Developer ibV of Florida&nbsp;is requesting a conditional-use permit from Ellis County to erect solar panels in its&nbsp;Tallgrass Development in southwest Ellis County.

The facility would generate 175MW of power for the Southwest Power Pool energy market, connecting via ITC Great Plains’ 345-kilovolt Spearville-Post Rock transmission line.

Tallgrass Development will host two open house events at Gella’s venue room. They will be from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22.

This will be in a station-type setting where community members can engage directly with the Tallgrass Development Team on specific areas of interest, such as engineering, environmental, community benefits and solar technology.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767979901489.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Developer ibV of Florida&nbsp;is requesting a conditional-use permit from Ellis County to erect solar panels in its&nbsp;Tallgrass Development in southwest Ellis County.The facility would generate 175MW of power for the Southwest Power Pool energy market, connecting via ITC Great Plains’ 345-kilovolt Spearville-Post Rock transmission line.Tallgrass Development will host two open house events at Gella’s venue room. They will be from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22.This will be in a station-type setting where community members can engage directly with the Tallgrass Development Team on specific areas of interest, such as engineering, environmental, community benefits and solar technology.Refreshments will be served.

🏀 Lady Monarchs take down Smith Center to advance to MCL semis

By CARA ANNA and JOSH BOAK Associated Press

At least eight more countries say the United States has invited them to join&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-board-of-peace-gaza-un-b27d17190177041865c6827acd042e56">President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace,</a>&nbsp;a new body of world leaders meant to oversee next steps in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-ceasefire-yellow-line-062f3a55d737cc83607c0ddacf312df0">Gaza</a>&nbsp;that shows ambitions for a broader mandate in global affairs. Two of the countries, Hungary and Vietnam, said they have accepted.

A $1 billion contribution secures permanent membership on the Trump-led board instead of a three-year appointment, which has no contribution requirement, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity about the charter, which hasn’t been made public. The official said the money raised would go to rebuilding Gaza.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accepted an invitation to join the board, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told state radio Sunday. Orbán is one of Trump’s most ardent supporters in Europe.

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, To Lam, also has accepted, a foreign ministry statement said.

India has received an invitation, a senior government official with knowledge of the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the information hadn’t been made public by authorities.

Australia has been invited and will talk it through with the U.S. “to properly understand what this means and what’s involved,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Monday.

Jordan, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan said Sunday they had received invitations. Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina and Albania have already said they were invited. It was not clear how many have been invited in all.

The U.S. is expected to announce its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Those on the board will oversee next steps in Gaza as the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10 moves into its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-israel-hamas-gaza-trump-witkoff-bb39015d25aeb627a5b9ce73dd4e1155">challenging second phase</a>. It includes a new Palestinian committee in Gaza, the deployment of an international security force, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of the war-battered territory.

In letters sent Friday to world leaders inviting them to be “founding members,” Trump said the Board of Peace would “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict.”

That could become a potential rival to the U.N. Security Council, the most powerful body of the global entity&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-80-anniversary-funding-divided-war-reform-985385cba3547a2e4286091ff36a1207">created in the wake of World War II</a>. The 15-seat council has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-resolution-israel-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-f11ff1d39387062455c0b0bf4bdea1e4">blocked by U.S. vetoes</a>&nbsp;from taking action to end the war in Gaza, while the U.N.'s clout has been diminished by major funding cuts by the Trump administration and other donors.

Trump’s invitation letters for the Board of Peace noted that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-gaza-ceasefire-us-resolution-russia-107e44e276fe04a5365ff6d914545718">Security Council had endorsed</a>&nbsp;the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-netanyahu-israel-hamas-war-gaza-708a08671b8842d7a7a5e250ec51351c">20-point Gaza ceasefire plan</a>, which includes the board’s creation. The letters were posted on social media by some invitees.

The White House last week also announced an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-gaza-appointments-efe95e29fb1cfe099f44e3ac48d06fa2">executive committee of leaders</a>&nbsp;who will carry out the Board of Peace’s vision, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-white-housoe-gaza-next-steps-17579d16219d79982e48556d85a47e81">Israel on Saturday objected</a>&nbsp;that the committee “was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy,” without details. The statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office was rare criticism of its close ally in Washington.

The executive committee’s members include U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga and Trump’s deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel, along with an Israeli business owner, billionaire Yakir Gabay.

Members also include representatives of ceasefire monitors Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. Turkey has a strained relationship with Israel but good relations with Hamas and could play an important role in persuading the group to yield power in Gaza and disarm.

Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary, Rajesh Roy in New Delhi and Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.

By CARA ANNA and JOSH BOAK Associated PressAt least eight more countries say the United States has invited them to join&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-board-of-peace-gaza-un-b27d17190177041865c6827acd042e56">President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace,</a>&nbsp;a new body of world leaders meant to oversee next steps in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-ceasefire-yellow-line-062f3a55d737cc83607c0ddacf312df0">Gaza</a>&nbsp;that shows ambitions for a broader mandate in global affairs. Two of the countries, Hungary and Vietnam, said they have accepted.A $1 billion contribution secures permanent membership on the Trump-led board instead of a three-year appointment, which has no contribution requirement, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity about the charter, which hasn’t been made public. The official said the money raised would go to rebuilding Gaza.Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accepted an invitation to join the board, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told state radio Sunday. Orbán is one of Trump’s most ardent supporters in Europe.Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, To Lam, also has accepted, a foreign ministry statement said.India has received an invitation, a senior government official with knowledge of the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the information hadn’t been made public by authorities.Australia has been invited and will talk it through with the U.S. “to properly understand what this means and what’s involved,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Monday.Jordan, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan said Sunday they had received invitations. Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina and Albania have already said they were invited. It was not clear how many have been invited in all.The U.S. is expected to announce its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.Those on the board will oversee next steps in Gaza as the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10 moves into its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-israel-hamas-gaza-trump-witkoff-bb39015d25aeb627a5b9ce73dd4e1155">challenging second phase</a>. It includes a new Palestinian committee in Gaza, the deployment of an international security force, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of the war-battered territory.In letters sent Friday to world leaders inviting them to be “founding members,” Trump said the Board of Peace would “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict.”That could become a potential rival to the U.N. Security Council, the most powerful body of the global entity&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-80-anniversary-funding-divided-war-reform-985385cba3547a2e4286091ff36a1207">created in the wake of World War II</a>. The 15-seat council has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-resolution-israel-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-f11ff1d39387062455c0b0bf4bdea1e4">blocked by U.S. vetoes</a>&nbsp;from taking action to end the war in Gaza, while the U.N.'s clout has been diminished by major funding cuts by the Trump administration and other donors.Trump’s invitation letters for the Board of Peace noted that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-gaza-ceasefire-us-resolution-russia-107e44e276fe04a5365ff6d914545718">Security Council had endorsed</a>&nbsp;the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-netanyahu-israel-hamas-war-gaza-708a08671b8842d7a7a5e250ec51351c">20-point Gaza ceasefire plan</a>, which includes the board’s creation. The letters were posted on social media by some invitees.The White House last week also announced an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-gaza-appointments-efe95e29fb1cfe099f44e3ac48d06fa2">executive committee of leaders</a>&nbsp;who will carry out the Board of Peace’s vision, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-white-housoe-gaza-next-steps-17579d16219d79982e48556d85a47e81">Israel on Saturday objected</a>&nbsp;that the committee “was not coordinated with Israel and is contrary to its policy,” without details. The statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office was rare criticism of its close ally in Washington.The executive committee’s members include U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga and Trump’s deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel, along with an Israeli business owner, billionaire Yakir Gabay.Members also include representatives of ceasefire monitors Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. Turkey has a strained relationship with Israel but good relations with Hamas and could play an important role in persuading the group to yield power in Gaza and disarm.___Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary, Rajesh Roy in New Delhi and Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.

Trump sets large price tag for a permanent seat on Board of Peace for Gaza

By AAMER MADHANI, GEIR MOULSON and JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

U.S. President Donald Trump linked his aggressive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denmark-greenland-us-trump-899d73348f2ee6c0cd2a8a6e6e136a90">stance on Greenland</a>&nbsp;to last year’s decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, telling Norway’s prime minister that he no longer felt “an obligation to think purely of Peace,” in a text message released on Monday.

Trump's message to Jonas Gahr Støre appears to ratchet up a standoff between Washington and its closest allies over his threats to take over Greenland, a self-governing territory of NATO member Denmark. On Saturday, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denmark-greenland-us-trump-4ad99ea3975a8b62d37bd04961feda55">announced a 10% import tax</a>&nbsp;starting in February on goods from eight nations that have rallied around Denmark and Greenland, including Norway.

Those countries issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-denmark-us-trump-eu-tariffs-4e63efa690604004c69fc89a7c14e7c2">forceful rebuke</a>. But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to de-escalate tensions on Monday. While the White House has not ruled taking control of the strategic Arctic island by force, Starmer said he did not believe military action would occur.

"I think this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion,” he said.

Still, the American leader's message to Gahr Støre could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-greenland-us-europe-history-disputes-bbd9b17ae1d653bd1544d8706277b0c3">further fracture a U.S.-European relationship</a>&nbsp;already strained by differences over how to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, previous rounds of tariffs, military spending and migration policy.

In a sign of how tensions have increased in recent days,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/photos-protest-greenland-trump-takeover-threats-nuuk-de1eedfae1d5b36a30adaaebb74e3966">thousands of Greenlanders</a>&nbsp;marched over the weekend in protest of any effort to take over their island. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a Facebook post Monday that the tariff threats would not change the their stance.

“We will not be pressured,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister for business, minerals, energy, justice and equality, told The Associated Press that she was moved by the quick response of allies to the tariff threat and said it showed that countries realize “this is about more than Greenland.”

“I think a lot of countries are afraid that if they let Greenland go, what would be next?”

Trump sends a message to the Norwegian leader

Trump's message to Gahr Støre, released by the Norwegian government, read in part: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”

It concluded: “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”

The Norwegian leader said Trump’s message was a reply to an earlier missive sent on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, in which they conveyed their opposition to the tariff announcement, pointed to a need to de-escalate, and proposed a telephone conversation among the three leaders.

“Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” the Norwegian leader said in a statement. “As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to president Trump what is well known, the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government.”

He told TV2 Norway that he hadn't responded to the message, but "I still believe it’s wise to talk," and he hopes to talk with Trump in Davos this week.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee is an independent body whose five members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the president’s approach in Greenland during a brief Q&amp;A with reporters in Davos, Switzerland, which is hosting the World Economic Forum meeting this week.

“I think it’s a complete canard that the president would be doing this because of the Nobel,” Bessent said, immediately after saying he did not “know anything about the president’s letter to Norway.”

Bessent insisted Trump “is looking at Greenland as a strategic asset for the United States,” adding that “we are not going to outsource our hemispheric security to anyone else.”

Trump has openly coveted the peace prize, which the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nobel-peace-prize-oslo-41b6bff88e2d57af0917bcf778e132ad">committee awarded</a>&nbsp;to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado last year. Last week, Machado&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-machado-venezuela-maduro-nobel-peace-prize-ed23992bccabf128b7e849259d3c29a8">presented her Nobel medal</a>&nbsp;to Trump, who said he planned to keep it though the committee said the prize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-machado-nobel-peace-prize-c7f47c161edc9b719dea3d0165f32a1f">can’t be revoked, transferred or shared</a>&nbsp;with others.

Starmer says a trade war is in no one's interest

In his latest threat of tariffs, Trump indicated they would be retaliation for last week’s deployment of symbolic numbers of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-united-states-denmark-trump-vance-rubio-meeting-b10f5151008f1f18a788dc0751473c0e">troops from the European countries</a>&nbsp;to Greenland — though he also suggested that he was using the tariffs as leverage to negotiate with Denmark.

European governments said that the troops traveled to the island to assess Arctic security, part of a response to Trump’s own concerns&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-greenland-denmark-trump-arctic-security-russia-china-6346aa8e86be594e467e8cc18f98357b">about interference from Russia and China</a>.

Starmer on Monday called Trump’s threat of tariffs “completely wrong” and said that a trade war is in no one’s interest.

He added that “being pragmatic does not mean being passive and partnership does not mean abandoning principles.”

Six of the eight countries targeted are part of the 27-member European Union, which operates as a single economic zone in terms of trade. European Council President Antonio Costa said Sunday that the bloc’s leaders expressed “readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion.” He announced a summit for Thursday evening.

Starmer indicated that Britain, which is not part of the EU, is not planning to consider retaliatory tariffs.

“My focus is on making sure we don’t get to that stage,” he said.

Denmark’s defense minister and Greenland’s foreign minister are expected to meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels on Monday, a meeting that was planned before the latest escalation.

Associated Press writers Josh Boak in West Palm Beach, Florida; Emma Burrows in Nuuk, Greenland; and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768011543732.png" alt="File photo-President Trump&nbsp; from White House video" />
 <figcaption>File photo-President Trump&nbsp; from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>By AAMER MADHANI, GEIR MOULSON and JILL LAWLESS Associated PressU.S. President Donald Trump linked his aggressive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denmark-greenland-us-trump-899d73348f2ee6c0cd2a8a6e6e136a90">stance on Greenland</a>&nbsp;to last year’s decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, telling Norway’s prime minister that he no longer felt “an obligation to think purely of Peace,” in a text message released on Monday.Trump's message to Jonas Gahr Støre appears to ratchet up a standoff between Washington and its closest allies over his threats to take over Greenland, a self-governing territory of NATO member Denmark. On Saturday, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denmark-greenland-us-trump-4ad99ea3975a8b62d37bd04961feda55">announced a 10% import tax</a>&nbsp;starting in February on goods from eight nations that have rallied around Denmark and Greenland, including Norway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768840523471.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Those countries issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-denmark-us-trump-eu-tariffs-4e63efa690604004c69fc89a7c14e7c2">forceful rebuke</a>. But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to de-escalate tensions on Monday. While the White House has not ruled taking control of the strategic Arctic island by force, Starmer said he did not believe military action would occur."I think this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion,” he said.Still, the American leader's message to Gahr Støre could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-greenland-us-europe-history-disputes-bbd9b17ae1d653bd1544d8706277b0c3">further fracture a U.S.-European relationship</a>&nbsp;already strained by differences over how to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, previous rounds of tariffs, military spending and migration policy.In a sign of how tensions have increased in recent days,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/photos-protest-greenland-trump-takeover-threats-nuuk-de1eedfae1d5b36a30adaaebb74e3966">thousands of Greenlanders</a>&nbsp;marched over the weekend in protest of any effort to take over their island. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a Facebook post Monday that the tariff threats would not change the their stance.“We will not be pressured,” he wrote.Meanwhile, Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister for business, minerals, energy, justice and equality, told The Associated Press that she was moved by the quick response of allies to the tariff threat and said it showed that countries realize “this is about more than Greenland.”“I think a lot of countries are afraid that if they let Greenland go, what would be next?”<h2>Trump sends a message to the Norwegian leader</h2>Trump's message to Gahr Støre, released by the Norwegian government, read in part: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”It concluded: “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”The Norwegian leader said Trump’s message was a reply to an earlier missive sent on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, in which they conveyed their opposition to the tariff announcement, pointed to a need to de-escalate, and proposed a telephone conversation among the three leaders.“Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” the Norwegian leader said in a statement. “As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to president Trump what is well known, the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government.”He told TV2 Norway that he hadn't responded to the message, but "I still believe it’s wise to talk," and he hopes to talk with Trump in Davos this week.The Norwegian Nobel Committee is an independent body whose five members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament.U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the president’s approach in Greenland during a brief Q&amp;A with reporters in Davos, Switzerland, which is hosting the World Economic Forum meeting this week.“I think it’s a complete canard that the president would be doing this because of the Nobel,” Bessent said, immediately after saying he did not “know anything about the president’s letter to Norway.”Bessent insisted Trump “is looking at Greenland as a strategic asset for the United States,” adding that “we are not going to outsource our hemispheric security to anyone else.”Trump has openly coveted the peace prize, which the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nobel-peace-prize-oslo-41b6bff88e2d57af0917bcf778e132ad">committee awarded</a>&nbsp;to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado last year. Last week, Machado&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-machado-venezuela-maduro-nobel-peace-prize-ed23992bccabf128b7e849259d3c29a8">presented her Nobel medal</a>&nbsp;to Trump, who said he planned to keep it though the committee said the prize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-machado-nobel-peace-prize-c7f47c161edc9b719dea3d0165f32a1f">can’t be revoked, transferred or shared</a>&nbsp;with others.<h2>Starmer says a trade war is in no one's interest</h2>In his latest threat of tariffs, Trump indicated they would be retaliation for last week’s deployment of symbolic numbers of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-united-states-denmark-trump-vance-rubio-meeting-b10f5151008f1f18a788dc0751473c0e">troops from the European countries</a>&nbsp;to Greenland — though he also suggested that he was using the tariffs as leverage to negotiate with Denmark.European governments said that the troops traveled to the island to assess Arctic security, part of a response to Trump’s own concerns&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-greenland-denmark-trump-arctic-security-russia-china-6346aa8e86be594e467e8cc18f98357b">about interference from Russia and China</a>.Starmer on Monday called Trump’s threat of tariffs “completely wrong” and said that a trade war is in no one’s interest.He added that “being pragmatic does not mean being passive and partnership does not mean abandoning principles.”Six of the eight countries targeted are part of the 27-member European Union, which operates as a single economic zone in terms of trade. European Council President Antonio Costa said Sunday that the bloc’s leaders expressed “readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion.” He announced a summit for Thursday evening.Starmer indicated that Britain, which is not part of the EU, is not planning to consider retaliatory tariffs.“My focus is on making sure we don’t get to that stage,” he said.Denmark’s defense minister and Greenland’s foreign minister are expected to meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels on Monday, a meeting that was planned before the latest escalation.___Associated Press writers Josh Boak in West Palm Beach, Florida; Emma Burrows in Nuuk, Greenland; and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Read the letter: President Trump links Greenland threat to Nobel Prize snub

As communities across the country on Monday host parades, panels and service projects for the 40th&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/martin-luther-king-jr-mlk-day-7ed384feeeef9b88fb9b34614ea52428">federal observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day</a>, the political climate for some is more fraught with tensions than festive with reflection on the slain Black American civil rights icon's legacy.

In the year since Donald Trump's second inauguration fell on King Day, the Republican president has gone scorched earth against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-mayors-national-guard-police-takeover-dc-aa9a9cd07f0704b13f3d2deb2e351e44">targeted mostly Black-led cities</a>&nbsp;for federal law enforcement operations, among other policies that many King admirers have criticized.

One year ago, Trump's executive orders, “Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” and “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” accelerated a rollback of civil rights and racial justice initiatives in federal agencies, corporations and universities. Last month, the National Park Service announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-parks-free-trump-birthday-juneteenth-mlk-225b10728a9df22d54407ecaec1e5e5f">it will no longer offer free admission</a>&nbsp;to parks on King Day and Juneteenth, but instead on Flag Day and Trump's birthday.

The fatal shooting this month of an unarmed Minneapolis woman in her car by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sent there to target the city's Somali immigrant population, as well as Trump recently decrying civil rights as discrimination against white people, have only intensified fears of a regression from the social progress King and many others advocated for.

Still, the concerns have not chilled many King holiday events planned this year. Some conservative admirers of King say the holiday should be a reminder of the civil rights icon's plea that all people be judged by their character and not their skin color. Some Black advocacy groups, however, are vowing a day of resistance and rallies nationwide.

‘We’ve always strived to be a more perfect union'

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Trump said he felt the Civil Rights Movement and the reforms it helped usher in were harmful to white people, who “were very badly treated.” Politicians and advocates say Trump's comments are what are harmful, because they dismiss the hard work of King and others that helped not just Black Americans but other groups, including women and the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think the Civil Rights Movement was one of the things that made our country so unique, that we haven’t always been perfect, but we’ve always strived to be this more perfect union, and that’s what I think the Civil Rights Movement represents,” Gov. Wes Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor and only the nation’s third elected Black governor, said this week in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maryland-congressional-redistricting-wes-moore-democrats-aeec01f37b914b792375842daafdd45e">an interview with The Associated Press</a>.

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, one of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights coalitions, said the Trump administration's priorities make clear it is actively trying to erase the movement.

“From health care access and affordable housing to good paying jobs and union representation," Wiley said, “things Dr. King made part of his clarion call for a beloved community are still at stake and is even more so because (the administration) has dismantled the very terms of government and the norms of our culture.”

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

The conservative Heritage Foundation think tank is encouraging the holiday’s focus to stay solely on King himself. Brenda Hafera, a foundation research fellow, urged people to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta or reread his “I have a dream” speech delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington nearly 63 years ago.

But using the holiday as a platform to rally and speak about “anti-racism” and “critical race theory” actually rejects King’s ambition for the country, Hafera argued.

“I think efforts should be conducted in the spirit of what Martin Luther King actually believed and what he preached. And his vision was a colorblind society, right,” Hafera said. “He says very famously in his speech, don’t judge by the color of your skin, but the content of your character.”

Groups call for holiday of reclamation, education and rallying

The NAACP, the nation's oldest civil right organization which had a myriad MLK Day events planned for Monday, asserted that the heightened fears among communities of color and in immigrant communities mean King Day observances must take a different tone. People will have to put their safety first, even if their government isn't, said Wisdom Cole, NAACP senior national director of advocacy.

“As folks are using their constitutional right to protest and to speak out and stand up for what they believe in, we are being faced with violence. We are faced with increased police and state violence inflicted by the government,” Cole said.

The Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of organizations affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement, has planned its events under the banner “Reclaim MLK Day of Action.” Organizers planned demonstrations in Atlanta, Chicago and Oakland, California, among other cities, over the weekend and Monday.

“This year it is more important than ever to reclaim MLK’s radical legacy, letting his wisdom and fierce commitment to freedom move us into the action necessary to take care of one another, fight back, and free ourselves from this fascist regime,” Devonte Jackson, a national organizing director for the coalition, said in a statement.

Indiana school cancels historic MLK Day event

For the first time in its 60-year history, Indiana University in Indianapolis canceled its annual Martin Luther King dinner. Over the years, the event drew notable guest speakers including Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, and activist Angela Davis.

The reasoning was “budget constraints,” according to a social media post by the school's Black Student Union. However, the group said it was worried this was “connected to broader political pressures.” A few students have since organized smaller community dinners or “eat-ins” to fill the void, WTHR-TV in Indianapolis reported.

Meanwhile, the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Westbrook, Maine, canceled a MLK Day service due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to the parish website. But a member of the church's “social justice and peace committee” told NewsCenterMaine.com that the pastor was concerned about people's safety amid rumors of ICE agents being in the area.

Overall, there have been few reports of King Day events being majorly scaled down or canceled altogether.

In Memphis, Tennessee, the National Civil Rights Museum is going about its annual King Day celebration as normal. The museum is located on the site of the former Lorraine Motel, where King was shot on April 4, 1968. The museum is offering free admission on the holiday, an annual tradition.

“This milestone year is not only about looking back at what Dr. King stood for, but also recognizing the people who continue to make his ideals real today,” museum President Russell Wigginton said.

Tang reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Matt Brown in Washington, Adrian Sanz in Memphis, Tennessee, and Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712150370031.png" alt="Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. makes his last public appearance at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tenn., on April 3, 1968. The following day King was assassinated on his motel balcony. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly)" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. makes his last public appearance at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tenn., on April 3, 1968. The following day King was assassinated on his motel balcony. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TERRY TANG Associated PressAs communities across the country on Monday host parades, panels and service projects for the 40th&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/martin-luther-king-jr-mlk-day-7ed384feeeef9b88fb9b34614ea52428">federal observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day</a>, the political climate for some is more fraught with tensions than festive with reflection on the slain Black American civil rights icon's legacy.In the year since Donald Trump's second inauguration fell on King Day, the Republican president has gone scorched earth against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-mayors-national-guard-police-takeover-dc-aa9a9cd07f0704b13f3d2deb2e351e44">targeted mostly Black-led cities</a>&nbsp;for federal law enforcement operations, among other policies that many King admirers have criticized.One year ago, Trump's executive orders, “Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” and “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” accelerated a rollback of civil rights and racial justice initiatives in federal agencies, corporations and universities. Last month, the National Park Service announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-parks-free-trump-birthday-juneteenth-mlk-225b10728a9df22d54407ecaec1e5e5f">it will no longer offer free admission</a>&nbsp;to parks on King Day and Juneteenth, but instead on Flag Day and Trump's birthday.The fatal shooting this month of an unarmed Minneapolis woman in her car by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sent there to target the city's Somali immigrant population, as well as Trump recently decrying civil rights as discrimination against white people, have only intensified fears of a regression from the social progress King and many others advocated for.Still, the concerns have not chilled many King holiday events planned this year. Some conservative admirers of King say the holiday should be a reminder of the civil rights icon's plea that all people be judged by their character and not their skin color. Some Black advocacy groups, however, are vowing a day of resistance and rallies nationwide.<h2>‘We’ve always strived to be a more perfect union'</h2>In a recent interview with the New York Times, Trump said he felt the Civil Rights Movement and the reforms it helped usher in were harmful to white people, who “were very badly treated.” Politicians and advocates say Trump's comments are what are harmful, because they dismiss the hard work of King and others that helped not just Black Americans but other groups, including women and the LGBTQ+ community.“I think the Civil Rights Movement was one of the things that made our country so unique, that we haven’t always been perfect, but we’ve always strived to be this more perfect union, and that’s what I think the Civil Rights Movement represents,” Gov. Wes Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor and only the nation’s third elected Black governor, said this week in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maryland-congressional-redistricting-wes-moore-democrats-aeec01f37b914b792375842daafdd45e">an interview with The Associated Press</a>.Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, one of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights coalitions, said the Trump administration's priorities make clear it is actively trying to erase the movement.“From health care access and affordable housing to good paying jobs and union representation," Wiley said, “things Dr. King made part of his clarion call for a beloved community are still at stake and is even more so because (the administration) has dismantled the very terms of government and the norms of our culture.”The White House did not respond to a request for comment.The conservative Heritage Foundation think tank is encouraging the holiday’s focus to stay solely on King himself. Brenda Hafera, a foundation research fellow, urged people to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta or reread his “I have a dream” speech delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington nearly 63 years ago.But using the holiday as a platform to rally and speak about “anti-racism” and “critical race theory” actually rejects King’s ambition for the country, Hafera argued.“I think efforts should be conducted in the spirit of what Martin Luther King actually believed and what he preached. And his vision was a colorblind society, right,” Hafera said. “He says very famously in his speech, don’t judge by the color of your skin, but the content of your character.”<h2>Groups call for holiday of reclamation, education and rallying</h2>The NAACP, the nation's oldest civil right organization which had a myriad MLK Day events planned for Monday, asserted that the heightened fears among communities of color and in immigrant communities mean King Day observances must take a different tone. People will have to put their safety first, even if their government isn't, said Wisdom Cole, NAACP senior national director of advocacy.“As folks are using their constitutional right to protest and to speak out and stand up for what they believe in, we are being faced with violence. We are faced with increased police and state violence inflicted by the government,” Cole said.The Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of organizations affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement, has planned its events under the banner “Reclaim MLK Day of Action.” Organizers planned demonstrations in Atlanta, Chicago and Oakland, California, among other cities, over the weekend and Monday.“This year it is more important than ever to reclaim MLK’s radical legacy, letting his wisdom and fierce commitment to freedom move us into the action necessary to take care of one another, fight back, and free ourselves from this fascist regime,” Devonte Jackson, a national organizing director for the coalition, said in a statement.<h2>Indiana school cancels historic MLK Day event</h2>For the first time in its 60-year history, Indiana University in Indianapolis canceled its annual Martin Luther King dinner. Over the years, the event drew notable guest speakers including Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, and activist Angela Davis.The reasoning was “budget constraints,” according to a social media post by the school's Black Student Union. However, the group said it was worried this was “connected to broader political pressures.” A few students have since organized smaller community dinners or “eat-ins” to fill the void, WTHR-TV in Indianapolis reported.Meanwhile, the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Westbrook, Maine, canceled a MLK Day service due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to the parish website. But a member of the church's “social justice and peace committee” told NewsCenterMaine.com that the pastor was concerned about people's safety amid rumors of ICE agents being in the area.Overall, there have been few reports of King Day events being majorly scaled down or canceled altogether.In Memphis, Tennessee, the National Civil Rights Museum is going about its annual King Day celebration as normal. The museum is located on the site of the former Lorraine Motel, where King was shot on April 4, 1968. The museum is offering free admission on the holiday, an annual tradition.“This milestone year is not only about looking back at what Dr. King stood for, but also recognizing the people who continue to make his ideals real today,” museum President Russell Wigginton said.___Tang reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Matt Brown in Washington, Adrian Sanz in Memphis, Tennessee, and Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland, contributed to this report.

Current US political climate is spurring a 'reclaim' and rallying on the MLK holiday

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school district will hear a report on bond funds at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwell Administration Center.

The board is set to vote on a motion to receive&nbsp;$101,708 in contingency funds that were not used in the Hays Middle School renovation project.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b4809d7f-dd2f-497c-95e0-630f47ebdcec">The former high school was renovated for use by the middle school and opened to students at the beginning of this semester.</a>

The two remaining bond-funded projects include <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4906798e-f3ac-4473-a4cb-4899a08613e3">a renovation and addition at O'Loughlin Elementary School</a>. Work is ongoing on that project. Work is set to start on the renovation of the former middle school into a four-section elementary school, Felten Elementary School.

Dustin Avey, managing director/co-head of public finance with Piper Sandler &amp; Co. Public Finance Investment Banking, will join the meeting virtually to review bond repayment mill levy analysis and bond project fund interest estimates.

Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson will give the board an update on the school's new cell phone policy.

The school board will review notice of property sale for 7.23 acres of district-owned property at 201 W. 29th St., adjacent to the former middle school. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/909a410b-bf64-406d-a98b-01417d221495">That sale was approved for sale at the board's Dec. 19 meeting.</a>

Other business includes: • A second reading on Kansas Association of School Boards recommended policy changes • An HVAC preventive maintenance service agreement with Glassman Corp. to add equipment at O'Loughlin, Roosevelt and Hays Middle schools for $66,520 annually • Consideration of the addition of a student support specialist position at Felten Elementary, starting with the 2026-27 school year • Election of president and vice-president of the board for 2026

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608234493687.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school district will hear a report on bond funds at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwell Administration Center.The board is set to vote on a motion to receive&nbsp;$101,708 in contingency funds that were not used in the Hays Middle School renovation project.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b4809d7f-dd2f-497c-95e0-630f47ebdcec">The former high school was renovated for use by the middle school and opened to students at the beginning of this semester.</a>The two remaining bond-funded projects include <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4906798e-f3ac-4473-a4cb-4899a08613e3">a renovation and addition at O'Loughlin Elementary School</a>. Work is ongoing on that project. Work is set to start on the renovation of the former middle school into a four-section elementary school, Felten Elementary School.Dustin Avey, managing director/co-head of public finance with Piper Sandler &amp; Co. Public Finance Investment Banking, will join the meeting virtually to review bond repayment mill levy analysis and bond project fund interest estimates.Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson will give the board an update on the school's new cell phone policy.The school board will review notice of property sale for 7.23 acres of district-owned property at 201 W. 29th St., adjacent to the former middle school. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/909a410b-bf64-406d-a98b-01417d221495">That sale was approved for sale at the board's Dec. 19 meeting.</a>Other business includes: • A second reading on Kansas Association of School Boards recommended policy changes • An HVAC preventive maintenance service agreement with Glassman Corp. to add equipment at O'Loughlin, Roosevelt and Hays Middle schools for $66,520 annually • Consideration of the addition of a student support specialist position at Felten Elementary, starting with the 2026-27 school year • Election of president and vice-president of the board for 2026

Hays USD 489 to receive $100,000 in contingency left from Hays Middle School project 

Rural hospitals are facing economic pressures that have them operating in the red.

HaysMed has not been immune to these pressures. HaysMed Chief Financial Officer Michelle&nbsp;Beckner said the hospital has been operating at a loss and has been relying on reserves to cover the shortfall.

Although the&nbsp;<a href="https://chqpr.org/">Center for Healthcare Quality &amp; Payment Reform</a>&nbsp;reported 68 rural Kansas hospitals are at risk of closing,&nbsp;Beckner claimed HaysMed is not in danger of closing, and the hospital has implemented a plan to be back in the black within two years.

HaysMed is a nonprofit hospital that must file a 990 tax form with the federal government.

<a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/480559088">According to its&nbsp;</a><a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/480559088" target="_blank">2023 Form 990, available through ProPublica</a>, HaysMed had revenues of about $231.6 million but was $10.1 million short of&nbsp;expenses. As of its 2024 990 filing, the most recent available report, revenue had increased to $259 million, and the hospital's deficit had fallen to just less than $115,000.

Those annual reports are usually filed in May.

"We are very blessed, because the board and the stewardship prior to COVID were able to generate a healthy balance sheet for us, so right now that is helping us get through this post-COVID financial landscape," Beckner said.

HaysMed's reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid does not cover the costs of services,&nbsp;Beckner said.

Medicaid covers about 50% of service costs, and Medicare covers about 80%.&nbsp;

In addition, reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid are not keeping pace with inflation, widening the cost-to-reimbursement gap. In the last four out of the five years, inflation has grown more than Medicare has increased hospital reimbursement rates.

"Not only are we in the hole, but the hole is getting deeper,"&nbsp;Beckner said.

The hospital makes up the difference from private-pay insurance, such as United or Aetna.

Revising the reimbursement structure is a national legislative issue.

"I would love for our patients to understand the role they could play in supporting us with our legislators," Bekner said. "Are they at the table to say what we're doing in health care right now is not sustainable across the whole state of Kansas? So what can we do that's different? What can we do to increase reimbursements for the patients who need it?"

HaysMed faces $15 million in uncompensated or charity care annually.

Beckner said this is often care for individuals who lack insurance or are underinsured.

Because Kansas has not expanded Medicaid, there is a gap for people who don't qualify for Medicaid and can't afford to purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, Beckner said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/bc922e8c-20dd-4a50-8d3a-19106c472222">Health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act have expired. On Jan. 8, the U.S. House passed a bill to reinstate them, but legislation has not passed in the Senate.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/62085371-47c2-4129-835f-d28436feedf3">On Thursday, President Trump proposed his own health care reform plan.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/87dfa1c2-653b-462f-9be2-07f13b029fed">HaysMed CEO Edward Herrman has been an advocate for expanding Medicaid in Kansas.</a>

Herrman welcomed Kelly to HaysMed in April 2024 as she toured the state, urging the Kansas Legislature to allow the issue to go to a vote in both houses. 

Herrman said during the Kelly visit, “As the HaysMed President and CEO overseeing health care delivery, I can attest firsthand to the critical need for Medicaid expansion. Our hospitals are on the frontline, serving those in need regardless of their ability to pay.

"Medicaid expansion isn't just a policy. It's a lifeline for countless individuals and families, ensuring they receive the care they deserve.&nbsp;

<a href="https://sunflowerfoundation.org/statewide-poll-on-medicaid-expansion/">A 2023 study by the Sunflower Foundation found 68% of Kansas registered voters support Medicaid expansion.</a>

Beckner said uninsured and underinsured residents result in economic and human costs.

Patients who do not have insurance tend to delay treatment, so when they are seen at the hospital, they are sicker, Beckner said. This often means their treatment is more complicated and expensive. Delayed treatment can also result in unfavorable patient outcomes, lost time from work and time away from family.

"By this time, their disease progression is further. It's harder for them to recover or maybe they never recover back to the state they could have had if the disease been caught earlier in its progression," Beckner said, "so I think there are several human implications to that."

Herrman has also advocated for the expansion of the 340B drug program. This federal program allows hospitals to qualify for drug discounts.

Most small, rural hospitals automatically qualify for a tier of the program because they are designated as critical-access hospitals. To qualify for the deepest discounts, hospitals have to be a university hospital, teaching hospital or care for a high percentage of Medicaid patients.

Qualifying for drug discounts under the 340B program would mean about $10 million for HaysMed,&nbsp;Beckner said.

HaysMed does not accept Medicare Advantage plans because, Beckner said, the hospital administration does not think it is in patients' best interests. She said that often patients experience higher out-of-pocket costs compared to straight Medicare.

Since the pandemic, the health care industry has faced a shortage of nurses.&nbsp;The national average for nursing turnover is 16.4-18.4%, down from the COVID peak of 20.7%.

HaysMed is faring better than the national average with a turnover rate of 7.41% as of January 2026. However, the HaysMed turnover rate is higher than it was at this time last year, when it was 5.91%.

More nurses are choosing to become traveling nurses.

Covering the higher cost of traveling nurses takes a toll on the hospital's bottom line, but Beckner did not provide an exact number for that line item.

"It's a little bit of a vicious cycle," Beckner said. "With the nursing shortage, nurses get burnt out more easily because it's harder to get time off or they're asked to do more overtime to care for their patients. They're getting burnt out because we're working short. Then they leave."

If a staff nurse leaves, the hospital spends about $60,000 to replace them. Beckner said.

HaysMed has increased staff compensation by $8 million during the last two years, Beckner said.&nbsp;

"We want to make sure associates are paid competitively to respect their expertise, their skill and honor all the work that they're doing to provide care," she said.

How other hospital closures could affect HaysMed

Kansas has more hospitals at immediate risk of closure than any other state, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://chqpr.org/">Center for Healthcare Quality &amp; Payment Reform</a>. Thirty are at immediate risk.

"The current financial forecast for health care, particularly in rural health care, is concerning," Beckner said. ..."I think we will continue to see hospital closures, particularly in Kansas.

"Unless we figure out a different way to figure out the reimbursement-to-cost ratio, I think we will see additional hospitals close."

The latest hospital closure in Kansas was Rock Regional Hospital in Derby earlier this month.

If smaller hospitals in the region close, one of two things could happen, Beckner said.

HaysMed could see an increase in volume as patients travel farther to receive care.

Patients could go to another critical-access hospital that is part of a referral system with another regional hospital. If a patient is accessing a critical-access hospital in northern Kansas, and it closes, those patients might be referred to a hospital in Nebraska rather than to HaysMed, Beckner said.

Plans to bring HaysMed back into the black

Beckner said HaysMed has several long-term strategies to bring the hospital back into the black.

One strategy is service line growth. The hospital is recruiting more providers, increasing access to care and trying to make it easier for patients to be seen for services, Beckner said.

The hospital is focusing on maximizing payments by properly managing prior authorizations and insurance denials, she said.

Beckner said the hospital is facing an administrative burden from insurance denials.

"Another thing we are seeing from payers is they are being more proactive in denying on the back end after the care has been provided," she said. "Payers are saying we don't think that was medically necessary or we don't think that was appropriate care instead of listening to what the provider thought."

Beckner said this practice is also difficult for patients who receive a bill for care they thought was covered.

The hospital has also tried to maximize labor efficiency and cut supply costs, she said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5470f484-aaa8-498d-adea-fc256ec3323e">Kansas will receive $222 million from the federal Rural Health Transformation Fund. However, how those funds will be allocated has yet to be determined.&nbsp;</a>

"Despite all the financial pressures that we are navigating and all of the headwinds," Beckner said, "we are excited to be here and honored to be serving the patients here in our community.

"It's an exciting time to be coming up with innovative solutions to be able to care for our patients."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592337955905.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostRural hospitals are facing economic pressures that have them operating in the red.HaysMed has not been immune to these pressures. HaysMed Chief Financial Officer Michelle&nbsp;Beckner said the hospital has been operating at a loss and has been relying on reserves to cover the shortfall.Although the&nbsp;<a href="https://chqpr.org/">Center for Healthcare Quality &amp; Payment Reform</a>&nbsp;reported 68 rural Kansas hospitals are at risk of closing,&nbsp;Beckner claimed HaysMed is not in danger of closing, and the hospital has implemented a plan to be back in the black within two years.HaysMed is a nonprofit hospital that must file a 990 tax form with the federal government.<a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/480559088">According to its&nbsp;</a><a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/480559088" target="_blank">2023 Form 990, available through ProPublica</a>, HaysMed had revenues of about $231.6 million but was $10.1 million short of&nbsp;expenses. As of its 2024 990 filing, the most recent available report, revenue had increased to $259 million, and the hospital's deficit had fallen to just less than $115,000.Those annual reports are usually filed in May."We are very blessed, because the board and the stewardship prior to COVID were able to generate a healthy balance sheet for us, so right now that is helping us get through this post-COVID financial landscape," Beckner said.Medicare, Medicaid shortfallsHaysMed's reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid does not cover the costs of services,&nbsp;Beckner said.Medicaid covers about 50% of service costs, and Medicare covers about 80%.&nbsp;In addition, reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid are not keeping pace with inflation, widening the cost-to-reimbursement gap. In the last four out of the five years, inflation has grown more than Medicare has increased hospital reimbursement rates."Not only are we in the hole, but the hole is getting deeper,"&nbsp;Beckner said.The hospital makes up the difference from private-pay insurance, such as United or Aetna.Revising the reimbursement structure is a national legislative issue."I would love for our patients to understand the role they could play in supporting us with our legislators," Bekner said. "Are they at the table to say what we're doing in health care right now is not sustainable across the whole state of Kansas? So what can we do that's different? What can we do to increase reimbursements for the patients who need it?"Uncompensated careHaysMed faces $15 million in uncompensated or charity care annually.Beckner said this is often care for individuals who lack insurance or are underinsured.Because Kansas has not expanded Medicaid, there is a gap for people who don't qualify for Medicaid and can't afford to purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, Beckner said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/bc922e8c-20dd-4a50-8d3a-19106c472222">Health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act have expired. On Jan. 8, the U.S. House passed a bill to reinstate them, but legislation has not passed in the Senate.</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/62085371-47c2-4129-835f-d28436feedf3">On Thursday, President Trump proposed his own health care reform plan.</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/87dfa1c2-653b-462f-9be2-07f13b029fed">HaysMed CEO Edward Herrman has been an advocate for expanding Medicaid in Kansas.</a>Herrman welcomed Kelly to HaysMed in April 2024 as she toured the state, urging the Kansas Legislature to allow the issue to go to a vote in both houses. Herrman said during the Kelly visit, “As the HaysMed President and CEO overseeing health care delivery, I can attest firsthand to the critical need for Medicaid expansion. Our hospitals are on the frontline, serving those in need regardless of their ability to pay."Medicaid expansion isn't just a policy. It's a lifeline for countless individuals and families, ensuring they receive the care they deserve.&nbsp;<a href="https://sunflowerfoundation.org/statewide-poll-on-medicaid-expansion/">A 2023 study by the Sunflower Foundation found 68% of Kansas registered voters support Medicaid expansion.</a>Beckner said uninsured and underinsured residents result in economic and human costs.Patients who do not have insurance tend to delay treatment, so when they are seen at the hospital, they are sicker, Beckner said. This often means their treatment is more complicated and expensive. Delayed treatment can also result in unfavorable patient outcomes, lost time from work and time away from family."By this time, their disease progression is further. It's harder for them to recover or maybe they never recover back to the state they could have had if the disease been caught earlier in its progression," Beckner said, "so I think there are several human implications to that."Drug discountsHerrman has also advocated for the expansion of the 340B drug program. This federal program allows hospitals to qualify for drug discounts.Most small, rural hospitals automatically qualify for a tier of the program because they are designated as critical-access hospitals. To qualify for the deepest discounts, hospitals have to be a university hospital, teaching hospital or care for a high percentage of Medicaid patients.Qualifying for drug discounts under the 340B program would mean about $10 million for HaysMed,&nbsp;Beckner said.HaysMed does not accept Medicare Advantage plans because, Beckner said, the hospital administration does not think it is in patients' best interests. She said that often patients experience higher out-of-pocket costs compared to straight Medicare.Nursing shortageSince the pandemic, the health care industry has faced a shortage of nurses.&nbsp;The national average for nursing turnover is 16.4-18.4%, down from the COVID peak of 20.7%.HaysMed is faring better than the national average with a turnover rate of 7.41% as of January 2026. However, the HaysMed turnover rate is higher than it was at this time last year, when it was 5.91%.More nurses are choosing to become traveling nurses.Covering the higher cost of traveling nurses takes a toll on the hospital's bottom line, but Beckner did not provide an exact number for that line item."It's a little bit of a vicious cycle," Beckner said. "With the nursing shortage, nurses get burnt out more easily because it's harder to get time off or they're asked to do more overtime to care for their patients. They're getting burnt out because we're working short. Then they leave."If a staff nurse leaves, the hospital spends about $60,000 to replace them. Beckner said.HaysMed has increased staff compensation by $8 million during the last two years, Beckner said.&nbsp;"We want to make sure associates are paid competitively to respect their expertise, their skill and honor all the work that they're doing to provide care," she said.How other hospital closures could affect HaysMedKansas has more hospitals at immediate risk of closure than any other state, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://chqpr.org/">Center for Healthcare Quality &amp; Payment Reform</a>. Thirty are at immediate risk."The current financial forecast for health care, particularly in rural health care, is concerning," Beckner said. ..."I think we will continue to see hospital closures, particularly in Kansas."Unless we figure out a different way to figure out the reimbursement-to-cost ratio, I think we will see additional hospitals close."The latest hospital closure in Kansas was Rock Regional Hospital in Derby earlier this month.If smaller hospitals in the region close, one of two things could happen, Beckner said.HaysMed could see an increase in volume as patients travel farther to receive care.Patients could go to another critical-access hospital that is part of a referral system with another regional hospital. If a patient is accessing a critical-access hospital in northern Kansas, and it closes, those patients might be referred to a hospital in Nebraska rather than to HaysMed, Beckner said.Plans to bring HaysMed back into the blackBeckner said HaysMed has several long-term strategies to bring the hospital back into the black.One strategy is service line growth. The hospital is recruiting more providers, increasing access to care and trying to make it easier for patients to be seen for services, Beckner said.The hospital is focusing on maximizing payments by properly managing prior authorizations and insurance denials, she said.Beckner said the hospital is facing an administrative burden from insurance denials."Another thing we are seeing from payers is they are being more proactive in denying on the back end after the care has been provided," she said. "Payers are saying we don't think that was medically necessary or we don't think that was appropriate care instead of listening to what the provider thought."Beckner said this practice is also difficult for patients who receive a bill for care they thought was covered.The hospital has also tried to maximize labor efficiency and cut supply costs, she said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5470f484-aaa8-498d-adea-fc256ec3323e">Kansas will receive $222 million from the federal Rural Health Transformation Fund. However, how those funds will be allocated has yet to be determined.&nbsp;</a>"Despite all the financial pressures that we are navigating and all of the headwinds," Beckner said, "we are excited to be here and honored to be serving the patients here in our community."It's an exciting time to be coming up with innovative solutions to be able to care for our patients."

HaysMed faces economic pressures, operating at a loss

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The mayor of Minneapolis said Sunday that sending active duty soldiers into Minnesota to help with an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-immigration-crackdown-protests-96888fbbf2b5939aa7abdc0380773e46">immigration crackdown</a>&nbsp;is a ridiculous and unconstitutional idea as he urged protesters to remain peaceful so the president won't see a need to send in the U.S. military.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-crackdown-51a05ca22098e07fa0499e59e49e6b22">Daily protests</a>&nbsp;have been ongoing throughout January since the Department of Homeland Security ramped up immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul by bringing in more than 2,000 federal officers.

Three hotels where protesters have said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were staying in the area stopped taking reservations Sunday.

In a diverse neighborhood where immigration officers have been frequently seen, U.S. postal workers marched through on Sunday, chanting: “Protect our routes. Get ICE out.”

Soldiers specialized in arctic duty told to be ready

The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers based in Alaska who specialize in operating in arctic conditions to be ready in case of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-deployment-minnesota-immigration-insurrection-act-31a28c23045bfdb31b27f68507a68ca8">a possible deployment</a>&nbsp;to Minnesota, two defense officials said Sunday.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans, said two infantry battalions of the Army’s 11th Airborne Division have been given prepare-to-deploy orders.

One defense official said the troops are standing by to deploy to Minnesota should President Donald Trump invoke the Insurrection Act.

The rarely used&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-crackdown-minnesota-shootings-renee-good-a0c368079c106b599245996fded8c1b9">19th century law</a>&nbsp;would allow him to send military troops into Minnesota, where protesters have been confronting federal immigration agents for weeks. He has since backed off the threat, at least for now.

"It’s ridiculous, but we will not be intimidated by the actions of this federal government,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday. “It is not fair, it’s not just, and it’s completely unconstitutional.”

Thousands of Minneapolis citizens are exercising their First Amendment rights and the protests have been peaceful, Frey said.

“We are not going to take the bait. We will not counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos here," Frey said.

Gov. Tim Walz has mobilized the Minnesota National Guard, although no units have been deployed to the streets.

Hotels protesters said are connected to ICE close

At least three hotels in Minneapolis-St. Paul that protesters said housed officers in the immigrant crackdown were not accepting reservations Sunday. Rooms could not be booked online before early February at the Hilton DoubleTree and IHG InterContinental hotels in downtown St. Paul and at the Hilton Canopy hotel in Minneapolis.

Over the phone, an InterContinental hotel front desk employee said it was closing for the safety of the staff, but declined to comment on the safety concerns. The DoubleTree and InterContinental hotels had empty lobbies with signs out front saying they were “temporarily closed for business until further notice.” The Canopy was open, but not accepting reservations

The three hotels have been the site of protests with demonstrators saying federal agents were staying there.

IHG did not immediately return requests for comment Sunday.

Peter Noble joined dozens of other U.S. Post Office workers Sunday on their only day off from their mail routes to march against the immigration crackdown. They passed by the place where an immigration officer shot and killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, during a Jan. 7 confrontation.

“I've seen them driving recklessly around the streets while I am on my route, putting lives in danger," Noble said.

Letter carrier Susan Becker said she came out to march on the coldest day since the crackdown started because it's important to keep telling the federal government she thinks what it is doing is wrong. She said people on her route have reported ICE breaking into apartment buildings and tackling people in the parking lot of shopping centers.

“These people are by and large citizens and immigrants. But they're citizens, and they deserve to be here; they've earned their place and they are good people,” Becker said.

Republican congressman asks governor to tone down comments

A Republican U.S. House member called for Walz to tone down his comments about fighting the federal government and instead start to help law enforcement.

Many of the officers in Minnesota are neighbors just doing the jobs they were sent to do, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer told WCCO-AM in Minneapolis.

“These are not mean spirited people. But right now, they feel like they’re under attack. They don’t know where the next attack is going to come from and who it is. So people need to keep in mind this starts at the top,” Emmer said.

Across social media, videos have been posted of federal officers spraying protesters with pepper spray, knocking down doors and forcibly taking people into custody. On Friday, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-immigration-operation-lawsuit-8805b301ff4a7bfb0058e085ffa8c034">federal judge ruled</a>&nbsp;that immigration officers can’t detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who aren’t obstructing authorities, including when they’re observing the officers during the Minnesota crackdown.

Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767879206786.png" alt="File Protester earlier this month in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Baker)" />
 <figcaption>File Protester earlier this month in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Baker)</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The mayor of Minneapolis said Sunday that sending active duty soldiers into Minnesota to help with an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-immigration-crackdown-protests-96888fbbf2b5939aa7abdc0380773e46">immigration crackdown</a>&nbsp;is a ridiculous and unconstitutional idea as he urged protesters to remain peaceful so the president won't see a need to send in the U.S. military.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-crackdown-51a05ca22098e07fa0499e59e49e6b22">Daily protests</a>&nbsp;have been ongoing throughout January since the Department of Homeland Security ramped up immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul by bringing in more than 2,000 federal officers.Three hotels where protesters have said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were staying in the area stopped taking reservations Sunday.In a diverse neighborhood where immigration officers have been frequently seen, U.S. postal workers marched through on Sunday, chanting: “Protect our routes. Get ICE out.”<h2>Soldiers specialized in arctic duty told to be ready</h2>The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers based in Alaska who specialize in operating in arctic conditions to be ready in case of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-deployment-minnesota-immigration-insurrection-act-31a28c23045bfdb31b27f68507a68ca8">a possible deployment</a>&nbsp;to Minnesota, two defense officials said Sunday.The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans, said two infantry battalions of the Army’s 11th Airborne Division have been given prepare-to-deploy orders.One defense official said the troops are standing by to deploy to Minnesota should President Donald Trump invoke the Insurrection Act.The rarely used&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-crackdown-minnesota-shootings-renee-good-a0c368079c106b599245996fded8c1b9">19th century law</a>&nbsp;would allow him to send military troops into Minnesota, where protesters have been confronting federal immigration agents for weeks. He has since backed off the threat, at least for now."It’s ridiculous, but we will not be intimidated by the actions of this federal government,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday. “It is not fair, it’s not just, and it’s completely unconstitutional.”Thousands of Minneapolis citizens are exercising their First Amendment rights and the protests have been peaceful, Frey said.“We are not going to take the bait. We will not counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos here," Frey said.Gov. Tim Walz has mobilized the Minnesota National Guard, although no units have been deployed to the streets.<h2>Hotels protesters said are connected to ICE close</h2>At least three hotels in Minneapolis-St. Paul that protesters said housed officers in the immigrant crackdown were not accepting reservations Sunday. Rooms could not be booked online before early February at the Hilton DoubleTree and IHG InterContinental hotels in downtown St. Paul and at the Hilton Canopy hotel in Minneapolis.Over the phone, an InterContinental hotel front desk employee said it was closing for the safety of the staff, but declined to comment on the safety concerns. The DoubleTree and InterContinental hotels had empty lobbies with signs out front saying they were “temporarily closed for business until further notice.” The Canopy was open, but not accepting reservationsThe three hotels have been the site of protests with demonstrators saying federal agents were staying there.IHG did not immediately return requests for comment Sunday.<h2>US postal workers march and protest</h2>Peter Noble joined dozens of other U.S. Post Office workers Sunday on their only day off from their mail routes to march against the immigration crackdown. They passed by the place where an immigration officer shot and killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, during a Jan. 7 confrontation.“I've seen them driving recklessly around the streets while I am on my route, putting lives in danger," Noble said.Letter carrier Susan Becker said she came out to march on the coldest day since the crackdown started because it's important to keep telling the federal government she thinks what it is doing is wrong. She said people on her route have reported ICE breaking into apartment buildings and tackling people in the parking lot of shopping centers.“These people are by and large citizens and immigrants. But they're citizens, and they deserve to be here; they've earned their place and they are good people,” Becker said.<h2>Republican congressman asks governor to tone down comments</h2>A Republican U.S. House member called for Walz to tone down his comments about fighting the federal government and instead start to help law enforcement.Many of the officers in Minnesota are neighbors just doing the jobs they were sent to do, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer told WCCO-AM in Minneapolis.“These are not mean spirited people. But right now, they feel like they’re under attack. They don’t know where the next attack is going to come from and who it is. So people need to keep in mind this starts at the top,” Emmer said.Across social media, videos have been posted of federal officers spraying protesters with pepper spray, knocking down doors and forcibly taking people into custody. On Friday, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-immigration-operation-lawsuit-8805b301ff4a7bfb0058e085ffa8c034">federal judge ruled</a>&nbsp;that immigration officers can’t detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who aren’t obstructing authorities, including when they’re observing the officers during the Minnesota crackdown.___Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed.

Army has soldiers on standby for possible Minnesota deployment

The Fort Hays State football team will be looking for a new starting quarterback in 2026. Senior Caleb Heavner has entered the portal and committed to Division I Miami of Ohio.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762043440771.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State quarterback Caleb Heavner (4) scrambles against Central Missouri on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Hays, Kan, (FHSU Athletics photo/Gillian Lynch)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State quarterback Caleb Heavner (4) scrambles against Central Missouri on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Hays, Kan, (FHSU Athletics photo/Gillian Lynch)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Post SportsThe Fort Hays State football team will be looking for a new starting quarterback in 2026. Senior Caleb Heavner has entered the portal and committed to Division I Miami of Ohio.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Committed. <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiOHFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MiamiOHFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/EBqbpfWQ0D">pic.twitter.com/EBqbpfWQ0D</a>&mdash; Caleb Heavner (@heavner_caleb) <a href="https://twitter.com/heavner_caleb/status/2013019816509005996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Denison, Texas native played in 24 games and made 17 starts over four seasons with the Tigers, completing 63-percent of his passes for&nbsp;3,398 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. None of this interceptions came this past season.&nbsp;Heavner also rushed for&nbsp;1,094 yards with 11 touchdowns.