Robert Eugene Long, age 53, passed away September 26, 2021, as a result of a vehicle accident. 
He was born on June 20, 1968, in Oakley, KS. to the late Richard and 
Linda (Wright) Long. He is survived by his two daughters Haley Long, of 
Sioux Falls, SD, and Lola Hipp, of Goodland, KS, and a sibling Dana 
Charles and family, of Oakley, as well as various other extended 
families. He is preceded in death by an infant son, Caleb Long and his 
parents. 
Robert had a love for fishing that couldn’t be matched and spent much of
 his time with his family of friends. He always had a grin on his face 
and a tale to tell. He was a true friend to many and was the “go to” 
expert on local fishing spots. When not at work at Mittens truck stop, 
where he had worked since high school, you could find him out on a boat 
trying to hook a big one. Robert lived life to the fullest and besides 
fishing loved to drive demo cars, hunt, and have a cold one with his 
friends. 
A come and go “Celebration of Life” will be held at Baalmann Mortuary, 
Oakley, on Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. Family and 
friends may then go to the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, in Oakley from 
12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. for a meal and sharing memories.

Memorials can be 
made to the American Diabetes Association or for a special fund to 
purchase benches in Robert’s honor and may be sent in care of Baalmann 
Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences 
visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1633013789561.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robert Eugene Long, age 53, passed away September 26, 2021, as a result of a vehicle accident. 
He was born on June 20, 1968, in Oakley, KS. to the late Richard and 
Linda (Wright) Long. He is survived by his two daughters Haley Long, of 
Sioux Falls, SD, and Lola Hipp, of Goodland, KS, and a sibling Dana 
Charles and family, of Oakley, as well as various other extended 
families. He is preceded in death by an infant son, Caleb Long and his 
parents. 
Robert had a love for fishing that couldn’t be matched and spent much of
 his time with his family of friends. He always had a grin on his face 
and a tale to tell. He was a true friend to many and was the “go to” 
expert on local fishing spots. When not at work at Mittens truck stop, 
where he had worked since high school, you could find him out on a boat 
trying to hook a big one. Robert lived life to the fullest and besides 
fishing loved to drive demo cars, hunt, and have a cold one with his 
friends. 
A come and go “Celebration of Life” will be held at Baalmann Mortuary, 
Oakley, on Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. Family and 
friends may then go to the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, in Oakley from 
12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. for a meal and sharing memories. Memorials can be 
made to the American Diabetes Association or for a special fund to 
purchase benches in Robert’s honor and may be sent in care of Baalmann 
Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences 
visit www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Robert Eugene Long

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas felon accused in a fatal stabbing made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.

James Shaw, 60 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder.&nbsp;

Just after 10 p.m. Sept. 21, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 100 block of North Glenn in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 67-year-old Kurt Petersen and determined he had been stabbed multiple times.&nbsp; Petersen was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed, Petersen’s caretaker came to the home to check on him and found him lying on the kitchen floor with injuries and called 911.&nbsp; James Shaw was also inside of the residence when the caretaker arrived.&nbsp; Examination of evidence and interviews led to Shaw’s arrest, according to Davidson. Shaw was hospitalized for his injuries in the altercation and booked into jail two days later.

Shaw and Petersen were known to each other, according to Davidson.&nbsp; Shaw has had previous felony arrests and convictions and was currently on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).&nbsp; He was paroled to Wichita from Wyandotte County.&nbsp;&nbsp;

His remains jailed on bond of $300,000. His next court appearance is October 7, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632486359786.png" alt="Shaw-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Shaw-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas felon accused in a fatal stabbing made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.James Shaw, 60 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder.&nbsp;Just after 10 p.m. Sept. 21, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 100 block of North Glenn in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 67-year-old Kurt Petersen and determined he had been stabbed multiple times.&nbsp; Petersen was pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed, Petersen’s caretaker came to the home to check on him and found him lying on the kitchen floor with injuries and called 911.&nbsp; James Shaw was also inside of the residence when the caretaker arrived.&nbsp; Examination of evidence and interviews led to Shaw’s arrest, according to Davidson. Shaw was hospitalized for his injuries in the altercation and booked into jail two days later.Shaw and Petersen were known to each other, according to Davidson.&nbsp; Shaw has had previous felony arrests and convictions and was currently on parole through the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC).&nbsp; He was paroled to Wichita from Wyandotte County.&nbsp;&nbsp;His remains jailed on bond of $300,000. His next court appearance is October 7, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas felon on parole charged in knife attack killing

After falling just short of $74 on Friday, Nymex benchmark crude topped $75 Monday. Friday's settlement for the near-month contract was $73.98 per barrel. By Monday afternoon that price was up another dollar and a half. Crude prices have reached their highest in three years. Goldman Sachs is calling Hurricane Ida the "most bullish hurricane" for oil prices in U.S. history. Shutdowns in the Gulf of Mexico have prompted reduced inventories, and have effectively canceled out the impact of the recent OPEC+ production increases. Forbes reports WTI and London Brent both reached their highest price since October of 2018, when sanctions against Iran drove prices to four-year highs.&nbsp; Analysts say prices could could continue rising in the months ahead, with cold winter weather and a busy travel season coming up. The government reported the seventh consecutive weekly decline in U.S. crude-oil inventories, confirming industry predictions of another multi-million barrel dip. The Energy Information Administration says stockpiles September 17th totaled 414 million barrels. That's down three-and-a-half million barrels from the week before, and down 71 million barrels or 42% from the beginning of the year. In just the last two months EIA has reported weekly declines that total nearly thirty million barrels. The report says stockpiles are about eight percent below the five-year average for this time of year. Texas energy regulators are limiting energy-related saltwater disposal in an area of the Permian Basin showing a spike in earthquakes. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey show that this year alone, there have been 81 earthquakes of magnitude 1.5 or greater in one seven-mile cluster north of Midland, Texas. There have been three temblors that you could actually feel, above magnitude 3.5, in the last year-and-a-half. A staff report at the Railroad Commission of Texas asserts that production-related saltwater disposal is contributing to the seismic activity.&nbsp;The Commission has stopped granting permits for new disposal wells there, and is requesting reductions of disposal volumes and monthly reports on injection data from operators in the Seismic Response Area. These limits are expected to remain in place for at least a year. The commission has identified 76 permitted wells impacted by the requests.&nbsp; A government report last week outlined the dramatic cumulative effect of ongoing declines in crude-oil stockpiles. Stockpiles at Cushing are down 42% from the first of the year. That figure is 26% below normal, based on the five-year average. The Energy Information Administration reported a monthly decline of 35 million barrels in June, the largest such decline in 40 years of government record-keeping. EIA says the withdrawals in Oklahoma are consistent with those around the U.S. and around the world. U.S. operators pumped more than 10.6 million barrels of crude per day last week, up more than half a million barrels per day from a week earlier. Production is down slightly from a year ago and well below record levels above 13 million barrels per day set in March of last year. The government report noted an increase of 700,000 barrels per day in crude-oil U.S. imports. Averaged over the last four weeks, EIA says crude imports are up nearly 19% from the same period last year. EIA said gasoline stockpiles last week dropped by three-and-a-half million barrels. Gasoline inventories are about three percent below the five year average for this time of year. The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes on Friday showed 521 active drilling rigs nationwide, an increase of ten oil rigs. The number of offshore rigs was up four over last week. The counts in Oklahoma and Louisiana were each up four. Texas was up three for the week. The weekly Rig Count in Kansas from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service notes 26 active drilling rigs in Western Kansas, which is up one for the week. The count east of Wichita was unchanged at 12 active rigs. Operators are about to spud new wells in Ellis and Stafford counties, and drilling was underway on one lease in Ellis County. Regulators approved 31 new drilling permits across the state last week. Fifteen of those were in in Western Kansas, including one new permit in Ellis County and three in Stafford County. There are 16 new permits on file in eastern Kansas. So far this year, regulators have okayed 763 new drilling locations in The Sunflower State. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 21 newly-completed wells across Kansas, seven of them east of Wichita, and 14 in the western half of the state. Kansas operators have completed 630 wells so far this year. ConocoPhillips says it will use cash on hand to fund the $9.5 BILLION purchase of Royal Dutch Shell's assets in the Permian Basin. The deal will give Shell the equivalent of more than a decade's worth of cash flow from those assets. With additional daily production of about 200,000 barrels, ConocoPhillips becomes one of the basin's largest producers, rivaling Pioneer Natural Resources and Chevron. Oil-by-rail traffic in the United States is up over last week, but down compared to a year ago. In Canada the reverse is true. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,494 tanker cars hauling petroleum during the week through September 18, up nearly 700 cars from the week before but down 3.6% from a year ago. In Canada crude-oil shipments by rail are up 12% year-over-year, but dipped slightly last week.

By JOHN P. TRETBARAfter falling just short of $74 on Friday, Nymex benchmark crude topped $75 Monday. Friday's settlement for the near-month contract was $73.98 per barrel. By Monday afternoon that price was up another dollar and a half. Crude prices have reached their highest in three years. Goldman Sachs is calling Hurricane Ida the "most bullish hurricane" for oil prices in U.S. history. Shutdowns in the Gulf of Mexico have prompted reduced inventories, and have effectively canceled out the impact of the recent OPEC+ production increases. Forbes reports WTI and London Brent both reached their highest price since October of 2018, when sanctions against Iran drove prices to four-year highs.&nbsp; Analysts say prices could could continue rising in the months ahead, with cold winter weather and a busy travel season coming up. The government reported the seventh consecutive weekly decline in U.S. crude-oil inventories, confirming industry predictions of another multi-million barrel dip. The Energy Information Administration says stockpiles September 17th totaled 414 million barrels. That's down three-and-a-half million barrels from the week before, and down 71 million barrels or 42% from the beginning of the year. In just the last two months EIA has reported weekly declines that total nearly thirty million barrels. The report says stockpiles are about eight percent below the five-year average for this time of year. Texas energy regulators are limiting energy-related saltwater disposal in an area of the Permian Basin showing a spike in earthquakes. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey show that this year alone, there have been 81 earthquakes of magnitude 1.5 or greater in one seven-mile cluster north of Midland, Texas. There have been three temblors that you could actually feel, above magnitude 3.5, in the last year-and-a-half. A staff report at the Railroad Commission of Texas asserts that production-related saltwater disposal is contributing to the seismic activity.&nbsp;The Commission has stopped granting permits for new disposal wells there, and is requesting reductions of disposal volumes and monthly reports on injection data from operators in the Seismic Response Area. These limits are expected to remain in place for at least a year. The commission has identified 76 permitted wells impacted by the requests.&nbsp; A government report last week outlined the dramatic cumulative effect of ongoing declines in crude-oil stockpiles. Stockpiles at Cushing are down 42% from the first of the year. That figure is 26% below normal, based on the five-year average. The Energy Information Administration reported a monthly decline of 35 million barrels in June, the largest such decline in 40 years of government record-keeping. EIA says the withdrawals in Oklahoma are consistent with those around the U.S. and around the world. U.S. operators pumped more than 10.6 million barrels of crude per day last week, up more than half a million barrels per day from a week earlier. Production is down slightly from a year ago and well below record levels above 13 million barrels per day set in March of last year. The government report noted an increase of 700,000 barrels per day in crude-oil U.S. imports. Averaged over the last four weeks, EIA says crude imports are up nearly 19% from the same period last year. EIA said gasoline stockpiles last week dropped by three-and-a-half million barrels. Gasoline inventories are about three percent below the five year average for this time of year. The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes on Friday showed 521 active drilling rigs nationwide, an increase of ten oil rigs. The number of offshore rigs was up four over last week. The counts in Oklahoma and Louisiana were each up four. Texas was up three for the week. The weekly Rig Count in Kansas from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service notes 26 active drilling rigs in Western Kansas, which is up one for the week. The count east of Wichita was unchanged at 12 active rigs. Operators are about to spud new wells in Ellis and Stafford counties, and drilling was underway on one lease in Ellis County. Regulators approved 31 new drilling permits across the state last week. Fifteen of those were in in Western Kansas, including one new permit in Ellis County and three in Stafford County. There are 16 new permits on file in eastern Kansas. So far this year, regulators have okayed 763 new drilling locations in The Sunflower State. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 21 newly-completed wells across Kansas, seven of them east of Wichita, and 14 in the western half of the state. Kansas operators have completed 630 wells so far this year. ConocoPhillips says it will use cash on hand to fund the $9.5 BILLION purchase of Royal Dutch Shell's assets in the Permian Basin. The deal will give Shell the equivalent of more than a decade's worth of cash flow from those assets. With additional daily production of about 200,000 barrels, ConocoPhillips becomes one of the basin's largest producers, rivaling Pioneer Natural Resources and Chevron. Oil-by-rail traffic in the United States is up over last week, but down compared to a year ago. In Canada the reverse is true. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,494 tanker cars hauling petroleum during the week through September 18, up nearly 700 cars from the week before but down 3.6% from a year ago. In Canada crude-oil shipments by rail are up 12% year-over-year, but dipped slightly last week.

News From the Oil Patch: Prices reach three-year highs

Michael Alan “Mike” Schmidt, 71, Manhattan, died Saturday, September 25, 2021, at his home.

He was born September 24, 1950, in Hays, the son of Alfred Lee and Mary Kay (House) Schmidt.&nbsp; He was a 1969 graduate of St. Joseph’s Military Academy and earned an Associate’s Degree in Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired from the Hadley School for the Blind.&nbsp; On June 20, 1970 he was united in marriage to Sally Jean Bethe in Hays, and they celebrated 24 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on February 18, 1995.&nbsp; Mike was a musician in several bands, and his bands Soul Express, Tempest, Beast, and Spider and the Crabs earned the distinguished honor of induction into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.&nbsp; He also worked as a rehabilitation teacher for the blind and visually impaired and a coach courier for Kansas State University Athletics, retiring in 2021.&nbsp; He was a member of the Northwest Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired and enjoyed refereeing and umpiring sports at all levels. &nbsp;

Survivors include two sons: Tyler Schmidt and fiancé Amanda Tucker of Ellinwood and Nick Schmidt of Hays, a daughter: Miki Boese of Great Bend, his girlfriend: Carol Wirthman of Lawrence, four brothers: Larry Schmidt and wife Melea of Hays, Dan Schmidt and wife Connie of Hays, Randy Schmidt of Yorktown, VA, and John Schmidt and wife Dana of Hays, one sister: Karla Ruder and husband John of Plainville, four grandchildren: Seth McBride and wife Angie, Zachary McBride, Bailey McBride, and Braxton Tucker, all of Great Bend, three great granddaughters: Beatrice, Harper, and Hazel McBride of Great Bend, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Sally, brother: Joe Schmidt, granddaughter: Sarah McBride, and niece: Holly Schmidt.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, October 1, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Richard Daise officiating.&nbsp; Private family inurnment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date.&nbsp; The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Thursday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Friday at the church.&nbsp; A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.&nbsp; 

Memorials are suggested for Mike's great granddaughters' education, payable to: Miki Boese.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Mike may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632760688835.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Michael Alan “Mike” Schmidt, 71, Manhattan, died Saturday, September 25, 2021, at his home.He was born September 24, 1950, in Hays, the son of Alfred Lee and Mary Kay (House) Schmidt.&nbsp; He was a 1969 graduate of St. Joseph’s Military Academy and earned an Associate’s Degree in Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired from the Hadley School for the Blind.&nbsp; On June 20, 1970 he was united in marriage to Sally Jean Bethe in Hays, and they celebrated 24 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on February 18, 1995.&nbsp; Mike was a musician in several bands, and his bands Soul Express, Tempest, Beast, and Spider and the Crabs earned the distinguished honor of induction into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.&nbsp; He also worked as a rehabilitation teacher for the blind and visually impaired and a coach courier for Kansas State University Athletics, retiring in 2021.&nbsp; He was a member of the Northwest Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired and enjoyed refereeing and umpiring sports at all levels. &nbsp;Survivors include two sons: Tyler Schmidt and fiancé Amanda Tucker of Ellinwood and Nick Schmidt of Hays, a daughter: Miki Boese of Great Bend, his girlfriend: Carol Wirthman of Lawrence, four brothers: Larry Schmidt and wife Melea of Hays, Dan Schmidt and wife Connie of Hays, Randy Schmidt of Yorktown, VA, and John Schmidt and wife Dana of Hays, one sister: Karla Ruder and husband John of Plainville, four grandchildren: Seth McBride and wife Angie, Zachary McBride, Bailey McBride, and Braxton Tucker, all of Great Bend, three great granddaughters: Beatrice, Harper, and Hazel McBride of Great Bend, and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Sally, brother: Joe Schmidt, granddaughter: Sarah McBride, and niece: Holly Schmidt.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, October 1, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Richard Daise officiating.&nbsp; Private family inurnment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date.&nbsp; The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Thursday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Friday at the church.&nbsp; A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested for Mike's great granddaughters' education, payable to: Miki Boese.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Mike may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Michael Alan 'Mike' Schmidt

Earl Klaus, age 67, died on September 23, 2021 in rural Ness City, 
Kansas.&nbsp; He was born on February 20, 1954 in Hays, Kansas the son of 
Andrew and Charlene (Weigel) Klaus.

Memorial services is planned for Saturday, October 2, 2021, 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, Ness City.

Rosary will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, on Friday, October 1, 2021, 6:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Klaus grandchildren college fund.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632958834971.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Earl Klaus, age 67, died on September 23, 2021 in rural Ness City, 
Kansas.&nbsp; He was born on February 20, 1954 in Hays, Kansas the son of 
Andrew and Charlene (Weigel) Klaus.Memorial services is planned for Saturday, October 2, 2021, 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, Ness City.Rosary will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, on Friday, October 1, 2021, 6:00 p.m.Memorial contributions may be given to the Klaus grandchildren college fund.

Earl Klaus

Martha Jean Wolf, 87, passed away September 28, 2021, at Great Bend 
Health &amp; Rehab. She was born September 17, 1934, at Pratt to Ershel 
&amp; Maxine (Null) Walters. She married Billy Wolf on February 3, 1951,
 at Raton, New Mexico. He died June 16, 2000.

A Great Bend resident since 1960, Martha was a secretary at Centel 
for 33 years. She was of Methodist faith and a past Eagles member. 
Martha loved to play darts and especially spend time with her family.

Survivors include, her daughter, Yvonne Watkins (Steve Oetken) of 
Great Bend; a granddaughter, Angela Caldwell (Mike); three great 
grandchildren, Alyssa Wilson (Marty), Brandon Watkins and Angel Watkins;
 and six great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her 
parents; her husband, Billy Wolf; longtime companion, Don McEachern; 
twin sister, Beverly Duraso; and a great great granddaughter, Bailey 
Goodheart.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, October 3, 
2021 at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m.,
 Monday, October 4, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home with Reverend Dick Ogle
 presiding. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. 
Memorials have been designated to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of
 Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632947797183.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Martha Jean Wolf, 87, passed away September 28, 2021, at Great Bend 
Health &amp; Rehab. She was born September 17, 1934, at Pratt to Ershel 
&amp; Maxine (Null) Walters. She married Billy Wolf on February 3, 1951,
 at Raton, New Mexico. He died June 16, 2000.A Great Bend resident since 1960, Martha was a secretary at Centel 
for 33 years. She was of Methodist faith and a past Eagles member. 
Martha loved to play darts and especially spend time with her family.Survivors include, her daughter, Yvonne Watkins (Steve Oetken) of 
Great Bend; a granddaughter, Angela Caldwell (Mike); three great 
grandchildren, Alyssa Wilson (Marty), Brandon Watkins and Angel Watkins;
 and six great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her 
parents; her husband, Billy Wolf; longtime companion, Don McEachern; 
twin sister, Beverly Duraso; and a great great granddaughter, Bailey 
Goodheart.Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, October 3, 
2021 at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m.,
 Monday, October 4, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home with Reverend Dick Ogle
 presiding. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. 
Memorials have been designated to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of
 Bryant Funeral Home.

Martha Jean Wolf

Jolene Marie Foley passed away peacefully on September 27, 2021, while
 at Kenwood Nursing Home at 66 years, 9 months and 30 days of age. She 
was born to Theophile Marcotte Jr. (Junior) and Ermalina Rudell on 
November 28, 1954, in Oakley, Kansas. After that marriage dissolved, 
Nadene took over the role of mother when she married Junior in 1957.

After Jolene graduated from Oakley High School in 1973, she moved to 
Salina, Kansas, where she met and married William “Bill” Foley on May 
22, 1976. During their 45-year marriage, they had three children.

Jolene worked a variety of jobs in Salina, often more than one at a 
time until her health declined. She was very involved in Special 
Olympics of Salina and served as treasurer for many years. Jolene was 
also known as the best hostess to many WWE Wrestling Paid Per View 
parties for James and friends.

The title she most treasured was MOM and Grandma Jo. Jolene was happy
 being a mother but when she became a grandmother, she was over the moon
 happy. She lit up whenever she spoke of Aaron, Aiden, Ansen and 
Chevelle Everett.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Junior and Nadene Marcotte;
 sisters, Betty Marcotte Gaydusek and Linda Marcotte Greenlee; stillborn
 brother, Richard Neil; and brother, Randy Huffman.

Jolene is survived by her husband, Bill; children, Rachel Everett 
(Ace), Hutchinson, KS, and James and Jessica Foley, of the home; 
grandchildren, Ansen, Aiden, Aaron and Chevelle Everett; sister, Karen 
Marcotte Foster (Curtis), LaVista, NE; brother, Bill Huffman, Oakley; 
and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation will be 1-5 p.m., Sunday, October 3, 2021, at Ryan 
Mortuary, Salina, with family present from 3-5. The funeral service will
 be at 2 p.m., Monday, October 4, at Ryan Mortuary. Interment will be at
 a later date at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Salina.

The family has requested any memorial contributions be made to Bill to help with recent expenses, in care of Ryan Mortuary.

Jolene Marie Foley passed away peacefully on September 27, 2021, while
 at Kenwood Nursing Home at 66 years, 9 months and 30 days of age. She 
was born to Theophile Marcotte Jr. (Junior) and Ermalina Rudell on 
November 28, 1954, in Oakley, Kansas. After that marriage dissolved, 
Nadene took over the role of mother when she married Junior in 1957.After Jolene graduated from Oakley High School in 1973, she moved to 
Salina, Kansas, where she met and married William “Bill” Foley on May 
22, 1976. During their 45-year marriage, they had three children.Jolene worked a variety of jobs in Salina, often more than one at a 
time until her health declined. She was very involved in Special 
Olympics of Salina and served as treasurer for many years. Jolene was 
also known as the best hostess to many WWE Wrestling Paid Per View 
parties for James and friends.The title she most treasured was MOM and Grandma Jo. Jolene was happy
 being a mother but when she became a grandmother, she was over the moon
 happy. She lit up whenever she spoke of Aaron, Aiden, Ansen and 
Chevelle Everett.She was preceded in death by her parents, Junior and Nadene Marcotte;
 sisters, Betty Marcotte Gaydusek and Linda Marcotte Greenlee; stillborn
 brother, Richard Neil; and brother, Randy Huffman.Jolene is survived by her husband, Bill; children, Rachel Everett 
(Ace), Hutchinson, KS, and James and Jessica Foley, of the home; 
grandchildren, Ansen, Aiden, Aaron and Chevelle Everett; sister, Karen 
Marcotte Foster (Curtis), LaVista, NE; brother, Bill Huffman, Oakley; 
and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.Visitation will be 1-5 p.m., Sunday, October 3, 2021, at Ryan 
Mortuary, Salina, with family present from 3-5. The funeral service will
 be at 2 p.m., Monday, October 4, at Ryan Mortuary. Interment will be at
 a later date at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Salina.The family has requested any memorial contributions be made to Bill to help with recent expenses, in care of Ryan Mortuary.

Jolene Marie Foley

Dorothy Jane Nielsen, 80, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas. &nbsp;

Dorothy was born on February 18, 1941, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Herman and Ella (Wasemiller) Steinert.&nbsp; She grew up in Russell, Kansas and graduated from Russell High School and lived in Russell most all her life.&nbsp; She was united in marriage (1958) to Gerald Nuss and from this union they had 2 children Debbie (Nuss) Overstake and Karl Henson, and 1 granddaughter Shalane (Overstake) Vavasseur.&nbsp; They later divorced and Dorothy married Rod Deines in October,1966, and from this union they were blessed with 2 children Bonny and Mike.&nbsp; Later Rod and Dorothy were divorced.&nbsp; Dorothy found love a 3rd time and was united in married to Bill Nielsen in June 1986.&nbsp; She worked as a homemaker for many years before working as a desk clerk for the Super 8 Motel in Russell, Kansas, and the Fairfield Inn in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; She was a former member of the Trinity United Methodist Church where she was a member of the choir and Methodist Women’s Group.&nbsp; She enjoyed tulips and flowers and scrapbooking.&nbsp; Most of all she enjoyed spending quality time with her family and close friends.

Surviving family include her daughter Bonny Deines and spouse Tim Ball of Lawrence, Kansas; son Mike Deines and wife Wendy of Basehor, Kansas; daughter Debbie Overstake and spouse Perry; granddaughter Shalane Vavasseur and spouse Brad, and Karl Henson.&nbsp; She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Bill Nielsen on March 31, 1992.

A gathering service to celebrate Dorothy’s life will be held from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. on Monday, October 04 2021, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. The family will be present at the mortuary from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. to greet guests.  Cremation has been selected by the family and a private burial will be held by the family. 

 Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632930179191.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dorothy Jane Nielsen, 80, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas. &nbsp;Dorothy was born on February 18, 1941, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Herman and Ella (Wasemiller) Steinert.&nbsp; She grew up in Russell, Kansas and graduated from Russell High School and lived in Russell most all her life.&nbsp; She was united in marriage (1958) to Gerald Nuss and from this union they had 2 children Debbie (Nuss) Overstake and Karl Henson, and 1 granddaughter Shalane (Overstake) Vavasseur.&nbsp; They later divorced and Dorothy married Rod Deines in October,1966, and from this union they were blessed with 2 children Bonny and Mike.&nbsp; Later Rod and Dorothy were divorced.&nbsp; Dorothy found love a 3rd time and was united in married to Bill Nielsen in June 1986.&nbsp; She worked as a homemaker for many years before working as a desk clerk for the Super 8 Motel in Russell, Kansas, and the Fairfield Inn in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; She was a former member of the Trinity United Methodist Church where she was a member of the choir and Methodist Women’s Group.&nbsp; She enjoyed tulips and flowers and scrapbooking.&nbsp; Most of all she enjoyed spending quality time with her family and close friends.Surviving family include her daughter Bonny Deines and spouse Tim Ball of Lawrence, Kansas; son Mike Deines and wife Wendy of Basehor, Kansas; daughter Debbie Overstake and spouse Perry; granddaughter Shalane Vavasseur and spouse Brad, and Karl Henson.&nbsp; She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Bill Nielsen on March 31, 1992.A gathering service to celebrate Dorothy’s life will be held from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. on Monday, October 04 2021, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. The family will be present at the mortuary from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. to greet guests. Cremation has been selected by the family and a private burial will be held by the family. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Dorothy Jane Nielsen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Earl Wolfe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

⛳ Mills, Krob pace Tigers men at MSSU Fall Invitational

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🎥  Milley defends calls to Chinese at end of Trump presidency

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sarah Wasinger &nbsp; Some curb service for ya.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Class Games:&nbsp; Capture the Flag/Kickball

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Memorial Park @ Jefferson and 9th&nbsp;Street

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

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

Ellis High announces 2021 Homecoming court

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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