By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The renovated Hays Middle School opened to students on Wednesday.

Students and their parents toured the school on Tuesday night.

Principal Tom Albers told the students and parents on Tuesday that the renovation project of the former high school, 2300 E. 13th, is about 58% complete.

More work will be done this summer and likely next summer.

"There is a lot of walking in this school compared to what you are used to," Albers told the students. "You will be lost. But guess what, everyone, for the first time, will be lost. We are all lost together. You'll figure it out.

"Don't stress out. It'll all work out. I think you're going to like it."

Student drop-off will be on the west side of the building.

See a traffic flow map below. <a href="https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cOVh2enr2IH?fbclid=IwY2xjawPLcRBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETExY1c4WkxmRXNtU3FhcHZlc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkOgXXj_PDGO-mEaTLSUpNPwFXgvLT1gD3j7owPGxh8wVYDJ4fdtci6KRr0F_aem_Pg2CwxSnNZnnW8ZWuGDiqg">Click here for a video explaining the map.</a>

Parents who spoke to the Hays Post on Tuesday night said they were excited about the opportunities the renovated school will provide students.

Students expressed mixed emotions. Some were excited about the new building, and others said they were nervous about navigating the larger school.

Tressidy Silva was visiting the school with her son, Matix, a seventh grader.

"I really like the school. I went here back in the day," she said. "[Matix] is excited for it. He is extremely jacked."

Matix said his first impression of the school was that it was big but nice.

Charlotte Mergen, seventh grader, said she was a little scared to start classes at the new school.

Her mother, Christy Mergen, said, "I'm excited for it. I think it's going to offer a lot of opportunities for the kids, a lot bigger and a lot more space for them to spread out and do some fun stuff."

William White, an eighth grader, was with his parents visiting the school on Tuesday night.

"I think it's a lot bigger than the old one," William said.

He said he did not feel intimidated by the larger school but thought it offered larger, better classrooms.

His mother, Tonya White, said, "I think it's great. They're getting moved in. It brings back memories for me. It is nice that they are somewhere bigger. It will be easier for them to move around."

Science teacher Scott Lindenmeyer said, "I think it's a great addition for our school because of the added space we have for our kids, extra gyms, larger hallways, larger classrooms."

"I think it is going to help our students be spaced apart, so it's not so cramped. I'm excited for just the space. It's going to be awesome."

The&nbsp;$6.1 million project&nbsp;included moving some classroom walls to create larger classrooms and adding collaboration rooms.&nbsp;New flooring was installed, lockers were painted and repaired, and other cosmetic improvements were done.

Additional boys' and girls' bathrooms were also added in the athletics wing.

The school has two gyms and a larger cafeteria compared to the former middle school.

Hays High students will still use the former high school wood shop. They will walk a short distance from the new high school to the former building for woods classes. The former ag classroom will be used as a lecture classroom space for the high school woods program.

The high school class is separated from the new middle school by a locked door accessible with a key card.

The former high school metals shop will become the middle school's new wood shop.&nbsp;

The two largest of the bond projects have been completed:&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4ecf935d-41cb-472c-9754-49c567a9dddc">an addition at Roosevelt Elementary School</a>&nbsp;and construction of the new&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b20dc400-848a-4e10-bda4-36f5dad6d626">Hays High School</a>.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4906798e-f3ac-4473-a4cb-4899a08613e3">Work is underway on an addition and renovation at O'Loughlin Elementary School.</a>

Now that the middle school is vacant, it will be renovated into a four-section elementary school, Felten Elementary School, scheduled to open in fall 2026.

At that time, Wilson Elementary School will close as an elementary school, and the district plans to move administrative offices into the Wilson building.

The district plans to vacate the Rockwell Administration Center.

Renovated Hays Middle School opens for classes

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

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser, news reporter, talks with Lee Ann June, The Bricks executive director, about the 2025 holiday season in downtown Hays and some of the plans for 2026.

🎙 Post Podcast: The Bricks wraps up holiday season in downtown Hays

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Friday for Hays and Ellis County.

Other affected areas include:&nbsp;Trego, Scott, Lane, Ness, Rush, Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Hodgeman,&nbsp;Pawnee, Stafford, Stanton, Grant, Haskell, Gray, Ford, Edwards, Kiowa, Pratt, Morton, Stevens, Seward, Meade, Clark, Comanche and Barber counties.

Light snow will develop near the Colorado border after midnight, according to the National Weather Service.

This light snow will continue west of U.S. Highway 83 through daybreak and then begin to spread east across the remainder of southwest Kansas on Friday. 

The overnight snowfall is expected to end by 6 a.m. Friday and is currently expected to be light and average less than one inch.

Snowfall is expected to continue to accumulate on Friday, with totals between 0.5 to 1.5 inches likely, but there is a 60-80% chance that over 2 inches will be possible before the snow ends west of a Liberal to Sublette line.

Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be sunny with highs in the mid-40s.

The highs in Hays Monday through Wednesday are forecast in the 50s.

Snow expected Friday; hazardous weather outlook issued

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The first moisture of 2026 for Hays brought rain overnight into Thursday morning.&nbsp;

As of 8 a.m., 0.38 inches of rain had been measured at the K-State&nbsp; Agricultural Research Center south of town.&nbsp;

At the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, 0.51 inches was measured as of 8:30 a.m. with light rain continuing.

The cumulative moisture average for January in Hays is 0.50.

The National Weather Service <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/55051a5e-58fd-43e9-8073-ff35efae26c0">weather forecast</a> calls for a 100% change of rain, then tapering off tonight.

A 40% chance of snow showers is in the forecast for Friday.&nbsp;

First moisture of new year falls in Hays overnight into Thursday 

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

Logan, KS — The Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program is delighted to welcome certified Bob Ross instructor Hope Blakely of Arvada, Colorado, for two Magic of Painting classes on January 24 &amp; 25. On Saturday, January 24th, participants will paint Old Castle, and on Sunday, January 25th, Mystic Waterfall. Both classes will take place in the Hansen Museum Community Room, located at 110 W. Main Street in Logan, Kansas, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day, with a one-hour lunch break.

These classes offer a fun, beginner-friendly introduction to painting. Students will be guided step-by-step through the process of completing a finished painting each day. No prior experience is necessary, and all supplies are provided. Participants need only bring a roll of paper towels. Open to individuals aged 13 and older, these sessions provide a relaxed, supportive atmosphere that fosters creativity and camaraderie.

Registration is available online at www.hansenmuseum.org under the “Classes &amp; Camps” section. Discounts are offered to Patron and Sustaining Members of the Hansen Museum. These classes are part of the Hansen Museum Continuing Education Program and are made possible through generous support from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. For more information, call 785-689-4846.

The Hansen Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 4:00, Saturdays from 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:00, and Sundays and holidays from 1:00 to 5:00. The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The facility is handicap-accessible, and thanks to the support of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, admission is always free.

Upcoming beginner-friendly painting class at Hansen Museum

BUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills PBS is excited to announce that the 2026 PBS KIDS Writers Contest is now officially open for entries. The annual contest encourages creativity and imagination by inviting children in 1st through 5th grade to submit their very own original stories.

This year introduces a new contest requirement: every story must include a zoo theme. Whether it’s a daring adventure, a silly animal tale, or a heartwarming zoo friendship, young writers are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild.

“At Smoky Hills PBS, we love celebrating the creativity and imagination of young writers across our region," said Betsy Schwien, general manager of Smoky Hills PBS. "The PBS KIDS Writers Contest is a wonderful opportunity for students in 1st through 5th grade to explore storytelling, share their unique voices, and maybe even see their work featured on television. We can’t wait to read all the amazing zoo-themed stories this year!"

Students may submit stories individually, and teachers are also welcome to submit multiple entries on behalf of their classrooms. Printable entry forms are available at <a href="https://www.smokyhillspbs.org/kids/pbs-kids-writers-contest/">SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>, and completed forms and stories can be emailed to writerscontest@shptv.org.

All entries must be received by February 23, 2026.

Winners will receive prizes and be recognized in May 2026, during the annual Smoky Hills PBS Awards Show, where selected stories will be featured on TV.

The PBS KIDS Writers Contest continues to be a fun and educational opportunity for children to strengthen their writing skills, express themselves creatively, and share their ideas with the community.

Thank you to <a href="https://www.messer-us.com/">Messer: Gases for Life</a> and the Beach Family Foundation for making this year’s 2026 PBS KIDS Writers Contest possible.

Smoky Hills PBS announces 2026 PBS KIDS Writers Contest

Those who play connect the dots find the experience relaxing or agitating, depending on results. Some recognize relationships between one concept and another but possess too little information to verify them. Complicating matters, lack of time or money limits investigation. I understand this tension, especially after reading articles about Clovis caches found in North America.

Few share my fascination with Clovis culture let alone have burning interests in stone tools ancient inhabitants hid and didn’t retrieve. While knapped from common materials, these relics equal buried treasure for those who love archeology and connecting to prehistoric stories.

The term Clovis Culture came into existence when a sharp-eyed cowboy noted artifacts formed using a particular bi-faced fluting near Clovis New Mexico. Following his discovery, scientists identified stonework utilizing this pattern as Clovis points. Scholars attribute this style to bison antiquus and mammoth hunters living at the end of the Pleistocene era about 13,000 years ago. Connecting to my world, a journal mentioned caches found in Colorado’s Front Range and Wyoming containing Clovis bifaces made of Niobrara or Smoky Hill Jasper.

Anyone walking country roads or plowed fields in Northwest and North Central Kansas sees this frequently ochre-colored, silicified stone even if they don’t know its name. Researchers identified prehistoric quarries containing outcroppings of this desirable knapping material in Trego, Gove, and Graham Counties in Kansas and Fremont County Nebraska. So did those caches in Colorado and Wyoming contain tools made of stone quarried near my home?

According to research, Western Kansas sites produced desirable knapping material early hunters used for thousands of years. Oklahoma archeologists found artifacts made from it among mammoth and bison bones found during road, dam, and bridge work throughout their state.

This detail makes me wonder how many Pleistocene hunters wandered our region searching for game and resources to make tools. After all, the plains supported modern bison and native cultures who depended on them for survival. Why wouldn’t earlier people roast a mammoth haunch harvested with a spear head made of Smoky Hill jasper?

These nomads wandered from one watershed to another unconcerned about licenses, taxes, or land ownership. A decade ago, Dan Busse in Northeastern Colorado worked his field and noted fingernail-size bits of Smoky Hill jasper that weren’t native to his area. Investigating further, he dug up a hunter’s pack of fluted Clovis-style bifaces. Among them were several manufactured from Niobrara or Smoky Hill jasper, commonly found in western Kansas and Nebraska.

Add to this data details about KU professor Rolfe Mandel’s 2014 dig near Tuttle Creek. His team specifically searched for evidence of Clovis and pre-Clovis inhabitants in what is now Kansas. Lab analysts work to verify the findings.

Though few documented Clovis Cache finds exist in the U.S., research offers hope that any day now a Kansan could make a discovery like a landscaper in Boulder, Colorado, did. While working in his yard, he uncovered a stash of 80 artifacts used to butcher prehistoric camels and horses.

Though I doubt I’ll find such treasure, connecting archeological dots leads me to expect I’ll read about a Kansan who does in 2026.

MADORIN: Dot connecting

<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

Hays City Automotive has moved into a new, expanded location at 1121 East 27th Street, directly across from Jimmy John’s. The shop had previously operated from 808 Milner, Hays. Owner Daniel Dysinger, an automotive technician with two decades of experience, said the larger facility will allow the business to serve more customers and accommodate increasing demand.

The move marks a milestone for the family-owned business, which Daniel operates with support from his wife, Kelly, a nurse, and their two children, Wrenley and Westin. “We wanted a space that let us work more efficiently and continue growing,” Daniel said. “This new building gives us the room to do that.”

Daniel began his career in automotive repair 20 years ago and has built a reputation locally for a straightforward, customer-focused approach. He said many of the shop’s practices grew out of his own experience as a parent and long-time Hays resident who understands how difficult it can be for families to budget time and money for car maintenance.

“Our goal is to make service as clear and convenient as possible,” he said, noting that customers can book appointments online and receive text updates during inspections and repairs.

The expanded facility allows the shop to continue offering core maintenance and repair services, including oil and filter changes, suspension work, brake inspections, AC system diagnostics, and fuel system services. The shop also uses manufacturer-level equipment for computer diagnostics and provides digital vehicle inspection reports, which outline the condition of major systems before any repair decisions are made.

Oil and filter changes remain one of the most common services the shop performs. According to Daniel, many vehicle owners underestimate the importance of routine oil service. As oil breaks down over time, he explained, it becomes less effective at lubricating engine components, which can lead to costly repairs.

During an oil change, the shop also conducts a visual courtesy inspection to evaluate the overall health and safety of the vehicle.

Brake inspections at the shop include checks of pad thickness, calipers, rotors, hydraulic fluid levels, brake hoses, and related hardware. Suspension evaluations address common issues such as vibration, uneven tire wear, and alignment concerns.

For AC issues — including reduced cooling, unusual odors, or leaks — the shop uses modern diagnostic equipment to identify the source of the problem before recommending repairs. In cases involving fuel systems, technicians evaluate conditions that may lead to reduced fuel efficiency or performance, and most repairs are covered under a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.

With the move complete, Daniel said he enjoys the new location and its central accessibility to the community. It will help the business continue to grow while maintaining the personal, family-run environment customers are familiar with.

Hays City Automotive shares updates and monthly specials on Facebook and Instagram. The shop is now fully operational at 1121 East 27th Street and open for scheduling.

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

&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

Girl Scout sign up Monday in La Crosse

The Arc is collecting size 16+ dresses and 2XL suits to help make Night to Shine unforgettable for its amazing guests.

Drop off donations between Jan. 5-9 at The Arc, 600 Main St., Hays.

Be sure to mark donations for Night to Shine.

Arc collecting dresses, suits for Night to Shine

Starting today, there will be a road repair project taking place in the 2400 block of 170th Ave.

This area will be reduced to one-lane traffic.  It is expected to be finished Jan. 21.

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

Road repair in 2400 block of 170th in Ellis County

Make your nomination below to help us recognize an Ellis County Child Care Provider.

Nominate a Child Care Champion

CASA of the High Plains has set a Neon Moon Sweetheart Country Prom for Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hays.

The event will raise funds for the local Court Appointed Special Advocates program, which provides volunteers who give a voice to children in need of care in court.

The event's cocktail hour will start at 6 p.m., with a silent auction at 7 p.m. and a country-themed dance with a DJ at 8 p.m.

A cash bar will be offered. This is a 21-and-older event.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at <a href="https://casaofthehighplains.org/">casaofthehighplains.org</a>.

Tickets are $50 each or $90 per couple. Sponsorship packages are available, all of which include drinks and some offer discounted rooms at the Hilton.

These packages can be found on the <a href="https://casaofthehighplains.org/">CASA website</a>.

CASA is still accepting sponsorships for the event and donations for the silent auction. You can contact CASA at 785-628-8641&nbsp;or email&nbsp;info@casaofthehighplains.org&nbsp;for more information.

Traditionally, CASA had sponsored an annual Valentine's dinner fundraiser. However, the organization has not had that event for several years.

Jan Johnson, CASA director, said this event is a resurrection of the group's winter fundraiser.

Johnson said she imagines an '80s or '90s country theme, but she has friends coming in all sorts of attire, from boots and jeans to prom dresses.

CASA is a nonprofit organization and receives no federal funds. It receives two small state grants and a small annual grant from the county. The remainder of the organization's operating costs are funded through local donations.

CASA of the High Plains covers the four counties of the 23rd Judicial District: Gove, Trego, Rooks and Ellis counties, with the majority of cases originating from Ellis County.

Court Appointed Special Advocates serve as a voice for children in court. They are trained volunteers who meet with all of the parties involved when a child is in state custody.&nbsp;

After conducting an independent investigation, which includes building a relationship and speaking with the child, the advocate writes a report and submits a recommendation to the court regarding the child's custody.

"When you put it down in black and white and make a nice bullet point timeline, what has happened to this child since the case came into care, generally about the time they hit kindergarten ... especially if you can get a direct letter from the child about what their experience has been, it can really clear things up," Johnson said. "The CASA is the one who gets that done."

Johnson said some of the children who finally receive CASAs are teenagers and still in the system.

"Being a child, a teenager, is tough enough. It's a pretty rough time of life. Everything is happening to you. You aren't in charge of anything," Johnson said. "It truly does set the tone for the rest of your life. This is where and how changes get made."

In 2024, the latest year for which complete statistics are available, the 23rd Judicial District had 99 new child-in-need-of-care cases.

"Here all the time, 'Kids today, kids today.' But kids today are the direct result of adults today," she said. "There are so many people who are in positions to make a change for a kid, and they just don't.

"Something is holding them back from being the one to step up for a kid."

CASA's work was slowed during the pandemic.

However, CASA went from two cases two years ago to 26 cases during the last two years and 15 of those cases were resolved.

"Over and over on the cases we have closed, it was the CASA who made the difference in the case," Johnson said.

Johnson said the local CASA chapter has had a high rate of resolution for children, which she credited to the excellent volunteers working on those cases.

County attorneys, case workers and others will come and go, but the CASA is a consistent person in the child's life throughout the court case. The CASA maintains regular contact with the child even when the child is not in court, Johnson said.

The local CASA chapter is in need of more volunteers to work as advocate and in support roles, Johnson said.

The local CASA chapter has four advocates with three more in training.

You don't need any legal training to become a CASA. You have to submit to a background check and complete 35 to 40 hours of training.

When a volunteer first takes a case, they might volunteer 15 to 20 hours in a month. Later in the cases, volunteers may be needed for only three hours per month, Johnson said.

Volunteers can take breaks between cases.

Volunteers are also needed for the local CASA board and to serve on committees, which could include working on a single event.

The CASA board is planning another event in the spring based on Child Abuse Prevention Month.

You can donate to CASA&nbsp;at any time by visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://casaofthehighplains.org/" target="_blank">CASA website</a>&nbsp;or by&nbsp;mailing checks to 107 W. 13th, Hays, KS 67601.

"Your dollar given goes directly to serving these kids," Johnson said. "This organization is on a shoestring. There's not a lot of overhead here."

CASA sets Sweetheart Country Prom fundraiser to support advocacy for children

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a remarkable rebuke of Republican leadership, the House passed legislation Thursday, 230-196, that would extend&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/%E2%80%9CNo%20matter%20the%20issue,%20if%20the%20House%20puts%20forward%20relatively%20strong,%20bipartisan%20support,%20it%20makes%20it%20easier%20for%20the%20senators%20to%20get%20there.%E2%80%9D">expired health care subsidies</a>&nbsp;for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act as renegade GOP lawmakers joined essentially all Democrats in voting for the measure.

Forcing the issue to a vote came about after a handful of Republicans signed on to a so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-subsidies-aca-speaker-johnson-1087a9f64168d66b2acf9082af16c253">“discharge petition”</a>&nbsp;to unlock debate, bypassing objections from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>. The bill now goes to the Senate, where pressure is building for a similar bipartisan compromise.

Together, the rare political coalitions are rushing to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-vote-affordable-care-act-obamacare-6ffc1ea9f878c6b3da995589ef8a012c">resolve the standoff</a>&nbsp;over the enhanced tax credits that were put in place during the COVID-19 crisis but expired late last year after no agreement was reached during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/trump-signs-government-funding-bill-ending-shutdown-after-record-43-day-disruption-ap-explains-6f25ef5b692c418cbed5bbdb26b796d7">government shutdown</a>.

“The affordability crisis is not a ‘hoax,’ it is very real — despite what Donald Trump has had to say,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, invoking&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-affordability-pennsylvania-speech-6a7884b814f448ab6b17b9d924a356ba">the president's remarks</a>.

“Democrats made clear before the government was shut down that we were in this affordability fight until we win this affordability fight,” he said. “Today we have an opportunity to take a meaningful step forward.”

Ahead of voting, the nonpartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-big-beautiful-bill-trump-republican-deficit-debt-d432b67a965790e4a26de46ea8db1266">Congressional Budget Office</a>&nbsp;estimated that the bill, which would provide a three-year extension of the subsidy, would increase the nation's deficit by about $80.6 billion over the decade. At the same time, it would increase the number of people with health insurance by 100,000 this year, 3 million in 2027, 4 million in 2028 and 1.1 million in 2029, the CBO said.

Growing support for extending ACA subsidies

Johnson, R-La., worked for months to prevent this situation. His office argued Thursday that the federal health care funding from the COVID-19 era is ripe with fraud, pointing to an investigation in Minnesota, and urged a no vote.

On the floor, Republicans argued that the subsidies as structured have contributed to fraud and that the chamber should be focused on lowering health insurance costs for the broader population.

“Only 7% of the population relies on Obamacare marketplace plans. This chamber should be about helping 100% of Americans,” said Rep. Jason Smith, the Republican chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

While the momentum from the vote shows the growing support for the tax breaks that have helped some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/affordable-care-act-enrollment-subsidies-health-90ad8b27a6693c5aa03a9ca841048479">22 million Americans</a>&nbsp;have access to health insurance, the Senate would be under no requirement to take up the House bill.

Instead, a small group of senators from both parties has been working on an alternative plan that could find support in both chambers and become law. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said that for any plan to find support in his chamber, it will need to have income limits to ensure that the financial aid is focused on those who most need the help. He and other Republicans also want to ensure that beneficiaries would have to at least pay a nominal amount for their coverage.

Finally, Thune said there would need to be some expansion of health savings accounts, which allow people to save money and withdraw it tax-free as long as the money is spent on qualified medical expenses.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who is part of the negotiations on reforms and subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, said there is agreement on addressing fraud in health care.

“We recognize that we have millions of people in this country who are going to lose — are losing, have lost — their health insurance because they can’t afford the premiums,” Shaheen said. “And so we’re trying to see if we can’t get to some agreement that’s going to help, and the sooner we can do that, the better.”

Trump has pushed Republicans to send money directly to Americans for health savings accounts so they can bypass the federal government and handle insurance on their own. Democrats largely reject this idea as insufficient for covering the high costs of health care.

The action by Republicans to force a vote has been an affront to Johnson and his leadership team, who essentially lost control of what comes to the House floor as the Republican lawmakers joined Democrats for the workaround.

After last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/trump-signs-government-funding-bill-ending-shutdown-after-record-43-day-disruption-ap-explains-6f25ef5b692c418cbed5bbdb26b796d7">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;failed to resolve the issue, Johnson had discussed allowing more politically vulnerable GOP lawmakers a chance to vote on another health care bill that would temporarily extend the subsidies while also adding changes.

But after days of discussions, Johnson and the GOP leadership sided with the more conservative wing, which has assailed the subsidies as propping up ACA, which they consider a failed government program. He offered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-house-health-care-plan-obamacare-subsidies-208b30670d0486c8d27ceb59c59003e0">modest proposal of health care reforms</a>&nbsp;that was approved, but has stalled.

It was then that rank-and-file lawmakers took matters into their own hands, as many of their constituents faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-subsidies-aca-speaker-johnson-1087a9f64168d66b2acf9082af16c253">soaring health insurance premiums</a>&nbsp;beginning this month.

Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Robert Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie, all from Pennsylvania, and Mike Lawler of New York, signed the Democrats’ petition, pushing it to the magic number of 218 needed to force a House vote. All four represent key swing districts whose races will help determine which party takes charge of the House next year.

Trump encourages GOP to take on health care issue

What started as a long shot effort by Democrats to offer a discharge petition has become a political vindication of the Democrats’ government shutdown strategy as they fought to preserve the health care funds.

Democrats are making clear that the higher health insurance costs many Americans are facing will be a political centerpiece of their efforts to retake the majority in the House and Senate in the fall elections.

Trump, during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-house-republicans-meeting-kennedy-center-ad8705ea228a8a4591567fb51f87edb3">lengthy speech</a>&nbsp;this week to House GOP lawmakers, encouraged his party to take control of the health care debate — an issue that has stymied Republicans since he tried, and failed, to repeal Obamacare during his first term.

Associated Press writer Matt Brown contributed to this report.

House approves 3-year extension of expired health care subsidies

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged road rage shooting in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 32-year-old Keithlin Royster, according to KCPD Officer Alanya Gonzalez

Just before 11:30a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a shooting on southbound 71 Highway and Blue River Road.

First responders located a vehicle stopped on the side of the highway and a woman asking for help. At that time, officers observed Royster unresponsive inside of the vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. EMS responded to the scene and pronounce him deceased at that scene.

Preliminary information indicates this may be a road rage incident. It is believed two unidentified men were occupying an unknown vehicle when shots were fired, striking the victim. It is not currently known where the start of the altercation began, and where exactly the shooting occurred. 

A subject of interest turned himself in to police late Wednesday regarding this incident and he was questioned by detectives for further investigation. Detectives are not currently seeking any additional suspects, and the case has been presented to prosecutors for consideration of applicable charges, according to Gonzalez.

Police: Suspect in deadly KC road-rage killing turns himself in

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jan. 26 marks the official start date of the 2026 tax filing season, when the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns. April 15 is the filing deadline to avoid penalties and interest.

Tax season is the annual period when taxpayers prepare and submit their income tax returns for the previous calendar year to the IRS and most U.S. citizens and permanent residents need to file a tax return if they make more than a certain amount of money for the year.

Tax experts, including the IRS’ independent watchdog, have warned that this year’s filing season could be hampered by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-doge-layoffs-tax-season-0659e4b439400bf66023273f6a532fa0">loss of tens of thousands of tax collection workers</a>&nbsp;who left the agency through planned layoffs and buyouts spurred by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-irs-bessent-bisignano-e58cfaf2c88299e728d9783c8f5476fa">named to the new role in October</a>, said “the IRS workforce remains vigilant and dedicated to their mission to serve the American taxpaying public. At the same time, IRS information systems have been updated to incorporate the new tax laws and are ready to efficiently and effectively process taxpayer returns during the filing season.”

Bisignano is also commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

The IRS will also be responsible for implementing major provisions of Republicans’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions" target="_blank">tax and spending package</a>&nbsp;signed into law last summer. Several provisions in the law retroactively affect the 2025 tax year, likely leading to more questions from taxpayers and requiring the IRS to update tax forms.

“President Trump is committed to the taxpayers of this country and improving upon the successful tax filing season in 2025,” said acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent in a news release. “I am confident in our ability to deliver results and drive growth for businesses and consumers alike.”

The IRS expects to receive roughly 164 million individual income tax returns this year, which is on par with what it received last year.

The average refund amount was $3,167, according to IRS data. Bessent has said on several occasions that the effects of Republican tax law will result in bigger tax refunds in 2026.

The latest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tax-season-irs-audits-watchdog-report-fb5a1ecec7424362e34e9502270f1e21">National Taxpayer Advocate report</a>&nbsp;to Congress published in June states that the IRS workforce has fallen from 102,113 workers at the end of the Biden administration to 75,702. The IRS website does not include the latest employment numbers on the agency’s workforce.

IRS employees involved in last year’s tax season were not allowed to accept a buyout offer from the Trump administration until after the taxpayer filing deadline of April 15, 2025.

The June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/" target="_blank">National Taxpayer Advocate</a>&nbsp;report to Congress warned that the 2026 season could be rocky.

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