BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Topeka man who blocked officers on Jan. 6, 2021, during an attack on the U.S. Capitol building asked a federal court to delay his trial after Donald Trump won the presidency.

In a motion filed Friday in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Will Pope asked the judge to delay his trial scheduled for Dec. 2 for three months. Trump promised while on the campaign trail to pardon those criminally charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, and Pope is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/11/06/2024-election-results-live-coverage-updates-analysis/trumps-jan-6-pardon-pledge-00187864" target="_blank">several</a>&nbsp;defendants seeking changes to their cases in the wake of Trump’s victory.

“Ultimately, my jury was the entire American public, and they voted for a mandate to set me free,” Pope wrote in his motion.

He also expressed concern that a fair jury trial may not be possible. More than 90% of voters in Washington, D.C., voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent presidential election. Those voters “may find it especially difficult to look past those results to serve as fair jurors in my case,” Pope wrote.

He continued: “However, if there should be a jury trial in my case, it should happen after emotions have had time to cool.”

Federal prosecutors opposed any delay in Pope’s trial.

In a Saturday filing, prosecutors said it is in the public interest to issue a ”prompt and efficient administration of justice.”

“No continuance is warranted here,” prosecutors wrote. “At this time, the defendant’s expectation of a pardon is mere speculation, and the Court should proceed as it would in any other prosecution.”

In a response to prosecutors, which also was filed Saturday, Pope argued the government’s administration of justice is not in the public interest, “but a belligerent disregard for the will of the American people.”

“Ultimately,” he said, “I will get the same result with a trial or with no trial.”

Pope, who has represented himself in his case, was indicted by a grand jury alongside his brother on Jan. 8, 2021. They faced eight criminal charges, including civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding and disorderly conduct in a capitol building.

According to an FBI agent’s investigation into the Pope brothers, which used information&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/11/kansas-man-who-ran-for-topeka-city-council-appears-in-video-of-fatal-shooting-at-u-s-capitol/">first reported by Kansas Reflector</a>, a U.S. Capitol Police officer said Pope&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/02/topeka-man-blocked-officers-tried-to-break-into-pelosis-office-during-attack-on-u-s-capitol/">blocked law enforcement</a>&nbsp;from closing doors as they were trying to prevent others from entering the building despite “repeated verbal orders to leave” and an attempt “to physically grab and push” Pope out.

But Pope “resisted by tensing up and refusing to move,” the agent wrote.

Pope, who ran for Topeka City Council in 2019, said he entered the Capitol “to express their concern about the direction of the nation,” wrote the FBI agent, whose name was redacted.

“Specifically, William Pope explained that questionable things happened during the election and that citizens deserved a full election audit,” the FBI agent wrote.

Pope and his brother were identified in social media posts and videos, and surveillance footage from inside the Capitol building. FBI agents and Topeka Police Department officers arrested Pope on Feb. 12, 2021, at his house in Topeka, according to court documents.

In June, prosecutors admitted to a “drafting error” that stated Pope had assaulted an officer. He is not charged with any crimes associated with assaulting an officer. In response to the error, Pope accused prosecutors of misconduct and requested sanctions. He subsequently withdrew that request in a June 26 filing.

“I ask that the government in turn begin bestowing mercy on the hundreds of January 6 defendants whose lives are being crushed,” he wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613160278542.png" alt="Pope, who was a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/lead-comm/students/index.html">Communications Doctoral</a>&nbsp;Student at K-State ran unsuccessfully for the Topeka City&nbsp;<a href="https://www.snco.us/election/prev/2019_general_results.pdf">Council District 2 seat in 2019</a>.&nbsp; Photo Shawnee County Department of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Pope, who was a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/lead-comm/students/index.html">Communications Doctoral</a>&nbsp;Student at K-State ran unsuccessfully for the Topeka City&nbsp;<a href="https://www.snco.us/election/prev/2019_general_results.pdf">Council District 2 seat in 2019</a>.&nbsp; Photo Shawnee County Department of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Topeka man who blocked officers on Jan. 6, 2021, during an attack on the U.S. Capitol building asked a federal court to delay his trial after Donald Trump won the presidency.In a motion filed Friday in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Will Pope asked the judge to delay his trial scheduled for Dec. 2 for three months. Trump promised while on the campaign trail to pardon those criminally charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, and Pope is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/11/06/2024-election-results-live-coverage-updates-analysis/trumps-jan-6-pardon-pledge-00187864" target="_blank">several</a>&nbsp;defendants seeking changes to their cases in the wake of Trump’s victory.“Ultimately, my jury was the entire American public, and they voted for a mandate to set me free,” Pope wrote in his motion.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613161028525.png" alt="-William Pope, in red, holds a flag inside the Senate Carriage Entrance on the east side of the U.S. Capitol during Wednesday's riot. Pope ran for the Topeka City Council in 2018. (Screen capture from Jayden X video on YouTube) -courtesy Sherman Smith,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>" />
 <figcaption>-William Pope, in red, holds a flag inside the Senate Carriage Entrance on the east side of the U.S. Capitol during Wednesday's riot. Pope ran for the Topeka City Council in 2018. (Screen capture from Jayden X video on YouTube) -courtesy Sherman Smith,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a></figcaption>
 </figure>He also expressed concern that a fair jury trial may not be possible. More than 90% of voters in Washington, D.C., voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent presidential election. Those voters “may find it especially difficult to look past those results to serve as fair jurors in my case,” Pope wrote.He continued: “However, if there should be a jury trial in my case, it should happen after emotions have had time to cool.”Federal prosecutors opposed any delay in Pope’s trial.In a Saturday filing, prosecutors said it is in the public interest to issue a ”prompt and efficient administration of justice.”“No continuance is warranted here,” prosecutors wrote. “At this time, the defendant’s expectation of a pardon is mere speculation, and the Court should proceed as it would in any other prosecution.”In a response to prosecutors, which also was filed Saturday, Pope argued the government’s administration of justice is not in the public interest, “but a belligerent disregard for the will of the American people.”“Ultimately,” he said, “I will get the same result with a trial or with no trial.”Pope, who has represented himself in his case, was indicted by a grand jury alongside his brother on Jan. 8, 2021. They faced eight criminal charges, including civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding and disorderly conduct in a capitol building.According to an FBI agent’s investigation into the Pope brothers, which used information&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/11/kansas-man-who-ran-for-topeka-city-council-appears-in-video-of-fatal-shooting-at-u-s-capitol/">first reported by Kansas Reflector</a>, a U.S. Capitol Police officer said Pope&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/02/topeka-man-blocked-officers-tried-to-break-into-pelosis-office-during-attack-on-u-s-capitol/">blocked law enforcement</a>&nbsp;from closing doors as they were trying to prevent others from entering the building despite “repeated verbal orders to leave” and an attempt “to physically grab and push” Pope out.But Pope “resisted by tensing up and refusing to move,” the agent wrote.Pope, who ran for Topeka City Council in 2019, said he entered the Capitol “to express their concern about the direction of the nation,” wrote the FBI agent, whose name was redacted.“Specifically, William Pope explained that questionable things happened during the election and that citizens deserved a full election audit,” the FBI agent wrote.Pope and his brother were identified in social media posts and videos, and surveillance footage from inside the Capitol building. FBI agents and Topeka Police Department officers arrested Pope on Feb. 12, 2021, at his house in Topeka, according to court documents.Since then, the case has dragged on.In June, prosecutors admitted to a “drafting error” that stated Pope had assaulted an officer. He is not charged with any crimes associated with assaulting an officer. In response to the error, Pope accused prosecutors of misconduct and requested sanctions. He subsequently withdrew that request in a June 26 filing.“I ask that the government in turn begin bestowing mercy on the hundreds of January 6 defendants whose lives are being crushed,” he wrote.

Kan. man who participated in Jan. 6 attack requests trial delay after Trump victory

ATLANTA (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 28 points and Bill Self became the winningest coach in Kansas history as the No. 1 Jayhawks pulled away from Michigan State for a 77-69 victory in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.

Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 52 with just under nine minutes remaining. KJ Adams Jr. hit a pair of free throws to put Kansas (3-0) ahead to stay.

Self improved to 591-143 in his 22nd season coaching the Jayhawks, pushing him past Phog Allen's mark of 590-129 in 36 seasons on the Kansas sideline.

Frankie Fidler led Michigan State (2-1) with 15 points.

The Jayhawks posted their second straight win over one of the nation's prominent programs, following up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-kansas-tar-heels-jayhawks-score-top-25-9919dca6cfb7cfca72b0d3133ba1026a">a 92-89 win</a>&nbsp;over No. 10 North Carolina.

Kansas: After missing 15 straight shots from the field, Kansas ripped off a 14-2 run that turned an 18-16 deficit into a 30-20 lead.

Michigan State: The Spartans couldn't overcome a tough shooting night, especially from beyond the arc. They made just 3 of 24 from 3-point range.

Dajuan Harris Jr. gave the Jayhawks some breathing room when he laid one in off a fast break, drew a foul and completed the three-point play for a 68-59 lead with 4:25 to go. After tumbling to the court, Harris remained on his back for a few seconds, clapping furiously. He finished with 11 points and six assists.

The 7-foot-2 Dickinson made 13 of 21 shots from the field, including his only 3-point attempt, and grabbed 12 rebounds. He also had three steals and a block at the defensive end.

Kansas returns home Saturday to face Oakland. Michigan State hosts Bowling Green on Saturday.

ATLANTA (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 28 points and Bill Self became the winningest coach in Kansas history as the No. 1 Jayhawks pulled away from Michigan State for a 77-69 victory in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">That 591 feeling 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/3iU7RtBZJ8">pic.twitter.com/3iU7RtBZJ8</a>&mdash; Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHoops/status/1856519667768000823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 52 with just under nine minutes remaining. KJ Adams Jr. hit a pair of free throws to put Kansas (3-0) ahead to stay.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The most history. The best tradition. The Winningest Coach. <a href="https://t.co/MHLyzgySbU">pic.twitter.com/MHLyzgySbU</a>&mdash; Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHoops/status/1856512354957013244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Self improved to 591-143 in his 22nd season coaching the Jayhawks, pushing him past Phog Allen's mark of 590-129 in 36 seasons on the Kansas sideline.Frankie Fidler led Michigan State (2-1) with 15 points.The Jayhawks posted their second straight win over one of the nation's prominent programs, following up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-kansas-tar-heels-jayhawks-score-top-25-9919dca6cfb7cfca72b0d3133ba1026a">a 92-89 win</a>&nbsp;over No. 10 North Carolina.<h2>Takeaways</h2>Kansas: After missing 15 straight shots from the field, Kansas ripped off a 14-2 run that turned an 18-16 deficit into a 30-20 lead.Michigan State: The Spartans couldn't overcome a tough shooting night, especially from beyond the arc. They made just 3 of 24 from 3-point range.<h2>Key moment</h2>Dajuan Harris Jr. gave the Jayhawks some breathing room when he laid one in off a fast break, drew a foul and completed the three-point play for a 68-59 lead with 4:25 to go. After tumbling to the court, Harris remained on his back for a few seconds, clapping furiously. He finished with 11 points and six assists.<h2>Key stats</h2>The 7-foot-2 Dickinson made 13 of 21 shots from the field, including his only 3-point attempt, and grabbed 12 rebounds. He also had three steals and a block at the defensive end.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas returns home Saturday to face Oakland. Michigan State hosts Bowling Green on Saturday.___

🏀 Bill Self becomes winningest coach in KU history in win over Michigan State

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency.

The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">Trump said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added that the move would shock government systems.

It's not clear how the organization will operate. It could come under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which dictates how external groups that advise the government must operate and be accountable to the public.

Federal employees are generally required to disclose their assets and entanglements to ward off any potential conflicts of interest, and to divest significant holdings relating to their work. Because Musk and Ramaswamy would not be formal federal workers, they would not face those requirements or ethical limitations.

Musk posted on X: “Department of Government Efficiency. The merch will be (fire emojis).” Later he added: “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!”

Musk has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election.

The president-elect has often said he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-election-2024-28d023d2ea2d06a8be99add994feb4aa">give Musk a formal role</a>&nbsp;overseeing a group akin to a blue-ribbon commission that would recommend ways to slash spending and make the federal government more efficient. Musk at one point suggested he could find more than $2 trillion in savings — nearly a third of total annual government spending.

Trump had made clear that Musk would likely not hold any kind of full-time position, given his other commitments.

“I don’t think I can get him full-time because he’s a little bit busy sending rockets up and all the things he does,” Trump said at a rally in Michigan in September. “He said the waste in this country is crazy. And we’re going to get Elon Musk to be our cost cutter.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-ends-2024-presidential-campaign-4b794ed3fbb41cc7f2a6a95d20458843">Ramaswamy suspended his campaign</a>&nbsp;in January and threw his support behind Trump.

Trump said in his statement the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706630950527.png" alt="File image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/Vnk4MCAofY">pic.twitter.com/Vnk4MCAofY</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1856502787930050927?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">Trump said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added that the move would shock government systems.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">And yes, this means I’m withdrawing myself from consideration for the pending Senate appointment in Ohio. Whoever Governor DeWine appoints to JD’s seat has some big shoes to fill. I will help them however I can.&mdash; Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) <a href="https://twitter.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1856514211783794844?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It's not clear how the organization will operate. It could come under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which dictates how external groups that advise the government must operate and be accountable to the public.Federal employees are generally required to disclose their assets and entanglements to ward off any potential conflicts of interest, and to divest significant holdings relating to their work. Because Musk and Ramaswamy would not be formal federal workers, they would not face those requirements or ethical limitations.Musk posted on X: “Department of Government Efficiency. The merch will be (fire emojis).” Later he added: “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!”Musk has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election.The president-elect has often said he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-election-2024-28d023d2ea2d06a8be99add994feb4aa">give Musk a formal role</a>&nbsp;overseeing a group akin to a blue-ribbon commission that would recommend ways to slash spending and make the federal government more efficient. Musk at one point suggested he could find more than $2 trillion in savings — nearly a third of total annual government spending.Trump had made clear that Musk would likely not hold any kind of full-time position, given his other commitments.“I don’t think I can get him full-time because he’s a little bit busy sending rockets up and all the things he does,” Trump said at a rally in Michigan in September. “He said the waste in this country is crazy. And we’re going to get Elon Musk to be our cost cutter.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-ends-2024-presidential-campaign-4b794ed3fbb41cc7f2a6a95d20458843">Ramaswamy suspended his campaign</a>&nbsp;in January and threw his support behind Trump.Trump said in his statement the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”__

Trump: Musk, Ramaswamy will head dept. of government efficiency

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Gerry Faust, the gravel-voiced Cincinnati high school coach who lived a dream by becoming the coach at Notre Dame, has died. He was 89.

Notre Dame said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the family confirmed Faust’s death. No details were immediately provided.

Faust guided the Fighting Irish from 1981 through 1985, compiling a record of 30-26-1. He succeeded Dan Devine as coach of Notre Dame and preceded Lou Holtz.

“I have always loved Notre Dame and still do,” he said after he was fired following the 1985 season.

He spent the next nine seasons as the head coach at the University of Akron, bringing the program from Division II to major-college status. His record was 43-53-3 with the Zips.

He remained at Akron after his coaching days, working as a fundraiser and in the development office before retiring in 2001.

It was as a high school coach that Faust first stepped into the spotlight.

After graduating in 1958 from the University of Dayton with a degree in marketing and management, Faust accepted his first coaching position as an assistant at his high school alma mater, Dayton Chaminade. His father, Gerry Sr., had coached at Chaminade for 49 years.

Two seasons later, Faust accepted an offer to build a football program at a new high school, Archbishop Moeller, in suburban Cincinnati.

He spent three years constructing the foundation of what would become a legendary program in high school athletics.

In 1963, Moeller’s first varsity team surprised many with a 9-1 record.

In the next 17 years, Faust’s Moeller teams posted nine undefeated seasons, won 10 city championships, eight regional titles and five big-school state championships.

Four times Faust teams were awarded mythical national championships, each following unbeaten and untied seasons in 1976, ’77, ’79 and ’80.

The 1980 team completed a 13-0 season and capped Faust’s high school coaching record at a remarkable 174-17-2, a success rate of nearly 91%.

There was a public outcry when Faust was selected to take over at Notre Dame in the spring of 1981. The school’s administrators were admonished for elevating a high school coach to the most revered position in college coaching.

Faust’s first team in South Bend went 5-6 and he followed that with marks of 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 and 5-6.

His first Akron team in 1986 went 7-4, but his teams — playing a difficult Division I-AA schedule and, eventually, some of the top teams in I-A — never reached that level again.

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Gerry Faust, the gravel-voiced Cincinnati high school coach who lived a dream by becoming the coach at Notre Dame, has died. He was 89.Notre Dame said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the family confirmed Faust’s death. No details were immediately provided.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are deeply saddened by the loss of Gerry Faust. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Faust family and Gerry’s loved ones. → <a href="https://t.co/4emkI07LeQ">https://t.co/4emkI07LeQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/RoDIt4n1Xo">pic.twitter.com/RoDIt4n1Xo</a>&mdash; The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) <a href="https://twitter.com/FightingIrish/status/1856366849522307429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Faust guided the Fighting Irish from 1981 through 1985, compiling a record of 30-26-1. He succeeded Dan Devine as coach of Notre Dame and preceded Lou Holtz.“I have always loved Notre Dame and still do,” he said after he was fired following the 1985 season.He spent the next nine seasons as the head coach at the University of Akron, bringing the program from Division II to major-college status. His record was 43-53-3 with the Zips.He remained at Akron after his coaching days, working as a fundraiser and in the development office before retiring in 2001.It was as a high school coach that Faust first stepped into the spotlight.After graduating in 1958 from the University of Dayton with a degree in marketing and management, Faust accepted his first coaching position as an assistant at his high school alma mater, Dayton Chaminade. His father, Gerry Sr., had coached at Chaminade for 49 years.Two seasons later, Faust accepted an offer to build a football program at a new high school, Archbishop Moeller, in suburban Cincinnati.He spent three years constructing the foundation of what would become a legendary program in high school athletics.In 1963, Moeller’s first varsity team surprised many with a 9-1 record.In the next 17 years, Faust’s Moeller teams posted nine undefeated seasons, won 10 city championships, eight regional titles and five big-school state championships.Four times Faust teams were awarded mythical national championships, each following unbeaten and untied seasons in 1976, ’77, ’79 and ’80.The 1980 team completed a 13-0 season and capped Faust’s high school coaching record at a remarkable 174-17-2, a success rate of nearly 91%.There was a public outcry when Faust was selected to take over at Notre Dame in the spring of 1981. The school’s administrators were admonished for elevating a high school coach to the most revered position in college coaching.Faust’s first team in South Bend went 5-6 and he followed that with marks of 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 and 5-6.His first Akron team in 1986 went 7-4, but his teams — playing a difficult Division I-AA schedule and, eventually, some of the top teams in I-A — never reached that level again.<h2>___</h2>

Gerry Faust, former head football coach at Notre Dame, has died at 89

Hays Post Fort Hays State Tiger football coach Chris Brown, defensive back Jaxon Kolzow and running back Shane Watts spoke to the media Tuesday before the Tigers travel to Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays Post Fort Hays State Tiger football coach Chris Brown, defensive back Jaxon Kolzow and running back Shane Watts spoke to the media Tuesday before the Tigers travel to Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G2PPSEuzKD0?si=NNjOpTjMFY5r3oBG" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LAC1dSFo_ZM?si=ivhltKc4GFkeXi62" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6p3u9BDXxBQ?si=xJdEs5RUursN0YgD" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🏈📹 FHSU weekly press conference 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/11/04/advocates-of-imperiled-lesser-prairie-chicken-say-market-incentives-key-to-expanding-habitat/">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has several choices to make in the coming months about whether his second administration will keep access to contraception and abortion as it is now or implement changes.

While Trump cannot on his own enact nationwide laws or abortion bans without Congress, he and the people he picks for key posts throughout the federal government will have significant influence on reproductive rights nationwide.

During Trump’s first term in office he barred health care organizations that perform or refer patients for abortions from receiving Title X family planning grants, even though there’s a moratorium on using federal funds for abortions unless it’s the result of rape or incest, or the life of the woman is at risk.

Alina Salganicoff, senior vice president and director for women’s health policy at the nonpartisan health research organization KFF, said on a call with reporters Friday that about a quarter of providers withdrew or were disqualified from receiving federal family planning grants as a result of that policy.

“The Title X program basically funds family planning services for low-income people,” Salganicoff explained. “It’s basically a small program, it’s around under $300 million — but it is a critical program to people who don’t otherwise have insurance.”

Trump will also have to decide whether to leave in place guidance from the Biden administration that says a federal law from the 1980s protects health care providers who perform abortions as stabilizing care during an emergency that would affect a woman’s health or life.

That law, known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, became one point of disagreement between the Biden administration and Republican states that implemented abortion bans or strict restrictions after the Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to an abortion.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/state-bans-abortion-dont-apply-emergency-health-care-white-house-reminds-providers" target="_blank">wrote in a letter&nbsp;</a>released in July 2022 that under the federal “law, no matter where you live, women have the right to emergency care — including abortion care.”

EMTALA is at the center of an&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/federal-court-sets-date-for-emtala-oral-argument-hearing-in-idaho-based-case/" target="_blank">ongoing lawsuit&nbsp;</a>between the Biden administration and Idaho over that state’s abortion law. Oral arguments in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals are set for early December.

The future of medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation that’s used in about 63% of abortions nationwide, will be another area the Trump administration could alter without congressional approval.

Salganicoff said there’s no way to know just yet if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will seek to change prescribing guidelines for medication abortion or revoke the 2000 approval of mifepristone altogether.

“We don’t know whether they’re going to actually review the approval, but I will tell you that it is likely that they will revisit the conditions in which medication abortions, which now account for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in this country, can be provided,” Salganicoff said.

The Trump administration, she said, is likely to focus on revisions made during the Biden administration that allow doctors or other qualified health care providers to prescribe the two-drug medication abortion regimen via telehealth and then have mifepristone and misoprostol mailed to the patient.

Salganicoff anticipates anti-abortion organizations will also encourage the Trump administration to address recent findings from the We Count Project, showing 1 in 10 abortions take place after medication abortion is mailed to people in states with bans or significant restrictions from states that have shield laws.

“This FDA protocol is legal to do that, but clearly this is going to be a target,” she said.

The Comstock Act,<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too" target="_blank">&nbsp;an anti-obscenity law from the late 19th century</a>&nbsp;that once banned the mailing of boxing photographs, pornography and contraception, will also be front and center after Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.

The law, which is still on the books despite not being enforced in decades, could potentially allow the U.S. Postal Service to prevent the mailing of abortion medications or any other instrument or tool used in abortions.

“The Biden administration’s Department of Justice did a review and said that they are not going to enforce Comstock,” Salganicoff said. “Project 2025 sees it very differently, and even though President-elect Trump has said that he is not going to enforce Comstock, it’s not clear, and there will likely be a lot of pressure to do that.”

Project 2025 is a policy map for a Trump presidency published by the Heritage Foundation. Trump has disavowed any connection with it, although former members of his first administration helped develop it.

Salganicoff said enforcing the Comstock Act would affect access to medication abortion throughout the country, even in states that have reinforced reproductive rights during the last two years.

“Clearly that’s going to tee up a lot of litigation and challenges,” Salganicoff said.

Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, said during the call that the Trump administration’s possible elevation of people who spread misinformation or disinformation could lead to more confusion about research-based health care.

“I think one thing, particularly with the rise in prominence of RFK Jr., you know, is the potential for misinformation,” Levitt said, referring to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a prominent vaccine opponent who endorsed Trump and campaigned extensively with him.

“We turn to the government for reliable data, public health information and scientific information,” Levitt said. “And there’s the potential now, for the government to be not only not an effective source for health information, but in fact, an accelerant for misinformation.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="Photo Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Photo Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/11/04/advocates-of-imperiled-lesser-prairie-chicken-say-market-incentives-key-to-expanding-habitat/">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has several choices to make in the coming months about whether his second administration will keep access to contraception and abortion as it is now or implement changes.While Trump cannot on his own enact nationwide laws or abortion bans without Congress, he and the people he picks for key posts throughout the federal government will have significant influence on reproductive rights nationwide.During Trump’s first term in office he barred health care organizations that perform or refer patients for abortions from receiving Title X family planning grants, even though there’s a moratorium on using federal funds for abortions unless it’s the result of rape or incest, or the life of the woman is at risk.Alina Salganicoff, senior vice president and director for women’s health policy at the nonpartisan health research organization KFF, said on a call with reporters Friday that about a quarter of providers withdrew or were disqualified from receiving federal family planning grants as a result of that policy.“The Title X program basically funds family planning services for low-income people,” Salganicoff explained. “It’s basically a small program, it’s around under $300 million — but it is a critical program to people who don’t otherwise have insurance.”<h2>Abortions as stabilizing care</h2>Trump will also have to decide whether to leave in place guidance from the Biden administration that says a federal law from the 1980s protects health care providers who perform abortions as stabilizing care during an emergency that would affect a woman’s health or life.That law, known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, became one point of disagreement between the Biden administration and Republican states that implemented abortion bans or strict restrictions after the Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to an abortion.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/state-bans-abortion-dont-apply-emergency-health-care-white-house-reminds-providers" target="_blank">wrote in a letter&nbsp;</a>released in July 2022 that under the federal “law, no matter where you live, women have the right to emergency care — including abortion care.”EMTALA is at the center of an&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/federal-court-sets-date-for-emtala-oral-argument-hearing-in-idaho-based-case/" target="_blank">ongoing lawsuit&nbsp;</a>between the Biden administration and Idaho over that state’s abortion law. Oral arguments in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals are set for early December.<h2>Abortion pill</h2>The future of medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation that’s used in about 63% of abortions nationwide, will be another area the Trump administration could alter without congressional approval.Salganicoff said there’s no way to know just yet if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will seek to change prescribing guidelines for medication abortion or revoke the 2000 approval of mifepristone altogether.“We don’t know whether they’re going to actually review the approval, but I will tell you that it is likely that they will revisit the conditions in which medication abortions, which now account for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in this country, can be provided,” Salganicoff said.The Trump administration, she said, is likely to focus on revisions made during the Biden administration that allow doctors or other qualified health care providers to prescribe the two-drug medication abortion regimen via telehealth and then have mifepristone and misoprostol mailed to the patient.Salganicoff anticipates anti-abortion organizations will also encourage the Trump administration to address recent findings from the We Count Project, showing 1 in 10 abortions take place after medication abortion is mailed to people in states with bans or significant restrictions from states that have shield laws.“This FDA protocol is legal to do that, but clearly this is going to be a target,” she said.<h2>Mailing of abortion medication</h2>The Comstock Act,<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too" target="_blank">&nbsp;an anti-obscenity law from the late 19th century</a>&nbsp;that once banned the mailing of boxing photographs, pornography and contraception, will also be front and center after Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.The law, which is still on the books despite not being enforced in decades, could potentially allow the U.S. Postal Service to prevent the mailing of abortion medications or any other instrument or tool used in abortions.“The Biden administration’s Department of Justice did a review and said that they are not going to enforce Comstock,” Salganicoff said. “Project 2025 sees it very differently, and even though President-elect Trump has said that he is not going to enforce Comstock, it’s not clear, and there will likely be a lot of pressure to do that.”Project 2025 is a policy map for a Trump presidency published by the Heritage Foundation. Trump has disavowed any connection with it, although former members of his first administration helped develop it.Salganicoff said enforcing the Comstock Act would affect access to medication abortion throughout the country, even in states that have reinforced reproductive rights during the last two years.“Clearly that’s going to tee up a lot of litigation and challenges,” Salganicoff said.Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, said during the call that the Trump administration’s possible elevation of people who spread misinformation or disinformation could lead to more confusion about research-based health care.“I think one thing, particularly with the rise in prominence of RFK Jr., you know, is the potential for misinformation,” Levitt said, referring to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a prominent vaccine opponent who endorsed Trump and campaigned extensively with him.“We turn to the government for reliable data, public health information and scientific information,” Levitt said. “And there’s the potential now, for the government to be not only not an effective source for health information, but in fact, an accelerant for misinformation.”&nbsp;

Health experts outline how Trump admin. could affect abortion, contraception access

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress returns to a changed Washington as President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;hard-right agenda is quickly taking shape, buoyed by eager Republican allies eyeing a full&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/house-senate-trump-election-updates-11-11-24">sweep of power</a>&nbsp;on Capitol Hill while Democrats are sorting out what went wrong.

Even as final election results are still being tallied, the House and Senate leadership is pushing ahead toward a second-term Trump White House and what he's called a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-9a38fb935f94ac1e3f5cdcef621a39ca">“mandate”</a>&nbsp;for governing, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-day-1-priorities-deportations-drilling-ukraine-6747c6e64b0440978f59450b928f61d1">mass deportations, industry deregulation and wholesale gutting</a>&nbsp;of the federal government.

Trump is already testing the norms of governance during this presidential transition period — telling the Senate to forgo its advise-and-consent role and simply&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-senate-thune-cornyn-scott-republican-leadership-2a711f260887926676bb5d69866a1981">accept his Cabinet</a>&nbsp;nominees — and he is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">staffing his administration</a>&nbsp;and finding lawmakers willing to bend those civic traditions.

“Trump’s going to deliver his deportations, the drilling, the wall — it’s going to take all of us getting together,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus.

But first, the House and Senate leaders will hold internal party elections this week for their own jobs. Most of the top Republican leaders depend on Trump for their political livelihoods and have worked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-mike-johnson-majority-trump-election-65d7217e4541cd314849c9a0da2b0081">draw closer to the president-elect</a>&nbsp;to shore up loyalty.

House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>, who is on the cusp of keeping a slim majority hold of the chamber with several House races still too early to call, will assemble his leadership team early Tuesday on the Capitol steps for a victory lap and agenda-setting.

In the Senate, where Republicans seized power from Democrats on election night, three Republican senators who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-republicans-leadership-mcconnell-thune-cornyn-scott-d17b341874cb6627f1d75d7051feebe4">vying to become the new GOP leader</a>&nbsp;have rushed to agree with Trump’s plan for quick confirmation of presidential nominees.

“As Congress returns to Washington, we must&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/senate">prepare the Senate</a>&nbsp;to advance that agenda legislatively and ensure that the president-elect can hit the ground running with his appointees confirmed as soon as possible,” GOP Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, who is seeking the leadership job, wrote in a Fox News opinion piece.

All told, it’s a fundamental reshaping of not only the power centers in Washington, but the rules of governing, as Trump returns to the White House in January with a potential GOP-led Congress that is far less skeptical or wary of his approach than eight years ago, and much more willing to back him.

“This is going to be a very challenging time,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

She described the “horrific immigration policies” that Trump promised voters and she insisted the progressives in Congress will provide an “effective check” on the new White House, much the way Democrats did during his first term by fighting efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and other policies.

At the same time, Jayapal warned Trump will have “many fewer restrictions."

"Our members are ready to take up the fight again," she said, standing alongside a handful of newly elected progressive lawmakers she called the “bright lights” joining Congress.

First tests will come during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-judges-lame-duck-3084d5c362474ee9ddd9bf9e1cd7b812">“lame duck”</a>&nbsp;period of the remaining days of this Congress, the eight-week sprint until Jan. 3, 2025, when the new lawmakers are sworn into office.

As lawmakers return this week they will be joined by dozens of new names in the House and Senate who are in town for freshmen orientation weeks and the private leadership elections scheduled for Wednesday.

But Republican senators are protesting that one of their own, newly elected&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-senate-2024-election-david-mccormick-casey-866a8712dea0b52b5d8d6b4844968b53">Dave McCormick</a>&nbsp;of Pennsylvania, is being excluded from orientation week by Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer because there are still uncounted ballots in his race. Schumer's office has said it is custom to wait until all the ballots are counted.

The Senate leadership race to replace outgoing GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is turning into a test of Trump loyalties, with the president-elect's allies — including billionaire Elon Musk and Make America Great Again influencers — pushing the senators to elect Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.

But Scott has not been the most popular candidate for the leadership post, and senators had been rallying around the two “Johns” — Thune, the second-ranking GOP leader, and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. The outcome of Wednesday's private balloting behind closed doors is highly uncertain.

In the House, some conservative Republicans are quietly suggesting their own leadership elections should be postponed until the final results of the House races are resolved. Democrats will hold their House and Senate leadership elections later.

Johnson wants to retain the speaker's gavel and told colleagues in a letter last week he is ready to “take the field” with them to deliver on Trump's agenda. But he is expected to face detractors behind closed doors.

While Johnson only needs a simple majority during Wednesday's private voting to become the GOP nominee to be speaker, he will need a 218-member majority in January during a floor vote of the whole House.

A low vote total this week will show the leverage Freedom Caucus members and others have to pry concessions from Johnson, much as they forced then-Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;into a prolonged vote for the gavel in 2023.

And while Johnson predicts next year will launch the “most consequential” presidency and Congress in modern times, he has had difficulty this year leading Republicans who refused to go along with plans, forcing the speaker to often partner with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Johnson's troubles stem in part from his slim majority, but that could persist if Trump continues to tap House Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">fill his administration</a>. Trump has already asked Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-united-nations-elise-stefanik-ambassador-2b482fb39a8d6f03d389d27cc8820056">Elise Stefanik</a>, R-N.Y., to be ambassador to the United Nations and Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-security-adviser-mike-wlatz-0c81d044c9ffe18dfd745202e8351b9c">Mike Waltz</a>, R-Fla., to be his national security adviser.

“We're pretty much maxed out,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas. “Everybody understands that.”

In the weeks ahead, Congress faces another deadline, Dec. 20, to fund the federal government or risk a shutdown, and conservatives are redoubling their pressure on Johnson not to cave on their demands to slash spending.

The House and Senate also will consider replenishing the Disaster Relief Fund to help provide aid in the aftermath of Hurricanes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">Helene</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milton">Milton.</a>

And with President Joe Biden preparing to exit and Democrats relinquishing their hold on the Senate, there will be pressure to confirm more judicial nominees and to usher out the door any other bills that could possibly become law before Trump takes over.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731417768351.png" alt="Image Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Image Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress returns to a changed Washington as President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;hard-right agenda is quickly taking shape, buoyed by eager Republican allies eyeing a full&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/house-senate-trump-election-updates-11-11-24">sweep of power</a>&nbsp;on Capitol Hill while Democrats are sorting out what went wrong.Even as final election results are still being tallied, the House and Senate leadership is pushing ahead toward a second-term Trump White House and what he's called a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-9a38fb935f94ac1e3f5cdcef621a39ca">“mandate”</a>&nbsp;for governing, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-day-1-priorities-deportations-drilling-ukraine-6747c6e64b0440978f59450b928f61d1">mass deportations, industry deregulation and wholesale gutting</a>&nbsp;of the federal government.Trump is already testing the norms of governance during this presidential transition period — telling the Senate to forgo its advise-and-consent role and simply&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-senate-thune-cornyn-scott-republican-leadership-2a711f260887926676bb5d69866a1981">accept his Cabinet</a>&nbsp;nominees — and he is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">staffing his administration</a>&nbsp;and finding lawmakers willing to bend those civic traditions.“Trump’s going to deliver his deportations, the drilling, the wall — it’s going to take all of us getting together,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus.But first, the House and Senate leaders will hold internal party elections this week for their own jobs. Most of the top Republican leaders depend on Trump for their political livelihoods and have worked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-mike-johnson-majority-trump-election-65d7217e4541cd314849c9a0da2b0081">draw closer to the president-elect</a>&nbsp;to shore up loyalty.House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>, who is on the cusp of keeping a slim majority hold of the chamber with several House races still too early to call, will assemble his leadership team early Tuesday on the Capitol steps for a victory lap and agenda-setting.In the Senate, where Republicans seized power from Democrats on election night, three Republican senators who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-republicans-leadership-mcconnell-thune-cornyn-scott-d17b341874cb6627f1d75d7051feebe4">vying to become the new GOP leader</a>&nbsp;have rushed to agree with Trump’s plan for quick confirmation of presidential nominees.“As Congress returns to Washington, we must&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/senate">prepare the Senate</a>&nbsp;to advance that agenda legislatively and ensure that the president-elect can hit the ground running with his appointees confirmed as soon as possible,” GOP Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, who is seeking the leadership job, wrote in a Fox News opinion piece.All told, it’s a fundamental reshaping of not only the power centers in Washington, but the rules of governing, as Trump returns to the White House in January with a potential GOP-led Congress that is far less skeptical or wary of his approach than eight years ago, and much more willing to back him.“This is going to be a very challenging time,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.She described the “horrific immigration policies” that Trump promised voters and she insisted the progressives in Congress will provide an “effective check” on the new White House, much the way Democrats did during his first term by fighting efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and other policies.At the same time, Jayapal warned Trump will have “many fewer restrictions.""Our members are ready to take up the fight again," she said, standing alongside a handful of newly elected progressive lawmakers she called the “bright lights” joining Congress.First tests will come during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-judges-lame-duck-3084d5c362474ee9ddd9bf9e1cd7b812">“lame duck”</a>&nbsp;period of the remaining days of this Congress, the eight-week sprint until Jan. 3, 2025, when the new lawmakers are sworn into office.As lawmakers return this week they will be joined by dozens of new names in the House and Senate who are in town for freshmen orientation weeks and the private leadership elections scheduled for Wednesday.But Republican senators are protesting that one of their own, newly elected&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-senate-2024-election-david-mccormick-casey-866a8712dea0b52b5d8d6b4844968b53">Dave McCormick</a>&nbsp;of Pennsylvania, is being excluded from orientation week by Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer because there are still uncounted ballots in his race. Schumer's office has said it is custom to wait until all the ballots are counted.The Senate leadership race to replace outgoing GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is turning into a test of Trump loyalties, with the president-elect's allies — including billionaire Elon Musk and Make America Great Again influencers — pushing the senators to elect Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.But Scott has not been the most popular candidate for the leadership post, and senators had been rallying around the two “Johns” — Thune, the second-ranking GOP leader, and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. The outcome of Wednesday's private balloting behind closed doors is highly uncertain.In the House, some conservative Republicans are quietly suggesting their own leadership elections should be postponed until the final results of the House races are resolved. Democrats will hold their House and Senate leadership elections later.Johnson wants to retain the speaker's gavel and told colleagues in a letter last week he is ready to “take the field” with them to deliver on Trump's agenda. But he is expected to face detractors behind closed doors.While Johnson only needs a simple majority during Wednesday's private voting to become the GOP nominee to be speaker, he will need a 218-member majority in January during a floor vote of the whole House.A low vote total this week will show the leverage Freedom Caucus members and others have to pry concessions from Johnson, much as they forced then-Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;into a prolonged vote for the gavel in 2023.And while Johnson predicts next year will launch the “most consequential” presidency and Congress in modern times, he has had difficulty this year leading Republicans who refused to go along with plans, forcing the speaker to often partner with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.Johnson's troubles stem in part from his slim majority, but that could persist if Trump continues to tap House Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">fill his administration</a>. Trump has already asked Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-united-nations-elise-stefanik-ambassador-2b482fb39a8d6f03d389d27cc8820056">Elise Stefanik</a>, R-N.Y., to be ambassador to the United Nations and Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-security-adviser-mike-wlatz-0c81d044c9ffe18dfd745202e8351b9c">Mike Waltz</a>, R-Fla., to be his national security adviser.“We're pretty much maxed out,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas. “Everybody understands that.”In the weeks ahead, Congress faces another deadline, Dec. 20, to fund the federal government or risk a shutdown, and conservatives are redoubling their pressure on Johnson not to cave on their demands to slash spending.The House and Senate also will consider replenishing the Disaster Relief Fund to help provide aid in the aftermath of Hurricanes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">Helene</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milton">Milton.</a>And with President Joe Biden preparing to exit and Democrats relinquishing their hold on the Senate, there will be pressure to confirm more judicial nominees and to usher out the door any other bills that could possibly become law before Trump takes over.

More than a dozen races left to be called to determine control of Congress

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays VFW honored all who served on Veterans Day with a ceremony filled with patriotism and deep respect for veterans of foreign wars.

On Monday, the ceremony at VFW Post 9076 featured the raising of the colors, a rifle squad, guest speakers and musical tributes.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer, Senior Vice Commander Joe Devine began the morning by explaining the holiday's significance.

“Veterans Day is a rich tradition in the United States and here in Hays. The men and women of the VFW and auxiliary are proud to honor our veterans and those serving today,” Devine said.

The ceremony featured guest speaker Colonel Gregory Akers, a retired United States Marine Corps officer and Fort Hays State University graduate who served 29 years in various Marine Corps roles.

His service took him to Africa, Japan, Afghanistan, Russia and various parts of Europe.

“Veterans Day is when we celebrate all those who have served in the uniform, living and deceased,” Akers said.

Akers provided an in-depth look at the history of Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, to commemorate the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.

After World War II, Congress broadened the holiday to honor all American veterans, officially renaming it Veterans Day in 1945.

“Not all federal holidays are observed in such a fashion,” Akers said. “Veterans raised their right hand and swore an oath to the constitution to defend the nation against foreign and domestic enemies. It is a social contract with the American people which, in some cases, cost their lives.”

Veterans often struggle with feelings of isolation and loneliness as they cope with psychological scars like PTSD, even with support from friends and family.

Akers listed other challenges, such as homelessness, suicide and substance abuse, which made it difficult for veterans to reintegrate into society after serving their country.

"We as a nation have an obligation to take care of these men and women. This is a call to action on your part," he said. "How we treat veterans following their service is critical for the future of our military and the nation's security."

Akers said Kansas is home to roughly 150,000 veterans, with 30% facing some level of disability. In Ellis County, about six World War II veterans remain.

Akers concluded by thanking the VFW post for its dedication to honoring veterans until their final rest.

At the ceremony, High School student Mariella Dreiling was honored as the local winner of the Voice of Democracy scholarship program, receiving a $500 scholarship from Fort Hays VFW Post 9076.

Dreiling read her essay in response to the question, "Is America today our forefathers' vision?" She discussed current challenges like voter apathy, media bias and the decline of moral values.

Dreiling said the answer to this question is no. However, the core principles upon which the United States was founded still hold and deserve recognition, she said.

“United States citizens must respect and abide by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. We must appreciate and strive to maintain what our forefathers accomplished in making America the greatest nation on Earth,” she said.

The event concluded with a flag-folding ritual, in which the flag was folded 13 times to honor veterans, the nation and the values cherished by Americans.

Bob Dreiling provided music throughout the ceremony. A luncheon was provided afterward for attendees.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731363789621.jpeg" alt="Senior Vice Commander Joe Devine speaking to veterans at VFW Post 9076 in Hays for Veterans Days. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Senior Vice Commander Joe Devine speaking to veterans at VFW Post 9076 in Hays for Veterans Days. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Hays VFW honored all who served on Veterans Day with a ceremony filled with patriotism and deep respect for veterans of foreign wars.On Monday, the ceremony at VFW Post 9076 featured the raising of the colors, a rifle squad, guest speakers and musical tributes.After the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer, Senior Vice Commander Joe Devine began the morning by explaining the holiday's significance.“Veterans Day is a rich tradition in the United States and here in Hays. The men and women of the VFW and auxiliary are proud to honor our veterans and those serving today,” Devine said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731363821415.jpeg" alt="A rifle squad of veterans lined up outside the VFW Post 9076 in Hays for the flag-raising ceremony. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A rifle squad of veterans lined up outside the VFW Post 9076 in Hays for the flag-raising ceremony. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731363881606.jpeg" alt="A rifle squad of veterans firing their rifles outside the VFW Post 9076 in Hays for the flag-raising ceremony. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A rifle squad of veterans firing their rifles outside the VFW Post 9076 in Hays for the flag-raising ceremony. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731363925254.jpeg" alt="Colonel Gregory Akers speaking at the VFW Post 9076 in Hays on Veterans Day. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Colonel Gregory Akers speaking at the VFW Post 9076 in Hays on Veterans Day. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The ceremony featured guest speaker Colonel Gregory Akers, a retired United States Marine Corps officer and Fort Hays State University graduate who served 29 years in various Marine Corps roles.His service took him to Africa, Japan, Afghanistan, Russia and various parts of Europe.“Veterans Day is when we celebrate all those who have served in the uniform, living and deceased,” Akers said.Akers provided an in-depth look at the history of Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, to commemorate the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918.After World War II, Congress broadened the holiday to honor all American veterans, officially renaming it Veterans Day in 1945.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731363978388.jpeg" alt="Veterans and other attendees at the&nbsp;VFW Post 9076 in Hays on Veterans Day. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Veterans and other attendees at the&nbsp;VFW Post 9076 in Hays on Veterans Day. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>“Not all federal holidays are observed in such a fashion,” Akers said. “Veterans raised their right hand and swore an oath to the constitution to defend the nation against foreign and domestic enemies. It is a social contract with the American people which, in some cases, cost their lives.”Veterans often struggle with feelings of isolation and loneliness as they cope with psychological scars like PTSD, even with support from friends and family.Akers listed other challenges, such as homelessness, suicide and substance abuse, which made it difficult for veterans to reintegrate into society after serving their country."We as a nation have an obligation to take care of these men and women. This is a call to action on your part," he said. "How we treat veterans following their service is critical for the future of our military and the nation's security."Akers said Kansas is home to roughly 150,000 veterans, with 30% facing some level of disability. In Ellis County, about six World War II veterans remain.Akers concluded by thanking the VFW post for its dedication to honoring veterans until their final rest.At the ceremony, High School student Mariella Dreiling was honored as the local winner of the Voice of Democracy scholarship program, receiving a $500 scholarship from Fort Hays VFW Post 9076.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731364029608.jpeg" alt="Mariella Dreiling being honored at the VFW Post&nbsp;9076 in Hays on Veterans Day. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Mariella Dreiling being honored at the VFW Post&nbsp;9076 in Hays on Veterans Day. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Dreiling read her essay in response to the question, "Is America today our forefathers' vision?" She discussed current challenges like voter apathy, media bias and the decline of moral values.Dreiling said the answer to this question is no. However, the core principles upon which the United States was founded still hold and deserve recognition, she said.“United States citizens must respect and abide by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. We must appreciate and strive to maintain what our forefathers accomplished in making America the greatest nation on Earth,” she said.The event concluded with a flag-folding ritual, in which the flag was folded 13 times to honor veterans, the nation and the values cherished by Americans.Bob Dreiling provided music throughout the ceremony. A luncheon was provided afterward for attendees.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731364070157.jpeg" alt="Two veterans preparing the flag for the flag-folding ceremony at VFW Post 9076 in Hays on Veterans Day. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Two veterans preparing the flag for the flag-folding ceremony at VFW Post 9076 in Hays on Veterans Day. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731364103708.jpeg" alt="A thank you card for veterans at VFW Post 9076. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A thank you card for veterans at VFW Post 9076. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731364159691.jpeg" alt="Multiple thank you cards for veterans at VFW Post 9076. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Multiple thank you cards for veterans at VFW Post 9076. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731364130120.jpeg" alt="A thank you card for veterans at VFW Post 9076. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A thank you card for veterans at VFW Post 9076. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays VFW honors local veterans in a Veterans Day ceremony

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board approved a contract with Enterprise on Monday night for fleet management.

Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business services, said the district contacted local dealership Lewis Automotive about a similar lease program. Lewis said they could not match Enterprise's plan and recommended the district use the Enterprise program.

Under the contract,&nbsp;Enterprise will manage the purchase and sale of district vehicles, except buses.

Prior to 2019, the Hays school district bought vehicles through the state bid system at steep discounts. Staff drove the vehicles until they wore out, and then they were auctioned at low prices.

Since the pandemic, that state bid system has not been available. The district has 12 Suburban SUVs, none newer than 2019.&nbsp;Its entire fleet includes 39 non-bus vehicles.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/06ea26c1-8471-4e7d-8372-64895445a845">At the board’s Oct. 21 meeting, Ken Olsen of Enterprise said the purchasing and sale program allows entities to decrease costs while operating newer, safer vehicles.</a>

New vehicles would be phased into the fleet over several years.

Both the city of Hays and Ellis County use one of Enterprise's fleet programs.

Board President Curt Vajnar said he contacted the county and other schools that use the program, and their officials spoke highly of Enterprise.

Based on its significant connections and volume, Enterprise can obtain 10 percent more than the average auction price for most of its vehicles.

Enterprise estimates the district would save almost $89,000 over 10 years using its program to purchase and sell vehicles.

Although the vehicles will be newer, Olsen said district insurance costs usually do not increase because of the improved safety features on the newer vehicles.

The district would still use local dealerships for warranty work.

Board member Allen Park said he thought Enterprise gave a good presentation but did not like how the contract was brought to the board.

He and board member Derek Yarmer said they wanted the contract to be bid.

The contract was approved on a vote of 5-2, with Park and Yarmer voting against it.

Hipp also presented the full-time equivalent audited student enrollment of 3152.4, two students within the district budget.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731376001828.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board approved a contract with Enterprise on Monday night for fleet management.Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business services, said the district contacted local dealership Lewis Automotive about a similar lease program. Lewis said they could not match Enterprise's plan and recommended the district use the Enterprise program.Under the contract,&nbsp;Enterprise will manage the purchase and sale of district vehicles, except buses.Prior to 2019, the Hays school district bought vehicles through the state bid system at steep discounts. Staff drove the vehicles until they wore out, and then they were auctioned at low prices.Since the pandemic, that state bid system has not been available. The district has 12 Suburban SUVs, none newer than 2019.&nbsp;Its entire fleet includes 39 non-bus vehicles.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/06ea26c1-8471-4e7d-8372-64895445a845">At the board’s Oct. 21 meeting, Ken Olsen of Enterprise said the purchasing and sale program allows entities to decrease costs while operating newer, safer vehicles.</a>New vehicles would be phased into the fleet over several years.Both the city of Hays and Ellis County use one of Enterprise's fleet programs.Board President Curt Vajnar said he contacted the county and other schools that use the program, and their officials spoke highly of Enterprise.Based on its significant connections and volume, Enterprise can obtain 10 percent more than the average auction price for most of its vehicles.Enterprise estimates the district would save almost $89,000 over 10 years using its program to purchase and sell vehicles.Although the vehicles will be newer, Olsen said district insurance costs usually do not increase because of the improved safety features on the newer vehicles.The district would still use local dealerships for warranty work.Board member Allen Park said he thought Enterprise gave a good presentation but did not like how the contract was brought to the board.He and board member Derek Yarmer said they wanted the contract to be bid.The contract was approved on a vote of 5-2, with Park and Yarmer voting against it.Hipp also presented the full-time equivalent audited student enrollment of 3152.4, two students within the district budget.

Hays USD BOE approved fleet plan contract with Enterprise

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.

On Sunday Master Trooper Van Buren stopped a driver traveling 118 mph in a 75 mph zone in Ellsworth County, according to a social media report from the KHP. The trooper arrested the driver.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Trooper Mai made a traffic stop in Cloud County, where a driver was cited for speeding at 103 mph in a 70 mph zone, improper lane use, and child restraint violations.

"It’s a crucial reminder that every safety measure counts on the road. Child safety seats are designed to protect our littlest passengers, and at these speeds, every precaution matters."&nbsp; The KHP released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731362806066.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.On Sunday Master Trooper Van Buren stopped a driver traveling 118 mph in a 75 mph zone in Ellsworth County, according to a social media report from the KHP. The trooper arrested the driver.&nbsp;On Saturday, Trooper Mai made a traffic stop in Cloud County, where a driver was cited for speeding at 103 mph in a 70 mph zone, improper lane use, and child restraint violations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731362875068.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"It’s a crucial reminder that every safety measure counts on the road. Child safety seats are designed to protect our littlest passengers, and at these speeds, every precaution matters."&nbsp; The KHP released no additional details.

KHP: Driver jailed for 118mph in 75 mph zone 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before Senate Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-republicans-leadership-mcconnell-thune-cornyn-scott-d17b341874cb6627f1d75d7051feebe4">pick their new leader</a>, President-elect Donald Trump is pressuring the candidates to change the rules and empower him to appoint some nominees without a Senate vote.

Republican Sens. John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida are running in a secret ballot election Wednesday to lead the GOP conference and replace longtime GOP leader Mitch McConnell, who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-senate-republican-leader-stepping-down-ba478d570a4561aa7baf91a204d7e366">stepping aside</a>&nbsp;from the job after almost two decades. All three have courted Trump's support in the race, vying to show who is the closest to the president-elect as they campaign to become majority leader.

Trump has not endorsed in the race, but on Sunday he made clear that he expects the new leader to go around regular Senate order, if necessary, to allow him to fill his Cabinet quickly. In a statement on X and Truth Social, Trump said that the next leader “must agree” to allow him to make appointments when the chamber is on recess, bypassing a confirmation vote.

“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,” Trump posted, adding that positions should be filled “IMMEDIATELY!”

The Senate has not allowed presidents to make so-called recess appointments since a 2014 Supreme Court ruling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-22b9146b48764deb9d07d94ea6fe075b">limited the president’s power to do so</a>. Since then, the Senate has held brief “pro-forma” sessions when it is out of town for more than 10 days so that a president cannot take advantage of the absence and start filling posts that have not been confirmed.

But with Trump’s approval paramount in the race, all three candidates quickly suggested that they might be willing to reconsider the practice. Scott replied to Trump, “100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible.” And Thune said in a statement that they must “quickly and decisively” act to get nominees in place and that “all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments.”

Cornyn said that “It is unacceptable for Senate Ds to blockade President&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>&nbsp;’s cabinet appointments. If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent.” He noted that recess appointments are allowed under the Constitution.

The social media exchange on Sunday became a first test for the three candidates since Trump was decisively elected last week to a second term.

Trump’s relationship with Congress — especially the advice and consent role afforded to the Senate when it comes to nominations — was tumultuous in his first term as he chafed at resistance to his selections and sought ways to work around lawmakers. With Trump now entering a second term emboldened by his sweeping election victory, he is already signaling that he expects Senate Republicans, and by extension, their new leader, to fall in line behind his Cabinet selections.

Trump also posted on Sunday that the Senate should not approve any judges in the weeks before Republicans take power next year — a more difficult demand to fulfill as Democrats will control the floor, and hold the majority of votes, until the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3. Trump posted that “Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.”

With days to go, the race for Senate Republican leader is deeply in flux.

Thune and Cornyn are both well-liked, longtime senators who have served as deputies to McConnell and have been seen as the front-runners, despite past statements criticizing Trump. Scott — a longtime friend of Trump’s and fierce ally — has been seen as more of a longshot, but he has mounted an aggressive campaign in recent days on social media and elsewhere with the aim of getting Trump’s endorsement.

Senators who are close to Trump, such as Mike Lee of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida, have endorsed Scott, as have tech mogul Elon Musk and other people who have Trump’s ear.

“We have to be the change,” Scott said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures." “That’s what Donald Trump got elected to do, to be the change.”

All three candidates are promising that they will be more open and transparent than McConnell was and that they would give senators more power to get their priorities to the floor. They have also tried to make clear that they would have a much different relationship with Trump than McConnell, who once called the former president a “despicable human being”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcconnell-trump-biography-election-0a861001d95287e689336504abc2281f">behind closed doors</a>.

As the Senate haggles over how to fill Trump’s Cabinet, many of his allies are campaigning for the nominations. Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said on ABC’s “This Week” that there are “a couple of great options on the table.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, a Republican from Tennessee who served as U.S. ambassador to Japan between 2017 and 2019, said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that one of his greatest honors was to represent the Trump administration overseas. He said he would advance “the positions that President Trump has articulated.”

“I’ll do that in whatever role necessary,” said Hagerty, who has endorsed Scott in the leadership race.

While Trump has made only one personnel move public so far, naming Susie Wiles his chief of staff, he has already ruled out two names for top positions.

Trump said Saturday that he would not be inviting Mike Pompeo, his former U.S. Secretary of State and CIA chief, and Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor who served as his U.N. ambassador and challenged him for the GOP nomination. Pompeo rallied with Trump on the night before Election Day.

“I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country,” Trump posted on his network Truth Social.

Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., reposted on X a message by podcaster Dave Smith suggesting to put pressure to “keep all neocons and war hawks out of the Trump administration.”

“The ‘stop Pompeo’ movement is great, but it’s not enough,” Smith posted on X. “America First: screw the war machine!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721096414787.png" alt="File photo&nbsp; Courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo&nbsp; Courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before Senate Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-republicans-leadership-mcconnell-thune-cornyn-scott-d17b341874cb6627f1d75d7051feebe4">pick their new leader</a>, President-elect Donald Trump is pressuring the candidates to change the rules and empower him to appoint some nominees without a Senate vote.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is…&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1855692242981155259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republican Sens. John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida are running in a secret ballot election Wednesday to lead the GOP conference and replace longtime GOP leader Mitch McConnell, who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-senate-republican-leader-stepping-down-ba478d570a4561aa7baf91a204d7e366">stepping aside</a>&nbsp;from the job after almost two decades. All three have courted Trump's support in the race, vying to show who is the closest to the president-elect as they campaign to become majority leader.Trump has not endorsed in the race, but on Sunday he made clear that he expects the new leader to go around regular Senate order, if necessary, to allow him to fill his Cabinet quickly. In a statement on X and Truth Social, Trump said that the next leader “must agree” to allow him to make appointments when the chamber is on recess, bypassing a confirmation vote.“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,” Trump posted, adding that positions should be filled “IMMEDIATELY!”The Senate has not allowed presidents to make so-called recess appointments since a 2014 Supreme Court ruling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-22b9146b48764deb9d07d94ea6fe075b">limited the president’s power to do so</a>. Since then, the Senate has held brief “pro-forma” sessions when it is out of town for more than 10 days so that a president cannot take advantage of the absence and start filling posts that have not been confirmed.But with Trump’s approval paramount in the race, all three candidates quickly suggested that they might be willing to reconsider the practice. Scott replied to Trump, “100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible.” And Thune said in a statement that they must “quickly and decisively” act to get nominees in place and that “all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments.”Cornyn said that “It is unacceptable for Senate Ds to blockade President&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>&nbsp;’s cabinet appointments. If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent.” He noted that recess appointments are allowed under the Constitution.The social media exchange on Sunday became a first test for the three candidates since Trump was decisively elected last week to a second term.Trump’s relationship with Congress — especially the advice and consent role afforded to the Senate when it comes to nominations — was tumultuous in his first term as he chafed at resistance to his selections and sought ways to work around lawmakers. With Trump now entering a second term emboldened by his sweeping election victory, he is already signaling that he expects Senate Republicans, and by extension, their new leader, to fall in line behind his Cabinet selections.Trump also posted on Sunday that the Senate should not approve any judges in the weeks before Republicans take power next year — a more difficult demand to fulfill as Democrats will control the floor, and hold the majority of votes, until the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3. Trump posted that “Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.”With days to go, the race for Senate Republican leader is deeply in flux.Thune and Cornyn are both well-liked, longtime senators who have served as deputies to McConnell and have been seen as the front-runners, despite past statements criticizing Trump. Scott — a longtime friend of Trump’s and fierce ally — has been seen as more of a longshot, but he has mounted an aggressive campaign in recent days on social media and elsewhere with the aim of getting Trump’s endorsement.Senators who are close to Trump, such as Mike Lee of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida, have endorsed Scott, as have tech mogul Elon Musk and other people who have Trump’s ear.“We have to be the change,” Scott said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures." “That’s what Donald Trump got elected to do, to be the change.”All three candidates are promising that they will be more open and transparent than McConnell was and that they would give senators more power to get their priorities to the floor. They have also tried to make clear that they would have a much different relationship with Trump than McConnell, who once called the former president a “despicable human being”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcconnell-trump-biography-election-0a861001d95287e689336504abc2281f">behind closed doors</a>.As the Senate haggles over how to fill Trump’s Cabinet, many of his allies are campaigning for the nominations. Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said on ABC’s “This Week” that there are “a couple of great options on the table.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, a Republican from Tennessee who served as U.S. ambassador to Japan between 2017 and 2019, said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that one of his greatest honors was to represent the Trump administration overseas. He said he would advance “the positions that President Trump has articulated.”“I’ll do that in whatever role necessary,” said Hagerty, who has endorsed Scott in the leadership race.While Trump has made only one personnel move public so far, naming Susie Wiles his chief of staff, he has already ruled out two names for top positions.Trump said Saturday that he would not be inviting Mike Pompeo, his former U.S. Secretary of State and CIA chief, and Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor who served as his U.N. ambassador and challenged him for the GOP nomination. Pompeo rallied with Trump on the night before Election Day.“I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country,” Trump posted on his network Truth Social.Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., reposted on X a message by podcaster Dave Smith suggesting to put pressure to “keep all neocons and war hawks out of the Trump administration.”“The ‘stop Pompeo’ movement is great, but it’s not enough,” Smith posted on X. “America First: screw the war machine!”___

Trump sets demands for new GOP leadership of the U.S. Senate

Editor's note: Corrected 12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11.

Recent economic data from the Docking Institute of Public Affairs showed that Ellis County had the highest poverty rate in the region at 18%.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731001805145.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's note: Corrected 12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11.By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostRecent economic data from the Docking Institute of Public Affairs showed that Ellis County had the highest poverty rate in the region at 18%.Another 23% were classified as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, or ALICE. These households are above the federal poverty level but cannot afford the basic cost of living in their county. They do not qualify for public assistance.Combined, that equals 41% or more than 4 out of 10 Ellis County residents who are struggling financially.Erica Berges, director of the <a href="https://www.liveunited.us/">United Way of Ellis County</a>, said the ALICE families are employed, sometimes working multiple jobs, but are not making enough to make ends meet.&nbsp;The median household income for Ellis County is $59,665. According to the data from United for ALICE, the survival budget for a family with two adults and two children, with the children in child care, is $67,164. That works out to be $33.58 per hour or $16.79 per hour for each adult, with both adults working full time.&nbsp;The Kansas minimum wage is $7.25 for non-tipped employees.Hays is a retail hub, and many of those jobs do not pay high wages. Even entry-level positions in education and health care often do not pay high enough wages to meet a survival budget.Forty-six percent of households with workers who are nursing assistants and 42% of households who are teaching assistants are ALICE households.“It’s pretty easy to comment, ‘Oh, they just need to go find a higher paying job,’” Bergers said. “If you don’t have a college degree, your options are limited. You want to better yourself and get a college degree, but how are you going to afford that? How are you going to find time to do that if you’re working multiple jobs to make ends meet.”The population with the highest percentage of households in poverty or under the ALICE threshold are single mothers at 73%.The next most affected group is households headed by someone 25 and younger. Sixty-nine percent of those households are affected. Students might work retail or food services jobs to accommodate their school schedules, but those are typically lower-paying jobs.The third most affected group is senior citizens, with 48% of households affected.Although Social Security lifts many of these households above the federal poverty level, they still don’t have enough income to satisfy a survival budget.Berges also said some of the figures used in the Docking study seemed low, including $458 per month for rent.&nbsp;Apartments.com listed the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Hays as $611. Zillow listed the median rent at $800.Berges said some of the housing in Hays is liveable, but the apartments and homes are not in the best shape.Hays does not have a rental inspection program, although it has been discussed in years past.Macey Pfeifer, director of First Call for Help, said her agency has seen increased demand for housing assistance. First Call for Help also recently received a grant from Union Pacific to help people with deposits and the first month’s rent. She said demand for that assistance has also been high.First Call for Help also provides utility assistance, and Pfeifer said demand also increased in October. She said there was an increase in utility shutoffs before Midwest Energy initiated its Cold Weather Rule, which prohibits utility disconnection during the winter.&nbsp;Pfeifer said requests for assistance usually increase again in the spring, with some people owing $1,000 or more.First Call for Help has a client whose utilities have been shut off for more than a year, Pfeifer said. She’s been using a garden hose from a neighbor.“Everything adds up, and the money doesn’t go very far,” Pfeifer said.Pfeifer said she thought the increase in assistance has been driven largely by inflation.“The hourly wage people are receiving is not reflecting the increases they see around them,” she said. “Normal places do a 3% increase, but with everything going up way more than 3%, it’s hard.”During a recent city commission meeting, Hays City Commissioner Reese Barrick urged local businesses to increase their wages.“The reality is it would take to get all of Hays outside of poverty and not always struggling week to week and month to month, would people with jobs making $25 an hour,” he said.He added, “We wouldn’t have to have all of these [nonprofit] organizations if we were able to pay people enough so they were outside of the risk zone every month. …“If we want a community where everyone can participate and put money back into the community by shopping everywhere, then we have to pay people enough so they can participate. We can take care of the poverty level. It’s really a wage thing.”The most recent available data is from 2022, prior to record-setting inflation driving up costs, especially food costs.According to the USDA, food prices have increased about 7.3% since 2022.&nbsp;"Look at the budget," Berges said. "They are paying $1,300. That's probably three meals a day. They're cutting out a meal. They have to cut that expense. With transportation, they might own two carts. They need to probably sell one."Those are the decisions those families are probably having to make."Hays has public transportation through the ACCESS program. However, there is no fixed route for that service, which makes it difficult for workers to rely on it to travel back and forth to work, she said.Berges said a working adult may be one flat tire or car breakdown away from a crisis.&nbsp;If they can't get to work, they can get fired, Berges said.&nbsp;United Way of Kansas is trying to lobby the legislature on behalf of the ALICE households to bring more state resources to bear."People in poverty, they have more access to federal and state resources—food stamps, SNAP, WIC, Section 8," she said. "The poverty level for two adults and two children is $31,000, so if you make just slightly over, you don't qualify for any of that, yet you still need this help."Berges said some of the United Way partner agencies help families who are above the poverty line, but they can only do so much with their limited funds, she said."It's really those ALICE households who are feeling the pinch because the poverty line has not changed, yet the cost of everything is going up," she said.&nbsp;United Way receives many calls for rent and utility assistance. Although United Way doesn't offer direct assistance, it refers people to agencies that do."People always need a place to stay, and obviously, they always need heat or water or electricity," she said. "Whereas the food, maybe they can get by.""One thing with this community is that there are still gaps, but there are good resources in food pantries," Berges said.She said a need that is not being met is health care, including dental. United Way of Kansas is advocating for Medicaid expansion in its United for Alice campaign."If you don't get health care, that can snowball into something bigger, and that can affect the hospital and the clinics," Berges said.Berges said she hopes the data opens some community members' eyes."A lot of people who I work with, I don't think we can relate unless we know someone personally who is going through something like that. You take that for granted," Berges said.Anyone needing assistance can call 211 to access United Way’s statewide referral system. They can also download the United Ways Ellis County Community Resources Directory app on Apple or Android devices or <a href="https://elliscountykshelp.com/">CLICK HERE.</a>You can contact First Call for Help at&nbsp;785-623-2800&nbsp;or visit its office from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 607 E. 13th St., Hays.