SEDGWICK COUNTY —A 23-year-old man identified as Knowledge McPherson of Wichita has died from injuries sustained in the shooting on Oct. 1 during a fight in a convenience store parking lot in Wichita, according to a statement from Wichita Police.

A 16-year-old juvenile suspect of Wichita remains in custody.

Just before 3a.m. on Sept. 30, police responded to a report of a shooting in the QuikTrip parking lot at Pawnee and Meridian in Wichita. Investigators determined several people were involved in an argument that turned physical. During the altercation, the 16-year-old suspect pulled out a firearm and shot McPherson.

A passerby attempted life-saving measures until Sedgwick County EMS arrived and transported McPherson to a local hospital. He underwent surgery and was listed in extremely critical condition before succumbing to his injuries&nbsp;

The 16-year-old suspect was initially booked into juvenile detention on requested charges of Criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied building, Juvenile in possession of a firearm and Aggravated battery

Charges will be amended after consultation with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Police Chief Joe Sullivan expressed his frustration with the ongoing violence involving juveniles and firearms.

“This has got to stop. It is unacceptable for juveniles to have access to guns,” Sullivan said. “Picking up a firearm to solve a temporary problem is not the answer. Too many lives are being destroyed by these reckless choices.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759266282958.png" alt="Police on the scene early October 1, photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene early October 1, photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A 23-year-old man identified as Knowledge McPherson of Wichita has died from injuries sustained in the shooting on Oct. 1 during a fight in a convenience store parking lot in Wichita, according to a statement from Wichita Police.A 16-year-old juvenile suspect of Wichita remains in custody.Just before 3a.m. on Sept. 30, police responded to a report of a shooting in the QuikTrip parking lot at Pawnee and Meridian in Wichita. Investigators determined several people were involved in an argument that turned physical. During the altercation, the 16-year-old suspect pulled out a firearm and shot McPherson.A passerby attempted life-saving measures until Sedgwick County EMS arrived and transported McPherson to a local hospital. He underwent surgery and was listed in extremely critical condition before succumbing to his injuries&nbsp;The 16-year-old suspect was initially booked into juvenile detention on requested charges of Criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied building, Juvenile in possession of a firearm and Aggravated batteryCharges will be amended after consultation with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.Police Chief Joe Sullivan expressed his frustration with the ongoing violence involving juveniles and firearms.“This has got to stop. It is unacceptable for juveniles to have access to guns,” Sullivan said. “Picking up a firearm to solve a temporary problem is not the answer. Too many lives are being destroyed by these reckless choices.”

Police:  Kan. man shot by boy in parking lot fight has died

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– An explosive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-toll-analysis-of-us-senators">FBI document</a>&nbsp;obtained by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reveals the FBI targeted eight Republican senators’ personal cell phones for “tolling data” as part of its Arctic Frost investigation, according to a statement from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

One Republican member of the House of Representatives was also impacted. The Arctic Frost investigation formed the basis of Jack Smith’s elector case against President Donald Trump.

The FBI in 2023 sought and obtained data about the senators’ phone use from&nbsp;January 4 through January 7, 2021. That data shows when and to whom a call is made, as well as the duration and general location data of the call. The data does not include the content of the call.

This document was found in a Prohibited Access file in response to Grassley’s oversight requests. Grassley’s oversight&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-investigates-prohibited-access-files-at-fbi-demands-accountability-for-document-destruction-and-obstruction-in-mueller-investigation" target="_blank">exposed the existence</a>&nbsp;of Prohibited Access files, a file system the FBI uses to limit access to certain documents by making some files inaccessible to most FBI agents.

Read the FBI document&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-toll-analysis-of-us-senators">HERE</a>.

The FBI targeted the following Members of Congress:Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.)Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.)Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.)Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.)

Grassley issued the following statement regarding today’s disclosure:

“Based on the evidence to-date, Arctic Frost and related weaponization by federal law enforcement under Biden was arguably worse than Watergate.

“What I’ve uncovered today is disturbing and outrageous political conduct by the Biden FBI. The FBI’s actions were an unconstitutional breach, and Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel need to hold accountable those involved in this serious wrongdoing.

“I started the Arctic Frost investigation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/grassley-to-justice-dept-fbi_-political-bias" target="_blank">in July 2022</a>&nbsp;after hearing from whistleblowers. It’s taken years to get records and advance my investigation, but what the public is seeing now demonstrates the importance of congressional oversight and whistleblowers. My whistleblowers deserve great thanks for what they’ve helped expose. None of this would have been known without them.”

Background:The FBI’s Arctic Frost investigation was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/exhibit-8-arctic-frost" target="_blank">opened in April 2022</a>&nbsp;by former anti-Trump agent Timothy Thibault. In November 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-bank-record-subpoenas" target="_blank">it was assigned</a>&nbsp;to Special Counsel Jack Smith.&nbsp;

Whistleblower disclosures to Grassley earlier this year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-johnson-release-records-showing-fbi-obtained-trump-pence-cell-phones-conducted-sweeping-interviews-to-advance-anti-trump-arctic-frost-investigation" target="_blank">revealed</a>&nbsp;the FBI acquired the government cell phones of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence during its Arctic Frost investigation. Officials in the Biden White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-johnson-release-additional-arctic-frost-records-detailing-sweeping-anti-trump-investigation" target="_blank">personally assisted</a>&nbsp;the FBI in securing Trump and Pence’s government phones. FBI agents used taxpayer dollars to travel the country and conduct dozens of interviews in support of the political probe.

Records Grassley made public last month&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-bank-record-subpoenas" target="_blank">showed</a>&nbsp;the FBI also placed 92 Republican-linked individuals and Republican groups – such as Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA – under Arctic Frost’s investigative scope.

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– An explosive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-toll-analysis-of-us-senators">FBI document</a>&nbsp;obtained by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reveals the FBI targeted eight Republican senators’ personal cell phones for “tolling data” as part of its Arctic Frost investigation, according to a statement from the Senate Judiciary Committee.One Republican member of the House of Representatives was also impacted. The Arctic Frost investigation formed the basis of Jack Smith’s elector case against President Donald Trump.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This document shows the Biden FBI spied on 8 of my Republican Senate colleagues during its Arctic Frost investigation into &quot;election conspiracy&quot; Arctic Frost later became Jack Smith&#39;s elector case against Trump BIDEN FBI WEAPONIZATION = WORSE THAN WATERGATE <a href="https://t.co/V2JyiVlX48">pic.twitter.com/V2JyiVlX48</a>&mdash; Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley/status/1975297712712262100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AGPamBondi</a>: &quot;We learned that former FBI secretly investigated you and your colleagues. Why? They wanted to take President Trump off the playing field...This is the kind of conduct that shatters the American people&#39;s faith in our law enforcement system.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/FRr65KtHsH">pic.twitter.com/FRr65KtHsH</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1975590921082114532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sen. <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HawleyMO</a>: &quot;Who ordered the tapping of the phones of United States Senators?<a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AGPamBondi</a>: &quot;I cannot discuss the details of that right now for very good reason...We will be looking at all aspects of this and I have talked to Director Patel at length about this.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/8OEwJ24gsr">pic.twitter.com/8OEwJ24gsr</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1975610383051206995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The FBI in 2023 sought and obtained data about the senators’ phone use from&nbsp;January 4 through January 7, 2021. That data shows when and to whom a call is made, as well as the duration and general location data of the call. The data does not include the content of the call.This document was found in a Prohibited Access file in response to Grassley’s oversight requests. Grassley’s oversight&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-investigates-prohibited-access-files-at-fbi-demands-accountability-for-document-destruction-and-obstruction-in-mueller-investigation" target="_blank">exposed the existence</a>&nbsp;of Prohibited Access files, a file system the FBI uses to limit access to certain documents by making some files inaccessible to most FBI agents.Read the FBI document&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-toll-analysis-of-us-senators">HERE</a>.The FBI targeted the following Members of Congress:Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.)Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.)Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.)Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.)Grassley issued the following statement regarding today’s disclosure:“Based on the evidence to-date, Arctic Frost and related weaponization by federal law enforcement under Biden was arguably worse than Watergate.“What I’ve uncovered today is disturbing and outrageous political conduct by the Biden FBI. The FBI’s actions were an unconstitutional breach, and Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel need to hold accountable those involved in this serious wrongdoing.“I started the Arctic Frost investigation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/grassley-to-justice-dept-fbi_-political-bias" target="_blank">in July 2022</a>&nbsp;after hearing from whistleblowers. It’s taken years to get records and advance my investigation, but what the public is seeing now demonstrates the importance of congressional oversight and whistleblowers. My whistleblowers deserve great thanks for what they’ve helped expose. None of this would have been known without them.”Background:The FBI’s Arctic Frost investigation was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/exhibit-8-arctic-frost" target="_blank">opened in April 2022</a>&nbsp;by former anti-Trump agent Timothy Thibault. In November 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-bank-record-subpoenas" target="_blank">it was assigned</a>&nbsp;to Special Counsel Jack Smith.&nbsp;Whistleblower disclosures to Grassley earlier this year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-johnson-release-records-showing-fbi-obtained-trump-pence-cell-phones-conducted-sweeping-interviews-to-advance-anti-trump-arctic-frost-investigation" target="_blank">revealed</a>&nbsp;the FBI acquired the government cell phones of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence during its Arctic Frost investigation. Officials in the Biden White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-johnson-release-additional-arctic-frost-records-detailing-sweeping-anti-trump-investigation" target="_blank">personally assisted</a>&nbsp;the FBI in securing Trump and Pence’s government phones. FBI agents used taxpayer dollars to travel the country and conduct dozens of interviews in support of the political probe.Records Grassley made public last month&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-bank-record-subpoenas" target="_blank">showed</a>&nbsp;the FBI also placed 92 Republican-linked individuals and Republican groups – such as Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA – under Arctic Frost’s investigative scope.

Read the report: Biden's FBI spied on Republican U.S. Senators 

DOWNS — Join us this Saturday night as the Kansas Storytelling Festival hosts a Tall Tales contest in Downs, the “Storytelling Capital of Kansas.”

 The fun-filled evening begins at 7:00 p.m. on October 11, at the Zion Lutheran Church, 1019 Blunt St., Downs. Everyone is welcome to attend this free storytelling event and hear some outrageous and semi-true whoppers. The audience helps select the winner by voting for their favorite story.

If you’ve ever thought about telling a Tall Tale in public, there’s still time to enter. 

This tall tales contest is open for anyone interested in being one of the four finalists who will perform at the 2026 Kansas Storytelling Festival, April 24-25, 2026 in Downs. This is the third&nbsp;and final qualifying contest this year. 

The first qualifier was held in Tonganoxie, KS where Larry Brown, Columbia, MO, became the first finalist. Matthew Kitchen, Derby, won the second qualifying contest in Wichita. The last two finalists will be selected on Saturday.

A tall tale is a unique form of American story telling in which the narrator usually has a part in the story.

 Telling a tall tale uses exaggerated detail describing things larger than they really are. A tall tale is a story based on a fact, or facts, and filled with unbelievable elements told as if they were true and factual. A tall tale has just enough truth to make a good story and to incite the imagination. 

Professional storytellers can not compete. Information and rules for the Tall Competition are posted at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">kansasstorytellingfestival.com</a>&nbsp;

The Kansas Storytelling Festival began in 1994 in Downs. Next spring will be its 32nd&nbsp;year of celebrating storytelling. Several years later, a Tall Tales contest began and continues at the festival on Friday evening with four finalists trying to win the travelling trophy – a shovel. The highlight of the festival’s Friday night performance is the Tall Tales Contest.

For more information or to register for this event, please contact Jeri at 785-454-1177 or go to the Kansas Storytelling Festival website&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/</a>&nbsp;or the Kansas Storytelling FaceBook page&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival">https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival</a>.

 Stories must be between 5 and 7 minutes long. Family-friendly stories only.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743606770706.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedDOWNS — Join us this Saturday night as the Kansas Storytelling Festival hosts a Tall Tales contest in Downs, the “Storytelling Capital of Kansas.” The fun-filled evening begins at 7:00 p.m. on October 11, at the Zion Lutheran Church, 1019 Blunt St., Downs. Everyone is welcome to attend this free storytelling event and hear some outrageous and semi-true whoppers. The audience helps select the winner by voting for their favorite story.If you’ve ever thought about telling a Tall Tale in public, there’s still time to enter. This tall tales contest is open for anyone interested in being one of the four finalists who will perform at the 2026 Kansas Storytelling Festival, April 24-25, 2026 in Downs. This is the third&nbsp;and final qualifying contest this year. The first qualifier was held in Tonganoxie, KS where Larry Brown, Columbia, MO, became the first finalist. Matthew Kitchen, Derby, won the second qualifying contest in Wichita. The last two finalists will be selected on Saturday.A tall tale is a unique form of American story telling in which the narrator usually has a part in the story. Telling a tall tale uses exaggerated detail describing things larger than they really are. A tall tale is a story based on a fact, or facts, and filled with unbelievable elements told as if they were true and factual. A tall tale has just enough truth to make a good story and to incite the imagination. Professional storytellers can not compete. Information and rules for the Tall Competition are posted at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">kansasstorytellingfestival.com</a>&nbsp;The Kansas Storytelling Festival began in 1994 in Downs. Next spring will be its 32nd&nbsp;year of celebrating storytelling. Several years later, a Tall Tales contest began and continues at the festival on Friday evening with four finalists trying to win the travelling trophy – a shovel. The highlight of the festival’s Friday night performance is the Tall Tales Contest.For more information or to register for this event, please contact Jeri at 785-454-1177 or go to the Kansas Storytelling Festival website&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/">https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/</a>&nbsp;or the Kansas Storytelling FaceBook page&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival">https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival</a>. Stories must be between 5 and 7 minutes long. Family-friendly stories only.

Tall Tale Stories contest Saturday night in Downs

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/matthew-lee">MATTHEW LEE</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States under the Biden and Trump administrations has provided at least $21.7 billion in military assistance to Israel since the start of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the Gaza war</a>&nbsp;two years ago, according to a new academic study published Tuesday, the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-hamas-war-explainer-d5c5057d2fe9e2e255215850b454f601">provoked the conflict</a>.

Another study, also published by the Costs of War project at Brown University’s Watson School of International and Public Affairs, says the U.S. has spent roughly $10 billion more on security aid and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-strikes-nuclear-trump-hegseth-caine-78499bef6b34ebb970b5c9d074021044">operations in the broader Middle East</a>&nbsp;in the past two years.

While the reports rely on open source material for most of their findings, they offer some of the most comprehensive accountings of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-arms-sales-israel-trump-bb8b4e67fd77c723ed45308054eefefe">U.S. military aid to close ally Israel</a>&nbsp;and estimated costs of direct&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-talks-geneva-news-06-21-2025-a7b0cdaba28b5817467ccf712d214579">American military involvement</a>&nbsp;in the Middle East.

The State Department had no immediate comment about the amount of military aid provided to Israel since October 2023. The White House referred questions to the Pentagon, which oversees only a portion of the assistance.

The reports, which draw on publicly available notifications to Congress, were released as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-hamas-war-explainer-d5c5057d2fe9e2e255215850b454f601">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;presses for an end to the war in Gaza. Israeli and Hamas officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-10-06-2025-3c3e1d13e86fabeaaff7930a18c6590a">launched indirect talks in Egypt</a>&nbsp;this week after Hamas accepted some elements of the U.S. plan that Israel also said it supported.

The reports, which are sharply critical of Israel, say that without the U.S. assistance, Israel would not have been able to sustain its concerted campaign against Hamas in Gaza. They note that tens of billions of dollars in future funding for Israel is projected under various bilateral agreements.

The main report says the U.S. provided $17.9 billion to Israel in the first year of the war — when Democratic President Joe Biden was in office — and $3.8 billion in the second year. Some of the military assistance has already been delivered while the remainder will be supplied in the coming years, it said.

That report was produced in conjunction with the Washington-based Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. The institute has been accused by some pro-Israel groups of being isolationist and anti-Israel, charges the organization denies.

A second report analyzing U.S. spending on broader Middle East activities, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-563f61bbd96e1f2de68373fdf76c8811">strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;and Iranian nuclear facilities, puts those costs at between $9.65 billion and $12 billion since Oct. 7, 2023, including between $2 billion and $2.25 billion for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-nuclear-fordo-ef530114e5297884b1c3b76a04a3b1de">attacks in Iran</a>&nbsp;and associated costs in June.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752000961462.png" alt="FIle President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>FIle President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/matthew-lee">MATTHEW LEE</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States under the Biden and Trump administrations has provided at least $21.7 billion in military assistance to Israel since the start of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the Gaza war</a>&nbsp;two years ago, according to a new academic study published Tuesday, the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-hamas-war-explainer-d5c5057d2fe9e2e255215850b454f601">provoked the conflict</a>.Another study, also published by the Costs of War project at Brown University’s Watson School of International and Public Affairs, says the U.S. has spent roughly $10 billion more on security aid and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-strikes-nuclear-trump-hegseth-caine-78499bef6b34ebb970b5c9d074021044">operations in the broader Middle East</a>&nbsp;in the past two years.While the reports rely on open source material for most of their findings, they offer some of the most comprehensive accountings of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-arms-sales-israel-trump-bb8b4e67fd77c723ed45308054eefefe">U.S. military aid to close ally Israel</a>&nbsp;and estimated costs of direct&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-talks-geneva-news-06-21-2025-a7b0cdaba28b5817467ccf712d214579">American military involvement</a>&nbsp;in the Middle East.The State Department had no immediate comment about the amount of military aid provided to Israel since October 2023. The White House referred questions to the Pentagon, which oversees only a portion of the assistance.The reports, which draw on publicly available notifications to Congress, were released as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-hamas-war-explainer-d5c5057d2fe9e2e255215850b454f601">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;presses for an end to the war in Gaza. Israeli and Hamas officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-10-06-2025-3c3e1d13e86fabeaaff7930a18c6590a">launched indirect talks in Egypt</a>&nbsp;this week after Hamas accepted some elements of the U.S. plan that Israel also said it supported.The reports, which are sharply critical of Israel, say that without the U.S. assistance, Israel would not have been able to sustain its concerted campaign against Hamas in Gaza. They note that tens of billions of dollars in future funding for Israel is projected under various bilateral agreements.The main report says the U.S. provided $17.9 billion to Israel in the first year of the war — when Democratic President Joe Biden was in office — and $3.8 billion in the second year. Some of the military assistance has already been delivered while the remainder will be supplied in the coming years, it said.That report was produced in conjunction with the Washington-based Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. The institute has been accused by some pro-Israel groups of being isolationist and anti-Israel, charges the organization denies.A second report analyzing U.S. spending on broader Middle East activities, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-563f61bbd96e1f2de68373fdf76c8811">strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;and Iranian nuclear facilities, puts those costs at between $9.65 billion and $12 billion since Oct. 7, 2023, including between $2 billion and $2.25 billion for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-nuclear-fordo-ef530114e5297884b1c3b76a04a3b1de">attacks in Iran</a>&nbsp;and associated costs in June.

Report: US has given $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since war in Gaza began

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the Osborne Co RWD 1A public water supply system located in Osborne County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on Tuesday, October 7 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. 

KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-697-2970, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:

<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F468%2FDisruption-in-Water-Service%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000199beedf89f-f12fa8b2-672a-4c6e-9712-9c1a5227c916-000000/eqUz2JULezqR03vIbI-j2xy-nRNnrqDabjDvBdOdWBY=425">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753780591198.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Department of Health and EnvironmentTOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the Osborne Co RWD 1A public water supply system located in Osborne County.Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:<ul>
 <li>Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.</li><li>Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.</li><li>If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.</li><li>Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.</li><li>Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.</li>
 </ul>The advisory took effect on Tuesday, October 7 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-697-2970, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F468%2FDisruption-in-Water-Service%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000199beedf89f-f12fa8b2-672a-4c6e-9712-9c1a5227c916-000000/eqUz2JULezqR03vIbI-j2xy-nRNnrqDabjDvBdOdWBY=425">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Boil Water Advisory issued for Osborne Co. Rural Water District 1A by KDHE

Meri Cathlene 'Cathy' McClain, 76,
of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Wesley Medical
Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Cathy was born on April 19, 1949,
in Borger, Texas, the daughter of Bill and Frankie (Gooch) McClain.&nbsp; She grew up in the Borger and Texas panhandle
area and attended local schools.&nbsp; She
moved to Russell, Kansas in 1978 and was united in marriage to Dwane Leroy
McClain on October 12, 1999, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.&nbsp; From this union they raised 5 children Jesse,
Billy, Gary, David and Mary.&nbsp; For many
years she worked as a bank teller at Sunflower Bank and later she worked for
Sunset Apartments for several years.&nbsp; She
was a longtime member of Otterbein Church and attended the First Congregational
Church both of Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; She also
was a member of Sam Club RV Association and the Veta Mu Chapter of Veta Sigma
Phi in Russell.&nbsp; She enjoyed
participating in Pioneer Days, yard work, flower planting, RV camping and being
involved in RV camping groups.&nbsp; She was a
very active member in the community and family, and friends will always
remember her bright smile, caring nature and warm heart.

Surviving family include her
brother Lee Gooch (Sonya) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sister Amy Heaton (Michael) of
Russell, Kansas; stepsons Gary McClain (Diana) of Overland Park, Kansas and
David McClain (Lorraine) of Abilene, Kansas; 3 grandchildren and 8 great
grandchildren.&nbsp; 

She was preceded in death by her
parents, husband Dwane on July 09, 2015, sons Jesse and Billy Smith,
stepbrother James Gooch and stepsister Patricia Parrett, stepdaughter Mary
McClain

Cremation was selected by the
family. &nbsp;A memorial service to celebrate
Cathy’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the First
Congregational Church in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp;
A graveside service will be at 2 P.M. on Tuesday afternoon at the Grand
Center Cemetery north of Waldo, Kansas.&nbsp;
Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. on Monday, October 13, 2025,
with family greeting guests from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Monday evening at the
mortuary.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759844572781.jpeg" alt="Cover" />
 <figcaption>Cover</figcaption>
 </figure>Meri Cathlene 'Cathy' McClain, 76,
of Russell, Kansas, died on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Wesley Medical
Center in Wichita, Kansas.Cathy was born on April 19, 1949,
in Borger, Texas, the daughter of Bill and Frankie (Gooch) McClain.&nbsp; She grew up in the Borger and Texas panhandle
area and attended local schools.&nbsp; She
moved to Russell, Kansas in 1978 and was united in marriage to Dwane Leroy
McClain on October 12, 1999, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.&nbsp; From this union they raised 5 children Jesse,
Billy, Gary, David and Mary.&nbsp; For many
years she worked as a bank teller at Sunflower Bank and later she worked for
Sunset Apartments for several years.&nbsp; She
was a longtime member of Otterbein Church and attended the First Congregational
Church both of Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; She also
was a member of Sam Club RV Association and the Veta Mu Chapter of Veta Sigma
Phi in Russell.&nbsp; She enjoyed
participating in Pioneer Days, yard work, flower planting, RV camping and being
involved in RV camping groups.&nbsp; She was a
very active member in the community and family, and friends will always
remember her bright smile, caring nature and warm heart.Surviving family include her
brother Lee Gooch (Sonya) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sister Amy Heaton (Michael) of
Russell, Kansas; stepsons Gary McClain (Diana) of Overland Park, Kansas and
David McClain (Lorraine) of Abilene, Kansas; 3 grandchildren and 8 great
grandchildren.&nbsp; She was preceded in death by her
parents, husband Dwane on July 09, 2015, sons Jesse and Billy Smith,
stepbrother James Gooch and stepsister Patricia Parrett, stepdaughter Mary
McClainCremation was selected by the
family. &nbsp;A memorial service to celebrate
Cathy’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the First
Congregational Church in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp;
A graveside service will be at 2 P.M. on Tuesday afternoon at the Grand
Center Cemetery north of Waldo, Kansas.&nbsp;
Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. on Monday, October 13, 2025,
with family greeting guests from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Monday evening at the
mortuary.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Meri Cathlene 'Cathy' McClain

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Jennifer Hecker, director of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, about domestic violence prevention and Domestic Violence Awareness Month on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603907215006.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Options - October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=ngx86-1988660-pb&square=1&share=1&d… loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
Podbean Player
 </div>Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Jennifer Hecker, director of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, about domestic violence prevention and Domestic Violence Awareness Month on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: Options on safety from domestic violence and awareness month activities

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)

Tuesday, October 7
 KFIX: Chiefs Kingdom,
6:00pm

Wednesday, October 8
 KAYS: Hawk Talk with
Lance Leipold, 6:00pm

Thursday, October 9
 none

Friday, October 10
 KKQY: Trego FB at
Ness City, 6:00pm &nbsp;KFIX: Hays High FB at Dodge City, 6:30pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian FB vs. Oakley, 6:30pm

Saturday, October 11
 KAYS: Kansas FB at
Texas Tech, 5:00pm
 KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Central Oklahoma, 6:00pm

Sunday, October 12
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs FB vs. Detroit Lions, 6:00pm

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)Tuesday, October 7
 KFIX: Chiefs Kingdom,
6:00pmWednesday, October 8
 KAYS: Hawk Talk with
Lance Leipold, 6:00pmThursday, October 9
 noneFriday, October 10
 KKQY: Trego FB at
Ness City, 6:00pm &nbsp;KFIX: Hays High FB at Dodge City, 6:30pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian FB vs. Oakley, 6:30pmSaturday, October 11
 KAYS: Kansas FB at
Texas Tech, 5:00pm
 KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Central Oklahoma, 6:00pmSunday, October 12
 KFIX: Kansas City
Chiefs FB vs. Detroit Lions, 6:00pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

GOP House speaker cracks jokes about governor reaching out to Kansans

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly plans to embark on an eight-city tour during October and November to explore with Kansans their state budget priorities ahead of next year’s legislative session.

Kelly, who is term limited and cannot seek reelection, said on Monday the town halls dedicated to formation of “The People’s Budget” would give folks an opportunity to express where they wanted lawmakers to earmark spending.

“Kansans should know and have a say in where their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are going,” Kelly said. “In the months ahead, it’s critical that we continue down the path of responsible budgeting to ensure Kansas does not return to the days of reckless fiscal mismanagement.”

She said her administration continued to be dedicated to creating and maintaining a financial foundation that could survive economic downturn.

In 2018, Kelly was elected in aftermath of aggressive state income tax cuts signed into law in 2012 and 2013 by Gov. Sam Brownback. The 2017 Legislature, in a bipartisan vote, wiped out much of Brownback’s tax agenda, which had been created as a mechanism to eventually eliminate the state income tax. Instead, the result was deep budget cuts, heavy borrowing and a sales tax hike.

During a special legislative session in 2024, lawmakers approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/18/kansas-senate-votes-to-approve-tax-package-negotiated-by-gop-leaders-democratic-governor/">$2 billion, five-year program</a>&nbsp;of state tax reductions.

Kelly had cautioned the Legislature against income tax reductions that jeopardized the state’s financial well-being.

“My administration has been laser-focused on building a strong fiscal foundation for our state,” the governor said.

The first stop on the governor’s tour has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at Salina South High School. She is to be joined by Adam Proffitt, the state budget director.

Other dates and locations: Hays, Bob &amp; Pat Schmidt Community Center, Oct. 29; Garden City, Garden City High School, 6 p.m. Oct. 29; Kansas City, Kansas, West Wyandotte Library Auditorium, 6 p.m. Nov. 3; Leawood, Leawood Community Center, 6 p.m. Nov. 5; Emporia, Lyon County History Center, 6 p.m. Nov. 6; Pittsburg, Frisco Events Center, 6 p.m. Nov. 10; and Wichita, Nov. 12.

Kansans interested in attending the first-come, first-serve events should visit&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.governor.ks.gov%2FBudgetTourRSVP/1/01010199ba798853-b5cef009-a1f0-446b-a667-d7e04d609c9e-000000/VRcrh_aUrxWcNDxcmtNkOjtfNhQtZEdTEYF-TSp0N1I=425" target="_blank">this form</a>&nbsp;for additional details.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita legislator seeking the Republican Party’s nomination in 2026 for state insurance commissioner, offered a tongue-in-cheek response to the governor’s announcement.

“After seven years in office, Governor Kelly has announced she and Secretary Profitt are living out their inner Sonny and Cher and launching a statewide duet tour. I hope in addition to their vocal stylings, they offer real budget solutions,” Hawkins said.

He said the House and Senate appropriately set aside the governor’s budget recommendations during the 2025 legislative session and adopted a package of bills that spent $30 million less than Kelly proposed.

“While the golden oldies tour makes its rounds, you can rest assured that the beat will go on in the Legislature as we keep doing the hard work of rooting out waste and abuse in government spending,” Hawkins said.

In January, the Democratic governor submitted to the Legislature as required a budget that outlined investments in education, health care, infrastructure, public safety and other areas. The Legislature, led by Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, a candidate for governor, built a separate budget plan designed to minimize Kelly’s influence on appropriations.

The governor’s office said the&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.governor.ks.gov%2FHome%2FComponents%2FNews%2FNews%2F618%2F/1/01010199ba798853-b5cef009-a1f0-446b-a667-d7e04d609c9e-000000/Bg2FrMWR9VDuXOkL_YsIAYRraQQPUeO5dlaMjGAOE1A=425" target="_blank">budget bill passed in April</a>&nbsp;left the state with potential long-term problems. Legislative documents indicated the state could spend $300 million more than it collected in annually in taxes, which would jeopardize the state’s financial health.

Kelly’s statement said the budget tour was designed to gather feedback on “how to repair the damage caused by the Legislature’s reckless budget.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759840550747.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly is hosting an eight-city tour of town halls dedicated to soliciting public input on how to reshape the state government budget to better meet the needs of Kansans. The tour starts Oct. 9 in Salina and ends Nov. 12 in Wichita. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly is hosting an eight-city tour of town halls dedicated to soliciting public input on how to reshape the state government budget to better meet the needs of Kansans. The tour starts Oct. 9 in Salina and ends Nov. 12 in Wichita. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>GOP House speaker cracks jokes about governor reaching out to Kansans</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly plans to embark on an eight-city tour during October and November to explore with Kansans their state budget priorities ahead of next year’s legislative session.Kelly, who is term limited and cannot seek reelection, said on Monday the town halls dedicated to formation of “The People’s Budget” would give folks an opportunity to express where they wanted lawmakers to earmark spending.“Kansans should know and have a say in where their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are going,” Kelly said. “In the months ahead, it’s critical that we continue down the path of responsible budgeting to ensure Kansas does not return to the days of reckless fiscal mismanagement.”She said her administration continued to be dedicated to creating and maintaining a financial foundation that could survive economic downturn.In 2018, Kelly was elected in aftermath of aggressive state income tax cuts signed into law in 2012 and 2013 by Gov. Sam Brownback. The 2017 Legislature, in a bipartisan vote, wiped out much of Brownback’s tax agenda, which had been created as a mechanism to eventually eliminate the state income tax. Instead, the result was deep budget cuts, heavy borrowing and a sales tax hike.During a special legislative session in 2024, lawmakers approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/18/kansas-senate-votes-to-approve-tax-package-negotiated-by-gop-leaders-democratic-governor/">$2 billion, five-year program</a>&nbsp;of state tax reductions.Kelly had cautioned the Legislature against income tax reductions that jeopardized the state’s financial well-being.“My administration has been laser-focused on building a strong fiscal foundation for our state,” the governor said.The first stop on the governor’s tour has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at Salina South High School. She is to be joined by Adam Proffitt, the state budget director.Other dates and locations: Hays, Bob &amp; Pat Schmidt Community Center, Oct. 29; Garden City, Garden City High School, 6 p.m. Oct. 29; Kansas City, Kansas, West Wyandotte Library Auditorium, 6 p.m. Nov. 3; Leawood, Leawood Community Center, 6 p.m. Nov. 5; Emporia, Lyon County History Center, 6 p.m. Nov. 6; Pittsburg, Frisco Events Center, 6 p.m. Nov. 10; and Wichita, Nov. 12.Kansans interested in attending the first-come, first-serve events should visit&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.governor.ks.gov%2FBudgetTourRSVP/1/01010199ba798853-b5cef009-a1f0-446b-a667-d7e04d609c9e-000000/VRcrh_aUrxWcNDxcmtNkOjtfNhQtZEdTEYF-TSp0N1I=425" target="_blank">this form</a>&nbsp;for additional details.House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita legislator seeking the Republican Party’s nomination in 2026 for state insurance commissioner, offered a tongue-in-cheek response to the governor’s announcement.“After seven years in office, Governor Kelly has announced she and Secretary Profitt are living out their inner Sonny and Cher and launching a statewide duet tour. I hope in addition to their vocal stylings, they offer real budget solutions,” Hawkins said.He said the House and Senate appropriately set aside the governor’s budget recommendations during the 2025 legislative session and adopted a package of bills that spent $30 million less than Kelly proposed.“While the golden oldies tour makes its rounds, you can rest assured that the beat will go on in the Legislature as we keep doing the hard work of rooting out waste and abuse in government spending,” Hawkins said.In January, the Democratic governor submitted to the Legislature as required a budget that outlined investments in education, health care, infrastructure, public safety and other areas. The Legislature, led by Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, a candidate for governor, built a separate budget plan designed to minimize Kelly’s influence on appropriations.The governor’s office said the&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.governor.ks.gov%2FHome%2FComponents%2FNews%2FNews%2F618%2F/1/01010199ba798853-b5cef009-a1f0-446b-a667-d7e04d609c9e-000000/Bg2FrMWR9VDuXOkL_YsIAYRraQQPUeO5dlaMjGAOE1A=425" target="_blank">budget bill passed in April</a>&nbsp;left the state with potential long-term problems. Legislative documents indicated the state could spend $300 million more than it collected in annually in taxes, which would jeopardize the state’s financial health.Kelly’s statement said the budget tour was designed to gather feedback on “how to repair the damage caused by the Legislature’s reckless budget.”

Gov. Laura Kelly to launch eight-city listening tour on future state budget

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is spending millions of dollars on television advertising in select metro areas around the country, an Associated Press tally found, aimed at recruiting local officers frustrated with their cities’ restrictions on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration enforcement</a>&nbsp;into President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-deportations-immigration-raids-homeland-security-a2c6a2f726629e62bd0199aee68294f6">mass deportation efforts</a>.

“You took an oath to protect and serve, to keep your family, your city, safe,” the narrator says, as images of the cities targeted and ICE agents arresting people move across the screen. “But in sanctuary cities, you’re ordered to stand down while dangerous illegals walk free.”

The campaign — airing in more than a dozen cities, including Chicago, Seattle and Atlanta — is part of ICE’s $30 billion initiative to hire 10,000 more deportation officers by the end of the year to supercharge deportations. The money is part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-hiring-trump-border-mass-deportations-ed1580c3f5c0c2a2b5c1ebd621574365">the $76.5 billion sought by Trump’s Republican administration</a>&nbsp;for ICE — a 10-fold increase in its current budget — as part of the sweeping, multitrillion-dollar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sign-tax-cut-bill-july-4-3804df732e461a626fd8c2b43413c3f0">tax breaks and spending cuts bill</a>&nbsp;enacted in July.

ICE is already offering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-hiring-trump-border-mass-deportations-ed1580c3f5c0c2a2b5c1ebd621574365">bonuses of up to $50,000 for new recruits</a>&nbsp;and other benefits such as tuition reimbursement as it seeks to fast-track hiring.

And while some parts of the federal government are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-health-care-54b2a584657a0b619bc8326708a05604">shut down</a>&nbsp;as the result of Congress’ failure to pass a spending measure last week, the ICE ads reflect that the push for mass deportations, the Trump administration’s top priority, is still flush with cash.

The ads open with video of each metro’s familiar skyline and the narrator’s voice announcing, for example, “Attention, Miami law enforcement.” Beyond that, the spots are identical, inviting officers to “join ICE and help us catch the worst of the worst. Drug traffickers. Gang members. Predators,” according to a review of the ads on the ad-tracking service AdImpact.

The 30-second spots began running in mid-September in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Boston; Chicago; Denver; New York; Philadelphia; Sacramento, California; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. Adding to the list a week ago: Atlanta; Dallas; El Paso, Texas; Houston; Miami; Salt Lake City; and San Antonio.

As of Monday, total spending on the ads had topped $6.5 million, with the most spent since mid-September being $853,745 in the Seattle area. However, Atlanta saw the most in the past week, more than $947,000, according to AdImpact.

It was unclear why ICE targeted those locations and not others. There is no standard definition of what is a sanctuary jurisdiction although it generally refers to cities or states that limit their cooperation with ICE. Some but not all of the cities appear on a Justice Department list of cities that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-sanctuary-cities-deportation-95277c47a04cdd5e07bbc29da51c0813">“that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws.”</a>

Asked in an AP email to explain why specific areas were chosen as advertising targets, Department of Homeland Security officials declined to provide an explanation. Instead, they replied with a Sept. 16 press release, near the beginning of the ad campaign, reporting that it had received more than 150,000 applications and had extended 18,000 tentative job offers.

Some cities where the ads have been playing, particularly Boston and Chicago, have been repeatedly criticized by the Trump administration for their policies that limit how much they can work with federal immigration enforcement. ICE has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigrants-boston-ice-trump-sanctuary-cities-ee2a10f0300029da49fcbd45365e031a">launched immigration crackdowns</a>&nbsp;in both of those cities. Local officials in Chicago have been particularly outspoken against the stepped-up enforcement.

Albuquerque is among the smallest metropolitan areas where the ads are airing, though the city’s mayor, Tim Keller, has been a vocal opponent of the Trump administration’s immigration policy. In July, Keller signed an executive order barring city employees from assisting federal authorities with civil immigration enforcement “unless legally required.”

Local police can’t compete with ICE promises

The AP reached out to police departments in areas where the ads were running. Most departments either did not respond or said they did not comment on actions of outside agencies. A few, including Sacramento and Miami, said they had not noticed any of their officers leaving for positions at ICE or DHS.

Four of the markets where the ads are playing are in Texas, including San Antonio.

Danny Diaz, the president of the city’s Police Officers Association, said he’d seen the ads and was concerned about prospective recruits who might be thinking of joining the city’s police department joining ICE instead.

“We can’t compete with a $50,000 signing bonus,” Diaz said. “I do think that the younger generation will jump on that.”

The government shutdown could dampen ICE’s recruitment hopes, he said.

“They’re furloughing federal employees, and I don’t think individuals want to leave one department to go work for a federal agency when they don’t know if they’re going to receive a check or not,” he said, referring to the lapse in funding that has led to federal law enforcement officers going without pay.

Philadelphia police Capt. John Walker said it’s too early to tell whether the ad campaign has had an impact on the city’s recruiting. Instead, he suggested, the ads appeared more geared toward reassuring viewers that the Trump administration was addressing illegal immigration.

“It’s the psychological feel. You want to know that there are cops out there because it makes you feel good,” said Walker, who’s in charge of Philadelphia police recruiting. “That’s all this is, strengthening the belief that they’re doing something.”

The ad blitz comes as law enforcement departments around the country are struggling to meet staffing demands.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is spending millions of dollars on television advertising in select metro areas around the country, an Associated Press tally found, aimed at recruiting local officers frustrated with their cities’ restrictions on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration enforcement</a>&nbsp;into President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-deportations-immigration-raids-homeland-security-a2c6a2f726629e62bd0199aee68294f6">mass deportation efforts</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Now boarding: ICE AIR 🛫🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/WUJixf3hqv">pic.twitter.com/WUJixf3hqv</a>&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1975232826070183963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“You took an oath to protect and serve, to keep your family, your city, safe,” the narrator says, as images of the cities targeted and ICE agents arresting people move across the screen. “But in sanctuary cities, you’re ordered to stand down while dangerous illegals walk free.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Love God. Save America. <a href="https://t.co/nZkBEj4evQ">https://t.co/nZkBEj4evQ</a>&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1974874479831793763?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The campaign — airing in more than a dozen cities, including Chicago, Seattle and Atlanta — is part of ICE’s $30 billion initiative to hire 10,000 more deportation officers by the end of the year to supercharge deportations. The money is part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-hiring-trump-border-mass-deportations-ed1580c3f5c0c2a2b5c1ebd621574365">the $76.5 billion sought by Trump’s Republican administration</a>&nbsp;for ICE — a 10-fold increase in its current budget — as part of the sweeping, multitrillion-dollar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sign-tax-cut-bill-july-4-3804df732e461a626fd8c2b43413c3f0">tax breaks and spending cuts bill</a>&nbsp;enacted in July.ICE is already offering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-hiring-trump-border-mass-deportations-ed1580c3f5c0c2a2b5c1ebd621574365">bonuses of up to $50,000 for new recruits</a>&nbsp;and other benefits such as tuition reimbursement as it seeks to fast-track hiring.And while some parts of the federal government are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-health-care-54b2a584657a0b619bc8326708a05604">shut down</a>&nbsp;as the result of Congress’ failure to pass a spending measure last week, the ICE ads reflect that the push for mass deportations, the Trump administration’s top priority, is still flush with cash.<h2>Millions spent on the 30-second ads</h2>The ads open with video of each metro’s familiar skyline and the narrator’s voice announcing, for example, “Attention, Miami law enforcement.” Beyond that, the spots are identical, inviting officers to “join ICE and help us catch the worst of the worst. Drug traffickers. Gang members. Predators,” according to a review of the ads on the ad-tracking service AdImpact.The 30-second spots began running in mid-September in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Boston; Chicago; Denver; New York; Philadelphia; Sacramento, California; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. Adding to the list a week ago: Atlanta; Dallas; El Paso, Texas; Houston; Miami; Salt Lake City; and San Antonio.As of Monday, total spending on the ads had topped $6.5 million, with the most spent since mid-September being $853,745 in the Seattle area. However, Atlanta saw the most in the past week, more than $947,000, according to AdImpact.It was unclear why ICE targeted those locations and not others. There is no standard definition of what is a sanctuary jurisdiction although it generally refers to cities or states that limit their cooperation with ICE. Some but not all of the cities appear on a Justice Department list of cities that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-sanctuary-cities-deportation-95277c47a04cdd5e07bbc29da51c0813">“that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws.”</a>Asked in an AP email to explain why specific areas were chosen as advertising targets, Department of Homeland Security officials declined to provide an explanation. Instead, they replied with a Sept. 16 press release, near the beginning of the ad campaign, reporting that it had received more than 150,000 applications and had extended 18,000 tentative job offers.Some cities where the ads have been playing, particularly Boston and Chicago, have been repeatedly criticized by the Trump administration for their policies that limit how much they can work with federal immigration enforcement. ICE has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigrants-boston-ice-trump-sanctuary-cities-ee2a10f0300029da49fcbd45365e031a">launched immigration crackdowns</a>&nbsp;in both of those cities. Local officials in Chicago have been particularly outspoken against the stepped-up enforcement.Albuquerque is among the smallest metropolitan areas where the ads are airing, though the city’s mayor, Tim Keller, has been a vocal opponent of the Trump administration’s immigration policy. In July, Keller signed an executive order barring city employees from assisting federal authorities with civil immigration enforcement “unless legally required.”<h2>Local police can’t compete with ICE promises</h2>The AP reached out to police departments in areas where the ads were running. Most departments either did not respond or said they did not comment on actions of outside agencies. A few, including Sacramento and Miami, said they had not noticed any of their officers leaving for positions at ICE or DHS.Four of the markets where the ads are playing are in Texas, including San Antonio.Danny Diaz, the president of the city’s Police Officers Association, said he’d seen the ads and was concerned about prospective recruits who might be thinking of joining the city’s police department joining ICE instead.“We can’t compete with a $50,000 signing bonus,” Diaz said. “I do think that the younger generation will jump on that.”The government shutdown could dampen ICE’s recruitment hopes, he said.“They’re furloughing federal employees, and I don’t think individuals want to leave one department to go work for a federal agency when they don’t know if they’re going to receive a check or not,” he said, referring to the lapse in funding that has led to federal law enforcement officers going without pay.Philadelphia police Capt. John Walker said it’s too early to tell whether the ad campaign has had an impact on the city’s recruiting. Instead, he suggested, the ads appeared more geared toward reassuring viewers that the Trump administration was addressing illegal immigration.“It’s the psychological feel. You want to know that there are cops out there because it makes you feel good,” said Walker, who’s in charge of Philadelphia police recruiting. “That’s all this is, strengthening the belief that they’re doing something.”The ad blitz comes as law enforcement departments around the country are struggling to meet staffing demands.___Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.

ICE ad blitz aims to lure local law enforcement officers to join Trump mass deportation efforts

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez is now facing a felony battery charge for what authorities said Monday was a fight over parking, in addition to the misdemeanor charges that the Fox Sports analyst was already facing from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-mark-sanchez-stabbing-indianapolis-fe93421fad3b8a057835e13399fbda86">weekend incident in Indianapolis.</a>

Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears announced the felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury, which carries a potential sentence of one to six years in prison, during a news conference with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey. Mears said the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are possible.

“We are literally talking about people fighting over a parking space and-or a dispute about where people are parking, and it resulted in someone receiving just incredibly significant injures,” the prosecutor told reporters.

A police affidavit alleges the 38-year-old Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted a 69-year-old truck driver who backed into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis, leading to a confrontation early Saturday outside the vehicle that prompted the driver to pull out a knife to defend himself.

The former New York Jets quarterback was pepper-sprayed and stabbed multiple times during the altercation, according to court records filed Sunday.

It became clear after investigators learned more about the victim’s medical condition that the more serious felony charge was warranted, Mears said.

“This was a situation that did not need to occur,” the prosecutor said. “The allegations involve a 38-year-old man becoming involved in an altercation with a 69-year-old man who sustained significant and very severe injuries as a result of that altercation."

Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, the initial affidavit signed by a police detective said. The truck driver, identified as P.T., had a cut to his left cheek, it said.

Authorities have not said whether the truck driver might also faces charges, but Mears noted that Indiana “has some of the most robust self-defense laws in the nation.”

Sanchez had been scheduled for a hearing Tuesday on the original misdemeanor charges but that was rescheduled to Nov. 4. Sanchez remained hospitalized and was listed in stable condition Monday morning.

One of Sanchez’s attorneys, James Voyles, declined to comment on the case.

“This has been a deeply distressing time for everyone involved. Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days,” Sanchez’s brother, Nick, said in a statement released Monday. “Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.”

Mark Sanchez was in Indianapolis for the network’s coverage of Sunday’s game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders.

The prosecutor said police are still gathering information and have several outstanding search warrants. He also said surveillance video captured the incident from multiple angles.

“I don’t care who you are. I don’t care what you do for a living. I don’t care where you live,” the police chief said. “If you come into our city, commit violence, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold you accountable."

President Donald Trump weighed in late Monday, saying he knew Sanchez “a little bit” and was surprised by the incident.

“I feel bad,” Trump told Newsmax. “He’s a nice guy. I don’t know what happened.”

Sanchez had a 10-year NFL career before retiring in 2019. He spent four seasons with the Jets and also appeared in games with Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington.

He appeared on ABC and ESPN for two years before joining Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021.

Associated Press writers Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759783287922.jpeg" alt="FILE - New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez warms up before an NFL football game between the Jets and the Tennessee Titans on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez warms up before an NFL football game between the Jets and the Tennessee Titans on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez is now facing a felony battery charge for what authorities said Monday was a fight over parking, in addition to the misdemeanor charges that the Fox Sports analyst was already facing from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-mark-sanchez-stabbing-indianapolis-fe93421fad3b8a057835e13399fbda86">weekend incident in Indianapolis.</a>Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears announced the felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury, which carries a potential sentence of one to six years in prison, during a news conference with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey. Mears said the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are possible.“We are literally talking about people fighting over a parking space and-or a dispute about where people are parking, and it resulted in someone receiving just incredibly significant injures,” the prosecutor told reporters.A police affidavit alleges the 38-year-old Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted a 69-year-old truck driver who backed into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis, leading to a confrontation early Saturday outside the vehicle that prompted the driver to pull out a knife to defend himself.The former New York Jets quarterback was pepper-sprayed and stabbed multiple times during the altercation, according to court records filed Sunday.It became clear after investigators learned more about the victim’s medical condition that the more serious felony charge was warranted, Mears said.“This was a situation that did not need to occur,” the prosecutor said. “The allegations involve a 38-year-old man becoming involved in an altercation with a 69-year-old man who sustained significant and very severe injuries as a result of that altercation."Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, the initial affidavit signed by a police detective said. The truck driver, identified as P.T., had a cut to his left cheek, it said.Authorities have not said whether the truck driver might also faces charges, but Mears noted that Indiana “has some of the most robust self-defense laws in the nation.”Sanchez had been scheduled for a hearing Tuesday on the original misdemeanor charges but that was rescheduled to Nov. 4. Sanchez remained hospitalized and was listed in stable condition Monday morning.One of Sanchez’s attorneys, James Voyles, declined to comment on the case.“This has been a deeply distressing time for everyone involved. Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days,” Sanchez’s brother, Nick, said in a statement released Monday. “Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.”Mark Sanchez was in Indianapolis for the network’s coverage of Sunday’s game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders.The prosecutor said police are still gathering information and have several outstanding search warrants. He also said surveillance video captured the incident from multiple angles.“I don’t care who you are. I don’t care what you do for a living. I don’t care where you live,” the police chief said. “If you come into our city, commit violence, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold you accountable."President Donald Trump weighed in late Monday, saying he knew Sanchez “a little bit” and was surprised by the incident.“I feel bad,” Trump told Newsmax. “He’s a nice guy. I don’t know what happened.”Sanchez had a 10-year NFL career before retiring in 2019. He spent four seasons with the Jets and also appeared in games with Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington.He appeared on ABC and ESPN for two years before joining Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021.___Associated Press writers Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.---------------------------INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez is now facing a felony battery charge for what authorities said Monday was a fight over parking, in addition to the misdemeanor charges that the Fox Sports analyst was already facing from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-mark-sanchez-stabbing-indianapolis-fe93421fad3b8a057835e13399fbda86">weekend incident in Indianapolis.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears says his office has now filed a felony charge of battery resulting in serious bodily injury against former NFL QB and FOX analyst Mark Sanchez for his alleged role in an attack on a 69 y/o man over the weekend in Indianapolis <a href="https://t.co/0zutbjS1P5">pic.twitter.com/0zutbjS1P5</a>&mdash; Max Lewis (@MaxLewisTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxLewisTV/status/1975216402945671368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears announced the felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury, which carries a potential sentence of one to six years in prison, during a news conference with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey. Mears said the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are possible.“We are literally talking about people fighting over a parking space and-or a dispute about where people are parking, and it resulted in someone receiving just incredibly significant injures,” the prosecutor told reporters.A police affidavit alleges the 38-year-old Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted a 69-year-old truck driver who backed into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis, leading to a confrontation early Saturday outside the vehicle that prompted the driver to pull out a knife to defend himself.The former New York Jets quarterback was pepper-sprayed and stabbed multiple times during the altercation, according to court records filed Sunday.It became clear after investigators learned more about the victim’s medical condition that the more serious felony charge was warranted, Mears said.“This was a situation that did not need to occur,” the prosecutor said. “The allegations involve a 38-year-old man becoming involved in an altercation with a 69-year-old man who sustained significant and very severe injuries as a result of that altercation."Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, the initial affidavit signed by a police detective said. The truck driver, identified as P.T., had a cut to his left cheek, it said.Authorities have not said whether the truck driver might also faces charges, but Mears noted that Indiana “has some of the most robust self-defense laws in the nation.”Sanchez had been scheduled for a hearing Tuesday on the original misdemeanor charges but that was rescheduled to Nov. 4. Sanchez remained hospitalized and was listed in stable condition Monday morning.One of Sanchez’s attorneys, James Voyles, declined to comment on the case.“This has been a deeply distressing time for everyone involved. Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days,” Sanchez’s brother, Nick, said in a statement released Monday. “Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.”Mark Sanchez was in Indianapolis for the network’s coverage of Sunday’s game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders.The prosecutor said police are still gathering information and have several outstanding search warrants. He also said surveillance video captured the incident from multiple angles.“I don’t care who you are. I don’t care what you do for a living. I don’t care where you live,” the police chief said. “If you come into our city, commit violence, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold you accountable."Sanchez had a 10-year NFL career before retiring in 2019. He spent four seasons with the Jets and also appeared in games with Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington.He appeared on ABC and ESPN for two years before joining Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021.___

Family of ex-NFL QB and Trump comment after knife fight over parking

Fort Hays State Football moved up one spot in the latest D2Football.com Top 25 Poll released on Monday, October 6. The Tigers are back at No. 20 in the poll, a ranking they have held twice before this season.

Fort Hays State is now 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA after a 28-21 win over Missouri Southern last week. The Tigers join Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State in this week's D2Football.com Top 25. Pittsburg State moved up to No. 7 in the poll, while Northwest Missouri State moved up to No. 18. Pittsburg State, like FHSU, is 4-2 overall on the season, while NWMSU is 4-1 overall.

Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State are among the Top 25 of the latest AFCA Poll. PSU is ranked No. 15 this week, while NWMSU is No. 22. Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney are among the receiving votes section of the poll. Fort Hays State is the third-highest receiving votes team, receiving 14 voting points.

Fort Hays State plays host to Central Oklahoma (2-3, 2-2 MIAA) this Saturday (Oct. 11). Central Oklahoma started the year ranked No. 5 in the AFCA poll and No. 3 in the D2Football.com Poll, but has since fell out of both. However, UCO lost to a UT Permian Basin team that is now in the top-10 of both polls, lost to a Northwest Missouri State team that is now in the top-25 of both polls, and lost by one point to 3-2 Central Missouri last week. The Bronchos did hand top-25 Pittsburg State a loss earlier this year.

Below are the Division II Top 25 Polls for Monday, October 6, 2025.

D2Football.com Top 25 Poll - October 6, 2025 Rank	Team	Record	Prev 1	Ferris State	5-0	1 2	Harding	5-0	2 3	Kutztown	5-0	3 4	UT Permian Basin	5-0	7 5	West Florida	5-0	4 6	Western Colorado	5-0	5 7	Pittsburg State	4-2	8 8	Minnesota Duluth	6-0	9 9	Minnesota State	5-1	10 10	Angelo State	4-1	6 11	CSU Pueblo	5-1	12 12	Augustana	6-0	13 13	Grand Valley State	3-1	14 14	West Alabama	6-0	15 15	Central Washington	4-1	17 16	Indianapolis	4-1	18 17	Virginia Union	4-1	19 18	Northwest Missouri State	4-1	20 19	California	4-1	11 20	Fort Hays State	4-2	21 21	Findlay	5-0	23 22	UNC Pembroke	5-1	24 23	Ashland	4-1	25 24	Emory &amp; Henry	5-1	NR 25	Delta State	5-1	NR

AFCA Top 25 Poll - October 6, 2025 Rank	Team	Record	Pts	Prev 1	Ferris St. (31)	5-0	775	1 2	Harding	5-0	744	2 3	West Florida	5-0	702	3 4	Kutztown	5-0	684	4 5	Western Colorado	5-0	615	7 6	UT Permian Basin	5-0	608	9 7	Augustana (S.D.)	6-0	580	8 8	Grand Valley St.	3-1	527	10 9	West Alabama	5-0	505	11 10	Minnesota-Duluth	6-0	492	13 11	Colorado St.-Pueblo	5-1	454	12 12	Angelo St.	4-1	424	5 13	Central Washington	4-1	391	16 14	Minnesota St.	5-1	363	15 15	Pittsburg St.	4-2	338	17 16	California (Pa.)	4-1	283	6 17	Virginia Union	4-1	270	18 18	UIndy	5-1	258	19 19	Findlay	5-0	226	21 20	Delta St.	5-1	218	20 21	Frostburg St.	5-0	162	23 22	Northwest Missouri St.	4-1	127	24 23	UNC Pembroke	5-1	110	25 24t.	Ashland	4-1	37	NR 24t.	Johnson C. Smith	5-1	37	NR| 24t.	Slippery Rock	3-2	37	14

Receiving Votes: Benedict, 23; Indiana (Pa.), 15; Fort Hays St., 14; Southern Arkansas, 14; Charleston, 9; Catawba, 8; Emory &amp; Henry, 8; Nebraska-Kearney, 4; Chadron&nbsp;St., 3; Henderson St., 3; Upper Iowa, 3; Albany St., 2; Carson-Newman, 1; Edward

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759786861343.png" alt="FHSU Athletics image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics image</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State Football moved up one spot in the latest D2Football.com Top 25 Poll released on Monday, October 6. The Tigers are back at No. 20 in the poll, a ranking they have held twice before this season.Fort Hays State is now 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA after a 28-21 win over Missouri Southern last week. The Tigers join Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State in this week's D2Football.com Top 25. Pittsburg State moved up to No. 7 in the poll, while Northwest Missouri State moved up to No. 18. Pittsburg State, like FHSU, is 4-2 overall on the season, while NWMSU is 4-1 overall.Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State are among the Top 25 of the latest AFCA Poll. PSU is ranked No. 15 this week, while NWMSU is No. 22. Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney are among the receiving votes section of the poll. Fort Hays State is the third-highest receiving votes team, receiving 14 voting points.Fort Hays State plays host to Central Oklahoma (2-3, 2-2 MIAA) this Saturday (Oct. 11). Central Oklahoma started the year ranked No. 5 in the AFCA poll and No. 3 in the D2Football.com Poll, but has since fell out of both. However, UCO lost to a UT Permian Basin team that is now in the top-10 of both polls, lost to a Northwest Missouri State team that is now in the top-25 of both polls, and lost by one point to 3-2 Central Missouri last week. The Bronchos did hand top-25 Pittsburg State a loss earlier this year.Below are the Division II Top 25 Polls for Monday, October 6, 2025.D2Football.com Top 25 Poll - October 6, 2025 Rank	Team	Record	Prev 1	Ferris State	5-0	1 2	Harding	5-0	2 3	Kutztown	5-0	3 4	UT Permian Basin	5-0	7 5	West Florida	5-0	4 6	Western Colorado	5-0	5 7	Pittsburg State	4-2	8 8	Minnesota Duluth	6-0	9 9	Minnesota State	5-1	10 10	Angelo State	4-1	6 11	CSU Pueblo	5-1	12 12	Augustana	6-0	13 13	Grand Valley State	3-1	14 14	West Alabama	6-0	15 15	Central Washington	4-1	17 16	Indianapolis	4-1	18 17	Virginia Union	4-1	19 18	Northwest Missouri State	4-1	20 19	California	4-1	11 20	Fort Hays State	4-2	21 21	Findlay	5-0	23 22	UNC Pembroke	5-1	24 23	Ashland	4-1	25 24	Emory &amp; Henry	5-1	NR 25	Delta State	5-1	NRAFCA Top 25 Poll - October 6, 2025 Rank	Team	Record	Pts	Prev 1	Ferris St. (31)	5-0	775	1 2	Harding	5-0	744	2 3	West Florida	5-0	702	3 4	Kutztown	5-0	684	4 5	Western Colorado	5-0	615	7 6	UT Permian Basin	5-0	608	9 7	Augustana (S.D.)	6-0	580	8 8	Grand Valley St.	3-1	527	10 9	West Alabama	5-0	505	11 10	Minnesota-Duluth	6-0	492	13 11	Colorado St.-Pueblo	5-1	454	12 12	Angelo St.	4-1	424	5 13	Central Washington	4-1	391	16 14	Minnesota St.	5-1	363	15 15	Pittsburg St.	4-2	338	17 16	California (Pa.)	4-1	283	6 17	Virginia Union	4-1	270	18 18	UIndy	5-1	258	19 19	Findlay	5-0	226	21 20	Delta St.	5-1	218	20 21	Frostburg St.	5-0	162	23 22	Northwest Missouri St.	4-1	127	24 23	UNC Pembroke	5-1	110	25 24t.	Ashland	4-1	37	NR 24t.	Johnson C. Smith	5-1	37	NR| 24t.	Slippery Rock	3-2	37	14Receiving Votes: Benedict, 23; Indiana (Pa.), 15; Fort Hays St., 14; Southern Arkansas, 14; Charleston, 9; Catawba, 8; Emory &amp; Henry, 8; Nebraska-Kearney, 4; Chadron&nbsp;St., 3; Henderson St., 3; Upper Iowa, 3; Albany St., 2; Carson-Newman, 1; Edward

🏈 Tigers No. 20 in latest D2Football.com poll, receiving votes in AFCA rankings

Clair Joseph Rogers, age 76, of Liebenthal, Kansas passed
away Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays. He was
born October 26, 1948 in Hays, Kansas to Clair Joseph and Norma Lea (Scott)
Rogers. On December 19, 1970 he married Alberta June Groff in Plainville,
Kansas.



Clair had worked as a vending truck driver before starting a career in the oil
fields primarily working as a roustabout. He last worked at Rains &amp;
Williams Oil Company of Wichita. He enjoyed fishing, playing scratch lottery
tickets, bingo and playing cards. He enjoyed watching old Western movies and tv
shows. His greatest joy however was his family and being grandpa to his
grandchildren.



Clair is survived by his wife Alberta of Liebenthal, a son, John Dale Rogers
(Anne) of Plainville, KS; daughters, Julia Dee Klein (Jeff) of Dodge City, KS
and Tina Louise Putz of Stockton, KS; a sister, Carol Mongeau (Martin) of
Stockton, KS; grandchildren, Dakota Rogers (Morgan) and children, Jaxxon,
Ashton, and Sylus; Cheyenne Rogers (Adam), Taylor Rogers, Riley Rogers; Kylie
Putz, Kelsie Putz (Kody) and son, Thomas; Lexi Springer, Kaylee Springer, Cami
Springer; Sierra Wilson (Daniel) and children, Braxton, Zaylee and Braven,
Jordan Wilson and Alesha Rogers.



He was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Daniel Rogers and his parents, Clair
and Norma Rogers.


Memorial contributions are suggested to donor's choice.

Memories may be shared on Clair’s tribute page at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>
Arrangements are pending with Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock's
Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759784259062.jpeg" alt="Clair Joseph Rogers" />
 <figcaption>Clair Joseph Rogers</figcaption>
 </figure>Clair Joseph Rogers, age 76, of Liebenthal, Kansas passed
away Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays. He was
born October 26, 1948 in Hays, Kansas to Clair Joseph and Norma Lea (Scott)
Rogers. On December 19, 1970 he married Alberta June Groff in Plainville,
Kansas.

Clair had worked as a vending truck driver before starting a career in the oil
fields primarily working as a roustabout. He last worked at Rains &amp;
Williams Oil Company of Wichita. He enjoyed fishing, playing scratch lottery
tickets, bingo and playing cards. He enjoyed watching old Western movies and tv
shows. His greatest joy however was his family and being grandpa to his
grandchildren.

Clair is survived by his wife Alberta of Liebenthal, a son, John Dale Rogers
(Anne) of Plainville, KS; daughters, Julia Dee Klein (Jeff) of Dodge City, KS
and Tina Louise Putz of Stockton, KS; a sister, Carol Mongeau (Martin) of
Stockton, KS; grandchildren, Dakota Rogers (Morgan) and children, Jaxxon,
Ashton, and Sylus; Cheyenne Rogers (Adam), Taylor Rogers, Riley Rogers; Kylie
Putz, Kelsie Putz (Kody) and son, Thomas; Lexi Springer, Kaylee Springer, Cami
Springer; Sierra Wilson (Daniel) and children, Braxton, Zaylee and Braven,
Jordan Wilson and Alesha Rogers.

He was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Daniel Rogers and his parents, Clair
and Norma Rogers.

Memorial contributions are suggested to donor's choice.

Memories may be shared on Clair’s tribute page at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>
Arrangements are pending with Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock's
Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Clair Joseph Rogers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team enters the 2025-26 season as the favorite in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Tigers were tabbed second in the Media Poll. Fort Hays State finished second in the MIAA regular season standings last year and was the MIAA Tournament runner-up. The Tigers went on to make their 10th appearance overall in the NCAA Tournament and ninth in the last 11 years.

The Tigers received enough voting points (152) overall in the Coaches Poll to top the list, even though they collected just two first-place votes. Coaches gave Washburn the most first-place votes with six and the Ichabods had 148 points to place second in the poll, while Pittsburg State received five first-place votes and 144 points for third. Central Missouri also received a first-place vote and placed fourth.

In the Media Poll, 2024-25 MIAA regular season and tournament champion Pittsburg State was selected first with 13 first-place votes and 326 points overall. Fort Hays State was second with five first-place votes and 299 points. Washburn placed third with three first-place votes and 276 points, while Central Missouri grabbed four first-place votes with 271 points to place fourth.

This is the fourth time the Tigers have been picked first in at least one of the preseason polls. FHSU topped both bolls in both 2019-20 and in 2021-22. Last year the Tigers topped the preseason media poll and were second in the coaches poll, while this year it flipped the other way around. FHSU has been in the top five of the preseason coaches poll each of the last 14 years. This is the seventh time the Tigers have been picked in the top two of the preseason coaches poll during that span.

Fort Hays State finished the 2024-25 season 28-5 overall and 16-3 in the MIAA. Fort Hays State reached the NCAA Tournament Central Regional Semifinals for the second-straight year, defeating Southern Nazarene before falling to Southwest Minnesota State. After winning the MIAA regular season and tournament, Pittsburg State went on to win the Central Regional and made the national semifinals.

Fort Hays State extended its streak of 20-win seasons to 14 last year, the longest active streak in Division II and tied for the fifth-longest such streak across all divisions of NCAA women's basketball. UCONN, Baylor, Florida Gulf Coast, and Louisville are four Division I programs with longer streaks.

The Tigers have been the most consistent team in the conference over the last decade, winning 283 games over the last 11 seasons, 30 more than the next closest team (Pittsburg State, 253).

Talia Kahrs enters her third year as head coach at Fort Hays State, now with a record of 53-13 leading the Tigers. FHSU has seven returning players, but return just one of their four regular starters from last year. However, they have two All-MIAA selections returning. Brooke Loewe was an All-MIAA Honorable Mention pick last year and broke the FHSU single-season record for assists with 233, which led NCAA Division II in total assists. Her 7.3 per game average was second-best in NCAA Division II (Gracie Stugart of Maryville led the nation at 7.4 per game). Talexa Weeter also earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors last year as the third-leading scorer on the team, averaging 14.6 points per contest, while pulling down 6.0 rebounds per game to rank second on the team. She is the top returning scorer and rebounder on the team this year.

Along with Loewe and Weeter, Ellie Stearns returns with plenty of starting experience in the past. She averaged 4.7 points per game last year and led the team in 3-point field goals made (35). Avery Lowe, Maddy Powell, Sarah Lawless, and Callie Ott also return. The seven returners combined for an average of 31.9 points per game last year. The Tigers have seven newcomers all looking to make an immediate impact as well.

The Tigers look to adjust to the exit of All-MIAA First Team performers Katie Wagner DeGarmo and Olivia Hollenbeck, who averaged 33.3 points per game as a pair. DeGarmo was the MIAA Player of the Year for a second-straight season in 2024-25 and Hollenbeck was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. Kate Dilsaver, an All-MIAA Honorable Mention pick and MIAA All-Defensive Team selection, also exhausted her eligibility after providing 9.1 points per game last year.

The Tigers will play one preseason exhibition game on Wednesday, October 29, at the University of Kansas. The regular season begins November 14-15 in St. Joseph, Mo. against a pair of regional opponents in Concordia-St. Paul and Sioux Falls. Concordia-St. Paul was also in the NCAA Central Regional last year with the Tigers. FHSU plays its first eight regular season games away from home before hosting Pittsburg State on December 13 in a non-conference contest.

2025-26 MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL 1. Fort Hays State [2] – 152 points 2. Washburn [6] – 148 points 3. Pittsburg State [5] – 144 points 4. Central Missouri [1] – 138 points 5. Nebraska Kearney – 135 points 6. Missouri Western – 99 points 7. Missouri Southern – 95 points 8. Northwest Missouri – 78 points 9. Northeastern State – 76 points 10. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 73 points 11. Emporia State – 48 points 12. Central Oklahoma – 44 points 13. Rogers State – 28 points 14. Newman – 16 points [#] - First Place Votes

2025-26 MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA POLL 1. Pittsburg State [13] – 326 points 2. Fort Hays State [5] – 299 points 3. Washburn [3] – 276 points 4. Central Missouri [4] – 271 points 5. Nebraska Kearney – 268 points 6. Missouri Western – 227 points 7. Northwest Missouri – 187 points 8. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 185 points 9. Missouri Southern – 176 points 10. Emporia State – 127 points 11. Northeastern State – 111 points 12. Central Oklahoma – 92 points 13. Rogers State – 49 points 14. Newman – 31 points [#] - First Place Votes

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759833829114.png" alt="FHSU Athletics image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics image</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team enters the 2025-26 season as the favorite in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Tigers were tabbed second in the Media Poll. Fort Hays State finished second in the MIAA regular season standings last year and was the MIAA Tournament runner-up. The Tigers went on to make their 10th appearance overall in the NCAA Tournament and ninth in the last 11 years.The Tigers received enough voting points (152) overall in the Coaches Poll to top the list, even though they collected just two first-place votes. Coaches gave Washburn the most first-place votes with six and the Ichabods had 148 points to place second in the poll, while Pittsburg State received five first-place votes and 144 points for third. Central Missouri also received a first-place vote and placed fourth.In the Media Poll, 2024-25 MIAA regular season and tournament champion Pittsburg State was selected first with 13 first-place votes and 326 points overall. Fort Hays State was second with five first-place votes and 299 points. Washburn placed third with three first-place votes and 276 points, while Central Missouri grabbed four first-place votes with 271 points to place fourth.This is the fourth time the Tigers have been picked first in at least one of the preseason polls. FHSU topped both bolls in both 2019-20 and in 2021-22. Last year the Tigers topped the preseason media poll and were second in the coaches poll, while this year it flipped the other way around. FHSU has been in the top five of the preseason coaches poll each of the last 14 years. This is the seventh time the Tigers have been picked in the top two of the preseason coaches poll during that span.Fort Hays State finished the 2024-25 season 28-5 overall and 16-3 in the MIAA. Fort Hays State reached the NCAA Tournament Central Regional Semifinals for the second-straight year, defeating Southern Nazarene before falling to Southwest Minnesota State. After winning the MIAA regular season and tournament, Pittsburg State went on to win the Central Regional and made the national semifinals.Fort Hays State extended its streak of 20-win seasons to 14 last year, the longest active streak in Division II and tied for the fifth-longest such streak across all divisions of NCAA women's basketball. UCONN, Baylor, Florida Gulf Coast, and Louisville are four Division I programs with longer streaks.The Tigers have been the most consistent team in the conference over the last decade, winning 283 games over the last 11 seasons, 30 more than the next closest team (Pittsburg State, 253).Talia Kahrs enters her third year as head coach at Fort Hays State, now with a record of 53-13 leading the Tigers. FHSU has seven returning players, but return just one of their four regular starters from last year. However, they have two All-MIAA selections returning. Brooke Loewe was an All-MIAA Honorable Mention pick last year and broke the FHSU single-season record for assists with 233, which led NCAA Division II in total assists. Her 7.3 per game average was second-best in NCAA Division II (Gracie Stugart of Maryville led the nation at 7.4 per game). Talexa Weeter also earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors last year as the third-leading scorer on the team, averaging 14.6 points per contest, while pulling down 6.0 rebounds per game to rank second on the team. She is the top returning scorer and rebounder on the team this year.Along with Loewe and Weeter, Ellie Stearns returns with plenty of starting experience in the past. She averaged 4.7 points per game last year and led the team in 3-point field goals made (35). Avery Lowe, Maddy Powell, Sarah Lawless, and Callie Ott also return. The seven returners combined for an average of 31.9 points per game last year. The Tigers have seven newcomers all looking to make an immediate impact as well.The Tigers look to adjust to the exit of All-MIAA First Team performers Katie Wagner DeGarmo and Olivia Hollenbeck, who averaged 33.3 points per game as a pair. DeGarmo was the MIAA Player of the Year for a second-straight season in 2024-25 and Hollenbeck was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. Kate Dilsaver, an All-MIAA Honorable Mention pick and MIAA All-Defensive Team selection, also exhausted her eligibility after providing 9.1 points per game last year.The Tigers will play one preseason exhibition game on Wednesday, October 29, at the University of Kansas. The regular season begins November 14-15 in St. Joseph, Mo. against a pair of regional opponents in Concordia-St. Paul and Sioux Falls. Concordia-St. Paul was also in the NCAA Central Regional last year with the Tigers. FHSU plays its first eight regular season games away from home before hosting Pittsburg State on December 13 in a non-conference contest.2025-26 MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL 1. Fort Hays State [2] – 152 points 2. Washburn [6] – 148 points 3. Pittsburg State [5] – 144 points 4. Central Missouri [1] – 138 points 5. Nebraska Kearney – 135 points 6. Missouri Western – 99 points 7. Missouri Southern – 95 points 8. Northwest Missouri – 78 points 9. Northeastern State – 76 points 10. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 73 points 11. Emporia State – 48 points 12. Central Oklahoma – 44 points 13. Rogers State – 28 points 14. Newman – 16 points [#] - First Place Votes2025-26 MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA POLL 1. Pittsburg State [13] – 326 points 2. Fort Hays State [5] – 299 points 3. Washburn [3] – 276 points 4. Central Missouri [4] – 271 points 5. Nebraska Kearney – 268 points 6. Missouri Western – 227 points 7. Northwest Missouri – 187 points 8. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 185 points 9. Missouri Southern – 176 points 10. Emporia State – 127 points 11. Northeastern State – 111 points 12. Central Oklahoma – 92 points 13. Rogers State – 49 points 14. Newman – 31 points [#] - First Place Votes

🏀 FHSU women top MIAA preseason coaches poll, second in media rankings

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA released its 2025-26 Preseason Basketball Polls on Monday (Oct. 6) at the annual MIAA Basketball Media Day. The Fort Hays State men have been tabbed second in the media poll and fourth in the coaches poll. The Tigers were the MIAA Tournament champions in 2024-25, punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for a second-straight year. It was FHSU's 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and ninth under head coach Mark Johnson.

Washburn, the 2024-25 MIAA regular season champion and national semifinalist in the NCAA Tournament, was picked first in both polls. The Ichabods were a unanimous pick at No. 1 in the coaches poll, taking 13 of the possible 14 first-place votes. Coaches are not able to vote for their own team, so the other first-place vote went to Rogers State. Ahead of the Tigers in the coaches poll were Rogers State and Central Oklahoma. In the media poll, Washburn received 23 of 25 first-place votes, while Fort Hays State and Rogers State each received one.

In 2024-25, the Tigers went 22-10 overall and finished fourth in the MIAA standings with a conference record of 12-7. However, since the MIAA used KPI ratings to seed the conference tournament, FHSU received the No. 2 seed for the MIAA Tournament. The Tigers went on to win the tournament title for a second time in their MIAA history, joining the 2010-11 team. FHSU was the No. 2 seed that year as well.

Kyle Grill is the only returning starter for the Tigers from last year's squad. He earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors for the season and also earned an MIAA All-Tournament Team selection helping the Tigers to their national tournament berth. Grill averaged 11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last year. The Tigers have several of their reserves from the 2024-25 season returning, including Dan Mukuna, Lucas Hammeke, Muhamed Kante, and Eli Lawson. Jahvari Martino, Tory Homan, and Alec Carlson also return after redshirting their first year at FHSU. The Tigers welcome six newcomers to the team in 2025-26.

The Tigers lost an average of 37.8 points per game in the four starters who exhausted their eligibility last year, which included five-time All-MIAA selection Kaleb Hammeke and MIAA All-Defensive Team selection Shaun Riley. The FHSU starting five in 2024-25 produced 75 percent of the team's scoring.

FHSU averaged 66.3 points per game offensively last year, but the Tigers were the nation's top defensive team for the second-straight year, allowing just 59.9 points per game to opponents. It was the second-straight year the Tigers allowed less than 60 points per game on average.

Fort Hays State will be in its 25th season under the leadership of Mark Johnson, who enters the year with a 473-230 record overall. He is the all-time wins leader at FHSU. The Tigers open their year with an exhibition contest at the University of Kansas on Tuesday, October 28. Their regular season begins at home November 15-16 with a pair of contests against Southwest Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul. The Tigers will be at home five times in the month of November.

Below are the MIAA Preseason Men's Basketball Polls for 2025-26.

2025-26 MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL 1. Washburn [13] – 169 points 2. Rogers State [1] – 141 points 3. Central Oklahoma – 137 points 4. Fort Hays State – 134 points 5. Pittsburg State – 127 points 6. Nebraska Kearney – 106 points 7. Central Missouri – 102 points 8. Missouri Western – 79 points 9. Northeastern State – 62 points 10. Emporia State – 59 points 11. Newman – 52 points 12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 41 points 13. Missouri Southern – 35 points 14. Northwest Missouri – 30 points [#] - First Place Votes

2025-26 MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA POLL 1. Washburn [23] – 346 points 2. Fort Hays State [1] – 297 points 3. Rogers State [1] – 286 points 4. Pittsburg State – 280 points 5. Central Oklahoma – 229 points 6. Nebraska Kearney – 211 points 7. Central Missouri – 186 points 8. Missouri Western – 169 points 9. Emporia State – 159 points 10. Northeastern State – 132 points 11. Northwest Missouri – 108 points 12. Newman – 93 points 13. Missouri Southern – 69 points 14. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 59 points [#] - First Place Votes

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759833515955.png" alt="FHSU Athletics image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics image</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA released its 2025-26 Preseason Basketball Polls on Monday (Oct. 6) at the annual MIAA Basketball Media Day. The Fort Hays State men have been tabbed second in the media poll and fourth in the coaches poll. The Tigers were the MIAA Tournament champions in 2024-25, punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for a second-straight year. It was FHSU's 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and ninth under head coach Mark Johnson.Washburn, the 2024-25 MIAA regular season champion and national semifinalist in the NCAA Tournament, was picked first in both polls. The Ichabods were a unanimous pick at No. 1 in the coaches poll, taking 13 of the possible 14 first-place votes. Coaches are not able to vote for their own team, so the other first-place vote went to Rogers State. Ahead of the Tigers in the coaches poll were Rogers State and Central Oklahoma. In the media poll, Washburn received 23 of 25 first-place votes, while Fort Hays State and Rogers State each received one.In 2024-25, the Tigers went 22-10 overall and finished fourth in the MIAA standings with a conference record of 12-7. However, since the MIAA used KPI ratings to seed the conference tournament, FHSU received the No. 2 seed for the MIAA Tournament. The Tigers went on to win the tournament title for a second time in their MIAA history, joining the 2010-11 team. FHSU was the No. 2 seed that year as well.Kyle Grill is the only returning starter for the Tigers from last year's squad. He earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors for the season and also earned an MIAA All-Tournament Team selection helping the Tigers to their national tournament berth. Grill averaged 11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last year. The Tigers have several of their reserves from the 2024-25 season returning, including Dan Mukuna, Lucas Hammeke, Muhamed Kante, and Eli Lawson. Jahvari Martino, Tory Homan, and Alec Carlson also return after redshirting their first year at FHSU. The Tigers welcome six newcomers to the team in 2025-26.The Tigers lost an average of 37.8 points per game in the four starters who exhausted their eligibility last year, which included five-time All-MIAA selection Kaleb Hammeke and MIAA All-Defensive Team selection Shaun Riley. The FHSU starting five in 2024-25 produced 75 percent of the team's scoring.FHSU averaged 66.3 points per game offensively last year, but the Tigers were the nation's top defensive team for the second-straight year, allowing just 59.9 points per game to opponents. It was the second-straight year the Tigers allowed less than 60 points per game on average.Fort Hays State will be in its 25th season under the leadership of Mark Johnson, who enters the year with a 473-230 record overall. He is the all-time wins leader at FHSU. The Tigers open their year with an exhibition contest at the University of Kansas on Tuesday, October 28. Their regular season begins at home November 15-16 with a pair of contests against Southwest Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul. The Tigers will be at home five times in the month of November.Below are the MIAA Preseason Men's Basketball Polls for 2025-26.2025-26 MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL 1. Washburn [13] – 169 points 2. Rogers State [1] – 141 points 3. Central Oklahoma – 137 points 4. Fort Hays State – 134 points 5. Pittsburg State – 127 points 6. Nebraska Kearney – 106 points 7. Central Missouri – 102 points 8. Missouri Western – 79 points 9. Northeastern State – 62 points 10. Emporia State – 59 points 11. Newman – 52 points 12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 41 points 13. Missouri Southern – 35 points 14. Northwest Missouri – 30 points [#] - First Place Votes2025-26 MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA POLL 1. Washburn [23] – 346 points 2. Fort Hays State [1] – 297 points 3. Rogers State [1] – 286 points 4. Pittsburg State – 280 points 5. Central Oklahoma – 229 points 6. Nebraska Kearney – 211 points 7. Central Missouri – 186 points 8. Missouri Western – 169 points 9. Emporia State – 159 points 10. Northeastern State – 132 points 11. Northwest Missouri – 108 points 12. Newman – 93 points 13. Missouri Southern – 69 points 14. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 59 points [#] - First Place Votes

🏀 Tiger men second and fourth in MIAA preseason polls

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State defensive back Michael Chavez was named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week, presented by FieldTurf, on Monday, October 6 for his performance in a win at Missouri Southern this past Saturday. This is the third time a Tiger has been the Defensive Athlete of the Week this season after John Johnson collected the honor twice.

Chavez had a big all-around performance for the Tigers in the 28-21 win at Missouri Southern. He finished the game with eight tackles, one interception, one strip sack that resulted in a turnover, and one fumble recovery. In the second quarter, Chavez forced a fumble on his sack, recovered by the Tigers at the MSSU 37. It led to a touchdown, pushing the FHSU lead to 17-7. Early in the third quarter, he recovered a fumble forced by John Johnson in MSSU territory that led to a field goal to push the Tiger lead to 20-14. In the fourth quarter with the Tigers up 28-14, Chavez intercepted an MSSU pass in FHSU territory, which allowed FHSU to chew more time off the clock before eventually winning by seven.

Chavez joined Donovyn Omolo of Central Missouri (Offensive Athlete of the Week) and Divante Herrig-Brittian of Emporia State (Special Teams Athlete of the Week) as the weekly honorees from the conference office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759782879788.png" alt="FHSU Athletics image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics image</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State defensive back Michael Chavez was named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week, presented by FieldTurf, on Monday, October 6 for his performance in a win at Missouri Southern this past Saturday. This is the third time a Tiger has been the Defensive Athlete of the Week this season after John Johnson collected the honor twice.Chavez had a big all-around performance for the Tigers in the 28-21 win at Missouri Southern. He finished the game with eight tackles, one interception, one strip sack that resulted in a turnover, and one fumble recovery. In the second quarter, Chavez forced a fumble on his sack, recovered by the Tigers at the MSSU 37. It led to a touchdown, pushing the FHSU lead to 17-7. Early in the third quarter, he recovered a fumble forced by John Johnson in MSSU territory that led to a field goal to push the Tiger lead to 20-14. In the fourth quarter with the Tigers up 28-14, Chavez intercepted an MSSU pass in FHSU territory, which allowed FHSU to chew more time off the clock before eventually winning by seven.Chavez joined Donovyn Omolo of Central Missouri (Offensive Athlete of the Week) and Divante Herrig-Brittian of Emporia State (Special Teams Athlete of the Week) as the weekly honorees from the conference office.

🏈 FHSU's Chavez named MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

By 9 a.m. this morning, Hays received .61 inches of rain. Hays has received .84 inches in the month of October,&nbsp;according to the K-State Ag Research Center.

Hays has received 23.34 of moisture year-to-date.

On average, Hays receives 2.18 inches of rain in October and 22.50 inches of moisture year-to-date by the end of October.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758565387898.jpg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostBy 9 a.m. this morning, Hays received .61 inches of rain. Hays has received .84 inches in the month of October,&nbsp;according to the K-State Ag Research Center.Hays has received 23.34 of moisture year-to-date.On average, Hays receives 2.18 inches of rain in October and 22.50 inches of moisture year-to-date by the end of October.&nbsp;The forecast for today is a 20% chance of storms, with a high of 55 and a low of 45. A 40% chance of storms is expected for tonight.A slight chance of storms is also expected on Tuesday, followed by mostly sunny skies with a high of 62.