Members of the VFW Post 9139 and its auxiliary joined members of Boy Scout Troop 101 and Girl Scout Troop 11262 for a flag-retirement ceremony to dispose of damaged American flags.

Submitted Members of the VFW Post 9139 and its auxiliary joined members of Boy Scout Troop 101 and Girl Scout Troop 11262 for a flag-retirement ceremony to dispose of damaged American flags.Photos courtesy of Guy Windholz<figure>
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VFW Post 9139, auxiliary join Boy, Girl Scouts for flag retirement ceremony

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;took a swipe against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;supporters as he reacted to the Republican presidential nominee's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-madison-square-garden-new-york-election-fcfe75be7f8281fde7bffa3adb3bba5d">weekend rally</a>&nbsp;at Madison Square Garden, which was overshadowed by crude and racist rhetoric.

In a call organized by the Hispanic advocacy group Voto Latino, Biden on Tuesday responded to&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/a%20comic">a comic</a>&nbsp;at Trump's rally who called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” Biden's initial comments were garbled.

“Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage. Well, let me tell you something, I don’t, I don’t know the Puerto Rican that I know, the Puerto Rico where I’m fr -- in my home state of Delaware. They’re good, decent honorable people,” he said.

The president then added: “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American. It’s totally contrary to everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been.”

White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden “referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as ‘garbage.’”

Biden then took to social media to personally clarify what he said.

“Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage — which is the only word I can think of to describe it,” he posted on X. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That’s all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.”

In referring to Trump's supporters as “garbage,” however, Biden's tone was at odds with the message that Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is seeking to present as she aims to cast a broad appeal, including to disaffected Republicans. Shortly after Biden's comments, Harris spoke from the Ellipse in Washington, vowing to be a president who would unite the country.

“I pledge to be a president for all Americans,” said Harris, who is Biden's vice president.

Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, said the campaign's message of unity was not undercut by Biden's words.

Walz said Wednesday on “CBS Mornings” that the president “was very clear that he’s speaking about the rhetoric we heard, so it doesn’t undermine it.” Walz added on ABC's “Good Morning America” that he and Harris “have made it absolutely clear that we want everyone as a part of this. Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric is what needs to end.”

Republicans quickly highlighted Biden's remark. Trump called up Florida Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;during his rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to recount what happened.

“Moments ago Joe Biden stated that our supporters, our patriots, are garbage,” Rubio said. ”He’s talking about everyday Americans who love their country.”

Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a subsequent statement, “There’s no way to spin it: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don’t just hate President Trump, they despise the tens of millions of Americans who support him."

A Trump campaign fundraising text declared, “KAMALA’S BOSS JOE BIDEN JUST CALLED ALL MY SUPPORTERS GARBAGE!” before ensuring recipients that Trump himself thinks, “YOU ARE AMAZING!”

Even some prominent Democrats began distancing themselves from Biden's comments. Speaking on CNN, Pennsylvania Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/josh-shapiro">Josh Shapiro</a>&nbsp;said he would “never insult the good people of Pennsylvania or any Americans even if they chose to support a candidate that I didn't support.”

The comments recalled then-Democratic presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hillary-clinton">Hillary Clinton</a>&nbsp;dismissing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;supporters during a 2016 fundraiser in New York by saying that half would fit into a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-97d6e5c7188845888bba36957160b675">basket of deplorables</a>.”

Clinton later called that characterization “grossly generalistic.” But it became a defiant rallying cry for many Trump backers who said the insult encapsulated the elitist attitudes of Clinton and the Democrats.

As reactions to Biden's reaction began to fly, meanwhile, Trump was asked in an interview Tuesday night with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity about the racist and vulgar joke at his New York rally. He responded: “Somebody said there was a comedian that joked about Puerto Rico or something. And I have no idea who he is.”

The former president added, "I can’t imagine it’s a big deal.”

At a rally Tuesday in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a city with a large Hispanic population, Trump repeated his claim that Biden's immigration policies have allowed other countries to treat the U.S. like “a giant garbage can.”

With Election Day now just a week off, Biden has worked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-2024-campaign-voting-5bc945613e702b0d92fec5881b676ed2">maintain relevance</a>, furiously promoting his administration’s accomplishments while Harris in her race against Trump.

But his efforts to remain in the political spotlight might not always be so helpful for the top of the Democratic ticket he’s now promoting. That’s because, while Harris has been sharply critical of Trump for months, repeatedly calling him “unstable” and “unhinged” and even suggesting that he was “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fascism-meaning-harris-trump-kelly-fda56694feb1825dcf6477c8081a563d">fascist</a>,” she has been careful not to decry his supporters.

In fact, the vice president has campaigned extensively with former Republican Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-election-2024-gop-c584f9860260f48ddff90ab2dca0433a">Liz Cheney</a>&nbsp;and other former GOP elected officials — hoping to woo conservative crossover voters. The Democratic convention — and Harris ads — have highlighted the stories of everyday Americans who talked about having voted for Trump in the past but now say they are supporting the vice president.

On Tuesday’s call, Biden also said that Trump “doesn’t give a damn about the Latino community” and urged rejection of the former president even as Trump’s campaign says its support is rising among Hispanics, particularly men.

“Vote to keep Donald Trump out of the White House,” Biden said. “He’s a true danger to, not just Latinos but to all people. Particularly those who are in a minority in this country.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730294797293.png" alt="Image courtesy Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;took a swipe against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;supporters as he reacted to the Republican presidential nominee's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-madison-square-garden-new-york-election-fcfe75be7f8281fde7bffa3adb3bba5d">weekend rally</a>&nbsp;at Madison Square Garden, which was overshadowed by crude and racist rhetoric.In a call organized by the Hispanic advocacy group Voto Latino, Biden on Tuesday responded to&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/a%20comic">a comic</a>&nbsp;at Trump's rally who called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” Biden's initial comments were garbled.“Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage. Well, let me tell you something, I don’t, I don’t know the Puerto Rican that I know, the Puerto Rico where I’m fr -- in my home state of Delaware. They’re good, decent honorable people,” he said.The president then added: “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American. It’s totally contrary to everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been.”White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden “referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as ‘garbage.’”Biden then took to social media to personally clarify what he said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump&#39;s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That&#39;s all I meant to say. The…&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1851436643498037614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage — which is the only word I can think of to describe it,” he posted on X. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That’s all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.”In referring to Trump's supporters as “garbage,” however, Biden's tone was at odds with the message that Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is seeking to present as she aims to cast a broad appeal, including to disaffected Republicans. Shortly after Biden's comments, Harris spoke from the Ellipse in Washington, vowing to be a president who would unite the country.“I pledge to be a president for all Americans,” said Harris, who is Biden's vice president.Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, said the campaign's message of unity was not undercut by Biden's words.Walz said Wednesday on “CBS Mornings” that the president “was very clear that he’s speaking about the rhetoric we heard, so it doesn’t undermine it.” Walz added on ABC's “Good Morning America” that he and Harris “have made it absolutely clear that we want everyone as a part of this. Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric is what needs to end.”Republicans quickly highlighted Biden's remark. Trump called up Florida Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;during his rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to recount what happened.“Moments ago Joe Biden stated that our supporters, our patriots, are garbage,” Rubio said. ”He’s talking about everyday Americans who love their country.”Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a subsequent statement, “There’s no way to spin it: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don’t just hate President Trump, they despise the tens of millions of Americans who support him."A Trump campaign fundraising text declared, “KAMALA’S BOSS JOE BIDEN JUST CALLED ALL MY SUPPORTERS GARBAGE!” before ensuring recipients that Trump himself thinks, “YOU ARE AMAZING!”Even some prominent Democrats began distancing themselves from Biden's comments. Speaking on CNN, Pennsylvania Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/josh-shapiro">Josh Shapiro</a>&nbsp;said he would “never insult the good people of Pennsylvania or any Americans even if they chose to support a candidate that I didn't support.”The comments recalled then-Democratic presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hillary-clinton">Hillary Clinton</a>&nbsp;dismissing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;supporters during a 2016 fundraiser in New York by saying that half would fit into a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-97d6e5c7188845888bba36957160b675">basket of deplorables</a>.”Clinton later called that characterization “grossly generalistic.” But it became a defiant rallying cry for many Trump backers who said the insult encapsulated the elitist attitudes of Clinton and the Democrats.As reactions to Biden's reaction began to fly, meanwhile, Trump was asked in an interview Tuesday night with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity about the racist and vulgar joke at his New York rally. He responded: “Somebody said there was a comedian that joked about Puerto Rico or something. And I have no idea who he is.”The former president added, "I can’t imagine it’s a big deal.”At a rally Tuesday in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a city with a large Hispanic population, Trump repeated his claim that Biden's immigration policies have allowed other countries to treat the U.S. like “a giant garbage can.”With Election Day now just a week off, Biden has worked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-2024-campaign-voting-5bc945613e702b0d92fec5881b676ed2">maintain relevance</a>, furiously promoting his administration’s accomplishments while Harris in her race against Trump.But his efforts to remain in the political spotlight might not always be so helpful for the top of the Democratic ticket he’s now promoting. That’s because, while Harris has been sharply critical of Trump for months, repeatedly calling him “unstable” and “unhinged” and even suggesting that he was “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fascism-meaning-harris-trump-kelly-fda56694feb1825dcf6477c8081a563d">fascist</a>,” she has been careful not to decry his supporters.In fact, the vice president has campaigned extensively with former Republican Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-election-2024-gop-c584f9860260f48ddff90ab2dca0433a">Liz Cheney</a>&nbsp;and other former GOP elected officials — hoping to woo conservative crossover voters. The Democratic convention — and Harris ads — have highlighted the stories of everyday Americans who talked about having voted for Trump in the past but now say they are supporting the vice president.On Tuesday’s call, Biden also said that Trump “doesn’t give a damn about the Latino community” and urged rejection of the former president even as Trump’s campaign says its support is rising among Hispanics, particularly men.“Vote to keep Donald Trump out of the White House,” Biden said. “He’s a true danger to, not just Latinos but to all people. Particularly those who are in a minority in this country.”

Biden sets off firestorm saying Trump supporters are 'garbage' 

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine, Hays, has been closed by the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office.

The fire marshall inspected the motel on July 25 and found fire code violations, according to&nbsp;Lance Feyh, public information manager for the&nbsp;Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Another inspection was conducted on Aug. 7, and many of the same fire code violations were still present,&nbsp;Feyh said.

The fire marshal's office issued a cease-and-desist order to the business.

The Kansas lodging inspection reports for the business showed issues before the fire marshal's order in August.

An inspection on May 15 indicated the business's license had expired.&nbsp;

The report also said the motel was out of compliance in the following areas: •&nbsp;Facility structurally sound with repairs and maintenance to ensure safety • Evacuation, fire and carbon monoxide safety measures maintained •&nbsp;Guest rooms maintained clean and in good repair; toilet room and hand sink requirements met • Guest rooms properly serviced and cleaned, cribs clean •&nbsp;Exterior areas, including playgrounds and storage areas clean and in good repair •&nbsp;Refuse containers maintained; vector control measures implemented, pets •&nbsp;Electrical properly installed and maintained

A complete list of the specific issues can be seen below.

Another lodging inspection was conducted on Oct. 5. The inspector knocked on the doors of four rooms. The report said the person in charge of the motel opened the door to the office and called the owner.

The report said the owner confirmed the motel was closed and said employees were in the process of finding new living quarters.

The Hays Post could not confirm whether any employees are still living in the motel as of this post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730230931407.jpeg" alt="The Kansas Fire Marshall has ordered the Rodeway Inn in Hays closed. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Fire Marshall has ordered the Rodeway Inn in Hays closed. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine, Hays, has been closed by the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office.The fire marshall inspected the motel on July 25 and found fire code violations, according to&nbsp;Lance Feyh, public information manager for the&nbsp;Office of the State Fire Marshal.Another inspection was conducted on Aug. 7, and many of the same fire code violations were still present,&nbsp;Feyh said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730231015292.jpeg" alt="The Rodeway Inn was cited for multiple lodging violations, including an expired license in May, according to state records. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Rodeway Inn was cited for multiple lodging violations, including an expired license in May, according to state records. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The fire marshal's office issued a cease-and-desist order to the business.The Kansas lodging inspection reports for the business showed issues before the fire marshal's order in August.An inspection on May 15 indicated the business's license had expired.&nbsp;The report also said the motel was out of compliance in the following areas: •&nbsp;Facility structurally sound with repairs and maintenance to ensure safety • Evacuation, fire and carbon monoxide safety measures maintained •&nbsp;Guest rooms maintained clean and in good repair; toilet room and hand sink requirements met • Guest rooms properly serviced and cleaned, cribs clean •&nbsp;Exterior areas, including playgrounds and storage areas clean and in good repair •&nbsp;Refuse containers maintained; vector control measures implemented, pets •&nbsp;Electrical properly installed and maintainedA complete list of the specific issues can be seen below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730230037666.png" alt="Screenshot 2024-10-29 at 2.04.52 PM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screenshot 2024-10-29 at 2.04.52 PM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>Another lodging inspection was conducted on Oct. 5. The inspector knocked on the doors of four rooms. The report said the person in charge of the motel opened the door to the office and called the owner.The report said the owner confirmed the motel was closed and said employees were in the process of finding new living quarters.The Hays Post could not confirm whether any employees are still living in the motel as of this post.

Kansas Fire Marshal orders Rodeway Inn in Hays closed

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-closing-argument-ellipse-washington-139a7b390dc30ceab85d9ac56fcc521d">Kamala Harris on Tuesday sought to remind Americans</a>&nbsp;what life was like under Donald Trump and then offered voters a different path forward if they send her to the White House, in a speech billed as her campaign's closing argument.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?539540-1/vice-president-harris-delivers-address-ellipse-washington-dc">Click here to watch</a> the full address

“I will always listen to you, even if you don’t vote for me,” she said, speaking before a massive crowd that spilled from the grassy Ellipse near the White House to the Washington Monument.

Some key moments from her half-hour speech:

The location of the speech reinforced her message

Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-donald-trump-2024-election-599719041f7d51b541f4f024936ad8d8">chose to speak from the Ellipse on purpose</a>. It's the same spot in Washington where Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;helped incite a mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/january-6-cases/">Jan. 6, 2021</a>. But the vice president didn't devote much of her speech to the violence of that day, instead using the field between Constitution Avenue and the White House more as a backdrop — a quiet reminder of the different choices Americans face.

“Donald Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other," she said, adding that he wants back into the White House “not to focus on your problems, but to focus on his.”

Kamala Harris, the prosecutor, argued her case

Harris spent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/united-states-government-donald-trump-california-atlanta-border-security-d59be0e540e94851beca3ab591bc6599">years working as a prosecutor</a>. She was California's attorney general before she became a U.S. senator. And she often says on the campaign trail that she's only ever had one client — the people. In her speech, she talked about her past work taking on scammers, violent offenders who abused women and children, and cartels that trafficked in guns and human beings.

She said she'd bring with her to the White House an instinct to protect.

“There’s something about people being treated unfairly, or overlooked, that just gets to me," she said.

It's me, Hi. I'm the presidential nominee. It's me.

One week before the election, Harris allowed that “I know many of you are still getting to know who I am.”

The Democratic nominee has been running for only three months in a compressed campaign launched after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">President Joe Biden dropped out of the race</a>. Harris still is confronting voters who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-democrats-election-2024-b735c4332d22ef46b2bc44a5e443507f">say they want to learn more about</a>&nbsp;her and how she will govern. So she spent some time Tuesday talking about her career, her goals and background.

“I’ll be honest with you: I’m not perfect. I make mistakes. But here’s what I promise you: I will always listen to you, even if you don’t vote for me."

To-do list for Day One at the White House

Harris devoted a good chunk of her speech to talking about policies she'd enact if she were to win the White House, including helping first-time homeowners with down payments and aiding the so-called “sandwich generation" of adults who are caring for young children and older parents by allowing elder care to be funded by Medicare. She said she'd work to pass a bipartisan border security bill that tanked last year after Trump encouraged congressional Republicans to let it die.

And she said she would work to bring back abortion protections. “I will fight to restore what Donald Trump and his hand-selected Supreme Court justice took away from the women of America,” Harris said. The Supreme Court, with three Trump-appointed justices, overturned federal protections of abortion in 2022. Abortion has since become one of the most motivating issues for the Democratic base in the 2024 election.

“On Day One, if elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an enemies list,” she said. “When elected, I will walk in with a to-do list.”

Size matters on the campaign trail — especially to Trump

The Ellipse is a grassy expanse between the White House and the Washington Monument that has long played host to political events and national traditions like the annual holiday tree lighting. On Tuesday, the space was packed. Crowds spilled onto the National Mall back toward the Washington Monument, where giant screens and speakers were set up for people to hear and see from afar.

The cheers of the boisterous crowd could be heard from the White House driveway. Harris' campaign said it was her biggest rally to date. She's already packed stadiums and other venues with supporters during her rallies. Harris loves to needle Trump about crowd size — a particular preoccupation for the Republican leader, who claimed the campaign had to bus people in Tuesday to fill the space.

Harris has called Trump ‘unhinged’ and ‘unstable.’ Now she's adding ‘petty tyrant’

Harris boiled down criticism of Trump into two words: "petty tyrant."

She warned Trump is a man governed by grievances, one who would focus on himself and his “enemies list” when he got into the White House. She harked back to the nation's founding when Americans fought for freedom, then sped through decades of hard-fought civil rights battles.

“They did not struggle, sacrifice and lay down their lives only to see us cede our fundamental freedoms. They didn't do that only to see us submit to the will of another petty tyrant," she said. "These United States of America, we are not a vessel for the schemes of wannabe dictators.”

Just moments before Harris was to speak, Biden was on a campaign call reacting to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tony-hinchcliffe-puerto-rico-things-to-know-25e303873fac6fde3afdab80d941230d">a comic</a>&nbsp;who called Puerto Rico garbage during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-madison-square-garden-new-york-election-fcfe75be7f8281fde7bffa3adb3bba5d">Trump rally last weekend.</a>&nbsp;The president said, "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.”

He’d joined a national call organized by the advocacy group Voto Latino. Biden urged those on the call to “vote to keep Donald Trump out of the White House," adding, “He’s a true danger to not just Latinos but to all people."

Biden's remarks were quicky seized on by Republicans who said he was denigrating Trump supporters, a distraction for Harris when she is trying to reach out to GOP voters.

Biden quickly sent out a social media post seeking to clarify his remarks.

“His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable," Biden said of Trump. “That’s all I meant to say.”

There's still plenty to come after what Harris called her ‘closing argument’

The event was framed as a campaign finale meant to lay out in stark terms the choice for voters next week. But it's far from Harris' last campaign event. She'll be hitting all the key battleground states as she makes her last pitch to voters.

She will headline events in Wisconsin, North Carolina and Pennsylvania on Wednesday, and on Thursday she will have rallies in Arizona and Nevada. More events are expected before Election Day.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-white-voters-60fe6c335dc6ce8367b7d9ae7be573f3">The campaign is looking to pick up voters across many</a>&nbsp;different demographics in the hope that a swing vote here and there may add up to a win in a razor's-edge race with Trump.

One week out from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">Election Day</a>, the vice president used the address from the grassy Ellipse near the White House to pledge to Americans that she would work to improve their lives while arguing that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">her Republican opponent</a>&nbsp;is only in it for himself.

Harris: ‘World leaders think Trump is an easy mark’

Harris attacked Trump’s competency on the international stage Tuesday, using her closing argument speech to question the former President’s ability to stand up to world leaders.

“World leaders think Trump is an easy mark,” Harris said, arguing that leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are “rooting for” Trump in this election.

Harris pledges to ‘restore’ abortion rights

Harris pledged to “restore” the abortion rights that were overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I will fight to restore what Donald Trump and his hand-selected Supreme Court justices took away from the women of America,” Harris said.

The Supreme Court, with three Trump appointees, overturned federal protections of abortion in 2022. Abortion has since become one of the most motivating issues for the Democratic base in the 2024 election.

Harris said later in the speech that she would “proudly” sign a bill protecting abortion rights if Congress were to send her one as president.

Harris both distances herself and embraces Joe Biden in closing argument speech

Harris, speaking in front of the White House, both distanced herself from President Joe Biden and embraced her one-time running mate.

Harris said she has been honored to serve with Biden but she said she “will bring my own experiences and ideas to the Oval Office.”

“My presidency will be different because the challenges we face will be different,” Harris said.

Biden was in the White House behind Harris while she delivered her speech. Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee when Biden opted not to run for reelection in July.

Harris takes one last opportunity to introduce herself to voters

Harris acknowledged one of the clearest critiques of her campaign on Tuesday, telling the audience that she understands “many of you are still getting to know who I am.”

Harris did not become the presumptive Democratic nominee for president until the summer, weeks after President Joe Biden decided not to run for reelection. That decision compressed the campaign timeline, denying Harris the months — and sometimes years — candidates usually have to introduce themselves to voters.

“I recognize this has not been a typical campaign,” Harris said, adding that she is “not afraid of tough fights against bad actors and powerful interests.”

“I will work every day to build consensus and reach compromise to get things done,” she said.

‘Our democracy doesn’t require us to agree on everything’

Harris deliberately tried to win over Republicans and former Trump supporters, telling the audience in Washington that “our democracy doesn’t require us to agree on everything.”

“Donald Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other,” she said. “That is who he is. But America, I am hear to tonight to say, that is not who we are.”

She added: “The fact that someone disagrees with us does not make us the enemy within.”

Harris closes her speech with a final appeal to voters

Vice President Kamala Harris urged voters Tuesday to “start writing the next chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told” by rejecting former President Donald Trump.

Harris used the finale to her closing argument speech in Washington, D.C. to say voters are “not a vessel for the schemes of wannabe dictators.”

“The United States of America is the greatest idea humanity ever devised,” Harris said. “In seven days, we have the power, each of you has the power, to turn the page, and start writing the next chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told,” she added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730254014478.png" alt="Image courtesy Harris campaign" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Harris campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-closing-argument-ellipse-washington-139a7b390dc30ceab85d9ac56fcc521d">Kamala Harris on Tuesday sought to remind Americans</a>&nbsp;what life was like under Donald Trump and then offered voters a different path forward if they send her to the White House, in a speech billed as her campaign's closing argument.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Vice President <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a>: &quot;Donald Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other. That is who he is, but America, I am here tonight to say that is not who we are!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/tylBZs7wsW">pic.twitter.com/tylBZs7wsW</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1851413064383676570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Vice President Harris: &quot;I pledge to be a president for all Americans. And to always put country above party and self.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/CvNkGY0gye">pic.twitter.com/CvNkGY0gye</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1851418525153231014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?539540-1/vice-president-harris-delivers-address-ellipse-washington-dc">Click here to watch</a> the full address“I will always listen to you, even if you don’t vote for me,” she said, speaking before a massive crowd that spilled from the grassy Ellipse near the White House to the Washington Monument.Some key moments from her half-hour speech:<h2>The location of the speech reinforced her message</h2>Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-donald-trump-2024-election-599719041f7d51b541f4f024936ad8d8">chose to speak from the Ellipse on purpose</a>. It's the same spot in Washington where Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;helped incite a mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/january-6-cases/">Jan. 6, 2021</a>. But the vice president didn't devote much of her speech to the violence of that day, instead using the field between Constitution Avenue and the White House more as a backdrop — a quiet reminder of the different choices Americans face.“Donald Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other," she said, adding that he wants back into the White House “not to focus on your problems, but to focus on his.”<h2>Kamala Harris, the prosecutor, argued her case</h2>Harris spent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/united-states-government-donald-trump-california-atlanta-border-security-d59be0e540e94851beca3ab591bc6599">years working as a prosecutor</a>. She was California's attorney general before she became a U.S. senator. And she often says on the campaign trail that she's only ever had one client — the people. In her speech, she talked about her past work taking on scammers, violent offenders who abused women and children, and cartels that trafficked in guns and human beings.She said she'd bring with her to the White House an instinct to protect.“There’s something about people being treated unfairly, or overlooked, that just gets to me," she said.<h2>It's me, Hi. I'm the presidential nominee. It's me.</h2>One week before the election, Harris allowed that “I know many of you are still getting to know who I am.”The Democratic nominee has been running for only three months in a compressed campaign launched after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">President Joe Biden dropped out of the race</a>. Harris still is confronting voters who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-democrats-election-2024-b735c4332d22ef46b2bc44a5e443507f">say they want to learn more about</a>&nbsp;her and how she will govern. So she spent some time Tuesday talking about her career, her goals and background.“I’ll be honest with you: I’m not perfect. I make mistakes. But here’s what I promise you: I will always listen to you, even if you don’t vote for me."<h2>To-do list for Day One at the White House</h2>Harris devoted a good chunk of her speech to talking about policies she'd enact if she were to win the White House, including helping first-time homeowners with down payments and aiding the so-called “sandwich generation" of adults who are caring for young children and older parents by allowing elder care to be funded by Medicare. She said she'd work to pass a bipartisan border security bill that tanked last year after Trump encouraged congressional Republicans to let it die.And she said she would work to bring back abortion protections. “I will fight to restore what Donald Trump and his hand-selected Supreme Court justice took away from the women of America,” Harris said. The Supreme Court, with three Trump-appointed justices, overturned federal protections of abortion in 2022. Abortion has since become one of the most motivating issues for the Democratic base in the 2024 election.“On Day One, if elected, Donald Trump would walk into that office with an enemies list,” she said. “When elected, I will walk in with a to-do list.”<h2>Size matters on the campaign trail — especially to Trump</h2>The Ellipse is a grassy expanse between the White House and the Washington Monument that has long played host to political events and national traditions like the annual holiday tree lighting. On Tuesday, the space was packed. Crowds spilled onto the National Mall back toward the Washington Monument, where giant screens and speakers were set up for people to hear and see from afar.The cheers of the boisterous crowd could be heard from the White House driveway. Harris' campaign said it was her biggest rally to date. She's already packed stadiums and other venues with supporters during her rallies. Harris loves to needle Trump about crowd size — a particular preoccupation for the Republican leader, who claimed the campaign had to bus people in Tuesday to fill the space.<h2>Harris has called Trump ‘unhinged’ and ‘unstable.’ Now she's adding ‘petty tyrant’</h2>Harris boiled down criticism of Trump into two words: "petty tyrant."She warned Trump is a man governed by grievances, one who would focus on himself and his “enemies list” when he got into the White House. She harked back to the nation's founding when Americans fought for freedom, then sped through decades of hard-fought civil rights battles.“They did not struggle, sacrifice and lay down their lives only to see us cede our fundamental freedoms. They didn't do that only to see us submit to the will of another petty tyrant," she said. "These United States of America, we are not a vessel for the schemes of wannabe dictators.”<h2>Meanwhile, a Biden complication emerges</h2>Just moments before Harris was to speak, Biden was on a campaign call reacting to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tony-hinchcliffe-puerto-rico-things-to-know-25e303873fac6fde3afdab80d941230d">a comic</a>&nbsp;who called Puerto Rico garbage during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-madison-square-garden-new-york-election-fcfe75be7f8281fde7bffa3adb3bba5d">Trump rally last weekend.</a>&nbsp;The president said, "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.”He’d joined a national call organized by the advocacy group Voto Latino. Biden urged those on the call to “vote to keep Donald Trump out of the White House," adding, “He’s a true danger to not just Latinos but to all people."Biden's remarks were quicky seized on by Republicans who said he was denigrating Trump supporters, a distraction for Harris when she is trying to reach out to GOP voters.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump&#39;s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That&#39;s all I meant to say. The…&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1851436643498037614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden quickly sent out a social media post seeking to clarify his remarks.“His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable," Biden said of Trump. “That’s all I meant to say.”<h2>There's still plenty to come after what Harris called her ‘closing argument’</h2>The event was framed as a campaign finale meant to lay out in stark terms the choice for voters next week. But it's far from Harris' last campaign event. She'll be hitting all the key battleground states as she makes her last pitch to voters.She will headline events in Wisconsin, North Carolina and Pennsylvania on Wednesday, and on Thursday she will have rallies in Arizona and Nevada. More events are expected before Election Day.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-white-voters-60fe6c335dc6ce8367b7d9ae7be573f3">The campaign is looking to pick up voters across many</a>&nbsp;different demographics in the hope that a swing vote here and there may add up to a win in a razor's-edge race with Trump.One week out from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">Election Day</a>, the vice president used the address from the grassy Ellipse near the White House to pledge to Americans that she would work to improve their lives while arguing that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">her Republican opponent</a>&nbsp;is only in it for himself.<h2>Harris: ‘World leaders think Trump is an easy mark’</h2>Harris attacked Trump’s competency on the international stage Tuesday, using her closing argument speech to question the former President’s ability to stand up to world leaders.“World leaders think Trump is an easy mark,” Harris said, arguing that leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are “rooting for” Trump in this election.<h2>Harris pledges to ‘restore’ abortion rights</h2>Harris pledged to “restore” the abortion rights that were overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.“I will fight to restore what Donald Trump and his hand-selected Supreme Court justices took away from the women of America,” Harris said.The Supreme Court, with three Trump appointees, overturned federal protections of abortion in 2022. Abortion has since become one of the most motivating issues for the Democratic base in the 2024 election.Harris said later in the speech that she would “proudly” sign a bill protecting abortion rights if Congress were to send her one as president.<h2>Harris both distances herself and embraces Joe Biden in closing argument speech</h2>Harris, speaking in front of the White House, both distanced herself from President Joe Biden and embraced her one-time running mate.Harris said she has been honored to serve with Biden but she said she “will bring my own experiences and ideas to the Oval Office.”“My presidency will be different because the challenges we face will be different,” Harris said.Biden was in the White House behind Harris while she delivered her speech. Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee when Biden opted not to run for reelection in July.<h2>Harris takes one last opportunity to introduce herself to voters</h2>Harris acknowledged one of the clearest critiques of her campaign on Tuesday, telling the audience that she understands “many of you are still getting to know who I am.”Harris did not become the presumptive Democratic nominee for president until the summer, weeks after President Joe Biden decided not to run for reelection. That decision compressed the campaign timeline, denying Harris the months — and sometimes years — candidates usually have to introduce themselves to voters.“I recognize this has not been a typical campaign,” Harris said, adding that she is “not afraid of tough fights against bad actors and powerful interests.”“I will work every day to build consensus and reach compromise to get things done,” she said.<h2>‘Our democracy doesn’t require us to agree on everything’</h2>Harris deliberately tried to win over Republicans and former Trump supporters, telling the audience in Washington that “our democracy doesn’t require us to agree on everything.”“Donald Trump has spent a decade trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other,” she said. “That is who he is. But America, I am hear to tonight to say, that is not who we are.”She added: “The fact that someone disagrees with us does not make us the enemy within.”<h2>Harris closes her speech with a final appeal to voters</h2>Vice President Kamala Harris urged voters Tuesday to “start writing the next chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told” by rejecting former President Donald Trump.Harris used the finale to her closing argument speech in Washington, D.C. to say voters are “not a vessel for the schemes of wannabe dictators.”“The United States of America is the greatest idea humanity ever devised,” Harris said. “In seven days, we have the power, each of you has the power, to turn the page, and start writing the next chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told,” she added.------------------

🎥 Key moments from Harris campaign rally at the U.S. Capitol

Editor's note: The same questionnaire was sent to Wasinger's opponent, Democrat Joseph Lantz of Hays.&nbsp;He did not respond.

Barbara Wasinger Republican, incumbent Kansas House of Representatives, 110th District Hays&nbsp;&nbsp;

What is the top issue facing the state legislature in the
upcoming session?

Currently we are planning on pushing through a property
tax reduction bill and working on school funding to make sure its equitable for
all.

Do you have a legislative priority heading into the session,
if you are elected?

I am working on the Cybersecurity Bill for all three
branches in Kansas and need to make sure Appropriations and Ways and Means
Committees understand the critical need for all Kansans and make it a priority
for the safety of us all.&nbsp; I am also
working on Administrative Rules and Regulations to give Kansas the relief from
overburdensome regulations that cost us all money.

The legislature passed a substantial tax reform package last
session. Do you believe more reform could be discussed in the upcoming session?
Where are some areas you believe we could see reform?

Property tax relief such as freezing property taxes for
seniors and giving tax relief to disabled veterans which was vetoed by the
governor last year.

After the legislature passed a measure allowing the Chiefs
and Royals to use STAR bonds to build new stadiums in Kansas, do you support an
ongoing effort to try and lure the teams from Missouri?

We have given them a very tempting offer and I know many
would love to have them in Kansas.&nbsp; I
believe that Missouri will work to keep them when it gets down to the wire but
at least we tried.

Access to water is an ongoing issue in Kansas, what are some
areas where you believe the legislature will help?

This past session a comprehensive water funding bill was
passed and we need to continue to work on making water available to all in
Kansas in a responsible manner.&nbsp; LEMAs
(Local Enhanced Management Areas) are working and we need to try to get more
created.

Governor Laura Kelly is expected to once again call for
Medicaid Expansion in Kansas, do you support expanding Medicaid in Kansas? Why
or why not?

There is not a lot of support for Expansion – at a time
we need more workers in Kansas it will take well bodied Kansans out of the job
market and cost the State far more than what it brings to the table.&nbsp; Medicaid was developed for the Elderly,
disabled, pregnant women and children.&nbsp;
Adding more to the rolls will make the IDD waiting lists longer and push
the truly needy into the back of the line for services.&nbsp; We need to fix our state first and provide
better reimbursements for hospitals and drs. to take care of Kansans.

Do you believe that the legislature is currently funding
Kansas public schools adequately? Are there areas you'd like to see
improvement?

We are funding schools exactly as told to do by the
Kansas Supreme Court.&nbsp; We need to look at
the school finance formula and make sure all students are needs are being
met.&nbsp; Over 60% of the State budget is
spent on schools. 

Do you believe that the legislature has an obligation to
support economic growth in western Kansas?

We have an obligation to support communities in their
efforts to provide economic support and we do that with funding mechanisms
now.&nbsp; We have started asking Legislative
Post Audit to look at different programs and discontinue the programs that are
not working and move that money into the ones that are working.

Editor's note: The same questionnaire was sent to Wasinger's opponent, Democrat Joseph Lantz of Hays.&nbsp;He did not respond.Barbara Wasinger Republican, incumbent Kansas House of Representatives, 110th District Hays&nbsp;&nbsp;What is the top issue facing the state legislature in the
upcoming session?Currently we are planning on pushing through a property
tax reduction bill and working on school funding to make sure its equitable for
all.Do you have a legislative priority heading into the session,
if you are elected?I am working on the Cybersecurity Bill for all three
branches in Kansas and need to make sure Appropriations and Ways and Means
Committees understand the critical need for all Kansans and make it a priority
for the safety of us all.&nbsp; I am also
working on Administrative Rules and Regulations to give Kansas the relief from
overburdensome regulations that cost us all money.The legislature passed a substantial tax reform package last
session. Do you believe more reform could be discussed in the upcoming session?
Where are some areas you believe we could see reform?Property tax relief such as freezing property taxes for
seniors and giving tax relief to disabled veterans which was vetoed by the
governor last year.After the legislature passed a measure allowing the Chiefs
and Royals to use STAR bonds to build new stadiums in Kansas, do you support an
ongoing effort to try and lure the teams from Missouri?We have given them a very tempting offer and I know many
would love to have them in Kansas.&nbsp; I
believe that Missouri will work to keep them when it gets down to the wire but
at least we tried.Access to water is an ongoing issue in Kansas, what are some
areas where you believe the legislature will help?This past session a comprehensive water funding bill was
passed and we need to continue to work on making water available to all in
Kansas in a responsible manner.&nbsp; LEMAs
(Local Enhanced Management Areas) are working and we need to try to get more
created.Governor Laura Kelly is expected to once again call for
Medicaid Expansion in Kansas, do you support expanding Medicaid in Kansas? Why
or why not?There is not a lot of support for Expansion – at a time
we need more workers in Kansas it will take well bodied Kansans out of the job
market and cost the State far more than what it brings to the table.&nbsp; Medicaid was developed for the Elderly,
disabled, pregnant women and children.&nbsp;
Adding more to the rolls will make the IDD waiting lists longer and push
the truly needy into the back of the line for services.&nbsp; We need to fix our state first and provide
better reimbursements for hospitals and drs. to take care of Kansans.Do you believe that the legislature is currently funding
Kansas public schools adequately? Are there areas you'd like to see
improvement?We are funding schools exactly as told to do by the
Kansas Supreme Court.&nbsp; We need to look at
the school finance formula and make sure all students are needs are being
met.&nbsp; Over 60% of the State budget is
spent on schools. Do you believe that the legislature has an obligation to
support economic growth in western Kansas?We have an obligation to support communities in their
efforts to provide economic support and we do that with funding mechanisms
now.&nbsp; We have started asking Legislative
Post Audit to look at different programs and discontinue the programs that are
not working and move that money into the ones that are working.

Kansas House of Representative District 111: Barbara Wasinger

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/brendan-hausen/12175">Brendan Hausen</a>&nbsp;led four Wildcats in double figures with a game-high 15 points, as Kansas State ran its home exhibition winning streak to 30 games with a 70-56 win over Division II Fort Hays State on Tuesday night before 9,526 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.

Hausen was joined in double figures by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coleman-hawkins/12179">Coleman Hawkins</a>&nbsp;(13 points), sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/macaleab-rich/12169">Macaleab Rich</a>&nbsp;(11 points) and senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/12168">David N'Guessan</a>&nbsp;(10 points). N'Guessan had a near double-double with a game-high 9 rebounds.

K-State led from start to finish despite a spirited effort from Fort Hays State, which is coming off a 23-win campaign and was recently ranked No. 16 in the preseason NCAA Division II Coaches poll. The Wildcats led by as many as 20 points early in the second half before the Tigers cut the lead in half with 8:24 to play, prompting a timeout by head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/2541">Jerome Tang</a>.An 8-2 spurt capped by a 3-pointer from Hawkins pushed the lead back out to 60-44 with less than 6 minutes to play and the lead never dipped below 12 points the rest of the way.

Hawkins was stellar all-around in his first action as a Wildcat, adding a team-high 6 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals to go with his 13 points in nearly 32 minutes of action.K-State scored its 70 points on 41.1 percent (23-of-56) shooting, including 28.6 percent (8-of-28) from 3-point range, and 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the free throw line. The team had 18 assists on 23 made field goals and posted a 42-34 advantage on the glass, including 14 offensive boards.Defensively, the Wildcats held the Tigers to 36.9 percent (24-of-65) shooting, including 25.7 percent (9-of-35) in the first half.In addition to the four double-digit scorers, the squad got a big boost from junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/c-j-jones/12181">C.J. Jones</a>, who finished the night with 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting to go with 5 rebounds and 2 steals.

K-State is now 75-21 all-time in exhibition play, including a 58-9 mark at home. It was the fifth straight such win over FHSU, following victories in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2017.Hausen stalked the Wildcats to a 7-0 lead after knocking down his first two 3-point attempts, as they built as much as a 14-point lead in the first half. 

He duplicated the feat to start the second half, canning his first two 3-pointers to ignite an 8-0 run and push the lead to 42-22 with 17 minutes to play. However, the Tigers wouldn't go away, as they used an 18-8 run over the next 8 minutes to cut the deficit to 52-42.Rich, who earned additional playing time with senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/max-jones/12171">Max Jones</a>&nbsp;out due to injury, was another bright spot down the stretch, scoring 4 of his 11 points in the last 8 minutes. He finished the night 5-of-7 from the field to go with 4 rebounds in nearly 20 minutes of action.

Fort Hays State was led by 9 points each from graduate&nbsp;Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;Kyle Grill.K-State officially opens the 2024-25 season on Tuesday, Nov. 4 when the Wildcats welcome New Orleans to Bramlage Coliseum for 7 p.m., CT tip. Tickets are available by calling the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 221.CATS or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/MBSG?_gl=1*fjor90*_gcl_au*ODUwNjE5NjguMTcyODUxMjY2Nw..*_ga*NjA0NzEyODM1LjE3MjA3MzUyNjg.*_ga_1ZXMBEL67G*MTczMDI1Njk5Ni42NjQuMS4xNzMwMjU3MzM4LjQxLjAuMA..&amp;_ga=2.228836185.45498979.1724528033-604712835.1720735268">kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.

HEAD COACH JEROME TANGOpening statement…

"First of all, I lost a friend this past week, [South Florida's head coach] Amir Abdur-Rahim. 43 years old, young guy, got a wife and three kids, and that team still had to take the court, or is getting ready to take the court the next day or so. It's just a tough time. In this coaching circle, there are not a lot of guys who have no enemies, and he had none. The man poured into his guys and loved people. The thing that he always said is love wins. So, it was just hard on me, hard on our staff and a moment like this allows you to be so thankful for life, health, and strength. So, I would just like Amir's family to know that we are praying for them, we're always here for them and we'll support them in any way that we can."

On&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/brendan-hausen/12175">Brendan Hausen's</a>&nbsp;three-point volume…"I say this all of the time, like, coaches want guys to shoot 40% from three, but they can't live with the six misses, right? He was two for nine in the first half, but he was two for five in the second half. I think he's a two-for-five shooter. He did a better job of being on balance [in the second half], like he hit his first two, and then he didn't fight for his feet anymore. He just felt it was going to be his night and it was going to go in, so what he has to do is make sure that he is focused and concentrated. When he's concentrated, using the right mechanics, and fighting for his feet so he's on balance, he's a 40-plus percent three-point shooter."

On&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/max-jones/12171">Max Jones'</a>&nbsp;injury status…"He had a little toe injury. It's not anything serious, but it wasn't worth it to risk. It was better to let him rest."On lineup experimentation…"Not having Max out there today kind of messed up the rotation of what we wanted to do. It forced us to maybe do some things that we wouldn't have done or hadn't done yet. But, I think every dude on the roster, if you put them on the floor, they'll provide something positive. So everyone has to be ready."

On&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dug-mcdaniel/12170">Dug McDaniel</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/c-j-jones/12181">C.J. Jones'</a>&nbsp;role"Dug's a talent and he's learning how to be a point guard and lead. There's so much more to being a point guard than just dribbling and passing, but like running the team, and he's embracing that. I think he still allows the ball going in the hole to affect him on the other end and in other things. But, he's a talent, he's going to be a major part of us being successful this year. [C.J.] it's not that [he] started in [Dug's] place, C.J. started. He's been our best point guard. He has an incredible assist-to-turnover ratio in practice, and you saw it today. He gets guys shots, defends the ball, rebounds, and makes the right play. So, C.J. earned where he's at."TEAM NOTES

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730254113259.png" alt="Photo courtesy K-State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy K-State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/brendan-hausen/12175">Brendan Hausen</a>&nbsp;led four Wildcats in double figures with a game-high 15 points, as Kansas State ran its home exhibition winning streak to 30 games with a 70-56 win over Division II Fort Hays State on Tuesday night before 9,526 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.Hausen was joined in double figures by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coleman-hawkins/12179">Coleman Hawkins</a>&nbsp;(13 points), sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/macaleab-rich/12169">Macaleab Rich</a>&nbsp;(11 points) and senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/12168">David N'Guessan</a>&nbsp;(10 points). N'Guessan had a near double-double with a game-high 9 rebounds.K-State led from start to finish despite a spirited effort from Fort Hays State, which is coming off a 23-win campaign and was recently ranked No. 16 in the preseason NCAA Division II Coaches poll. The Wildcats led by as many as 20 points early in the second half before the Tigers cut the lead in half with 8:24 to play, prompting a timeout by head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/2541">Jerome Tang</a>.An 8-2 spurt capped by a 3-pointer from Hawkins pushed the lead back out to 60-44 with less than 6 minutes to play and the lead never dipped below 12 points the rest of the way. Hawkins was stellar all-around in his first action as a Wildcat, adding a team-high 6 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals to go with his 13 points in nearly 32 minutes of action.K-State scored its 70 points on 41.1 percent (23-of-56) shooting, including 28.6 percent (8-of-28) from 3-point range, and 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the free throw line. The team had 18 assists on 23 made field goals and posted a 42-34 advantage on the glass, including 14 offensive boards.Defensively, the Wildcats held the Tigers to 36.9 percent (24-of-65) shooting, including 25.7 percent (9-of-35) in the first half.In addition to the four double-digit scorers, the squad got a big boost from junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/c-j-jones/12181">C.J. Jones</a>, who finished the night with 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting to go with 5 rebounds and 2 steals.K-State is now 75-21 all-time in exhibition play, including a 58-9 mark at home. It was the fifth straight such win over FHSU, following victories in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2017.Hausen stalked the Wildcats to a 7-0 lead after knocking down his first two 3-point attempts, as they built as much as a 14-point lead in the first half. He duplicated the feat to start the second half, canning his first two 3-pointers to ignite an 8-0 run and push the lead to 42-22 with 17 minutes to play. However, the Tigers wouldn't go away, as they used an 18-8 run over the next 8 minutes to cut the deficit to 52-42.Rich, who earned additional playing time with senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/max-jones/12171">Max Jones</a>&nbsp;out due to injury, was another bright spot down the stretch, scoring 4 of his 11 points in the last 8 minutes. He finished the night 5-of-7 from the field to go with 4 rebounds in nearly 20 minutes of action.Fort Hays State was led by 9 points each from graduate&nbsp;Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;Kyle Grill.K-State officially opens the 2024-25 season on Tuesday, Nov. 4 when the Wildcats welcome New Orleans to Bramlage Coliseum for 7 p.m., CT tip. Tickets are available by calling the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 221.CATS or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/MBSG?_gl=1*fjor90*_gcl_au*ODUwNjE5NjguMTcyODUxMjY2Nw..*_ga*NjA0NzEyODM1LjE3MjA3MzUyNjg.*_ga_1ZXMBEL67G*MTczMDI1Njk5Ni42NjQuMS4xNzMwMjU3MzM4LjQxLjAuMA..&amp;_ga=2.228836185.45498979.1724528033-604712835.1720735268">kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.HEAD COACH JEROME TANGOpening statement…"First of all, I lost a friend this past week, [South Florida's head coach] Amir Abdur-Rahim. 43 years old, young guy, got a wife and three kids, and that team still had to take the court, or is getting ready to take the court the next day or so. It's just a tough time. In this coaching circle, there are not a lot of guys who have no enemies, and he had none. The man poured into his guys and loved people. The thing that he always said is love wins. So, it was just hard on me, hard on our staff and a moment like this allows you to be so thankful for life, health, and strength. So, I would just like Amir's family to know that we are praying for them, we're always here for them and we'll support them in any way that we can."On&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/brendan-hausen/12175">Brendan Hausen's</a>&nbsp;three-point volume…"I say this all of the time, like, coaches want guys to shoot 40% from three, but they can't live with the six misses, right? He was two for nine in the first half, but he was two for five in the second half. I think he's a two-for-five shooter. He did a better job of being on balance [in the second half], like he hit his first two, and then he didn't fight for his feet anymore. He just felt it was going to be his night and it was going to go in, so what he has to do is make sure that he is focused and concentrated. When he's concentrated, using the right mechanics, and fighting for his feet so he's on balance, he's a 40-plus percent three-point shooter."On&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/max-jones/12171">Max Jones'</a>&nbsp;injury status…"He had a little toe injury. It's not anything serious, but it wasn't worth it to risk. It was better to let him rest."On lineup experimentation…"Not having Max out there today kind of messed up the rotation of what we wanted to do. It forced us to maybe do some things that we wouldn't have done or hadn't done yet. But, I think every dude on the roster, if you put them on the floor, they'll provide something positive. So everyone has to be ready."On&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dug-mcdaniel/12170">Dug McDaniel</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/c-j-jones/12181">C.J. Jones'</a>&nbsp;role"Dug's a talent and he's learning how to be a point guard and lead. There's so much more to being a point guard than just dribbling and passing, but like running the team, and he's embracing that. I think he still allows the ball going in the hole to affect him on the other end and in other things. But, he's a talent, he's going to be a major part of us being successful this year. [C.J.] it's not that [he] started in [Dug's] place, C.J. started. He's been our best point guard. He has an incredible assist-to-turnover ratio in practice, and you saw it today. He gets guys shots, defends the ball, rebounds, and makes the right play. So, C.J. earned where he's at."TEAM NOTES<ul>
 <li>Four Wildcats scored in double figures, as K-State won its lone exhibition game of the 2024-25 season with a 70-56 win over Division II foe Fort Hays State.</li><li>With the win, K-State extended its winning streak in home exhibition games to 30.</li><li>K-State is now 75-21 all-time in exhibition play, including 58-9 at home and 52-9 at Bramlage Coliseum.</li><li>Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/brendan-hausen/12175">Brendan Hausen</a>&nbsp;led all scorers with 15 points, connecting on 5-of-14 from 3-point range, in 21 minutes.</li><li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coleman-hawkins/12179">Coleman Hawkins</a>&nbsp;had a strong all-around game with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals in 32 minutes.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/12168">David N'Guessan</a>&nbsp;had a near double-double with 10 points and a game-high 9 rebounds in 21 minutes.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/macaleab-rich/12169">Macaleab Rich</a>&nbsp;scored 11 points off the bench, connecting on 5-of-7 shots.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>K-State started a lineup of juniors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/c-j-jones/12181">C.J. Jones</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/brendan-hausen/12175">Brendan Hausen</a>&nbsp;and seniors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coleman-hawkins/12179">Coleman Hawkins</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/achor-achor/12177">Achor Achor</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/david-n-guessan/12168">David N'Guessan</a>.</li>
 </ul>

🏀  K-State eases past Fort Hays State in lone exhibition

TULSA, Okla. – The Fort Hays State Men's Golf team secured a tie for 8th place at the Tulsa Cup, held at the Club at Indian Springs. The Tigers posted a solid start with a first-round score of 309, placing them in a tie for fifth after day one. They then logged their best team score in the second round, a 306, before finishing the final round with another 309. Their combined team score across the three rounds was 924.&nbsp;

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/cooper-scheck/8548">Cooper Scheck</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers, tying for 22nd individually with a total score of 14-over par. Scheck started with a round of 82, followed by his best performance in round two with a 76. He closed with another 82 in the final round and tallied seven birdies over the week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jackson-rader/8547">Jackson Rader</a>&nbsp;followed close behind, tying for 26th at 15-over par with rounds of 74, 79, and 78. Rader sank five birdies in total, including three in the first round, which helped him finish day one tied for eighth.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/cole-streck/8549">Cole Streck</a>&nbsp;displayed impressive consistency, tying for 28th overall. Streck carded an opening round of 79 and improved over the next two rounds with 77 and 76. He matched Scheck's birdie count with seven across the tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jordan-mccaslin/8552">Jordan McCaslin</a>&nbsp;had a resilient showing, bouncing back from an opening round of 82 to close with rounds of 76 and 77, tying for 43rd. McCaslin led the Tigers in birdies, recording nine for the tournament. Rounding out the team was&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jacob-george/8545">Jacob George</a>, who posted scores of 80, 81, and 78 to finish tied for 57th overall.&nbsp;

The tournament saw Rogers State claim victory with a team score of 16-over par, led by Elliot Han Monteremal, who tied for third individually at 4-over par. Washburn University finished just two strokes behind the lead at 19-over par, sliding in the standings after the final round.&nbsp;Jack Phillips of Southwestern Oklahoma State was the individual champion at even par through the three rounds.

The Tigers are set to resume their season in the spring at the Hillcat Classic, scheduled for March 10-11.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730285565675.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsTULSA, Okla. – The Fort Hays State Men's Golf team secured a tie for 8th place at the Tulsa Cup, held at the Club at Indian Springs. The Tigers posted a solid start with a first-round score of 309, placing them in a tie for fifth after day one. They then logged their best team score in the second round, a 306, before finishing the final round with another 309. Their combined team score across the three rounds was 924.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/cooper-scheck/8548">Cooper Scheck</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers, tying for 22nd individually with a total score of 14-over par. Scheck started with a round of 82, followed by his best performance in round two with a 76. He closed with another 82 in the final round and tallied seven birdies over the week.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jackson-rader/8547">Jackson Rader</a>&nbsp;followed close behind, tying for 26th at 15-over par with rounds of 74, 79, and 78. Rader sank five birdies in total, including three in the first round, which helped him finish day one tied for eighth.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/cole-streck/8549">Cole Streck</a>&nbsp;displayed impressive consistency, tying for 28th overall. Streck carded an opening round of 79 and improved over the next two rounds with 77 and 76. He matched Scheck's birdie count with seven across the tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jordan-mccaslin/8552">Jordan McCaslin</a>&nbsp;had a resilient showing, bouncing back from an opening round of 82 to close with rounds of 76 and 77, tying for 43rd. McCaslin led the Tigers in birdies, recording nine for the tournament. Rounding out the team was&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jacob-george/8545">Jacob George</a>, who posted scores of 80, 81, and 78 to finish tied for 57th overall.&nbsp;The tournament saw Rogers State claim victory with a team score of 16-over par, led by Elliot Han Monteremal, who tied for third individually at 4-over par. Washburn University finished just two strokes behind the lead at 19-over par, sliding in the standings after the final round.&nbsp;Jack Phillips of Southwestern Oklahoma State was the individual champion at even par through the three rounds.UP NEXTThe Tigers are set to resume their season in the spring at the Hillcat Classic, scheduled for March 10-11.&nbsp; &nbsp;

⛳ Tiger men wrap up fall with 8th place finish at Tulsa Cup

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A 47-year-old Overland Park man was arrested on charges of several alleged property thefts at the Hays Walmart.

Hays Police Lieutenant Tim Greenwood said police first learned about Quinn Anthony McDonald in July when Walmart reported a theft.

McDonald left the scene but was seen again on Oct 21. He allegedly attempted to return a previously stolen item before being arrested outside Walmart when the police arrived, Greenwood said.

Court records reveal McDonald was reportedly found possessing a JBL speaker, a jump pack, a Hart drill bit, a Hart impact wrench and charger, and a pen.

The alleged thefts are categorized as felonies. McDonald was booked into the Ellis County Jail on Oct. 21.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730297590757.png" alt="McDonald photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>McDonald photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostA 47-year-old Overland Park man was arrested on charges of several alleged property thefts at the Hays Walmart.Hays Police Lieutenant Tim Greenwood said police first learned about Quinn Anthony McDonald in July when Walmart reported a theft.McDonald left the scene but was seen again on Oct 21. He allegedly attempted to return a previously stolen item before being arrested outside Walmart when the police arrived, Greenwood said.Court records reveal McDonald was reportedly found possessing a JBL speaker, a jump pack, a Hart drill bit, a Hart impact wrench and charger, and a pen.The alleged thefts are categorized as felonies. McDonald was booked into the Ellis County Jail on Oct. 21.

Overland Park man arrested in Hays for alleged Walmart thefts

A 38-year-old Hays man was arrested on charges of theft from the store where he worked.

Hays Police Lieutenant Tim Greenwood said suspect Daniel Lee Hester allegedly stole money from a cash register over time beginning Sept. 21

Hester allegedly stole from Dillons, 515 W. 27th St., where he was employed. He was arrested at his workplace on Oct. 21 and booked into the Ellis County Jail the same day.

Greenwood said Hester allegedly embezzled $6,025, which is classified as a felony.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730297650141.png" alt="Hester photo Ellis Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Hester photo Ellis Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostA 38-year-old Hays man was arrested on charges of theft from the store where he worked.Hays Police Lieutenant Tim Greenwood said suspect Daniel Lee Hester allegedly stole money from a cash register over time beginning Sept. 21Hester allegedly stole from Dillons, 515 W. 27th St., where he was employed. He was arrested at his workplace on Oct. 21 and booked into the Ellis County Jail the same day.Greenwood said Hester allegedly embezzled $6,025, which is classified as a felony.

Hays man arrested for allegedly stealing over $6,000 from Dillons

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —A wildfire that closed portions of Interstate 70 is under control and the highway is back open, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Crews remain at the scene to water down hotspots.

The highway between Kansas 232 and KS 14, 6 to 9 miles east of the Dorrance area was also temporarily closed because of a wildfire.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Interstate 70 is closed in both directions near Wilson, mile marker 206 to mile marker 210 due to a wildfire and reduced visbility due to smoke, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. Use alternate route.

This is a developing story. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730236200118.png" alt="I-70 near Wilson at 4:05p.m. Tuesday -image KanDrive" />
 <figcaption>I-70 near Wilson at 4:05p.m. Tuesday -image KanDrive</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLSWORTH COUNTY —A wildfire that closed portions of Interstate 70 is under control and the highway is back open, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.Crews remain at the scene to water down hotspots.The highway between Kansas 232 and KS 14, 6 to 9 miles east of the Dorrance area was also temporarily closed because of a wildfire.------------ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Interstate 70 is closed in both directions near Wilson, mile marker 206 to mile marker 210 due to a wildfire and reduced visbility due to smoke, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. Use alternate route.This is a developing story. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

KDOT: Wildfire contained  I-70 now open at Wilson

Hays Post Fort Hays State Tiger football coach Chris Brown, defensive end Gaven Haselhorst and offensive lineman spoke to the media Tuesday before the Tigers travel to Emporia State on Saturday.

Hays Post Fort Hays State Tiger football coach Chris Brown, defensive end Gaven Haselhorst and offensive lineman spoke to the media Tuesday before the Tigers travel to Emporia State on Saturday.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kMAYMzQGoIg?si=TaixvD4MeTMMSOKg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SnMGb_kAVbk?si=r0Jl66gz7TB-AKpI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bu90oH9g98Q?si=5g7UwI7PaquIIdZn" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🏈📹 FHSU weekly press conference 

A grass fire has been reported in the area of mile marker 206 of Interstate 70 near Dorrance.

The fire may result in low visibility and road closures in that area.&nbsp;

Winds were forecast to gust up to 50 mph today, according the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service is reporting high fire danger today for&nbsp;

Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman- Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa- Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber coutnies.

Russell and Ellsworth counties are also included.

The lowest relative humidity values will be along and west of U.S. Highway 283, and these areas will have the most favorable environment for wildfires to spread rapidly with the winds.

Blowing dust and lower visibility is also possible this afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service, winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Hays PostA grass fire has been reported in the area of mile marker 206 of Interstate 70 near Dorrance.The fire may result in low visibility and road closures in that area.&nbsp;Winds were forecast to gust up to 50 mph today, according the National Weather Service.The National Weather Service is reporting high fire danger today for&nbsp;Trego-Ellis-Scott-Lane-Ness-Rush-Hamilton-Kearny-Finney-Hodgeman- Pawnee-Stafford-Stanton-Grant-Haskell-Gray-Ford-Edwards-Kiowa- Pratt-Morton-Stevens-Seward-Meade-Clark-Comanche-Barber coutnies.Russell and Ellsworth counties are also included.The lowest relative humidity values will be along and west of U.S. Highway 283, and these areas will have the most favorable environment for wildfires to spread rapidly with the winds.Blowing dust and lower visibility is also possible this afternoon.According to the National Weather Service, winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Grass fire reported at milemarker 206 on I-70 near Dorrance

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will begin the 2024-25 season ranked No. 16 in the NABC Top 25 Poll, as the preseason edition was released on Tuesday. The Tigers are coming off a 23-8 overall record in 2023-24, making an appearance in the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament. They finished at No. 19 in the NABC Top 25 last year.

This is the first appearance for FHSU in the NABC Preseason Top 25 since 2006-07, when it had a ranking of No. 25 to start the year. FHSU was receiving votes in the preseason polls of both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The Tigers have finished with at least 21 wins in each of the last three seasons.

Fort Hays State has now been ranked in the Top 25 in eight consecutive polls released by the NABC, going back to January 30 of last season. The Tigers ranked as high as No. 14 in the poll during the regular season last year on February 20.Fort Hays State is one of three MIAA schools listed in the Preseason Top 25, joining No. 10 ranked Washburn and No. 20 ranked Northwest Missouri State. Washburn was listed as the MIAA favorite by the coaches this year, while FHSU was listed as the favorite by the media. Northwest Missouri State is coming off its 11th-straight MIAA regular season title, but enters the year with a new coach at the helm. Pittsburg State was listed in the receiving votes section. FHSU, NWMSU, and PSU were participants in the NCAA Tournament last year.

Fort Hays State opens the regular season on November 8-9 with a pair of games in Marshall, Minn. against Southwest Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul. Southwest Minnesota State was also a participant in the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament last year and is among the receiving votes section of the national poll to start the season.

NABC Preseason Top 25 Poll. Rank - Team - Record - Points - Prev 1. Minnesota State (10) - 35-1 - 393 - 2 2. Nova Southeastern, Fla. (6) - 32-3 - 390 - 1 3. West Texas A&amp;M - 30-5 - 346 - 9 4. MSU Moorhead - 25-6271 - 11 5. Dallas Baptist - 25-6 - 233 - 12 6. California, Pa. - 27-4 - 222 - 8 7. Gannon, Pa. - 32-3 - 204 - 3 8. Colorado School of Mines - 24-9 - 160 - 23 9. North Georgia - 28-7 - 1841 - 4 10. Washburn - 19-11 - 169 - NR 11 . Charleston, W.Va. - 29-5 - 162 - 7 12. Cal State Dominguez Hills - 22-8 - 160 - NR 13. Minnesota Duluth - 26-7 - 143 - 10 14. Cal State San Bernardino - 27-8 - 141 - 20 15. Central Washington - 22-10 - 139 - NR 16. Fort Hays State - 23-9 - 135 - 19 17.&nbsp;West Liberty, W.Va. - 26-7 - 129 - 16 18. Lincoln Memorial - 24-9 - 107 - NR 19. Florida Southern - 23-10 - 99 - NR 20. Northwest Missouri State - 29-5 - 95 - 4 21. Colorado Mesa - 29-5 - 91 - 6 22. Fort Lewis, Colo. - 29-4 - 90 - 5 23. Saint Michael's, Vt. - 24-9 - 80 - NR 24. Arkansas Tech - 25-7 - 77 - NR 25. Ferris State, Mich. - 28-8 - 72 - NR

Receiving Votes:&nbsp;Alabama Huntsville 67, UNC Pembroke (N.C.) 60, Truman State (Mo.) 60, Clark Atlanta (Ga.) 59, Lake Superior State (Mich.) 52, St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) 48, USC Aiken (S.C.) 48, Point Loma (Calif.) 43, Walsh (Ohio) 40, Lubbock Christian (Texas) 38, Lander (S.C.) 37, Kentucky Wesleyan 35, Southern New Hampshire 34, Cal State LA 32, Pittsburg State (Kan.) 31, Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 30, Indianapolis (Ind.) 24, MSU Denver (Colo.) 21, St. Edward's (Texas) 21, Illinois Springfield 11, Miles (Ala.) 11, Catawba (N.C.) 10, Southwest Minnesota State 10, Post (Conn.) 9, Hillsdale (Mich.) 8, William Jewell (Mo.) 7, Lincoln (Pa.) 6, Bentley (Mass.) 5, Montana State Billings 5, Concord (W.Va.) 4, Daemen (N.Y.) 4, Upper Iowa 4, Academy of Art (Calif.) 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730285036614.png" alt=" " />
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 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men's Basketball will begin the 2024-25 season ranked No. 16 in the NABC Top 25 Poll, as the preseason edition was released on Tuesday. The Tigers are coming off a 23-8 overall record in 2023-24, making an appearance in the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament. They finished at No. 19 in the NABC Top 25 last year.This is the first appearance for FHSU in the NABC Preseason Top 25 since 2006-07, when it had a ranking of No. 25 to start the year. FHSU was receiving votes in the preseason polls of both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The Tigers have finished with at least 21 wins in each of the last three seasons.Fort Hays State has now been ranked in the Top 25 in eight consecutive polls released by the NABC, going back to January 30 of last season. The Tigers ranked as high as No. 14 in the poll during the regular season last year on February 20.Fort Hays State is one of three MIAA schools listed in the Preseason Top 25, joining No. 10 ranked Washburn and No. 20 ranked Northwest Missouri State. Washburn was listed as the MIAA favorite by the coaches this year, while FHSU was listed as the favorite by the media. Northwest Missouri State is coming off its 11th-straight MIAA regular season title, but enters the year with a new coach at the helm. Pittsburg State was listed in the receiving votes section. FHSU, NWMSU, and PSU were participants in the NCAA Tournament last year.Fort Hays State opens the regular season on November 8-9 with a pair of games in Marshall, Minn. against Southwest Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul. Southwest Minnesota State was also a participant in the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament last year and is among the receiving votes section of the national poll to start the season.NABC Preseason Top 25 Poll. Rank - Team - Record - Points - Prev 1. Minnesota State (10) - 35-1 - 393 - 2 2. Nova Southeastern, Fla. (6) - 32-3 - 390 - 1 3. West Texas A&amp;M - 30-5 - 346 - 9 4. MSU Moorhead - 25-6271 - 11 5. Dallas Baptist - 25-6 - 233 - 12 6. California, Pa. - 27-4 - 222 - 8 7. Gannon, Pa. - 32-3 - 204 - 3 8. Colorado School of Mines - 24-9 - 160 - 23 9. North Georgia - 28-7 - 1841 - 4 10. Washburn - 19-11 - 169 - NR 11 . Charleston, W.Va. - 29-5 - 162 - 7 12. Cal State Dominguez Hills - 22-8 - 160 - NR 13. Minnesota Duluth - 26-7 - 143 - 10 14. Cal State San Bernardino - 27-8 - 141 - 20 15. Central Washington - 22-10 - 139 - NR 16. Fort Hays State - 23-9 - 135 - 19 17.&nbsp;West Liberty, W.Va. - 26-7 - 129 - 16 18. Lincoln Memorial - 24-9 - 107 - NR 19. Florida Southern - 23-10 - 99 - NR 20. Northwest Missouri State - 29-5 - 95 - 4 21. Colorado Mesa - 29-5 - 91 - 6 22. Fort Lewis, Colo. - 29-4 - 90 - 5 23. Saint Michael's, Vt. - 24-9 - 80 - NR 24. Arkansas Tech - 25-7 - 77 - NR 25. Ferris State, Mich. - 28-8 - 72 - NRReceiving Votes:&nbsp;Alabama Huntsville 67, UNC Pembroke (N.C.) 60, Truman State (Mo.) 60, Clark Atlanta (Ga.) 59, Lake Superior State (Mich.) 52, St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) 48, USC Aiken (S.C.) 48, Point Loma (Calif.) 43, Walsh (Ohio) 40, Lubbock Christian (Texas) 38, Lander (S.C.) 37, Kentucky Wesleyan 35, Southern New Hampshire 34, Cal State LA 32, Pittsburg State (Kan.) 31, Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 30, Indianapolis (Ind.) 24, MSU Denver (Colo.) 21, St. Edward's (Texas) 21, Illinois Springfield 11, Miles (Ala.) 11, Catawba (N.C.) 10, Southwest Minnesota State 10, Post (Conn.) 9, Hillsdale (Mich.) 8, William Jewell (Mo.) 7, Lincoln (Pa.) 6, Bentley (Mass.) 5, Montana State Billings 5, Concord (W.Va.) 4, Daemen (N.Y.) 4, Upper Iowa 4, Academy of Art (Calif.) 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 FHSU men tabbed No. 16 in NABC Preseason Top 25

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas notes that the seasonal tumble of prices at the pump is happening again in 2024.

"We've been in a trend here the last several weeks of gas prices falling back as well, Steward said. "We've seen a decline in the past week here in Kansas of three cents. We're now at $2.78 a gallon for the average price, and if you're filling up in Reno County, you've got the lowest price in Kansas at $2.59 a gallon. So 20 states right now across the country are sub-$3 on their average gas price."

"During the summer, there are government regulations that require a summer blend of gasoline that is less susceptible to creating air pollution," Steward said. "That's more expensive to produce, and that's required to be in the gas pumps during the summer months. But when we get into the fall, we go back to the so-called winter blend, and that usually knocks prices down a little bit, because it is less expensive to refine."

The parts of the U.S. with offshore oil have generally been spared the worst of hurricane damage this season, as well.

"The major refineries in the Gulf have generally stayed free of any damage or outages," Steward said. "When there is a hurricane that comes through, it can knock out power in that area. Gas pumps obviously can't work if there's no power. So we've seen some of that in the southeast U.S. But fortunately, no refining production operations have been impacted in any serious way."

For the latest information on gas prices, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=KS">gasprices.aaa.com</a>.

NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas notes that the seasonal tumble of prices at the pump is happening again in 2024."We've been in a trend here the last several weeks of gas prices falling back as well, Steward said. "We've seen a decline in the past week here in Kansas of three cents. We're now at $2.78 a gallon for the average price, and if you're filling up in Reno County, you've got the lowest price in Kansas at $2.59 a gallon. So 20 states right now across the country are sub-$3 on their average gas price.""During the summer, there are government regulations that require a summer blend of gasoline that is less susceptible to creating air pollution," Steward said. "That's more expensive to produce, and that's required to be in the gas pumps during the summer months. But when we get into the fall, we go back to the so-called winter blend, and that usually knocks prices down a little bit, because it is less expensive to refine."The parts of the U.S. with offshore oil have generally been spared the worst of hurricane damage this season, as well."The major refineries in the Gulf have generally stayed free of any damage or outages," Steward said. "When there is a hurricane that comes through, it can knock out power in that area. Gas pumps obviously can't work if there's no power. So we've seen some of that in the southeast U.S. But fortunately, no refining production operations have been impacted in any serious way."For the latest information on gas prices, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=KS">gasprices.aaa.com</a>.