By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The Hays City Commission approved two measures Thursday that will enhance growth and redevelopment north of Interstate 70.

The two items involve expansion by Lewis Auto Group in the 4000 block of North Vine.

JTL Leasing (Lewis Auto Group) has purchased two tracts near the intersection of East 41st Street and Sherman Avenue.&nbsp;

Lewis plans to use the existing building at 655 E. 41st St., formerly Vernie’s Toys 4 Trux, as a mechanic/service shop and build a structure in the vacant lot across the street to the west.&nbsp;

The properties are just outside the current city limits.

City commissioners unanimously approved requests to rezone the two tracts from general commercial to light industrial and to annex them into the city.&nbsp;

Both items were previously approved by the Hays Area Planning Commission.

"I think it's a really good opportunity for an existing business to expand close to their other business," Commissioner Sandy Jacobs said.&nbsp; All of these changes are really going to enhance that corridor."

A project change page was added to the draft 2025 budget regarding I-70 Exit 161.

Grow Hays recently received a $4.5 million grant from the state for retail economic development.

"There's been discussions, and 2 million of that will go to the city for the Braun property [infrastructure] construction," said Collin Bielser, Hays deputy city manager.

In 2019, the city purchased 90 acres immediately northeast of the I-70 Exit 161 interchange.

The project will extend utilities and other public infrastructure to the Exit 162 interchange, including internal infrastructure improvements to the city's property.

"This will promote the city's continued growth, readying land for development opportunities," Toby Dougherty, city manager, said Friday.

The design of the infrastructure improvements is expected to begin late this year, with construction starting in 2025.&nbsp;

The project does not impact the city's operational budget. The funding will come from the bond and interest mill levy.

Commissioners also approved Patricia Makings's mayoral appointment to a four–year term on the Hays Housing Authority.

Shaun Musil was absent from the meeting.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723216007016.png" alt="Planned expansion sites for Lewis Automotive. City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>Planned expansion sites for Lewis Automotive. City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe Hays City Commission approved two measures Thursday that will enhance growth and redevelopment north of Interstate 70.The two items involve expansion by Lewis Auto Group in the 4000 block of North Vine.JTL Leasing (Lewis Auto Group) has purchased two tracts near the intersection of East 41st Street and Sherman Avenue.&nbsp;Lewis plans to use the existing building at 655 E. 41st St., formerly Vernie’s Toys 4 Trux, as a mechanic/service shop and build a structure in the vacant lot across the street to the west.&nbsp;The properties are just outside the current city limits.City commissioners unanimously approved requests to rezone the two tracts from general commercial to light industrial and to annex them into the city.&nbsp;Both items were previously approved by the Hays Area Planning Commission."I think it's a really good opportunity for an existing business to expand close to their other business," Commissioner Sandy Jacobs said.&nbsp; All of these changes are really going to enhance that corridor."A project change page was added to the draft 2025 budget regarding I-70 Exit 161.Grow Hays recently received a $4.5 million grant from the state for retail economic development."There's been discussions, and 2 million of that will go to the city for the Braun property [infrastructure] construction," said Collin Bielser, Hays deputy city manager.In 2019, the city purchased 90 acres immediately northeast of the I-70 Exit 161 interchange.The project will extend utilities and other public infrastructure to the Exit 162 interchange, including internal infrastructure improvements to the city's property."This will promote the city's continued growth, readying land for development opportunities," Toby Dougherty, city manager, said Friday.The design of the infrastructure improvements is expected to begin late this year, with construction starting in 2025.&nbsp;The project does not impact the city's operational budget. The funding will come from the bond and interest mill levy.Commissioners also approved Patricia Makings's mayoral appointment to a four–year term on the Hays Housing Authority.Shaun Musil was absent from the meeting.&nbsp;

Hays City Commission approves next steps for expansion of Hays auto dealer north of I-70

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22ALANNA%20DURKIN%20RICHER%20and%20CLAUDIA%20LAUER%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and CLAUDIA LAUER&nbsp;</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the chaotic aftermath of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">attempted assassination of Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;at a Pennsylvania rally last month, a local police officer told a fellow officer he had warned the Secret Service days earlier that the building where the 20-year-old gunman opened fire needed to be secured.

“I (expletive) told them they needed to post guys (expletive) over here," the officer said in police body camera footage released by the Butler Township Police Department. “I told them that (expletive) Tuesday.”

When another officer asked who he told that to, he responded: “the Secret Service.”

Police body camera videos, released in response to a public records request, show frustration among local law enforcement at how&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-guns-fbi-motive-08e925cb85e52c5266878cd76e796ad2">Thomas Matthew Crooks</a>&nbsp;— whom police had flagged as suspicious before the shooting — managed to slip away from their view, scale a roof and open fire with an AR-style rifle at the former president and Republican presidential nominee. They also show police expressing confusion and anger about why no law enforcement had been stationed on the roof.

“I wasn’t even concerned about it because I thought someone was on the roof,” one officer says. He asked how “the hell” they could have lost sight of Crooks after spotting him acting suspiciously if law enforcement had been on top of the building. The other officer responded: “They were inside.”

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-bullet-shrapnel-ronny-jackson-christopher-wray-cb780b9d1a078f0be4191682e75101cf">was struck in the ear</a>&nbsp;but avoided serious injury.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-victim-fire-chief-11e1aa65e6e45584f49577686d38766e">One spectator was killed</a>&nbsp;and two others were injured.

Several investigations are underway into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-rally-a1bcbaa4a604e09be8cc22893751895b">the security failures</a>&nbsp;that led to the shooting. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr., who took over after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-director-trump-rally-8b1b13cece2ff25590c81093032dceb4">resignation of former chief Kimberly Cheatle</a>, has said he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-fbi-secret-service-a382e3ec081dd13e85eaa9e726cca02c">“cannot defend</a>&nbsp;why that roof was not better secured.” The Secret Service controls the area after people pass through metal detectors, while local law enforcement is supposed to handle outside the perimeter. Rowe told lawmakers last month that Secret Service had “assumed that the state and locals had it” covered.

A Secret Service spokesperson said Friday the agency is reviewing the body camera footage.

“The U.S. Secret Service appreciates our local law enforcement partners, who acted courageously as they worked to locate the shooter that day,” spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in an email, "The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump was a U.S. Secret Service failure, and we are reviewing and updating our protective policies and procedures in order to ensure a tragedy like this never occurs again.”

Two officers from local county sniper teams were inside the complex of buildings and spotted Crooks acting strangely. One of them ran outside to look for Crooks while the other remained in the building on the second floor, according to Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger. But neither officer could see Crooks on top of the adjacent building from their second-floor position, Goldinger has said.

Another video shows officers frantically looking for Crooks in the moments before the shooting. The video shows one officer help another climb up to the roof to investigate, spotting Crooks before dropping down and running to his car to grab his gun. There is no audio in the video until the officer is back at his car, grabbing his weapon, so it's unclear what he said after seeing Crooks on the roof. It was not immediately clear whether the sound was not recorded, or if the audio had been redacted by police.

The acting Secret Service director has said local law enforcement did not alert his agency before the shooting that an armed person had been spotted on a nearby roof.

After the shooting, officers are seen in one video climbing onto the roof, where Crooks lay dead. Standing near his body, one of the officers says he was “(expletive) pissed" that police “couldn't find him.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723236950776.png" alt="-Image from body camera footage shows a chaotic law enforcement response to word that an armed man was on a roof at the rally grounds the day of an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump-Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>-Image from body camera footage shows a chaotic law enforcement response to word that an armed man was on a roof at the rally grounds the day of an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump-Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22ALANNA%20DURKIN%20RICHER%20and%20CLAUDIA%20LAUER%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and CLAUDIA LAUER&nbsp;</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — In the chaotic aftermath of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">attempted assassination of Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;at a Pennsylvania rally last month, a local police officer told a fellow officer he had warned the Secret Service days earlier that the building where the 20-year-old gunman opened fire needed to be secured.“I (expletive) told them they needed to post guys (expletive) over here," the officer said in police body camera footage released by the Butler Township Police Department. “I told them that (expletive) Tuesday.”When another officer asked who he told that to, he responded: “the Secret Service.”Police body camera videos, released in response to a public records request, show frustration among local law enforcement at how&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-guns-fbi-motive-08e925cb85e52c5266878cd76e796ad2">Thomas Matthew Crooks</a>&nbsp;— whom police had flagged as suspicious before the shooting — managed to slip away from their view, scale a roof and open fire with an AR-style rifle at the former president and Republican presidential nominee. They also show police expressing confusion and anger about why no law enforcement had been stationed on the roof.“I wasn’t even concerned about it because I thought someone was on the roof,” one officer says. He asked how “the hell” they could have lost sight of Crooks after spotting him acting suspiciously if law enforcement had been on top of the building. The other officer responded: “They were inside.”Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-bullet-shrapnel-ronny-jackson-christopher-wray-cb780b9d1a078f0be4191682e75101cf">was struck in the ear</a>&nbsp;but avoided serious injury.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-victim-fire-chief-11e1aa65e6e45584f49577686d38766e">One spectator was killed</a>&nbsp;and two others were injured.Several investigations are underway into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-rally-a1bcbaa4a604e09be8cc22893751895b">the security failures</a>&nbsp;that led to the shooting. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr., who took over after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-director-trump-rally-8b1b13cece2ff25590c81093032dceb4">resignation of former chief Kimberly Cheatle</a>, has said he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-fbi-secret-service-a382e3ec081dd13e85eaa9e726cca02c">“cannot defend</a>&nbsp;why that roof was not better secured.” The Secret Service controls the area after people pass through metal detectors, while local law enforcement is supposed to handle outside the perimeter. Rowe told lawmakers last month that Secret Service had “assumed that the state and locals had it” covered.A Secret Service spokesperson said Friday the agency is reviewing the body camera footage.“The U.S. Secret Service appreciates our local law enforcement partners, who acted courageously as they worked to locate the shooter that day,” spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in an email, "The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump was a U.S. Secret Service failure, and we are reviewing and updating our protective policies and procedures in order to ensure a tragedy like this never occurs again.”Two officers from local county sniper teams were inside the complex of buildings and spotted Crooks acting strangely. One of them ran outside to look for Crooks while the other remained in the building on the second floor, according to Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger. But neither officer could see Crooks on top of the adjacent building from their second-floor position, Goldinger has said.Another video shows officers frantically looking for Crooks in the moments before the shooting. The video shows one officer help another climb up to the roof to investigate, spotting Crooks before dropping down and running to his car to grab his gun. There is no audio in the video until the officer is back at his car, grabbing his weapon, so it's unclear what he said after seeing Crooks on the roof. It was not immediately clear whether the sound was not recorded, or if the audio had been redacted by police.The acting Secret Service director has said local law enforcement did not alert his agency before the shooting that an armed person had been spotted on a nearby roof.After the shooting, officers are seen in one video climbing onto the roof, where Crooks lay dead. Standing near his body, one of the officers says he was “(expletive) pissed" that police “couldn't find him.”

Body camera footage shows police anger at Secret Service after Trump assassination attempt

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued a public health advisory due to blue-green algae.

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep pets away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g. direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache. If you, or your pets, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ2NjMDIuc2FmZWxpbmtzLnByb3RlY3Rpb24ub3V0bG9vay5jb20vP2RhdGE9MDUlN0MwMiU3Q01pdGNoZWxsLk9zdGVybHVuZCU0MGtzLmdvdiU3QzFjZDNhOTM2NTM2YjRlNTllOWUxMDhkYzU0ZTc5ZjVmJTdDZGNhZTgxMDFjOTJkNDgwY2JjNDNjNjc2MWNjY2NjNWElN0MwJTdDMCU3QzYzODQ3ODYwMDk4Njg5OTQ4OSU3Q1Vua25vd24lN0NUV0ZwYkdac2IzZDhleUpXSWpvaU1DNHdMakF3TURBaUxDSlFJam9pVjJsdU16SWlMQ0pCVGlJNklrMWhhV3dpTENKWFZDSTZNbjAlM0QlN0MwJTdDJTdDJTdDJnJlc2VydmVkPTAmc2RhdGE9Z2gwVU92Znd1aTBjZjNTWVklMkZ0U3liZUR0emFQMFMwczMwbVNuTFNaV0xvJTNEJnVybD1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5rZGhlLmtzLmdvdiUyRjExNjMlMkZSZXBvcnQtYW4tSWxsbmVzcy1vci1IZWFsdGgtSW5jaWRlbnQlM0Z1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNEZW1haWwlMjZ1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDgwOS45ODg1NDgwMSJ9.suaQN5u9rXGqdqa2O00En_KG6W3l2su05jXRno8mkxU/s/1305913623/br/247216789952-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/1163</a>.

A&nbsp;Hazard status&nbsp;indicates that a harmful algal bloom is present, and extreme conditions exist.&nbsp;

When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

A&nbsp;Warning status&nbsp;indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure.&nbsp; Contact with the waterbody should be avoided.

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

A&nbsp;Watch status&nbsp;means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

&nbsp;When a watch is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

Advisories are&nbsp;Lifted&nbsp;when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.

KDHE investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.&nbsp;

If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.5efKqpdZSsOKnYxSvJsYN6qxOt9Zb4GK3FGDPjCIZno/s/1305913623/br/247216789952-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/HAB</a>&nbsp;and check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.H6WwQLrRnhP1iPd12A1-kVofKaPPSBm0dD-M7ScZ7gw/s/1305913623/br/247216789952-l" target="_blank">interactive story</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.WfAN5X0SFH4QB3vat_J-in8KtjT0ZuOX0MfCqulifhU/s/1305913623/br/247216789952-l" target="_blank">informative video</a>.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued a public health advisory due to blue-green algae.A harmful algal bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep pets away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g. direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache. If you, or your pets, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.suaQN5u9rXGqdqa2O00En_KG6W3l2su05jXRno8mkxU/s/1305913623/br/247216789952-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/1163</a>.Active AdvisoriesWarning&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Eagle Lake (Bel Aire), Sedgwick County (Elevated Aug. 9)</li><li>Gathering Pond, Geary County</li><li>Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County</li><li>King Lake, Lyon County</li><li>Lake Afton, Sedgwick County</li><li>Melvern Outlet River Pond, Osage County</li><li>Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County</li>
 </ul>Watch&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Atchison City Lake #8, Atchison County</li><li>Atchison State Fishing Lake, Atchison County&nbsp;</li><li>Cedar Lake, Johnson County&nbsp;</li><li>Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County (Added Aug. 9)</li><li>Louisburg City Lake, Miami County</li><li>River Pond (Tuttle Creek State Park), Pottawatomie &amp; Riley Counties</li><li>Sabetha City Lake, Nemaha County&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>A&nbsp;Hazard status&nbsp;indicates that a harmful algal bloom is present, and extreme conditions exist.&nbsp;When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Signage should be posted at all public access locations.</li><li>It is recommended that either a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone, be closed to the public.</li><li>In some cases, the adjacent land should be closed as well. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary.</li><li>When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status.</li>
 </ul>A&nbsp;Warning status&nbsp;indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure.&nbsp; Contact with the waterbody should be avoided.When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Signage should be posted at all public access locations.</li><li>Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful.</li><li>Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.&nbsp;</li><li>Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.&nbsp;</li><li>Water contact should be avoided.&nbsp;</li><li>Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.&nbsp;</li><li>Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.&nbsp;</li><li>If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.&nbsp;</li><li>Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>A&nbsp;Watch status&nbsp;means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.&nbsp;When a watch is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Signage should be posted at all public access locations.</li><li>Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.</li><li>Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.</li><li>Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.</li><li>Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.</li><li>Clean fish thoroughly with potable water and eat fillet portion only.</li>
 </ul>Advisories are&nbsp;Lifted&nbsp;when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.KDHE investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.&nbsp;If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.5efKqpdZSsOKnYxSvJsYN6qxOt9Zb4GK3FGDPjCIZno/s/1305913623/br/247216789952-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/HAB</a>&nbsp;and check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.H6WwQLrRnhP1iPd12A1-kVofKaPPSBm0dD-M7ScZ7gw/s/1305913623/br/247216789952-l" target="_blank">interactive story</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.WfAN5X0SFH4QB3vat_J-in8KtjT0ZuOX0MfCqulifhU/s/1305913623/br/247216789952-l" target="_blank">informative video</a>.

Public health advisories issued for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae

The Ellis school district announced Friday that Jesse Vincent
has been named the new Principal at Ellis Jr./Sr. High School.

In a post on the USD388 school website Vincent said, “I'm a graduate of Abilene High School and got my bachelor's
from Sterling College in physical education and health. This is my 11th year in administration. My
daughter teaches fourth grade in Grinnell, and my two boys attend Colorado State
University and are both on the football team.

All but four years of my career in
education has been spent in Western Kansas, and I am excited to be back! Ellis has a reputation of being a prestigious
educational institution, and I couldn't be more excited to be a Railroader!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723242620465.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis school district announced Friday that Jesse Vincent
has been named the new Principal at Ellis Jr./Sr. High School.In a post on the USD388 school website Vincent said, “I'm a graduate of Abilene High School and got my bachelor's
from Sterling College in physical education and health. This is my 11th year in administration. My
daughter teaches fourth grade in Grinnell, and my two boys attend Colorado State
University and are both on the football team.All but four years of my career in
education has been spent in Western Kansas, and I am excited to be back! Ellis has a reputation of being a prestigious
educational institution, and I couldn't be more excited to be a Railroader!”

Ellis announces Vincent as new high school principal

NEW YORK (AP) — After a manic week that began with Japanese stocks falling to their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-stocks-nikkei-markets-yen-9fc2c2d7b2f85be89e8dd2db4054b9c5">worst loss since 1987's Black Monday</a>, only for U.S. stocks to soar later to their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-nikkei-earnings-6091466ea1757a2636fa371c7998decf">best day since 2022</a>, slight gains on Friday carried Wall Street almost exactly back to where it began the week.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.5% to shave what had been a brutal loss for the week down to a barely registerable 0.04%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 51 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.5%.

The gains pulled the S&amp;P 500 back within 5.7% of its all-time high set last month, after it had sunk nearly 10% below during the week. It was a vicious return of volatility for a market that had been rising smoothly, and a measure of fear on Wall Street briefly surged toward its highest level since the 2020 COVID crash. It also may not be over. Worries are still high about the strength of the U.S. economy, and reports are due next week on inflation, sales at retailers and other measures of strength.

But on Friday, at least, the mood was one of calm after more big U.S. companies joined the pile reporting better profit for the spring than analysts expected.

Expedia Group jumped 10.2% after delivering stronger results than forecast, though it saw a softening of demand in July like some other companies. Take-Two Interactive rose 4.4% after the company behind the Grand Theft Auto and NBA 2K video games likewise reported better results than expected.

Earlier in the day, indexes rose for many other stock markets worldwide. They've also been frenetic since last week because of a number of factors slamming together at once. At the forefront is the value of the Japanese yen, whose sudden and sharp strengthening recently forced hedge funds and other traders to scramble out of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-carry-japan-currency-9611229d14e547e11f7e0299f2a6d00a">a popular trade</a>&nbsp;en masse.

They had been borrowing Japanese yen at very low cost and then investing it elsewhere around the world. But a hike to interest rates by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-economy-rates-boj-yen-e00919b053412fabf7a800ed78a9ad7a">the Bank of Japan</a>&nbsp;forced many to abandon the trade at the same time and sent global markets reeling. A promise by a top Bank of Japan official in the middle of the week not to raise rates further as long as markets are “unstable” helped stabilize the yen.

Also weighing on the market have been worries about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-unemployment-federal-reserve-inflation-22095766804d9c1532b4fcc29565be49">slowing U.S. economy</a>. A raft of weaker-than-expected reports forced questions about whether the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-federal-reserve-interest-rates-04d2877f47f3913acc2f992d8ef1581b">Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;has kept&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-loan-837101506a276eb78044fbd72771a479">interest rates</a>&nbsp;at too high of an economy-crunching level for too long in order to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-election-federal-reserve-rates-economy-d8d44ca753aace952831a8f0cb42b97c">beat inflation</a>. A report last Friday showing much weaker hiring by U.S. employers than expected was the lowlight.

Such worries dragged Treasury yields lower in the bond market, and they fell again Friday. Yields sank as investors looked for safer places for their money and as expectations built for deeper cuts to rates coming from the Fed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 3.94% from 3.99% late Thursday.

After seemingly getting the Bank of Japan to stop hiking rates for now, Wall Street’s goal “now appears to be bossing the Fed into big rate cuts,” Bank of America strategist Michael Hartnett said in a BofA Global Research report.

Reports next week could drive more swings for the market. On Thursday will come an update on how much shoppers are spending at U.S. retailers. Households at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-low-income-squeeze-profits-93d0614a3a0d0a93cf9e15e0985a7271">lower end of the income spectrum have been struggling for a while</a>&nbsp;to keep up with still-rising prices, but economists expect the report to show a return to growth after a stall in retail spending during June.

Another report on Thursday will show how many U.S. workers are applying for unemployment benefits. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-4e843e0b32f6607e314ef793a22cac9d">most recent such report</a>&nbsp;raised hopes for the economy after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-87b2c1f2511ca47f91587c9dd25aba51">the prior week’s</a>&nbsp;frightened investors.

Looming over them all will be the latest updates on inflation. A worst-case scenario would be if Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s inflation reports show higher-than-expected rises in prices at the wholesale and consumer levels, while the week’s other reports show a sharp weakening of the economy.

The Federal Reserve wouldn't have an easy way to fix such a toxic mess. The central bank could lower interest rates, which would give the U.S. economy an upward push but also threaten to worsen inflation. Or it could continue to keep its main interest rate at a two-decade high. That would put downward pressure on inflation but also inflict more pain on the economy.

To be sure, even though the U.S. economy is slowing, it is not in a recession. And many economists still see one as unlikely.

A third factor that sent markets spinning recently is increased skepticism about Wall Street’s rush into artificial-intelligence technology, and how much profit growth it will really produce.

The frenzy around AI allowed a handful of Big Tech stocks to drive the S&amp;P 500 to dozens of all-time highs this year, even as high rates weighed on other areas of the market. But the group of stocks known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wall-street-stocks-magnificent-seven-a6e1da1a8c85c0a56f9e9c85e001ebff">“Magnificent Seven”</a>&nbsp;lost momentum last month amid criticism investors got carried away and took their prices too high.

All of the Magnificent Seven rose Friday except for Nvidia, which slipped 0.2%.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 24.85 points to 5,344.16. The Dow gained 51.05 to 39,497.54, and the Nasdaq climbed 85.28 to 16,745.30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722962507580.png" alt="Specialist Patrick King, left, works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)" />
 <figcaption>Specialist Patrick King, left, works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — After a manic week that began with Japanese stocks falling to their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-stocks-nikkei-markets-yen-9fc2c2d7b2f85be89e8dd2db4054b9c5">worst loss since 1987's Black Monday</a>, only for U.S. stocks to soar later to their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-nikkei-earnings-6091466ea1757a2636fa371c7998decf">best day since 2022</a>, slight gains on Friday carried Wall Street almost exactly back to where it began the week.The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.5% to shave what had been a brutal loss for the week down to a barely registerable 0.04%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 51 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.5%.The gains pulled the S&amp;P 500 back within 5.7% of its all-time high set last month, after it had sunk nearly 10% below during the week. It was a vicious return of volatility for a market that had been rising smoothly, and a measure of fear on Wall Street briefly surged toward its highest level since the 2020 COVID crash. It also may not be over. Worries are still high about the strength of the U.S. economy, and reports are due next week on inflation, sales at retailers and other measures of strength.But on Friday, at least, the mood was one of calm after more big U.S. companies joined the pile reporting better profit for the spring than analysts expected.Expedia Group jumped 10.2% after delivering stronger results than forecast, though it saw a softening of demand in July like some other companies. Take-Two Interactive rose 4.4% after the company behind the Grand Theft Auto and NBA 2K video games likewise reported better results than expected.Earlier in the day, indexes rose for many other stock markets worldwide. They've also been frenetic since last week because of a number of factors slamming together at once. At the forefront is the value of the Japanese yen, whose sudden and sharp strengthening recently forced hedge funds and other traders to scramble out of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-carry-japan-currency-9611229d14e547e11f7e0299f2a6d00a">a popular trade</a>&nbsp;en masse.They had been borrowing Japanese yen at very low cost and then investing it elsewhere around the world. But a hike to interest rates by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-economy-rates-boj-yen-e00919b053412fabf7a800ed78a9ad7a">the Bank of Japan</a>&nbsp;forced many to abandon the trade at the same time and sent global markets reeling. A promise by a top Bank of Japan official in the middle of the week not to raise rates further as long as markets are “unstable” helped stabilize the yen.Also weighing on the market have been worries about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-unemployment-federal-reserve-inflation-22095766804d9c1532b4fcc29565be49">slowing U.S. economy</a>. A raft of weaker-than-expected reports forced questions about whether the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-federal-reserve-interest-rates-04d2877f47f3913acc2f992d8ef1581b">Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;has kept&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-loan-837101506a276eb78044fbd72771a479">interest rates</a>&nbsp;at too high of an economy-crunching level for too long in order to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-election-federal-reserve-rates-economy-d8d44ca753aace952831a8f0cb42b97c">beat inflation</a>. A report last Friday showing much weaker hiring by U.S. employers than expected was the lowlight.Such worries dragged Treasury yields lower in the bond market, and they fell again Friday. Yields sank as investors looked for safer places for their money and as expectations built for deeper cuts to rates coming from the Fed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 3.94% from 3.99% late Thursday.After seemingly getting the Bank of Japan to stop hiking rates for now, Wall Street’s goal “now appears to be bossing the Fed into big rate cuts,” Bank of America strategist Michael Hartnett said in a BofA Global Research report.Reports next week could drive more swings for the market. On Thursday will come an update on how much shoppers are spending at U.S. retailers. Households at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-low-income-squeeze-profits-93d0614a3a0d0a93cf9e15e0985a7271">lower end of the income spectrum have been struggling for a while</a>&nbsp;to keep up with still-rising prices, but economists expect the report to show a return to growth after a stall in retail spending during June.Another report on Thursday will show how many U.S. workers are applying for unemployment benefits. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-4e843e0b32f6607e314ef793a22cac9d">most recent such report</a>&nbsp;raised hopes for the economy after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-87b2c1f2511ca47f91587c9dd25aba51">the prior week’s</a>&nbsp;frightened investors.Looming over them all will be the latest updates on inflation. A worst-case scenario would be if Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s inflation reports show higher-than-expected rises in prices at the wholesale and consumer levels, while the week’s other reports show a sharp weakening of the economy.The Federal Reserve wouldn't have an easy way to fix such a toxic mess. The central bank could lower interest rates, which would give the U.S. economy an upward push but also threaten to worsen inflation. Or it could continue to keep its main interest rate at a two-decade high. That would put downward pressure on inflation but also inflict more pain on the economy.To be sure, even though the U.S. economy is slowing, it is not in a recession. And many economists still see one as unlikely.A third factor that sent markets spinning recently is increased skepticism about Wall Street’s rush into artificial-intelligence technology, and how much profit growth it will really produce.The frenzy around AI allowed a handful of Big Tech stocks to drive the S&amp;P 500 to dozens of all-time highs this year, even as high rates weighed on other areas of the market. But the group of stocks known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wall-street-stocks-magnificent-seven-a6e1da1a8c85c0a56f9e9c85e001ebff">“Magnificent Seven”</a>&nbsp;lost momentum last month amid criticism investors got carried away and took their prices too high.All of the Magnificent Seven rose Friday except for Nvidia, which slipped 0.2%.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 24.85 points to 5,344.16. The Dow gained 51.05 to 39,497.54, and the Nasdaq climbed 85.28 to 16,745.30.___

Wall Street ends a wild and scary week nearly exactly where it began it

Vietnam War veteran Pat Martin of rural Hays was just 19 years old on May 24, 1970, when he was shot in the back during what's become known as one of the war's most historic and decorated helicopter rescue missions, "The Battle of Medevac Meadows."

He's writing a book about his experience as an air ambulance Medevac crew chief with the 1st Cavalry Division on the flight that was downed under enemy fire during a rescue mission in southeast Cambodia.&nbsp;

"We took a mission to try to evacuate several South Vietnamese airborne brigade soldiers who were trying to locate an enemy bunker complex in the Fishhook region of Cambodia," Martin said in a Hays Post interview.&nbsp;

Their helicopter was shot out of the air and crashed heavily on its right side, killing the door gunner.&nbsp;

Martin started laying gunfire into the tree line and was shot.&nbsp;

"It was dark when I woke up. ... One of the most horrific events in my whole life. Me and God became very friendly right there," he said.

"We ended spending up almost two days on the ground trying to get us evacuated out of there," Martin said.

"When the smoke cleared, there was one Medal of Honor awarded, seven or eight Silver Stars, a few Distinguished Flying Crosses, air medals, and so forth."

Martin was awarded the Purple Heart for that day he was shot 54 years ago.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in the United States, established by General George Washington in 1782 to recognize heroic acts by his troops during the American Revolution.

Today, the <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/1650949/the-purple-heart-americas-oldest-medal/">Purple Heart</a> is awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.&nbsp;

The 73-year-old Martin is now commander of Hays' Disabled American Veterans Post #18.

He found out last month he is the "last man standing"—the last person alive—from that mission's crew of six that was shot down.

"That kind of shook me up a little bit, and I decided it was time to write my memoirs of what went on," Martin said.

Martin hopes to sell copies of his book "May Flowers" when it's finished and donate the proceeds to local veterans and their families.

People wanting to reserve a copy may text their request to him at 785-639-9930.

Martin presided over a public ceremony Wednesday afternoon in Veterans Memorial Park, 15th and Haney, designating Hays a Purple Heart City.

The event included a ribbon cutting by The Chamber in Hays and a mayoral proclamation read by Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor.&nbsp;

"We appreciate the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedom and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the support they have earned,"&nbsp; Jacobs read from the proclamation signed by Mayor Shaun Musil.&nbsp;

"As a veteran, it makes us proud that our community would get behind a designation such as this," DAV Post #18 Chaplain Mike Chappell told Hays Post.&nbsp;

"There are so many more who are injured in these conflicts than were killed. ... They often go unrecognized, walking around and people don't even know it. When they come into town, they'll know it's for them. People may not know them by name but the community affords them respect," Chappell said.

Several Purple Heart recipients were in the crowd at the designation ceremony along with many more military veterans.&nbsp;

The Purple Heart City designation was sought by the six veterans service organizations in Hays — VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Marine Corps, Disabled American Veterans, and Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses.&nbsp;

Official Purple Heart City signs will soon be placed by the city at six locations marking main entrances into Hays.

The coalition of local veterans organizations is paying for the cost of the signs and upkeep.

Research by Martin shows 48 Ellis County residents have been killed in action since World War I.

The tally includes Hays natives Bryan Nichols and Dave Carter, who died 13 years ago on August 6, 2011, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723125174417.jpeg" alt="Six signs designating Hays as a Purple Heart City will be placed at major entrances to the town. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Six signs designating Hays as a Purple Heart City will be placed at major entrances to the town. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostVietnam War veteran Pat Martin of rural Hays was just 19 years old on May 24, 1970, when he was shot in the back during what's become known as one of the war's most historic and decorated helicopter rescue missions, "The Battle of Medevac Meadows."He's writing a book about his experience as an air ambulance Medevac crew chief with the 1st Cavalry Division on the flight that was downed under enemy fire during a rescue mission in southeast Cambodia.&nbsp;"We took a mission to try to evacuate several South Vietnamese airborne brigade soldiers who were trying to locate an enemy bunker complex in the Fishhook region of Cambodia," Martin said in a Hays Post interview.&nbsp;Their helicopter was shot out of the air and crashed heavily on its right side, killing the door gunner.&nbsp;Martin started laying gunfire into the tree line and was shot.&nbsp;"It was dark when I woke up. ... One of the most horrific events in my whole life. Me and God became very friendly right there," he said."We ended spending up almost two days on the ground trying to get us evacuated out of there," Martin said."When the smoke cleared, there was one Medal of Honor awarded, seven or eight Silver Stars, a few Distinguished Flying Crosses, air medals, and so forth."Martin was awarded the Purple Heart for that day he was shot 54 years ago.The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in the United States, established by General George Washington in 1782 to recognize heroic acts by his troops during the American Revolution.Today, the <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/1650949/the-purple-heart-americas-oldest-medal/">Purple Heart</a> is awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723129697693.jpeg" alt="Pat Martin, DAV Post #18 Hays commander. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pat Martin, DAV Post #18 Hays commander. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The 73-year-old Martin is now commander of Hays' Disabled American Veterans Post #18.He found out last month he is the "last man standing"—the last person alive—from that mission's crew of six that was shot down."That kind of shook me up a little bit, and I decided it was time to write my memoirs of what went on," Martin said.Martin hopes to sell copies of his book "May Flowers" when it's finished and donate the proceeds to local veterans and their families.People wanting to reserve a copy may text their request to him at 785-639-9930.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723124983909.jpeg" alt="Purple Heart recipient Pat Martin does the honors during The Chamber in Hays ribbon cutting on Wednesday for the designation of Hays as a Purple Heart City. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Purple Heart recipient Pat Martin does the honors during The Chamber in Hays ribbon cutting on Wednesday for the designation of Hays as a Purple Heart City. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723129836522.jpeg" alt="Hays Vice Mayor Sandy Jacobs reads the mayoral proclamation declaring Hays&nbsp; a Purple Heart City with commissioners Mason Ruder and Alaina Cunningham looking on at Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Hays Vice Mayor Sandy Jacobs reads the mayoral proclamation declaring Hays&nbsp; a Purple Heart City with commissioners Mason Ruder and Alaina Cunningham looking on at Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Martin presided over a public ceremony Wednesday afternoon in Veterans Memorial Park, 15th and Haney, designating Hays a Purple Heart City.The event included a ribbon cutting by The Chamber in Hays and a mayoral proclamation read by Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor.&nbsp;"We appreciate the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedom and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the support they have earned,"&nbsp; Jacobs read from the proclamation signed by Mayor Shaun Musil.&nbsp;"As a veteran, it makes us proud that our community would get behind a designation such as this," DAV Post #18 Chaplain Mike Chappell told Hays Post.&nbsp;"There are so many more who are injured in these conflicts than were killed. ... They often go unrecognized, walking around and people don't even know it. When they come into town, they'll know it's for them. People may not know them by name but the community affords them respect," Chappell said.Several Purple Heart recipients were in the crowd at the designation ceremony along with many more military veterans.&nbsp;The Purple Heart City designation was sought by the six veterans service organizations in Hays — VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Marine Corps, Disabled American Veterans, and Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses.&nbsp;Official Purple Heart City signs will soon be placed by the city at six locations marking main entrances into Hays.The coalition of local veterans organizations is paying for the cost of the signs and upkeep.Research by Martin shows 48 Ellis County residents have been killed in action since World War I.The tally includes Hays natives Bryan Nichols and Dave Carter, who died 13 years ago on August 6, 2011, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Purple Heart awardee 'couldn't be prouder' of city of Hays 

VIENNA (AP) — A third teenager has been arrested in connection with a foiled attack on now-canceled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austria's interior minister said Friday.

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said an 18-year-old was taken into custody Thursday evening in Vienna after allegedly being in contact with the main suspect. Karner announced the arrest during an unrelated news conference Friday.

Investigators are scrutinizing the “networks” of the suspects, the Austrian interior ministry told The Associated Press on Friday, adding in a statement that investigators have turned to evaluating physical and electronic evidence.

The 19-year-old main suspect and a 17-year-old were arrested Tuesday, while a 15-year-old was also interrogated but was not arrested. Officials said Thursday afternoon that no additional suspects were being sought. They did not immediately offer further details Friday.

Authorities say the plot appeared to have been inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. Investigators found bomb-making materials at one of the suspects' homes. Officials say one suspect has confessed to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.”

Officials say the main suspect and the 18-year-old arrested Friday both pledged “oaths of allegiance” to the Islamic State group.

“He had been in contact with the main perpetrator, but is not directly connected to the attack plans,” Karner said. “But, as was found out a few days ago, he took an oath of allegiance specifically to the IS on Aug. 6.”

The 18-year-old “comes from the social environment” of the main suspect, Karner said.

Three sold-out concerts were canceled Wednesday because of the plot,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-fans-austria-concerts-canceled-swifties-003644f97d8bd7064b3dfe0585704f6c">devastating Swifties</a>&nbsp;from across the globe. Many of them had dropped thousands of euros (dollars) on travel and lodging in Austria’s expensive capital city to attend the Eras Tour shows at the Ernst Happel Stadium, which sat empty Thursday morning.

Europe is enamored with the American superstar: The German town of Gelsenkirchen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/germany-taylor-swift-rename-gelsenkirchen-swiftkirchen-63a8cf1b2c6e7bcc44d09c00839e1b29">renamed itself “Swiftkirchen”</a>&nbsp;before its mid-July concerts.

Concert organizers in Austria said they had expected up to 65,000 fans inside the stadium at each concert and as many as 30,000 onlookers outside, where authorities said the suspects planned to strike. The foiled attack was planned for Thursday or Friday, according to Austria’s interior minister, Gerhard Karner.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer defended the decision to cancel the concerts, saying the arrests of the suspects took place too close to the shows, scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

“I understand very well that those who wanted to experience the concert live are very sad,” Nehammer told a news conference Thursday. “Moms and dads are looking after their daughters and sons, who were full of enthusiasm and anticipation for this concert. But it’s also important that in such serious moments as now, it’s inevitable that safety comes first.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Swift</a>&nbsp;is also scheduled to perform at London’s Wembley stadium in five concerts between Aug. 15 and 20 to close the European leg of her record-setting Eras Tour.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that while he understood Vienna’s reasons for canceling, “We’re going to carry on.” Khan said the capital’s authorities were prepared for shows there following lessons learned from a 2017 attack&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9d813da59c6342b09c7ea57f62a5d9a8">at an Ariana Grande concert</a>&nbsp;in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people.

A suicide bomber had set up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manchester-ariana-grande-concert-bombing-lawsuit-f2e8298cb045501eff5245392522d29c">a knapsack</a>&nbsp;with explosives in Manchester Arena. The bomb detonated at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands of young fans were leaving.

Last month, an attacker in England&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-southport-stabbing-police-britain-fe16d43c8fc92b7b19c63ba4889c4850">killed three girls and wounded 10</a>&nbsp;people in a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class. Swift at the time said she was ‘’completely in shock’’ over the violence.

In Austria, the main suspect confessed that he had started planning the attack in July, authorities said. The 19-year-old just a few weeks ago uploaded to the internet an oath of allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State group.

He was “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence.

Haijawi-Pirchner added that the suspect "wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made."

During a raid of the suspect's home in Ternitz, south of Vienna, investigators found chemical substances and technical devices that indicated “concrete preparatory acts,” said Franz Ruf, director general for public security at the Ministry of the Interior.

Authorities said they also found Islamic State group and al-Qaida material at the home of the second suspect, who is 17. That suspect, who has so far refused to talk, was employed a few days ago by a company providing unspecified services at the venue for the concerts.

Both teens were arrested Tuesday. Neither of their names was released, in line with Austrian privacy rules.

The suspects had undergone clear social changes recently, authorities said. The 19-year-old had quit his job but said he “still had big plans,” while the other broke up with his girlfriend. Neither suspect appeared to have a ticket to any of the shows, Haijawi-Pirchner said.

Karner said that Austria's intelligence service had worked closely together with foreign intelligence services to capture the two teens. He did not identify the agencies, but added that the help was needed because Austrian investigators, unlike some foreign services, can't legally monitor text messages.

The CIA declined to say Thursday whether U.S. intelligence agencies played any role in the investigation. The U.S. State Department and the broader U.S. government have been in contact with Austrian officials about the alleged plot, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

No other suspects are being sought, though a 15-year-old who had been in contact with both suspects was also interrogated by police, Karner said.

“The situation is serious. But we can also say: A tragedy was prevented,” he said.

Concert organizer Barracuda Music said in an Instagram post late Wednesday that it had "no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.”

Barracuda said all tickets would be refunded. The same message was posted under the Vienna dates on Swift’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taylorswift.com/tour/">official website</a>. Austrian rail operator OeBB in the meantime said that it would reimburse fans for unused train tickets for the concerts.

Swift has not spoken publicly about the plot or canceled shows. “Taylor Nation,” a verified Instagram page widely believed to be run by her team, reposted the announcement from Barracuda Music in a “story,” which is only visible for 24 hours. Her main account has not posted anything.

Swift’s biggest fear has always been that such large-scale violence could take place at her concerts, the superstar told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a26628467/taylor-swift-30th-birthday-lessons/">Elle magazine</a>&nbsp;in 2019 ahead of her Lover Tour, which was ultimately canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The attack at Grande’s concert, as well as a 2017 mass shooting at an outdoor country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip where 58 people were killed, worried Swift as she prepared to circle the globe.

“I was completely terrified to go on (the Lover Tour) this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months,” she told the magazine. “There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe.”

An official&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mi5-manchester-arena-concert-bombing-inquiry-uk-3563d529056ae51e201ae8d379f930b5">inquiry reported in 2023</a>&nbsp;that Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, didn’t act swiftly enough on key information and missed a significant opportunity to prevent the Manchester bombing, the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years.

Terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp, based at the Swedish Defense University in Stockholm, told The Associated Press by phone that any mass public event constitutes a potential threat now.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706236308205.png" alt="FILE - Taylor Swift&nbsp; (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Taylor Swift&nbsp; (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>VIENNA (AP) — A third teenager has been arrested in connection with a foiled attack on now-canceled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austria's interior minister said Friday.Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said an 18-year-old was taken into custody Thursday evening in Vienna after allegedly being in contact with the main suspect. Karner announced the arrest during an unrelated news conference Friday.Investigators are scrutinizing the “networks” of the suspects, the Austrian interior ministry told The Associated Press on Friday, adding in a statement that investigators have turned to evaluating physical and electronic evidence.The 19-year-old main suspect and a 17-year-old were arrested Tuesday, while a 15-year-old was also interrogated but was not arrested. Officials said Thursday afternoon that no additional suspects were being sought. They did not immediately offer further details Friday.Authorities say the plot appeared to have been inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. Investigators found bomb-making materials at one of the suspects' homes. Officials say one suspect has confessed to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.”Officials say the main suspect and the 18-year-old arrested Friday both pledged “oaths of allegiance” to the Islamic State group.“He had been in contact with the main perpetrator, but is not directly connected to the attack plans,” Karner said. “But, as was found out a few days ago, he took an oath of allegiance specifically to the IS on Aug. 6.”The 18-year-old “comes from the social environment” of the main suspect, Karner said.Three sold-out concerts were canceled Wednesday because of the plot,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-fans-austria-concerts-canceled-swifties-003644f97d8bd7064b3dfe0585704f6c">devastating Swifties</a>&nbsp;from across the globe. Many of them had dropped thousands of euros (dollars) on travel and lodging in Austria’s expensive capital city to attend the Eras Tour shows at the Ernst Happel Stadium, which sat empty Thursday morning.Europe is enamored with the American superstar: The German town of Gelsenkirchen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/germany-taylor-swift-rename-gelsenkirchen-swiftkirchen-63a8cf1b2c6e7bcc44d09c00839e1b29">renamed itself “Swiftkirchen”</a>&nbsp;before its mid-July concerts.Concert organizers in Austria said they had expected up to 65,000 fans inside the stadium at each concert and as many as 30,000 onlookers outside, where authorities said the suspects planned to strike. The foiled attack was planned for Thursday or Friday, according to Austria’s interior minister, Gerhard Karner.Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer defended the decision to cancel the concerts, saying the arrests of the suspects took place too close to the shows, scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.“I understand very well that those who wanted to experience the concert live are very sad,” Nehammer told a news conference Thursday. “Moms and dads are looking after their daughters and sons, who were full of enthusiasm and anticipation for this concert. But it’s also important that in such serious moments as now, it’s inevitable that safety comes first.”<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Swift</a>&nbsp;is also scheduled to perform at London’s Wembley stadium in five concerts between Aug. 15 and 20 to close the European leg of her record-setting Eras Tour.London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that while he understood Vienna’s reasons for canceling, “We’re going to carry on.” Khan said the capital’s authorities were prepared for shows there following lessons learned from a 2017 attack&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9d813da59c6342b09c7ea57f62a5d9a8">at an Ariana Grande concert</a>&nbsp;in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people.A suicide bomber had set up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manchester-ariana-grande-concert-bombing-lawsuit-f2e8298cb045501eff5245392522d29c">a knapsack</a>&nbsp;with explosives in Manchester Arena. The bomb detonated at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands of young fans were leaving.Last month, an attacker in England&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-southport-stabbing-police-britain-fe16d43c8fc92b7b19c63ba4889c4850">killed three girls and wounded 10</a>&nbsp;people in a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class. Swift at the time said she was ‘’completely in shock’’ over the violence.In Austria, the main suspect confessed that he had started planning the attack in July, authorities said. The 19-year-old just a few weeks ago uploaded to the internet an oath of allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State group.He was “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence.Haijawi-Pirchner added that the suspect "wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made."During a raid of the suspect's home in Ternitz, south of Vienna, investigators found chemical substances and technical devices that indicated “concrete preparatory acts,” said Franz Ruf, director general for public security at the Ministry of the Interior.Authorities said they also found Islamic State group and al-Qaida material at the home of the second suspect, who is 17. That suspect, who has so far refused to talk, was employed a few days ago by a company providing unspecified services at the venue for the concerts.Both teens were arrested Tuesday. Neither of their names was released, in line with Austrian privacy rules.The suspects had undergone clear social changes recently, authorities said. The 19-year-old had quit his job but said he “still had big plans,” while the other broke up with his girlfriend. Neither suspect appeared to have a ticket to any of the shows, Haijawi-Pirchner said.Karner said that Austria's intelligence service had worked closely together with foreign intelligence services to capture the two teens. He did not identify the agencies, but added that the help was needed because Austrian investigators, unlike some foreign services, can't legally monitor text messages.The CIA declined to say Thursday whether U.S. intelligence agencies played any role in the investigation. The U.S. State Department and the broader U.S. government have been in contact with Austrian officials about the alleged plot, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.No other suspects are being sought, though a 15-year-old who had been in contact with both suspects was also interrogated by police, Karner said.“The situation is serious. But we can also say: A tragedy was prevented,” he said.Concert organizer Barracuda Music said in an Instagram post late Wednesday that it had "no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.”Barracuda said all tickets would be refunded. The same message was posted under the Vienna dates on Swift’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taylorswift.com/tour/">official website</a>. Austrian rail operator OeBB in the meantime said that it would reimburse fans for unused train tickets for the concerts.Swift has not spoken publicly about the plot or canceled shows. “Taylor Nation,” a verified Instagram page widely believed to be run by her team, reposted the announcement from Barracuda Music in a “story,” which is only visible for 24 hours. Her main account has not posted anything.Swift’s biggest fear has always been that such large-scale violence could take place at her concerts, the superstar told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a26628467/taylor-swift-30th-birthday-lessons/">Elle magazine</a>&nbsp;in 2019 ahead of her Lover Tour, which was ultimately canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The attack at Grande’s concert, as well as a 2017 mass shooting at an outdoor country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip where 58 people were killed, worried Swift as she prepared to circle the globe.“I was completely terrified to go on (the Lover Tour) this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months,” she told the magazine. “There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe.”An official&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mi5-manchester-arena-concert-bombing-inquiry-uk-3563d529056ae51e201ae8d379f930b5">inquiry reported in 2023</a>&nbsp;that Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, didn’t act swiftly enough on key information and missed a significant opportunity to prevent the Manchester bombing, the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years.Terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp, based at the Swedish Defense University in Stockholm, told The Associated Press by phone that any mass public event constitutes a potential threat now.

3rd person in custody in foiled plot targeting canceled Taylor Swift shows

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A dog chomping on a lithium-ion battery sparked a serious house fire in Oklahoma, and video of the moment the sparks began to fly has been enlisted by a fire department to show the potential dangers of those batteries.

The footage taken from the home and posted last week on the Tulsa Fire Department's Facebook page shows the dog gnawing on its choice of a chew toy atop one of two cushions set on the floor of a living room. Another dog can be seen on a couch and a cat on the floor as the dog bites down and sparks begin to shoot from the battery.

The dog pulls back and soon the cushions are ablaze. Both dogs watch the growing fire at one point.

The fire department said the Tulsa-area home was significantly damaged by the fire in May but the two dogs and the cat escaped through a pet door.

Fire department spokesman Andy Little said in the post that the battery the dog was chewing was intended for charging cell phones. He said lithium-ion batteries can store “a significant amount of energy in a compact space” but when that energy “is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gasses and even lead to explosions.” He said the batteries can possibly become dangerous when they are damaged, overcharged or exposed to extreme heat.

Fortunately for the pets, Little said, all escaped the flames uninjured.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A dog chomping on a lithium-ion battery sparked a serious house fire in Oklahoma, and video of the moment the sparks began to fly has been enlisted by a fire department to show the potential dangers of those batteries.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTulsaFireDept%2Fvideos%2F1018753546612123%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=65" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The footage taken from the home and posted last week on the Tulsa Fire Department's Facebook page shows the dog gnawing on its choice of a chew toy atop one of two cushions set on the floor of a living room. Another dog can be seen on a couch and a cat on the floor as the dog bites down and sparks begin to shoot from the battery.The dog pulls back and soon the cushions are ablaze. Both dogs watch the growing fire at one point.The fire department said the Tulsa-area home was significantly damaged by the fire in May but the two dogs and the cat escaped through a pet door.Fire department spokesman Andy Little said in the post that the battery the dog was chewing was intended for charging cell phones. He said lithium-ion batteries can store “a significant amount of energy in a compact space” but when that energy “is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gasses and even lead to explosions.” He said the batteries can possibly become dangerous when they are damaged, overcharged or exposed to extreme heat.Fortunately for the pets, Little said, all escaped the flames uninjured.

Video shows dog chewing on lithium-ion battery, sparking house fire

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump gave an hourlong news conference Wednesday in which he recommitted to debating Vice President Kamala Harris and taunted her while also repeating old falsehoods and lashing out at questions about the enthusiasm her campaign is receiving.

As Trump addressed reporters at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate, ABC announced that Trump and Harris, the Democratic nominee, have agreed to a Sept. 10 presidential debate, setting up a widely anticipated faceoff in an already unparalleled presidential election. Trump said he had proposed three presidential debates with three television networks in September.

Trump again insisted there had been a “peaceful transfer of power” in 2021 and renewed attacks on Republican rivals like Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, whom Trump has harshly criticized since Kemp refused to go along with his false theories of election fraud. In taking more than a dozen questions from reporters, however, Trump tried to draw a contrast with Harris, who has not held a news conference since she became the likely Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race.

Another key moment in the election is set

Trump's decision to go on ABC, days after posting on his social media account that he would not appear on the network, sets up a highly anticipated moment in an election where Biden's catastrophic performance in the last debate set in motion his withdrawal.

“I think it's very important to have debates,” Trump said Thursday. “I look forward to the debates because I think we have to set the record straight.”

The Harris campaign had no immediate comment.

Thursday's event was Trump's first public appearance since Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Trump called Walz a “radical left man.”

“Between her and him, there’s never been anything like this,” Trump said. “There’s certainly never been anybody so liberal like these two.”

He repeatedly suggested Harris was not intelligent enough to debate him. Harris, for her part, has tried to goad Trump into debating and told an audience in Atlanta recently that if he had anything to say about her, he should "&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-georgia-trump-rally-atlanta-4454ff5825d8f6cf90929147f5b84a71">say it to my face</a>.”

Trump grew visibly perturbed when pressed on Harris’ crowds and newfound Democratic enthusiasm, dismissing a question about his lighter campaign schedule as stupid.

Trump says he has not “recalibrated” his campaign despite facing a new opponent, a dynamic some Republican strategists have quietly complained about.

When asked what assets Harris possessed, Trump said: “She’s a woman. She represents certain groups of people.”

Trump has repeatedly — and falsely — accused Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, of previously downplaying that she is Black.

Trump suggested abortion will not be a major issue in the campaign and the outcome in November.

He insisted that the matter “has become much less of an issue” since the Supreme Court ended the federal constitutional right to abortion services and returned control of the matter to state governments. But the issue is widely seen as a general election liability, and Trump named states such as Ohio and Kansas that have since voted to protect abortion rights.

Trump also said he expected Florida “will go in a little more liberal way than people thought” when it votes to repeal an abortion ban later this year, but he did not respond to questions asking how he would vote.

Trump argued that Democrats, Republicans and “everybody” are pleased with the results of the 2022 ruling that overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

Trump’s actions within the GOP, however, suggest he knows that Democrats already have capitalized on Republican opposition to abortion rights and could do so again this fall. Trump single-handedly ensured that the Republican Party platform adopted at the 2024 convention in Milwaukee does not call for a national ban on abortion, and he has said repeatedly that hardliners in the party could cost the GOP in November.

The court’s decision, issued months ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, is widely cited as a reason that Democrats fared much better than expected in House and Senate contests. And Democrats have hammered Trump in paid advertisements blaming him and the justices he appointed for ending Roe.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723150429787.png" alt="Trump addressed reporters at his Palm Beach, Florida estate-Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump addressed reporters at his Palm Beach, Florida estate-Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump gave an hourlong news conference Wednesday in which he recommitted to debating Vice President Kamala Harris and taunted her while also repeating old falsehoods and lashing out at questions about the enthusiasm her campaign is receiving.As Trump addressed reporters at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate, ABC announced that Trump and Harris, the Democratic nominee, have agreed to a Sept. 10 presidential debate, setting up a widely anticipated faceoff in an already unparalleled presidential election. Trump said he had proposed three presidential debates with three television networks in September.Trump again insisted there had been a “peaceful transfer of power” in 2021 and renewed attacks on Republican rivals like Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, whom Trump has harshly criticized since Kemp refused to go along with his false theories of election fraud. In taking more than a dozen questions from reporters, however, Trump tried to draw a contrast with Harris, who has not held a news conference since she became the likely Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race.<h2>Another key moment in the election is set</h2>Trump's decision to go on ABC, days after posting on his social media account that he would not appear on the network, sets up a highly anticipated moment in an election where Biden's catastrophic performance in the last debate set in motion his withdrawal.“I think it's very important to have debates,” Trump said Thursday. “I look forward to the debates because I think we have to set the record straight.”The Harris campaign had no immediate comment.Thursday's event was Trump's first public appearance since Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Trump called Walz a “radical left man.”“Between her and him, there’s never been anything like this,” Trump said. “There’s certainly never been anybody so liberal like these two.”He repeatedly suggested Harris was not intelligent enough to debate him. Harris, for her part, has tried to goad Trump into debating and told an audience in Atlanta recently that if he had anything to say about her, he should "&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-georgia-trump-rally-atlanta-4454ff5825d8f6cf90929147f5b84a71">say it to my face</a>.”Trump grew visibly perturbed when pressed on Harris’ crowds and newfound Democratic enthusiasm, dismissing a question about his lighter campaign schedule as stupid.Trump says he has not “recalibrated” his campaign despite facing a new opponent, a dynamic some Republican strategists have quietly complained about.When asked what assets Harris possessed, Trump said: “She’s a woman. She represents certain groups of people.”Trump has repeatedly — and falsely — accused Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, of previously downplaying that she is Black.<h2>Trump takes questions about abortion</h2>Trump suggested abortion will not be a major issue in the campaign and the outcome in November.He insisted that the matter “has become much less of an issue” since the Supreme Court ended the federal constitutional right to abortion services and returned control of the matter to state governments. But the issue is widely seen as a general election liability, and Trump named states such as Ohio and Kansas that have since voted to protect abortion rights.Trump also said he expected Florida “will go in a little more liberal way than people thought” when it votes to repeal an abortion ban later this year, but he did not respond to questions asking how he would vote.Trump argued that Democrats, Republicans and “everybody” are pleased with the results of the 2022 ruling that overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.Trump’s actions within the GOP, however, suggest he knows that Democrats already have capitalized on Republican opposition to abortion rights and could do so again this fall. Trump single-handedly ensured that the Republican Party platform adopted at the 2024 convention in Milwaukee does not call for a national ban on abortion, and he has said repeatedly that hardliners in the party could cost the GOP in November.The court’s decision, issued months ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, is widely cited as a reason that Democrats fared much better than expected in House and Senate contests. And Democrats have hammered Trump in paid advertisements blaming him and the justices he appointed for ending Roe.

Trump and Harris to debate on ABC News in September

<a href="http://www.hayschamber.com">The Chamber in Hays, Kansas</a>, is pleased
to announce that sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 36th
Annual Education Appreciation event, titled sponsored by Heartland Credit
Union.

This year's event is set to take
place on Tuesday, August 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Rose Garden
Banquet Hall &amp; Catering, 2350 E 8th St., Hays.

“Join us in celebrating the
dedicated educators of Ellis County who make invaluable contributions to the
development and success of our area's youth,” said The Chamber in Hays, Kansas
president and CEO Sarah Wasinger. “This event promises to be a memorable
evening filled with gratitude, community spirit, and celebration.”

“Attendees will enjoy a
complimentary meal and dessert prepared by Rose Garden Banquet Hall &amp;
Catering. A cash bar will be available, and the evening will feature fun prizes
from our generous sponsors, including Chamber Cheques, supplies, and more! The
first 200 educators in attendance will also receive a swag bag brimming with
goodies.”

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Provide an
item for swag bags to be given to the first 200 participants

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Featured in
newsletter event flyer

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Social media
post

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Option to
provide additional raffle prizes

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Three event
tickets

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
30-second
social media commercial placement and event showing

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
$25 Chamber
Cheque given on sponsor’s behalf

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Two event
tickets

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Table space

“This event is an excellent
opportunity for local businesses and organizations to show their support for schools
and connect with over 200 local educators,” Wasinger said. “Sponsorship at any
level ensures that your business is recognized for its commitment to education
and community development.”

To secure your sponsorship for
this celebration of Ellis County educators, contact The Chamber office at (785)
628-8201 or email hayscc@hayschamber.com. Sponsorships are due by August 9 and
can be completed at <a href="https://form.jotform.com/241906845704158">form.jotform.com/241906845704158</a>.

“Let's come together to honor the
educators who shape the future of our community,” Wasinger said. “Join us in
making the 36th Annual Education Appreciation event a resounding success.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723068227943.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted<a href="http://www.hayschamber.com">The Chamber in Hays, Kansas</a>, is pleased
to announce that sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 36th
Annual Education Appreciation event, titled sponsored by Heartland Credit
Union. This year's event is set to take
place on Tuesday, August 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Rose Garden
Banquet Hall &amp; Catering, 2350 E 8th St., Hays.“Join us in celebrating the
dedicated educators of Ellis County who make invaluable contributions to the
development and success of our area's youth,” said The Chamber in Hays, Kansas
president and CEO Sarah Wasinger. “This event promises to be a memorable
evening filled with gratitude, community spirit, and celebration.”“Attendees will enjoy a
complimentary meal and dessert prepared by Rose Garden Banquet Hall &amp;
Catering. A cash bar will be available, and the evening will feature fun prizes
from our generous sponsors, including Chamber Cheques, supplies, and more! The
first 200 educators in attendance will also receive a swag bag brimming with
goodies.”Sponsorship Levels:Premier Level - $700·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Provide an
item for swag bags to be given to the first 200 participants·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Featured in
newsletter event flyer·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Social media
post·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Option to
provide additional raffle prizes·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Three event
tickets·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
30-second
social media commercial placement and event showing·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
$25 Chamber
Cheque given on sponsor’s behalfCore Level - $250·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Provide an
item for swag bags to be given to the first 200 participants·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Featured in
newsletter event flyer·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Social media
post·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Option to
provide additional raffle prizes·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Two event
tickets·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Table spaceFoundation Level - $100·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Provide an
item for swag bags to be given to the first 200 participants·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Featured in
newsletter event flyer·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Social media
post·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Option to
provide additional raffle prizes“This event is an excellent
opportunity for local businesses and organizations to show their support for schools
and connect with over 200 local educators,” Wasinger said. “Sponsorship at any
level ensures that your business is recognized for its commitment to education
and community development.”To secure your sponsorship for
this celebration of Ellis County educators, contact The Chamber office at (785)
628-8201 or email hayscc@hayschamber.com. Sponsorships are due by August 9 and
can be completed at <a href="https://form.jotform.com/241906845704158">form.jotform.com/241906845704158</a>.“Let's come together to honor the
educators who shape the future of our community,” Wasinger said. “Join us in
making the 36th Annual Education Appreciation event a resounding success.”

36th Annual Education Appreciation sponsorship deadline set for Aug. 9

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

A lack of contested races is being blamed for the low voter
turnout in Tuesday’s Ellis County primary election.

According to the Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling, the
unofficial voter turnout was 8.9%. 

Only 1,782 ballots were cast out of the more than 19,900 registered voters in Ellis County. About 20 provisional ballots will be reviewed as part of the canvass later this month.

“There were no contested races other than on the Republican ballot. The U.S. House of Representatives did have a contested race. There was a
township contested race. Other than that, everybody else was going unopposed
and will move forward onto the general,” Dreiling said. “So, I contribute that
to a low voter turnout.”

In the 2022 primary, voter turnout was almost 50%, with more
than 9,600 ballots cast. But the ballot also contained the proposed state
constitutional amendment&nbsp;regarding the right to abortion.

Between 2010 and 2020, voter turnout in Ellis County ranged between
37.9% in 2020 and 17.6 in 2014. The average voter turnout over those six primary
elections was 25.25% in Ellis County.

Dreiling said there were more contested races in past
years' primary elections than this year.

Counties across the state also appeared to suffer low voter
turnout.

In 2024, voter turnout in Ford County was 8.2%, Sedgwick County 9.9%, Saline County 16.5% and Barton County 20%.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722548520167.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostA lack of contested races is being blamed for the low voter
turnout in Tuesday’s Ellis County primary election.According to the Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling, the
unofficial voter turnout was 8.9%. Only 1,782 ballots were cast out of the more than 19,900 registered voters in Ellis County. About 20 provisional ballots will be reviewed as part of the canvass later this month.“There were no contested races other than on the Republican ballot. The U.S. House of Representatives did have a contested race. There was a
township contested race. Other than that, everybody else was going unopposed
and will move forward onto the general,” Dreiling said. “So, I contribute that
to a low voter turnout.”In the 2022 primary, voter turnout was almost 50%, with more
than 9,600 ballots cast. But the ballot also contained the proposed state
constitutional amendment&nbsp;regarding the right to abortion.Between 2010 and 2020, voter turnout in Ellis County ranged between
37.9% in 2020 and 17.6 in 2014. The average voter turnout over those six primary
elections was 25.25% in Ellis County.Dreiling said there were more contested races in past
years' primary elections than this year.Counties across the state also appeared to suffer low voter
turnout.In 2024, voter turnout in Ford County was 8.2%, Sedgwick County 9.9%, Saline County 16.5% and Barton County 20%.Dreiling said her office will continue to offer expanded voter
access, including a second Saturday when the election office is open for
advanced voting. Only 10 people cast an advanced ballot on Saturday for the Presidential Preference Primary, and 12 voters cast a ballot in advance on Saturday for this primary.
Dreiling said they will continue offering a Saturday advance
voting opportunity in the future, and she hopes it will catch on.“That’s my hope, that if I keep on advertising it and
letting people know that Saturday is available for them, hopefully, that will also drive my Fort Hays State students to come vote on Saturdays as
well,” Dreiling said. The election canvass will be on Aug. 19.