, Service Extension Ellis County coordinator.

The Salvation Army is accepting Angel Tree gift applications from families through Monday, Nov. 24. Applications may be picked up and returned to the Salvation Army office in the Hadley Center, 204 E. Seventh St., Suite A.

Allen said, “Please slide completed applications under the door from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.”

The Salvation Army accepts gift requests for children ages infant to 18 years of age. Last year the agency served 112 children, Allen said.

Once she has received an application, Allen places a gift tag request for that child on the Angel Tree, which is located at Fuzzy’s Tacos, 4310 Vine St. The gift tag requests started going on the tree on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

People are asked to take the gift tag for a specific child, purchase the gift(s) and return the tag and the gift(s) unwrapped either to Fuzzy’s or to the Salvation Army office.

Gifts need to be returned by Monday, Dec. 15. That way, Allen said, volunteers have time to purchase additional gifts as needed. Sometimes not all gift tags are taken, she added.

Families will pick up the gifts Thursday and Friday, Dec. 18 and 19, in the Hadley Center Conference Room.

Her office is also accepting donations of wrapping paper in a box outside her office. That wrapping paper then goes to families who need it, she said.

This Christmas gift project is one of the things she loves most about her job, Allen said.

“There is no reason for parents to worry about not being able to buy gifts, and all kids deserve gifts on Christmas. Knowing that the volunteers who help and the people who donate gifts have worked together to make gifts possible is one of my favorite things.”

More information is available from Allen at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:laura.allen@usc.salvationarmy.org">laura.allen@usc.salvationarmy.org</a>&nbsp;or (785) 621-2794.&nbsp;

Ellis County Salvation Army offers Christmas help to families with children 

The Ellis County Landfill is announcing that the Construction &amp; Demolition pit, tree pile, and dirt pile at the landfill are closed Friday November 21, 2025, due to the soaking rain and muddy conditions. These materials will not be accepted in Municipal Waste.

We will re-evaluate the conditions at noon today. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Please direct any questions to the Ellis County Landfill at (785) 628-9460. We appreciate your cooperation. 

Ellis County landfill's construction, demolition pit and tree, dirt pile closed

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

Ken Pfeifer Salvage, Hays, will be closed on Monday, Nov. 24 for a family funeral.

They will re-open on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 8 a.m.

Ken Pfeifer Salvage closed on Monday

&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

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating an injury crash that critically injured two.

Just before 2:30a.m. Sunday, a&nbsp;white, four-door sedan was westbound on Ward Parkway from the Plaza in Kansas City at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

The driver failed to negotiate the curve transitioning to the southbound lanes. The vehicle vaulted over the guardrail and came to rest upside down in Brush Creek.

EMS transported both occupants to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police released no additional details.

2 critically injured after car flips into Kansas City creek 

MIAME COUNTY —A Kansas felon is back in custody after an arrest in rural Miami County Kansas.

Just before 1p.m. November 20,&nbsp;the Miami County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 28980 Osawatomie Road, with assistance from the Osawatomie Police Department, according to. media release.

The search warrant resulted from an Osawatomie Police Department investigation into stolen property that led officers to the rural Miami County residence. During the search of the home, numerous items of stolen property were recovered related to an Osawatomie Police Department case, estimated to be valued at approximately $3,000. 

Additional stolen property belonging to victims in rural Miami County was also recovered, valued at around $500. Deputies additionally seized 1,076.5 grams (2.37 pounds) of marijuana from the property.

Larry Arthur Poage Jr., 56, was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana – and transported to the Miami County Jail. While inside the jail, additional drug paraphernalia was located on his person, resulting in two additional requested felony charges that include Trafficking Contraband into a Correctional Facility. As the investigations continue, additional charges may be filed. Poage has previous drug and driving convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon caught with stolen property and 2 pounds of pot

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/collin-binkley">COLLIN BINKLEY</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/makiya-seminera">MAKIYA SEMINERA</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — Foreign students enrolled at U.S. colleges in strong numbers this fall despite fears that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-students-visas-trump-uk-dubai-6fd432398ce4c87f49a89c9c39421dec">Trump administration crackdown</a>&nbsp;would trigger a nosedive, yet there are signs of turbulence as fewer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-enrollment-visa-trump-ebece1b2ba81dd512aca161fd794a3b6">new, first-time students</a>&nbsp;arrived from other countries, according to a new report.

Overall, U.S. campuses saw a 1% decrease in international enrollment this fall compared with last year, according to a survey from the Institute of International Education. But that figure is propped up by large numbers of students who stayed in the U.S. for temporary work after graduating. The number of new students entering the United States for the first time fell by 17%, the sharpest decrease since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some universities are seeing backslides that have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-f1-student-visa-trump-college-3f10a430b4ee48342ecb62d47c53cfbc">punched big holes</a>&nbsp;in tuition revenue, but overall the falloff is less severe than some industry groups had forecast. Researchers credit colleges for helping students navigate visa issues through the summer.

“I think colleges and universities did absolutely everything in their power to advocate to get these students to the United States,” said Mirka Martel, head of research, evaluation and learning for the institute.

At DePaul University, a Catholic university in Chicago, the number of international graduate students fell by almost 62% this fall, a driving factor in recent spending cuts. The university president blamed student visa troubles and declining interest to study in the U.S., calling it a “massive” disruption.

Overall, nearly 60% of colleges reported a decrease in new foreign students this fall, the survey found, while 30% saw increases and others held even. More than 800 schools responded to the survey, which offers an early look at trends before full data is released next year.

Trump administration has pressed for reductions in foreign enrollment

The Trump administration has sought to reduce America’s reliance on foreign students. The White House is pushing colleges to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-trump-deal-00eef5dca9f003e593d2cb151f5cce17">cap enrollment of foreign students</a>&nbsp;and enroll more from the U.S. In June, the State Department began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-visas-trump-social-media-6632a2c585245edcd6a63594345dd8c7">screening visa applications more closely</a>&nbsp;after temporarily halting all interviews.

Visa processing has continued to lag in some countries, including India, the largest source of America’s foreign students. Education firms have reported that future college students are now showing decreased interest in the U.S. and more in Europe and Asia. While international enrollment remained relatively steady, there are concerns about its sustainability.

“There are warning signs for future years, and I’m really concerned about what this portends for fall ’26 and ’27,” said Clay Harmon, the executive director of AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management, which represents colleges and recruitment agencies.

Foreign students make up about 6% of America’s college students but they play an outsize role in campus budgets. Most pay higher tuition rates and don’t get financial aid, effectively subsidizing U.S. students. Their numbers are far higher at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-students-harvard-columbia-ivy-league-cb330dbf66d4b035e66ea160e4ede856">elite campuses</a>, often making up a quarter or more of the student body.

International students at the graduate level saw the biggest backslide this fall, with a 12% drop. That was mostly offset by rising numbers of students participating in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/opt-international-student-visa-f1-h1b-77095c8abefe0e03a4d26673becbd85b">Optional Practical Training</a>, which allows students to stay in the U.S. for temporary work after graduating. Undergraduate numbers ticked up slightly.

Graduate students make up the biggest share of foreign students in the U.S., often coming for science, math and business programs. Numbers had already started leveling off last year after a post-pandemic surge, but the recent turmoil appears to have accelerated the downturn. In the survey, colleges that saw decreases cite factors including visa issues and other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-ban-trump-college-international-students-2b23373c85cafbdcfc7a2498d66cb83d">travel restrictions</a>.

Drops lead to budget cuts at some colleges

Many smaller and regional colleges have reported downswings, especially among master’s and doctoral students.

In a recent campus address, the president of the University at Albany said a decrease in foreign graduate students was having a “disproportionate impact” on the school’s budget. At Kent State University in Ohio, falling international numbers required an additional $4 million in cuts to balance the budget, the president wrote in an October update.

Even the biggest public universities weren’t immune. The University of Illinois’ flagship campus saw its international numbers dip, fueled by a 6% drop in graduate students. At the University of Michigan, foreign graduate enrollment fell by a similar share. Arizona State University, which has more foreign students than any other public campus, saw its overall numbers fall by 3%.

Universities are offering wider flexibility to students who couldn’t make it to campus this fall, according to the survey. Almost three-quarters are allowing foreign students to defer their enrollment to the spring term, and more than half are allowing deferrals until fall 2026.

Colleges in other countries, meanwhile, have sought to capitalize on the disruption, said Joann Ng Hartmann, senior impact officer at NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. In Germany, Canada and some other countries, colleges are ramping up efforts to recruit students who might be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/trumps-reshaping-of-higher-education-tests-americas-appeal-for-international-students/" target="_blank">rethinking college in the U.S.</a>

“They have friendlier policies, and students realize that,” she said. “They have friendlier messaging for students that welcomes them.”

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/" target="_blank">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/" target="_blank">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Foreign enrollment at US colleges holds steady despite Trump's visa crackdown

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Justice Larkin Walsh is not in her seat because of a predetermined plan or politics.

She is there because of people, she said in her first moments after being formally sworn in as the state’s newest justice. Walsh pledged to be the type of justice all Kansans deserve.

“And that is someone who, with a clear understanding of the legal issues, will faithfully interpret and impartially apply the law to the facts of each unique case, irrespective of popular opinion or political wins, and all while maintaining a humble awareness of each decision’s impact on people and on history,” she said.

Roughly 200 people gathered Friday in the Kansas Supreme Court in the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka. Family, friends, colleagues, former justices and members of all three branches of government watched as Walsh said her first words from her new chair.

“I’m mindful of the climate and the context in which I am joining this court. This is without a doubt a critical time for the judiciary. But that has always been true,” Walsh said, “and that is because the judicial branch is so critical to our democracy.”

Former Supreme Court Justice Carol Beier and Walsh’s husband, Matt, introduced her to the court, and acting Chief Justice Eric Rosen swore her in. Walsh’s four children helped her shrug on what was once Beier’s robe.

Walsh applied to work for Beier as a fresh graduate of the University of Kansas Law School. Beier said a professor told her Walsh would be “the best hire I ever made.”

“I thought no new graduate could possibly deliver the performance he promised,” she said. “I have never been so happy to be so wrong.”

Beier added: “Like Athena, born from the head of Zeus, she was fully formed as a discerning intellect and an unusually mature lawyer and adviser.”

Walsh, the youngest justice on the court, began her duties two months ago after an informal swearing-in ceremony. She succeeded former Justice Evelyn Wilson, who retired in July following a Lou Gehrig’s disease diagnosis.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who was present at the ceremony, appointed Walsh in August from a slate of&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/10/kansas-commission-nominates-two-judges-private-attorney-for-vacancy-on-supreme-court/">three nominees</a>.

In her remarks, Walsh characterized the judicial selection process she endured as rigorous and transparent, a subtle nod to the recent challenges to the state’s merit-based approach. In August 2026, a constitutional amendment will appear on voters’ ballots asking whether they’d like to switch to a popular-vote approach.

Walsh spent the past dozen years in private practice, focusing on civil rights, workers’ rights, consumer protection and complex class actions, according to Kansas Judicial Branch spokesperson Lisa Taylor. Walsh, a Leawood resident, was most recently senior counsel at Stueve Siegel Hanson.

She has worked on at least two class action cases defending victims of sexual abuse.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/22-897.html" target="_blank">One</a>&nbsp;was against Ohio State University for failing to protect hundreds of male student athletes from&nbsp;<a href="https://straussinvestigation.osu.edu/" target="_blank">Richard Strauss</a>’ systemic abuse. The case rose to the U.S. Supreme Court but wasn’t accepted for review.

She was also part of a Kansas legal team that represented&nbsp;<a href="https://lawrencekstimes.com/2025/04/17/lmh-ku-health-lawsuit/" target="_blank">a group of women who in April sued</a>&nbsp;Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the University of Kansas Hospital Authority after a KU physical therapist accessed their medical files, which included images and body measurements. The physical therapist had never treated the women and accessed images for approximately two years without detection, according to court filings. The case is ongoing in federal court, and Walsh withdrew as an attorney in August. Walsh withdrew from the&nbsp;<a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/07/11/in-new-documentary-former-ohio-state-wrestlers-say-u-s-rep-jim-jordan-knew-about-strauss-abuse/" target="_blank">ongoing</a>&nbsp;Ohio case in January 2024.

She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, majoring in art and English. She is a 2004 graduate of the University of Kansas law school. In addition to her time as a research attorney for Beier, Walsh clerked for U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia. She served two five-year terms on the Kansas Board of Law Examiners and has been involved with the Kansas Bar Association’s Annual Survey of Law for 20 years, beginning as co-chair and transitioning to editor, a role she still holds.

After one year in office, new justices undergo a retention vote to continue holding a seat on the court. Subsequent retention votes occur every six years.

In public interviews during the judicial selection process, Walsh said she was not a “self-promoter.” She said at the time that ego can hinder effective justice, and she emphasized adherence to law and careful consideration and examination of facts and issues.

Her parents, relatives and friends attended the ceremony, and Matt Walsh thanked many of them, while praising Larkin Walsh for her abilities as a mother, lawyer and new justice.

Matt Walsh and Beier spoke of her positivity, empathy, dignity and humility.

“Larkin knows exactly what court service demands,” Beier said. “She embraces the responsibility and she has crafted a record of achievement and service made to measure.”

Newest addition to Kansas Supreme Court promises to be the justice all Kansans deserve

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A report of a suspicious vehicle led to the arrest of two people in Bentley earlier this month, according to the Bentley Police Department.

Deputy Chief Scott Harris responded to a call around 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 after residents reported a suspicious character driving through the neighborhood near Devonshire and Midland. Mt. Hope Officer Brandon Endicott also assisted with checking the area.

Officers located the vehicle parked partially on public right of way and private property at 150 S. Dacey. The car displayed an expired Oklahoma registration and was occupied by a single woman. Officers observed burglary tools inside and learned from a citizen that a male passenger had left the vehicle and was seen walking south on Phelps.

Chief Bryan and Police Service Dog Edy arrived to search the vehicle. A free air sniff resulted in a positive alert, and a subsequent search led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.

While responding to assist, Colwich Officer Tyson Ridenour was advised of a man walking in the roadway near K-96 and 151st Street West. He stopped the man, determined he was the second occupant of the vehicle and placed him under arrest on two outstanding warrants.

Police identified the woman as Susan Lepich, 39. She was was arrested on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of controlled substances, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no proof of insurance and operating without valid registration. Investigators noted she has previous drug-related convictions, including a 2020 conviction in Colorado Springs for dangerous drugs and criminal trespass, and a September arrest in Greensburg for possession of methamphetamine. Her initial appearance is scheduled for December in Kiowa County District Court. She was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on a 3,250 dollar bond.

The male suspect, identified as Chad E. Hendershot, 43, of Wichita, was transported and booked on two warrants issued through the Wichita Police Department.

Kansas couple arrested after report of suspicious vehicle 

WASHINGTON (AP) — When the nonprofit organization planning&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-america-250th-birthday-iowa-e6fb5df832cdba107ae4e9c62f2577e9">America’s 250th birthday celebrations</a>&nbsp;decided it wanted an ornament to commemorate that milestone in history, its leadership knew just where to turn for guidance.

<a href="https://store.america250.org/#94c50f5b631ed7d597c252e9926cfd7a">Click here to visit the website</a>

America250.org worked with the White House Historical Association, which, since 1981,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-ornament-state-dinners-8cbcc2e474ec5c0fecbaa09f6743440b">has sold a popular Christmas tree ornament</a>&nbsp;honoring a president or a key White House anniversary. More than 1 million of those ornaments are now sold every year.

The two groups worked together to produce a keepsake to mark the anniversary — officially known as the semiquincentennial — and America250.org unveiled it on Monday.

The limited-edition, hand-crafted ornament features the Declaration of Independence, the document the Second Continental Congress used to announce it was breaking away from Britain on July 4, 1776. President Donald Trump has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-america-250th-birthday-iowa-e6fb5df832cdba107ae4e9c62f2577e9">copy hanging in the Oval Office</a>.

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