ATLANTA (AP) — A raspy and sometimes halting President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;tried repeatedly to confront&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in their first debate ahead of the November election, as his Republican rival countered Biden's criticism by leaning into falsehoods about the economy, illegal immigration and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-trump-biden-presidential-campaign-44e71c900a1c4af2bed93041fdfe923d">uneven performance</a>, particularly early in the debate, crystallized the concerns of many Americans that, at 81, he is too old to serve as president. It sparked a fresh round of calls for the Democrat to consider stepping aside as the party's nominee as members of his party fear a return of Trump to the White House.

Biden repeatedly tore into Trump in an apparent effort to provoke him, bringing up everything from the former president's recent felony conviction to his alleged insult of World War I veterans to his weight. The 78-year-old Trump declined to clearly state he would accept the results of the November election, four years after he promoted conspiracy theories about his loss that culminated in the Jan. 6 insurrection, and repeatedly misstated the record from his time in office.

But Biden's delivery from the beginning of the debate drew the most attention afterward. Trump's allies immediately declared victory while prominent Democrats publicly questioned whether Biden could move forward.

"I think the panic had set in,” said David Axelrod, a longtime advisor to former President Barack Obama on CNN, immediately after the debate about Biden's performance. “And I think you’re going to hear discussions that, I don’t know will lead to anything, but there are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.”

Said Van Jones, another Democratic strategist, on CNN: “He did not do well at all.”

Rosemarie DeAngelis, a Democrat who watched the debate at a party in South Portland, Maine, said she felt Biden gave the right answers to Trump but “didn’t have the spark that we needed tonight.”

“That’s going to be the challenge going forward. This is only June, this is the first, but can he sustain?” she said. "That is going to be the challenge.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking on CNN afterward, sought to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-debate-performance-biden-cnn-ee90f73e2b879f6f711b901e398d861d">defend</a>&nbsp;the president's performance while acknowledging the criticism.

“There was a slow start, but there was a strong finish,” she said.

Asked about his performance in the debate, Biden told reporters early Friday that “I think we did well,” but said he has a “sore throat.” Pressed about Democratic concerns with his showing that he should consider stepping aside, Biden said, "No, it's hard to debate a liar.”

Biden repeatedly lost his train of thought

Biden began the night with a hoarse voice as he tried to defend his economic record and criticize Trump. A person familiar with the matter said Biden was suffering from a cold during the debate, adding that he tested negative for COVID-19.

Biden appeared to lose his train of thought while giving one answer, drifting from an answer on tax policy to health policy, at one point using the word “COVID,” and then saying, “excuse me, with, dealing with,” and he trailed off again.

“Look, we finally beat Medicare,” Biden said, as his time ran out on his answer.

He also fumbled on abortion rights, one of the most important issues for Democrats in this year’s election. He was unable to explain Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. A conservative Supreme Court with three justices nominated by Trump overturned Roe two years ago.

When asked if he supports some restrictions on abortion, Biden said he “supports Roe v. Wade, which had three trimesters. The first time is between a woman and a doctor. Second time is between a doctor and an extreme situation. A third time is between the doctor, I mean, between the women and the state.”

He added that he thought doctors, not politicians, should make decisions about “women’s health.”

Biden began to give clearer answers as the debate progressed, still with a rasp, and attacked Trump’s record on issues like fighting climate change.

“The only existential threat to humanity is climate change, and he didn’t do a damn thing about it,” he said.

The current president and his predecessor hadn’t spoken&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-joe-biden-donald-trump-nbc-final-ea9fa49aa1ccf238d3004eb39ed9d8db">since their last debate</a>&nbsp;weeks before the 2020 presidential election. Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-inaugurations-302e242646b2bec9838b5e8d9950d164">skipped Biden’s inauguration</a>&nbsp;after leading an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-election-2020-judiciary-presidential-elections-elections-2fec942d0c09bc31858190afbb5d8e42">unprecedented and unsuccessful effort</a>&nbsp;to overturn his loss that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-panel-hearing-3e3dc618ed8cee37147cf6a792c0c0fa">culminated in the Capitol riot</a>&nbsp;by his supporters.

Trump equivocated on whether he would accept the results of the November election, saying he would accept them if the vote was “fair” and “legal,” repeating his baseless claims of widespread fraud and misconduct in his 2020 loss to Biden that he still denies.

Pressed on his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump was unapologetic.

“On Jan. 6, we were respected all over the world, all over the world we were respected. And then he comes in and we’re now laughed at,” Trump said.

After he was prompted by a moderator to answer whether he violated his oath of office that day by rallying his supporters seeking to block the certification of Biden's Electoral College victory and not acting for hours to call them off as they raided the Capitol, Trump sought to blame then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Biden said Trump encouraged the supporters to go to the Capitol and sat in the White House without taking action as they fought with police officers.

“He didn’t do a damn thing and these people should be in jail,” Biden said. “They should be the ones that are being held accountable. And he wants to let them all out. And now he says that if he loses again, such a whiner that he is, that this could be a ‘bloodbath’?”

Trump then defended the people convicted and imprisoned for their role in the insurrection, saying to Biden, “What they’ve done to some people that are so innocent, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

Trump and Biden entered the night facing stiff headwinds, including a public weary of the tumult of partisan politics and broadly dissatisfied with both, according to polling. But the debate was highlighting how they have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misinformation-election-debate-trump-biden-577507522762aa10f6ee5be3a0ced2bb">sharply different visions</a>&nbsp;on virtually every core issue — abortion, the economy and foreign policy — and deep hostility toward each other.

Their personal animus quickly came to the surface. Biden got personal in evoking his son, Beau, who served in Iraq before dying of brain cancer. The president criticized Trump for reportedly calling Americans killed in battle “suckers and losers.” Biden told Trump, “My son was not a loser, was not a sucker. You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.”

Trump said he never said that — a line attributed to Trump by his former chief of staff — and slammed Biden for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, calling it “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country’s life.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-middle-east-taliban-doha-e6f48507848aef2ee849154604aa11be">Trump himself agreed to the withdrawal with the Taliban</a>&nbsp;a year before he left office.

Biden directly mentioned Trump’s conviction in the New York hush money trial, saying, “You have the morals of an alley cat," and referencing the allegations in the case that Trump had sex with a porn actress.

“I did not have sex with a porn star," replied Trump, who chose not to testify at his trial.

Pressed to defend rising inflation since he took office, Biden pinned it on the situation he inherited from Trump amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden said that when Trump left office, “things were in chaos.” Trump disagreed, declaring that during his term in the White House, “Everything was rocking good.”

By the time Trump left office, America was still grappling with the pandemic and during his final hours in office, the death toll eclipsed 400,000. The virus continued to ravage the country and the death toll hit 1 million over a year later.

Trump was asked what he would do to make childcare more affordable. He used his answer to instead boast about how many people he fired during his term, including former FBI Director James Comey, and criticized Biden for not firing people from his administration.

Prior to the debate, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults (59%) said they were “very concerned” that Biden is too old to be president,&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/646547/age-issues-working-trump-advantage-pre-debate.aspx">according to Gallup data collected in June</a>. Only 18% had the same level of concern about Trump. The poll found Biden’s age was also causing alarm among some Democrats: 31% said they were very concerned.

Trump allies entered the post-debate spin room triumphant. Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita called it “the most lopsided win in debate history” and mocked the Biden campaign for saying the president had a cold.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a high-profile Democratic supporter of Biden, was pressed on whether he would consider stepping in for Biden. He dismissed the questions, saying, “I will never turn my back on him.”

He said he knows Biden and what he’s capable of and said, “I have no trepidation.”

Biden spent nearly a week at the Camp David presidential retreat preparing for the debate. Shortly before the debate, Biden started selling cans of water labeled, “Dark Brandon’s Secret Sauce,” on his campaign website, mocking the suggestions from Trump and his advisors that he would use drugs to enhance his performance.

Addressing supporters briefly at a watch party near the debate venue, Biden didn’t address his performance directly, but said, “let’s keep going,” and indicated he has no plans to leave the race.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719539849536.png" alt="President Joe Biden, right, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. On the far right is CNN moderator Dana Bash. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden, right, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. On the far right is CNN moderator Dana Bash. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — A raspy and sometimes halting President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;tried repeatedly to confront&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in their first debate ahead of the November election, as his Republican rival countered Biden's criticism by leaning into falsehoods about the economy, illegal immigration and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIP: President Biden and former President Trump respond to question on abortion during CNN Presidential Debate. <a href="https://t.co/xsJ1ATvlTP">pic.twitter.com/xsJ1ATvlTP</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806500194055311622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump: &quot;I really don&#39;t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don&#39;t think he knows what he said either.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/V106E98OSy">pic.twitter.com/V106E98OSy</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806500264200851728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on January 6th: &quot;He didn&#39;t do a damn thing.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cVb3vIaD5r">pic.twitter.com/cVb3vIaD5r</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806506398454288835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump: &quot;On January 6th we had a great border...On January 6th we were energy independent...On January 6th we had the lowest taxes ever. We had the lowest regulations ever...On January 6th we were respected all over the world...and then he comes in and we&#39;re now laughed at...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mWxQEAwyFL">pic.twitter.com/mWxQEAwyFL</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806506179574579401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIP: CNN Presidential Debate segment on federal convictions and the right to go after political opponents. President Biden: &quot;You have the morals of an alley cat.&quot; Former President Trump: &quot;I didn&#39;t have sex with a porn star.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Gt3j4CzNXY">pic.twitter.com/Gt3j4CzNXY</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806509416331497560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fmr President Trump: &quot;He is the worst president...he&#39;s destroyed our country...If he wins this election our country doesn&#39;t have a chance.&quot; President Biden: &quot;We are the most admired country in the world. We are the United States of America. There&#39;s nothing beyond our capacity.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/osHgAAdEx2">pic.twitter.com/osHgAAdEx2</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806513139694895174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on his age: &quot;Well, I took two tests, cognitive tests. I aced them. Both of them as you know. We made it public. He took none. I&#39;d like to see him take one. Just one...I just won two club championships, not even senior...he can&#39;t hit a ball 50 yards.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/j60qKGNe2h">pic.twitter.com/j60qKGNe2h</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806516579305214145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on concerns about his age: &quot;This guys three years younger and a lot less competent.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/AqsSPReXlj">pic.twitter.com/AqsSPReXlj</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806515692549652812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on if he&#39;ll accept the results of the presidential election and say that political violence is unacceptable: &quot;I shouldn&#39;t have to say that, but of course I&#39;ll believe that. It&#39;s totally unacceptable.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Jxy3OHlnZW">pic.twitter.com/Jxy3OHlnZW</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806517240168325546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-trump-biden-presidential-campaign-44e71c900a1c4af2bed93041fdfe923d">uneven performance</a>, particularly early in the debate, crystallized the concerns of many Americans that, at 81, he is too old to serve as president. It sparked a fresh round of calls for the Democrat to consider stepping aside as the party's nominee as members of his party fear a return of Trump to the White House.Biden repeatedly tore into Trump in an apparent effort to provoke him, bringing up everything from the former president's recent felony conviction to his alleged insult of World War I veterans to his weight. The 78-year-old Trump declined to clearly state he would accept the results of the November election, four years after he promoted conspiracy theories about his loss that culminated in the Jan. 6 insurrection, and repeatedly misstated the record from his time in office.But Biden's delivery from the beginning of the debate drew the most attention afterward. Trump's allies immediately declared victory while prominent Democrats publicly questioned whether Biden could move forward."I think the panic had set in,” said David Axelrod, a longtime advisor to former President Barack Obama on CNN, immediately after the debate about Biden's performance. “And I think you’re going to hear discussions that, I don’t know will lead to anything, but there are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.”Said Van Jones, another Democratic strategist, on CNN: “He did not do well at all.”Rosemarie DeAngelis, a Democrat who watched the debate at a party in South Portland, Maine, said she felt Biden gave the right answers to Trump but “didn’t have the spark that we needed tonight.”“That’s going to be the challenge going forward. This is only June, this is the first, but can he sustain?” she said. "That is going to be the challenge.”Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking on CNN afterward, sought to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-debate-performance-biden-cnn-ee90f73e2b879f6f711b901e398d861d">defend</a>&nbsp;the president's performance while acknowledging the criticism.“There was a slow start, but there was a strong finish,” she said.Asked about his performance in the debate, Biden told reporters early Friday that “I think we did well,” but said he has a “sore throat.” Pressed about Democratic concerns with his showing that he should consider stepping aside, Biden said, "No, it's hard to debate a liar.”<h2>Biden repeatedly lost his train of thought</h2>Biden began the night with a hoarse voice as he tried to defend his economic record and criticize Trump. A person familiar with the matter said Biden was suffering from a cold during the debate, adding that he tested negative for COVID-19.Biden appeared to lose his train of thought while giving one answer, drifting from an answer on tax policy to health policy, at one point using the word “COVID,” and then saying, “excuse me, with, dealing with,” and he trailed off again.“Look, we finally beat Medicare,” Biden said, as his time ran out on his answer.He also fumbled on abortion rights, one of the most important issues for Democrats in this year’s election. He was unable to explain Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. A conservative Supreme Court with three justices nominated by Trump overturned Roe two years ago.When asked if he supports some restrictions on abortion, Biden said he “supports Roe v. Wade, which had three trimesters. The first time is between a woman and a doctor. Second time is between a doctor and an extreme situation. A third time is between the doctor, I mean, between the women and the state.”He added that he thought doctors, not politicians, should make decisions about “women’s health.”Biden began to give clearer answers as the debate progressed, still with a rasp, and attacked Trump’s record on issues like fighting climate change.“The only existential threat to humanity is climate change, and he didn’t do a damn thing about it,” he said.<h2>Trump sought to deflect blame for Jan. 6</h2>The current president and his predecessor hadn’t spoken&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-joe-biden-donald-trump-nbc-final-ea9fa49aa1ccf238d3004eb39ed9d8db">since their last debate</a>&nbsp;weeks before the 2020 presidential election. Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-inaugurations-302e242646b2bec9838b5e8d9950d164">skipped Biden’s inauguration</a>&nbsp;after leading an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-election-2020-judiciary-presidential-elections-elections-2fec942d0c09bc31858190afbb5d8e42">unprecedented and unsuccessful effort</a>&nbsp;to overturn his loss that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-panel-hearing-3e3dc618ed8cee37147cf6a792c0c0fa">culminated in the Capitol riot</a>&nbsp;by his supporters.Trump equivocated on whether he would accept the results of the November election, saying he would accept them if the vote was “fair” and “legal,” repeating his baseless claims of widespread fraud and misconduct in his 2020 loss to Biden that he still denies.Pressed on his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump was unapologetic.“On Jan. 6, we were respected all over the world, all over the world we were respected. And then he comes in and we’re now laughed at,” Trump said.After he was prompted by a moderator to answer whether he violated his oath of office that day by rallying his supporters seeking to block the certification of Biden's Electoral College victory and not acting for hours to call them off as they raided the Capitol, Trump sought to blame then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.Biden said Trump encouraged the supporters to go to the Capitol and sat in the White House without taking action as they fought with police officers.“He didn’t do a damn thing and these people should be in jail,” Biden said. “They should be the ones that are being held accountable. And he wants to let them all out. And now he says that if he loses again, such a whiner that he is, that this could be a ‘bloodbath’?”Trump then defended the people convicted and imprisoned for their role in the insurrection, saying to Biden, “What they’ve done to some people that are so innocent, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.”Trump and Biden entered the night facing stiff headwinds, including a public weary of the tumult of partisan politics and broadly dissatisfied with both, according to polling. But the debate was highlighting how they have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misinformation-election-debate-trump-biden-577507522762aa10f6ee5be3a0ced2bb">sharply different visions</a>&nbsp;on virtually every core issue — abortion, the economy and foreign policy — and deep hostility toward each other.Their personal animus quickly came to the surface. Biden got personal in evoking his son, Beau, who served in Iraq before dying of brain cancer. The president criticized Trump for reportedly calling Americans killed in battle “suckers and losers.” Biden told Trump, “My son was not a loser, was not a sucker. You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.”Trump said he never said that — a line attributed to Trump by his former chief of staff — and slammed Biden for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, calling it “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country’s life.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-middle-east-taliban-doha-e6f48507848aef2ee849154604aa11be">Trump himself agreed to the withdrawal with the Taliban</a>&nbsp;a year before he left office.Biden directly mentioned Trump’s conviction in the New York hush money trial, saying, “You have the morals of an alley cat," and referencing the allegations in the case that Trump had sex with a porn actress.“I did not have sex with a porn star," replied Trump, who chose not to testify at his trial.Pressed to defend rising inflation since he took office, Biden pinned it on the situation he inherited from Trump amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Biden said that when Trump left office, “things were in chaos.” Trump disagreed, declaring that during his term in the White House, “Everything was rocking good.”By the time Trump left office, America was still grappling with the pandemic and during his final hours in office, the death toll eclipsed 400,000. The virus continued to ravage the country and the death toll hit 1 million over a year later.Trump was asked what he would do to make childcare more affordable. He used his answer to instead boast about how many people he fired during his term, including former FBI Director James Comey, and criticized Biden for not firing people from his administration.<h2>The age question roars back</h2>Prior to the debate, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults (59%) said they were “very concerned” that Biden is too old to be president,&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/646547/age-issues-working-trump-advantage-pre-debate.aspx">according to Gallup data collected in June</a>. Only 18% had the same level of concern about Trump. The poll found Biden’s age was also causing alarm among some Democrats: 31% said they were very concerned.Trump allies entered the post-debate spin room triumphant. Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita called it “the most lopsided win in debate history” and mocked the Biden campaign for saying the president had a cold.California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a high-profile Democratic supporter of Biden, was pressed on whether he would consider stepping in for Biden. He dismissed the questions, saying, “I will never turn my back on him.”He said he knows Biden and what he’s capable of and said, “I have no trepidation.”Biden spent nearly a week at the Camp David presidential retreat preparing for the debate. Shortly before the debate, Biden started selling cans of water labeled, “Dark Brandon’s Secret Sauce,” on his campaign website, mocking the suggestions from Trump and his advisors that he would use drugs to enhance his performance.Addressing supporters briefly at a watch party near the debate venue, Biden didn’t address his performance directly, but said, “let’s keep going,” and indicated he has no plans to leave the race.“See you at the next one,” he said.___

🎥 Watch highlights as Biden, Trump face off in historic debate

Vap Construction, Inc. based in Atwood, Kansas is thrilled to announce a recent addition to its growing company, Teresa Tarman, who joined the team earlier this year in February.

Teresa Tarman, Human Resource and Compliance Specialist, brings a wide range of experience to her role. Before joining the construction industry, she spent over fifteen years in healthcare. “Transitioning from the medical field to construction has presented some challenges, but nothing insurmountable. Fortunately, I’m part of an amazing team that has supported me every step of the way. I’m grateful for the warm welcome and patience extended to me,” shares Teresa. She currently resides in Atwood with her partner, Levi, and likes to spend her free time gardening, watching sports, and being outdoors.

“We’re excited to welcome Teresa to our team,” says Linda Young-Vap, Corporate Vice President. “Her experience and unique background bring a new element that can only add to our continued success. We look forward to a future of growth and development.”

Vap Construction, Inc. was founded by Jeff and Linda Vap in 2004 as a general contractor offering new construction for homes and commercial properties, as well as remodeling. The company expanded into post-frame and steel-frame buildings shortly thereafter and is now well-known across its 4-state territory. The experienced, licensed, and insured crews have a solid reputation for putting up the highest quality buildings available on the market. Learn more about Vap Construction, Inc. by visiting their website at www.vapconstruction.com. You can also find them on social media.

SubmittedVap Construction, Inc. based in Atwood, Kansas is thrilled to announce a recent addition to its growing company, Teresa Tarman, who joined the team earlier this year in February.Teresa Tarman, Human Resource and Compliance Specialist, brings a wide range of experience to her role. Before joining the construction industry, she spent over fifteen years in healthcare. “Transitioning from the medical field to construction has presented some challenges, but nothing insurmountable. Fortunately, I’m part of an amazing team that has supported me every step of the way. I’m grateful for the warm welcome and patience extended to me,” shares Teresa. She currently resides in Atwood with her partner, Levi, and likes to spend her free time gardening, watching sports, and being outdoors.“We’re excited to welcome Teresa to our team,” says Linda Young-Vap, Corporate Vice President. “Her experience and unique background bring a new element that can only add to our continued success. We look forward to a future of growth and development.”Vap Construction, Inc. was founded by Jeff and Linda Vap in 2004 as a general contractor offering new construction for homes and commercial properties, as well as remodeling. The company expanded into post-frame and steel-frame buildings shortly thereafter and is now well-known across its 4-state territory. The experienced, licensed, and insured crews have a solid reputation for putting up the highest quality buildings available on the market. Learn more about Vap Construction, Inc. by visiting their website at www.vapconstruction.com. You can also find them on social media.

Vap Construction welcomes new team member

GERING, Neb. – The Hays
Larks saw their season-best 10-game winning streak snapped on Thursday. Western
Nebraska scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings
then used a walk-off two-run homer in the 11th for a 9-7 win in the completion
of Wednesday’s suspended game at Oregon Trail Park Stadium. The Larks (15-3,
11-2 RMBL) defeated the Pioneers (14-10, 6-9 RMBL) 10-2 in Thursday’s regularly
scheduled game.

Game 1: Western
Nebraska 9, Hays 7 (11 innings)
 The Larks held a 5-1 lead when the game was suspended Wednesday in the top of
the fifth due to rain.

The Larks added another
run in the fifth then scored another in the top of the seventh to build a 7-1
lead.

The Pioneers scored two
in the seventh then tied the game with four runs in the bottom of the ninth. The
Larks committed back-to-back errors with one-out to help fuel the rally. With
two outs, the Pioneers used and RBI single and two-run double to tie the game.

A two-out walk followed
by a Francisco Laya home run gave the Pioneers the walk-off win.

Houston Russell had four
hits and Kaiden Ashton added three.

Aiden Schmidgall (2-1) allowed
two runs on two hits over two innings of relief and suffered the loss.

The Larks had 15 hits
but stranded 13 baserunners. The Larks stole three bases but were caught stealing
four times.

Game 2: Hays
10, Western Nebraska 2
 Thomas Lyssy doubled to open the fourth then scored on CJ Reid’s groundout to
break a 2-2 tie and give the Larks the lead.

The Larks blew the game
open with five in the sixth then two in the seventh. Gage Gilchrist had a one-out
RBI double to start the scoring in the decisive fifth inning. CJ Reid later
scored on a passed pass then Garrett Gruell added a two-run double. Wilbert
Espinal pushed the lead to 8-2 with an RBI single.

Gage Gilchrist doubled
then scored on a Thomas Lyssy sacrifice fly in the seventh. Kaiden Ashton drove
in the second run with a double.

Starter Dalton Campbell (2-0)
allowed two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks and picked up
the win.

- Six of the Larks 13 hits
were doubles. Kaleb Duncan, Kaiden Ashton, Garrett Gruell, Gage Gilchrist,
Taber Stokes and Thomas Lyssy all had two-baggers.

- This is the first time the Larks have been walked off by an opponent since losing 4-3 in 10 innings at the Fort Collins Foxes on July 1, 2022.

The Larks continue their
seven-game road trip with the first of two against the Fort Collins Foxes
Friday. 

Hays PostGERING, Neb. – The Hays
Larks saw their season-best 10-game winning streak snapped on Thursday. Western
Nebraska scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings
then used a walk-off two-run homer in the 11th for a 9-7 win in the completion
of Wednesday’s suspended game at Oregon Trail Park Stadium. The Larks (15-3,
11-2 RMBL) defeated the Pioneers (14-10, 6-9 RMBL) 10-2 in Thursday’s regularly
scheduled game.Game 1: Western
Nebraska 9, Hays 7 (11 innings)
 The Larks held a 5-1 lead when the game was suspended Wednesday in the top of
the fifth due to rain.The Larks added another
run in the fifth then scored another in the top of the seventh to build a 7-1
lead.The Pioneers scored two
in the seventh then tied the game with four runs in the bottom of the ninth. The
Larks committed back-to-back errors with one-out to help fuel the rally. With
two outs, the Pioneers used and RBI single and two-run double to tie the game.A two-out walk followed
by a Francisco Laya home run gave the Pioneers the walk-off win.Houston Russell had four
hits and Kaiden Ashton added three.Aiden Schmidgall (2-1) allowed
two runs on two hits over two innings of relief and suffered the loss.STAT OF THE GAMEThe Larks had 15 hits
but stranded 13 baserunners. The Larks stole three bases but were caught stealing
four times.Game 2: Hays
10, Western Nebraska 2
 Thomas Lyssy doubled to open the fourth then scored on CJ Reid’s groundout to
break a 2-2 tie and give the Larks the lead.The Larks blew the game
open with five in the sixth then two in the seventh. Gage Gilchrist had a one-out
RBI double to start the scoring in the decisive fifth inning. CJ Reid later
scored on a passed pass then Garrett Gruell added a two-run double. Wilbert
Espinal pushed the lead to 8-2 with an RBI single.Gage Gilchrist doubled
then scored on a Thomas Lyssy sacrifice fly in the seventh. Kaiden Ashton drove
in the second run with a double.Starter Dalton Campbell (2-0)
allowed two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks and picked up
the win.STAT OF THE GAME- Six of the Larks 13 hits
were doubles. Kaleb Duncan, Kaiden Ashton, Garrett Gruell, Gage Gilchrist,
Taber Stokes and Thomas Lyssy all had two-baggers.- This is the first time the Larks have been walked off by an opponent since losing 4-3 in 10 innings at the Fort Collins Foxes on July 1, 2022.UP NEXTThe Larks continue their
seven-game road trip with the first of two against the Fort Collins Foxes
Friday.

⚾ Larks 10-game win streak snapped, bounce back with win

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas guard Johnny Furphy was the 35th&nbsp;overall selection and Kevin McCullar was selected 56th&nbsp;overall in the 2024 NBA Draft Thursday afternoon conducted from ESPN studios in New York City.

Furphy was selected by the San Antonio Spurs and his pick was later part of a proposed trade with the Indiana Pacers. McCullar was selected by the Phoenix Suns and was then part of a proposed trade to the New York Knicks.

With the pair of selections, Kansas now has 89 all-time NBA Draft selections, including 31 in the Self era. Since the NBA adopted a two-round draft in 1989, Kansas has had 29 first-round selections and 44 total draft picks.

“Last night was a very tough and humbling night for Johnny,” KU head coach Bill Self said. “The anticipation of being in the Green Room and the assurance that he and his representation had been told that he would be drafted didn’t turn out that way. It was a tough night and I thought Johnny handled it very maturely and very well, but it was not easy for he or his family.

“For him to come back, get drafted and find out he is traded to the Pacers is great,” Self continued. “It’s an up and coming franchise. They’ve got really good players. I spoke with them (the Pacers) this morning and they were very excited about Johnny. They ended up trading up a pick to get him.

“I’m excited for Johnny,” Self added. “I think they will do a great job in developing him. Johnny knows that he needs time to improve his strength for the NBA game. I think it’s a good landing place for him.”

A 2024 Big 12 All-Freshman and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, Furphy averaged 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for Kansas this past season. The Melbourne, Australia native started 19 games, including 18 of the last 19 contests. Furphy averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in Big 12 play and led Kansas with 44 three-point field goals made last season.

Prior to Kansas, Furphy played prep basketball for Centre of Excellence (CoE) – Australia’s development program hosted at the Australian Institute of Sport alongside NBA Global Academy. He reclassified for the 2023 class and garnered attention when he participated in various NBA Academy events in the United States. Additionally, Furphy played for Victoria at the 2023 Australia-U20 Championship.

“Kevin is a first-round player and I think anybody that saw him healthy this year would agree to that,” Self said. “Kevin will play in the league for a long time and the Knicks got one of the toughest players we have had in our program. We are all excited that Kevin heard his named called. He will be a great fit to a playoff team and such a storied franchise.

“Unfortunately, Kevin got injured at the end of January wasn’t the same the rest of the season and had a setback after the season as well,” Self added. “He wants it bad and he will respond. He will do well in New York.”

A 2024 All-America Honorable Mention and All-Big 12 First Team selection, McCullar led the conference in scoring in 2023-24 with an 18.3 points per game average. The San Antonio native was a 2024 finalist for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year award and, including 2023-24, was a three-time semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. This past season, McCullar posted back-to-back triple doubles, which were the third and fourth in Kansas history and the first time in NCAA history since the 2007-08 season.

A graduate of Kansas in May 2023, McCullar concluded his career with 217 steals, which ranks 11th&nbsp;on the Big 12 career steals records list. He finished with 1,517 points, 745 rebounds, 338 assists and 217 steals with three seasons at Texas Tech (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22) and the last two at Kansas (2022-23, 2023-24).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719568213961.jpeg" alt="Kansas Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas guard Johnny Furphy was the 35th&nbsp;overall selection and Kevin McCullar was selected 56th&nbsp;overall in the 2024 NBA Draft Thursday afternoon conducted from ESPN studios in New York City.Furphy was selected by the San Antonio Spurs and his pick was later part of a proposed trade with the Indiana Pacers. McCullar was selected by the Phoenix Suns and was then part of a proposed trade to the New York Knicks.With the pair of selections, Kansas now has 89 all-time NBA Draft selections, including 31 in the Self era. Since the NBA adopted a two-round draft in 1989, Kansas has had 29 first-round selections and 44 total draft picks.“Last night was a very tough and humbling night for Johnny,” KU head coach Bill Self said. “The anticipation of being in the Green Room and the assurance that he and his representation had been told that he would be drafted didn’t turn out that way. It was a tough night and I thought Johnny handled it very maturely and very well, but it was not easy for he or his family.“For him to come back, get drafted and find out he is traded to the Pacers is great,” Self continued. “It’s an up and coming franchise. They’ve got really good players. I spoke with them (the Pacers) this morning and they were very excited about Johnny. They ended up trading up a pick to get him.“I’m excited for Johnny,” Self added. “I think they will do a great job in developing him. Johnny knows that he needs time to improve his strength for the NBA game. I think it’s a good landing place for him.”A 2024 Big 12 All-Freshman and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, Furphy averaged 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for Kansas this past season. The Melbourne, Australia native started 19 games, including 18 of the last 19 contests. Furphy averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in Big 12 play and led Kansas with 44 three-point field goals made last season.Prior to Kansas, Furphy played prep basketball for Centre of Excellence (CoE) – Australia’s development program hosted at the Australian Institute of Sport alongside NBA Global Academy. He reclassified for the 2023 class and garnered attention when he participated in various NBA Academy events in the United States. Additionally, Furphy played for Victoria at the 2023 Australia-U20 Championship.“Kevin is a first-round player and I think anybody that saw him healthy this year would agree to that,” Self said. “Kevin will play in the league for a long time and the Knicks got one of the toughest players we have had in our program. We are all excited that Kevin heard his named called. He will be a great fit to a playoff team and such a storied franchise.“Unfortunately, Kevin got injured at the end of January wasn’t the same the rest of the season and had a setback after the season as well,” Self added. “He wants it bad and he will respond. He will do well in New York.”A 2024 All-America Honorable Mention and All-Big 12 First Team selection, McCullar led the conference in scoring in 2023-24 with an 18.3 points per game average. The San Antonio native was a 2024 finalist for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year award and, including 2023-24, was a three-time semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. This past season, McCullar posted back-to-back triple doubles, which were the third and fourth in Kansas history and the first time in NCAA history since the 2007-08 season.A graduate of Kansas in May 2023, McCullar concluded his career with 217 steals, which ranks 11th&nbsp;on the Big 12 career steals records list. He finished with 1,517 points, 745 rebounds, 338 assists and 217 steals with three seasons at Texas Tech (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22) and the last two at Kansas (2022-23, 2023-24).

🏀 KU's Furphy and McCullar Selected on Day 2 of the 2024 NBA Draft

Chinese Food Express, 1312 Main, Hays, announced on Facebook on Wednesday it will be closing.&nbsp;

Its last day of operation will be Aug. 10. Gift certificates must be used prior to the closing date, according to the Facebook post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719522788479.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Chinese Food Express, 1312 Main, Hays, announced on Facebook on Wednesday it will be closing.&nbsp;Its last day of operation will be Aug. 10. Gift certificates must be used prior to the closing date, according to the Facebook post.

Chinese Food Express in Hays announces closure

TMP-Marian is pleased to announce the new faculty joining the school for the 2024-25 school year.

Fr. Fred Gatschet will return to Thomas More Prep-Marian where he had taught Religion for 12 years. Many former students have commented on the positive impact Fr. Fred had on their lives and Catholic faith.

Father will teach sophomore religion (Old and New Testament) while also being the pastor for St. Joseph Church in Hays.

"Moving back to Hays came as kind of a surprise to me, but I am looking forward to teaching again at TMP-Marian and renewing a lot of friendships that I had made during my previous tenure of 19 years in Ellis County,” Fr. Fred said.

Fr. Brian McCaffrey will join the Monarchs as co-school chaplain along with Fr. Andy Hammeke and Fr. Earl Befort. Fr. Brian has been teaching and practicing youth ministry at Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School in Salina for the past three years.

Fr. Brian graduated from KU with a degree in secondary education in 2015. He studied at Conception Seminary and Saint Meinrad Seminary, and was ordained in 2021. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the Hays community,” Fr. Brian said. “I look forward to working with and serving the students and staff at TMP-M.”

Fr. Brian will be active at the school for building relationships with the students, providing access to the sacraments, and guest-instructing in various classrooms. “Fr. Brian will be a great asset in counseling and mentoring students and staff alike,” principal Chad Meitner said.

Matt ‘97 Brown is the new Career and Technical Education teacher and Creative Learning Building Director at TMP-Marian. He grew up in Hays and graduated from TMP-Marian in 1997.

After obtaining his BS in Secondary Education from Ft. Hays State University (FHSU) in 2002, he began his teaching career at Ransom High School. He also taught at Otis-Bison Jr/Sr High School for 9 years during which he earned his MS in Tech Education in 2010, also from FHSU.

Most recently, Mr. Brown taught 11 years at Ruppenthal Middle and Russell High School as the Career and Tech Education teacher. He will lead TMP-Marian’s new Creative Learning Building, which will include classes and instruction in fabrications, computer aided drafting (CAD), welding, STEM, wood shop, and cross curricular outreach to help other teachers use the new facilities.

“I am excited to teach back at my alma mater and build the Career and Tech Ed (CTE) department,” Brown said. Brown is married to Natalie (Major) ‘99 Brown and has three children AJ ‘24, Avery ‘29, and Nicholas ‘32.

Erika Litson will be the new Biology and general science teacher. Ms. Litson grew up in Centennial, CO. She earned her BS in Chemistry and Humanities from Azusa Pacific University (CA). Awarded the prestigious Noyce Post-Baccalaureate Stipend, Ms. Litson is currently earning her MS in Secondary Science Education from FHSU. She is expected to complete the degree this December.

Ms. Litson is familiar with the TMP-Marian science department and students because she did her student teaching there during the 2024 spring semester. When asked to describe the main element of her teaching style, Ms. Litson cited increasing student critical thinking skills through group projects and problem solving exercises.

She is also a strong advocate for student mental health awareness and advocacy, making it a priority to build strong relationships with her students. “I am very excited to officially join TMP-M and help students grow into the people God intends them to be!” Ms. Litson said. She will also be the co-StuCo advisor with Mrs. Melissa Pinkney for the coming school year.

Blaine Maier brings a wealth of experience and passion to the high school math department. Mr. Maier graduated from FHSU in 1983 with a BS in Mathematics. He earned his MS in Physical Science in 1989. Mr. Maier has taught math at Phillipsburg and Hoxie before his most recent teaching position at Ruppenthal Middle and Russell High School. He has taught at Russell since 1998.

He and his wife Lori have been married for almost 40 years. Lori was a hospice nurse for most of her career but is now working as a school nurse for Russell. The Maiers have 2 grown children and 2 grandchildren.

Also, Mr. Maier has a unique hobby - he raises and shows rabbits. Mr. Maier is a licensed judge with the American Rabbit Breeders Association.

“I'm looking forward to working with the TMP-Marian family and helping students reach their academic goals,” Mr. Maier said. “I have always been involved with and supportive of student activities but emphasize that academic achievement is paramount.”

Max Befort will be the new JH/HS band director and HS choir teacher. Mr. Befort will also be the Pop Singers supervisor. He graduated from FHSU with his BA in Music Composition in 2019.

After teaching two years at Trego County USD 208, Mr. Befort most recently taught vocal and instrumental music for the past three years at Victoria USD 432.

He enjoys bowling, golf, PC building, classic car restoration, and to perform and sing with local vocal and instrumental groups.

Megan Gottschalk joins the junior high team at TMP-Marian as the 6th grade mathematics and science teacher. Familiar to the Monarch family, Mrs. Gottschalk previously taught PE at Holy Family Elementary and is the current high school volleyball coach. She earned her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming in 2004.

In addition to teaching PE, Mrs. Gottschalk has taught 3rd and 4th grades as a classroom teacher, with an emphasis on math, science, and social studies. She was a 4-year letterwinner for the University of Wyoming volleyball team, earning Mountain West Conference All-Academic Team honors in 2003. Megan is married to TJ ‘00 Gottschalk and has four children, Teagan ‘25, Adilyn ‘28, Jonah ‘31, and Remington ‘33.

Konnor ‘18 Splichal will be the 7-12th grades JH and HS art teacher. After graduating from TMP-Marian in 2018, Mr. Splichal earned his BA in Fine Arts from FHSU in 2022. His specialties include ceramics where his work has been honored every year by various organizations, including the Hays Arts Council and the Moss-Thornes Gallery.

Mr. Splichal has also conducted numerous workshops, including a Wheel Throwing Workshop at TMP-Marian in 2023. He has worked closely with outgoing art instructor, Nancy Flax, to fine tune his instructional skills while getting to know the TMP-Marian art program and students.

Brandon Smith will be the junior high vocal teacher. He is part-time while he also earns his Master’s Degree from FHSU. During the 2021-22 school year, Mr. Smith was a long-term 5th grade substitute teacher for Garden City USD 457.

Mr. Smith has sung in and participated in choir for around 14 years and composes music.

Rebecca Windholz is the new high school Special Education teacher. She is taking the place of another Mrs. Windholz, Rhonda, who moved to Tennessee over the summer.

Rebecca Windholz is originally from Hoxie, and currently lives in WaKeeney. Mrs. Windholz taught for five years at schools in Trego USD 208. Most recently she was a fiscal auditor for the Kansas State Department of Education.

Mrs. Windholz will put her Masters Degree as a reading/instructional specialist to good use helping students in a variety of high school courses. “Developing positive relationships with each student is crucial for the learning process,” Mrs. Windholz said. “I believe every student wants to feel valued and heard. Setting high expectations for them…with a solid relationship will ensure that they are learning at their maximum potential.”

Other teaching assignment announcements - James Harris will return to the classroom and teach 7-8th PE. And finally, Rick Binder and Joe Pfannenstiel will teach agriculture classes and sponsor the TMP-Marian Chapter of the FFA.

Teaching Position Open - TMP-Marian is seeking a high school social studies teacher to teach U.S. Government, World History, and Current World Issues. Please email Chad Meitner to apply for this opening - meitnerc@tmpmarian.org.

Located in Hays, Kan., Thomas More Prep-Marian is a Catholic school serving grades 6-12. Students come from Hays, the surrounding region, and from countries around the world. The school was founded by the Capuchin Franciscans as Hays Catholic College in 1908 and ultimately became Thomas More Prep-Marian in 1981. The school continues to serve young people in the traditions of spiritual growth, academic excellence, and leadership formation.

Thomas More Prep-MarianTMP-Marian is pleased to announce the new faculty joining the school for the 2024-25 school year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438750880.jpeg" alt="Fr. Fred Gatschet" />
 <figcaption>Fr. Fred Gatschet</figcaption>
 </figure>Fr. Fred Gatschet will return to Thomas More Prep-Marian where he had taught Religion for 12 years. Many former students have commented on the positive impact Fr. Fred had on their lives and Catholic faith.Father will teach sophomore religion (Old and New Testament) while also being the pastor for St. Joseph Church in Hays."Moving back to Hays came as kind of a surprise to me, but I am looking forward to teaching again at TMP-Marian and renewing a lot of friendships that I had made during my previous tenure of 19 years in Ellis County,” Fr. Fred said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438744583.jpeg" alt="Fr. Brian McCaffrey" />
 <figcaption>Fr. Brian McCaffrey</figcaption>
 </figure>Fr. Brian McCaffrey will join the Monarchs as co-school chaplain along with Fr. Andy Hammeke and Fr. Earl Befort. Fr. Brian has been teaching and practicing youth ministry at Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School in Salina for the past three years.Fr. Brian graduated from KU with a degree in secondary education in 2015. He studied at Conception Seminary and Saint Meinrad Seminary, and was ordained in 2021. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the Hays community,” Fr. Brian said. “I look forward to working with and serving the students and staff at TMP-M.”Fr. Brian will be active at the school for building relationships with the students, providing access to the sacraments, and guest-instructing in various classrooms. “Fr. Brian will be a great asset in counseling and mentoring students and staff alike,” principal Chad Meitner said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438737665.jpeg" alt="Matt Brown" />
 <figcaption>Matt Brown</figcaption>
 </figure>Matt ‘97 Brown is the new Career and Technical Education teacher and Creative Learning Building Director at TMP-Marian. He grew up in Hays and graduated from TMP-Marian in 1997.After obtaining his BS in Secondary Education from Ft. Hays State University (FHSU) in 2002, he began his teaching career at Ransom High School. He also taught at Otis-Bison Jr/Sr High School for 9 years during which he earned his MS in Tech Education in 2010, also from FHSU.Most recently, Mr. Brown taught 11 years at Ruppenthal Middle and Russell High School as the Career and Tech Education teacher. He will lead TMP-Marian’s new Creative Learning Building, which will include classes and instruction in fabrications, computer aided drafting (CAD), welding, STEM, wood shop, and cross curricular outreach to help other teachers use the new facilities.“I am excited to teach back at my alma mater and build the Career and Tech Ed (CTE) department,” Brown said. Brown is married to Natalie (Major) ‘99 Brown and has three children AJ ‘24, Avery ‘29, and Nicholas ‘32.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438731061.jpeg" alt="Erika Litson" />
 <figcaption>Erika Litson</figcaption>
 </figure>Erika Litson will be the new Biology and general science teacher. Ms. Litson grew up in Centennial, CO. She earned her BS in Chemistry and Humanities from Azusa Pacific University (CA). Awarded the prestigious Noyce Post-Baccalaureate Stipend, Ms. Litson is currently earning her MS in Secondary Science Education from FHSU. She is expected to complete the degree this December.Ms. Litson is familiar with the TMP-Marian science department and students because she did her student teaching there during the 2024 spring semester. When asked to describe the main element of her teaching style, Ms. Litson cited increasing student critical thinking skills through group projects and problem solving exercises.She is also a strong advocate for student mental health awareness and advocacy, making it a priority to build strong relationships with her students. “I am very excited to officially join TMP-M and help students grow into the people God intends them to be!” Ms. Litson said. She will also be the co-StuCo advisor with Mrs. Melissa Pinkney for the coming school year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438722975.jpeg" alt="Blaine Maier" />
 <figcaption>Blaine Maier</figcaption>
 </figure>Blaine Maier brings a wealth of experience and passion to the high school math department. Mr. Maier graduated from FHSU in 1983 with a BS in Mathematics. He earned his MS in Physical Science in 1989. Mr. Maier has taught math at Phillipsburg and Hoxie before his most recent teaching position at Ruppenthal Middle and Russell High School. He has taught at Russell since 1998.He and his wife Lori have been married for almost 40 years. Lori was a hospice nurse for most of her career but is now working as a school nurse for Russell. The Maiers have 2 grown children and 2 grandchildren.Also, Mr. Maier has a unique hobby - he raises and shows rabbits. Mr. Maier is a licensed judge with the American Rabbit Breeders Association.“I'm looking forward to working with the TMP-Marian family and helping students reach their academic goals,” Mr. Maier said. “I have always been involved with and supportive of student activities but emphasize that academic achievement is paramount.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438715169.jpeg" alt="Max Befort" />
 <figcaption>Max Befort</figcaption>
 </figure>Max Befort will be the new JH/HS band director and HS choir teacher. Mr. Befort will also be the Pop Singers supervisor. He graduated from FHSU with his BA in Music Composition in 2019.After teaching two years at Trego County USD 208, Mr. Befort most recently taught vocal and instrumental music for the past three years at Victoria USD 432.He enjoys bowling, golf, PC building, classic car restoration, and to perform and sing with local vocal and instrumental groups.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438707478.jpeg" alt="Megan Gottschalk" />
 <figcaption>Megan Gottschalk</figcaption>
 </figure>Megan Gottschalk joins the junior high team at TMP-Marian as the 6th grade mathematics and science teacher. Familiar to the Monarch family, Mrs. Gottschalk previously taught PE at Holy Family Elementary and is the current high school volleyball coach. She earned her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming in 2004.In addition to teaching PE, Mrs. Gottschalk has taught 3rd and 4th grades as a classroom teacher, with an emphasis on math, science, and social studies. She was a 4-year letterwinner for the University of Wyoming volleyball team, earning Mountain West Conference All-Academic Team honors in 2003. Megan is married to TJ ‘00 Gottschalk and has four children, Teagan ‘25, Adilyn ‘28, Jonah ‘31, and Remington ‘33.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438700625.jpeg" alt="Konnor Splichal" />
 <figcaption>Konnor Splichal</figcaption>
 </figure>Konnor ‘18 Splichal will be the 7-12th grades JH and HS art teacher. After graduating from TMP-Marian in 2018, Mr. Splichal earned his BA in Fine Arts from FHSU in 2022. His specialties include ceramics where his work has been honored every year by various organizations, including the Hays Arts Council and the Moss-Thornes Gallery.Mr. Splichal has also conducted numerous workshops, including a Wheel Throwing Workshop at TMP-Marian in 2023. He has worked closely with outgoing art instructor, Nancy Flax, to fine tune his instructional skills while getting to know the TMP-Marian art program and students.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438663221.jpeg" alt="Brandon Smith" />
 <figcaption>Brandon Smith</figcaption>
 </figure>Brandon Smith will be the junior high vocal teacher. He is part-time while he also earns his Master’s Degree from FHSU. During the 2021-22 school year, Mr. Smith was a long-term 5th grade substitute teacher for Garden City USD 457.Mr. Smith has sung in and participated in choir for around 14 years and composes music.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719438679600.jpeg" alt="Rebecca Windholz" />
 <figcaption>Rebecca Windholz</figcaption>
 </figure>Rebecca Windholz is the new high school Special Education teacher. She is taking the place of another Mrs. Windholz, Rhonda, who moved to Tennessee over the summer.Rebecca Windholz is originally from Hoxie, and currently lives in WaKeeney. Mrs. Windholz taught for five years at schools in Trego USD 208. Most recently she was a fiscal auditor for the Kansas State Department of Education.Mrs. Windholz will put her Masters Degree as a reading/instructional specialist to good use helping students in a variety of high school courses. “Developing positive relationships with each student is crucial for the learning process,” Mrs. Windholz said. “I believe every student wants to feel valued and heard. Setting high expectations for them…with a solid relationship will ensure that they are learning at their maximum potential.”Other teaching assignment announcements - James Harris will return to the classroom and teach 7-8th PE. And finally, Rick Binder and Joe Pfannenstiel will teach agriculture classes and sponsor the TMP-Marian Chapter of the FFA.Teaching Position Open - TMP-Marian is seeking a high school social studies teacher to teach U.S. Government, World History, and Current World Issues. Please email Chad Meitner to apply for this opening - meitnerc@tmpmarian.org.Located in Hays, Kan., Thomas More Prep-Marian is a Catholic school serving grades 6-12. Students come from Hays, the surrounding region, and from countries around the world. The school was founded by the Capuchin Franciscans as Hays Catholic College in 1908 and ultimately became Thomas More Prep-Marian in 1981. The school continues to serve young people in the traditions of spiritual growth, academic excellence, and leadership formation.

TMP-Marian welcomes new teachers for 2024-25

Willena Jewel (Tunstall) Martin born 0ctober 2, 1922, in Eufaula, Oklahoma. She died June 25, 2024, in Ellis, Kansas.&nbsp;

Willena was proud of her family. She was an excellent cook and there was always room at the table for any extra kid that came home. She always had a garden and loved roses.&nbsp;

Willena was an active participant in her community. She was a lifelong Democrat and served on the school board and city council in Chase, Kansas. She was the postmaster at the Chase Post Office for 20 years. Willena was active as a volunteer in hospitals, the Foster Grandparent program(Chase and Ellis), and the Sternberg Museum. After she retired she spent time traveling and visiting family. Her memberships included: the Retired Postmasters Association, Ladies Auxiliary VFW, the St. Mary’s Altar Society (Chase), and the Daughters of Isabella.&nbsp;

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Effie Tunstall; siblings Roy and Juanita who died in infancy; brother Kenneth and sisters HaraLee and Betty; sons James and Joseph; granddaughter Melissa; and her husband Woodrow Martin.&nbsp;

Willena is survived by children: Virginia (Doug) Spurlock, Philip (Cappy Gaschler) Martin, Anne (Dave) Gurss, and Kenneth (Stephanie) Martin. Grandchildren: Tony Spurlock, Lorene Ruiz, Jamie Martin, Jed Martin, Nicole Hammond, Jenifer Wood, Charles Martin, and Lucas Gurss. Eleven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.&nbsp;

Family plans a private Celebration of Life luncheon in order to share stories and memories about this remarkable woman. Cremains will be interred at St. Mary’s cemetery (Chase) in a private ceremony.

Memories and words of comfort may be shared on Willena's tribute page at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>.&nbsp;

Memorials are suggested to FHSU Foster Grandparents Program.

Services are in care of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 East 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Willena Jewel (Tunstall) Martin born 0ctober 2, 1922, in Eufaula, Oklahoma. She died June 25, 2024, in Ellis, Kansas.&nbsp;Willena was proud of her family. She was an excellent cook and there was always room at the table for any extra kid that came home. She always had a garden and loved roses.&nbsp;Willena was an active participant in her community. She was a lifelong Democrat and served on the school board and city council in Chase, Kansas. She was the postmaster at the Chase Post Office for 20 years. Willena was active as a volunteer in hospitals, the Foster Grandparent program(Chase and Ellis), and the Sternberg Museum. After she retired she spent time traveling and visiting family. Her memberships included: the Retired Postmasters Association, Ladies Auxiliary VFW, the St. Mary’s Altar Society (Chase), and the Daughters of Isabella.&nbsp;She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Effie Tunstall; siblings Roy and Juanita who died in infancy; brother Kenneth and sisters HaraLee and Betty; sons James and Joseph; granddaughter Melissa; and her husband Woodrow Martin.&nbsp;Willena is survived by children: Virginia (Doug) Spurlock, Philip (Cappy Gaschler) Martin, Anne (Dave) Gurss, and Kenneth (Stephanie) Martin. Grandchildren: Tony Spurlock, Lorene Ruiz, Jamie Martin, Jed Martin, Nicole Hammond, Jenifer Wood, Charles Martin, and Lucas Gurss. Eleven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.&nbsp;Family plans a private Celebration of Life luncheon in order to share stories and memories about this remarkable woman. Cremains will be interred at St. Mary’s cemetery (Chase) in a private ceremony.Memories and words of comfort may be shared on Willena's tribute page at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>.&nbsp;Memorials are suggested to FHSU Foster Grandparents Program.Services are in care of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 East 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Willena Jewel (Tunstall) Martin

Franklin Charles Powers, 87, of Gove, KS, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on June 24, 2024, at the Gove County Medical Center. Frank was born on December 2, 1936, to Miles and Rosa (Gehm) Powers outside of Grinnell, KS. It was a very frigid winter. After being born, his mom put him in a shoebox and on top of the stove door to keep him warm as he only weighed four pounds. Frank was the youngest of eight children. He was an uncle the day he was born. Living only two miles from town, on the farm his dad bought in 1922, Frank attended Gove’s School District and graduated with the class of 1954.

Frank and Ferol’s first date was to a drive-in movie…the Charley Pride song, “Burgers and Fries,” is how Frank would describe the setting. After dating for 10 months, Frank proposed to the love of his life, Mona Ferol Dawson, and they were married on May 31st, 1959, at Oakley Nazarene Church. They started their family soon after and had Jim, Mike, and Brian. They waited a few years, then had Marshall and Eric. Frank and Ferol shared 65 years of love and devotion together.

Frank served in the Air Force from 1957 to 1961. After being honorably discharged, he worked several jobs. In 1964, he began working for the Kansas Department of Transportation. He retired from the State Department in 1999. He was also a member of the Kansas National Guard for 18 years, President of the Kansas Author’s Club, American Legion Post No. 201, the American Red Cross, Kansas Freemasons Lodge No. 318, Gove County Historical Museum, Quinter Historical Society, and several others. People would probably describe him as a walking historian. He was the best tour guide for the Gove County Historical Museum as he had a way of making history come to life through personal stories.

Frank was an avid writer. He had written many stories about his life and kept them in a binder he titled, “Memories of a former Farm Boy”. He would jot down memories from his birth, mishaps and fixes, political history, and family stories until the end of his life. He also authored a few poems as well. He was a published author in Reminisce magazine. He would read a couple of his stories, annually, to the 3rd-grade class at Quinter Elementary School. It was something he looked forward to every year.

Frank enjoyed camping, pitching horseshoes, bowling, car shows, and visiting with people. As much as he loved these activities, he loved his family more. Frank took his role of “Grandpa” seriously. He and Ferol regularly took their grandkids on camping trips and attended many of their concerts and other activities.

Frank attended the Gove Methodist Church for many years and then attended services at the Gove Community Bible Church. He and Ferol regularly attended a week-long family camp, with Jim’s family, called Black Hill Bible Camp. Frank was a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ and studied God’s word.

Frank made friends and left a good impression wherever he went. He had a kind heart and would help anyone in need, even if it meant he’d have to sacrifice. In doing so, he left a wonderful legacy. He was well-loved and will be dearly missed.

Frank is survived by his wife, Ferol, of the home; three sons, Jim (Judy) Powers of Quinter, KS, Mike Powers of Oakley, KS, and Brian Powers of Gove, KS; three grandchildren, Dustri (Lance) Brown of Collyer, KS, Dayna (Brenton) Pennington of Quinter, KS, and Austin (Breann) Powers

of Quinter, KS; eleven great-grandchildren, Evahri, Eiyah, and Eadon Brown of Collyer, KS, Miley, Carter, and Jordyn Pennington of Quinter, KS, and Riley, Miles, Dylan, Tucker, and Trenton Powers of Quinter, KS. He also leaves behind many nephews, nieces, cousins, and a multitude of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; Sanford Powers, Robert Powers, Rosemary Lemaster, Edward Powers, Ruth Romesburg, John Powers, and Annabelle Powers; two sons, Marshall Powers and Eric Powers; and an infant great-granddaughter, Annabelle Powers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gove County Historical Museum or the Quinter Historical Museum. Donations can be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home at 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS, 67672. Frank’s legacy of love and kindness will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.

Memories and words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guestbook at www.schmittfuneral.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719514385700.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Franklin Charles Powers, 87, of Gove, KS, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on June 24, 2024, at the Gove County Medical Center. Frank was born on December 2, 1936, to Miles and Rosa (Gehm) Powers outside of Grinnell, KS. It was a very frigid winter. After being born, his mom put him in a shoebox and on top of the stove door to keep him warm as he only weighed four pounds. Frank was the youngest of eight children. He was an uncle the day he was born. Living only two miles from town, on the farm his dad bought in 1922, Frank attended Gove’s School District and graduated with the class of 1954.Frank and Ferol’s first date was to a drive-in movie…the Charley Pride song, “Burgers and Fries,” is how Frank would describe the setting. After dating for 10 months, Frank proposed to the love of his life, Mona Ferol Dawson, and they were married on May 31st, 1959, at Oakley Nazarene Church. They started their family soon after and had Jim, Mike, and Brian. They waited a few years, then had Marshall and Eric. Frank and Ferol shared 65 years of love and devotion together.Frank served in the Air Force from 1957 to 1961. After being honorably discharged, he worked several jobs. In 1964, he began working for the Kansas Department of Transportation. He retired from the State Department in 1999. He was also a member of the Kansas National Guard for 18 years, President of the Kansas Author’s Club, American Legion Post No. 201, the American Red Cross, Kansas Freemasons Lodge No. 318, Gove County Historical Museum, Quinter Historical Society, and several others. People would probably describe him as a walking historian. He was the best tour guide for the Gove County Historical Museum as he had a way of making history come to life through personal stories.Frank was an avid writer. He had written many stories about his life and kept them in a binder he titled, “Memories of a former Farm Boy”. He would jot down memories from his birth, mishaps and fixes, political history, and family stories until the end of his life. He also authored a few poems as well. He was a published author in Reminisce magazine. He would read a couple of his stories, annually, to the 3rd-grade class at Quinter Elementary School. It was something he looked forward to every year.Frank enjoyed camping, pitching horseshoes, bowling, car shows, and visiting with people. As much as he loved these activities, he loved his family more. Frank took his role of “Grandpa” seriously. He and Ferol regularly took their grandkids on camping trips and attended many of their concerts and other activities.Frank attended the Gove Methodist Church for many years and then attended services at the Gove Community Bible Church. He and Ferol regularly attended a week-long family camp, with Jim’s family, called Black Hill Bible Camp. Frank was a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ and studied God’s word.Frank made friends and left a good impression wherever he went. He had a kind heart and would help anyone in need, even if it meant he’d have to sacrifice. In doing so, he left a wonderful legacy. He was well-loved and will be dearly missed.Frank is survived by his wife, Ferol, of the home; three sons, Jim (Judy) Powers of Quinter, KS, Mike Powers of Oakley, KS, and Brian Powers of Gove, KS; three grandchildren, Dustri (Lance) Brown of Collyer, KS, Dayna (Brenton) Pennington of Quinter, KS, and Austin (Breann) Powersof Quinter, KS; eleven great-grandchildren, Evahri, Eiyah, and Eadon Brown of Collyer, KS, Miley, Carter, and Jordyn Pennington of Quinter, KS, and Riley, Miles, Dylan, Tucker, and Trenton Powers of Quinter, KS. He also leaves behind many nephews, nieces, cousins, and a multitude of friends.He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; Sanford Powers, Robert Powers, Rosemary Lemaster, Edward Powers, Ruth Romesburg, John Powers, and Annabelle Powers; two sons, Marshall Powers and Eric Powers; and an infant great-granddaughter, Annabelle Powers.Memorial contributions may be made to the Gove County Historical Museum or the Quinter Historical Museum. Donations can be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home at 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS, 67672. Frank’s legacy of love and kindness will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.Memories and words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guestbook at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Franklin Charles Powers

Mere 9% of registered voters bothered to take part in partisan contests

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas secretary of state said Monday the presidential preference primary in March cost nearly $2 million less than anticipated by the Kansas Legislature due to lack of competitive races in the major political parties and disinterest among the state’s voters.

Only 9% of registered Kansans took part in the presidential primary election that cost taxpayers $2.78 million, Secretary of State Scott Schwab said. He said the 2023 Kansas Legislature budgeted $4.7 million to host the state’s third presidential primary.

“At the time the estimate was made, it was anticipated that there would be a larger pool of candidates still participating in the primary by the time Kansans went to the polls,” Schwab said.

Campaigns for the Democratic and Republican party nominations for president had been resolved by the time Kansas conducted its post-Super Tuesday preference primary. While there were four GOP and four Democratic candidates on ballots in Kansas, the only active campaigners were former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Trump and Biden had already secured enough delegates to win nominations.

Biden received 83.6% of the vote among registered Kansas Democrats against Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Jason Palmer of Maryland and Marianne Williamson of California. None of the other candidates received more than 3.4%. More than 4,400 participants, or 10.3% of participants, wrote in other names.

Trump prevailed in the Republican primary in Kansas with 75% of the vote. Former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley secured 16%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had 2.6% and Ryan Binkley of Texas received 0.5%. In addition, candidates not on the ballot pulled down 5.2%.

It was the third time since 1980 that Kansas conducted a presidential primary. In the past, Kansas allowed the two major parties to conduct caucuses to determine partisan preferences in presidential contests. The state would return to the caucus format in 2028 unless lawmakers approved an alternative.

The legislative path to the 2024 Kansas presidential primary was rocky. The Kansas Senate voted 28-12 to conduct and finance presidential preference primaries. The Kansas House rejected the bill 56-64, in part, due to the price tag of $4 million to $5 million. On the next day in April, the GOP-controlled House reversed course and adopted the bill 86-32. Gov. Laura Kelly signed the measure two weeks later.

Motivation among Republican legislators endorsing creation of a presidential primary was Trump’s 2016 loss in Kansas caucus voting to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

Rather than caucuses organized and financed by the state’s two largest political parties, all Kansas taxpayers shared in cost of the 2024 presidential primary whether they voted or not.

“This is taking the taxpayers’ money and giving it to the Republican Party and the Democratic Party,” said Fort Scott Republican Rep. Trevor Jacobs, who voted against the primary twice.

Schwab said the Legislature’s appropriation enabled counties to be reimbursed for direct expenses associated with the presidential primary. He said the event was an opportunity for county officials to prepare for the Aug. 6 primary election and the Nov. 5 general election.

“The final cost of the primary shows that our trained county election professionals were able to conduct this election efficiently, on time and under budget,” he said.

<h2>Mere 9% of registered voters bothered to take part in partisan contests</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas secretary of state said Monday the presidential preference primary in March cost nearly $2 million less than anticipated by the Kansas Legislature due to lack of competitive races in the major political parties and disinterest among the state’s voters.Only 9% of registered Kansans took part in the presidential primary election that cost taxpayers $2.78 million, Secretary of State Scott Schwab said. He said the 2023 Kansas Legislature budgeted $4.7 million to host the state’s third presidential primary.“At the time the estimate was made, it was anticipated that there would be a larger pool of candidates still participating in the primary by the time Kansans went to the polls,” Schwab said.Campaigns for the Democratic and Republican party nominations for president had been resolved by the time Kansas conducted its post-Super Tuesday preference primary. While there were four GOP and four Democratic candidates on ballots in Kansas, the only active campaigners were former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Trump and Biden had already secured enough delegates to win nominations.Biden received 83.6% of the vote among registered Kansas Democrats against Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Jason Palmer of Maryland and Marianne Williamson of California. None of the other candidates received more than 3.4%. More than 4,400 participants, or 10.3% of participants, wrote in other names.Trump prevailed in the Republican primary in Kansas with 75% of the vote. Former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley secured 16%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had 2.6% and Ryan Binkley of Texas received 0.5%. In addition, candidates not on the ballot pulled down 5.2%.It was the third time since 1980 that Kansas conducted a presidential primary. In the past, Kansas allowed the two major parties to conduct caucuses to determine partisan preferences in presidential contests. The state would return to the caucus format in 2028 unless lawmakers approved an alternative.The legislative path to the 2024 Kansas presidential primary was rocky. The Kansas Senate voted 28-12 to conduct and finance presidential preference primaries. The Kansas House rejected the bill 56-64, in part, due to the price tag of $4 million to $5 million. On the next day in April, the GOP-controlled House reversed course and adopted the bill 86-32. Gov. Laura Kelly signed the measure two weeks later.Motivation among Republican legislators endorsing creation of a presidential primary was Trump’s 2016 loss in Kansas caucus voting to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.Rather than caucuses organized and financed by the state’s two largest political parties, all Kansas taxpayers shared in cost of the 2024 presidential primary whether they voted or not.“This is taking the taxpayers’ money and giving it to the Republican Party and the Democratic Party,” said Fort Scott Republican Rep. Trevor Jacobs, who voted against the primary twice.Schwab said the Legislature’s appropriation enabled counties to be reimbursed for direct expenses associated with the presidential primary. He said the event was an opportunity for county officials to prepare for the Aug. 6 primary election and the Nov. 5 general election.“The final cost of the primary shows that our trained county election professionals were able to conduct this election efficiently, on time and under budget,” he said.

Kansas’ poorly attended presidential preference primary cost state taxpayers $2.78 million

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;cleared the way Thursday for Idaho hospitals to provide emergency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortions</a>&nbsp;for now in a procedural ruling that left key questions unanswered and could mean the issue ends up before the conservative-majority court again soon.

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24779208-moyle-v-united-states">Click here to read</a> the full ruling

The ruling&nbsp;came a day after an opinion was briefly posted on the court's website accidentally and quickly taken down, but not before it was obtained by Bloomberg News.

The final opinion appears largely similar to the draft released early. It reverses the court's earlier order that had allowed an Idaho abortion ban to go into effect, even in medical emergencies.

It does not resolve the issues at the heart of the case, meaning the same justices who voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturn the constitutional right to abortion</a>&nbsp;could soon be again considering when doctors can provide abortion in medical emergencies.

The premature release marked the second time in two years that an abortion ruling went out early, though in slightly different circumstances. The court’s seismic ruling ending the constitutional right to abortion was leaked to Politico.

The ruling came in a case filed against Idaho by the Biden administration, which argued that doctors must be allowed to provide emergency abortions under a federal law when a pregnant woman faces serious health risks.

Idaho had pushed back, arguing that its law does provide an exception to save the life of a pregnant patient and federal law doesn't require expanded exceptions.

Doctors in Idaho said that the law wasn't clear on when they could provide abortions in emergencies, forcing them to airlift pregnant women to other states for emergency care on several occasions since the high court had allowed the ban to go into effect in January.

The justices found that the court should not have gotten involved in the case so quickly, and a 6-3 majority reinstated a lower court order that had allowed hospitals in the state to perform emergency abortions to protect a pregnant patient’s health.

The opinion means the Idaho case will continue to play out in lower courts, and could end up before the Supreme Court again. It doesn't answer key questions about whether doctors can provide emergency abortions elsewhere, a pressing issue as most Republican-controlled states have moved to restrict the procedure in the two years since the high court overturned Roe v. Wade.

In a similar case, the state of Texas also argued that federal health care law does not trump a state ban on abortion and the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-life-of-mother-texas-appeal-83770a43f44c908d81b5fa0dfc0d87e4">sided with the state</a>.

The Idaho ruling doesn't appear to affect that finding. The Biden administration has appealed the case in Texas, leaving another avenue for the issue to appear before the high court. The justices are unlikely to even consider whether to take up the Texas case before the fall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719499149338.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;cleared the way Thursday for Idaho hospitals to provide emergency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortions</a>&nbsp;for now in a procedural ruling that left key questions unanswered and could mean the issue ends up before the conservative-majority court again soon.<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24779208-moyle-v-united-states">Click here to read</a> the full ruling<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719501733752.png" alt=" A protester at a Planned Parenthood Great Northwest rally in Boise, Idaho, holds up a sign about the EMTALA case on April 21, 2024 (Otto Kitsinger/Idaho Capital Sun)." />
 <figcaption> A protester at a Planned Parenthood Great Northwest rally in Boise, Idaho, holds up a sign about the EMTALA case on April 21, 2024 (Otto Kitsinger/Idaho Capital Sun).</figcaption>
 </figure>The ruling&nbsp;came a day after an opinion was briefly posted on the court's website accidentally and quickly taken down, but not before it was obtained by Bloomberg News.The final opinion appears largely similar to the draft released early. It reverses the court's earlier order that had allowed an Idaho abortion ban to go into effect, even in medical emergencies.It does not resolve the issues at the heart of the case, meaning the same justices who voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturn the constitutional right to abortion</a>&nbsp;could soon be again considering when doctors can provide abortion in medical emergencies.The premature release marked the second time in two years that an abortion ruling went out early, though in slightly different circumstances. The court’s seismic ruling ending the constitutional right to abortion was leaked to Politico.The ruling came in a case filed against Idaho by the Biden administration, which argued that doctors must be allowed to provide emergency abortions under a federal law when a pregnant woman faces serious health risks.Idaho had pushed back, arguing that its law does provide an exception to save the life of a pregnant patient and federal law doesn't require expanded exceptions.Doctors in Idaho said that the law wasn't clear on when they could provide abortions in emergencies, forcing them to airlift pregnant women to other states for emergency care on several occasions since the high court had allowed the ban to go into effect in January.The justices found that the court should not have gotten involved in the case so quickly, and a 6-3 majority reinstated a lower court order that had allowed hospitals in the state to perform emergency abortions to protect a pregnant patient’s health.The opinion means the Idaho case will continue to play out in lower courts, and could end up before the Supreme Court again. It doesn't answer key questions about whether doctors can provide emergency abortions elsewhere, a pressing issue as most Republican-controlled states have moved to restrict the procedure in the two years since the high court overturned Roe v. Wade.In a similar case, the state of Texas also argued that federal health care law does not trump a state ban on abortion and the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-life-of-mother-texas-appeal-83770a43f44c908d81b5fa0dfc0d87e4">sided with the state</a>.The Idaho ruling doesn't appear to affect that finding. The Biden administration has appealed the case in Texas, leaving another avenue for the issue to appear before the high court. The justices are unlikely to even consider whether to take up the Texas case before the fall.___

Supreme Court sidesteps ruling on emergency abortion access dispute

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

After efforts over the last several years to increase the number of child care slots available in Ellis County, in-home child care providers are expressing concerns about filling their child care spots.

Child Care Aware, the state referral agency for child care, is still estimating a deficit of <a href="https://ks.childcareaware.org/data-research/">410 child care spots in Ellis County, according to Child Care Aware data as of Wednesday.</a>

If you are a family searching for child care, you can access Child Care Aware's search tool <a href="https://ks.childcareaware.org/finding-quality-child-care/">HERE</a>.

The Child Care Task Force of Ellis County members on Tuesday night discussed ways to connect families needing care with providers who have open spots.

Andrea Hoss, in-home child care provider, said she once had a waiting list, but now she struggles to find children to fill her child care.

Hoss said next August she will be losing four children to kindergarten.

"It's next year that I'm really getting stressed about," she said.

Hoss said she has been in contact with two in-home providers who may be closing their businesses because they can't fill all of their spots.

"That's the biggest obstacle," Hoss said. "Most everyone has one or two open slots in my circle of people."

Donna Hudson-Hamilton, Early Childhood Connections director, said ECC has funds to partner with private child care providers to provide care to children who are on the waiting list for its programs.

The Department of Children and Family Service pays part of the cost of some spots, and ECC pays the rest.

The providers must meet requirements to participate. All the spots need to be for full-time care.

The providers retain their businesses, and the ECC contracts with providers, Hudson-Hamilton said.

Not all of the slots require the provider to be Department of Children and Family Services certified, but if providers are certified, they would be eligible to care for more children across programs, Hudson-Hamilton said.

ECC can also assist with some equipment if providers meet grant requirements, training and curriculum.

For more information on this program, call 785-623-2430 and ask for Michelle.

The child care task force is also including information in welcome buckets about the Child Care Aware Referral program.

The task force also voted to renew a marketing campaign with Eagle Communications, which will promote information about how families can find child care and how to choose a child care provider.

Two Facebook pages are managed privately for families seeking care and providers with open spots.

They are: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/238169805750167">Ellis County KS Childcare Openings</a>&nbsp;(Public group) Ellis County (Kansas) In Home Daycare Openings (Private group)

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChildCareTaskForceOfEllisCounty">You can also follow the child care task force on Facebook.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719430276338.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay." />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAfter efforts over the last several years to increase the number of child care slots available in Ellis County, in-home child care providers are expressing concerns about filling their child care spots.Child Care Aware, the state referral agency for child care, is still estimating a deficit of <a href="https://ks.childcareaware.org/data-research/">410 child care spots in Ellis County, according to Child Care Aware data as of Wednesday.</a>If you are a family searching for child care, you can access Child Care Aware's search tool <a href="https://ks.childcareaware.org/finding-quality-child-care/">HERE</a>.The Child Care Task Force of Ellis County members on Tuesday night discussed ways to connect families needing care with providers who have open spots.Andrea Hoss, in-home child care provider, said she once had a waiting list, but now she struggles to find children to fill her child care.Hoss said next August she will be losing four children to kindergarten."It's next year that I'm really getting stressed about," she said.Hoss said she has been in contact with two in-home providers who may be closing their businesses because they can't fill all of their spots."That's the biggest obstacle," Hoss said. "Most everyone has one or two open slots in my circle of people."Donna Hudson-Hamilton, Early Childhood Connections director, said ECC has funds to partner with private child care providers to provide care to children who are on the waiting list for its programs.The Department of Children and Family Service pays part of the cost of some spots, and ECC pays the rest.The providers must meet requirements to participate. All the spots need to be for full-time care.The providers retain their businesses, and the ECC contracts with providers, Hudson-Hamilton said.Not all of the slots require the provider to be Department of Children and Family Services certified, but if providers are certified, they would be eligible to care for more children across programs, Hudson-Hamilton said.ECC can also assist with some equipment if providers meet grant requirements, training and curriculum.For more information on this program, call 785-623-2430 and ask for Michelle.The child care task force is also including information in welcome buckets about the Child Care Aware Referral program.The task force also voted to renew a marketing campaign with Eagle Communications, which will promote information about how families can find child care and how to choose a child care provider.Two Facebook pages are managed privately for families seeking care and providers with open spots.They are: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/238169805750167">Ellis County KS Childcare Openings</a>&nbsp;(Public group) Ellis County (Kansas) In Home Daycare Openings (Private group)<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChildCareTaskForceOfEllisCounty">You can also follow the child care task force on Facebook.</a><h2>Grants for equipment</h2>The task force discussed applying for grants to support providers.Dana Stanton, child care program specialist for the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center, said although foundations are willing to provide funds to support nonprofits, funds are not as available for for-profit providers.Tori Ruder, in-home provider, said funds are needed for established providers to replace equipment.Providers said these extra costs are beginning to fall on families.Ruder said one local provider charges an annual enrollment fee to help cover supplies and equipment.Hoss said she requires her families to provide a portable playpen and fitted sheet for new infants.Sarah Wasinger, task force facilitator, said the group is working to become a partnership with the K-State 105 program.The partnership could involve offering providers safety equipment such as carbon dioxide detectors, batteries for detectors, flashlights, first-aid kits and other safety supplies.<h2>Finger printing</h2>The task force is offering free fingerprinting services for childcare providers. Fingerprints are required for background checks and child care worker certification.The next fingerprinting dates are 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Hays Welcome Center and 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall and Catering in Hays.Monique Koerner of K-State Extension said child care providers can receive a $30 stipend if they submit their children's art to the Ellis County Fair.The next child care task force meeting will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine.The Victoria Community Coalition has invited child care providers to a meeting on child care opportunities at St. John's Place. The meeting will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at the Victoria VFW,&nbsp;204 E. Main.Editor's note: Eagle Communications is the parent company of the Hays Post.