WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;faces tough days ahead trying to muscle a federal funding package to passage and prevent a prolonged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-homeland-security-pentagon-transportation-2dd3464f56295ff79f136c1c5c24a532">partial government shutdown</a>&nbsp;as debate intensifies over the Trump administration's sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minneapolis-hospitals-32cd5ca61d495e155d43b7cfd5e563b9">immigration enforcement operations</a>.

Johnson signaled he is relying on help from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;to ensure passage. Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-republican-trump-ice-homeland-security-1eb2706ef2c4f91a69a083d23e30ba95">struck a deal with senators</a>&nbsp;to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security from a broader package after public outrage over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-fbi-alex-pretti-immigration-65a963816603a08bbc9db83961dd173f">two shooting deaths</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChJQJk-DRy0">protests in Minneapolis</a>&nbsp;against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the plan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-budget-immigration-trump-homeland-security-39fd7917e39aaf9e4e78e89f3449a587">approved by the Senate,</a>&nbsp;DHS would be funded temporarily to Feb. 13, setting up a deadline for Congress to try to find consensus on new restrictions on ICE operations.

“The president is leading this,” Johnson, R-La., told “Fox News Sunday.”

“It’s his play call to do it this way," the speaker said, adding that the Republican president has “already conceded that he wants to turn down the volume” on federal immigration sweeps and raids.

A first test will come Monday afternoon during a committee meeting when Johnson will need his own GOP majority to advance the package after Democrats refused to provide the votes for speedy consideration. Johnson said he is hopeful work can wrap up for a full House vote, at least by Tuesday.

Democrats are demanding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-customs-enforcement-democrats-noem-impeachment-funding-03095f6a4041bef063afe22becf1a788">restraints on ICE</a>&nbsp;that go beyond $20 million for body cameras that already is in the bill and want to require that federal immigration agents unmask and identify themselves and are pressing for an end to roving patrols, amid other changes.

“What is clear is that the Department of Homeland Security needs to be dramatically reformed,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;of New York on ABC’s “This Week.”

Jeffries said the administration needs to begin negotiations now, not over the next two weeks, on changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minneapolis-hospitals-32cd5ca61d495e155d43b7cfd5e563b9">immigration enforcement operations</a>.

“Masks should come off," he said. “Judicial warrants should absolutely be required consistent with the Constitution, in our view, before DHS agents or ICE agents are breaking into the homes of the American people or ripping people out of their cars.”

At the same time, House Republicans, with some allies in the Senate, are making their own demands, as they work to support Trump's clamp down on immigrants in the U.S.

The House Freedom Caucus has insisted on fuller funding for Homeland Security while certain Republicans are pushing to include other measures, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-save-act-citizenship-voting-elections-a37c139461d11eb5f82086680b67ffe7">the SAVE Act</a>, a longshot Trump priority that would require proof of citizenship before Americans are eligible to participate in elections and vote.

Johnson said he would be talking to lawmakers over the day ahead to see what it will take to win over support.

Meanwhile, a number of federal agencies are snared in the funding standoff as the government went into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-homeland-security-pentagon-transportation-2dd3464f56295ff79f136c1c5c24a532">partial shutdown</a>&nbsp;over the weekend.

Defense, health, transportation and housing are among those that were given shutdown guidance by the administration, though many operations are deemed essential and services are not necessarily interrupted. Workers could go without pay if the impasse drags on. Some could be furloughed.

Lawmakers from both parties are increasingly concerned the closure will disrupt the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which they rely on to help constituents in the states after storms and other disasters.

This is the second time in a matter of months that federal government operations have been disrupted as Congress is using the annual funding process as leverage to extract policy changes. Last fall, Democrats sparked what became the longest federal shutdown in history, 43 days, as they protested the expiration of health insurance tax breaks.

That shutdown ended with a promise to vote on proposals to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. But with GOP opposition, Democrats were unable to achieve their goal of keeping the subsidies in place. Insurance premiums spiked in the new year for millions of people.

This time, the administration has signaled its interest in more quickly resolving the shutdown.

Johnson said he was in the Oval Office last week when Trump, along with border czar Tom Homan, spoke with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York to work out a deal on immigration enforcement changes.

“I think we’re on the path to get agreement,” Johnson said on NBC's “Meet the Press.”

Body cameras, which are already provided for in the package, and an end to the roving patrols by immigration agents are areas of potential agreement, Johnson said.

But he said taking the masks off and putting names on agents' uniforms could lead to problems for law enforcement officers as they are being targeted by the protesters and their personal information is posted online.

“I don’t think the president would approve it — and he shouldn’t,” Johnson said on Fox.

Democrats, however, said the immigration operations are out of control, and must end in Minneapolis and other cities.

Growing numbers of lawmakers are calling for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem</a>&nbsp;to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shootings-kristi-noem-ice-congress-add9ac7b90f5677621009e8a603c0141">fired or impeached</a>.

"What is happening in Minnesota right now is a dystopia," said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who led efforts to hold the line for more changes.

“ICE is making this country less safe, not more safe today," Murphy said on “Fox News Sunday.”

“Our focus over the next two weeks has to be reining in a lawless and immoral immigration agency.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759315687610.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;faces tough days ahead trying to muscle a federal funding package to passage and prevent a prolonged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-homeland-security-pentagon-transportation-2dd3464f56295ff79f136c1c5c24a532">partial government shutdown</a>&nbsp;as debate intensifies over the Trump administration's sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minneapolis-hospitals-32cd5ca61d495e155d43b7cfd5e563b9">immigration enforcement operations</a>.Johnson signaled he is relying on help from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;to ensure passage. Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-republican-trump-ice-homeland-security-1eb2706ef2c4f91a69a083d23e30ba95">struck a deal with senators</a>&nbsp;to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security from a broader package after public outrage over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-fbi-alex-pretti-immigration-65a963816603a08bbc9db83961dd173f">two shooting deaths</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChJQJk-DRy0">protests in Minneapolis</a>&nbsp;against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the plan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-budget-immigration-trump-homeland-security-39fd7917e39aaf9e4e78e89f3449a587">approved by the Senate,</a>&nbsp;DHS would be funded temporarily to Feb. 13, setting up a deadline for Congress to try to find consensus on new restrictions on ICE operations.“The president is leading this,” Johnson, R-La., told “Fox News Sunday.”“It’s his play call to do it this way," the speaker said, adding that the Republican president has “already conceded that he wants to turn down the volume” on federal immigration sweeps and raids.A first test will come Monday afternoon during a committee meeting when Johnson will need his own GOP majority to advance the package after Democrats refused to provide the votes for speedy consideration. Johnson said he is hopeful work can wrap up for a full House vote, at least by Tuesday.<h2>Democrats dig in on ICE changes</h2>Democrats are demanding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-customs-enforcement-democrats-noem-impeachment-funding-03095f6a4041bef063afe22becf1a788">restraints on ICE</a>&nbsp;that go beyond $20 million for body cameras that already is in the bill and want to require that federal immigration agents unmask and identify themselves and are pressing for an end to roving patrols, amid other changes.“What is clear is that the Department of Homeland Security needs to be dramatically reformed,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;of New York on ABC’s “This Week.”Jeffries said the administration needs to begin negotiations now, not over the next two weeks, on changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minneapolis-hospitals-32cd5ca61d495e155d43b7cfd5e563b9">immigration enforcement operations</a>.“Masks should come off," he said. “Judicial warrants should absolutely be required consistent with the Constitution, in our view, before DHS agents or ICE agents are breaking into the homes of the American people or ripping people out of their cars.”<h2>Republicans make their own demands</h2>At the same time, House Republicans, with some allies in the Senate, are making their own demands, as they work to support Trump's clamp down on immigrants in the U.S.The House Freedom Caucus has insisted on fuller funding for Homeland Security while certain Republicans are pushing to include other measures, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-save-act-citizenship-voting-elections-a37c139461d11eb5f82086680b67ffe7">the SAVE Act</a>, a longshot Trump priority that would require proof of citizenship before Americans are eligible to participate in elections and vote.Johnson said he would be talking to lawmakers over the day ahead to see what it will take to win over support.<h2>Partial government shutdown drags on</h2>Meanwhile, a number of federal agencies are snared in the funding standoff as the government went into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-homeland-security-pentagon-transportation-2dd3464f56295ff79f136c1c5c24a532">partial shutdown</a>&nbsp;over the weekend.Defense, health, transportation and housing are among those that were given shutdown guidance by the administration, though many operations are deemed essential and services are not necessarily interrupted. Workers could go without pay if the impasse drags on. Some could be furloughed.Lawmakers from both parties are increasingly concerned the closure will disrupt the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which they rely on to help constituents in the states after storms and other disasters.This is the second time in a matter of months that federal government operations have been disrupted as Congress is using the annual funding process as leverage to extract policy changes. Last fall, Democrats sparked what became the longest federal shutdown in history, 43 days, as they protested the expiration of health insurance tax breaks.That shutdown ended with a promise to vote on proposals to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. But with GOP opposition, Democrats were unable to achieve their goal of keeping the subsidies in place. Insurance premiums spiked in the new year for millions of people.<h2>Trump wants quick end to shutdown</h2>This time, the administration has signaled its interest in more quickly resolving the shutdown.Johnson said he was in the Oval Office last week when Trump, along with border czar Tom Homan, spoke with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York to work out a deal on immigration enforcement changes.“I think we’re on the path to get agreement,” Johnson said on NBC's “Meet the Press.”Body cameras, which are already provided for in the package, and an end to the roving patrols by immigration agents are areas of potential agreement, Johnson said.But he said taking the masks off and putting names on agents' uniforms could lead to problems for law enforcement officers as they are being targeted by the protesters and their personal information is posted online.“I don’t think the president would approve it — and he shouldn’t,” Johnson said on Fox.Democrats, however, said the immigration operations are out of control, and must end in Minneapolis and other cities.Growing numbers of lawmakers are calling for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem</a>&nbsp;to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shootings-kristi-noem-ice-congress-add9ac7b90f5677621009e8a603c0141">fired or impeached</a>."What is happening in Minnesota right now is a dystopia," said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who led efforts to hold the line for more changes.“ICE is making this country less safe, not more safe today," Murphy said on “Fox News Sunday.”“Our focus over the next two weeks has to be reining in a lawless and immoral immigration agency.”

Partial federal government shutdown far from over

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

About 90 people gathered Sunday afternoon at the corner of 27th and Vine in Hays to protest ICE deportation efforts and clashes with protestors in Minneapolis.

Some of the protesters specifically focused on the recent killings of <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d9d3442e-cb60-4c4e-a745-dac53b1c3611">Renee Good</a> and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/134b8506-314c-4303-8caf-e77c474e354a">Alex Pretti </a>by ICE agents.

Pastor Ben Houchen of Hays did not refer to the event as a protest but rather as an assembly to promote national unity.

"We are coming together for a better America than what we are devolving into," he said. "I think, at this point, this is beyond politics. This is about humanity, how we're going to live in this world together as humans."

Stephanie Pfannenstiel is a former Fort Hays State University student who traveled from Great Bend to Hays for the protest.

"I'm protesting ICE's policies, particularly the Kavanaugh stops and the Supreme Court's decision that race, language and place of employment are reasons to detain people and determine later immigration status," she said.

Mary Turner, a registered Republican from Hays, said, "This is John Brown's Kansas. ICE has no business in our state."

John Brown was a famous abolitionist in Kansas before the Civil War. Brown was captured and executed in Virginia for leading a violent raid and inciting a slave rebellion at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859.

She chanted through a bullhorn, "If you can be shot for protesting, you do not have the right to protest. ... If you can be shot for being legally armed, you do not have the right to bear arms."

Charles Brown Jr., a Vietnam veteran from Planville, said, "As a veteran, I didn't sign up for this. ICE is violating Constitutional rights every damn day."

Ainsley Lenays of Hays said, "What ICE has been doing is just completely unacceptable. What I have seen in videos and from people in Minnesota is the exact same thing that was done in Germany."

Lenays' family came from Germany and is ethnically Jewish.

"I very strongly believe we are repeating history, and we have to fight back. Because even if it's not me in trouble right now, it's not going to stop with just one group."

Sherri Truan said, "Our country is in a sad state of affairs and being run by a bunch of psychopaths and terrorists. It's the new Gestapo. It's 1930s Germany. 

"We're losing America. We got to be out here. We got to be loud to let people know," she said. "Things are not right in America right now. The whole world sees it. Why doens't our government see it? Why doesn't our Congress? What is taking them so long to take action?

"I'm not going to be scared off by this," Truan said. "This is the time to be wary, but not be afraid. This is our country. This is what it was founded on—freedom, free speech, not worrying about getting shot because we went to protest.&nbsp; No, that's not America. That's why I'm out here. I'm trying to save what we got left."

Anna Towns, chairwoman of the Ellis County Democratic Party, helped organize the protest.

"I was reached out to by several community members who wanted to be out here today to let people know we do care about our neighbors and that the behaviors that ICE is exhibiting are completely unacceptable," she said.

"Our rights are being trampled on. If we don't stand up now, it will soon be too late. I think it is important for people in rural areas to know they are not alone in that opinion."

She said more people were&nbsp;driving by, honking and giving them thumbs up, than at past protests.

"We think people are coming around on this issue and are excited to be together in community to stand up for our neighbors," she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769990997150.jpeg" alt="Protesters wave to a supporter who was driving by during a protest at 27th and Vine on Sunday. The protesters were protesting ICE actions in Minneapolis. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Protesters wave to a supporter who was driving by during a protest at 27th and Vine on Sunday. The protesters were protesting ICE actions in Minneapolis. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAbout 90 people gathered Sunday afternoon at the corner of 27th and Vine in Hays to protest ICE deportation efforts and clashes with protestors in Minneapolis.Some of the protesters specifically focused on the recent killings of <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d9d3442e-cb60-4c4e-a745-dac53b1c3611">Renee Good</a> and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/134b8506-314c-4303-8caf-e77c474e354a">Alex Pretti </a>by ICE agents.Pastor Ben Houchen of Hays did not refer to the event as a protest but rather as an assembly to promote national unity."We are coming together for a better America than what we are devolving into," he said. "I think, at this point, this is beyond politics. This is about humanity, how we're going to live in this world together as humans."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769991033580.jpeg" alt="Several protestors on Sunday compared ICE actions to those of Nazi Germany.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Several protestors on Sunday compared ICE actions to those of Nazi Germany.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769991059813.jpeg" alt="Protesters Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Protesters Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769991086896.jpeg" alt="Protesters Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Protesters Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Stephanie Pfannenstiel is a former Fort Hays State University student who traveled from Great Bend to Hays for the protest."I'm protesting ICE's policies, particularly the Kavanaugh stops and the Supreme Court's decision that race, language and place of employment are reasons to detain people and determine later immigration status," she said.Mary Turner, a registered Republican from Hays, said, "This is John Brown's Kansas. ICE has no business in our state."John Brown was a famous abolitionist in Kansas before the Civil War. Brown was captured and executed in Virginia for leading a violent raid and inciting a slave rebellion at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859.She chanted through a bullhorn, "If you can be shot for protesting, you do not have the right to protest. ... If you can be shot for being legally armed, you do not have the right to bear arms."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769991113545.jpeg" alt="Pastor Ben Houchen, center, said he wants the country to come together to protect basic humanity.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pastor Ben Houchen, center, said he wants the country to come together to protect basic humanity.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769991143346.jpeg" alt="Stephanie Pfannenstiel, left, of Great Bend, said race, language and place of employment should not be reasons for ICE to detain people. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Stephanie Pfannenstiel, left, of Great Bend, said race, language and place of employment should not be reasons for ICE to detain people. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769991161763.jpeg" alt="Protesters Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Protesters Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Charles Brown Jr., a Vietnam veteran from Planville, said, "As a veteran, I didn't sign up for this. ICE is violating Constitutional rights every damn day."Ainsley Lenays of Hays said, "What ICE has been doing is just completely unacceptable. What I have seen in videos and from people in Minnesota is the exact same thing that was done in Germany."Lenays' family came from Germany and is ethnically Jewish."I very strongly believe we are repeating history, and we have to fight back. Because even if it's not me in trouble right now, it's not going to stop with just one group."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769991189430.jpeg" alt="Protester Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Protester Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769991208062.jpeg" alt="Protesters Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Protesters Sunday at 27th and Vine in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769991266111.jpeg" alt="About 90 people attended an anti-ICE protest on Sunday at 27th and Vine Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>About 90 people attended an anti-ICE protest on Sunday at 27th and Vine Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Sherri Truan said, "Our country is in a sad state of affairs and being run by a bunch of psychopaths and terrorists. It's the new Gestapo. It's 1930s Germany. "We're losing America. We got to be out here. We got to be loud to let people know," she said. "Things are not right in America right now. The whole world sees it. Why doens't our government see it? Why doesn't our Congress? What is taking them so long to take action?"I'm not going to be scared off by this," Truan said. "This is the time to be wary, but not be afraid. This is our country. This is what it was founded on—freedom, free speech, not worrying about getting shot because we went to protest.&nbsp; No, that's not America. That's why I'm out here. I'm trying to save what we got left."Anna Towns, chairwoman of the Ellis County Democratic Party, helped organize the protest."I was reached out to by several community members who wanted to be out here today to let people know we do care about our neighbors and that the behaviors that ICE is exhibiting are completely unacceptable," she said."Our rights are being trampled on. If we don't stand up now, it will soon be too late. I think it is important for people in rural areas to know they are not alone in that opinion."She said more people were&nbsp;driving by, honking and giving them thumbs up, than at past protests."We think people are coming around on this issue and are excited to be together in community to stand up for our neighbors," she said.

Hays protest sparked by ICE actions in Minneapolis

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about the Hays Playmaker award and USD 489 selling land north of the former Hays Middle School on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650389030295.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Grow Hays" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=sujxh-1a31f22-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300%22 loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about the Hays Playmaker award and USD 489 selling land north of the former Hays Middle School on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: Doug Williams on Hays Playmaker award, USD 489 land sale

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

First Federal Bank in WaKeeney is moving forward with a long-awaited remodel while continuing to serve customers.

Aaron Satran, the bank’s branch president, said the location is undergoing its first significant renovation since 1985. Construction began Jan. 12.

"It's been long overdue," Satran said. "Things were deteriorating, and it's time for a new look."

The project includes both interior and exterior upgrades, including a new 24/7 drive-through ATM with an adjacent night deposit located behind the bank,&nbsp;229 N. Main St.

Satran said construction is expected to be completed in August and will also include an 80-person event room with a kitchen and bathroom.

"It'll mainly be for community events like chamber events or anything else going on in the community. It'll be in the back half of the bank, separated from the main part so we can use it outside of hours," he said.

During construction, the bank is operating out of a fully functional mobile trailer behind the building, with all services available except drive-through access and night deposits.

The bank is accessible via the back alley off Warren Avenue and is open during regular hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Satran said safety deposit boxes are still available by appointment, and staff will assist customers curbside if they are unable to enter the trailer.

"We appreciate our customers' patience during the construction phase. I think it'll be a great asset for our community going forward once it's done," he said.

Staff moved into the mobile trailer on Jan. 19 and reopened on Jan. 20. First Federal Bank in WaKeeney operates as a branch of Lyons Federal Bank.

You can follow the WaKeeney bank on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087909768465">Facebook</a>&nbsp;for updates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769786952910.jpeg" alt="Construction workers at First Federal Bank in Wakeeney. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Construction workers at First Federal Bank in Wakeeney. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostFirst Federal Bank in WaKeeney is moving forward with a long-awaited remodel while continuing to serve customers.Aaron Satran, the bank’s branch president, said the location is undergoing its first significant renovation since 1985. Construction began Jan. 12."It's been long overdue," Satran said. "Things were deteriorating, and it's time for a new look."The project includes both interior and exterior upgrades, including a new 24/7 drive-through ATM with an adjacent night deposit located behind the bank,&nbsp;229 N. Main St.Satran said construction is expected to be completed in August and will also include an 80-person event room with a kitchen and bathroom."It'll mainly be for community events like chamber events or anything else going on in the community. It'll be in the back half of the bank, separated from the main part so we can use it outside of hours," he said.During construction, the bank is operating out of a fully functional mobile trailer behind the building, with all services available except drive-through access and night deposits.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769787025496.jpeg" alt="The mobile trailer parked behind the First Federal Bank in WaKeeney, with an accessibility ramp for customers. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The mobile trailer parked behind the First Federal Bank in WaKeeney, with an accessibility ramp for customers. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The bank is accessible via the back alley off Warren Avenue and is open during regular hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.Satran said safety deposit boxes are still available by appointment, and staff will assist customers curbside if they are unable to enter the trailer."We appreciate our customers' patience during the construction phase. I think it'll be a great asset for our community going forward once it's done," he said.Staff moved into the mobile trailer on Jan. 19 and reopened on Jan. 20. First Federal Bank in WaKeeney operates as a branch of Lyons Federal Bank.You can follow the WaKeeney bank on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087909768465">Facebook</a>&nbsp;for updates.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769787091998.jpeg" alt="A parking spot reserved for First Federal Bank customers on the north side of the mobile trailer with a call number. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A parking spot reserved for First Federal Bank customers on the north side of the mobile trailer with a call number. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

First Federal Bank in WaKeeney begins renovations

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post Sports

PLAINVILLE – The TMP-Marian Monarchs had to wait an extra
week to try and claim their first Mid-Continent League tournament title since
2023 because of the snowstorm last Saturday and in the end they were able to
secure the victory over Plainville 57-46.

The Monarchs (10-5) opened Saturday’s game with three
straight free throws from Will Eck, sparking a 14-4 run to open the game,
before they took a 14-6 lead into quarter number two.

Plainville (8-6) closed within six to open the second
quarter and were within five when TMP put together a little 9-2 run with Ty
Schmeidler scoring five of the nine points, putting TMP up 24-12.

The Cardinals were able to chip away at the TMP lead to
close out the first half, thanks to an 11-3 run cutting the TMP lead to four at
27-23 at the break.

Eck’s first three pointer of the game opened the second half
for TMP and Jacob Seib scored six straight putting TMP up 36-29. Grant Nehls
and Schmeidler combined to score the final eight points of the quarterto put
TMP up 44-34 heading into the final quarter.

The Cardinals were able to close within four, in the fourth
quarter, but TMP make six of their final nine free throws in the final minutes
of the quarter on their way to a 57-46 victory.

It’s the six MCL tournament title for the Monarchs.

Jacob Seib and Grant Nehls led all scorers with 14 points
each. Nehls finished with 9 rebounds. Ty Schmeidler chipped in 12 points.

TMP will take on Trego Community in WaKeeney on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day the Hoxie Lady Indians clinched their
second MCL tournament title in three years with a 56-48 win over Oakley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769915354337.png" alt="The TMP boys claimed the 2026 MCL tournament title with a win over Plainville - Courtesy&nbsp;Thomas More Prep-Marian" />
 <figcaption>The TMP boys claimed the 2026 MCL tournament title with a win over Plainville - Courtesy&nbsp;Thomas More Prep-Marian</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post SportsPLAINVILLE – The TMP-Marian Monarchs had to wait an extra
week to try and claim their first Mid-Continent League tournament title since
2023 because of the snowstorm last Saturday and in the end they were able to
secure the victory over Plainville 57-46.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2257858406&color=%2337669a&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/1-31-26-tmp-vs-plainville-coach-bill-maher-interview" title="1-31-26 TMP Vs Plainville Coach Bill Meagher Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">1-31-26 TMP Vs Plainville Coach Bill Meagher Interview</a></div></div>The Monarchs (10-5) opened Saturday’s game with three
straight free throws from Will Eck, sparking a 14-4 run to open the game,
before they took a 14-6 lead into quarter number two.Plainville (8-6) closed within six to open the second
quarter and were within five when TMP put together a little 9-2 run with Ty
Schmeidler scoring five of the nine points, putting TMP up 24-12.The Cardinals were able to chip away at the TMP lead to
close out the first half, thanks to an 11-3 run cutting the TMP lead to four at
27-23 at the break.Eck’s first three pointer of the game opened the second half
for TMP and Jacob Seib scored six straight putting TMP up 36-29. Grant Nehls
and Schmeidler combined to score the final eight points of the quarterto put
TMP up 44-34 heading into the final quarter.The Cardinals were able to close within four, in the fourth
quarter, but TMP make six of their final nine free throws in the final minutes
of the quarter on their way to a 57-46 victory.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2257856870&color=%2337669a&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/1-31-26-tmp-vs-plainville-highlights" title="1-31-26 TMP Vs Plainville Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">1-31-26 TMP Vs Plainville Highlights</a></div></div>It’s the six MCL tournament title for the Monarchs.Jacob Seib and Grant Nehls led all scorers with 14 points
each. Nehls finished with 9 rebounds. Ty Schmeidler chipped in 12 points.TMP will take on Trego Community in WaKeeney on Tuesday.Earlier in the day the Hoxie Lady Indians clinched their
second MCL tournament title in three years with a 56-48 win over Oakley.

🏀 Monarchs claim MCL tournament title

NEW YORK (AP) — A huge new tranche of files on millionaire financier and sex offender&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;has revealed details of his communications with the wealthy and powerful, some not long before he died by suicide in 2019.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein">Click here t</a>o view the latest files

The Justice Department said it was disclosing more than 3 million pages of documents, as well as thousands of videos and photos, as required by a law passed by Congress. By Friday evening, more than 600,000 documents had been published online. Millions of files that prosecutors had identified as potentially subject to release under the law remain under wraps, however, drawing criticism from Democrats.

The records also have new details on Epstein’s incarceration and suicide

Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019, and found dead in his cell just over a month later.

The latest batch of documents includes emails between investigators about Epstein’s death, including an investigator’s observation that his final communication doesn’t look like a suicide note.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-politics-new-york-business-suicides-4ff27f28f32d446795b65ac7dd8cc4ac">Multiple investigations</a>&nbsp;have determined that Epstein’s death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">was a suicide</a>.

The records also detail a trick that jail staffers used to fool the media gathered outside while Epstein’s body was removed: they used boxes and sheets to create what appeared to be a body and loaded it into a white van labeled as belonging to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The reporters followed the van when it left the jail, not knowing that Epstein’s actual body was loaded into a black vehicle, which departed “unnoticed,” according to the interview notes.

Epstein chatted with Elon Musk and Howard Lutnick about island visits

Billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk emailed Epstein in 2012 and 2013 about visiting his infamous island compound, the scene of many allegations of sexual abuse.

Epstein inquired in an email about how many people Musk would like flown by helicopter, and Musk responded that it would likely be just him and his partner at the time. “What day/night will be the wildest party on =our island?” he wrote, according to the Justice Department records.

It’s not immediately clear if the island visits took place. Spokespersons for Musk’s companies, Tesla and X, didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment Friday.

Musk has maintained that he repeatedly turned down the disgraced financier’s overtures. “Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED,” he posted on X in 2025

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02152992.pdf">Epstein also invited</a>&nbsp;Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to the island in Dec. 2012. Lutnick’s wife enthusiastically accepted the invitation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398721.pdf">said they would arrive</a>&nbsp;on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02521951.pdf">yacht with their children</a>. The two also had drinks on another occasion in 2011, according to a schedule. Six years later, they e-mailed about the construction of a building across the street from both of their homes.

Lutnick has distanced himself from Epstein, calling him “gross” and saying in 2025 that he cut ties decades ago. He didn’t respond to an e-mailed request for comment on Friday afternoon.

Epstein talked politics with Steve Bannon and an ex-Obama official

The documents show Epstein exchanged hundreds of friendly texts with Steve Bannon, a top adviser to President Donald Trump, some months before Epstein’s death.

They discussed politics, travel and a documentary Bannon was said to be planning that would help salvage Epstein’s reputation.

In March 2019, Bannon asked Epstein if he could&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01615683.pdf">supply his plane</a>&nbsp;to pick him up in Rome.

A couple of months later, Epstein messaged to Bannon, “Now you can understand why trump wakes up in the middle of the night sweating when he hears you and I are friends.”

The context is unclear from the documents, which were released with many redactions and little clear organization.

Another 2018 exchange focused on Trump’s threats at the time to oust Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, whom he had named to the post just the year prior.

Around the same time, Epstein also communicated with Kathy Ruemmler, a lawyer and former Obama White House official. In a typo-filled email, he warned that Democrats should stop demonizing Trump as a Mafia-type figure even as he derided the president as a “maniac.”

Bannon did not immediately respond to a message from the AP seeking comment. Ruemmler said through a spokesperson she was associated with Epstein professionally during her time as a lawyer in private practice and now “regrets ever knowing him.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769870922216.png" alt="Jeffrey Epstein as shown in a photo released by the DOJ on Friday" />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey Epstein as shown in a photo released by the DOJ on Friday</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A huge new tranche of files on millionaire financier and sex offender&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;has revealed details of his communications with the wealthy and powerful, some not long before he died by suicide in 2019.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein">Click here t</a>o view the latest filesThe Justice Department said it was disclosing more than 3 million pages of documents, as well as thousands of videos and photos, as required by a law passed by Congress. By Friday evening, more than 600,000 documents had been published online. Millions of files that prosecutors had identified as potentially subject to release under the law remain under wraps, however, drawing criticism from Democrats.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769891409865.png" alt="EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Image from an undated and redacted document released by the U.S. Department of Justice, showa Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaning over an unidentified person." />
 <figcaption>EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Image from an undated and redacted document released by the U.S. Department of Justice, showa Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaning over an unidentified person.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Latest:<h2>The records also have new details on Epstein’s incarceration and suicide</h2>Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019, and found dead in his cell just over a month later.The latest batch of documents includes emails between investigators about Epstein’s death, including an investigator’s observation that his final communication doesn’t look like a suicide note.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-politics-new-york-business-suicides-4ff27f28f32d446795b65ac7dd8cc4ac">Multiple investigations</a>&nbsp;have determined that Epstein’s death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">was a suicide</a>.The records also detail a trick that jail staffers used to fool the media gathered outside while Epstein’s body was removed: they used boxes and sheets to create what appeared to be a body and loaded it into a white van labeled as belonging to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.The reporters followed the van when it left the jail, not knowing that Epstein’s actual body was loaded into a black vehicle, which departed “unnoticed,” according to the interview notes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769817863085.png" alt="Email exchange from Elon Musk in the files released Friday" />
 <figcaption>Email exchange from Elon Musk in the files released Friday</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Epstein chatted with Elon Musk and Howard Lutnick about island visits</h2>Billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk emailed Epstein in 2012 and 2013 about visiting his infamous island compound, the scene of many allegations of sexual abuse.Epstein inquired in an email about how many people Musk would like flown by helicopter, and Musk responded that it would likely be just him and his partner at the time. “What day/night will be the wildest party on =our island?” he wrote, according to the Justice Department records.It’s not immediately clear if the island visits took place. Spokespersons for Musk’s companies, Tesla and X, didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment Friday.Musk has maintained that he repeatedly turned down the disgraced financier’s overtures. “Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED,” he posted on X in 2025<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02152992.pdf">Epstein also invited</a>&nbsp;Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to the island in Dec. 2012. Lutnick’s wife enthusiastically accepted the invitation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00398721.pdf">said they would arrive</a>&nbsp;on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02521951.pdf">yacht with their children</a>. The two also had drinks on another occasion in 2011, according to a schedule. Six years later, they e-mailed about the construction of a building across the street from both of their homes.Lutnick has distanced himself from Epstein, calling him “gross” and saying in 2025 that he cut ties decades ago. He didn’t respond to an e-mailed request for comment on Friday afternoon.<h2>Epstein talked politics with Steve Bannon and an ex-Obama official</h2>The documents show Epstein exchanged hundreds of friendly texts with Steve Bannon, a top adviser to President Donald Trump, some months before Epstein’s death.They discussed politics, travel and a documentary Bannon was said to be planning that would help salvage Epstein’s reputation.In March 2019, Bannon asked Epstein if he could&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01615683.pdf">supply his plane</a>&nbsp;to pick him up in Rome.A couple of months later, Epstein messaged to Bannon, “Now you can understand why trump wakes up in the middle of the night sweating when he hears you and I are friends.”The context is unclear from the documents, which were released with many redactions and little clear organization.Another 2018 exchange focused on Trump’s threats at the time to oust Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, whom he had named to the post just the year prior.Around the same time, Epstein also communicated with Kathy Ruemmler, a lawyer and former Obama White House official. In a typo-filled email, he warned that Democrats should stop demonizing Trump as a Mafia-type figure even as he derided the president as a “maniac.”Bannon did not immediately respond to a message from the AP seeking comment. Ruemmler said through a spokesperson she was associated with Epstein professionally during her time as a lawyer in private practice and now “regrets ever knowing him.”

New Epstein documents include his emails with wealthy and powerful

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field team posted three more national qualifying marks and secured one event victory Saturday (Jan. 31) on day two of the Washburn Open.

Annabeth Baalmann placed first in the pole vault, clearing the 13-2.25 bar on her first attempt. That national-qualifying performance would be ranked seventh in Division II this season were it not for her school-record clearance of 14-1.25 set earlier this season that is the best in the country.

A pair of Tigers cleared the national qualifying threshold in the men's pole vault, with Josiah Ball finishing first and Hunter Angove placing second. Ball cleared the 16-7.25 bar on his third and final attempt, setting a new indoor best that is just one centimeter below his outdoor PR. That performance ranks Ball 18th in Division II this season and is good for seventh at FHSU during the program's Division II era.

Angove also etched his name on the national qualifying list after soaring over the bar at 16-3.25 on his third and final attempt. That performance is good for 21st in the country this season and places the senior 10th on the FHSU DII era performance list.

Janae Fugitt ran the 800m in 2:18.43, placing 12th out of 52 competitors and ranking sixth on the FHSU DII era list.

Taylor Hoskinson ran a personal-best 5:05.55 in the mile, finishing 21st in the field of 58 runners and moving from eighth to sixth on the FHSU DII era performance chart.

Lillian Finke matched her personal best in the pole vault, clearing the bar at 11-8.5 to place eighth in the event.

Looking ahead, the Tigers will be back in action in two weeks when they travel to Pittsburg, Kan. for the 11th Annual Russ Jewett Indoor Gorilla Classic February 13-14.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769917466142.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Kelly Meyer" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Kelly Meyer</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsTOPEKA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field team posted three more national qualifying marks and secured one event victory Saturday (Jan. 31) on day two of the Washburn Open.Annabeth Baalmann placed first in the pole vault, clearing the 13-2.25 bar on her first attempt. That national-qualifying performance would be ranked seventh in Division II this season were it not for her school-record clearance of 14-1.25 set earlier this season that is the best in the country.A pair of Tigers cleared the national qualifying threshold in the men's pole vault, with Josiah Ball finishing first and Hunter Angove placing second. Ball cleared the 16-7.25 bar on his third and final attempt, setting a new indoor best that is just one centimeter below his outdoor PR. That performance ranks Ball 18th in Division II this season and is good for seventh at FHSU during the program's Division II era.Angove also etched his name on the national qualifying list after soaring over the bar at 16-3.25 on his third and final attempt. That performance is good for 21st in the country this season and places the senior 10th on the FHSU DII era performance list.Janae Fugitt ran the 800m in 2:18.43, placing 12th out of 52 competitors and ranking sixth on the FHSU DII era list.Taylor Hoskinson ran a personal-best 5:05.55 in the mile, finishing 21st in the field of 58 runners and moving from eighth to sixth on the FHSU DII era performance chart.Lillian Finke matched her personal best in the pole vault, clearing the bar at 11-8.5 to place eighth in the event.Looking ahead, the Tigers will be back in action in two weeks when they travel to Pittsburg, Kan. for the 11th Annual Russ Jewett Indoor Gorilla Classic February 13-14.

👟Tigers notch three national qualifying marks on day 2 of Washburn Open

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post Sports

GARDEN CITY - Tanner Geist took home the 285 pound title from the prestigious Rocky Welton Invitational on Saturday. The Indians finished 9th as a team.&nbsp;

Geist won his first four matches via pin. The first two matches didn't make it out of the first period. The next two occurred in the second. Geist won the championship over Beau Young of Valley Center by a 8-2 decision. Geist is now 30-4 on the season.

Hays had two wrestlers in the finals. Johnny Rigler reached the championship before falling to undefeated Everett Joyce of Maize by major decision 14-2. Rigler won his first first two matches by fall. His first round pin happened in just 54 seconds.&nbsp; He then won the next two matches against out of state opponents 10-3 and 10-7.

Archer Amrein finished fifth at 175 pounds. Amrein picked up two pins in the first two rounds before falling in the quarterfinals. He then went 3-1 on the next four matches for the fifth place finish.

Jaxson Chartier also placed fifth and had to take a long road to get there after falling in the second round by a 1-0 decision. He bounced back with three straight victories before falling in the consolation semifinals 9-3. Chartier finished off the tournament with a 7-5 decision for 5th.&nbsp;

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post SportsGARDEN CITY - Tanner Geist took home the 285 pound title from the prestigious Rocky Welton Invitational on Saturday. The Indians finished 9th as a team.&nbsp;Geist won his first four matches via pin. The first two matches didn't make it out of the first period. The next two occurred in the second. Geist won the championship over Beau Young of Valley Center by a 8-2 decision. Geist is now 30-4 on the season.Hays had two wrestlers in the finals. Johnny Rigler reached the championship before falling to undefeated Everett Joyce of Maize by major decision 14-2. Rigler won his first first two matches by fall. His first round pin happened in just 54 seconds.&nbsp; He then won the next two matches against out of state opponents 10-3 and 10-7.Archer Amrein finished fifth at 175 pounds. Amrein picked up two pins in the first two rounds before falling in the quarterfinals. He then went 3-1 on the next four matches for the fifth place finish.Jaxson Chartier also placed fifth and had to take a long road to get there after falling in the second round by a 1-0 decision. He bounced back with three straight victories before falling in the consolation semifinals 9-3. Chartier finished off the tournament with a 7-5 decision for 5th.&nbsp;

🤼‍♀️ Geist claims Rocky Welton title; team places 9th

GARDEN CITY - Hays High girls wrestling placed 9th out of 33 teams at the 5th Annual Rocky Welton Girls tournament on Friday and Saturday in Garden City. Junior Timber Lovewell swept through her bracket for the title at 145 pounds.

Lovewell recorded three falls in her four matches, including a 1:40 pin in the championship over Farrin Thiemann of Bellevue East. The loss was just the second on the season for Thiemann. Lovewell is 22-3 on the year.

Audrey Yarmer placed fourth at 105. Yarmer made the quarterfinals before losing for the first time. She made it back to the third place match and lost to the same opponent from day one.

Lexi Barnett also finished fourth but took a long route to get there after losing her second match of the tournament. Barnett won her next three consolation matches by fall and then back-to-back decision to reach the third place match. She unfortunately had to medical forfeit that match.

Eleanor Stoffel ended the second day in fourth place as well. Stoffel made the semifinals before losing to an undefeated wrestling from Campus High School. She split her last two matches for the fourth place finish.&nbsp;

Addison Nueberger placed sixth at 125 with a 3-3 record.&nbsp;

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post SportsGARDEN CITY - Hays High girls wrestling placed 9th out of 33 teams at the 5th Annual Rocky Welton Girls tournament on Friday and Saturday in Garden City. Junior Timber Lovewell swept through her bracket for the title at 145 pounds.Lovewell recorded three falls in her four matches, including a 1:40 pin in the championship over Farrin Thiemann of Bellevue East. The loss was just the second on the season for Thiemann. Lovewell is 22-3 on the year.Audrey Yarmer placed fourth at 105. Yarmer made the quarterfinals before losing for the first time. She made it back to the third place match and lost to the same opponent from day one.Lexi Barnett also finished fourth but took a long route to get there after losing her second match of the tournament. Barnett won her next three consolation matches by fall and then back-to-back decision to reach the third place match. She unfortunately had to medical forfeit that match.Eleanor Stoffel ended the second day in fourth place as well. Stoffel made the semifinals before losing to an undefeated wrestling from Campus High School. She split her last two matches for the fourth place finish.&nbsp;Addison Nueberger placed sixth at 125 with a 3-3 record.&nbsp;

🤼‍♂️ Lovewell wins title; Hays girls 9th in Garden City

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/josh-funk">JOSH FUNK</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/peter-smith">PETER SMITH</a> Associated Press

Nine people, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-arrest-minnesota-church-service-d3091fe3d1e37100a7c46573667eb85c">former CNN anchor Don Lemon</a>&nbsp;and another journalist — have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-arrest-minnesota-church-service-d3091fe3d1e37100a7c46573667eb85c">charged</a>&nbsp;with violating two different federal laws in connection with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-ice-doj-church-protest-st-paul-46dac5c5595ec78e3360ec927eef92d2">protest that interrupted a worship service at a Minnesota church</a>&nbsp;earlier this month.

The group that barged into a worship service that Sunday was upset that the head of a local field office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor. The protest was quickly denounced by President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-protest-church-minneapolis-fcc97a29b9c4434c665d76d4811c5a3e">many religious leaders</a>.

<a href="https://sortor.us/release/lemon.pdf">Click here to read </a>the full indictment

Lemon and a local reporter were covering the protest on Jan. 18 at the Cities Church in St. Paul. A grand jury in Minnesota indicted Lemon and others on charges of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers. The indictment alleges various actions by the group that entered the church, including what Lemon said as he reported on the event for his livestream show.

The arrests of Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort are especially troubling for legal experts and media groups who worry about the chilling effect on coverage of the Trump administration.

David Harris, a University of Pittsburgh law professor specializing in criminal law, said the charges against the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-church-protest-history-58817d7033c6b83867131f4cee87256a">protesters</a>&nbsp;are more tenable, given the federal laws against disrupting the free exercise of worship. “A court will have to sort that out,” he said.

But charges against reporters are troubling, he said.

“Charging journalists for being there covering the disruption does not mean they were part of the disruption,” Harris said. “Don Lemon and other journalists are the way that we the public are finding out what is happening in these spaces,” he said. “They are our eyes and ears. The message that is being sent is that journalists like Don Lemon and others should feel intimidated from doing this.”

The two key laws cited in the complaints against those who were arrested were passed more than a century apart — one rooted in efforts to prevent intimidation by the post-Civil War Ku Klux Klan and the other to enable access to abortion clinics, though they both have had wider applications.

Law designed to protect access to abortion clinics and churches

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances law, known as the FACE Act for short, was passed in 1994 to help ensure that patients seeking care at an abortion clinic — as well as the doctors and nurses who work there — could safely access the facilities that often draw protests. It followed incidents of violence targeting clinic workers.

A Republican-sponsored clause that provided for penalties for disruptions of worship services was also incorporated into the law.

Anti-abortion conservatives have denounced the law, focusing on the clinic protections. Trump last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-executive-order-pardon-817774b21d32a4edf6d39ee43cbc18f4">pardoned</a>&nbsp;several people convicted for blockading clinics. His Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-reproductive-care-clinics-prosecutions-5f693b186d0dd62fc693474aab7b5f3f">scaled back</a>&nbsp;FACE Act prosecutions of those accused of blocking clinics, claiming there had been a “weaponization” of the law.

But the U.S. Supreme Court, despite having overturned the Roe v. Wade decision that had legalized abortion nationwide, last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-buffer-zones-7979c3d747d7eab88f7e8b723397e768">refused</a>&nbsp;to hear a challenge to the constitutionality of FACE.

In 2025, 42 House Republicans co-sponsored legislation, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to repeal the FACE Act. The conservative Heritage Foundation supported the stalled repeal effort, calling the FACE Act “an ideological weapon” designed to suppress anti-abortion activity.

They have contended the worship-protection aspect of the law hasn’t been invoked in the past. In 2025, the Justice Department did invoke the act in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-lawsuit-reproductive-care-clinic-d8e45edcf962ea62b3d86251de103737">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against demonstrators who protested outside of a synagogue.

Someone charged with their first violation of the FACE Act could be fined or sentenced up to one year in jail. Subsequent offenses, or charges that involve injuries, deaths or damage, could face tougher penalties.

The Conspiracy Against Rights law dates back to the post Civil War era

The other charges against Lemon and Fort are based on a law commonly known as the Conspiracy Against Rights law, which was enacted shortly after the Civil War. It was originally designed to target vigilante groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. The law prohibits intimidating or otherwise preventing someone from exercising constitutional rights.

The Klan had been targeting those newly freed from slavery, but over the years the law has been revised to apply to a wide range of violations of constitutional rights. It was used to charge suspects in the “Mississippi Burning” killings of three civil rights workers in 1964. It has been used in cases ranging from church arsons and antisemitic intimidation to political conspiracy and witness tampering.

The law carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison –- or more if it involves injury, death or destruction of property.

Harris said it’s important for Americans to be able to see what’s happening so they can make up their own minds, instead of only hearing officials describe what happened.

“We all have had the experience of them telling us things that simply do not square with what we see with our own eyes,” he said. “Journalists being present to witness these things and report them are crucial to our being able to make our minds about what our government is doing.”

Jonathan Manes, senior counsel in the MacArthur Justice Center’s Illinois Office, agreed.

“It’s astonishing that the federal government is criminally charging journalists for covering a protest,” said Manes, whose work focuses on governmental civil rights violations.

“The crucial point is that a journalist covering activities going on is not part of those activities,” he said. “None of this is to say that the protest here was a good thing or that it was even allowed, but journalists shouldn’t be charged federally with conspiracy when they’re covering it.”

AP reporters Tiffany Stanley in Washington and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769862788432.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/josh-funk">JOSH FUNK</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/peter-smith">PETER SMITH</a> Associated PressNine people, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-arrest-minnesota-church-service-d3091fe3d1e37100a7c46573667eb85c">former CNN anchor Don Lemon</a>&nbsp;and another journalist — have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-arrest-minnesota-church-service-d3091fe3d1e37100a7c46573667eb85c">charged</a>&nbsp;with violating two different federal laws in connection with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-ice-doj-church-protest-st-paul-46dac5c5595ec78e3360ec927eef92d2">protest that interrupted a worship service at a Minnesota church</a>&nbsp;earlier this month.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769780223167.png" alt="File -Don Lemon from a 2022 interview- photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File -Don Lemon from a 2022 interview- photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The group that barged into a worship service that Sunday was upset that the head of a local field office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor. The protest was quickly denounced by President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-protest-church-minneapolis-fcc97a29b9c4434c665d76d4811c5a3e">many religious leaders</a>.<a href="https://sortor.us/release/lemon.pdf">Click here to read </a>the full indictmentLemon and a local reporter were covering the protest on Jan. 18 at the Cities Church in St. Paul. A grand jury in Minnesota indicted Lemon and others on charges of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers. The indictment alleges various actions by the group that entered the church, including what Lemon said as he reported on the event for his livestream show.The arrests of Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort are especially troubling for legal experts and media groups who worry about the chilling effect on coverage of the Trump administration.David Harris, a University of Pittsburgh law professor specializing in criminal law, said the charges against the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-church-protest-history-58817d7033c6b83867131f4cee87256a">protesters</a>&nbsp;are more tenable, given the federal laws against disrupting the free exercise of worship. “A court will have to sort that out,” he said.But charges against reporters are troubling, he said.“Charging journalists for being there covering the disruption does not mean they were part of the disruption,” Harris said. “Don Lemon and other journalists are the way that we the public are finding out what is happening in these spaces,” he said. “They are our eyes and ears. The message that is being sent is that journalists like Don Lemon and others should feel intimidated from doing this.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/Yy9IOZRpJU">pic.twitter.com/Yy9IOZRpJU</a>&mdash; CNN Communications (@CNNPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNPR/status/2017257849592721642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The two key laws cited in the complaints against those who were arrested were passed more than a century apart — one rooted in efforts to prevent intimidation by the post-Civil War Ku Klux Klan and the other to enable access to abortion clinics, though they both have had wider applications.Here are some details about those laws:<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">When life gives you lemons... ⛓️ <a href="https://t.co/wxry0fudOj">pic.twitter.com/wxry0fudOj</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2017248964878143741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Law designed to protect access to abortion clinics and churches</h2>The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances law, known as the FACE Act for short, was passed in 1994 to help ensure that patients seeking care at an abortion clinic — as well as the doctors and nurses who work there — could safely access the facilities that often draw protests. It followed incidents of violence targeting clinic workers.A Republican-sponsored clause that provided for penalties for disruptions of worship services was also incorporated into the law.Anti-abortion conservatives have denounced the law, focusing on the clinic protections. Trump last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-executive-order-pardon-817774b21d32a4edf6d39ee43cbc18f4">pardoned</a>&nbsp;several people convicted for blockading clinics. His Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-reproductive-care-clinics-prosecutions-5f693b186d0dd62fc693474aab7b5f3f">scaled back</a>&nbsp;FACE Act prosecutions of those accused of blocking clinics, claiming there had been a “weaponization” of the law.But the U.S. Supreme Court, despite having overturned the Roe v. Wade decision that had legalized abortion nationwide, last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-buffer-zones-7979c3d747d7eab88f7e8b723397e768">refused</a>&nbsp;to hear a challenge to the constitutionality of FACE.In 2025, 42 House Republicans co-sponsored legislation, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to repeal the FACE Act. The conservative Heritage Foundation supported the stalled repeal effort, calling the FACE Act “an ideological weapon” designed to suppress anti-abortion activity.They have contended the worship-protection aspect of the law hasn’t been invoked in the past. In 2025, the Justice Department did invoke the act in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-lawsuit-reproductive-care-clinic-d8e45edcf962ea62b3d86251de103737">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against demonstrators who protested outside of a synagogue.Someone charged with their first violation of the FACE Act could be fined or sentenced up to one year in jail. Subsequent offenses, or charges that involve injuries, deaths or damage, could face tougher penalties.<h2>The Conspiracy Against Rights law dates back to the post Civil War era</h2>The other charges against Lemon and Fort are based on a law commonly known as the Conspiracy Against Rights law, which was enacted shortly after the Civil War. It was originally designed to target vigilante groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. The law prohibits intimidating or otherwise preventing someone from exercising constitutional rights.The Klan had been targeting those newly freed from slavery, but over the years the law has been revised to apply to a wide range of violations of constitutional rights. It was used to charge suspects in the “Mississippi Burning” killings of three civil rights workers in 1964. It has been used in cases ranging from church arsons and antisemitic intimidation to political conspiracy and witness tampering.The law carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison –- or more if it involves injury, death or destruction of property.Harris said it’s important for Americans to be able to see what’s happening so they can make up their own minds, instead of only hearing officials describe what happened.“We all have had the experience of them telling us things that simply do not square with what we see with our own eyes,” he said. “Journalists being present to witness these things and report them are crucial to our being able to make our minds about what our government is doing.”Jonathan Manes, senior counsel in the MacArthur Justice Center’s Illinois Office, agreed.“It’s astonishing that the federal government is criminally charging journalists for covering a protest,” said Manes, whose work focuses on governmental civil rights violations.“The crucial point is that a journalist covering activities going on is not part of those activities,” he said. “None of this is to say that the protest here was a good thing or that it was even allowed, but journalists shouldn’t be charged federally with conspiracy when they’re covering it.”___AP reporters Tiffany Stanley in Washington and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed.___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Read the indictment: Former CNN anchor charged with 2 federal crimes

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Hays Middle School Principal Tom Albers, who provides an update on pick-up and drop-off traffic at the new school and on upcoming testing, on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650389030295.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: USD 489 Report - Tom Albers" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=xyutu-1a2715a-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300%22 loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Hays Middle School Principal Tom Albers, who provides an update on pick-up and drop-off traffic at the new school and on upcoming testing, on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: HMS update on traffic, testing

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/kimberlee-kruesi">KIMBERLEE KRUESI</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/holly-ramer">HOLLY RAMER</a> Associated Press

Protesters across the U.S. are calling for “no work, no school, no shopping” as part of a nationwide strike on Friday to oppose the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-renee-good-immigration-sweeps-6ae64be5a0d6a718b658a938fb56e567">Trump administration’s immigration crackdown</a>.

The demonstrations are taking place amid widespread outrage over the killing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse</a>&nbsp;who was shot multiple times after he used his cellphone to record Border Patrol officers conducting an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The death heightened scrutiny over the administration’s tactics after the Jan. 7 death of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>, who was fatally shot behind the wheel of her vehicle by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country — to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” said one of the many websites and social media pages promoting actions in communities around the United States.

Some schools in Arizona, Colorado and other states preemptively canceled classes in anticipation of mass absences. Many other demonstrations were planned for students and others to gather at city centers, statehouses and churches across the country.

Just outside Minneapolis, hundreds gathered in the frigid cold early Friday at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, the site of regular protests in recent weeks.

After speeches from clergy members, demonstrators marched toward the facility’s restricted area, jeering at a line of DHS agents to “quit your jobs” and “get out of Minnesota.” Much of the group later dispersed after they were threatened with arrest by local law enforcement for blocking the road.

Michelle Pasko, a retired communications worker, said she joined the demonstration after witnessing federal agents stopping immigrants at a bus stop near her home in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis.

“They’re roaming our streets, they’re staying in hotels near our schools,” she said. “Everyone in this country has rights, and the federal government seems to have forgotten that. We’re here to remind them.”

In Michigan, dozens of students walked out of Friday morning classes at Groves High School in Birmingham, north of Detroit. The students braved the zero-degree temperatures and walked about a mile to the closest business district where a number of morning commuters honked horns in support.

“We’re here to protest ICE and what they’re doing all over the country, especially in Minnesota,” said Logan Albritton, a 17-year-old senior at Groves. “It’s not right to treat our neighbors and our fellow Americans this way.”

Abigail Daugherty, 16, organized the walkout at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, on Friday.

“For years, I have felt powerless, and seeing other schools in the county being able to do this, I wanted to do something,” the sophomore said.

Numerous businesses announced they would be closed during Friday’s “blackout.” Others said they would be staying open, but donating a portion of their proceeds to organizations that support immigrants and provide legal aid to those facing deportation.

Otway Restaurant and its sister Otway Bakery in New York posted on social media that its bakery would stay open and 50% of proceeds would go to the New York Immigration Coalition. The restaurant remained open as well.

“As a small business who already took a huge financial hit this week due to the winter storm closures, we will remain open on Friday,” they posted.

In Maine, where Republican Sen. Susan Collins&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-maine-immigration-arrests-collins-ff774636a6e9825fb957e70a10c9ab01">announced that ICE is ending its surge</a>, people gathered outside a Portland church on Friday morning, holding signs that said “No ICE for ME,” a play on the state’s postal code.

Grace Valenzuela, an administrator with Portland Public Schools, decried an “enforcement system that treats our presence as suspect.” She said ICE’s actions brought “daily trauma” to the school system.

“Schools are meant to be places of learning, safety and belonging. ICE undermines that mission every time it destabilizes a family,” Valenzuela said.

Portland Mayor Mark Dion, a Democrat, spoke about the importance of speaking out in the wake of ICE’s actions in the city.

“Dissent is Democratic. Dissent is American. It’s the cornerstone of our democracy,” Dion said.

Associated Press reporters Emilie Megnien in Atlanta, Mae Anderson in New York, Jake Offenhartz in Minneapolis, Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, and Corey Williams in Detroit contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769824719346.jpeg" alt="People gather during a protest on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)" />
 <figcaption>People gather during a protest on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/kimberlee-kruesi">KIMBERLEE KRUESI</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/holly-ramer">HOLLY RAMER</a> Associated PressProtesters across the U.S. are calling for “no work, no school, no shopping” as part of a nationwide strike on Friday to oppose the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-renee-good-immigration-sweeps-6ae64be5a0d6a718b658a938fb56e567">Trump administration’s immigration crackdown</a>.The demonstrations are taking place amid widespread outrage over the killing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse</a>&nbsp;who was shot multiple times after he used his cellphone to record Border Patrol officers conducting an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The death heightened scrutiny over the administration’s tactics after the Jan. 7 death of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>, who was fatally shot behind the wheel of her vehicle by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country — to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” said one of the many websites and social media pages promoting actions in communities around the United States.Some schools in Arizona, Colorado and other states preemptively canceled classes in anticipation of mass absences. Many other demonstrations were planned for students and others to gather at city centers, statehouses and churches across the country.Just outside Minneapolis, hundreds gathered in the frigid cold early Friday at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, the site of regular protests in recent weeks.After speeches from clergy members, demonstrators marched toward the facility’s restricted area, jeering at a line of DHS agents to “quit your jobs” and “get out of Minnesota.” Much of the group later dispersed after they were threatened with arrest by local law enforcement for blocking the road.Michelle Pasko, a retired communications worker, said she joined the demonstration after witnessing federal agents stopping immigrants at a bus stop near her home in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis.“They’re roaming our streets, they’re staying in hotels near our schools,” she said. “Everyone in this country has rights, and the federal government seems to have forgotten that. We’re here to remind them.”In Michigan, dozens of students walked out of Friday morning classes at Groves High School in Birmingham, north of Detroit. The students braved the zero-degree temperatures and walked about a mile to the closest business district where a number of morning commuters honked horns in support.“We’re here to protest ICE and what they’re doing all over the country, especially in Minnesota,” said Logan Albritton, a 17-year-old senior at Groves. “It’s not right to treat our neighbors and our fellow Americans this way.”Abigail Daugherty, 16, organized the walkout at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, on Friday.“For years, I have felt powerless, and seeing other schools in the county being able to do this, I wanted to do something,” the sophomore said.Numerous businesses announced they would be closed during Friday’s “blackout.” Others said they would be staying open, but donating a portion of their proceeds to organizations that support immigrants and provide legal aid to those facing deportation.Otway Restaurant and its sister Otway Bakery in New York posted on social media that its bakery would stay open and 50% of proceeds would go to the New York Immigration Coalition. The restaurant remained open as well.“As a small business who already took a huge financial hit this week due to the winter storm closures, we will remain open on Friday,” they posted.In Maine, where Republican Sen. Susan Collins&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-maine-immigration-arrests-collins-ff774636a6e9825fb957e70a10c9ab01">announced that ICE is ending its surge</a>, people gathered outside a Portland church on Friday morning, holding signs that said “No ICE for ME,” a play on the state’s postal code.Grace Valenzuela, an administrator with Portland Public Schools, decried an “enforcement system that treats our presence as suspect.” She said ICE’s actions brought “daily trauma” to the school system.“Schools are meant to be places of learning, safety and belonging. ICE undermines that mission every time it destabilizes a family,” Valenzuela said.Portland Mayor Mark Dion, a Democrat, spoke about the importance of speaking out in the wake of ICE’s actions in the city.“Dissent is Democratic. Dissent is American. It’s the cornerstone of our democracy,” Dion said.___Associated Press reporters Emilie Megnien in Atlanta, Mae Anderson in New York, Jake Offenhartz in Minneapolis, Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, and Corey Williams in Detroit contributed to this report.

Protesters call for nationwide strike against Trump's immigration policies

Women Who Lead has started the first of four phases of improvements for Sunrise Park.

Sunrise Park is more than 60 years old and needs updated equipment and repairs. Women Who Lead has adopted the park as a service project, Nancy Jeter, president of Women Who Lead, said.

The Hays nonprofit is rallying sponsors to help improve the park at 19th and MacArthur Road.

"Now it will address people of all ages, from infants in a mommy/baby expression swing all the way up to playing a basketball game with your friends and getting these kids off their devices," Jeter said.

"It will form social bonds, and kids will play with each other and interact with each other, and develop some really neat friendships and bonding with each other."

A nine-hole disc golf course has already been completed, and Jeter said it has already been used for a tournament.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769712334476.png" alt="Nonprofit Women Who Lead is raising money to install new playground equipment at Sunrise Park. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Nonprofit Women Who Lead is raising money to install new playground equipment at Sunrise Park. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Women Who Lead -Sunrise Park" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=fua2d-1a25142-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300%22 loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostWomen Who Lead has started the first of four phases of improvements for Sunrise Park.Sunrise Park is more than 60 years old and needs updated equipment and repairs. Women Who Lead has adopted the park as a service project, Nancy Jeter, president of Women Who Lead, said.The Hays nonprofit is rallying sponsors to help improve the park at 19th and MacArthur Road."Now it will address people of all ages, from infants in a mommy/baby expression swing all the way up to playing a basketball game with your friends and getting these kids off their devices," Jeter said."It will form social bonds, and kids will play with each other and interact with each other, and develop some really neat friendships and bonding with each other."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769712472910.png" alt="Women Who Lead have already installed a nine-hole disc golf course at Sunrise Park. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Women Who Lead have already installed a nine-hole disc golf course at Sunrise Park. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A nine-hole disc golf course has already been completed, and Jeter said it has already been used for a tournament."It being used so much by parents with their kids, and kids after school," Jeter said. "There's a grandfather who goes out there and plays with his grandson."Work on the baseball fields and the installation of a new basketball court are underway. The basketball court will be completed within the next couple of months, depending on weather conditions. The baseball field will be regraded.Women Who Lead also paid for a new sign with lighting and landscaping.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769712504508.png" alt="Improvements are planned for the two baseball fields at Sunrsie Park. Grading of the fields is in the works. New fencing, backstops, benches and signs are planned for the third phase of the project. Courtesy image." />
 <figcaption>Improvements are planned for the two baseball fields at Sunrsie Park. Grading of the fields is in the works. New fencing, backstops, benches and signs are planned for the third phase of the project. Courtesy image.</figcaption>
 </figure>Women Who Lead is seeking donations and sponsors for the second phase of the improvements.These will include the purchase and installation of playground equipment, including an expression swing, spinner, typhoon slide, climbing cubes, zip line and slide with spinatorium.Jeter said Women Who Lead, in partnership with the city parks department, selected playground equipment that is not available anywhere else in Ellis County."The latest, fun pieces of equipment around," she said.The expression swing, often called a "mommy/baby swing," is for babies and their caregivers. The infant faces the adult, and they swing together."They've done studies on that, that it helps in the development of the child because they develop a relationship. They look in the adult's face, and they're able to talk and have focused learning there," Jeter said.Jeter said they wanted a tall slide. They chose one 22 feet tall, with sides to provide greater safety for children.The zip line will be slightly taller than the one at the ARC Park to accommodate children of all ages, Jeter said.The spinner is reminiscent of a merry-go-round, but with additional safety features.Women Who Lead hopes to host a back-to-school picnic and a ribbon-cutting for phase two in late summer.The third phase will include final improvements to the baseball field, including new fencing, backstops, benches and signs.The Born Learning Trail, which was installed by the Women Who Lead as their first project in 2018, will be refreshed. The trail helps young children learn concepts such as shapes and colors.Tabletop games such as chess and checkers, along with city street outlines for children to play with toy cars, will be added.Women Who Lead also hope to add a playhouse, a small in-ground trampoline and agility workout equipment for adults.The last phase will include lighting and security cameras. The Women Who Lead sponsored similar security improvements at the ARC Park and Hays Dog Park. Both helped reduce vandalism in those areas.&nbsp;If you would like to donate to the Sunrise Park project, click the "Become a Sponsor" or "Directed Donation" tab on the <a href="https://womenwholead.org/">Women Who Lead website</a>. Please indicate on the form that you would like your donation directed to Sunrise Park.You can also mail donations to Women Who Lead at&nbsp;PO Box 453, Hays, KS 67601.Editor's note: Cristina Janney is a member of Women Who Lead.