By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays school board will hear a report on the construction of Hays High School at its meeting tonight.

The high school is set to open to students this week.

The board will also consider the removal of a requirement for students to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA.

The board also has scheduled an executive session to discuss&nbsp;personnel matters for non-elected personnel.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays school board will hear a report on the construction of Hays High School at its meeting tonight.The high school is set to open to students this week.The board will also consider the removal of a requirement for students to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA.The board also has scheduled an executive session to discuss&nbsp;personnel matters for non-elected personnel.

Hays USD 489 BOE to discuss new high school, graduation requirement

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is now rolling out a service where its Prime members can order their blueberries and milk at the same time as basic items like batteries and T-shirts and get them within hours.

The online juggernaut said that customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns including Raleigh, North Carolina; Milwaukee; and Columbus, Ohio, now have access to fresh groceries with its free same-day delivery service on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 cities and towns by year-end.

Amazon called the move “one of the most significant grocery expansions” for the online retailer as it introduces thousands of perishable items into its existing logistics network. The expansion is expected to put pressure on grocery delivery services offered by such rivals as Walmart, Kroger and Target, which all saw their shares take a hit in trading Wednesday.

Amazon said that if an order doesn’t meet the minimum, members can still choose same-day delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order size.

In the past, Prime subscribers’ grocery orders were fulfilled through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market.

Prime members pay $14.99 monthly or $139 annually.

Amazon launched its Prime membership in 2005, and it has become the gold standard for subscription services with a slew of perks including unlimited streaming with Prime Video and discounts at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh. Walmart, which launched its membership program called Walmart + in 2020, has been racing to add more benefits. It costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year. Depending on members' location and availability, Walmart members can schedule same-day delivery for their groceries, including perishables.

“We’re continuously innovating to make grocery shopping simpler, faster, and more affordable for our customers, especially Prime members,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, in a statement. “By introducing fresh groceries into our Same-Day Delivery service, we’re creating a quick and easy experience for customers. ”

Herrington noted that customers can order milk alongside electronics; oranges, apples, and potatoes with a mystery novel; and frozen pizza at the same time as tools for their next home improvement project—and check out with one cart and have everything delivered to their doorstep within hours.

The company first tested the service in Phoenix, last year, and then added Orlando, Florida and Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year.

Amazon noted that many of its customers were first-time Amazon grocery shoppers who now return to shop twice as often with the same-day deliver service compared to those who didn't purchase food. It also noted that based on early sales, strawberries now regularly knock AirPods out of the top five best sellers of all products sold, while bananas, Honeycrisp apples, limes, and avocados round out the top ten best-selling perishable grocery items in their same-day delivery carts.

“It's a nice step forward,” said Jason Goldberg, chief commerce strategy officer at Publicis Groupe, a global marketing and communications company. “It definitely makes them more competitive" in perishables.

Goldberg noted that Amazon has struggled to succeed in fresh food and that shoppers have been confused ordering shelf stable items and perishables, and having them appear in different online shopping carts, including Amazon Fresh. He said this move will greatly improve the experience.

Amazon said it generated over $100 billion in gross sales of groceries and household essentials last year not including sales from Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh.

In June, Amazon said it was investing more than $4 billion to triple the size of its delivery network by 2026, with a focus on small towns and rural communities across the country.

It also noted that it's using artificial intelligence to help it predict local customer preferences so it can stock popular items alongside items targeted for specific communities

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734613644311.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is now rolling out a service where its Prime members can order their blueberries and milk at the same time as basic items like batteries and T-shirts and get them within hours.The online juggernaut said that customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns including Raleigh, North Carolina; Milwaukee; and Columbus, Ohio, now have access to fresh groceries with its free same-day delivery service on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 cities and towns by year-end.Amazon called the move “one of the most significant grocery expansions” for the online retailer as it introduces thousands of perishable items into its existing logistics network. The expansion is expected to put pressure on grocery delivery services offered by such rivals as Walmart, Kroger and Target, which all saw their shares take a hit in trading Wednesday.Amazon's shares rose 1%.Amazon said that if an order doesn’t meet the minimum, members can still choose same-day delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order size.In the past, Prime subscribers’ grocery orders were fulfilled through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market.Prime members pay $14.99 monthly or $139 annually.Amazon launched its Prime membership in 2005, and it has become the gold standard for subscription services with a slew of perks including unlimited streaming with Prime Video and discounts at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh. Walmart, which launched its membership program called Walmart + in 2020, has been racing to add more benefits. It costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year. Depending on members' location and availability, Walmart members can schedule same-day delivery for their groceries, including perishables.“We’re continuously innovating to make grocery shopping simpler, faster, and more affordable for our customers, especially Prime members,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, in a statement. “By introducing fresh groceries into our Same-Day Delivery service, we’re creating a quick and easy experience for customers. ”Herrington noted that customers can order milk alongside electronics; oranges, apples, and potatoes with a mystery novel; and frozen pizza at the same time as tools for their next home improvement project—and check out with one cart and have everything delivered to their doorstep within hours.The company first tested the service in Phoenix, last year, and then added Orlando, Florida and Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year.Amazon noted that many of its customers were first-time Amazon grocery shoppers who now return to shop twice as often with the same-day deliver service compared to those who didn't purchase food. It also noted that based on early sales, strawberries now regularly knock AirPods out of the top five best sellers of all products sold, while bananas, Honeycrisp apples, limes, and avocados round out the top ten best-selling perishable grocery items in their same-day delivery carts.“It's a nice step forward,” said Jason Goldberg, chief commerce strategy officer at Publicis Groupe, a global marketing and communications company. “It definitely makes them more competitive" in perishables.Goldberg noted that Amazon has struggled to succeed in fresh food and that shoppers have been confused ordering shelf stable items and perishables, and having them appear in different online shopping carts, including Amazon Fresh. He said this move will greatly improve the experience.Amazon said it generated over $100 billion in gross sales of groceries and household essentials last year not including sales from Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh.In June, Amazon said it was investing more than $4 billion to triple the size of its delivery network by 2026, with a focus on small towns and rural communities across the country.It also noted that it's using artificial intelligence to help it predict local customer preferences so it can stock popular items alongside items targeted for specific communities

Amazon expands its delivery service, putting pressure on traditional grocers

Fort Hays State University has a new athletics director. On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Tony Guerrero talks with Dr. Lisa Goddard-McGuirk and Kim Cebula, FHSU alumni director

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7cf75b58-9c17-41e8-a9c5-271234312ef2">SEE RELATED STORY: Defend the Fort Podcast: Dr. Lisa Goddard McGuirk</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650389030295.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: FHSU welcomes new athletics director" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=2ustj-19322db-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Fort Hays State University has a new athletics director. On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Tony Guerrero talks with Dr. Lisa Goddard-McGuirk and Kim Cebula, FHSU alumni director<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7cf75b58-9c17-41e8-a9c5-271234312ef2">SEE RELATED STORY: Defend the Fort Podcast: Dr. Lisa Goddard McGuirk</a>

🎙 Post Podcast: FHSU welcomes new athletics director

By&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas is making history today, honoring the voices, vision, and impact of women in sports media with the first-ever observance of Women in Sports Broadcasting Day.&nbsp;

The day was proclaimed by Gov. Laura Kelly at the urging of KSN-TV sports anchor and reporter Asia Cymone Smith, whose advocacy turned a personal mission into a statewide recognition. For Smith, the proclamation is more than a ceremonial gesture, it’s a statement of value in an industry where women still make up just 38% of sports broadcasting roles in Kansas, according to a review of recent staff directories from stations in Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City.&nbsp;

“It’s something that felt surreal, something that I’d been thinking about for a long time,” Smith said. “I wanted to make sure that women, us hard-working women who are also putting in work here, are recognized. This is a testament to the recognition and the work we’ve put in. And it highlights contributions of the former women in sports broadcasting and the ones to come.”&nbsp;

Smith, who also serves as Miss Kansas USA, has made women in sports broadcasting a central part of her public platform. She operates a mentorship initiative called Girls Talk Game, aimed at uplifting young girls who aspire to careers in the field through school visits, group sessions and one-on-one coaching. “I want to be the help that I always wish I had when I first got started,” she said. “I want to be that person that teaches them the ropes so they don’t have to struggle and so they have the same opportunities to learn and get the knowledge they need to succeed.”&nbsp;

That desire was shaped by her own experiences. Early in her career, she was once told, “We’re not here to hold your hand or teach you the ropes.”

It was a moment that stayed with her, and one she vowed not to repeat with the next generation.

“For every little girl who really is watching the TV news and sees us, I want them to know that it’s possible, no matter what other people tell you, when they tell you, you don’t belong in the industry,” Smith said. “Those are comments we get all the time. And I want them to know those people can’t define your success.”&nbsp;

From left, Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director; and Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist, pose in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas.

The proclamation also honors the women who have inspired others on the national stage. It names Kansas-connected journalists such as Becky Dixon, the first woman to co-host ABC’s Wide World of Sports; Aminia Smith, a former sports journalist in Lawrence now hosting ESPN’s SportsCenter; and Kendra Douglas, a former Wichita sports anchor now working as an NBA sideline reporter. Smith said seeing them succeed at such high levels serves as proof of what’s possible. “They’re inspirations to us who are sitting here today,” she said.&nbsp;

Joining Smith in celebrating the day are KAKE-TV sports director Micaela Dea and KWCH-TV multimedia journalist Rachel Hallam. Though they work at competing stations, the three regularly cross paths on the sidelines, at press conferences and in locker rooms, and have forged a bond over shared experiences.

“We see each other all the time,” Dea said. “I knew from the onset of joining this career I wanted to be one of those women that helped other women. If I could have my small part in making that easier for the next woman, that’s amazing. And of course, I want to pay tribute to all the other women before us that have literally trailblazed the way.”&nbsp;

Dea, who became KAKE’s first female sports director last year, said she is encouraged by how far the industry has come. “I can’t imagine where it will be in the next twenty years or the next couple of decades,” she said. “But I definitely am proud to be one of those women in sports that loves to empower other women.”&nbsp;

Hallam said the observance is a meaningful acknowledgment of both the progress made and the challenges that remain. “It means everything,” Hallam said. “It’s hard to be in this industry in the first place, and then how hard it is to be a woman in this industry. Just for everybody to finally recognize that, not just ourselves and not just the other women that are in this industry, but to know that it is still a growing industry and we still have opportunities laid out in front of us.”&nbsp;

Smith said she hopes today’s recognition sparks more opportunities for women in leadership roles, production and high-profile analyst positions in men’s sports. “There’s a lot of leadership positions I think can still be filled,” she said. “Women have completely trailblazed and transformed the sideline reporter role. But why not have those same broadcasters be analysts for the NBA and for the NFL? Our perspective is important and should be shown, too.” She pointed to growing momentum in women’s sports coverage, from WNBA expansion to record-breaking college softball and volleyball crowds, as proof that the appetite is there for more women’s voices. “I think it’s continuing to grow, and that’s great to see,” she said.&nbsp;

From left, Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist; Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Sean Boston, Eagle Media sports director; and Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director, are pictured in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas.

While Women in Sports Broadcasting Day is new, those celebrating it hope it becomes an annual touchpoint for progress. “I hope every girl watching sees this and thinks, ‘That can be me,’” Smith said. “Because it absolutely can.”&nbsp;

The proclamation urges Kansans to join in recognizing the achievements of women in sports media and to support ongoing efforts toward equality in the profession. For Smith, Dea and Hallam, that means continuing to show up for each other, and for the young women they hope will follow in their footsteps.&nbsp;

“We’re supposed to be competitors,” Hallam said, “but we’re constantly having each other’s backs. That’s what makes this day so important, it’s a reminder that we’re here, we can do our job, and we’re not going anywhere.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755029604394.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Asia Cymone Smith" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Asia Cymone Smith</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas is making history today, honoring the voices, vision, and impact of women in sports media with the first-ever observance of Women in Sports Broadcasting Day.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755029796536.jpeg" alt="From left, Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director; and Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist, pose in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas." />
 <figcaption>From left, Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director; and Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist, pose in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>The day was proclaimed by Gov. Laura Kelly at the urging of KSN-TV sports anchor and reporter Asia Cymone Smith, whose advocacy turned a personal mission into a statewide recognition. For Smith, the proclamation is more than a ceremonial gesture, it’s a statement of value in an industry where women still make up just 38% of sports broadcasting roles in Kansas, according to a review of recent staff directories from stations in Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City.&nbsp;“It’s something that felt surreal, something that I’d been thinking about for a long time,” Smith said. “I wanted to make sure that women, us hard-working women who are also putting in work here, are recognized. This is a testament to the recognition and the work we’ve put in. And it highlights contributions of the former women in sports broadcasting and the ones to come.”&nbsp;Smith, who also serves as Miss Kansas USA, has made women in sports broadcasting a central part of her public platform. She operates a mentorship initiative called Girls Talk Game, aimed at uplifting young girls who aspire to careers in the field through school visits, group sessions and one-on-one coaching. “I want to be the help that I always wish I had when I first got started,” she said. “I want to be that person that teaches them the ropes so they don’t have to struggle and so they have the same opportunities to learn and get the knowledge they need to succeed.”&nbsp;That desire was shaped by her own experiences. Early in her career, she was once told, “We’re not here to hold your hand or teach you the ropes.”It was a moment that stayed with her, and one she vowed not to repeat with the next generation.“For every little girl who really is watching the TV news and sees us, I want them to know that it’s possible, no matter what other people tell you, when they tell you, you don’t belong in the industry,” Smith said. “Those are comments we get all the time. And I want them to know those people can’t define your success.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755029796536.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From left, Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director; and Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist, pose in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas.The proclamation also honors the women who have inspired others on the national stage. It names Kansas-connected journalists such as Becky Dixon, the first woman to co-host ABC’s Wide World of Sports; Aminia Smith, a former sports journalist in Lawrence now hosting ESPN’s SportsCenter; and Kendra Douglas, a former Wichita sports anchor now working as an NBA sideline reporter. Smith said seeing them succeed at such high levels serves as proof of what’s possible. “They’re inspirations to us who are sitting here today,” she said.&nbsp;Joining Smith in celebrating the day are KAKE-TV sports director Micaela Dea and KWCH-TV multimedia journalist Rachel Hallam. Though they work at competing stations, the three regularly cross paths on the sidelines, at press conferences and in locker rooms, and have forged a bond over shared experiences.“We see each other all the time,” Dea said. “I knew from the onset of joining this career I wanted to be one of those women that helped other women. If I could have my small part in making that easier for the next woman, that’s amazing. And of course, I want to pay tribute to all the other women before us that have literally trailblazed the way.”&nbsp;Dea, who became KAKE’s first female sports director last year, said she is encouraged by how far the industry has come. “I can’t imagine where it will be in the next twenty years or the next couple of decades,” she said. “But I definitely am proud to be one of those women in sports that loves to empower other women.”&nbsp;Hallam said the observance is a meaningful acknowledgment of both the progress made and the challenges that remain. “It means everything,” Hallam said. “It’s hard to be in this industry in the first place, and then how hard it is to be a woman in this industry. Just for everybody to finally recognize that, not just ourselves and not just the other women that are in this industry, but to know that it is still a growing industry and we still have opportunities laid out in front of us.”&nbsp;Smith said she hopes today’s recognition sparks more opportunities for women in leadership roles, production and high-profile analyst positions in men’s sports. “There’s a lot of leadership positions I think can still be filled,” she said. “Women have completely trailblazed and transformed the sideline reporter role. But why not have those same broadcasters be analysts for the NBA and for the NFL? Our perspective is important and should be shown, too.” She pointed to growing momentum in women’s sports coverage, from WNBA expansion to record-breaking college softball and volleyball crowds, as proof that the appetite is there for more women’s voices. “I think it’s continuing to grow, and that’s great to see,” she said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755029846575.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From left, Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist; Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Sean Boston, Eagle Media sports director; and Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director, are pictured in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas.While Women in Sports Broadcasting Day is new, those celebrating it hope it becomes an annual touchpoint for progress. “I hope every girl watching sees this and thinks, ‘That can be me,’” Smith said. “Because it absolutely can.”&nbsp;The proclamation urges Kansans to join in recognizing the achievements of women in sports media and to support ongoing efforts toward equality in the profession. For Smith, Dea and Hallam, that means continuing to show up for each other, and for the young women they hope will follow in their footsteps.&nbsp;“We’re supposed to be competitors,” Hallam said, “but we’re constantly having each other’s backs. That’s what makes this day so important, it’s a reminder that we’re here, we can do our job, and we’re not going anywhere.”&nbsp;

Kansas marks first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day

An agency that provides support for people with severe mental illnesses in Hays is in danger of temporarily closing due to a paperwork error and it is seeking donations to stay open.

High Plains Independence in Hays supports people with mental illnesses, many of whom are on disability and older than 65. All of the organization's services are free.

The agency, which is one of eight consumer-run organizations across the state, provides a drop-in facility, support groups in Hays and Great Bend, as well as regular visits to the state mental hospital in Larned.

After a recent audit of the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability, which funds CROs, High Plains Independence was informed it had not filed the necessary 990 forms with the IRS to maintain its nonprofit status, Ginna Anderson, High Plains Independence executive director, said.

Anderson was never notified by the state, the IRS, or the High Plains' accountant that the organization had not filed a 990 form since at least 2014.

"I took over in 2011, and I have been asking the state, which was our funder, for a directors' meeting or training because I just fell into it and I have been doing the best I can with what I know, and trying to help people maintain recovery," she said.

"I would say because of the large turnover with [the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability], no one ever asked about it," she said.

All employees of the High Plains Independence, including Anderson, have mental illnesses and are sometimes referred to as consumers.

She added, "You can't do what you don't know. None of us is educated in finances and tax laws. That is what you have those other people for."

Without its nonprofit status, High Plains Independence can't receive funding from the state until it is reinstated.

High Plains Independence has an annual budget of $125,000. The organization employs three part-time staff, including Anderson. It also rents a building at 1200 Canterbury and maintains a transportation vehicle.

The organization has about $12,000 a month in expenses, and Anderson said it does not have enough money in the bank to make its August payroll.

Anderson said the organization is working with a new local accountant and has already started the process of filing the necessary paperwork with the state and IRS to regain its nonprofit status.

However, that process may take three to six months to complete.

Who does High Plains Independence help?

Anderson said she is concerned this vital resource for people who struggle with mental illness might have to close until the organization can regain its state funding, leaving people who depend on the support at High Plains in the lurch.

Consumer-run organizations were created to reduce rehospitalization. The CRO's, as they are also known, started as drop-in centers. When they began, they were only required to have a TV, and coffee and tea.&nbsp;

Today, High Plains Independence offers daily support groups and activities Mondays through Saturdays, and outreach into the Hays community and beyond.

The organization serves about 35 members in its Hays location. It provides a support group for another 10 regular attendees to a weekly support group in Great Bend.

More people are served through Anderson's monthly visits to the state hospital.

One of the faithful members of the High Plains spent years in Larned. He told Anderson he had hope for the first time in his life when he heard Anderson speak at Larned.

"You never know what impression you make on people," she said.

High Plains Independence has also taken over peer support of the&nbsp;Assisted Outpatient Treatment program in Hays that was formally funded through a grant held by the local National Alliance on Mental Illness, also known as NAMI.

Anderson is a part of a team that supports people in the community who have had repeated hospitalizations or encounters with law enforcement because of their mental illnesses. Anderson provides peer support and a connection to resources at High Plains Independence.&nbsp;

Assisted Outpatient Treatment&nbsp;is also aimed at reducing rehospitalization and incarceration for people who have severe mental illnesses.

"People stay out of the hospital because they can come out here to a pleasant environment where they can own their feelings and they can get supporting tools so they can work through issues," she said.

"They come to find out that what they are dealing with, other people have dealt with, and they are not alone," she said.

Because of the challenges of their mental illnesses, some members of the CRO have lost touch with their families. The CRO hosts holiday events and birthday parties. The center has even hosted memorial services.

Without High Plains Independence, some of the organization's members would be in Larned State Hospital or maybe not taking their medication, Anderson said.

Anderson noted that hospitalization or jail is much more expensive than the support services provided by CROs.

Although High Plains Independence does not require its members to take medication or engage in other mental health treatment, it encourages its members to do what they need to do to maintain mental health.

"If I ask someone if they have taken their meds this morning, it's not from an authority. It comes from a peer or a friend," Anderson said.

Anderson also gives quarterly presentations about her lived experience of mental illness to professionals who work in the mental health field so that they can earn their continuing education credits.&nbsp;

"I'm asking the community, at least funding-wise, to help us for the next three months," she said.

Donations can be sent to High Plains Independence at PO Box 956, Hays, KS 67601.

"If we had the money, we could stand on our feet, and it would be a support to know our community cares about us," she said.

Anderson said the High Plains Independence has been invaluable in her recovery from major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I learned that I could teach, on certain topics that I am educated," she said, "that I have a purpose, that I enjoy helping other people and that I enjoy helping people grow."

"I just feel this is going to kill me," Anderson said. "We just can't close. ... What are people going to do if they don't have this place to come to work on recovery?"

Financially, without her part-time income from High Plains, she said would have to find another home for herself and a 12-year-old child in her custody.

"I would feel like a failure even though it was because of circumstances beyond my control," she said.

Others who depend on High Plains Independence

Linda Beagley has been a member of High Plains Independence for years. She has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Since her Alzheimer's diagnosis, she said the support she received at High Plains Independence has become even more important.

"I still have problems with depression," she said. "You feel alone and like you are the only one, and then you come out here and you realize that no, you're not the only one. There are other people who are struggling like you are.

"You see how strong they are and how well they are doing, and then there may be a time you can be strong for them."

Another regular member at the CRO has been sober for eight months. He has a dual diagnosis of major depression and substance abuse disorder.

The 53-year-old, who asked that his name not be published, said this is the longest that he has been sober without being in a treatment program in his adult life.

Phyllis Park, who has a diagnosis of bipolar and schizoaffective disorder, recently made an attempt on her life. Anderson and a longtime CRO member, Shad Jay, sat with her at the hospital.

"Everybody's support is so essential for me right now," Park said. "I need it and they're there."

Although Park is taking some time off now, she has worked for four of the five years she has been a member at High Plains Independence.

"These people are my family," she said. "I have a bond with them, and I don't want to let them down.

"I couldn't make it if I didn't know I had this stability to refer back to, to come and be accepted, and to be loved and cared for and sometimes corrected. Sometimes I need that," Park said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755289247742.jpeg" alt="Members of High Plains Independence, a consumer-run organization that provides free support to people who have mental illnesses. The organization is seeking donations while it refiles for its nonprofit status, which it temporarily lost because of a paperwork error. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Members of High Plains Independence, a consumer-run organization that provides free support to people who have mental illnesses. The organization is seeking donations while it refiles for its nonprofit status, which it temporarily lost because of a paperwork error. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAn agency that provides support for people with severe mental illnesses in Hays is in danger of temporarily closing due to a paperwork error and it is seeking donations to stay open.High Plains Independence in Hays supports people with mental illnesses, many of whom are on disability and older than 65. All of the organization's services are free.The agency, which is one of eight consumer-run organizations across the state, provides a drop-in facility, support groups in Hays and Great Bend, as well as regular visits to the state mental hospital in Larned.After a recent audit of the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability, which funds CROs, High Plains Independence was informed it had not filed the necessary 990 forms with the IRS to maintain its nonprofit status, Ginna Anderson, High Plains Independence executive director, said.Anderson was never notified by the state, the IRS, or the High Plains' accountant that the organization had not filed a 990 form since at least 2014."I took over in 2011, and I have been asking the state, which was our funder, for a directors' meeting or training because I just fell into it and I have been doing the best I can with what I know, and trying to help people maintain recovery," she said."I would say because of the large turnover with [the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability], no one ever asked about it," she said.All employees of the High Plains Independence, including Anderson, have mental illnesses and are sometimes referred to as consumers.She added, "You can't do what you don't know. None of us is educated in finances and tax laws. That is what you have those other people for."Without its nonprofit status, High Plains Independence can't receive funding from the state until it is reinstated.High Plains Independence has an annual budget of $125,000. The organization employs three part-time staff, including Anderson. It also rents a building at 1200 Canterbury and maintains a transportation vehicle.The organization has about $12,000 a month in expenses, and Anderson said it does not have enough money in the bank to make its August payroll.Anderson said the organization is working with a new local accountant and has already started the process of filing the necessary paperwork with the state and IRS to regain its nonprofit status.However, that process may take three to six months to complete.Who does High Plains Independence help?Anderson said she is concerned this vital resource for people who struggle with mental illness might have to close until the organization can regain its state funding, leaving people who depend on the support at High Plains in the lurch.Consumer-run organizations were created to reduce rehospitalization. The CRO's, as they are also known, started as drop-in centers. When they began, they were only required to have a TV, and coffee and tea.&nbsp;Today, High Plains Independence offers daily support groups and activities Mondays through Saturdays, and outreach into the Hays community and beyond.The organization serves about 35 members in its Hays location. It provides a support group for another 10 regular attendees to a weekly support group in Great Bend.More people are served through Anderson's monthly visits to the state hospital.One of the faithful members of the High Plains spent years in Larned. He told Anderson he had hope for the first time in his life when he heard Anderson speak at Larned."You never know what impression you make on people," she said.High Plains Independence has also taken over peer support of the&nbsp;Assisted Outpatient Treatment program in Hays that was formally funded through a grant held by the local National Alliance on Mental Illness, also known as NAMI.Anderson is a part of a team that supports people in the community who have had repeated hospitalizations or encounters with law enforcement because of their mental illnesses. Anderson provides peer support and a connection to resources at High Plains Independence.&nbsp;Assisted Outpatient Treatment&nbsp;is also aimed at reducing rehospitalization and incarceration for people who have severe mental illnesses."People stay out of the hospital because they can come out here to a pleasant environment where they can own their feelings and they can get supporting tools so they can work through issues," she said."They come to find out that what they are dealing with, other people have dealt with, and they are not alone," she said.Because of the challenges of their mental illnesses, some members of the CRO have lost touch with their families. The CRO hosts holiday events and birthday parties. The center has even hosted memorial services.Without High Plains Independence, some of the organization's members would be in Larned State Hospital or maybe not taking their medication, Anderson said.Anderson noted that hospitalization or jail is much more expensive than the support services provided by CROs.Although High Plains Independence does not require its members to take medication or engage in other mental health treatment, it encourages its members to do what they need to do to maintain mental health."If I ask someone if they have taken their meds this morning, it's not from an authority. It comes from a peer or a friend," Anderson said.Anderson also gives quarterly presentations about her lived experience of mental illness to professionals who work in the mental health field so that they can earn their continuing education credits.&nbsp;How the community can help"I'm asking the community, at least funding-wise, to help us for the next three months," she said.Donations can be sent to High Plains Independence at PO Box 956, Hays, KS 67601."If we had the money, we could stand on our feet, and it would be a support to know our community cares about us," she said.Anderson said the High Plains Independence has been invaluable in her recovery from major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder."I learned that I could teach, on certain topics that I am educated," she said, "that I have a purpose, that I enjoy helping other people and that I enjoy helping people grow.""I just feel this is going to kill me," Anderson said. "We just can't close. ... What are people going to do if they don't have this place to come to work on recovery?"Financially, without her part-time income from High Plains, she said would have to find another home for herself and a 12-year-old child in her custody."I would feel like a failure even though it was because of circumstances beyond my control," she said.Others who depend on High Plains IndependenceLinda Beagley has been a member of High Plains Independence for years. She has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's.Since her Alzheimer's diagnosis, she said the support she received at High Plains Independence has become even more important."I still have problems with depression," she said. "You feel alone and like you are the only one, and then you come out here and you realize that no, you're not the only one. There are other people who are struggling like you are."You see how strong they are and how well they are doing, and then there may be a time you can be strong for them."Another regular member at the CRO has been sober for eight months. He has a dual diagnosis of major depression and substance abuse disorder.The 53-year-old, who asked that his name not be published, said this is the longest that he has been sober without being in a treatment program in his adult life.Phyllis Park, who has a diagnosis of bipolar and schizoaffective disorder, recently made an attempt on her life. Anderson and a longtime CRO member, Shad Jay, sat with her at the hospital."Everybody's support is so essential for me right now," Park said. "I need it and they're there."Although Park is taking some time off now, she has worked for four of the five years she has been a member at High Plains Independence."These people are my family," she said. "I have a bond with them, and I don't want to let them down."I couldn't make it if I didn't know I had this stability to refer back to, to come and be accepted, and to be loved and cared for and sometimes corrected. Sometimes I need that," Park said.

Mental health support program in danger of temporary closure because of filing error

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Monique Koerner, Cottonwood Extension District family and community wellness agent, about healthy Mediterranean-style eating and the program series "Med Instead of Meds."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650389030295.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Med, instead of meds" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=gt67y-19322d8-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Monique Koerner, Cottonwood Extension District family and community wellness agent, about healthy Mediterranean-style eating and the program series "Med Instead of Meds."

🎙 Post Podcast: Med. diet, instead of meds

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Kansas House Democrats stopped in Hays for their inaugural Fight Back Tour, a statewide effort to engage with Kansans.

The Friday event at Glassman Bird Law featured discussions on tax policy, rural health care access and concerns about federal overreach, including martial law and ICE enforcement.

Medicaid expansion was a key topic as Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, said Kansas will face penalties from federal changes even though it has not expanded the program.

"We were told by the Feds that all the states that did not expand Medicaid were not going to get hit. Well, that is a lie," Ruiz said.

Ruiz said insurers such as Aetna have left the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and premiums are expected to rise.

She said thousands of Kansans could lose coverage, with rural communities impacted the most.

"God forbid, you have a child that has to be in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. You have to go to Salina, and if they have to be on life support, you gotta drive them all the way to Kansas City," Ruiz said.

Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, said lawmakers tried to restore the local ad valorem tax reduction fund, which returns state money to cities and counties to offset local government costs, but the Senate blocked it. She said there are plans to try again in January.

Clayton said the Senate is proposing a bill that suggests capping property valuation increases at 7%.

"Right now, it looks pretty good. For instance, my mortgage is at 3%... I'm never getting a rate lower than that. But part of the problem is that if we cap valuations, then we end up running into major problems for newer and younger homeowners," she said.

Clayton pointed to California’s cap as an example of how such measures can create similar problems. An audience member said that capping valuation increases benefits the wealthy.

Another attendee raised concerns about unfair comparisons in the appraisal process, where modest homes are measured against larger properties.

Clayton said she sees similar issues in her district, where teardowns and new builds inflate valuations on surrounding older homes.

Clayton said there are discussions [among legislators] about raising the homestead exemption to provide tax relief, but cautioned it could create issues such as underfunding schools and infrastructure.

Several attendees voiced concern Trump could declare martial law nationwide, given gerrymandering and political retaliation in Texas and California.

Clayton said she does not expect martial law in Kansas, especially in rural areas, and that it was unlikely even in blue cities like Wichita and Kansas City.

"I'm not pleased with what's going on at the federal level, but I do not think that we will see martial law in Kansas. Lord have mercy, I hope I'm right on that, but instinctually I don't think we will," she said.

Attendees also raised concerns about Trump deploying ICE, Homeland Security and local law enforcement as militarized forces.

Legislators discussed ICE activity in Lenexa, part of Ruiz's district, and how the community has rapid response teams that document ICE actions with photos and videos to share on social media.

One attendee suggested pushing local governments to prevent agencies from partnering with ICE.

"A good place to start is to pass a resolution from the cities and county commissions, if you have a city or county that would do that, and say 'we oppose all these things, '" the attendee said.

Clayton said people are most likely to trust political information from their neighbors and encouraged attendees to talk with those around them about the issues raised.

The event opened with an overview of the Kansas Legislature and how Democrats remain in the super minority but only need five more seats to break it.

Other speakers at the event included Rep. Mike Amyx, D-Lawrence, Dennis McKinney, former State Treasurer and former House Democratic leader and former state Democratic Rep. Eber Phelps.

Chairwoman of the Ellis County Democratic Party, Anna Towns, introduced the speakers at the event.

The following are the remaining Fight Back tour dates and locations: • Aug. 21 in Kansas City •

Aug. 27 in Manhattan •

Aug. 28 in Leavenworth •

Aug. 29 in Emporia •

Sept. 23 in Lenexa

You can view the tour page <a href="https://www.kansashousedemocrats.com/fight-back-tour-2025">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755366011016.jpeg" alt="Kansas House Democrats speaking at Glassman Bird Law in Hays for their Fight Back Tour. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Kansas House Democrats speaking at Glassman Bird Law in Hays for their Fight Back Tour. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostKansas House Democrats stopped in Hays for their inaugural Fight Back Tour, a statewide effort to engage with Kansans.The Friday event at Glassman Bird Law featured discussions on tax policy, rural health care access and concerns about federal overreach, including martial law and ICE enforcement.Medicaid expansion was a key topic as Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, said Kansas will face penalties from federal changes even though it has not expanded the program."We were told by the Feds that all the states that did not expand Medicaid were not going to get hit. Well, that is a lie," Ruiz said.Ruiz said insurers such as Aetna have left the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and premiums are expected to rise.She said thousands of Kansans could lose coverage, with rural communities impacted the most."God forbid, you have a child that has to be in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. You have to go to Salina, and if they have to be on life support, you gotta drive them all the way to Kansas City," Ruiz said.Property taxes and valuation capsRep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, said lawmakers tried to restore the local ad valorem tax reduction fund, which returns state money to cities and counties to offset local government costs, but the Senate blocked it. She said there are plans to try again in January.Clayton said the Senate is proposing a bill that suggests capping property valuation increases at 7%."Right now, it looks pretty good. For instance, my mortgage is at 3%... I'm never getting a rate lower than that. But part of the problem is that if we cap valuations, then we end up running into major problems for newer and younger homeowners," she said.Clayton pointed to California’s cap as an example of how such measures can create similar problems. An audience member said that capping valuation increases benefits the wealthy.Another attendee raised concerns about unfair comparisons in the appraisal process, where modest homes are measured against larger properties.Clayton said she sees similar issues in her district, where teardowns and new builds inflate valuations on surrounding older homes.Clayton said there are discussions [among legislators] about raising the homestead exemption to provide tax relief, but cautioned it could create issues such as underfunding schools and infrastructure.Martial law and ICE in KansasSeveral attendees voiced concern Trump could declare martial law nationwide, given gerrymandering and political retaliation in Texas and California.Clayton said she does not expect martial law in Kansas, especially in rural areas, and that it was unlikely even in blue cities like Wichita and Kansas City."I'm not pleased with what's going on at the federal level, but I do not think that we will see martial law in Kansas. Lord have mercy, I hope I'm right on that, but instinctually I don't think we will," she said.Attendees also raised concerns about Trump deploying ICE, Homeland Security and local law enforcement as militarized forces.Legislators discussed ICE activity in Lenexa, part of Ruiz's district, and how the community has rapid response teams that document ICE actions with photos and videos to share on social media.One attendee suggested pushing local governments to prevent agencies from partnering with ICE."A good place to start is to pass a resolution from the cities and county commissions, if you have a city or county that would do that, and say 'we oppose all these things, '" the attendee said.Clayton said people are most likely to trust political information from their neighbors and encouraged attendees to talk with those around them about the issues raised.The event opened with an overview of the Kansas Legislature and how Democrats remain in the super minority but only need five more seats to break it.Other speakers at the event included Rep. Mike Amyx, D-Lawrence, Dennis McKinney, former State Treasurer and former House Democratic leader and former state Democratic Rep. Eber Phelps.Chairwoman of the Ellis County Democratic Party, Anna Towns, introduced the speakers at the event.The following are the remaining Fight Back tour dates and locations: • Aug. 21 in Kansas City •

Aug. 27 in Manhattan •

Aug. 28 in Leavenworth •

Aug. 29 in Emporia •

Sept. 23 in LenexaYou can view the tour page <a href="https://www.kansashousedemocrats.com/fight-back-tour-2025">here</a>.

Kan. Democrats Fight Back Tour arrives to Hays

Morning Announcements: August 18th - August 22nd, 2025

● Today is the Memorial of St. John Eudes, Priest. John Eudes is best known for the central themes of his writings: Jesus as the source of holiness; Mary as the model of the Christian life.

● Today is the 1st Day of School for grades K-5! Welcome back, students! We’re so happy to have you back in our building!

● It is a half day of school, and we will dismiss at 11. There are no lunch, bus, or after-school-care services today.

● Thanks to Fr. Nick for celebrating the opening School Mass and blessing our school grounds.

● Tomorrow is our first Spirit Day. You may wear your Spirit with jeans or jean shorts.

● Today is the memorial of St. Bernard, Abbot &amp; Dr. of the Church. St. Bernard is the patron saint&nbsp;of beekeepers, bees, and candlemakers.

● Today is the 1st Day of School for KP, PK4, and Full-Day PK3! We’re so happy to have our KP and Preschool friends here today!

● Today is the 1st Full Day of School and 1st Spirit Day!

● Today is the memorial of St. Pius X, Pope. St. Pius X, Pope, is the patron saint of First Communicants.

● Thanks to Fr. Nick for celebrating Mass this morning.

● Here’s a joke of the day…How do bees go to school? By school buzz.

● Today is the Memorial of The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jesus is the King of Kings, and He sits on His throne at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Because Mary’s life is closely associated with Jesus, she is queen; her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship.

● Tonight is the Hays Catholic Schools Back-2-School Bash from 6-8 pm on the TMP Campus. There will be music, mini games, face-painting, hot dogs, watermelon &amp; more!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737555085782.png" alt="File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Morning Announcements: August 18th - August 22nd, 2025MONDAY-AUGUST 18th● NO SCHOOLTUESDAY-AUGUST 19th● Today is the Memorial of St. John Eudes, Priest. John Eudes is best known for the central themes of his writings: Jesus as the source of holiness; Mary as the model of the Christian life.● Today is the 1st Day of School for grades K-5! Welcome back, students! We’re so happy to have you back in our building!● It is a half day of school, and we will dismiss at 11. There are no lunch, bus, or after-school-care services today.● Thanks to Fr. Nick for celebrating the opening School Mass and blessing our school grounds.● Tomorrow is our first Spirit Day. You may wear your Spirit with jeans or jean shorts.WEDNESDAY-AUGUST 20th● Today is the memorial of St. Bernard, Abbot &amp; Dr. of the Church. St. Bernard is the patron saint&nbsp;of beekeepers, bees, and candlemakers.● Today is the 1st Day of School for KP, PK4, and Full-Day PK3! We’re so happy to have our KP and Preschool friends here today!● Today is the 1st Full Day of School and 1st Spirit Day!THURSDAY-AUGUST 21st● Today is the memorial of St. Pius X, Pope. St. Pius X, Pope, is the patron saint of First Communicants.● Thanks to Fr. Nick for celebrating Mass this morning.● Here’s a joke of the day…How do bees go to school? By school buzz.FRIDAY-AUGUST 22nd● Today is the Memorial of The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jesus is the King of Kings, and He sits on His throne at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Because Mary’s life is closely associated with Jesus, she is queen; her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship.● Tonight is the Hays Catholic Schools Back-2-School Bash from 6-8 pm on the TMP Campus. There will be music, mini games, face-painting, hot dogs, watermelon &amp; more!

Holy Family Elementary School Notes, Aug. 18-22, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;took the unique step of crafting a letter that calls for peace in Ukraine, having her husband President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;hand-deliver it to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their Friday meeting in Alaska.

The letter did not specifically name Ukraine, which Putin’s forces invaded in 2022, but beseeched him to think of children and “an innocence which stands above geography, government, and ideology.” Nor did the American first lady discuss the fighting other than to say to Putin that he could “singlehandedly restore” the “melodic laughter” of children who have been caught in the conflict.

“In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone — you serve humanity itself,” she wrote on White House stationery.

A copy of the letter was first obtained by Fox News Digital and later posted on social media by supporters of the U.S. president, including Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The first lady said that Putin could help these children with the stroke of a pen.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukrainian-children-russia-7493cb22c9086c6293c1ac7986d85ef6">taking Ukrainian children</a>&nbsp;out of their country so that they can be raised as Russian. The Associated Press documented the grabbing of Ukrainian children in 2022, after which the International Criminal Court said it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/icc-putin-war-crimes-ukraine-9857eb68d827340394960eccf0589253">had issued an arrest warrant</a>&nbsp;for Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741143400386.png" alt="First Lady Melania Trump-image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>First Lady Melania Trump-image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;took the unique step of crafting a letter that calls for peace in Ukraine, having her husband President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;hand-deliver it to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their Friday meeting in Alaska.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755386458134.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The letter did not specifically name Ukraine, which Putin’s forces invaded in 2022, but beseeched him to think of children and “an innocence which stands above geography, government, and ideology.” Nor did the American first lady discuss the fighting other than to say to Putin that he could “singlehandedly restore” the “melodic laughter” of children who have been caught in the conflict.“In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone — you serve humanity itself,” she wrote on White House stationery.A copy of the letter was first obtained by Fox News Digital and later posted on social media by supporters of the U.S. president, including Attorney General Pam Bondi.The first lady said that Putin could help these children with the stroke of a pen.Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukrainian-children-russia-7493cb22c9086c6293c1ac7986d85ef6">taking Ukrainian children</a>&nbsp;out of their country so that they can be raised as Russian. The Associated Press documented the grabbing of Ukrainian children in 2022, after which the International Criminal Court said it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/icc-putin-war-crimes-ukraine-9857eb68d827340394960eccf0589253">had issued an arrest warrant</a>&nbsp;for Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine.

Read the letter the First Lady had the President deliver to Putin

Chris Brown: "Just one of those scrimmages, you know, just trying to find out who can play and who can do what and I think we figured that out today."

By GERARD WELLBROCK
 Hays Post Sports

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State football team wrapped up preseason
camp with their only scheduled scrimmage Saturday morning at Lewis Field.

“Defensively we kept it pretty simple, pretty basic to see
if our guys could get lined up and make the plays they were asked to make,”
Brown said. “Offensively I saw some good things, but I think the penalties killed
a lot of our drives.”

Team captains, which are voted on by the players, were
announced after the scrimmage Saturday. Offensive captains include quarterback
Caleb Heavner, wide receiver Ryan Allen, tight end Cale Cormaney and offensive lineman
Josh Shaw. The defensive captains are linebacker John Johnson, safety Jaxon
Kolzow and defensive ends Gaven Haselhorst and Parish Terry. 

With the start of classes Monday, the Tigers shift to
afternoon practices. They open the season at home on  Thursday, August 28th against No. 13 Angelo State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755373546242.jpeg" alt="Hays Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Hays Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Chris Brown: "Just one of those scrimmages, you know, just trying to find out who can play and who can do what and I think we figured that out today."</h2>By GERARD WELLBROCK
 Hays Post SportsHAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State football team wrapped up preseason
camp with their only scheduled scrimmage Saturday morning at Lewis Field.“Defensively we kept it pretty simple, pretty basic to see
if our guys could get lined up and make the plays they were asked to make,”
Brown said. “Offensively I saw some good things, but I think the penalties killed
a lot of our drives.”<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2154342279&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-fb-camp-brown" title="FHSU FB Camp - Brown" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">FHSU FB Camp - Brown</a></div></div><h2>Captains named</h2>Team captains, which are voted on by the players, were
announced after the scrimmage Saturday. Offensive captains include quarterback
Caleb Heavner, wide receiver Ryan Allen, tight end Cale Cormaney and offensive lineman
Josh Shaw. The defensive captains are linebacker John Johnson, safety Jaxon
Kolzow and defensive ends Gaven Haselhorst and Parish Terry. With the start of classes Monday, the Tigers shift to
afternoon practices. They open the season at home on Thursday, August 28th against No. 13 Angelo State.

🏈🎧 Tigers wrap up preseason camp with Saturday scrimmage

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Monday in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has shifted to saying an overall peace agreement – and not a ceasefire -- was the next step in ending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ukraine#">the 3 1/2-year-old war.</a>

Trump’s abrupt reversal, aligning himself with a position held by Russian President Vladimir Putin, came in a social media post on Saturday, hours after they concluded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-alaska-russia-ukraine-a7b167f17a3e06fbce2f583c93f8bae1">a summit in Alaska</a>&nbsp;that produced no agreement to halt the fighting. Putin has long said that Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce, and instead is seeking a long-term settlement that takes the Kremlin’s interests into account.

After calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump posted that “it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.”

In a statement after the Trump call, the European leaders did not address whether a peace deal was preferable to a ceasefire, saying they “welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.”

Trump and Ukraine’s European allies had been calling for a ceasefire ahead of any negotiations.

Trump’s statement that a peace agreement should be reached before a ceasefire appears to indicate Trump’s thinking is “shifting towards Putin,” an approach that would allow Moscow to keep fighting while negotiating, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London.

Zelenskyy, who was not invited to Alaska for the summit, said he had a “long and substantive” conversation with Trump early Saturday. He said they would “discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war” on Monday.

It will be Zelenskyy’s first visit to the U.S. since Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">berated him publicly for being “disrespectful”</a>&nbsp;during an extraordinary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-oval-office-ukraine-russia-blowup-8aa63e55c859e8fea963911478c376ee">Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 28.

Trump, who also held calls with European leaders Saturday, confirmed the White House meeting and said that “if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.”

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-greeting-adc0e52a159bbf21dd582e101b5257db">rolled out the red carpet</a>&nbsp;on Friday for Putin, who was in the U.S. for the first time in a decade and since the start of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But he gave little concrete detail afterward of what was discussed. On Saturday, he posted on social media that it “went very well.”

Trump had warned ahead of the summit of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-8-13-2025">“very severe consequences”</a>&nbsp;for Russia if Putin doesn’t agree to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>.

Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of involving European leaders, who also were not at the summit.

“It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America,” he said. “We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security.”

He didn’t elaborate, but Zelenskyy previously has said that European partners put on hold a proposal to establish a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-willing-force-trump-ukraine-russia-0c0261cc370c8c0157d03d01fdfe6be2">foreign troop presence</a>&nbsp;in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression because it lacked an American backstop.

Zelenskyy said he spoke to Trump one-on-one and then in a call with other European leaders. In total, the conversations lasted over 90 minutes.

Trump said in Alaska that “there’s no deal until there’s a deal,” after Putin claimed the two leaders had hammered out an “understanding” on Ukraine and warned Europe not to “torpedo the nascent progress.”

During an interview with Fox News Channel before returning to Washington, Trump insisted the onus going forward might be on Zelenskyy “to get it done,” but said there would also be some involvement from European nations.

In their statement after speaking to Trump, major European leaders said they were ready to work with Trump and Zelenskyy toward “a trilateral summit with European support.”

The statement from French, German, Italian, British, Finnish, Polish and European Union said that “Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees” and welcomed U.S. readiness to provide them.

“It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory,” they said. “International borders must not be changed by force.”

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said “the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon,” noting that Moscow launched new attacks on Ukraine even as the delegations met.

“Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. He left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing,” she said.

Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Since spring, Russian troops have accelerated their gains, capturing the most territory since the opening stages of the war.

“Vladimir Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war,” said Neil Melvin, director of international security at the London-based Royal United Services Institute. “He will consider the summit outcome as mission accomplished.”

Zelenskyy voiced support for Trump’s proposal for a trilateral meeting with the U.S. and Russia. He said that “key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this.”

But Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian state television Saturday that a possible three-way meeting “has not been touched upon yet” in U.S.-Russia discussions.

Zelenskyy wrote on X that he told Trump that "sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.“

Russian officials and media struck a largely positive tone, with some describing Friday’s meeting as a symbolic end to Putin’s isolation in the West.

Former President Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, praised the summit as a breakthrough in restoring high-level dialogue between Moscow and Washington, describing the talks as “calm, without ultimatums and threats.”

Putin has “broken out of international isolation” and back on the world stage as one of two global leaders, and “wasn’t in the least challenged” by Trump, who also ignored an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court, said Laurie Bristow, who was British ambassador to Russia from 2016 to 2020.

“Unless Mr. Putin is absolutely convinced that he cannot win militarily, the fighting is not going to stop," Bristow told The Associated Press. “That’s the big takeaway from the Anchorage summit.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755292993508.png" alt="Photo courtesy&nbsp; White House" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy&nbsp; White House</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet Monday in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has shifted to saying an overall peace agreement – and not a ceasefire -- was the next step in ending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ukraine#">the 3 1/2-year-old war.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/RtC9wBBtim">pic.twitter.com/RtC9wBBtim</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1956718970951635391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump’s abrupt reversal, aligning himself with a position held by Russian President Vladimir Putin, came in a social media post on Saturday, hours after they concluded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-alaska-russia-ukraine-a7b167f17a3e06fbce2f583c93f8bae1">a summit in Alaska</a>&nbsp;that produced no agreement to halt the fighting. Putin has long said that Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce, and instead is seeking a long-term settlement that takes the Kremlin’s interests into account.After calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump posted that “it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.”In a statement after the Trump call, the European leaders did not address whether a peace deal was preferable to a ceasefire, saying they “welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.”Trump and Ukraine’s European allies had been calling for a ceasefire ahead of any negotiations.Trump’s statement that a peace agreement should be reached before a ceasefire appears to indicate Trump’s thinking is “shifting towards Putin,” an approach that would allow Moscow to keep fighting while negotiating, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London.Zelenskyy, who was not invited to Alaska for the summit, said he had a “long and substantive” conversation with Trump early Saturday. He said they would “discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war” on Monday.It will be Zelenskyy’s first visit to the U.S. since Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">berated him publicly for being “disrespectful”</a>&nbsp;during an extraordinary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-oval-office-ukraine-russia-blowup-8aa63e55c859e8fea963911478c376ee">Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 28.Trump, who also held calls with European leaders Saturday, confirmed the White House meeting and said that “if all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.”Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-greeting-adc0e52a159bbf21dd582e101b5257db">rolled out the red carpet</a>&nbsp;on Friday for Putin, who was in the U.S. for the first time in a decade and since the start of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But he gave little concrete detail afterward of what was discussed. On Saturday, he posted on social media that it “went very well.”Trump had warned ahead of the summit of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-8-13-2025">“very severe consequences”</a>&nbsp;for Russia if Putin doesn’t agree to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>.<h2>Zelenskyy seeks European involvement</h2>Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of involving European leaders, who also were not at the summit.“It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America,” he said. “We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security.”He didn’t elaborate, but Zelenskyy previously has said that European partners put on hold a proposal to establish a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-willing-force-trump-ukraine-russia-0c0261cc370c8c0157d03d01fdfe6be2">foreign troop presence</a>&nbsp;in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression because it lacked an American backstop.Zelenskyy said he spoke to Trump one-on-one and then in a call with other European leaders. In total, the conversations lasted over 90 minutes.<h2>Trump puts onus on Zelenskyy and Europe</h2>Trump said in Alaska that “there’s no deal until there’s a deal,” after Putin claimed the two leaders had hammered out an “understanding” on Ukraine and warned Europe not to “torpedo the nascent progress.”During an interview with Fox News Channel before returning to Washington, Trump insisted the onus going forward might be on Zelenskyy “to get it done,” but said there would also be some involvement from European nations.In their statement after speaking to Trump, major European leaders said they were ready to work with Trump and Zelenskyy toward “a trilateral summit with European support.”The statement from French, German, Italian, British, Finnish, Polish and European Union said that “Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees” and welcomed U.S. readiness to provide them.“It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory,” they said. “International borders must not be changed by force.”EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said “the harsh reality is that Russia has no intention of ending this war anytime soon,” noting that Moscow launched new attacks on Ukraine even as the delegations met.“Putin continues to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. He left Anchorage without making any commitments to end the killing,” she said.Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Since spring, Russian troops have accelerated their gains, capturing the most territory since the opening stages of the war.“Vladimir Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war,” said Neil Melvin, director of international security at the London-based Royal United Services Institute. “He will consider the summit outcome as mission accomplished.”<h2>Questions on a trilateral meeting</h2>Zelenskyy voiced support for Trump’s proposal for a trilateral meeting with the U.S. and Russia. He said that “key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this.”But Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian state television Saturday that a possible three-way meeting “has not been touched upon yet” in U.S.-Russia discussions.Zelenskyy wrote on X that he told Trump that "sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.“Russian officials and media struck a largely positive tone, with some describing Friday’s meeting as a symbolic end to Putin’s isolation in the West.Former President Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, praised the summit as a breakthrough in restoring high-level dialogue between Moscow and Washington, describing the talks as “calm, without ultimatums and threats.”Putin has “broken out of international isolation” and back on the world stage as one of two global leaders, and “wasn’t in the least challenged” by Trump, who also ignored an arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court, said Laurie Bristow, who was British ambassador to Russia from 2016 to 2020.“Unless Mr. Putin is absolutely convinced that he cannot win militarily, the fighting is not going to stop," Bristow told The Associated Press. “That’s the big takeaway from the Anchorage summit.”Russian attacks on Ukraine continued overnight, using one ballistic missile and 85 Shahed drones, 61 of which were shot down, Ukraine’s air force said. Front-line areas of Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Chernihiv were attacked.Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 29 Ukrainian drones over Russia and the Sea of Azov overnight.___Morton reported from London. Geir Moulson in Berlin and Emma Burrows in London contributed.