Despite a road win at Great Bend, the Hays High girls’ basketball
team dropped two spots to No. 4 in the latest 5A rankings released Tuesday
afternoon from the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Topeka Seaman remains
No. 1 with St. James Academy moving up seven spots to No. 2. Andover holds at
No. 3.

The Hoxie girls moved up a spot to No. 6 in Class 2A with
Oakley in this week’s poll at No. 10.

The Quinter girls held steady at No. 7 in 1A Division 1, Wheatland-Grinnell
is 10th in the 1A Division 2 poll.

The Great Bend boys held at No. 4 in Class 5A, Logan-Palco remained
third in 1A Division 2.

6A Girls
 1. Blue Valley North
 2. Derby
 3. Wichita Heights
 4. Olathe South
 5. Wichita East
 6. Blue Valley Northwest
 7. Topeka - Washburn Rural
 8. Shawnee Mission South
 9. Olathe North
10. Topeka High

5A Girls
 1. Topeka Seaman
 2. Lenexa - St. James Academy
 3. Andover
 4. Hays
 5. Kansas City Piper
 6. Maize South
 7. De Soto
 8. OP -&nbsp; St. Thomas Aquinas
 9. Wichita - Bishop Carroll
 10. Spring Hill

4A Girls
 1. Topeka Hayden
 2. Wellington
 3. Roeland Park - Bishop Miege
 4. Eudora
 5. Altamont - Labette County
 6. Buhler
 7. St. George - Rock Creek
 8. Fort Scott
 9. Clay Center
 10. Ottawa

3A Girls
 1. Hesston
 2. Halstead
 3. Silver Lake
 4. Osage City
 5. Colby
 6. Girard
 7. Haven
 8. Cheney
 9. Kismet - Southwestern Heights
 10. Riley County

2A Girls
 1. Pittsburg - St. Mary's Colgan
 2. Leoti - Wichita County
 3. Moundridge
 4. Highland - Doniphan West
 5. Inman
 6. Hoxie
 7. Bennington
 8. Eureka
 9. Ellinwood
 10. Oakley

1A Division 1 Girls
 1. Little River
 2. Centralia
 3. Clyde - Clifton Clyde
 4. Claflin - Central Plains
 5. Montezuma - South Gray
 6. Troy
 7. Quinter
 8. Atwood - Rawlins County
 9. Olpe
 10. St. John – Hudson

1A Division 2 Girls
 1. Lebo
 2. Hanover
 3. Wallace County - Sharon Springs
 4. South Haven
 5. Bucklin
 6. Cheylin
 7. Attica
 8. Hodgeman County – Jetmore
 9. Hartford
 10. Wheatland/Grinnell

6A Boys
 1. Shawnee Mission South
 2. Derby
 3. Wichita Heights
 4. Shawnee - Mill Valley
 5. Shawnee Mission Northwest
 6. Blue Valley North
 7. Olathe North
 8. Blue Valley
 9. Wichita Northwest
 10. Topeka Washburn Rural

5A Boys
 1. Topeka - Highland Park
 2. Kansas City Piper
 3. Wichita - Kapaun Mt. Carmel
 4. Great Bend
 5. Bonner Springs
 6. Topeka West
 7. Andover
 8. Topeka Seaman
 9. Tecumseh - Shawnee Heights
 10. Kansas City – Washington

4A Boys
 1. Ottawa 2. McPherson
 3. St. George - Rock Creek
 4. Topeka – Hayden
 5. Baldwin
 6. Chanute
 7. Pratt
 8. Andale
 9. Abilene
 10. Concordia

3A Boys
 1. Wichita Collegiate
 2. Goodland
 3. Haven
 4. Nemaha Central
 5. Cheney
 6. Hesston
 7. Lakin
 8. Galena
 9. St. Mary's
 10. Holcomb

2A Boys
 1. Moundridge
 2. Salina - Sacred Heart
 3. Brookville - Ell Saline
 4. Sterling
 5. Atchison - Maur Hill Mount Academy
 6. Rossville
 7. Elbing - Berean Academy
 8. Valley Falls
 9. Syracuse
 10. Hillsboro

1A Division 1 Boys
 1. Coldwater - South Central
 2. Lawrence - Seabury Academy
 3. Olpe
 4. Claflin - Central Plains
 5. Macksville
 6. Oxford
 7. Burden – Central
 8. Burlingame
 9. Lincoln
 10. Montezuma - South Gray

1A Division 2 Boys
 1. Cunningham
 2. Axtell
 3. Logan – Palco
 4. Hanover
 5. Weskan
 6. McPherson - Elyria Christian
 7. Dighton
 8. Jetmore - Hodgeman County
 9. St. John/Tipton &nbsp;10. Linn

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712064660369.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostDespite a road win at Great Bend, the Hays High girls’ basketball
team dropped two spots to No. 4 in the latest 5A rankings released Tuesday
afternoon from the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. Topeka Seaman remains
No. 1 with St. James Academy moving up seven spots to No. 2. Andover holds at
No. 3.The Hoxie girls moved up a spot to No. 6 in Class 2A with
Oakley in this week’s poll at No. 10.The Quinter girls held steady at No. 7 in 1A Division 1, Wheatland-Grinnell
is 10th in the 1A Division 2 poll.The Great Bend boys held at No. 4 in Class 5A, Logan-Palco remained
third in 1A Division 2.6A Girls
 1. Blue Valley North
 2. Derby
 3. Wichita Heights
 4. Olathe South
 5. Wichita East
 6. Blue Valley Northwest
 7. Topeka - Washburn Rural
 8. Shawnee Mission South
 9. Olathe North
10. Topeka High5A Girls
 1. Topeka Seaman
 2. Lenexa - St. James Academy
 3. Andover
 4. Hays
 5. Kansas City Piper
 6. Maize South
 7. De Soto
 8. OP -&nbsp; St. Thomas Aquinas
 9. Wichita - Bishop Carroll
 10. Spring Hill4A Girls
 1. Topeka Hayden
 2. Wellington
 3. Roeland Park - Bishop Miege
 4. Eudora
 5. Altamont - Labette County
 6. Buhler
 7. St. George - Rock Creek
 8. Fort Scott
 9. Clay Center
 10. Ottawa3A Girls
 1. Hesston
 2. Halstead
 3. Silver Lake
 4. Osage City
 5. Colby
 6. Girard
 7. Haven
 8. Cheney
 9. Kismet - Southwestern Heights
 10. Riley County2A Girls
 1. Pittsburg - St. Mary's Colgan
 2. Leoti - Wichita County
 3. Moundridge
 4. Highland - Doniphan West
 5. Inman
 6. Hoxie
 7. Bennington
 8. Eureka
 9. Ellinwood
 10. Oakley1A Division 1 Girls
 1. Little River
 2. Centralia
 3. Clyde - Clifton Clyde
 4. Claflin - Central Plains
 5. Montezuma - South Gray
 6. Troy
 7. Quinter
 8. Atwood - Rawlins County
 9. Olpe
 10. St. John – Hudson1A Division 2 Girls
 1. Lebo
 2. Hanover
 3. Wallace County - Sharon Springs
 4. South Haven
 5. Bucklin
 6. Cheylin
 7. Attica
 8. Hodgeman County – Jetmore
 9. Hartford
 10. Wheatland/Grinnell6A Boys
 1. Shawnee Mission South
 2. Derby
 3. Wichita Heights
 4. Shawnee - Mill Valley
 5. Shawnee Mission Northwest
 6. Blue Valley North
 7. Olathe North
 8. Blue Valley
 9. Wichita Northwest
 10. Topeka Washburn Rural5A Boys
 1. Topeka - Highland Park
 2. Kansas City Piper
 3. Wichita - Kapaun Mt. Carmel
 4. Great Bend
 5. Bonner Springs
 6. Topeka West
 7. Andover
 8. Topeka Seaman
 9. Tecumseh - Shawnee Heights
 10. Kansas City – Washington4A Boys
 1. Ottawa 2. McPherson
 3. St. George - Rock Creek
 4. Topeka – Hayden
 5. Baldwin
 6. Chanute
 7. Pratt
 8. Andale
 9. Abilene
 10. Concordia3A Boys
 1. Wichita Collegiate
 2. Goodland
 3. Haven
 4. Nemaha Central
 5. Cheney
 6. Hesston
 7. Lakin
 8. Galena
 9. St. Mary's
 10. Holcomb 2A Boys
 1. Moundridge
 2. Salina - Sacred Heart
 3. Brookville - Ell Saline
 4. Sterling
 5. Atchison - Maur Hill Mount Academy
 6. Rossville
 7. Elbing - Berean Academy
 8. Valley Falls
 9. Syracuse
 10. Hillsboro 1A Division 1 Boys
 1. Coldwater - South Central
 2. Lawrence - Seabury Academy
 3. Olpe
 4. Claflin - Central Plains
 5. Macksville
 6. Oxford
 7. Burden – Central
 8. Burlingame
 9. Lincoln
 10. Montezuma - South Gray1A Division 2 Boys
 1. Cunningham
 2. Axtell
 3. Logan – Palco
 4. Hanover
 5. Weskan
 6. McPherson - Elyria Christian
 7. Dighton
 8. Jetmore - Hodgeman County
 9. St. John/Tipton &nbsp;10. Linn

🏀 HHS girls drop two spots in latest KBCA rankings

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-doge-21153a742fbad86284369bb173ec343c">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is going to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;in New Orleans on Sunday, the first sitting president to do so.

The U.S. Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the president, said in a statement Tuesday that it has had staff on the ground for days preparing for his visit. Trump will watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Extensive planning and coordination have been in place to ensure the safety of all attendees, players, and staff," Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. "Security measures have been further enhanced this year, given that this will be the first time a sitting President of the United States will attend the event."

Fans attending the game can expect more information in the coming days about what to expect regarding security checkpoints, he said.

Trump also plans to sit for an interview with Fox News'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bret-baier">Bret Baier</a>&nbsp;as part of the network's preshow programming, which is set to be taped from Florida before the game. Presidents traditionally grant an interview to the network that’s broadcasting the football game, though both Trump and his predecessor,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, were inconsistent about participating.

Trump, a New Yorker who now calls Florida home, has not indicated which team he's supporting, but posted congratulations to the Chiefs after their AFC Championship win last month.

“Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs,” Trump said on his social media platform. “What a GREAT Team, Coach, Quarterback, and virtually everything else, including those fantastic FANS, that voted for me (MAGA!) in record numbers. Likewise, congratulations to the Buffalo Bills on a tremendous season. They will do a lot of winning long into the future!!!”

AP writer Rebecca Santana contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734277230811.png" alt="File photo-President Trump attended the Army Navy football game in December-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo-President Trump attended the Army Navy football game in December-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-doge-21153a742fbad86284369bb173ec343c">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is going to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;in New Orleans on Sunday, the first sitting president to do so.The U.S. Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the president, said in a statement Tuesday that it has had staff on the ground for days preparing for his visit. Trump will watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles.“Extensive planning and coordination have been in place to ensure the safety of all attendees, players, and staff," Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. "Security measures have been further enhanced this year, given that this will be the first time a sitting President of the United States will attend the event."Fans attending the game can expect more information in the coming days about what to expect regarding security checkpoints, he said.Trump also plans to sit for an interview with Fox News'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bret-baier">Bret Baier</a>&nbsp;as part of the network's preshow programming, which is set to be taped from Florida before the game. Presidents traditionally grant an interview to the network that’s broadcasting the football game, though both Trump and his predecessor,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, were inconsistent about participating.Trump, a New Yorker who now calls Florida home, has not indicated which team he's supporting, but posted congratulations to the Chiefs after their AFC Championship win last month.“Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs,” Trump said on his social media platform. “What a GREAT Team, Coach, Quarterback, and virtually everything else, including those fantastic FANS, that voted for me (MAGA!) in record numbers. Likewise, congratulations to the Buffalo Bills on a tremendous season. They will do a lot of winning long into the future!!!”___AP writer Rebecca Santana contributed to this report.

President Trump to attend Super Bowl; first sitting president to do so

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County emergency manager presented a report on disaster preparedness to the Ellis County Commission on Tuesday.

Lyle Pantle, Ellis County emergency manager, presented a document aligned with the Kansas Planning Standards. These standards are updated every five years to maintain Ellis County's disaster preparedness.

Pantle said a recent update to the document includes the addition of an emergency operations mapper, which can assist external agencies during a disaster.

A formal review of the plan was approved.

Ellis County Fair Board President Justin Scheck discussed updated rental agreements for the rodeo grounds.

The updated rental agreements specify fees of $100 for up to four hours or $200 per day for arena use, $15 per night for stall rentals and $25 per day per camper for hookup and electrical use.

"Some of the people who use the rodeo arena said that if we raise it to $200 per day, they're probably not gonna use it," Scheck said.

Scheck proposed temporarily reducing the per-day fee to encourage groups like the Fort Hays State University club to continue using the facility rather than seeking alternatives.

The contract was approved to update the fee to $75 for four hours and $150 for a full day, with an annual review.

The other rental agreements remained the same.&nbsp;

During the past few years, the Ellis County Commission has upgraded aging HVAC systems in several county facilities. Glassman Corporation was the contractor on a project to upgrade equipment at the administrative building.

Glassman submitted the project for an award for energy efficiency.

Joe Glassman with Glassman Corporation presented the Associated General Contractors State of Kansas Building Award of Honor to the commission on Tuesday.

Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling signed off on the annual Ellis County townships' financial reports.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684183971486.png" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County emergency manager presented a report on disaster preparedness to the Ellis County Commission on Tuesday.Lyle Pantle, Ellis County emergency manager, presented a document aligned with the Kansas Planning Standards. These standards are updated every five years to maintain Ellis County's disaster preparedness.Pantle said a recent update to the document includes the addition of an emergency operations mapper, which can assist external agencies during a disaster.A formal review of the plan was approved.<h2>Ellis County Fair rental agreements</h2>Ellis County Fair Board President Justin Scheck discussed updated rental agreements for the rodeo grounds.The updated rental agreements specify fees of $100 for up to four hours or $200 per day for arena use, $15 per night for stall rentals and $25 per day per camper for hookup and electrical use."Some of the people who use the rodeo arena said that if we raise it to $200 per day, they're probably not gonna use it," Scheck said.Scheck proposed temporarily reducing the per-day fee to encourage groups like the Fort Hays State University club to continue using the facility rather than seeking alternatives.The contract was approved to update the fee to $75 for four hours and $150 for a full day, with an annual review.The other rental agreements remained the same.&nbsp;<h2>HVAC award</h2>During the past few years, the Ellis County Commission has upgraded aging HVAC systems in several county facilities. Glassman Corporation was the contractor on a project to upgrade equipment at the administrative building.Glassman submitted the project for an award for energy efficiency.Joe Glassman with Glassman Corporation presented the Associated General Contractors State of Kansas Building Award of Honor to the commission on Tuesday.<h2>Annual township reports</h2>Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling signed off on the annual Ellis County townships' financial reports.

Ellis County Commission approves formal review of disaster preparedness

Kultida Woods, the Thai-born mother of Tiger Woods, died Tuesday morning, a week after being seen attending his indoor TMRW Golf League in Florida.

Woods did not reveal how his 78-year-old mother died in his&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TigerWoods/status/1886816730569486452">social media post</a>&nbsp;announcing her death.

He described her as a “force of nature” who was quick with the needle and was his biggest supporter from the time she drove him to junior golf tournaments in California to being there for his 15 major championships, often wearing her wide-brimmed visor and sunglasses.

“My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable,” Woods wrote. “She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible. She was loved by so many, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie.”

Woods' father, Earl, died in 2006. Kultida had moved to South Florida when Woods relocated from Orlando to Jupiter.

President Donald Trump was among those who reached out&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113946642879077926">with a post on his Truth Social</a>, calling her “an amazing influence” on Woods.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738692424513.png" alt="FILE - Kultida Woods, Tiger Woods' mother, watches as her son plays on the third hole during the third round of the Honda Classic golf tournament, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Kultida Woods, Tiger Woods' mother, watches as her son plays on the third hole during the third round of the Honda Classic golf tournament, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kultida Woods, the Thai-born mother of Tiger Woods, died Tuesday morning, a week after being seen attending his indoor TMRW Golf League in Florida.Woods did not reveal how his 78-year-old mother died in his&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TigerWoods/status/1886816730569486452">social media post</a>&nbsp;announcing her death.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning. My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter,… <a href="https://t.co/RoKd0fsM9J">pic.twitter.com/RoKd0fsM9J</a>&mdash; Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) <a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods/status/1886816730569486452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He described her as a “force of nature” who was quick with the needle and was his biggest supporter from the time she drove him to junior golf tournaments in California to being there for his 15 major championships, often wearing her wide-brimmed visor and sunglasses.“My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable,” Woods wrote. “She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible. She was loved by so many, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie.”<div><iframe src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/113946642879077926/embed" class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script></div>Woods' father, Earl, died in 2006. Kultida had moved to South Florida when Woods relocated from Orlando to Jupiter.President Donald Trump was among those who reached out&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113946642879077926">with a post on his Truth Social</a>, calling her “an amazing influence” on Woods.

Tiger Woods says his 78-year-old mother has died

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

In addition to Valentine's Day specialties, the month of February in Hays is filled lots of activities and events to attend, culminating in the return of the KSHSAA Class 3-2-1A state wrestling tournament.

Melissa Dixon, Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, has highlights of the happenings.

For an up-to-the-minute calendar of events, check the CVB website at <a href="https://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575300742886.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostIn addition to Valentine's Day specialties, the month of February in Hays is filled lots of activities and events to attend, culminating in the return of the KSHSAA Class 3-2-1A state wrestling tournament.Melissa Dixon, Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, has highlights of the happenings.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IBl2E-UsygI" title="cvb feb" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738690045060.png" alt="Hays Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau" />
 <figcaption>Hays Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>For an up-to-the-minute calendar of events, check the CVB website at <a href="https://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.

🎥From valentines to Victor E. Tiger, Hays events in February are for everybody

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate panel divided starkly along partisan lines voted on Tuesday to advance the nomination of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, the controversial environmental lawyer turned public health critic, sending his bid to oversee the $1.7 trillion U.S. Health and Human Services agency to the Senate floor.

Fourteen Republicans voted together to advance Kennedy's nomination, with even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cassidy-kennedy-trump-health-secretary-e826bc40fddf90829f6438681c5d9275">Sen. Bill Cassidy</a>, a Louisiana physician who has aired deep concerns about approving Kennedy, joining in. All 13 Democrats opposed him.

t mattered little on Tuesday that Democrats, as well as some Republicans, have sounded an alarm on Kennedy's work to sow doubt around&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccine-trump-science-autism-9b99621b01f11b7f0bdc81e5a0b82d2b">vaccine safety</a>&nbsp;and his potential to profit off lawsuits over drugmakers.

Tuesday’s committee vote is a strong indication that Kennedy’s nomination will succeed absent any last-minute vote switches. Republican senators are facing a maximum pressure campaign from the White House as well as Kennedy’s formidable following, which has been bombarding senators with hundreds of phone calls and emails.

A full Senate vote has not yet been scheduled. To be installed as the nation’s health secretary, Kennedy can lose only three Republican votes if Democrats in the 100-member chamber uniformly reject him.

Cassidy has publicly detailed his personal struggle, as a doctor who has seen the lifesaving ability of vaccines, with Kennedy's confirmation.

“Your past, undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments, concerns me,” Cassidy told Kennedy last week.

Yet when it came to his vote Tuesday, he advanced Kennedy with a simple “aye.”

Cassidy declined to discuss his vote. In a social media post on X, he described "intense conversations" with Kennedy and President Donald Trump's White House that started over the weekend and continued into Tuesday morning ahead of the vote and yielded “serious commitments” from the administration.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky are all seen as potential no votes because they voted against Trump's defense secretary nominee and have expressed concerns about Kennedy's anti-vaccine work. In a CBS “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday, McConnell declined to say how he would vote on Kennedy's nomination but reiterated “vaccines are critically important.”

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, another vulnerable vote that Kennedy worked to win over, said he was reassured last week by the health secretary nominee's promise to let scientists at the public health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes for Health, work “independently."

The only way that Bobby Kennedy will get crosswise is if he does take a position against the safety of proven vaccines," Tillis said. “That will be a problem to me.”

“If you touch the gold standard for the NIH and the CDC, then I'll have a problem with that nominee,” he added.

Democrats, meanwhile, have continued to raise alarms about Kennedy's potential to financially benefit from changing vaccine guidelines or weakening federal lawsuit protections against vaccine makers if confirmed as health secretary.

“It seems possible that many different types of vaccine-related decisions and communications — which you would be empowered to make and influence as Secretary — could result in significant financial compensation for your family,” Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon wrote in a letter sent over the weekend to Kennedy.

Kennedy said he'll give his son all of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-kennedy-health-secretary-ethics-390e47ac1dd11aeef954851a9a5358ac">the referral fees in legal cases</a>&nbsp;against vaccine makers, including the fees he gets from referring clients in a case against Merck. Kennedy told the committee he's referred hundreds of clients to a law firm that's suing Merck's Gardasil, the human papillomavirus vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. He's earned $2.5 million from the deal over the past three years.

As secretary, Kennedy would be responsible for food and hospital inspections, providing health insurance for millions of Americans and researching deadly diseases.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738163015035.png" alt="<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>,&nbsp; during the confirmation hearing-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>,&nbsp; during the confirmation hearing-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate panel divided starkly along partisan lines voted on Tuesday to advance the nomination of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, the controversial environmental lawyer turned public health critic, sending his bid to oversee the $1.7 trillion U.S. Health and Human Services agency to the Senate floor.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738682983943.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall during the vote Tuesday morning-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall during the vote Tuesday morning-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Fourteen Republicans voted together to advance Kennedy's nomination, with even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cassidy-kennedy-trump-health-secretary-e826bc40fddf90829f6438681c5d9275">Sen. Bill Cassidy</a>, a Louisiana physician who has aired deep concerns about approving Kennedy, joining in. All 13 Democrats opposed him.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">✅ PASSED COMMITTEE <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobertKennedyJr</a> is laser-focused on addressing the chronic diseases crisis and improving nutrition and food policy to secure healthier outcomes for all Americans. As a physician, I stand firmly behind his nomination and look forward to voting for his…&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1886811893966495780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>t mattered little on Tuesday that Democrats, as well as some Republicans, have sounded an alarm on Kennedy's work to sow doubt around&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccine-trump-science-autism-9b99621b01f11b7f0bdc81e5a0b82d2b">vaccine safety</a>&nbsp;and his potential to profit off lawsuits over drugmakers.Tuesday’s committee vote is a strong indication that Kennedy’s nomination will succeed absent any last-minute vote switches. Republican senators are facing a maximum pressure campaign from the White House as well as Kennedy’s formidable following, which has been bombarding senators with hundreds of phone calls and emails.A full Senate vote has not yet been scheduled. To be installed as the nation’s health secretary, Kennedy can lose only three Republican votes if Democrats in the 100-member chamber uniformly reject him.Cassidy has publicly detailed his personal struggle, as a doctor who has seen the lifesaving ability of vaccines, with Kennedy's confirmation.“Your past, undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments, concerns me,” Cassidy told Kennedy last week.Yet when it came to his vote Tuesday, he advanced Kennedy with a simple “aye.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’ve had very intense conversations with Bobby and the White House over the weekend and even this morning. I want to thank VP JD specifically for his honest counsel. With the serious commitments I’ve received from the administration and the opportunity to make progress on the…&mdash; U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenBillCassidy/status/1886797538256113893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Cassidy declined to discuss his vote. In a social media post on X, he described "intense conversations" with Kennedy and President Donald Trump's White House that started over the weekend and continued into Tuesday morning ahead of the vote and yielded “serious commitments” from the administration.Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky are all seen as potential no votes because they voted against Trump's defense secretary nominee and have expressed concerns about Kennedy's anti-vaccine work. In a CBS “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday, McConnell declined to say how he would vote on Kennedy's nomination but reiterated “vaccines are critically important.”Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, another vulnerable vote that Kennedy worked to win over, said he was reassured last week by the health secretary nominee's promise to let scientists at the public health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes for Health, work “independently."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734473282160.png" alt="Senator Roger Marshall and RFK Jr. during a visit in December- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Senator Roger Marshall and RFK Jr. during a visit in December- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The only way that Bobby Kennedy will get crosswise is if he does take a position against the safety of proven vaccines," Tillis said. “That will be a problem to me.”“If you touch the gold standard for the NIH and the CDC, then I'll have a problem with that nominee,” he added.Democrats, meanwhile, have continued to raise alarms about Kennedy's potential to financially benefit from changing vaccine guidelines or weakening federal lawsuit protections against vaccine makers if confirmed as health secretary.“It seems possible that many different types of vaccine-related decisions and communications — which you would be empowered to make and influence as Secretary — could result in significant financial compensation for your family,” Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon wrote in a letter sent over the weekend to Kennedy.Kennedy said he'll give his son all of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-kennedy-health-secretary-ethics-390e47ac1dd11aeef954851a9a5358ac">the referral fees in legal cases</a>&nbsp;against vaccine makers, including the fees he gets from referring clients in a case against Merck. Kennedy told the committee he's referred hundreds of clients to a law firm that's suing Merck's Gardasil, the human papillomavirus vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. He's earned $2.5 million from the deal over the past three years.As secretary, Kennedy would be responsible for food and hospital inspections, providing health insurance for millions of Americans and researching deadly diseases.

Committee, including Kan. Senator, advances RFK Jr. nomination to be health secretary

The new American Legion Post 173 is designed to serve the Hays community by providing a space for small gatherings.

The building, 5025 General Hays Road., is available for rent and can accommodate up to 99 people. It also provides tables and chairs for various events.

Harvey Jansonius, a member of the American Legion Post in Hays, said the new facility is designed to serve the community's next generation.

"It's not your grandpa's American Legion or your dad's American Legion. It's ours," Jansonius said.

The building measures 40 by 60 feet, with part of the space designated for offices, restrooms and a planned kitchenette. The Legion does not offer food or catering services, leaving renters responsible for their own arrangements.

There are plans for future Wi-Fi in the building.

The facility does not have a bar or kitchen, but renters may bring their own alcohol and must handle the required permits and liabilities.

The facility rents for $300 per day, with a $200 refundable deposit if it is left clean. For rental availability, contact Jansonius at 785-623-8468 or American Legion Post member Jay Pfeifer at 785-432-1965.

"In our community, everybody had monster weddings," Pfeifer said. "Those aren't so big anymore, so we thought the need was for a smaller venue like the one we have here."&nbsp;

American Legion Post 173 offers tables, chairs, and a podium for meetings, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays and veteran-related events.

Rental funds directly support veterans and community programs, including gas, hotel stays, food for veterans, youth sponsorships and high school awards.

The building has received rental interest but was unavailable until city occupancy approval was granted.

"We have turned down many people, but now we're ready to roll," Pfeifer said.

The American Legion Post is operated by volunteers and veterans, with support from groups such as the American Legion Riders, Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.

You can follow the American Legion Post 173 on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost173/">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738351296669.jpeg" alt="The American Legion Post 173 building in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The American Legion Post 173 building in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe new American Legion Post 173 is designed to serve the Hays community by providing a space for small gatherings.The building, 5025 General Hays Road., is available for rent and can accommodate up to 99 people. It also provides tables and chairs for various events.Harvey Jansonius, a member of the American Legion Post in Hays, said the new facility is designed to serve the community's next generation."It's not your grandpa's American Legion or your dad's American Legion. It's ours," Jansonius said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738351336596.jpeg" alt="Chairs and tables lined up inside the American Legion Post 173 building in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Chairs and tables lined up inside the American Legion Post 173 building in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The building measures 40 by 60 feet, with part of the space designated for offices, restrooms and a planned kitchenette. The Legion does not offer food or catering services, leaving renters responsible for their own arrangements.There are plans for future Wi-Fi in the building.The facility does not have a bar or kitchen, but renters may bring their own alcohol and must handle the required permits and liabilities.The facility rents for $300 per day, with a $200 refundable deposit if it is left clean. For rental availability, contact Jansonius at 785-623-8468 or American Legion Post member Jay Pfeifer at 785-432-1965."In our community, everybody had monster weddings," Pfeifer said. "Those aren't so big anymore, so we thought the need was for a smaller venue like the one we have here."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738351376551.jpeg" alt="The inside of the American Legion Post 173 building in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The inside of the American Legion Post 173 building in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738351400184.jpeg" alt="Stacks of chairs and a podium at the American Legion Post 173 building in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Stacks of chairs and a podium at the American Legion Post 173 building in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>American Legion Post 173 offers tables, chairs, and a podium for meetings, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays and veteran-related events.Rental funds directly support veterans and community programs, including gas, hotel stays, food for veterans, youth sponsorships and high school awards.The building has received rental interest but was unavailable until city occupancy approval was granted."We have turned down many people, but now we're ready to roll," Pfeifer said.The American Legion Post is operated by volunteers and veterans, with support from groups such as the American Legion Riders, Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.You can follow the American Legion Post 173 on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost173/">Facebook</a>.

American Legion Post 173 opens new venue for rent in Hays

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats have delivered a strong rebuke against the Trump administration’s attempt to gut an agency that provides crucial aid overseas to fund education and fight starvation and disease, calling it illegal, vowing a court fight and lambasting billionaire Elon Musk for wielding so much power in Washington.

Staffers of the U.S. Agency for International Development were instructed to stay out of the agency’s Washington headquarters, and officers blocked the lawmakers from entering the lobby Monday, after Musk announced President Donald Trump had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-musk-trump-classified-information-usaid-security-35101dee28a766e0d9705e0d47958611">agreed with him to shut the agency</a>.

The fast-moving developments come after thousands of USAID employees already have been laid off and programs shut down in the two weeks since Trump became president. And they show the extraordinary power of Musk and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;in the Trump administration. Musk announced closing of the agency early Monday, as Trump’s secretary of state,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/migration-rubio-panama-colombia-venezuela-237f06b7d4bdd9ff1396baf9c45a2c0b">Marco Rubio</a>, was out of the country on a trip to Central America.

Trump said shutting down USAID “should have been done a long time ago” and was asked whether he needs Congress to approve such a measure. The president said he did not think so, and accused the Biden administration of fraud, without giving any evidence and only promising a report later on.

“They went totally crazy, what they were doing and the money they were giving to people that shouldn’t be getting it and to agencies and others that shouldn’t be getting it, it was a shame, so a tremendous fraud,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.

Rubio told reporters in San Salvador that he was now the acting administrator of USAID but had delegated his authorities to someone else. The change means that USAID is no longer an independent government agency as it had been for decades — although its new status will likely be challenged in court — and will be run out of the State Department.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland called it an “illegal power grab” and said it was “a corrupt abuse of power that is going on.”

“It’s not only a gift to our adversaries, but trying to shut down the Agency for International Development by executive order is plain illegal,” the Maryland senator said.

The upheaval follows Trump ordering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-foreign-aid-freeze-7d9c8cbcb241ec9a710feb8e883b9756">a freeze on foreign assistance</a>, with widespread effects around the world. The moves by the U.S., the world’s largest provider of humanitarian aid, have upended decades of policy that put humanitarian, development and security assistance in the center of efforts to build alliances and counter adversaries such as China and Russia.

U.S. and international companies have been forced to shut down tens of thousands of programs globally, leading to furloughs, layoffs and financial crises that have left many fearing the aid community has been too damaged by the freeze to resume work even if funding resumes. Other organizations have filed for bankruptcy after being told USAID would not be paying its invoices for projects that have already been approved and implemented around the world.

The Democratic lawmakers gathered outside the agency building for a rally and press conference and gave the most forceful pushback since Trump took office last month. They said they expected a flurry of lawsuits to be issued in the coming days against the Trump administration. They tried to walk into the offices to talk to staff about the changes but were denied entrance.

They said Trump lacks the constitutional authority to shut down USAID without congressional approval and decried Musk’s accessing sensitive government-held information through his Trump-sanctioned inspections of federal government agencies and programs.

Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz said USAID is not just about saving other countries from starvation and disease. “There is a reason that USAID is an arm of American foreign policy, and it is because we understand that a stable world means a stable America,” he said.

USAID staffers said more than 600 additional employees had reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems overnight. Those still in the system received emails saying that “at the direction of Agency leadership” the headquarters building “will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday, Feb. 3.” The agency’s website vanished Saturday without explanation.

On Monday, two State Department employees who tried to get into the USAID offices said they were turned away by security guards. Later, uniformed Department of Homeland Security officers and security officers blocked the lobby of the USAID’s headquarters using yellow tape with the words “do not cross.”

Musk, who’s leading an extraordinary civilian review of the federal government with Trump’s agreement, said early Monday that he had spoken with Trump about the six-decade U.S. aid and development agency and “he agreed we should shut it down.”

“It became apparent that it’s not an apple with a worm it in,” Musk said in a live session on X Spaces early Monday. “What we have is just a ball of worms. You’ve got to basically get rid of the whole thing. It’s beyond repair.”

Musk, Trump and some Republican lawmakers have targeted the U.S. aid and development agency, which oversees humanitarian, development and security programs in some 120 countries, in increasingly strident terms, accusing it of promoting liberal causes.

Since Trump took office, appointees brought in from his first term such as Peter Marocco placed more than 50 senior officials on leave for investigation without public explanation, gutting the agency’s leadership. When the agency’s personnel chief announced that the allegations against them were groundless and tried to reinstate them, he was placed on leave as well.

It is widely known among current and former State Department and USAID employees that Marocco has been delegated authority over the agency by Rubio.

In his remarks Rubio stressed that some and perhaps many USAID programs would continue in the new configuration but that the switch was necessary because the agency had become unaccountable to the executive branch and Congress.

Over the weekend, the Trump administration placed two top security chiefs at USAID&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usaid-website-offline-trump-foreign-funding-freeze-9d2ecdaff5c74a9f6b0d6096fa2228ff">on leave</a>&nbsp;after they refused to turn over classified material in restricted areas to Musk’s government-inspection teams, a current and a former U.S. official said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">Musk’s DOGE</a>&nbsp;earlier carried out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-treasury-5e26cc80fcb766981cea56afd57ae759">a similar operation at the Treasury Department</a>, gaining access to sensitive information including the Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems. The Washington Post reported that a senior Treasury official had resigned over Musk’s team accessing sensitive information.

USAID, meanwhile, has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-foreign-aid-freeze-7d9c8cbcb241ec9a710feb8e883b9756">one of the federal agencies most targeted</a>&nbsp;by the Trump administration in an escalating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-buyouts-to-all-federal-employees-f67f5751a0fd5ad8471806a5a1067b5e">crackdown on the federal government</a>&nbsp;and many of its programs. The U.S. spends less than 1% of its budget on foreign assistance, a smaller share overall than some other countries.

The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-department-trump-foreign-aid-bf047e17ef64cb42a1a1b7fdf05caffa">freeze on foreign assistance</a>&nbsp;has shut down much of USAID’s aid programs worldwide, including an HIV-AIDS program started by Republican President George W. Bush credited with saving more than 20 million lives in Africa and elsewhere. Aid contractors spoke of millions of dollars in medication and other goods now stuck in port that they were forbidden to deliver.

Other programs that would shut down provided education to schoolgirls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and monitored an Ebola outbreak spreading in Uganda. A USAID-supported crisis monitoring program, which was credited for helping prevent repeats of the 1980s famine in Uganda that killed up to 1.2 million people, has gone offline.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats have delivered a strong rebuke against the Trump administration’s attempt to gut an agency that provides crucial aid overseas to fund education and fight starvation and disease, calling it illegal, vowing a court fight and lambasting billionaire Elon Musk for wielding so much power in Washington.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenSchumer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenSchumer</a> on DOGE: &quot;Before our very eyes an unelected shadow government is conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government...Donald Trump does not have the authority to erase an independent agency created by Congress nor can the Department of State absorb USAID...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/HiUqndKMet">pic.twitter.com/HiUqndKMet</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1886526693579292718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorAndyKim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenatorAndyKim</a> at USAID: &quot;I talked to the security guard just in there. He said he has been given specific orders to prevent employees of USAID from entering the building today. I just find that to be absolutely ridiculous. This is no way to govern.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ixdFDLqGps">pic.twitter.com/ixdFDLqGps</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1886461565060162004?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a> in El Salvador: &quot;I&#39;m the acting director of USAID. I&#39;ve delegated that authority to someone...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/dabJ41IyxC">pic.twitter.com/dabJ41IyxC</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1886473339201360210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Rep. Jim <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMcGovern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepMcGovern</a> (D-MA) to USAID employees: &quot;I&#39;m sorry that you have to put up with this offensive bullshit coming out of this White House.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/s2OARF6W8R">pic.twitter.com/s2OARF6W8R</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1886493658267934972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sen. <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisVanHollen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChrisVanHollen</a> (D-MD) leads other Congressional Democrats into USAID headquarters: &quot;So we can hear firsthand from whoever is here at AID or at least witness firsthand what is happening with this Elon Musk attempted takeover which will not stand. We will prevail. Let&#39;s go.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/anu41Bjyg7">pic.twitter.com/anu41Bjyg7</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1886494205062590751?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Staffers of the U.S. Agency for International Development were instructed to stay out of the agency’s Washington headquarters, and officers blocked the lawmakers from entering the lobby Monday, after Musk announced President Donald Trump had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-musk-trump-classified-information-usaid-security-35101dee28a766e0d9705e0d47958611">agreed with him to shut the agency</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing American interests abroad, and it is now abundantly clear that significant portions of USAID funding are not aligned with the core national interests…&mdash; Department of State (@StateDept) <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept/status/1886512412863684802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The fast-moving developments come after thousands of USAID employees already have been laid off and programs shut down in the two weeks since Trump became president. And they show the extraordinary power of Musk and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;in the Trump administration. Musk announced closing of the agency early Monday, as Trump’s secretary of state,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/migration-rubio-panama-colombia-venezuela-237f06b7d4bdd9ff1396baf9c45a2c0b">Marco Rubio</a>, was out of the country on a trip to Central America.Trump said shutting down USAID “should have been done a long time ago” and was asked whether he needs Congress to approve such a measure. The president said he did not think so, and accused the Biden administration of fraud, without giving any evidence and only promising a report later on.“They went totally crazy, what they were doing and the money they were giving to people that shouldn’t be getting it and to agencies and others that shouldn’t be getting it, it was a shame, so a tremendous fraud,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.Rubio told reporters in San Salvador that he was now the acting administrator of USAID but had delegated his authorities to someone else. The change means that USAID is no longer an independent government agency as it had been for decades — although its new status will likely be challenged in court — and will be run out of the State Department.Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland called it an “illegal power grab” and said it was “a corrupt abuse of power that is going on.”“It’s not only a gift to our adversaries, but trying to shut down the Agency for International Development by executive order is plain illegal,” the Maryland senator said.The upheaval follows Trump ordering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-foreign-aid-freeze-7d9c8cbcb241ec9a710feb8e883b9756">a freeze on foreign assistance</a>, with widespread effects around the world. The moves by the U.S., the world’s largest provider of humanitarian aid, have upended decades of policy that put humanitarian, development and security assistance in the center of efforts to build alliances and counter adversaries such as China and Russia.U.S. and international companies have been forced to shut down tens of thousands of programs globally, leading to furloughs, layoffs and financial crises that have left many fearing the aid community has been too damaged by the freeze to resume work even if funding resumes. Other organizations have filed for bankruptcy after being told USAID would not be paying its invoices for projects that have already been approved and implemented around the world.The Democratic lawmakers gathered outside the agency building for a rally and press conference and gave the most forceful pushback since Trump took office last month. They said they expected a flurry of lawsuits to be issued in the coming days against the Trump administration. They tried to walk into the offices to talk to staff about the changes but were denied entrance.They said Trump lacks the constitutional authority to shut down USAID without congressional approval and decried Musk’s accessing sensitive government-held information through his Trump-sanctioned inspections of federal government agencies and programs.Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz said USAID is not just about saving other countries from starvation and disease. “There is a reason that USAID is an arm of American foreign policy, and it is because we understand that a stable world means a stable America,” he said.USAID staffers said more than 600 additional employees had reported being locked out of the agency’s computer systems overnight. Those still in the system received emails saying that “at the direction of Agency leadership” the headquarters building “will be closed to Agency personnel on Monday, Feb. 3.” The agency’s website vanished Saturday without explanation.On Monday, two State Department employees who tried to get into the USAID offices said they were turned away by security guards. Later, uniformed Department of Homeland Security officers and security officers blocked the lobby of the USAID’s headquarters using yellow tape with the words “do not cross.”Musk, who’s leading an extraordinary civilian review of the federal government with Trump’s agreement, said early Monday that he had spoken with Trump about the six-decade U.S. aid and development agency and “he agreed we should shut it down.”“It became apparent that it’s not an apple with a worm it in,” Musk said in a live session on X Spaces early Monday. “What we have is just a ball of worms. You’ve got to basically get rid of the whole thing. It’s beyond repair.”“We’re shutting it down,” he said.Musk, Trump and some Republican lawmakers have targeted the U.S. aid and development agency, which oversees humanitarian, development and security programs in some 120 countries, in increasingly strident terms, accusing it of promoting liberal causes.Since Trump took office, appointees brought in from his first term such as Peter Marocco placed more than 50 senior officials on leave for investigation without public explanation, gutting the agency’s leadership. When the agency’s personnel chief announced that the allegations against them were groundless and tried to reinstate them, he was placed on leave as well.It is widely known among current and former State Department and USAID employees that Marocco has been delegated authority over the agency by Rubio.In his remarks Rubio stressed that some and perhaps many USAID programs would continue in the new configuration but that the switch was necessary because the agency had become unaccountable to the executive branch and Congress.Over the weekend, the Trump administration placed two top security chiefs at USAID&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usaid-website-offline-trump-foreign-funding-freeze-9d2ecdaff5c74a9f6b0d6096fa2228ff">on leave</a>&nbsp;after they refused to turn over classified material in restricted areas to Musk’s government-inspection teams, a current and a former U.S. official said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">Musk’s DOGE</a>&nbsp;earlier carried out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-treasury-5e26cc80fcb766981cea56afd57ae759">a similar operation at the Treasury Department</a>, gaining access to sensitive information including the Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems. The Washington Post reported that a senior Treasury official had resigned over Musk’s team accessing sensitive information.USAID, meanwhile, has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-foreign-aid-freeze-7d9c8cbcb241ec9a710feb8e883b9756">one of the federal agencies most targeted</a>&nbsp;by the Trump administration in an escalating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-buyouts-to-all-federal-employees-f67f5751a0fd5ad8471806a5a1067b5e">crackdown on the federal government</a>&nbsp;and many of its programs. The U.S. spends less than 1% of its budget on foreign assistance, a smaller share overall than some other countries.The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-department-trump-foreign-aid-bf047e17ef64cb42a1a1b7fdf05caffa">freeze on foreign assistance</a>&nbsp;has shut down much of USAID’s aid programs worldwide, including an HIV-AIDS program started by Republican President George W. Bush credited with saving more than 20 million lives in Africa and elsewhere. Aid contractors spoke of millions of dollars in medication and other goods now stuck in port that they were forbidden to deliver.Other programs that would shut down provided education to schoolgirls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and monitored an Ebola outbreak spreading in Uganda. A USAID-supported crisis monitoring program, which was credited for helping prevent repeats of the 1980s famine in Uganda that killed up to 1.2 million people, has gone offline.

🎥Dems push back after Trump agrees to close USAID and workers are kept out

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Monday confirmed fossil fuel executive Chris Wright to serve as energy secretary, a key post to promote President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;efforts to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-chris-wright-energy-cabinet-4161f363d59013339d5b444ddf123d45">Wright, CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy,</a>&nbsp;has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He says more fossil fuel production can lift people out of poverty around the globe and has promised to help Trump “unleash energy security and prosperity.”

The Senate approved his nomination, 59-38. Eight Democrats — including both senators from Wright's home state of Colorado — voted in favor.

The centerpiece of Trump’s energy policy is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-policies-agenda-election-2024-second-term-d656d8f08629a8da14a65c4075545e0f">“drill, baby, drill</a>,” and he has pledged to dismantle what he calls Democrats’ “green new scam” in favor of boosting production of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal that emit planet-warming greenhouse gases.

“President Trump shares my passion for energy,” Wright said at his confirmation hearing last month, promising that if confirmed, he would “work tirelessly to implement (Trump's) bold agenda as an unabashed steward for all sources of affordable, reliable and secure American energy.”

That includes oil and natural gas, coal, nuclear power and hydropower, along with wind and solar power and geothermal energy, Wright said.

Trump’s energy wishes are likely to run into real-world limits, including the fact that U.S. oil production is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61545">already at record levels</a>. The federal government cannot force companies to drill for more oil, and production increases could lower prices and reduce profits.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the second-ranking Republican, called Wright an innovator who “tells the truth about energy production."

While Wright “acknowledges that climate change is real, he knows more American energy is the solution — not the problem,'' Barrasso said, calling Wright's “energy realism” welcome news.

Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican who chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said Wright “understands that energy policies should focus on making energy abundant and affordable for families” and businesses.

“Our nation deserves a champion for American energy and innovation, and we’ve got the Wright guy for the job,'' Lee posted on X.

Colorado's two Democratic senators both supported their home-state nominee.

“Chris Wright is a scientist who has dedicated his life to the study and use of energy. He believes in science and supports the research that will deliver the affordable, reliable and clean energy" that will lower costs and make the country more secure, Sen. John Hickenlooper said.

“While we don’t always agree, we will work together because none of us have four years to wait to act,” Hickenlooper said.

Sen. Michael Bennet called Wright a successful Colorado entrepreneur with deep expertise in energy innovation and technology. He pledged to work with Wright to “ensure Colorado continues to lead the country in energy production and innovation.”

While acknowledging that climate change is real, Wright said at his hearing that he believes “there isn’t dirty energy or clean energy.” Rather, he said, there are different sources of energy with different tradeoffs.

Wright, 60, has been chairman and CEO of Liberty Energy since 2011 and has no prior experience in government. He grew up in Colorado, earned an undergraduate degree at MIT and did graduate work in electrical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley and MIT. In 1992, he founded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pinnacle-financial-partners-inc">Pinnacle Technologies</a>, which helped launch commercial shale gas production through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

He later served as chairman of Stroud Energy, an early shale gas producer, before founding Liberty Resources in 2010.

As energy secretary, Wright will join Interior Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/doug-burgum">Doug Burgum</a>&nbsp;as a key player on energy policy. Both will serve on a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transition-white-house-cheung-gor-f3e02df04ffece1b07a44062ee723d71">National Energy Council</a>&nbsp;that Burgum will chair. The panel will include all executive branch agencies involved in energy permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation and transportation, with a focus on “cutting red tape” and boosting domestic energy production, Trump said. The council’s mission represents a near-complete reversal from actions pursued by Democratic President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, who made fighting climate change a top priority.

Wright said he would sever all ties across the energy industry if confirmed.

Lena Moffitt, executive director of Evergreen Action, an environmental group, said Democrats should have unanimously opposed Wright.

“Senate Republicans just handed Trump’s Big Oil allies the keys to the Department of Energy,'' she said in a statement. “Chris Wright built his career expanding fossil fuels and denying climate science. Now, he’ll be in a position to help Trump" stall clean energy investments, hike energy prices “and keep Americans addicted to expensive, volatile fossil fuels."

Now is the time, she added, "for Democrats to stand united and fight back against Trump’s relentless push to rig the system for Big Oil.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Monday confirmed fossil fuel executive Chris Wright to serve as energy secretary, a key post to promote President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;efforts to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations to our new Secretary of Energy Chris Wright! <a href="https://t.co/gK5W9Dj9WC">pic.twitter.com/gK5W9Dj9WC</a>&mdash; House Republicans (@HouseGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP/status/1886556704529166504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-chris-wright-energy-cabinet-4161f363d59013339d5b444ddf123d45">Wright, CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy,</a>&nbsp;has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He says more fossil fuel production can lift people out of poverty around the globe and has promised to help Trump “unleash energy security and prosperity.”The Senate approved his nomination, 59-38. Eight Democrats — including both senators from Wright's home state of Colorado — voted in favor.The centerpiece of Trump’s energy policy is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-policies-agenda-election-2024-second-term-d656d8f08629a8da14a65c4075545e0f">“drill, baby, drill</a>,” and he has pledged to dismantle what he calls Democrats’ “green new scam” in favor of boosting production of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal that emit planet-warming greenhouse gases.“President Trump shares my passion for energy,” Wright said at his confirmation hearing last month, promising that if confirmed, he would “work tirelessly to implement (Trump's) bold agenda as an unabashed steward for all sources of affordable, reliable and secure American energy.”That includes oil and natural gas, coal, nuclear power and hydropower, along with wind and solar power and geothermal energy, Wright said.Trump’s energy wishes are likely to run into real-world limits, including the fact that U.S. oil production is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61545">already at record levels</a>. The federal government cannot force companies to drill for more oil, and production increases could lower prices and reduce profits.Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the second-ranking Republican, called Wright an innovator who “tells the truth about energy production."While Wright “acknowledges that climate change is real, he knows more American energy is the solution — not the problem,'' Barrasso said, calling Wright's “energy realism” welcome news.Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican who chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said Wright “understands that energy policies should focus on making energy abundant and affordable for families” and businesses.“Our nation deserves a champion for American energy and innovation, and we’ve got the Wright guy for the job,'' Lee posted on X.Colorado's two Democratic senators both supported their home-state nominee.“Chris Wright is a scientist who has dedicated his life to the study and use of energy. He believes in science and supports the research that will deliver the affordable, reliable and clean energy" that will lower costs and make the country more secure, Sen. John Hickenlooper said.“While we don’t always agree, we will work together because none of us have four years to wait to act,” Hickenlooper said.Sen. Michael Bennet called Wright a successful Colorado entrepreneur with deep expertise in energy innovation and technology. He pledged to work with Wright to “ensure Colorado continues to lead the country in energy production and innovation.”While acknowledging that climate change is real, Wright said at his hearing that he believes “there isn’t dirty energy or clean energy.” Rather, he said, there are different sources of energy with different tradeoffs.Wright, 60, has been chairman and CEO of Liberty Energy since 2011 and has no prior experience in government. He grew up in Colorado, earned an undergraduate degree at MIT and did graduate work in electrical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley and MIT. In 1992, he founded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pinnacle-financial-partners-inc">Pinnacle Technologies</a>, which helped launch commercial shale gas production through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.He later served as chairman of Stroud Energy, an early shale gas producer, before founding Liberty Resources in 2010.As energy secretary, Wright will join Interior Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/doug-burgum">Doug Burgum</a>&nbsp;as a key player on energy policy. Both will serve on a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transition-white-house-cheung-gor-f3e02df04ffece1b07a44062ee723d71">National Energy Council</a>&nbsp;that Burgum will chair. The panel will include all executive branch agencies involved in energy permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation and transportation, with a focus on “cutting red tape” and boosting domestic energy production, Trump said. The council’s mission represents a near-complete reversal from actions pursued by Democratic President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, who made fighting climate change a top priority.Wright said he would sever all ties across the energy industry if confirmed.Lena Moffitt, executive director of Evergreen Action, an environmental group, said Democrats should have unanimously opposed Wright.“Senate Republicans just handed Trump’s Big Oil allies the keys to the Department of Energy,'' she said in a statement. “Chris Wright built his career expanding fossil fuels and denying climate science. Now, he’ll be in a position to help Trump" stall clean energy investments, hike energy prices “and keep Americans addicted to expensive, volatile fossil fuels."Now is the time, she added, "for Democrats to stand united and fight back against Trump’s relentless push to rig the system for Big Oil.”

More good news for oil producers: Senate confirms Wright as energy secretary

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">Department of Government Efficiency,</a>&nbsp;run by President Donald Trump's billionaire adviser and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has gained access to sensitive Treasury data including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems, according to two people familiar with the situation.

The move by DOGE, a Trump administration task force assigned to find ways to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-government-regulations-democrats-6badc3b424b9eff3ba51e0ec35a8d824">fire federal workers</a>, cut programs and slash federal regulations, means it could have wide leeway to access important taxpayer data, among other things.

The New York Times first reported the news of the group's access of the massive federal payment system. The two people who spoke to The Associated Press spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden of Oregon, on Friday sent a letter to Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern that “officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs.”

“To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy," Wyden said.

The news also comes after Treasury's acting Deputy Secretary David Lebryk resigned from his position at Treasury after more than 30 years of service. The Washington Post on Friday reported that Lebryk resigned his position after Musk and his DOGE organization requested access to sensitive Treasury data.

“The Fiscal Service performs some of the most vital functions in government," Lebryk said in a letter to Treasury employees sent out Friday. “Our work may be unknown to most of the public, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exceptionally important. I am grateful for having been able to work alongside some of the nation’s best and most talented operations staff.”

The letter did not mention a DOGE request to access Treasury payments.

Musk on Saturday responded to a post on his social media platform X about the departure of Lebryk: “The @DOGE team discovered, among other things, that payment approval officers at Treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups. They literally never denied a payment in their entire career. Not even once."

DOGE was originally headed by Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who jointly vowed to cut billions from the federal budget and usher in “mass headcount reductions across the federal bureaucracy.”

Ramaswamy has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-doge-ohio-governor-musk-trump-328400a5cc47adde8dd97eb628d18164">left DOGE as he mulls a run for governor of Ohio</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733440753442.png" alt="Elon Musk with his son, lil X on on Capitol Hill with Rep. James Comer in December" />
 <figcaption>Elon Musk with his son, lil X on on Capitol Hill with Rep. James Comer in December</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">Department of Government Efficiency,</a>&nbsp;run by President Donald Trump's billionaire adviser and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has gained access to sensitive Treasury data including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems, according to two people familiar with the situation.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump on Elon Musk: &quot;He&#39;s got access only to letting people go that he thinks are no good if we agree with him and it&#39;s only if we agree with him. He&#39;s a very talented guy from the standpoint of management and costs.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/dKbuwjisw7">pic.twitter.com/dKbuwjisw7</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1886486333150855345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> on Elon Musk: &quot;I can confirm he&#39;s a special government employee. I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws. As for his security clearance, I&#39;m not sure, but I can check...I don&#39;t know about the security clearance, but I can check.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/86LzC55ocD">pic.twitter.com/86LzC55ocD</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1886525484277620998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The move by DOGE, a Trump administration task force assigned to find ways to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-government-regulations-democrats-6badc3b424b9eff3ba51e0ec35a8d824">fire federal workers</a>, cut programs and slash federal regulations, means it could have wide leeway to access important taxpayer data, among other things.The New York Times first reported the news of the group's access of the massive federal payment system. The two people who spoke to The Associated Press spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.The highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden of Oregon, on Friday sent a letter to Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern that “officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs.”“To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy," Wyden said.The news also comes after Treasury's acting Deputy Secretary David Lebryk resigned from his position at Treasury after more than 30 years of service. The Washington Post on Friday reported that Lebryk resigned his position after Musk and his DOGE organization requested access to sensitive Treasury data.“The Fiscal Service performs some of the most vital functions in government," Lebryk said in a letter to Treasury employees sent out Friday. “Our work may be unknown to most of the public, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exceptionally important. I am grateful for having been able to work alongside some of the nation’s best and most talented operations staff.”The letter did not mention a DOGE request to access Treasury payments.Musk on Saturday responded to a post on his social media platform X about the departure of Lebryk: “The @DOGE team discovered, among other things, that payment approval officers at Treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups. They literally never denied a payment in their entire career. Not even once."He did not provide proof of this claim.DOGE was originally headed by Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who jointly vowed to cut billions from the federal budget and usher in “mass headcount reductions across the federal bureaucracy.”Ramaswamy has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-doge-ohio-governor-musk-trump-328400a5cc47adde8dd97eb628d18164">left DOGE as he mulls a run for governor of Ohio</a>.

Elon Musk's DOGE team access to Treasury payment systems raises concerns

The Ellis County emergency manager will present a report on disaster preparedness to the Ellis County Commission at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Lyle Pantle,&nbsp;Ellis County emergency manager, will present a document aligned with the Kansas Planning Standards. These standards are updated every few years to maintain Ellis County's disaster preparedness.

After the local review and updates are finalized, the State of Kansas will review and approve the plan before it is sent back to the Ellis County Commission for final adoption.

Ellis County Fair Board President Justin Scheck will discuss updated rental agreements for the rodeo grounds.

The fair board was also asked to provide an estimate of volunteer hours for various events throughout the year and the time spent on projects, mowing and fairground maintenance.

During the past few years, the Ellis County Commission has upgraded aging HVAC systems in several county facilities. One project, which involved upgrading equipment at the administrative building, was awarded to Glassman Corporation.

Joe Glassman with Glassman Corporation will discuss the award with the commission.

Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling will present a review of the annual Ellis County townships' financial reports.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684183971486.png" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County emergency manager will present a report on disaster preparedness to the Ellis County Commission at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.Lyle Pantle,&nbsp;Ellis County emergency manager, will present a document aligned with the Kansas Planning Standards. These standards are updated every few years to maintain Ellis County's disaster preparedness.After the local review and updates are finalized, the State of Kansas will review and approve the plan before it is sent back to the Ellis County Commission for final adoption.<h2>Ellis County Fair rental agreements</h2>Ellis County Fair Board President Justin Scheck will discuss updated rental agreements for the rodeo grounds.The updated rental agreements specify fees of $100 for up to four hours or $200 per day for arena use, $15 per night for stall rentals and $25 per day per camper for hookup and electrical use.The fair board was also asked to provide an estimate of volunteer hours for various events throughout the year and the time spent on projects, mowing and fairground maintenance.<h2>HVAC award</h2>During the past few years, the Ellis County Commission has upgraded aging HVAC systems in several county facilities. One project, which involved upgrading equipment at the administrative building, was awarded to Glassman Corporation.Joe Glassman with Glassman Corporation will discuss the award with the commission.<h2>Annual township reports</h2>Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling will present a review of the annual Ellis County townships' financial reports.

Ellis County Commission to hear report on disaster preparedness

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays school board will meet today at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockwell Administration Center to discuss its five-year capital outlay plan.

The board is also slated to vote on building-level administrator contracts and discuss stocking emergency medications at schools.

Superintendent Ron Wilson also will give an update on the construction of the new Hays High School building.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school board will meet today at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockwell Administration Center to discuss its five-year capital outlay plan.The board is also slated to vote on building-level administrator contracts and discuss stocking emergency medications at schools.Superintendent Ron Wilson also will give an update on the construction of the new Hays High School building.

Hays USD 489 school board to discuss 5-year capital outlay plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that after a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump that the planned tariffs are on hold for a month, a statement confirmed by the White House.

“Mexico will reinforce the northern border with 10,000 members of the National Guard immediately, to stop drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, in particular fentanyl,” Sheinbaum posted on X. “The United States commits to work to stop the trafficking of high powered weapons to Mexico.”

The Mexican president added that the two countries would continue talks on security and trade and that “the tariffs are put on pause for a month from now.”

The pause added to the drama as Trump’s tariffs against Canada and China are still slated to go into effect on Tuesday. Uncertainty remains about the durability of any deals and whether the tariffs are a harbinger of a broader trade war as Trump has promised more import taxes to come.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;posted on social media that he spoke Monday morning with Canadian Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/justin-trudeau">Justin Trudeau</a>&nbsp;and would “be speaking to him again at 3:00 P.M.” Both Canada and Mexico had plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-retaliation-trudeau-sheinbaum-70e067b092a3af72c2eb7ca37d532c91">levy their own tariffs</a>&nbsp;in response to U.S. actions, but Mexico is holding off for the moment.

Trump used his Monday social media post to repeat his complaints that Canada has been uncooperative, despite decades of friendship and partnerships that range from World War II to the response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

“Canada doesn’t even allow U.S. Banks to open or do business there,” Trump posted. “What’s that all about? Many such things, but it’s also a DRUG WAR, and hundreds of thousands of people have died in the U.S. from drugs pouring through the Borders of Mexico and Canada.”

Financial markets, businesses and consumers are trying to prepare for the possibility of the new tariffs. Stock market indices opened with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-trump-tariffs-5f365936ea9bdf45a0460556f3a5f4e8">a modest selloff</a>, suggesting some hope that the import taxes that could push up inflation and disrupt global trade and growth would be short-lived.

But the outlook reflected a deep uncertainty about a Republican president who has talked with adoration about tariffs, even saying the U.S. government made a mistake in 1913 by switching to income taxes as its primary revenue source. Trump said Sunday the tariffs would lift if Canada and Mexico did more to crack down on illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling, though there are no clear benchmarks. Trump also said the U.S. can no longer run a trade imbalance with its two largest trade partners.

Mexico is facing a 25% tariff, while Canada would be charged 25% on its imports to the United States and 10% on its energy products. China is facing a 10% additional tariff due to its role in the making and selling of fentanyl, the Trump White House said.

Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, said Monday that it was misleading to characterize the showdown as a trade war despite the planned retaliations and risk of escalation.

“Read the executive order where President Trump was absolutely, 100% clear that this is not a trade war,” Hassett said. “This is a drug war.”

But even if the orders are focused on illegal drugs, Trump’s own remarks have often been more about his perceived sense that foreign countries are ripping off the United States by running trade surpluses. On Sunday, Trump said that tariffs would be coming soon on countries in the European Union. He has discussed tariffs as both a diplomatic tool on national security issues, a way to raise revenues and a vehicle for renegotiating existing trade pacts.

Multiple economists outside the administration have warned that the tariffs would push up prices and hamper growth, with Trump himself saying there would be some short term pain after having campaigned last year on the promise that he could tame inflation.

Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at the consultancy RSM, said the United States was unlikely to fall into a recession this year, but the tariffs would hurt growth and push up the cost of government borrowing, which would potentially keep the interest rates charged on mortgages and auto loans elevated.

“If there is no resolution, the impact on the U.S. economy will be significant,” he said. “Growth will slow notably from the 2.9% average over the past three years as inflation and interest rates rise. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, currently around 4.5%, could climb to a range between 4.75% and 5%.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738598650321.png" alt="Mexican Claudia Sheinbaum during a Monday news conference- courtesy image from the online video" />
 <figcaption>Mexican Claudia Sheinbaum during a Monday news conference- courtesy image from the online video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that after a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump that the planned tariffs are on hold for a month, a statement confirmed by the White House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> on his call with the President of Mexico “President Sheinbaum…I like her very much, but we have to stop fentanyl from coming in, whether I like somebody or not.” A President for the American People! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/oZR7dd7x5z">pic.twitter.com/oZR7dd7x5z</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1886484168453816435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/10LlQayKyD">pic.twitter.com/10LlQayKyD</a>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1886441086203158844?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Mexico will reinforce the northern border with 10,000 members of the National Guard immediately, to stop drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, in particular fentanyl,” Sheinbaum posted on X. “The United States commits to work to stop the trafficking of high powered weapons to Mexico.”The Mexican president added that the two countries would continue talks on security and trade and that “the tariffs are put on pause for a month from now.”The pause added to the drama as Trump’s tariffs against Canada and China are still slated to go into effect on Tuesday. Uncertainty remains about the durability of any deals and whether the tariffs are a harbinger of a broader trade war as Trump has promised more import taxes to come.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;posted on social media that he spoke Monday morning with Canadian Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/justin-trudeau">Justin Trudeau</a>&nbsp;and would “be speaking to him again at 3:00 P.M.” Both Canada and Mexico had plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-retaliation-trudeau-sheinbaum-70e067b092a3af72c2eb7ca37d532c91">levy their own tariffs</a>&nbsp;in response to U.S. actions, but Mexico is holding off for the moment.Trump used his Monday social media post to repeat his complaints that Canada has been uncooperative, despite decades of friendship and partnerships that range from World War II to the response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.“Canada doesn’t even allow U.S. Banks to open or do business there,” Trump posted. “What’s that all about? Many such things, but it’s also a DRUG WAR, and hundreds of thousands of people have died in the U.S. from drugs pouring through the Borders of Mexico and Canada.”Financial markets, businesses and consumers are trying to prepare for the possibility of the new tariffs. Stock market indices opened with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-trump-tariffs-5f365936ea9bdf45a0460556f3a5f4e8">a modest selloff</a>, suggesting some hope that the import taxes that could push up inflation and disrupt global trade and growth would be short-lived.But the outlook reflected a deep uncertainty about a Republican president who has talked with adoration about tariffs, even saying the U.S. government made a mistake in 1913 by switching to income taxes as its primary revenue source. Trump said Sunday the tariffs would lift if Canada and Mexico did more to crack down on illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling, though there are no clear benchmarks. Trump also said the U.S. can no longer run a trade imbalance with its two largest trade partners.Mexico is facing a 25% tariff, while Canada would be charged 25% on its imports to the United States and 10% on its energy products. China is facing a 10% additional tariff due to its role in the making and selling of fentanyl, the Trump White House said.Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, said Monday that it was misleading to characterize the showdown as a trade war despite the planned retaliations and risk of escalation.“Read the executive order where President Trump was absolutely, 100% clear that this is not a trade war,” Hassett said. “This is a drug war.”But even if the orders are focused on illegal drugs, Trump’s own remarks have often been more about his perceived sense that foreign countries are ripping off the United States by running trade surpluses. On Sunday, Trump said that tariffs would be coming soon on countries in the European Union. He has discussed tariffs as both a diplomatic tool on national security issues, a way to raise revenues and a vehicle for renegotiating existing trade pacts.Multiple economists outside the administration have warned that the tariffs would push up prices and hamper growth, with Trump himself saying there would be some short term pain after having campaigned last year on the promise that he could tame inflation.Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at the consultancy RSM, said the United States was unlikely to fall into a recession this year, but the tariffs would hurt growth and push up the cost of government borrowing, which would potentially keep the interest rates charged on mortgages and auto loans elevated.“If there is no resolution, the impact on the U.S. economy will be significant,” he said. “Growth will slow notably from the 2.9% average over the past three years as inflation and interest rates rise. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, currently around 4.5%, could climb to a range between 4.75% and 5%.”

Trump wins concession, agrees to pause tariffs on Mexico

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Sunday that Americans could feel “some pain” from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-china-mexico-canada-inflation-economy-69bd5b4f66eeef3e0e803e0595888f23">emerging trade war</a>&nbsp;triggered by his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-china-mexico-canada-inflation-753a09d56cd318f2eb1d2efe3c43b7d4">tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China</a>, and claimed that Canada would “cease to exist” without its trade surplus with the United States.

The trade penalties that Trump signed Saturday at his Florida resort caused a mix of panic, anger and uncertainty, and threatened to rupture a decades-old partnership on trade in North America while further straining relations with China.

Trump on Sunday night returned from Florida and threatened to impose steeper tariffs elsewhere, telling reporters that the import taxes will “definitely happen” with the European Union and possibly with the United Kingdom as well.

He brushed aside retaliatory measures from Canada, saying, “If they want to play the game, I don’t mind. We can play the game all they want." Trump said he plans to speak with his Canadian and Mexican counterparts on Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738546806165.png" alt="President Trump spoke to reporters Sunday night -photo by Margo Martin, Assistant to the President" />
 <figcaption>President Trump spoke to reporters Sunday night -photo by Margo Martin, Assistant to the President</figcaption>
 </figure>PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Sunday that Americans could feel “some pain” from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-china-mexico-canada-inflation-economy-69bd5b4f66eeef3e0e803e0595888f23">emerging trade war</a>&nbsp;triggered by his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-china-mexico-canada-inflation-753a09d56cd318f2eb1d2efe3c43b7d4">tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China</a>, and claimed that Canada would “cease to exist” without its trade surplus with the United States.The trade penalties that Trump signed Saturday at his Florida resort caused a mix of panic, anger and uncertainty, and threatened to rupture a decades-old partnership on trade in North America while further straining relations with China.Trump on Sunday night returned from Florida and threatened to impose steeper tariffs elsewhere, telling reporters that the import taxes will “definitely happen” with the European Union and possibly with the United Kingdom as well.He brushed aside retaliatory measures from Canada, saying, “If they want to play the game, I don’t mind. We can play the game all they want." Trump said he plans to speak with his Canadian and Mexican counterparts on Monday.By following through on his tariffs campaign pledge, Trump may also have simultaneously broken his promise to voters in last year's election that his administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-inflation-grocery-prices-energy-production-consumers-c8afa45fc2b44471d55a1516e99ea351">could quickly reduce inflation.</a>&nbsp;That means the same frustration he is facing from other nations might also spread domestically to consumers and businesses.“WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!),” Trump said in a social media post. “BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”His administration has not said what specific improvements would need to be seen in stopping illegal immigration and the smuggling of fentanyl to merit the removal of the tariffs that Trump imposed under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-flow-of-illicit-drugs-across-our-national-border/">the legal justification of an economic emergency</a>. But Trump, speaking to reporters after Air Force One, landed said that the trade imbalances with Canada and Mexico would also need to be erased as a condition for lifting the tariffs.The president also tried to clarify his post about the possible inflation, saying on Sunday: “We may have in the short term, a little pain, and people understand that. But long term, the United States has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world.”The tariffs are set to launch Tuesday and triggered confusion as Canada's U.S. ambassador, Kirsten Hillman, told ABC News that her country was perplexed by the move because “we view ourselves as your neighbor, your closest friend, your ally.”In his Truth Social post, Trump took particular aim at Canada, which responded with retaliatory measures. Trump is placing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, with a 10% tax on oil, natural gas and electricity. Canada is imposing 25% tariffs, more than $155 billion Canadian (US$105 billion), on U.S. products, including alcohol and fruit.Despite Trump’s assertions that the U.S. does not need Canada,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-oil-trump-alberta-premier-tariffs-b46238a96660c643ead3079e289121e8">one-quarter of the oil</a>&nbsp;that America consumes per day is from its ally to the north. He reiterated his false claim that America subsidizes Canada by running a trade imbalance, a reflection in part of Canada exporting energy to the U.S.Trump contended that without that surplus, "Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!”Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is encouraging Canadians to buy more Canadian goods, and says Trump's moves will only cause pain across North America. More than 75% of Canada's exports go to the U.S. Canada will first target alcohol, cosmetics and paper products; a second round later will include passenger vehicles, trucks, steel and aluminum products, certain fruits and vegetables, beef, pork, dairy products and more.Canada is the largest export market for 36 states and Mexico is the largest trading partner of the U.S.Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, also announced new tariffs and suggested the U.S. should do more within its own borders to address drug addiction. She and Trudeau spoke after Trump's announcement and agreed “to enhance the strong bilateral relations” between Canada and Mexico, according to the prime minister's office.The Chinese government said it would take steps to defend its economic interests and intends to file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization.For Trump, the open question is whether inflation could be a political pressure point that would cause him to back down. As a candidate, Trump repeatedly hammered Democrats over the inflation under President Joe Biden that resulted from supply chain issues during the coronavirus pandemic, the Biden administration’s own spending to spur the recovery and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Trump said his previous four years as president had low inflation, so the public should expect the same if he came back to the White House. But he also said specifically that higher inflation would stagger the U.S. as a nation, a position from which he now appears to be retreating with the promise of even more tariffs to come.The U.S. president did not offer details Sunday about when he would impose tariffs elsewhere, but he said they would be coming “pretty soon” for the EU, which is also composed of U.S. allies.Larry Summers, treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, said the tariffs were a "self-inflicted wound to the American economy."He told CNN's “Inside Politics” that “on the playground or in international relations, bullying is not an enduringly winning strategy. And that’s what this is.” And the ultimate winner, Summers suggested, would be Chinese leader Xi Jinping because “we’ve moved to drive some of our closest allies into his arms” and “we're legitimating everything he’s doing by violating all the international norms that we set up.”Outside analyses make clear that Trump's tariffs would hurt the voters that he intended to help, meaning that he might ultimately need to find a resolution.An analysis by the Budget Lab at Yale shows that if the tariffs were to continue, an average U.S. household would lose roughly $1,245 in income this year, in what would be the overall equivalent of a more than $1.4 trillion tax increase over the next 10 years.Goldman Sachs, in a Sunday analyst note, stressed that the tariffs go into effect on Tuesday, which means they're likely to proceed “though a last-minute compromise cannot be completely ruled out.”The investment bank concluded that because of the possible economic damage and possible conditions for removal “we think it is more likely that the tariffs will be temporary but the outlook is unclear.”___Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price in New York and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.