Phillipsburg resident Earl Wolfe passed away Monday, September 27, 
2021, at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 87.

He was born December 10, 1933, in Phillipsburg, KS the son of Hulsa and Edna (Woofter) Wolfe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Sayan; daughter Kayla Kreller; and brothers Darrel, Dean, and Keath.

Survivors include his son Kurtis of Prairie View; step-sons Pete 
Rogers of Phillipsburg and Sonny Rogers of Raymore, MO; a step-daughter 
Cher Simpson of Raymore, MO; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great 
grandchildren.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. 
Friday, October 1, 2021 in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg with 
Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating.

Mr. Wolfe will lie in state from Noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 
a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 
Phillipsburg.&nbsp; The casket will remain closed.&nbsp; The family will receive 
friends Thursday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home 
for visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts Troop 123 or the Phillips County E.M.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1633028869812.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Phillipsburg resident Earl Wolfe passed away Monday, September 27, 
2021, at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 87.He was born December 10, 1933, in Phillipsburg, KS the son of Hulsa and Edna (Woofter) Wolfe.He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Sayan; daughter Kayla Kreller; and brothers Darrel, Dean, and Keath.Survivors include his son Kurtis of Prairie View; step-sons Pete 
Rogers of Phillipsburg and Sonny Rogers of Raymore, MO; a step-daughter 
Cher Simpson of Raymore, MO; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great 
grandchildren.A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. 
Friday, October 1, 2021 in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg with 
Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating.Mr. Wolfe will lie in state from Noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 
a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 
Phillipsburg.&nbsp; The casket will remain closed.&nbsp; The family will receive 
friends Thursday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home 
for visitation.Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts Troop 123 or the Phillips County E.M.S.

Earl Wolfe

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressure mounting, President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress strained Tuesday to trim back his potentially historic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-4937ea3b6a05aceec7dd6a4ddaaf902b">$3.5 trillion government overhaul to</a>&nbsp;win support from two key holdout senators ahead of make-or-break deadlines for votes.

With Republicans solidly opposed and no votes to spare, Biden canceled a Wednesday trip to Chicago that was to focus on COVID-19 vaccinations so he could continue working on a deal, according to a White House official granted anonymity to discuss the planning.

Democrats are poised to adjust the huge measure’s tax proposals and spending goals to meet the overall size demanded by party colleagues Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. The two say Biden’s plan is too big but are publicly quiet about a number they can live with.

The president met separately with them Tuesday at the White House, making apparent progress before a Thursday test vote.

As the legislation comes into focus, the adjustments will follow —child care subsidies could be offered for several years, or just a few. Funding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">expand health care programs&nbsp;</a>could start later or end sooner. Tax hikes on corporations and the wealthy may be adjusted. And provisions to fight climate change or curb prescription drug prices could change.

Assuming nothing, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol, “In the next day or so we hope to come to a place where we can all move forward.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-financial-markets-nancy-pelosi-7bd49aa2c2638a95ef4b0aa421b219df">stakes are as high as ever&nbsp;</a>as Biden and his party try to accomplish a giant legislative lift, promising a vast rewrite of the nation’s tax priorities and spending goals with an oh-so-slim majority in Congress.

Biden is under pressure to close the deal with centrist Sens. Manchin and Sinema who are seen as linchpins for the final package.

“Really good, honest, straightforward negotiations,” Manchin told reporters back at the Capitol after his White House meeting with Biden. He said he did not give the president a new topline figure.

Biden’s problems with fellow Democrats aren’t just in the Senate. A small number of House Democrats also are bristling at the far-reaching scope of his domestic agenda and demanding changes.

“We’re obviously at a very sensitive time,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

The president, she said, is “not going to tell anyone what to do. He’s going to have a discussion, have an engagement.”

The closed-door talks come after Republican senators for a second time blocked a bill to keep the government operating past Thursday and allow federal borrowing, risking a federal shutdown and devastating debt default — though both seem highly unlikely.

Democrats said they will try again before Thursday’s deadline to pass a bill funding government operations past the Sept. 30 fiscal year-end, likely stripping out the more-heated debate over the debt limit for another day, closer to a separate October deadline.

Taken together, it’s all putting the entire Biden agenda perilously closer to collapse, with consequences certain to shape his presidency and the lawmakers’ political futures.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-bills-janet-yellen-9d5327bcc4f18bd2cf3349fdbe6d246b">in a letter Tuesday that Oct. 18&nbsp;</a>is a critical date — when the Treasury Department will likely exhaust all of its “extraordinary measures” being taken to avoid a default on the government’s obligations.

Yellen urged Congress to “protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible” to either raise the debt limit or suspend it.

Meanwhile, the behind the scenes action over the $3.5 trillion measure is testing Biden’s grip on his party, as he seeks a once-in-a-generation reworking of the nation’s balance sheets.

Applying pressure, progressives are unwavering so far in their refusal to go along with a vote expected Thursday on a companion bill, a $1 trillion public works measure that they say is too meager without Biden’s bigger package assured.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said they have the votes to derail the smaller bill unless it comes with Biden’s broader one — tacit pressure on the holdouts to arrive at a deal. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., urged a no vote.

“It won’t be the end of the world Thursday if we vote it down,” said Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., a progressive caucus member. He said the House will just wait for the Senate to act on Biden’s plan, “and then we’ll vote again.”

With all Republicans opposed to the big bill, Democratic leaders can’t spare a single vote in the 50-50 Senate, relying on Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie to pass the eventual package.

Physically holding up the 2,000-plus page bill, Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming warned it was nothing but “big government socialism.”

“This bill represents Bernie Sanders’ socialist dream. It is a nightmare for American taxpayers,” he said.

Biden insists&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-budget-08d7ca3ffc7f438148570b04bc61ded0">the price tag actually will be zero&nbsp;</a>because the expansion of government programs would be largely paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy — businesses earning more than $5 million a year, and individuals earning more than $400,000 a year, or $450,000 for couples.

To lower the price tag and win over centrist Democrats, it’s not necessary that any specific programs be get axed, those familiar with the process have said.

Rather, lawmakers are eyeing ways to adjust the scope and duration of some of Biden’s proposals.

For example, instead of more immediately launching the massive expansion of the Medicare program for seniors by allowing them to qualify for vision, dental and hearing aid benefits, changes might be spaced out to save money. Or similarly, funding to expand Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act could have an end-date rather than continue on.

The corporate tax hikes, proposed to spike from 21% to 26.5% under the House’s version of Biden’s bill, could shift again in talks with the Senate Democrats.

Failing to fund all the program expansions indefinitely could well be seen as a loss for Democrats. But some see the built-in deadlines as a chance to revisit the issues again — likely during election years when both sides can argue their cases to voters.

Tensions are flaring at the Capitol as the contours of Biden’s big agenda come into focus at the same time as a Democrat-Republican standoff over normally routine votes to fund the government and prevent a federal debt default.

For a second day on Tuesday, Senate Republicans rejected an effort to ease the nation’s debt limit to avoid a dangerous default on its payments for past bills.

Republican leader Mitch McConnell grew testy with reporters when asked about Yellen’s warning that Congress must swiftly resolve the issue.

“Of course the debt ceiling has to be raised,” he said. But he insisted Democrats shoulder the unpopular vote on their own.

On Monday, Republicans had rejected the Democrats’ effort to link the debt ceiling vote to the must-pass funding bill to keep government running.

An exasperated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “It is clear insanity and disaster are now the Republican party line.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632917428769.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, members of Congress, activists at the U.S. Capitol for an event on how the Biden's Build Back Better Act will create good paying jobs tackling the climate crisis, addressing environmental justice and investing in America’s clean energy future.-photo courtesy House Speaker's office" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, members of Congress, activists at the U.S. Capitol for an event on how the Biden's Build Back Better Act will create good paying jobs tackling the climate crisis, addressing environmental justice and investing in America’s clean energy future.-photo courtesy House Speaker's office</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressure mounting, President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress strained Tuesday to trim back his potentially historic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-4937ea3b6a05aceec7dd6a4ddaaf902b">$3.5 trillion government overhaul to</a>&nbsp;win support from two key holdout senators ahead of make-or-break deadlines for votes.With Republicans solidly opposed and no votes to spare, Biden canceled a Wednesday trip to Chicago that was to focus on COVID-19 vaccinations so he could continue working on a deal, according to a White House official granted anonymity to discuss the planning.Democrats are poised to adjust the huge measure’s tax proposals and spending goals to meet the overall size demanded by party colleagues Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. The two say Biden’s plan is too big but are publicly quiet about a number they can live with.The president met separately with them Tuesday at the White House, making apparent progress before a Thursday test vote.As the legislation comes into focus, the adjustments will follow —child care subsidies could be offered for several years, or just a few. Funding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">expand health care programs&nbsp;</a>could start later or end sooner. Tax hikes on corporations and the wealthy may be adjusted. And provisions to fight climate change or curb prescription drug prices could change.Assuming nothing, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol, “In the next day or so we hope to come to a place where we can all move forward.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-financial-markets-nancy-pelosi-7bd49aa2c2638a95ef4b0aa421b219df">stakes are as high as ever&nbsp;</a>as Biden and his party try to accomplish a giant legislative lift, promising a vast rewrite of the nation’s tax priorities and spending goals with an oh-so-slim majority in Congress.Biden is under pressure to close the deal with centrist Sens. Manchin and Sinema who are seen as linchpins for the final package.“Really good, honest, straightforward negotiations,” Manchin told reporters back at the Capitol after his White House meeting with Biden. He said he did not give the president a new topline figure.Biden’s problems with fellow Democrats aren’t just in the Senate. A small number of House Democrats also are bristling at the far-reaching scope of his domestic agenda and demanding changes.“We’re obviously at a very sensitive time,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.The president, she said, is “not going to tell anyone what to do. He’s going to have a discussion, have an engagement.”The closed-door talks come after Republican senators for a second time blocked a bill to keep the government operating past Thursday and allow federal borrowing, risking a federal shutdown and devastating debt default — though both seem highly unlikely.Democrats said they will try again before Thursday’s deadline to pass a bill funding government operations past the Sept. 30 fiscal year-end, likely stripping out the more-heated debate over the debt limit for another day, closer to a separate October deadline.Taken together, it’s all putting the entire Biden agenda perilously closer to collapse, with consequences certain to shape his presidency and the lawmakers’ political futures.Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-bills-janet-yellen-9d5327bcc4f18bd2cf3349fdbe6d246b">in a letter Tuesday that Oct. 18&nbsp;</a>is a critical date — when the Treasury Department will likely exhaust all of its “extraordinary measures” being taken to avoid a default on the government’s obligations.Yellen urged Congress to “protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible” to either raise the debt limit or suspend it.Meanwhile, the behind the scenes action over the $3.5 trillion measure is testing Biden’s grip on his party, as he seeks a once-in-a-generation reworking of the nation’s balance sheets.Applying pressure, progressives are unwavering so far in their refusal to go along with a vote expected Thursday on a companion bill, a $1 trillion public works measure that they say is too meager without Biden’s bigger package assured.Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said they have the votes to derail the smaller bill unless it comes with Biden’s broader one — tacit pressure on the holdouts to arrive at a deal. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., urged a no vote.“It won’t be the end of the world Thursday if we vote it down,” said Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., a progressive caucus member. He said the House will just wait for the Senate to act on Biden’s plan, “and then we’ll vote again.”With all Republicans opposed to the big bill, Democratic leaders can’t spare a single vote in the 50-50 Senate, relying on Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie to pass the eventual package.Physically holding up the 2,000-plus page bill, Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming warned it was nothing but “big government socialism.”“This bill represents Bernie Sanders’ socialist dream. It is a nightmare for American taxpayers,” he said.Biden insists&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-budget-08d7ca3ffc7f438148570b04bc61ded0">the price tag actually will be zero&nbsp;</a>because the expansion of government programs would be largely paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy — businesses earning more than $5 million a year, and individuals earning more than $400,000 a year, or $450,000 for couples.To lower the price tag and win over centrist Democrats, it’s not necessary that any specific programs be get axed, those familiar with the process have said.Rather, lawmakers are eyeing ways to adjust the scope and duration of some of Biden’s proposals.For example, instead of more immediately launching the massive expansion of the Medicare program for seniors by allowing them to qualify for vision, dental and hearing aid benefits, changes might be spaced out to save money. Or similarly, funding to expand Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act could have an end-date rather than continue on.The corporate tax hikes, proposed to spike from 21% to 26.5% under the House’s version of Biden’s bill, could shift again in talks with the Senate Democrats.Failing to fund all the program expansions indefinitely could well be seen as a loss for Democrats. But some see the built-in deadlines as a chance to revisit the issues again — likely during election years when both sides can argue their cases to voters.Tensions are flaring at the Capitol as the contours of Biden’s big agenda come into focus at the same time as a Democrat-Republican standoff over normally routine votes to fund the government and prevent a federal debt default.For a second day on Tuesday, Senate Republicans rejected an effort to ease the nation’s debt limit to avoid a dangerous default on its payments for past bills.Republican leader Mitch McConnell grew testy with reporters when asked about Yellen’s warning that Congress must swiftly resolve the issue.“Of course the debt ceiling has to be raised,” he said. But he insisted Democrats shoulder the unpopular vote on their own.On Monday, Republicans had rejected the Democrats’ effort to link the debt ceiling vote to the must-pass funding bill to keep government running.An exasperated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “It is clear insanity and disaster are now the Republican party line.”

Big pressure on Biden, Democrats in battle over $3.5T plan

MONKEY ISLAND, Okla. – Fort Hays State men's golf placed 10th&nbsp;out of 18 teams competing at the MSSU Fall Invitational held at the Shangri-La Country Club, a par-72 layout.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6454">Maddux Mills</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6458">Parker Krob</a>&nbsp;tied for 21st&nbsp;individually to lead the Tigers, both at 5-over par overall after three rounds of play. Mills led the Tiger effort through the first two rounds at 1-under par after rounds of 72 (E) and 71 (-1). Krob was six strokes back of Mills to start the final round on Tuesday and caught up to his teammate with a final round even-par 72. Krob carded rounds of 76 (+4) and 73 (+1) prior to his final round charge, which saw him move up 11 spots on the leaderboard. Mills shot 78 (+6) in the final round. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6452">Dustin Nichols</a>&nbsp;was third among the Tigers with an overall score of 225 (+9). He shot rounds of 78, 73, and 74.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6450">Tanner Copeland</a>&nbsp;figured into the Tiger scoring in every round and finished fourth among his team members at 229 (+13). He opened with a 73 and then shot two rounds of 78.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6451">Bryce Cowan</a>&nbsp;also competed for the Tigers, shooting 78, 79, and 81. Oklahoma Christian and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College tied for first in the team standings, both at even par overall (864). Henderson State and Rogers State tied for third, each at +14 (878). The Tigers shot 896 as a team with rounds of 299, 295, and 302. The Tigers finished under 300 as a team in a round for the second and third times this season. The 295 in the second round was their lowest team score of the season so far, which was just 7-over par. Mateo Pulcini of Oklahoma Christian and Harry Crockett of Hutchinson Community College tied for first, both at 3-under overall. Pulcini charged in the final round from 15 spots down on the leaderboard, carding a 5-under par to tie Crockett who shot even in the final round. Three other individuals finished under par overall. The Tigers return to action on October 11-12 at the Holiday Inn Express Classic, hosted by Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632910922990.jpeg" alt="FHSU's Paker Krob (Courtesy FHSU Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>FHSU's Paker Krob (Courtesy FHSU Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>MONKEY ISLAND, Okla. – Fort Hays State men's golf placed 10th&nbsp;out of 18 teams competing at the MSSU Fall Invitational held at the Shangri-La Country Club, a par-72 layout.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6454">Maddux Mills</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6458">Parker Krob</a>&nbsp;tied for 21st&nbsp;individually to lead the Tigers, both at 5-over par overall after three rounds of play. Mills led the Tiger effort through the first two rounds at 1-under par after rounds of 72 (E) and 71 (-1). Krob was six strokes back of Mills to start the final round on Tuesday and caught up to his teammate with a final round even-par 72. Krob carded rounds of 76 (+4) and 73 (+1) prior to his final round charge, which saw him move up 11 spots on the leaderboard. Mills shot 78 (+6) in the final round. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6452">Dustin Nichols</a>&nbsp;was third among the Tigers with an overall score of 225 (+9). He shot rounds of 78, 73, and 74.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6450">Tanner Copeland</a>&nbsp;figured into the Tiger scoring in every round and finished fourth among his team members at 229 (+13). He opened with a 73 and then shot two rounds of 78.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6451">Bryce Cowan</a>&nbsp;also competed for the Tigers, shooting 78, 79, and 81. Oklahoma Christian and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College tied for first in the team standings, both at even par overall (864). Henderson State and Rogers State tied for third, each at +14 (878). The Tigers shot 896 as a team with rounds of 299, 295, and 302. The Tigers finished under 300 as a team in a round for the second and third times this season. The 295 in the second round was their lowest team score of the season so far, which was just 7-over par. Mateo Pulcini of Oklahoma Christian and Harry Crockett of Hutchinson Community College tied for first, both at 3-under overall. Pulcini charged in the final round from 15 spots down on the leaderboard, carding a 5-under par to tie Crockett who shot even in the final round. Three other individuals finished under par overall. The Tigers return to action on October 11-12 at the Holiday Inn Express Classic, hosted by Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Missouri. FHSU Athletics

⛳ Mills, Krob pace Tigers men at MSSU Fall Invitational

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514537-1/joint-chiefs-chair-general-milley-testify-afghanistan-withdrawal&amp;live&amp;vod">Click here </a>to watch his testimony

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. military officer told Congress on Tuesday that he knew former President Donald Trump wasn’t planning to attack China and that it was his job to reassure the Chinese of this in the phone calls that have triggered outrage from some lawmakers.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-afghanistan-lloyd-austin-joint-chiefs-of-staff-b93c6da6e9fdf61b2a185df9baa4e2a7">Army Gen. Mark Milley</a>, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered a vehement defense of two calls he made to his Chinese counterpart, saying he was responding to a “significant degree of intelligence” that China was worried about a U.S. attack.

“I know, I am certain, that President Trump did not intend to attack the Chinese. ... And it was my directed responsibility by the secretary to convey that intent to the Chinese,” Milley told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “My task at that time was to de-escalate. My message again was consistent: Stay calm, steady, and de-escalate. We are not going to attack you.”

Milley has been at the center of controversy after reports that he made two calls to Gen. Li Zuocheng of the People’s Liberation Army to assure him that the United States was not suddenly going to go to war with or attack China. Details of the calls were first aired in excerpts from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-united-states-china-bob-woodward-joint-chiefs-of-staff-ee2577288a524ab846fd91e9da689176">the recently released book “Peril”</a>&nbsp;by Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa.

While Tuesday’s hearing largely focused on the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and the chaotic evacuation of Americans, Afghans and others from the country, a few senators condemned Milley for what they saw as inappropriate communications with Li.

In his most extensive comments to date on the matter, Milley said the calls on Oct. 30 and Jan. 8 were fully coordinated with the defense secretaries at the time as well as other U.S. national security agencies. And he said that such military-to-military communications are critical to prevent war between great powers that possess nuclear weapons.

The calls came during Trump’s turbulent last months in office as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-government-and-politics-elections-ap-fact-check-election-2020-b3905c30c8bb585e20850da3c3f022e8">challenged the results of the 2020 election</a>. The second call came two days after Jan. 6, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying Biden’s White House victory.

Milley said the October call was made at the direction of then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the second was done at the request of the Chinese and coordinated with then-acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller’s office.

Asked if he spoke with the book’s authors and if his remarks were “accurately represented,” Milley said he spoke with Woodward and that he has not read the book but has seen press reports on it.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., asked that he provide more answers once he’s read the book. She and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., questioned whether Milley shared private presidential conversations with the authors.

Milley said he did not leak private conversations he had with Trump, and said he routinely speaks with the media to provide information and transparency to the American people.

Milley also addressed a call he received from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He said Pelosi “called me to inquire about the president’s ability to launch nuclear weapons. I sought to assure her that nuclear launch is governed by a very specific and deliberate process.”

He said he assured her that while the president is the sole nuclear launch authority, “he doesn’t launch them alone.” He said that as chairman he is part of the launch decision process.

“There are processes, protocols and procedures in place, and I repeatedly assured her there is no chance of an illegal, unauthorized or accidental launch,” Milley said.

The book asserts that during the call, Milley agreed with Pelosi’s statement that Trump was suffering a mental decline after the election. During Tuesday’s hearing, Milley appeared to discount that, saying “I am not qualified to determine the mental health of the president of the United States.”

He said that after the call was over, he had a short meeting with staff to go over the process. He also said he informed Miller of the call at the time.

“At no time was I attempting to change or influence the process, usurp authority or insert myself in the chain of command, but I am expected, I am required, to give my advice and ensure that the president is fully informed,” Milley said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. military officer called the 20-year war in Afghanistan a “strategic failure” and told Congress on Tuesday that he believes the U.S. should have kept several thousand troops in the country to prevent the unexpectedly rapid takeover by the Taliban.

In his first congressional testimony on the tumultuous withdrawal, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, refused to say what advice he gave President Joe Biden last spring when Biden was considering whether to keep any troops in Afghanistan.

But he told the Senate Armed Services Committee it was his personal opinion that at least 2,500 were needed to guard against a collapse of the Kabul government and a return to Taliban rule.

In a blunt assessment of a war that cost 2,461 American lives, Milley said the result was years in the making.

“Outcomes in a war like this, an outcome that is a strategic failure — the enemy is in charge in Kabul, there’s no way else to describe that — that is a cumulative effect of 20 years,” he said, adding that lessons need to be learned, including whether the U.S. military made the Afghans overly dependent on American technology in a mistaken effort to make the Afghan army look like the American army.

Gen. Frank McKenzie, who as head of Central Command had overseen the final months of the U.S. war, said he agreed with Milley that a few thousand troops should have been kept in Afghanistan, despite the Trump administration’s agreement with the Taliban in 2020 that all U.S. troops would leave by May 2021.

“I recommended that we maintain 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, and I also recommended early in the fall of 2020 that we maintain 4,500 at that time, those were my personal views,” McKenzie said. “I also had a view that the withdrawal of those forces would lead inevitably to the collapse of the Afghan military forces and eventually the Afghan government.”

The Senate hearing was at times contentious, as Republicans sought to portray Biden as having ignored advice from military officers and mischaracterized the military options he was presented last spring and summer. Several Republicans tried unsuccessfully to draw Milley, McKenzie and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin into commenting on the truthfulness of Biden’s statement to ABC News on Aug. 18, three days after the Taliban took control of Kabul, that no senior military commander had recommended against a full troop withdrawal when it was under discussion in the first months of Biden’s term.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., asked Milley why he did not choose to resign after his advice was rejected.

Milley, who was appointed to his position as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by President Donald Trump and retained by Biden, said it was his responsibility to provide the commander in chief with his best advice.

“The president doesn’t have to agree with that advice,” Milley said. “He doesn’t have to make those decisions just because we are generals. And it would be an incredible act of political defiance for a commissioned officer to resign just because my advice was not taken.”

Testifying alongside Milley and McKenzie, Austin defended the military’s execution of a frantic airlift from Kabul in August and asserted it will be “difficult but absolutely possible” to contain future threats from Afghanistan without troops on the ground. Under questioning, he, too, declined to say what advice he had given Biden about whether to make a full troop withdrawal.

Milley also told Congress he knew former President Donald Trump wasn’t planning to attack China and it was his job to reassure the Chinese of that fact in the phone calls that have triggered outrage from some lawmakers.&nbsp; Milley delivered a vehement defense of two calls he made to his Chinese counterpart, saying he was responding to “concerning intelligence” China was worried about a U.S. attack. Milley says his task was “to de-escalate.” Details of Milley’s calls were first aired in excerpts from the book “Peril” by Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632855649721.png" alt="Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley testified on the Afghanistan withdrawal Tuesday -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley testified on the Afghanistan withdrawal Tuesday -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514537-1/joint-chiefs-chair-general-milley-testify-afghanistan-withdrawal&amp;live&amp;vod">Click here </a>to watch his testimonyWASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. military officer told Congress on Tuesday that he knew former President Donald Trump wasn’t planning to attack China and that it was his job to reassure the Chinese of this in the phone calls that have triggered outrage from some lawmakers.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-afghanistan-lloyd-austin-joint-chiefs-of-staff-b93c6da6e9fdf61b2a185df9baa4e2a7">Army Gen. Mark Milley</a>, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered a vehement defense of two calls he made to his Chinese counterpart, saying he was responding to a “significant degree of intelligence” that China was worried about a U.S. attack.“I know, I am certain, that President Trump did not intend to attack the Chinese. ... And it was my directed responsibility by the secretary to convey that intent to the Chinese,” Milley told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “My task at that time was to de-escalate. My message again was consistent: Stay calm, steady, and de-escalate. We are not going to attack you.”Milley has been at the center of controversy after reports that he made two calls to Gen. Li Zuocheng of the People’s Liberation Army to assure him that the United States was not suddenly going to go to war with or attack China. Details of the calls were first aired in excerpts from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-united-states-china-bob-woodward-joint-chiefs-of-staff-ee2577288a524ab846fd91e9da689176">the recently released book “Peril”</a>&nbsp;by Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa.ADVERTISEMENTWhile Tuesday’s hearing largely focused on the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and the chaotic evacuation of Americans, Afghans and others from the country, a few senators condemned Milley for what they saw as inappropriate communications with Li.In his most extensive comments to date on the matter, Milley said the calls on Oct. 30 and Jan. 8 were fully coordinated with the defense secretaries at the time as well as other U.S. national security agencies. And he said that such military-to-military communications are critical to prevent war between great powers that possess nuclear weapons.The calls came during Trump’s turbulent last months in office as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-government-and-politics-elections-ap-fact-check-election-2020-b3905c30c8bb585e20850da3c3f022e8">challenged the results of the 2020 election</a>. The second call came two days after Jan. 6, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying Biden’s White House victory.Milley said the October call was made at the direction of then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the second was done at the request of the Chinese and coordinated with then-acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller’s office.Asked if he spoke with the book’s authors and if his remarks were “accurately represented,” Milley said he spoke with Woodward and that he has not read the book but has seen press reports on it.Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., asked that he provide more answers once he’s read the book. She and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., questioned whether Milley shared private presidential conversations with the authors.Milley said he did not leak private conversations he had with Trump, and said he routinely speaks with the media to provide information and transparency to the American people.Milley also addressed a call he received from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He said Pelosi “called me to inquire about the president’s ability to launch nuclear weapons. I sought to assure her that nuclear launch is governed by a very specific and deliberate process.”He said he assured her that while the president is the sole nuclear launch authority, “he doesn’t launch them alone.” He said that as chairman he is part of the launch decision process.“There are processes, protocols and procedures in place, and I repeatedly assured her there is no chance of an illegal, unauthorized or accidental launch,” Milley said.The book asserts that during the call, Milley agreed with Pelosi’s statement that Trump was suffering a mental decline after the election. During Tuesday’s hearing, Milley appeared to discount that, saying “I am not qualified to determine the mental health of the president of the United States.”He said that after the call was over, he had a short meeting with staff to go over the process. He also said he informed Miller of the call at the time.“At no time was I attempting to change or influence the process, usurp authority or insert myself in the chain of command, but I am expected, I am required, to give my advice and ensure that the president is fully informed,” Milley said.-----------WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. military officer called the 20-year war in Afghanistan a “strategic failure” and told Congress on Tuesday that he believes the U.S. should have kept several thousand troops in the country to prevent the unexpectedly rapid takeover by the Taliban.In his first congressional testimony on the tumultuous withdrawal, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, refused to say what advice he gave President Joe Biden last spring when Biden was considering whether to keep any troops in Afghanistan.But he told the Senate Armed Services Committee it was his personal opinion that at least 2,500 were needed to guard against a collapse of the Kabul government and a return to Taliban rule.In a blunt assessment of a war that cost 2,461 American lives, Milley said the result was years in the making.“Outcomes in a war like this, an outcome that is a strategic failure — the enemy is in charge in Kabul, there’s no way else to describe that — that is a cumulative effect of 20 years,” he said, adding that lessons need to be learned, including whether the U.S. military made the Afghans overly dependent on American technology in a mistaken effort to make the Afghan army look like the American army.Gen. Frank McKenzie, who as head of Central Command had overseen the final months of the U.S. war, said he agreed with Milley that a few thousand troops should have been kept in Afghanistan, despite the Trump administration’s agreement with the Taliban in 2020 that all U.S. troops would leave by May 2021.“I recommended that we maintain 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, and I also recommended early in the fall of 2020 that we maintain 4,500 at that time, those were my personal views,” McKenzie said. “I also had a view that the withdrawal of those forces would lead inevitably to the collapse of the Afghan military forces and eventually the Afghan government.”The Senate hearing was at times contentious, as Republicans sought to portray Biden as having ignored advice from military officers and mischaracterized the military options he was presented last spring and summer. Several Republicans tried unsuccessfully to draw Milley, McKenzie and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin into commenting on the truthfulness of Biden’s statement to ABC News on Aug. 18, three days after the Taliban took control of Kabul, that no senior military commander had recommended against a full troop withdrawal when it was under discussion in the first months of Biden’s term.Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., asked Milley why he did not choose to resign after his advice was rejected.Milley, who was appointed to his position as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by President Donald Trump and retained by Biden, said it was his responsibility to provide the commander in chief with his best advice.“The president doesn’t have to agree with that advice,” Milley said. “He doesn’t have to make those decisions just because we are generals. And it would be an incredible act of political defiance for a commissioned officer to resign just because my advice was not taken.”Testifying alongside Milley and McKenzie, Austin defended the military’s execution of a frantic airlift from Kabul in August and asserted it will be “difficult but absolutely possible” to contain future threats from Afghanistan without troops on the ground. Under questioning, he, too, declined to say what advice he had given Biden about whether to make a full troop withdrawal.Milley also told Congress he knew former President Donald Trump wasn’t planning to attack China and it was his job to reassure the Chinese of that fact in the phone calls that have triggered outrage from some lawmakers.&nbsp; Milley delivered a vehement defense of two calls he made to his Chinese counterpart, saying he was responding to “concerning intelligence” China was worried about a U.S. attack. Milley says his task was “to de-escalate.” Details of Milley’s calls were first aired in excerpts from the book “Peril” by Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa.

🎥  Milley defends calls to Chinese at end of Trump presidency

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger shares information about Tuesday's Ag Appreciation event along with Kim Goodnight, regional manager of Local Government and Community Affairs for ITC Great Plains.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We do. He's kind of famous around these parts. It's the one and only Kim Goodnight and he works at ITC. And we were visiting this morning, and he is a man of many titles. So I might just let him kind of cover all of them.

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Originally, I was hired as a regional manager, local government Community Affairs. And because we have such a large footprint, I mean, Kansas and Oklahoma. So it made sense that I took on additional responsibilities. And so I'm also manager of stakeholder relations and manager of customer and business solutions. So yeah, I've I'm used to wearing many hats though, Sarah, because my background was, I was a farmer for 38 years. And the same time I was county commissioner out there in Orange County, and also owned a car lot. So there you go, I mean, juggling Well, many balls,

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; You've had, like five life already right?

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Makes for a very diverse background.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So James, I don't know if you remember or not. But we hosted ITC a couple of weeks ago for a chamber chat at our office. And yeah, I've had a lot of great information about the company. So one thing I think we would be remiss is to talk about what you guys actually do for energy and power and the regions that you serve.

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Well ITC Great Plains builds, owns and operates high voltage transmission. And so when I'm doing like a three-minute elevator speech and trying to make sure somebody understands what we do, I say, We're the long-distance extension cord that allows these renewables and other generation forces to be put into the nation's grid. I mean, oftentimes, the generation source is nowhere near where you might have an interconnection and, and what that does when we build a high voltage line, it's something that the Southwest power pools is deemed to be important for the area. Right here in Ellis County, we have a postrock substation, it's a 345 kilovolt substation, so at high voltages, and that comes in connects spiritual Kansas, to post rock and then postrock, the line goes on up towards Nebraska. So it's almost at 225 mile 345 kilovolt line. And right now I can tell you that when you see either the wind generation going on out out there or, or whether it's gas generation, where you got to have the infrastructure in place to build support all of those. And out in western Kansas, where you see some wind generation popping up in places you did not see that, because there's a high voltage line or an interconnection at that point.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So James, I don't know if you've been paying much attention between Hays and Ellis, but they have been doing some unique work along Highway 40. And they actually have the crew who will be hanging and suspended from the helicopters. And so I've my husband and I have driven that road several times and have seen this random helicopter and I'm like, Oh my gosh, how does one get into that line of work? And Eric shared with us a few weeks ago that it's the short straw. You draw the short straw for that?

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Yeah, well, we are currently one of our capital project is installing fiber. Instead of installing that below ground, we're installing it on our 345 structures. And so a helicopter is up there flying. You've got a guy flying it a guy out there in the basket. And I've gotten a few calls from people that say okay, we just want to know who's making more money, the guy flying the helicopter or the guy outside in the basket. I think the guy in the basket, probably doing a little bit better. I think hope so it's a it's a dangerous job. And safety is our number one concern for all of these. So when the wind gets a little bit high, which happens often out here, you know, 20 miles an hour 2025 is not uncommon. We quit, quit flying that helicopter 25. But anyway, we can go four miles at a stretch with this with this fiber, and then they have to drop it down a pole and do a splice and then they can go on other four miles. And I think that's important to mention because where we have to access our right away, we're very cognizant of the landowners and the crops and different things that are going on when we do have to access that pole. And so whether it's damages that we pay due to the crops or making sure communication with the landowner, are is upfront. So that's important to us.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So, James, we are so excited, because as we've been talking, ag appreciation.

James Bell &nbsp; &nbsp;Yes, Ag Appreciation Day.&nbsp;

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; And one thing that ITC has been just so generous with their time and efforts. And capital is just by supporting our local chamber and a lot of our different events, especially ag appreciation and obviously, with Kim's background, and that kind of speaks to the heart of, you know, the farmers that he was just talking about and how they work together. So, Kim, do you want to talk a little bit about what you guys love the most about ag appreciation.

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; One thing about as I mentioned before, because we have our transmission lines and poles crossing across private property, and landowners are very important to us to be able to make sure that we return that ground back to its original condition after our construction, whether it's gates that we need to install because we do have to access that easement every now and then. But they can continue to operate that ground like it's third, you know, we need I think it's 150 feet right away through there. But if it's through pasture ground or whatever, you know, the cattle continue to graze. And so it's important for us to have that connection with ag producers.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; Well, very good. So James, I know that we've been talking a lot about how this event is not possible without all of our great sponsors but tickets can still be picked up today. Really they can be okay, we got a few hours we do so at the moment starts at five o'clock tonight. So we did do a lot of calling around yesterday with our sponsors just to make sure we can tell people as of yesterday, this is still who has tickets. So Carrico Implement, Equity Bank, Golden Bell Bank, High Plains Farm Credit, KSU Ag and Research Center, Nex-tech and Western Beverage is sharing that they will deliver tickets to the car if you call 625-3712 when you get there, but all of these locations should still have tickets. And we just want to say thank you to our farmers and ranchers obviously they have such a big impact not only economically, but just on the quality of life and Ellis counties. So, um, they'll get a meal tonight, the first 200 families will actually receive goodie bags from our sponsors, and Marlis and I counted yesterday, we are right at I think 100 prizes that are going to be given away the farmers. So we think that it's going to be a great evening, a lot of fun. So again, there's a chance for some rain tonight, which means farmers can take the night off,

James Bell &nbsp; In case you had nothing else to do.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; That's right. And then of course we want to give one more final shout-out to all of our barn racer sponsors for being so instrumental in our planning process. And those businesses include Astra bank Kericho implement commerce bank, equity bank, Golden Bell bank guitarist Christina Mexicana and trio chophouse Hays med High Plains Farm Credit insurance planning and ag pro crop insurance, ITC and x tech. So, again, come join us this evening, have a great night and our team is going to be spending a lot of time out of the office today. So if for any reason you go to the chamber office, looking for tickets, you may or may not find people there and a friendly reminder, we don't have tickets at the office. So those locations we shared would be the places people can go for those tickets.&nbsp;

James Bell &nbsp; Very cool. So yeah, if you're still wanting to get a ticket, make sure to hit one of those businesses today. And I love that Western Beverage is out there hand-delivering them.

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; Some curb service for ya.

James Bell &nbsp; Absolutely. Now, before we move on into kind of the rest of this stuff for today, this event next year is going to change a little bit right?

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; It is, so we are shifting it to January 13 in 2022. We've gotten a lot of great feedback from our farmers and ranchers. September you know, believe it or not, the weather's still nice. They're doing a lot of things like drilling, working cattle planting and getting ready for fall harvest. So we think that January is going to be a lot better and less things going on for them. We hope that at that point in time, they're not quite cabined yet just because that might be a little early, but whether at that point in time will be the only thing that we're hopefully fighting against. So we've heard you, we care about you. We want to make sure that it's convenient for you to come and no you didn't get amnesia when you start hearing us talk about this again in December in January.&nbsp;

James Bell &nbsp; Very cool. Now we got to talk about this you had your quarter three business showcase. I didn't did Oh gosh, what was it last Friday you get some winners on that right?&nbsp;

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We do. So, we did a Facebook Live drawing with our premier sponsor premier Business Management yesterday, and Wendy Armbruster. She's famously known as Dustin's Armbrusters' wife around here. But she went ahead and drew five lucky winners, Kelly Hines, Monica Goetz, Marie Froelich, Natasha Cecil and Savannah Pfeifer. So we wanted to congratulate those folks, and anybody who did participate in the business showcase this last go around, please be sure to keep your eyes peeled on our Facebook page, because we'll be trying to tag and share a lot of the differences in storage rights that are participating businesses had, including the chamber drawing for chamber checks, which will be held tomorrow via Facebook Live.

James Bell &nbsp; Cool, lots of winners, lots of good stuff there. And I'm sure everybody had a great time, just get down in the community and, and you're gonna do another one of these here. Pretty soon I'm assuming quarter force coming up. Or maybe we're in quarter four, I don't know that's that's your world,

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We have two more sponsors are participating businesses that can still go if they want to. So we've got eight of the 10 spots filled. If they want to go ahead and get in the chamber newsletter that will go out on October 4, we are shifting the release date for that newsletter just because Friday, people are going to be busy at Oktoberfest. And we know they're probably not going to be paying a lot of attention to email, but they can get in touch with us at the chamber office to get added to that list. And then that will start October 29. And we'll run that a full three weeks.&nbsp;

James Bell &nbsp; Very good. And I'm sure we'll be talking about that more in upcoming segments, but Sarah before we run out of time. We've got just about a minute left here. You've got some regular events coming on this week. I think the first one, we've talked about this already this Ark Park presentation. How cool is this?

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So excited. It's such a huge project for our community. And it is beautiful. People have been using it so much every evening, but it'll be at 4 p.m. Tomorrow, we did have a previous communication that went out that said 4:30, so please be sure to know that it will start promptly at four. And then we have a ribbon-cutting and joint brick presentation with our friends at DHDC on Thursday, and that'll be at Farmers Insurance Chelsea Proel agency at 4:30. And then of course, it wouldn't be homecoming week unless we weren't on fhsu campus. So we'll be celebrating our chamber chat and a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. at the FHSU Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success. So a lot going on. And just wanted to tell people that we hope you come join us tonight for a great evening. And, again, thank him for everything that you ITC do to support our chamber and our community.

Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Thank you very much. I think it's important to surround yourself with good people and be involved with the chamber here in Hays. It is very important to us.

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber to host Ag Appreciation event Tuesday" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=57qe3-10ef4b8-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger shares information about Tuesday's Ag Appreciation event along with Kim Goodnight, regional manager of Local Government and Community Affairs for ITC Great Plains.<h2>Transcript:</h2>Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We do. He's kind of famous around these parts. It's the one and only Kim Goodnight and he works at ITC. And we were visiting this morning, and he is a man of many titles. So I might just let him kind of cover all of them.Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Originally, I was hired as a regional manager, local government Community Affairs. And because we have such a large footprint, I mean, Kansas and Oklahoma. So it made sense that I took on additional responsibilities. And so I'm also manager of stakeholder relations and manager of customer and business solutions. So yeah, I've I'm used to wearing many hats though, Sarah, because my background was, I was a farmer for 38 years. And the same time I was county commissioner out there in Orange County, and also owned a car lot. So there you go, I mean, juggling Well, many balls,Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; You've had, like five life already right?Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Makes for a very diverse background.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So James, I don't know if you remember or not. But we hosted ITC a couple of weeks ago for a chamber chat at our office. And yeah, I've had a lot of great information about the company. So one thing I think we would be remiss is to talk about what you guys actually do for energy and power and the regions that you serve.Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Well ITC Great Plains builds, owns and operates high voltage transmission. And so when I'm doing like a three-minute elevator speech and trying to make sure somebody understands what we do, I say, We're the long-distance extension cord that allows these renewables and other generation forces to be put into the nation's grid. I mean, oftentimes, the generation source is nowhere near where you might have an interconnection and, and what that does when we build a high voltage line, it's something that the Southwest power pools is deemed to be important for the area. Right here in Ellis County, we have a postrock substation, it's a 345 kilovolt substation, so at high voltages, and that comes in connects spiritual Kansas, to post rock and then postrock, the line goes on up towards Nebraska. So it's almost at 225 mile 345 kilovolt line. And right now I can tell you that when you see either the wind generation going on out out there or, or whether it's gas generation, where you got to have the infrastructure in place to build support all of those. And out in western Kansas, where you see some wind generation popping up in places you did not see that, because there's a high voltage line or an interconnection at that point.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So James, I don't know if you've been paying much attention between Hays and Ellis, but they have been doing some unique work along Highway 40. And they actually have the crew who will be hanging and suspended from the helicopters. And so I've my husband and I have driven that road several times and have seen this random helicopter and I'm like, Oh my gosh, how does one get into that line of work? And Eric shared with us a few weeks ago that it's the short straw. You draw the short straw for that?Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Yeah, well, we are currently one of our capital project is installing fiber. Instead of installing that below ground, we're installing it on our 345 structures. And so a helicopter is up there flying. You've got a guy flying it a guy out there in the basket. And I've gotten a few calls from people that say okay, we just want to know who's making more money, the guy flying the helicopter or the guy outside in the basket. I think the guy in the basket, probably doing a little bit better. I think hope so it's a it's a dangerous job. And safety is our number one concern for all of these. So when the wind gets a little bit high, which happens often out here, you know, 20 miles an hour 2025 is not uncommon. We quit, quit flying that helicopter 25. But anyway, we can go four miles at a stretch with this with this fiber, and then they have to drop it down a pole and do a splice and then they can go on other four miles. And I think that's important to mention because where we have to access our right away, we're very cognizant of the landowners and the crops and different things that are going on when we do have to access that pole. And so whether it's damages that we pay due to the crops or making sure communication with the landowner, are is upfront. So that's important to us.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So, James, we are so excited, because as we've been talking, ag appreciation.James Bell &nbsp; &nbsp;Yes, Ag Appreciation Day.&nbsp;Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; And one thing that ITC has been just so generous with their time and efforts. And capital is just by supporting our local chamber and a lot of our different events, especially ag appreciation and obviously, with Kim's background, and that kind of speaks to the heart of, you know, the farmers that he was just talking about and how they work together. So, Kim, do you want to talk a little bit about what you guys love the most about ag appreciation.Kim Goodnight &nbsp; One thing about as I mentioned before, because we have our transmission lines and poles crossing across private property, and landowners are very important to us to be able to make sure that we return that ground back to its original condition after our construction, whether it's gates that we need to install because we do have to access that easement every now and then. But they can continue to operate that ground like it's third, you know, we need I think it's 150 feet right away through there. But if it's through pasture ground or whatever, you know, the cattle continue to graze. And so it's important for us to have that connection with ag producers.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; Well, very good. So James, I know that we've been talking a lot about how this event is not possible without all of our great sponsors but tickets can still be picked up today. Really they can be okay, we got a few hours we do so at the moment starts at five o'clock tonight. So we did do a lot of calling around yesterday with our sponsors just to make sure we can tell people as of yesterday, this is still who has tickets. So Carrico Implement, Equity Bank, Golden Bell Bank, High Plains Farm Credit, KSU Ag and Research Center, Nex-tech and Western Beverage is sharing that they will deliver tickets to the car if you call 625-3712 when you get there, but all of these locations should still have tickets. And we just want to say thank you to our farmers and ranchers obviously they have such a big impact not only economically, but just on the quality of life and Ellis counties. So, um, they'll get a meal tonight, the first 200 families will actually receive goodie bags from our sponsors, and Marlis and I counted yesterday, we are right at I think 100 prizes that are going to be given away the farmers. So we think that it's going to be a great evening, a lot of fun. So again, there's a chance for some rain tonight, which means farmers can take the night off,James Bell &nbsp; In case you had nothing else to do.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; That's right. And then of course we want to give one more final shout-out to all of our barn racer sponsors for being so instrumental in our planning process. And those businesses include Astra bank Kericho implement commerce bank, equity bank, Golden Bell bank guitarist Christina Mexicana and trio chophouse Hays med High Plains Farm Credit insurance planning and ag pro crop insurance, ITC and x tech. So, again, come join us this evening, have a great night and our team is going to be spending a lot of time out of the office today. So if for any reason you go to the chamber office, looking for tickets, you may or may not find people there and a friendly reminder, we don't have tickets at the office. So those locations we shared would be the places people can go for those tickets.&nbsp;James Bell &nbsp; Very cool. So yeah, if you're still wanting to get a ticket, make sure to hit one of those businesses today. And I love that Western Beverage is out there hand-delivering them.Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; Some curb service for ya.James Bell &nbsp; Absolutely. Now, before we move on into kind of the rest of this stuff for today, this event next year is going to change a little bit right?Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; It is, so we are shifting it to January 13 in 2022. We've gotten a lot of great feedback from our farmers and ranchers. September you know, believe it or not, the weather's still nice. They're doing a lot of things like drilling, working cattle planting and getting ready for fall harvest. So we think that January is going to be a lot better and less things going on for them. We hope that at that point in time, they're not quite cabined yet just because that might be a little early, but whether at that point in time will be the only thing that we're hopefully fighting against. So we've heard you, we care about you. We want to make sure that it's convenient for you to come and no you didn't get amnesia when you start hearing us talk about this again in December in January.&nbsp;James Bell &nbsp; Very cool. Now we got to talk about this you had your quarter three business showcase. I didn't did Oh gosh, what was it last Friday you get some winners on that right?&nbsp;Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We do. So, we did a Facebook Live drawing with our premier sponsor premier Business Management yesterday, and Wendy Armbruster. She's famously known as Dustin's Armbrusters' wife around here. But she went ahead and drew five lucky winners, Kelly Hines, Monica Goetz, Marie Froelich, Natasha Cecil and Savannah Pfeifer. So we wanted to congratulate those folks, and anybody who did participate in the business showcase this last go around, please be sure to keep your eyes peeled on our Facebook page, because we'll be trying to tag and share a lot of the differences in storage rights that are participating businesses had, including the chamber drawing for chamber checks, which will be held tomorrow via Facebook Live.James Bell &nbsp; Cool, lots of winners, lots of good stuff there. And I'm sure everybody had a great time, just get down in the community and, and you're gonna do another one of these here. Pretty soon I'm assuming quarter force coming up. Or maybe we're in quarter four, I don't know that's that's your world,Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; We have two more sponsors are participating businesses that can still go if they want to. So we've got eight of the 10 spots filled. If they want to go ahead and get in the chamber newsletter that will go out on October 4, we are shifting the release date for that newsletter just because Friday, people are going to be busy at Oktoberfest. And we know they're probably not going to be paying a lot of attention to email, but they can get in touch with us at the chamber office to get added to that list. And then that will start October 29. And we'll run that a full three weeks.&nbsp;James Bell &nbsp; Very good. And I'm sure we'll be talking about that more in upcoming segments, but Sarah before we run out of time. We've got just about a minute left here. You've got some regular events coming on this week. I think the first one, we've talked about this already this Ark Park presentation. How cool is this?Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; So excited. It's such a huge project for our community. And it is beautiful. People have been using it so much every evening, but it'll be at 4 p.m. Tomorrow, we did have a previous communication that went out that said 4:30, so please be sure to know that it will start promptly at four. And then we have a ribbon-cutting and joint brick presentation with our friends at DHDC on Thursday, and that'll be at Farmers Insurance Chelsea Proel agency at 4:30. And then of course, it wouldn't be homecoming week unless we weren't on fhsu campus. So we'll be celebrating our chamber chat and a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. at the FHSU Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success. So a lot going on. And just wanted to tell people that we hope you come join us tonight for a great evening. And, again, thank him for everything that you ITC do to support our chamber and our community.Kim Goodnight &nbsp; Thank you very much. I think it's important to surround yourself with good people and be involved with the chamber here in Hays. It is very important to us.

🎙Post Podcast: Hays Chamber to host Ag Appreciation event Tuesday

ELLIS — The Ellis High School homecoming game will be played on Friday, October 8, against the Syracuse Bulldogs. &nbsp;

The parade will be on Friday afternoon starting at 2:30 p.m.&nbsp; The Homecoming Dance will follow the football game.

Homecoming Week Activities Theme:&nbsp; Wreck’em Railers

Monday through Friday:&nbsp; Spirit Days Theme is Disney.

<a></a><a>Monday:&nbsp; Marvel Monday (Hero/America Day)</a>

Tuesday:&nbsp;&nbsp; Monster University (Sports Day)

Wed.:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inside Out Day (Seniors/Blue, Jr/Purple, Sophomore/Pink, Freshmen/Green, Staff/Yellow)

Thurs:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Moana Day (Tropical Cowboy)

Friday:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wreck’it Railers&nbsp; (Orange and Black)

Approximately&nbsp; 7:40 p.m. @ Fairgrounds

Friday, October 8 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.&nbsp;

Class Games:&nbsp; Capture the Flag/Kickball

Parade and Pep Rally Parade Route:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Parade will leave the Old High School, going East on 10th&nbsp;Street to the stop lights.

They will turn North on Washington St., by Equity Bank and Trio.

They will continue North on Washington to the Bukovina Society and turn West on 8thStreet.

They will then go West on 8th&nbsp;Street to Jefferson Street and turn South, by the Ellis Post Office.

They will then head South on Jefferson Street turning East on 9th&nbsp;Street.

Pep Rally:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Memorial Park @ Jefferson and 9th&nbsp;Street

Pep Rally will take place between the Memorial Park &amp; Arthur’s Pizza.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632772675550.png" alt="(L to R): Lakyn Fischer, daughter of DJ and Julie Fischer; Mason Gottschalk, son of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; Madison Gottschalk, daughter of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; Tyson Jimenez, son of Javi and Jessica Jimenez; Michelle Gottschalk, daughter of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; and Easton Burton, son of Corey and Amy Burton." />
 <figcaption>(L to R): Lakyn Fischer, daughter of DJ and Julie Fischer; Mason Gottschalk, son of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; Madison Gottschalk, daughter of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; Tyson Jimenez, son of Javi and Jessica Jimenez; Michelle Gottschalk, daughter of Dean and Julie Gottschalk; and Easton Burton, son of Corey and Amy Burton.</figcaption>
 </figure>Ellis USD 388ELLIS — The Ellis High School homecoming game will be played on Friday, October 8, against the Syracuse Bulldogs. &nbsp;The parade will be on Friday afternoon starting at 2:30 p.m.&nbsp; The Homecoming Dance will follow the football game.Homecoming Week Activities Theme:&nbsp; Wreck’em RailersMonday through Friday:&nbsp; Spirit Days Theme is Disney.<a></a><a>Monday:&nbsp; Marvel Monday (Hero/America Day)</a>Tuesday:&nbsp;&nbsp; Monster University (Sports Day)Wed.:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inside Out Day (Seniors/Blue, Jr/Purple, Sophomore/Pink, Freshmen/Green, Staff/Yellow)Thurs:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Moana Day (Tropical Cowboy)Friday:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wreck’it Railers&nbsp; (Orange and Black)Thursday, October 7BonfireApproximately&nbsp; 7:40 p.m. @ FairgroundsFriday, October 8 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.&nbsp;Class Games:&nbsp; Capture the Flag/Kickball11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Stuco BBQ @ EHS&nbsp; 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.Powder puff&nbsp;@ FB FieldSR v. JRSO v. FRStaff vs. students VBDismiss students @ 1:30 p.m.1:30 – 2:30 p.m.Parade Line-up @ Old HS parking lot2:30 – 3:15 p.m.Parade and Pep Rally Parade Route:&nbsp;&nbsp;Parade will leave the Old High School, going East on 10th&nbsp;Street to the stop lights.They will turn North on Washington St., by Equity Bank and Trio.They will continue North on Washington to the Bukovina Society and turn West on 8thStreet.They will then go West on 8th&nbsp;Street to Jefferson Street and turn South, by the Ellis Post Office.They will then head South on Jefferson Street turning East on 9th&nbsp;Street.Parade will end.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pep Rally:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Memorial Park @ Jefferson and 9th&nbsp;StreetPep Rally will take place between the Memorial Park &amp; Arthur’s Pizza.6:30 p.m.Crowning7:00 – 9:40 p.m.Football Game (Ellis vs. Syracuse)10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.Homecoming Dance

Ellis High announces 2021 Homecoming court

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican senators blocked a bill to keep the government operating and allow federal borrowing, but Democrats aiming to avert a shutdown pledged to try again — at the same time pressing ahead on President Joe Biden’s big plans to reshape government.

The efforts are not necessarily linked, but the fiscal yearend deadline to fund the government past Thursday is bumping up against the Democrats’ desire to make progress on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-financial-markets-nancy-pelosi-3b591443b048d2fbfb7a9f9b6f646f7a">Biden’s expansive $3.5 trillion federal overhaul.</a>

It’s all making for a tumultuous moment for Biden and his party, with consequences certain to shape his presidency and the lawmakers’ own political futures.

Success would mean a landmark accomplishment, if Democrats can helm Biden’s big bill to passage. Failure — or a highly unlikely government shutdown and debt crisis — could derail careers.

“You know me, I’m a born optimist,” Biden told reporters Monday, as he rolled up his sleeve for a COVID-19 booster shot. “We’re gonna get it done.”

Monday’s 50-48 vote against taking up the bill fell well short of the 60 needed to proceed over a GOP filibuster. Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer switched his vote to “no,” a procedural step to allow him to bring the measure back for consideration, which he said would happen this week.

With days to go, Democrats said they will try again before Thursday’s deadline to pass a bill funding government operations past the Sept. 30 fiscal yearend, stripping out the debate over the debt limit for another day, closer to a separate October deadline.

Meanwhile, the real action is unfolding behind the scenes over the $3.5 trillion measure, with Biden and his Democratic allies in Congress seeking a once-in-a-generation reworking of the nation’s balance sheets.

From free pre-kindergarten and child care subsidies for families with small children to dental care and hearing aids for seniors with Medicare, there’s a lot in the president’s proposal — all to be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

With Republicans solidly opposed, Democrats are rushing to trim the total and win holdouts within their own party.

“We just have to make difficult choices,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats during an evening caucus meeting, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private session.

As the overall price tag comes down, Pelosi said the president is “working on that piece,” referring to talks underway with the Senate. Despite the rush to amass votes, Pelosi said the House Democrats would not move ahead on a bill until it is acceptable to their colleagues in the Senate. “We’re not there yet,” she said.

Exiting the caucus meeting, Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the Way &amp; Means Committee, said as momentum builds toward Thursday, he was expecting a new total amount: “Let’s pop the number.”

Building on a separate $1 trillion bipartisan public works package that’s already cleared the Senate and is heading for a House vote, also Thursday, Biden is seeking major spending for health care, education and efforts to tackle climate change. The total price tag, he contends, is actually “zero” — covered by the expected increase in tax revenue.

He is personally calling fellow Democrats in Congress an effort to resolve differences and bring his sweeping domestic policy vision forward.

Ticking off the weighty list of goals along with meeting the other deadlines, Biden said, “If we do that, the country’s going to be in great shape.”

Biden, Pelosi and Schumer conferred in the afternoon on the path forward and will “continue their close coordination over the coming days,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

But Republicans say it’s real spending that can’t be afforded, and a reflection of the Democrats’ drive to insert government into people’s lives.

And so far, the bill is also too big for key Democrats whose votes are needed in the face of the GOP opposition. Two Democratic holdouts, Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, have said they won’t support a bill of that size. Manchin has previously proposed spending of $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion.

Progressive lawmakers said they’ve already compromised enough with more centrist Democrats, but in one potential development, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, confirmed she and Sinema have been in talks.

With all Republicans opposed, Democratic leaders can’t spare a single vote in the 50-50 Senate, relying on Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie to pass the eventual package.

All this comes as other deadlines swirl this week to pay for government operations and allow more borrowing or risk a devastating federal shutdown or debt default — though those dire scenarios appear unlikely.

The bill Senate Republicans rejected Monday night would have funded government operations temporarily, to early December, while also providing emergency funds for Hurricane Ida and other disaster relief and for Afghan refugees.

Republican leader Mitch McConnell rejected that approach because Democrats also included a provision to suspend the debt limit, which would allow continued borrowing to pay off the nation’s bills.

Once a routine matter, raising the debt limit is now a political weapon of choice wielded by Republicans to attack Democrats — even though both parties have been responsible for piling on debt.

“The Democrats will do the responsible thing — the right thing, the thing that has been done for decades by both parties — and vote yes,” said Schumer ahead of the vote.

He called the Republican opposition “unhinged.”

McConnell has said he wants to fund the government and prevent a devastating debt default, but wants to force Democrats to split the package in two and take the politically uncomfortable debt ceiling vote on their own.

“Republicans are not rooting for a shutdown or a debt limit breach,” he said.

The House began debating the public works bill late Monday, and while it won bipartisan support in the Senate, House Republican leaders are wary of supporting it. Donald Trump, the former president who tried and failed to secure an infrastructure deal when he was in the White House, is rallying opposition to it.

As Pelosi huddled privately Monday with House Democrats, it was clear she is pressing ahead to move as swiftly as possible on Biden’s broader package.

Biden’s proposal is to be paid for by increasing the corporate tax rate, from 21% to 26.5% on businesses earning more than $5 million a year, and raising the top rate on individuals from 37% to 39.6% for those earning more than $400,000 a year, or $450,000 for couples.

While Democrats are largely in agreement on Biden’s vision — many ran their campaigns on the longstanding party priorities — stubborn disputes remain, including how to push toward cleaner energy or to lower prescription drug costs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632787812475.png" alt="During comments in the Senate last week, Senator Jerry Moran said, "Now is the time for fiscal constraint, not a reckless tax-and-spend spree that will lead to more inflation and higher prices for American families."" />
 <figcaption>During comments in the Senate last week, Senator Jerry Moran said, "Now is the time for fiscal constraint, not a reckless tax-and-spend spree that will lead to more inflation and higher prices for American families."</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican senators blocked a bill to keep the government operating and allow federal borrowing, but Democrats aiming to avert a shutdown pledged to try again — at the same time pressing ahead on President Joe Biden’s big plans to reshape government.The efforts are not necessarily linked, but the fiscal yearend deadline to fund the government past Thursday is bumping up against the Democrats’ desire to make progress on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-financial-markets-nancy-pelosi-3b591443b048d2fbfb7a9f9b6f646f7a">Biden’s expansive $3.5 trillion federal overhaul.</a>It’s all making for a tumultuous moment for Biden and his party, with consequences certain to shape his presidency and the lawmakers’ own political futures.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">As Americans face higher prices at the gas station &amp; grocery store, I will not support the Democrats’ efforts to suspend the debt limit to facilitate their out-of-control spending that is jeopardizing our economy &amp; hurting American families.&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1442618868124594176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Success would mean a landmark accomplishment, if Democrats can helm Biden’s big bill to passage. Failure — or a highly unlikely government shutdown and debt crisis — could derail careers.“You know me, I’m a born optimist,” Biden told reporters Monday, as he rolled up his sleeve for a COVID-19 booster shot. “We’re gonna get it done.”Monday’s 50-48 vote against taking up the bill fell well short of the 60 needed to proceed over a GOP filibuster. Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer switched his vote to “no,” a procedural step to allow him to bring the measure back for consideration, which he said would happen this week.With days to go, Democrats said they will try again before Thursday’s deadline to pass a bill funding government operations past the Sept. 30 fiscal yearend, stripping out the debate over the debt limit for another day, closer to a separate October deadline.Meanwhile, the real action is unfolding behind the scenes over the $3.5 trillion measure, with Biden and his Democratic allies in Congress seeking a once-in-a-generation reworking of the nation’s balance sheets.From free pre-kindergarten and child care subsidies for families with small children to dental care and hearing aids for seniors with Medicare, there’s a lot in the president’s proposal — all to be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy.With Republicans solidly opposed, Democrats are rushing to trim the total and win holdouts within their own party.“We just have to make difficult choices,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats during an evening caucus meeting, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private session.As the overall price tag comes down, Pelosi said the president is “working on that piece,” referring to talks underway with the Senate. Despite the rush to amass votes, Pelosi said the House Democrats would not move ahead on a bill until it is acceptable to their colleagues in the Senate. “We’re not there yet,” she said.Exiting the caucus meeting, Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the Way &amp; Means Committee, said as momentum builds toward Thursday, he was expecting a new total amount: “Let’s pop the number.”Building on a separate $1 trillion bipartisan public works package that’s already cleared the Senate and is heading for a House vote, also Thursday, Biden is seeking major spending for health care, education and efforts to tackle climate change. The total price tag, he contends, is actually “zero” — covered by the expected increase in tax revenue.He is personally calling fellow Democrats in Congress an effort to resolve differences and bring his sweeping domestic policy vision forward.Ticking off the weighty list of goals along with meeting the other deadlines, Biden said, “If we do that, the country’s going to be in great shape.”Biden, Pelosi and Schumer conferred in the afternoon on the path forward and will “continue their close coordination over the coming days,” the White House said in a readout of the call.But Republicans say it’s real spending that can’t be afforded, and a reflection of the Democrats’ drive to insert government into people’s lives.And so far, the bill is also too big for key Democrats whose votes are needed in the face of the GOP opposition. Two Democratic holdouts, Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, have said they won’t support a bill of that size. Manchin has previously proposed spending of $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion.Progressive lawmakers said they’ve already compromised enough with more centrist Democrats, but in one potential development, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, confirmed she and Sinema have been in talks.With all Republicans opposed, Democratic leaders can’t spare a single vote in the 50-50 Senate, relying on Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie to pass the eventual package.All this comes as other deadlines swirl this week to pay for government operations and allow more borrowing or risk a devastating federal shutdown or debt default — though those dire scenarios appear unlikely.The bill Senate Republicans rejected Monday night would have funded government operations temporarily, to early December, while also providing emergency funds for Hurricane Ida and other disaster relief and for Afghan refugees.Republican leader Mitch McConnell rejected that approach because Democrats also included a provision to suspend the debt limit, which would allow continued borrowing to pay off the nation’s bills.Once a routine matter, raising the debt limit is now a political weapon of choice wielded by Republicans to attack Democrats — even though both parties have been responsible for piling on debt.“The Democrats will do the responsible thing — the right thing, the thing that has been done for decades by both parties — and vote yes,” said Schumer ahead of the vote.He called the Republican opposition “unhinged.”McConnell has said he wants to fund the government and prevent a devastating debt default, but wants to force Democrats to split the package in two and take the politically uncomfortable debt ceiling vote on their own.“Republicans are not rooting for a shutdown or a debt limit breach,” he said.The House began debating the public works bill late Monday, and while it won bipartisan support in the Senate, House Republican leaders are wary of supporting it. Donald Trump, the former president who tried and failed to secure an infrastructure deal when he was in the White House, is rallying opposition to it.As Pelosi huddled privately Monday with House Democrats, it was clear she is pressing ahead to move as swiftly as possible on Biden’s broader package.Biden’s proposal is to be paid for by increasing the corporate tax rate, from 21% to 26.5% on businesses earning more than $5 million a year, and raising the top rate on individuals from 37% to 39.6% for those earning more than $400,000 a year, or $450,000 for couples.While Democrats are largely in agreement on Biden’s vision — many ran their campaigns on the longstanding party priorities — stubborn disputes remain, including how to push toward cleaner energy or to lower prescription drug costs.___

GOP blocks bill to keep government going in fight over spending

Mary V. Craig, 97, of Russell, Kansas, and died on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at the Main Street Manor in Russell, Kansas.

Mary was born on July 5, 1924, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, the daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Kraft) Long.&nbsp; She grew up in Ransom, Kansas, and graduated from Ransom High School in 1942.&nbsp; After high school she received education degrees from Kansas State University and Ft. Hays State University where she received her master’s degree.&nbsp; She was an elementary school teacher in many locations for 45 years and worked as a teacher for USD #407 in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; She was united in marriage to Robert L. Craig until his passing in 1995 and was also married to David Goodyear until his passing in 2011.&nbsp; She also lived in Ransom, Kansas, Smith Center, Kansas, Manhattan, Kansas, Claflin, Kansas, Wichita, Kansas Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Plainville, Kansas.&nbsp; She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and numerous other clubs and organizations.

Surviving family include her son Mike Craig of Russell, Kansas; grandson Matt Craig and wife Alicia of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren Piper, Ellie, and Oliver Craig and her sister Lillian Skinner.&nbsp;

A memorial service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, October 01, 2021 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; Cremation has been selected by the family.&nbsp; 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 221 N. Maple St. in Russell, Kansas 67665.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is helping with the funeral service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632778725970.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mary V. Craig, 97, of Russell, Kansas, and died on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at the Main Street Manor in Russell, Kansas.Mary was born on July 5, 1924, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, the daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Kraft) Long.&nbsp; She grew up in Ransom, Kansas, and graduated from Ransom High School in 1942.&nbsp; After high school she received education degrees from Kansas State University and Ft. Hays State University where she received her master’s degree.&nbsp; She was an elementary school teacher in many locations for 45 years and worked as a teacher for USD #407 in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; She was united in marriage to Robert L. Craig until his passing in 1995 and was also married to David Goodyear until his passing in 2011.&nbsp; She also lived in Ransom, Kansas, Smith Center, Kansas, Manhattan, Kansas, Claflin, Kansas, Wichita, Kansas Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Plainville, Kansas.&nbsp; She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and numerous other clubs and organizations.Surviving family include her son Mike Craig of Russell, Kansas; grandson Matt Craig and wife Alicia of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren Piper, Ellie, and Oliver Craig and her sister Lillian Skinner.&nbsp;A memorial service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, October 01, 2021 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; Cremation has been selected by the family.&nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 221 N. Maple St. in Russell, Kansas 67665.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is helping with the funeral service arrangements.

Mary V. Craig

Cleo Kay Nosekabel, 87, Gorham, formerly of Plains, died Saturday, September 25, 2021, at his home.

He was born June 10, 1934, in Malvern, 
Iowa, the son of Walter Francis and Alice Elizabeth (Duvall) Nosekabel.&nbsp;
 He was a 1953 graduate of Randolph High School.&nbsp; In March 1954, he was 
drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country until 1957.&nbsp; For 30 
years, Cleo worked as a USDA meat grader, retiring in 1999. He was 
united in marriage to Janet L. “Jan” Miller on April 28, 2001, in Plains,
 and on May 7, 2021, Cleo and Jan renewed their wedding vows in a 
private ceremony in the Catholic Church.&nbsp; Cleo was a member of the 
Liberal Bass Masters, Kansas Trap Shooters, NRA, and the Liberal Bowling
 League.&nbsp; He played slow pitch baseball, loved the outdoors, and enjoyed
 fishing, rifle and bow hunting, trap shooting, bird watching, and 
camping.&nbsp; Cleo was friendly, always willing to help others, wise, had a 
hearty laugh, and loved spending time with his children and 
grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Jan of 
Gorham, one son: Michael Nosekabel and wife Carla of Plains, two 
daughters: Pam Louderback and husband Max of Liberal and Linda Lynn of 
Plains, two stepsons: &nbsp;Matt Steen and wife Karen of Dillon, CO and Ryan 
Steen and wife Audra of Shawnee, one brother: Glen Nosekabel of Kismet, 
one sister: Peggy Greenwood of Kismet, seven grandchildren, 24 great 
grandchildren, and five step grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother: Gene Nosekabel.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 pm on
 Friday, October 1, 2021, at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; Burial 
with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the 
Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 6:00 pm 
until 8:00 on Thursday and from 11:00 am until service time on Friday, 
all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; 

Memorials are suggested to 
Hospice of HaysMed.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Cleo may be shared with
 the family at www.haysmemorial.com&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632694804424.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cleo Kay Nosekabel, 87, Gorham, formerly of Plains, died Saturday, September 25, 2021, at his home.He was born June 10, 1934, in Malvern, 
Iowa, the son of Walter Francis and Alice Elizabeth (Duvall) Nosekabel.&nbsp;
 He was a 1953 graduate of Randolph High School.&nbsp; In March 1954, he was 
drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country until 1957.&nbsp; For 30 
years, Cleo worked as a USDA meat grader, retiring in 1999. He was 
united in marriage to Janet L. “Jan” Miller on April 28, 2001, in Plains,
 and on May 7, 2021, Cleo and Jan renewed their wedding vows in a 
private ceremony in the Catholic Church.&nbsp; Cleo was a member of the 
Liberal Bass Masters, Kansas Trap Shooters, NRA, and the Liberal Bowling
 League.&nbsp; He played slow pitch baseball, loved the outdoors, and enjoyed
 fishing, rifle and bow hunting, trap shooting, bird watching, and 
camping.&nbsp; Cleo was friendly, always willing to help others, wise, had a 
hearty laugh, and loved spending time with his children and 
grandchildren.Survivors include his wife Jan of 
Gorham, one son: Michael Nosekabel and wife Carla of Plains, two 
daughters: Pam Louderback and husband Max of Liberal and Linda Lynn of 
Plains, two stepsons: &nbsp;Matt Steen and wife Karen of Dillon, CO and Ryan 
Steen and wife Audra of Shawnee, one brother: Glen Nosekabel of Kismet, 
one sister: Peggy Greenwood of Kismet, seven grandchildren, 24 great 
grandchildren, and five step grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother: Gene Nosekabel.Funeral services will be at 12:00 pm on
 Friday, October 1, 2021, at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; Burial 
with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the 
Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 6:00 pm 
until 8:00 on Thursday and from 11:00 am until service time on Friday, 
all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to 
Hospice of HaysMed.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Cleo may be shared with
 the family at www.haysmemorial.com&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cleo Kay Nosekabel

HUMAN-CENTERED INNOVATION &amp; DESIGN:
INNOVATING FOR PEOPLE &amp; THE ENVIRONMENT


8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in McCartney 204 ... 1 Semester Credit Hour
Saturday, 9 October 2021 and Saturday, 16 October 2021


Instructor:
Dr. Rick Edgeman, rledgeman@fhsu.edu


Human-centered design is a creative approach to problem-solving that begins with people for whom the
design is intended and ends with new solutions that are purpose-built to meet their needs. Such solutions
rely on new ideas, products, services, institutions and relationships that offer fresh approaches to
overcoming critical societal and environmental challenges. Human-centered requires empathy for those
being designed for, creation of prototypes, sharing solutions with the target market and affected parties, and
solution implementation.


Design-thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that balances consideration of people’s needs,
technological possibilities, ecological sensitivity, and business-oriented measures of success.


Human-centered design solutions should be feasible, viable, and desirable and should benefit society,
including members of disadvantaged and marginalized communities, while being specifically attentive to
target market needs and desires. Such solutions may assume many forms that include creation of policies,
processes, products, services, relationships and enterprises that benefit society, including members of
disadvantaged and marginalized communities. An implicit component of social benefit is that such
creations should be environmentally neutral or restorative.


Innovating for people and the environment pursues the pathway from discovery, to understanding, to design
/ creation. Although this path can be pursued independent of environmental considerations, such
considerations may be integrated into problem/opportunity-framing and design criteria.


• Discovery examines methods for observing, characterizing, and enhancing human experiences such as
voice-of-the-customer collection and interpretation methods such as the Kano Customer Needs Model,
Garvin’s Product Quality Dimensions, Service Quality Dimensions, and varied ethnographic,
participatory, and evaluative research approaches.


• Understanding examines methods for analyzing challenges and opportunities. Explored are
brainstorming and methods for examining people and systems such as stakeholder mapping, person
profiling, experience diagramming, concept; methods of pattern identification and prioritization such as
affinity diagramming, cause-and-effect diagramming, interrelationship digraphs, pareto diagramming,
multi-voting, and the nominal group technique; and problem-framing methods.


• Design and Creation examine varied ideation and design methods such as brainstorming, concept
generation and selection, and quality function deployment.


Sample Text: Innovating for People – Handbook of Human-Centered Design Methods. Luma Institute,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 2012. Alternatively: Course presentation materials will provide the
essential course content.


Format: While course content is valuable in a stand-alone format, it is more powerful when used
to prepare for Kansas Startup, held in November. 16 contact hours divided as eight hours each on consecutive Saturdays (9 October 2021 and 16 October 2021). Project-oriented deliverables are required
within four weeks of completion for those registered for credit. Course content is presented in a hands-on
workshop with participants (generally) working in project teams. Participation is not limited to students.


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632751395836.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUMAN-CENTERED INNOVATION &amp; DESIGN:
INNOVATING FOR PEOPLE &amp; THE ENVIRONMENT
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in McCartney 204 ... 1 Semester Credit Hour
Saturday, 9 October 2021 and Saturday, 16 October 2021
Instructor:
Dr. Rick Edgeman, rledgeman@fhsu.edu
Human-centered design is a creative approach to problem-solving that begins with people for whom the
design is intended and ends with new solutions that are purpose-built to meet their needs. Such solutions
rely on new ideas, products, services, institutions and relationships that offer fresh approaches to
overcoming critical societal and environmental challenges. Human-centered requires empathy for those
being designed for, creation of prototypes, sharing solutions with the target market and affected parties, and
solution implementation.
Design-thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that balances consideration of people’s needs,
technological possibilities, ecological sensitivity, and business-oriented measures of success.
Human-centered design solutions should be feasible, viable, and desirable and should benefit society,
including members of disadvantaged and marginalized communities, while being specifically attentive to
target market needs and desires. Such solutions may assume many forms that include creation of policies,
processes, products, services, relationships and enterprises that benefit society, including members of
disadvantaged and marginalized communities. An implicit component of social benefit is that such
creations should be environmentally neutral or restorative.
Innovating for people and the environment pursues the pathway from discovery, to understanding, to design
/ creation. Although this path can be pursued independent of environmental considerations, such
considerations may be integrated into problem/opportunity-framing and design criteria.
• Discovery examines methods for observing, characterizing, and enhancing human experiences such as
voice-of-the-customer collection and interpretation methods such as the Kano Customer Needs Model,
Garvin’s Product Quality Dimensions, Service Quality Dimensions, and varied ethnographic,
participatory, and evaluative research approaches.
• Understanding examines methods for analyzing challenges and opportunities. Explored are
brainstorming and methods for examining people and systems such as stakeholder mapping, person
profiling, experience diagramming, concept; methods of pattern identification and prioritization such as
affinity diagramming, cause-and-effect diagramming, interrelationship digraphs, pareto diagramming,
multi-voting, and the nominal group technique; and problem-framing methods.
• Design and Creation examine varied ideation and design methods such as brainstorming, concept
generation and selection, and quality function deployment.
Sample Text: Innovating for People – Handbook of Human-Centered Design Methods. Luma Institute,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. 2012. Alternatively: Course presentation materials will provide the
essential course content.
Format: While course content is valuable in a stand-alone format, it is more powerful when used
to prepare for Kansas Startup, held in November. 16 contact hours divided as eight hours each on consecutive Saturdays (9 October 2021 and 16 October 2021). Project-oriented deliverables are required
within four weeks of completion for those registered for credit. Course content is presented in a hands-on
workshop with participants (generally) working in project teams. Participation is not limited to students.

Free business workshop at FHSU open to the public

Billie Lou (Harris) Smiley was born in Norton, Kansas on May 23, 1922, 
to parents, Charles and Nola Harris, and was the youngest of 5 siblings.


<figure>
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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Billie Lou (Harris) Smiley was born in Norton, Kansas on May 23, 1922, 
to parents, Charles and Nola Harris, and was the youngest of 5 siblings.
 She moved to California after graduating high school to work at 
Consolidated Vultee in acquisitions to build airplanes in WWII. After a
 car wreck in California, she moved to Kansas City and then St. Louis, 
where she met married Larry Finnell and moved to Florida to raise her 
son, Robert J. Finnell, and worked at Land Rover selling automobiles. 
She went on to become Vice President of Montessori Schools and was 
instrumental in establishing many schools along the Eastern part of the 
United States. She and Larry divorced. She then had an old flame from 
the early days of kindergarten in Norton come a’calling, Ward B. Smiley.
 They were quickly married and spent the next 22 years enjoying life; 
traveling and golfing, that ended in 1995 when Ward passed. She 
followed her son, Bob, to Scottsdale where she lived another full life 
with great neighbors and family, always the life of the party and loved 
by all. Her final two years were spent in Littleton, Colorado, near 
family. She was looking forward to having a large party and dancing at 
her 100th birthday.
 Loved ones that preceded her in death are her husband, Ward Smiley; 
son, Bob Finnell; parents, Charles and Nola Harris; brother, Walter 
Harris; sisters, Eve Campbell, Dorothy Garrett Smiley, and Georgia 
Spaulding; stepson, Robert Smiley; niece Georgia Garrett; and great 
grandson, Noah Montano. Loved ones that will miss Billie are stepson 
and wife, Scott and Trish Smiley; stepdaughter-in-law, Barb Smiley; 
daughter-in-law, Monica Finnell; valued friend, Judy Rosenthal; 
grandchildren include Heather Montano and spouse Ron; Morgan Paxson and 
spouse TD; Ryan Smiley; Shaun Smiley; Kathleen Linenberger and spouse 
Tony; great grandchildren include Whitney Paxson, Regan Montano, Skylar 
Paxson, McKenzie Linenberger, Avrie Paxson, Stella Paxson, Quinn Paxson,
 Macie Linenberger, Stratton Smiley; great niece, Kim Graber; great 
nephew, Kevin Graber and family; great niece, Hope Keesal and spouse 
Steve. 
 At the age of 99, Billie passed away at Littleton Adventist 
Hospital. A graveside service will be held at Norton Cemetery on 
Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 2 pm, where she will be laid to rest near 
Ward Smiley. In lieu of flowers and to honor Billie’s love of books, 
please send donations to Norton Public Library writing in Memory of 
Billie Smiley in the memo line of the check, at 1 Washington Square, 
Norton, Kansas 67654.