DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered Israel to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">stop bombing the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;after Hamas said it had accepted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-peace-plan-ce2e84de8aa5fd308fe751ae9c3118e8">some elements of his plan</a>&nbsp;to end the nearly two-year war and return all the remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

Hamas said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan require further consultations among Palestinians. Senior Hamas officials suggested there were still major disagreements that required further negotiations.

There was no immediate response from Israel, which is largely shut down for the Jewish Sabbath, and Hamas' response fell short of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demands that the group surrender and disarm.

But Trump welcomed Hamas' response, saying: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE."

“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out," he wrote on social media.

Hamas said aspects of the proposal touching on the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and based on international law.

The statement also made no mention of Hamas disarming, a key Israeli demand included in Trump’s proposal.

Trump's plan would end the fighting and return hostages

Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday. His peace plan has been accepted by Israel and welcomed internationally, but key mediators Egypt and Qatar have said some elements need further negotiation.

Egypt welcomed the Hamas statement, saying that it shows that the Palestinians want to “end a dark period in the history of the region," and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-israel-palestinians-france-saudi-recognition-two-states-88f3a87f7d79df02311f09b3e45560e9">pave the way for a future state</a>, something Israel opposes.

Earlier, Trump had warned that Hamas must agree to the deal by Sunday evening, threatening an even greater military onslaught.

“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas," Trump wrote Friday on social media. "THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”

Under the plan, which Trump unveiled earlier this week alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-general-assembly-israel-netanyahu-speech-e53eee3b76dfa568e03ac584e46991a5">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>, Hamas would immediately release the remaining 48 hostages — around 20 of them believed to be alive. It would also give up power and disarm.

In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-gaza-resettlement-migration-trump-netanyahu-53cd2eb252a5d304006872c63772eee2">Plans to relocate much of Gaza's population</a>&nbsp;to other countries would be shelved.

The territory of some 2 million Palestinians would be placed under international governance, with Trump himself and former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/britain-tony-blair-mideast-gaza-trump-plan-76e663c132d73ba151ad70ebf6ac958c">British Prime Minister Tony Blair</a>&nbsp;overseeing it. The plan provides no path for eventual reunification with the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a future Palestinian state.

Palestinians long for an end to the war, but many view this and previous U.S. proposals as strongly favoring Israel.

Hamas officials air objections in TV interviews

Trump’s proposal “cannot be implemented without negotiations,” Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official based outside of Gaza, told the Al Jazeera network.

The Hamas statement said it was willing to return all remaining hostages according to the plan’s “formula,” likely referring to the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. It also reiterated its longstanding openness to handing power over to a politically independent Palestinian body.

But Abu Marzouk said it might be difficult for Hamas to release all the hostages within 72 hours as the proposal dictates, because it could take days or weeks to locate the remains of some of the captives.

He said Hamas was willing to hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian body that runs Gaza, but there was no mention of that in the official statement.

Another Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, told Al Araby television that Hamas would refuse foreign administration of the Gaza Strip and that the entry of foreign forces would be “unacceptable.”

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas said Friday that it has accepted some elements of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in the Gaza Strip</a>, including giving up power and releasing all remaining hostages, but that others require further consultations among Palestinians.

The statement came hours after Trump said that Hamas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-peace-plan-ce2e84de8aa5fd308fe751ae9c3118e8">must agree to the deal</a>&nbsp;by Sunday evening, threatening an even greater military onslaught nearly two years into the war sparked by the Oct. 7 attack into Israel. There was no immediate response from the United States or Israel, which is largely shut down for the Jewish Sabbath.

Hamas said it was willing to return all remaining hostages according to the plan’s “formula,” likely referring to the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. It also reiterated its longstanding openness to handing power over to a politically independent Palestinian body.

But it said aspects of the proposal touching on the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and based on international law.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said that Hamas must agree to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-plan-gaza-israel-hamas-war-d5bb4097af1d46ba16ab20914d265ff7">a proposed peace deal</a>&nbsp;for Gaza by Sunday evening and threatened that the group will face more attacks if it doesn't.

“An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time,” Trump wrote Friday on social media. “Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”

The Republican president unveiled the plan alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week.

Trump’s proposal would place Gaza under control of a temporary governing committee led by Trump himself. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair would be involved as well.

Civilians would not be required to evacuate the territory, something that Trump had floated before. Hamas would be required to disarm and release any remaining hostages. Surviving fighters would be allowed to leave.

Hamas said Tuesday that it would study the proposal. Trump told reporters then that Hamas would have “three or four days” to respond.

Trump has struggled to force an end to the conflict, which began when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023</a>. His latest post on social media is another attempt to increase pressure on Hamas.

“Most of the rest are surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, just waiting for me to give the word, ‘GO,’ for their lives to be quickly extinguished," Trump said. "As for the rest, we know where and who you are, and you will be hunted down, and killed.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759172020282.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered Israel to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">stop bombing the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;after Hamas said it had accepted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-peace-plan-ce2e84de8aa5fd308fe751ae9c3118e8">some elements of his plan</a>&nbsp;to end the nearly two-year war and return all the remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/3dGpkSu0kW">pic.twitter.com/3dGpkSu0kW</a>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1974221827984523702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Hamas said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan require further consultations among Palestinians. Senior Hamas officials suggested there were still major disagreements that required further negotiations.There was no immediate response from Israel, which is largely shut down for the Jewish Sabbath, and Hamas' response fell short of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demands that the group surrender and disarm.But Trump welcomed Hamas' response, saying: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE."“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out," he wrote on social media.Hamas said aspects of the proposal touching on the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and based on international law.The statement also made no mention of Hamas disarming, a key Israeli demand included in Trump’s proposal.<h2>Trump's plan would end the fighting and return hostages</h2>Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday. His peace plan has been accepted by Israel and welcomed internationally, but key mediators Egypt and Qatar have said some elements need further negotiation.Egypt welcomed the Hamas statement, saying that it shows that the Palestinians want to “end a dark period in the history of the region," and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-israel-palestinians-france-saudi-recognition-two-states-88f3a87f7d79df02311f09b3e45560e9">pave the way for a future state</a>, something Israel opposes.Earlier, Trump had warned that Hamas must agree to the deal by Sunday evening, threatening an even greater military onslaught.“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas," Trump wrote Friday on social media. "THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”Under the plan, which Trump unveiled earlier this week alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-general-assembly-israel-netanyahu-speech-e53eee3b76dfa568e03ac584e46991a5">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>, Hamas would immediately release the remaining 48 hostages — around 20 of them believed to be alive. It would also give up power and disarm.In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-gaza-resettlement-migration-trump-netanyahu-53cd2eb252a5d304006872c63772eee2">Plans to relocate much of Gaza's population</a>&nbsp;to other countries would be shelved.The territory of some 2 million Palestinians would be placed under international governance, with Trump himself and former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/britain-tony-blair-mideast-gaza-trump-plan-76e663c132d73ba151ad70ebf6ac958c">British Prime Minister Tony Blair</a>&nbsp;overseeing it. The plan provides no path for eventual reunification with the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a future Palestinian state.Palestinians long for an end to the war, but many view this and previous U.S. proposals as strongly favoring Israel.<h2>Hamas officials air objections in TV interviews</h2>Trump’s proposal “cannot be implemented without negotiations,” Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official based outside of Gaza, told the Al Jazeera network.The Hamas statement said it was willing to return all remaining hostages according to the plan’s “formula,” likely referring to the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. It also reiterated its longstanding openness to handing power over to a politically independent Palestinian body.But Abu Marzouk said it might be difficult for Hamas to release all the hostages within 72 hours as the proposal dictates, because it could take days or weeks to locate the remains of some of the captives.He said Hamas was willing to hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian body that runs Gaza, but there was no mention of that in the official statement.Another Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, told Al Araby television that Hamas would refuse foreign administration of the Gaza Strip and that the entry of foreign forces would be “unacceptable.”DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas said Friday that it has accepted some elements of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in the Gaza Strip</a>, including giving up power and releasing all remaining hostages, but that others require further consultations among Palestinians.The statement came hours after Trump said that Hamas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-peace-plan-ce2e84de8aa5fd308fe751ae9c3118e8">must agree to the deal</a>&nbsp;by Sunday evening, threatening an even greater military onslaught nearly two years into the war sparked by the Oct. 7 attack into Israel. There was no immediate response from the United States or Israel, which is largely shut down for the Jewish Sabbath.Hamas said it was willing to return all remaining hostages according to the plan’s “formula,” likely referring to the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. It also reiterated its longstanding openness to handing power over to a politically independent Palestinian body.But it said aspects of the proposal touching on the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and based on international law.The statement also made no mention of Hamas disarming, a key Israeli demand included in Trump’s proposal.----------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said that Hamas must agree to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-plan-gaza-israel-hamas-war-d5bb4097af1d46ba16ab20914d265ff7">a proposed peace deal</a>&nbsp;for Gaza by Sunday evening and threatened that the group will face more attacks if it doesn't.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/XAn5KkGaZu">pic.twitter.com/XAn5KkGaZu</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1974115106104783135?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time,” Trump wrote Friday on social media. “Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”The Republican president unveiled the plan alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week.Trump’s proposal would place Gaza under control of a temporary governing committee led by Trump himself. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair would be involved as well.Civilians would not be required to evacuate the territory, something that Trump had floated before. Hamas would be required to disarm and release any remaining hostages. Surviving fighters would be allowed to leave.Hamas said Tuesday that it would study the proposal. Trump told reporters then that Hamas would have “three or four days” to respond.Trump has struggled to force an end to the conflict, which began when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023</a>. His latest post on social media is another attempt to increase pressure on Hamas.“Most of the rest are surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, just waiting for me to give the word, ‘GO,’ for their lives to be quickly extinguished," Trump said. "As for the rest, we know where and who you are, and you will be hunted down, and killed.”

Trump sets final deadline for Hamas to agree to peace deal

MIAMI COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement in a Kansas community are warning residents to be vigilant report of a rare venomous snake&nbsp;

On October 1, a citizen called in an animal complaint regarding a snake that was found moving from 4th Street into the City Park across from the 1st Baptist Church at 4th and Elm Street, according to the Louisburg Police Department.

 Officers responded and along with other City Public Works crew discovered the snake which turned out to be a mature Copperhead reptile that was handled and removed from the area. Checks were made to insure there were no other snakes of this variety still crawling about. While it is uncommon to find this type of snake in populated locations since they tend to avoid most people, they are native to the region and can occasionally turn up. Please be vigilant when out and about in our parks and other areas where trees and thicker foliage can be near the trails and equipment and structures. 

If you do observe a snake or other wild animal, please try to avoid it as most often it is not wanting to to be near you as well. And if you are just not sure, please reach out to the local animal control to handle the creature to insure that there are no issues that might be a safety concern. The local animal control in Louisburg is the Louisburg Police Department. To reach them, call Dispatch at 837-2300 and request an Officer to respond. Thanks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759455275336.jpg" alt="Copperhead -image courtesy Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Copperhead -image courtesy Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement in a Kansas community are warning residents to be vigilant report of a rare venomous snake&nbsp;On October 1, a citizen called in an animal complaint regarding a snake that was found moving from 4th Street into the City Park across from the 1st Baptist Church at 4th and Elm Street, according to the Louisburg Police Department. Officers responded and along with other City Public Works crew discovered the snake which turned out to be a mature Copperhead reptile that was handled and removed from the area. Checks were made to insure there were no other snakes of this variety still crawling about. While it is uncommon to find this type of snake in populated locations since they tend to avoid most people, they are native to the region and can occasionally turn up. Please be vigilant when out and about in our parks and other areas where trees and thicker foliage can be near the trails and equipment and structures. If you do observe a snake or other wild animal, please try to avoid it as most often it is not wanting to to be near you as well. And if you are just not sure, please reach out to the local animal control to handle the creature to insure that there are no issues that might be a safety concern. The local animal control in Louisburg is the Louisburg Police Department. To reach them, call Dispatch at 837-2300 and request an Officer to respond. Thanks.

Police warn Kan. residents after rare venomous snake reported

Western Plains Arts Association

COLBY — Oakley High School auditorium will be the&nbsp;Western Plains Arts Association (WPAA) next program with "The Sons of the Pioneers" returning to entertain on Sunday, October 12.

The program will start at 3 p.m. Tickets will be available to purchase at the door or by WPAA season ticket which can also be purchased that day at the door.

We thank Dane G. Hansen and Logan County Community Foundation for their grants for this program along with area sponsors.

"The Sons of the Pioneers", the most influential and revered of all western music groups, celebrate an unparalleled 91 continuous years of performance, thrilling audiences with enchanting harmonies and picturesque images of the majestic American West. 

In 2025, the legendary group extends its remarkable run through nine decades, carrying the legacy of the outfit’s landmark, Grammy-honored music to new ears. Originals like “Cool Water,” “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” and “The Timber Trail” have come to define western music itself and are also deeply rooted in American culture. 

When Roy Rogers (then Leonard Slye) and gifted songwriters Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer founded the group in late 1933 and developed their trademark “Pioneer sound,” little did they realize they were launching a juggernaut that would become the longest-lived popular music group in American music history, creating a vast catalog of treasured music along the way.

Through the years, more than 40 gifted singers and instrumentalists have rotated into the group to build the Pioneers’ historic musical legacy. The Pioneers are the most decorated group in the history of western music, earning membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Western Music Association Hall of Fame, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Swing Hall of Fame, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to name a few. 

The group’s music has been honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the Smithsonian Institution named the group one of America’s “National Treasures.” 

They enjoy meeting those who attend and would gladly take pictures after the program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759420298336.png" alt="'The Sons of the Pioneers' will perform Oct. 12 at the Oakley High School auditorium. Courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>'The Sons of the Pioneers' will perform Oct. 12 at the Oakley High School auditorium. Courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Western Plains Arts Association COLBY — Oakley High School auditorium will be the&nbsp;Western Plains Arts Association (WPAA) next program with "The Sons of the Pioneers" returning to entertain on Sunday, October 12.The program will start at 3 p.m. Tickets will be available to purchase at the door or by WPAA season ticket which can also be purchased that day at the door.We thank Dane G. Hansen and Logan County Community Foundation for their grants for this program along with area sponsors."The Sons of the Pioneers", the most influential and revered of all western music groups, celebrate an unparalleled 91 continuous years of performance, thrilling audiences with enchanting harmonies and picturesque images of the majestic American West. In 2025, the legendary group extends its remarkable run through nine decades, carrying the legacy of the outfit’s landmark, Grammy-honored music to new ears. Originals like “Cool Water,” “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” and “The Timber Trail” have come to define western music itself and are also deeply rooted in American culture. When Roy Rogers (then Leonard Slye) and gifted songwriters Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer founded the group in late 1933 and developed their trademark “Pioneer sound,” little did they realize they were launching a juggernaut that would become the longest-lived popular music group in American music history, creating a vast catalog of treasured music along the way.Through the years, more than 40 gifted singers and instrumentalists have rotated into the group to build the Pioneers’ historic musical legacy. The Pioneers are the most decorated group in the history of western music, earning membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Western Music Association Hall of Fame, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Swing Hall of Fame, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to name a few. The group’s music has been honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the Smithsonian Institution named the group one of America’s “National Treasures.” They enjoy meeting those who attend and would gladly take pictures after the program.

'The Sons of the Pioneers' to perform in Oakley Oct. 12

United Wireless Arena, managed by VenuWorks, is&nbsp;excited to announce that Randy Rogers Band, Casey Donahew, and Josh Abbott Band&nbsp;will be coming to Dodge City on Friday, December 5&nbsp;For their “Dodge City Takeover" concert.

Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. on December 5 and the concert will start at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets for Dodge City Takeover will&nbsp;go on sale Friday, October 3 at 10 a.m. CST.&nbsp; 

Tickets can be&nbsp;purchased at the United Wireless Arena box office or online through Ticketmaster.com. Ticket&nbsp;prices start at $55 for reserved seating, depending on location, plus applicable fees and taxes.

United Wireless Arena is an exclusive Ticketmaster facility and cannot guarantee tickets&nbsp;purchased as resale or through a third-party vendor.&nbsp;

Handicapped accessible seating must be arranged directly through the United Wireless Arena&nbsp;Ticket Office.

United Wireless Arena has a&nbsp;clear bag policy in place. Please check our website for more&nbsp;details.&nbsp;Please note that ice will be down and covered on the floor. The building will be colder than&nbsp;normal so please plan accordingly.

As Country music continues broadening its influence in every corner of the modern soundscape, the quickly growing 'Red Dirt' genre, which encapsulates the Western lifestyle and outlaw sound, is taking centerstage lead by acts such as the influential Randy Rogers Band. 

For over 20 years, the band's roster and traditional approach have remained unchanged and inspired the surge in a new generation of artists. Acts such as Parker McCollum, Koe Wetzel, Flatland Cavalry, and William Beckmann all began their musical careers on the building blocks set forth by Randy Rogers Band. 

The band's second album, Rollercoaster, is applauded as one of the most impactful collections in the Texas music scene. The influence of this record garnered the band bookings in venues once thought out of reach and made them a pillar of 'Red Dirt' Country music. 

In 2024, the record celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the Randy Rogers Band released a re-mastered/re-sequenced edition of Rollercoaster to commemorate the music that ignited their long-lasting journey as a staple Texas music act. 

Now, the band is back with brand new music after two years, kicking off 2025 with their track, “Break Itself,” off their upcoming EP, The Going, out on October 24th. The EP includes the band's other recent releases, "Is This Thing Workin” featuring Country superstar, Parker McCollum, and the EP title track, "The Going." The project is an updated sound that still anchors to the Red Dirt genre that made them one of the most influential bands out of Texas.&nbsp;

Texas Country Powerhouse and Fort Worth native, Casey Donahew—honored with his own “Casey Donahew Day” on October 22 and whose beloved song “Stockyards” was named the city’s official anthem—continues to define the sound of Texas country. 

Over more than two decades, Donahew has earned a devoted following by delivering vivid, relatable narratives that blend cowboy grit, love stories, and offbeat characters. 

His latest release, "Never Not Love You," a 17-track tour de force, underscores his ability to capture life’s highs and lows with a storyteller’s precision and a showman’s heart. With 12 albums and an astounding 29 singles reaching the top of the Texas charts, Donahew has proven himself a consistent hitmaker and one of the genre’s most durable voices. 

Known for writing the majority of his material solo, he maintains a deeply personal connection to his music, allowing fans to experience his unmistakable perspective. His songs have also crossed into mainstream culture, landing placements in hit television dramas including Yellowstone and Tulsa King, as well as the feature film Vengeance, further solidifying his reputation as one of country music’s most authentic storytellers. 

Beyond the studio and stage, Donahew has emerged as a creative entrepreneur. Alongside his wife Melinda, he founded the acclaimed Boots On The Beach festival in Cabo San Lucas, now in its ninth year and featuring a powerhouse roster of Texas and country stars. This annual event reflects Donahew’s dedication to fostering community, elevating fellow artists, and creating unforgettable fan experiences.

 With decades of chart-topping hits, acclaimed live performances, and a steadfast commitment to authenticity, Casey Donahew remains at the forefront of modern Texas country music.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For nearly two decades, Josh Abbott Band (JAB) have held strong as one of the most potent and vital forces in Texas country music. Fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist Josh Abbott, the band has built an ardent following on the strengths of their fiery live show, wide-ranging instrumentation, relentless touring schedule, and seven acclaimed studio albums spotlighting their unique sound and honest songwriting. With three RIAA gold-certified singles, JAB has found success while staying true to their independent spirit.

JAB first formed at Texas Tech University in 2006 when Josh started playing with fraternity brother Austin Davis (banjo). Joining up soon after in 2008 was Edward Villanueva (drums, percussion) with others joining later down the road: David Fralin (2015, keys, mandolin), Jimmy Hartman (2018, bass, harmonies), Kris Farrow (2022, electric guitar, harmonies), Adam Hill (2022, fiddle, harmonies).

 Over the years, JAB has steadily raised their profile while elevating their artistry. Their 2010 sophomore album "She’s Like Texas" debuted on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and delivered gold-certified hits like its poignant title track and “Oh, Tonight”—a charming duet with Kacey Musgraves that marked their first song to chart on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs. 

After winning four awards at the inaugural Texas Regional Radio Music Awards (including both Album of the Year and Single of the Year), the band went on to release "Small Town Family Dream" (a 2012 LP that debuted on Top Country Albums and climbed to #15 on the all-genre Billboard 200), then returned several years later in 2015 with the critically acclaimed and intensely personal "Front Row Seat". 

Boasting standouts like the country radio hit “Wasn’t That Drunk” feat. Carly Pearce, Josh Abbott Band ascended to a new level of stardom and making their national television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in addition to appearing on Conan the following year. From there, the band persisted on their upward trajectory with 2017’s unique "Until My Voice Goes Out" (a sonically adventurous album), 2020’s critically acclaimed "The Highway Kind" (featuring gold-certified hit “Settle Me Down”), and 2024’s bold "Somewhere Down The Road". 

The most recent release from JAB, 2025’s "The Encore", arrives as a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of their landmark album "Front Row Seat". Featuring “Even Girls Like You” and “Selfish,” the EP shines a spotlight on songs originally recorded during the Front Row Seat sessions but intentionally held back until the right moment.

With recent milestones including debuts at Stagecoach Festival, The Long Road Festival in England, and the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, JAB continues to make great strides in cementing their legacy as Texas country legends.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759498994683.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedUnited Wireless Arena, managed by VenuWorks, is&nbsp;excited to announce that Randy Rogers Band, Casey Donahew, and Josh Abbott Band&nbsp;will be coming to Dodge City on Friday, December 5&nbsp;For their “Dodge City Takeover" concert.Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. on December 5 and the concert will start at 7:00 p.m.Tickets for Dodge City Takeover will&nbsp;go on sale Friday, October 3 at 10 a.m. CST.&nbsp; Tickets can be&nbsp;purchased at the United Wireless Arena box office or online through Ticketmaster.com. Ticket&nbsp;prices start at $55 for reserved seating, depending on location, plus applicable fees and taxes.United Wireless Arena is an exclusive Ticketmaster facility and cannot guarantee tickets&nbsp;purchased as resale or through a third-party vendor.&nbsp;Handicapped accessible seating must be arranged directly through the United Wireless Arena&nbsp;Ticket Office.United Wireless Arena has a&nbsp;clear bag policy in place. Please check our website for more&nbsp;details.&nbsp;Please note that ice will be down and covered on the floor. The building will be colder than&nbsp;normal so please plan accordingly.ABOUT RANDY ROGERS BAND:As Country music continues broadening its influence in every corner of the modern soundscape, the quickly growing 'Red Dirt' genre, which encapsulates the Western lifestyle and outlaw sound, is taking centerstage lead by acts such as the influential Randy Rogers Band. For over 20 years, the band's roster and traditional approach have remained unchanged and inspired the surge in a new generation of artists. Acts such as Parker McCollum, Koe Wetzel, Flatland Cavalry, and William Beckmann all began their musical careers on the building blocks set forth by Randy Rogers Band. The band's second album, Rollercoaster, is applauded as one of the most impactful collections in the Texas music scene. The influence of this record garnered the band bookings in venues once thought out of reach and made them a pillar of 'Red Dirt' Country music. In 2024, the record celebrated its 20th anniversary, and the Randy Rogers Band released a re-mastered/re-sequenced edition of Rollercoaster to commemorate the music that ignited their long-lasting journey as a staple Texas music act. Now, the band is back with brand new music after two years, kicking off 2025 with their track, “Break Itself,” off their upcoming EP, The Going, out on October 24th. The EP includes the band's other recent releases, "Is This Thing Workin” featuring Country superstar, Parker McCollum, and the EP title track, "The Going." The project is an updated sound that still anchors to the Red Dirt genre that made them one of the most influential bands out of Texas.&nbsp;ABOUT CASEY DONAHEW:Texas Country Powerhouse and Fort Worth native, Casey Donahew—honored with his own “Casey Donahew Day” on October 22 and whose beloved song “Stockyards” was named the city’s official anthem—continues to define the sound of Texas country. Over more than two decades, Donahew has earned a devoted following by delivering vivid, relatable narratives that blend cowboy grit, love stories, and offbeat characters. His latest release, "Never Not Love You," a 17-track tour de force, underscores his ability to capture life’s highs and lows with a storyteller’s precision and a showman’s heart. With 12 albums and an astounding 29 singles reaching the top of the Texas charts, Donahew has proven himself a consistent hitmaker and one of the genre’s most durable voices. Known for writing the majority of his material solo, he maintains a deeply personal connection to his music, allowing fans to experience his unmistakable perspective. His songs have also crossed into mainstream culture, landing placements in hit television dramas including Yellowstone and Tulsa King, as well as the feature film Vengeance, further solidifying his reputation as one of country music’s most authentic storytellers. Beyond the studio and stage, Donahew has emerged as a creative entrepreneur. Alongside his wife Melinda, he founded the acclaimed Boots On The Beach festival in Cabo San Lucas, now in its ninth year and featuring a powerhouse roster of Texas and country stars. This annual event reflects Donahew’s dedication to fostering community, elevating fellow artists, and creating unforgettable fan experiences. With decades of chart-topping hits, acclaimed live performances, and a steadfast commitment to authenticity, Casey Donahew remains at the forefront of modern Texas country music.&nbsp;&nbsp;ABOUT JOSH ABBOTT BAND: For nearly two decades, Josh Abbott Band (JAB) have held strong as one of the most potent and vital forces in Texas country music. Fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist Josh Abbott, the band has built an ardent following on the strengths of their fiery live show, wide-ranging instrumentation, relentless touring schedule, and seven acclaimed studio albums spotlighting their unique sound and honest songwriting. With three RIAA gold-certified singles, JAB has found success while staying true to their independent spirit. JAB first formed at Texas Tech University in 2006 when Josh started playing with fraternity brother Austin Davis (banjo). Joining up soon after in 2008 was Edward Villanueva (drums, percussion) with others joining later down the road: David Fralin (2015, keys, mandolin), Jimmy Hartman (2018, bass, harmonies), Kris Farrow (2022, electric guitar, harmonies), Adam Hill (2022, fiddle, harmonies). Over the years, JAB has steadily raised their profile while elevating their artistry. Their 2010 sophomore album "She’s Like Texas" debuted on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and delivered gold-certified hits like its poignant title track and “Oh, Tonight”—a charming duet with Kacey Musgraves that marked their first song to chart on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs. After winning four awards at the inaugural Texas Regional Radio Music Awards (including both Album of the Year and Single of the Year), the band went on to release "Small Town Family Dream" (a 2012 LP that debuted on Top Country Albums and climbed to #15 on the all-genre Billboard 200), then returned several years later in 2015 with the critically acclaimed and intensely personal "Front Row Seat". Boasting standouts like the country radio hit “Wasn’t That Drunk” feat. Carly Pearce, Josh Abbott Band ascended to a new level of stardom and making their national television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in addition to appearing on Conan the following year. From there, the band persisted on their upward trajectory with 2017’s unique "Until My Voice Goes Out" (a sonically adventurous album), 2020’s critically acclaimed "The Highway Kind" (featuring gold-certified hit “Settle Me Down”), and 2024’s bold "Somewhere Down The Road". The most recent release from JAB, 2025’s "The Encore", arrives as a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of their landmark album "Front Row Seat". Featuring “Even Girls Like You” and “Selfish,” the EP shines a spotlight on songs originally recorded during the Front Row Seat sessions but intentionally held back until the right moment. With recent milestones including debuts at Stagecoach Festival, The Long Road Festival in England, and the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, JAB continues to make great strides in cementing their legacy as Texas country legends.&nbsp;

Randy Rogers Band, Casey Donahew, Josh Abbott Band coming to United Wireless Arena in Dodge City

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

Friday, October 3
 KKQY: LaCrosse FB at
Quinter, 6:00pm KFIX: Hays High FB vs. Junction City, 6:30pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian FB at Smith Center, 6:30pm

Saturday, October 4
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
FB at Missouri Southern State, 12:00pm KAYS: Kansas FB at UCF, 5:00pm

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)Friday, October 3
 KKQY: LaCrosse FB at
Quinter, 6:00pm KFIX: Hays High FB vs. Junction City, 6:30pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian FB at Smith Center, 6:30pmSaturday, October 4
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
FB at Missouri Southern State, 12:00pm KAYS: Kansas FB at UCF, 5:00pmSunday, October 5
 none

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/ali-swenson">ALI SWENSON</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — Army veteran Samuel Port couldn’t believe what he was reading in his latest weekly newsletter emailed from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-republicans-shutdown-negotiations-votes-health-care-29b11579bfc694a52b9e8e272a47bb91">blamed Senate Democrats for the federal shutdown</a>, saying they were blocking a stopgap bill to fund the government “due to unrelated policy demands.” It then listed various disruptions to veterans’ resources.

In Port’s view, the finger-pointing was inappropriate from a federal agency and lacked the context that Republicans, too, could have taken steps&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">to keep the government funded</a>. He said it wore away any trust he had left in the VA to offer services without a political agenda.

“This blatant propaganda being spat out was astonishing,” said Port, a Virginia-based volunteer for the progressive advocacy organization Common Defense. “Then the astonishment turned into just anger that we’re being politicized like this.”

Port is among a growing number of Americans whose routine interactions with the federal government this week have been met with partisan messaging. As a Senate deadlock keeps the federal government unfunded, with no end in sight, some traditionally apolitical federal agencies are using their official channels to spread a coordinated political message: It’s the Democrats’ fault.

The rhetoric, popping up in bright-red webpage banners, email autoreplies and social media posts, lays blame on the political party that is out of power in Washington when both sides are refusing to accommodate the other.

Democrats, who have minorities in both the U.S. Senate and House, have demanded that a set of expiring health insurance tax credits be extended before they sign on to any deal. Republicans, who need several Democratic votes in the Senate, said those negotiations should wait until after the funding measure passes.

Experts say the communication strategy from across the federal government reflects how aligned President Donald Trump’s entire administration has become in targeting his political opponents.

Far more partisan than the straightforward alerts that typically grace agency websites during shutdowns, the messages are in keeping with Trump’s pattern of requiring loyalty and obedience at all levels of government.

“There’s really been a consistent and sustained effort to try to pull the entire bureaucracy in sync with what the president wants,” said Don Kettl, a professor emeritus and former dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. “The big risk here is that it erodes the fundamental trust that people have in government’s ability to be impartial.”

Several government websites blame Democrats

Many internet users noticed the first political postings from government agencies on Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shutdown-warning-democrats-hatch-act-hud-d21afb79d01007bdd39a9211af1e2b99">before the shutdown began.</a>&nbsp;The website of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development displayed a message warning that “The Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands.”

That afternoon, employees across the federal government reported receiving messages from their agencies noting Trump’s general opposition to a shutdown.

It’s difficult to know with certainty how many federal agencies and departments are promoting the partisan language across websites, social media accounts and email messages. Of the 15 executive departments in Trump’s Cabinet, at least 10 posted messages this week that blamed Democrats or the “radical left” for the shutdown on their official websites or social media accounts.

The website of the Small Business Administration placed its message in a red banner that took up the entire screen on a smartphone. It said actions from Senate Democrats are preventing the agency “from serving America’s 36 million small businesses.” Other websites, including that of the Food and Drug Administration, told visitors that mission-critical activities would continue “during the Democrat-led government shutdown.”

Several other federal agencies and departments maintained politically neutral messages, noting simply that there might be delays in services or updates because of the lapse in funding.

Employee out-of-office messages are changed

At the Department of Education, out-of-office email messages were reset Wednesday with language blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

“On September 19, 2025, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, a clean continuing resolution,” the message said. “Unfortunately, Democrat Senators are blocking passage of H.R. 5371 in the Senate which has led to a lapse in appropriations.”

Some employees tried to change it to something nonpartisan only to see it reverted, according to an employee who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

The White House isn’t shying away from the politics, displaying a by-the-second ticker on its website adding up the length of time for which “Democrats Have Shut Down the Government.”

Concerned citizens calling the White House comment line on Wednesday also heard a political voicemail message. In the recording, press secretary Karoline Leavitt repeats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-government-shutdown-health-care-immigrant-11b3ec0066407a17b407bc8e43962fd9">Trump’s false claim</a>&nbsp;that Democrats forced the government shutdown fight because they want to fund health care for illegal immigrants.

Ethics watchdogs said the political messages from government agency websites and emails exceed the level of partisanship they have seen in the past from the civil service.

Multiple experts said the messages also violate a 1939 law called the Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees. Kathleen Clark, a government ethics lawyer and law professor at Washington University, said they are “aimed at pursuing partisan political advantages” and therefore violate the law.

On Thursday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee sent a letter to the Office of Special Counsel calling for an investigation into the messages for “apparent violations of the Hatch Act.”

Donald K. Sherman, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said he doesn’t think the messages violate the Hatch Act because they discuss the Democratic Party related to a policy difference rather than an election or a candidate. Still, he said, the postings might violate other ethics laws and are “wildly inappropriate.”

Veterans Affairs spokesman Pete Kasperowicz defended his agency’s email message, saying it was “100% factual.”

HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a Wednesday night interview with NewsNation that he’s not worried about the Hatch Act allegations against his agency. He called them a “distraction” to deflect from “irresponsible actions on the Hill” and how “Americans are being impacted greatly by this government shutdown.”

Asked about the HUD website banner Thursday morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson said it shared “the objective truth.”

“There are 44 Democrats in the Senate — and by the way every Democrat in the House except one — who voted to shut the government down,” Johnson said in a press conference outside his office. “They are the ones that made that decision. The White House, the executive branch, take no pleasure in this.”

Associated Press writers Collin Binkley, Joey Cappelletti and Gary Fields i

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/ali-swenson">ALI SWENSON</a>NEW YORK (AP) — Army veteran Samuel Port couldn’t believe what he was reading in his latest weekly newsletter emailed from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">HUD’s website has been updated with the following message: “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government. HUD will use available resources to help Americans in need.” <a href="https://t.co/4Q1ufb2glW">pic.twitter.com/4Q1ufb2glW</a>&mdash; Department of Housing and Urban Development (@HUDgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/HUDgov/status/1973246606087737612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-republicans-shutdown-negotiations-votes-health-care-29b11579bfc694a52b9e8e272a47bb91">blamed Senate Democrats for the federal shutdown</a>, saying they were blocking a stopgap bill to fund the government “due to unrelated policy demands.” It then listed various disruptions to veterans’ resources.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 Senate Democrats just voted to send the government into a shutdown. DEMOCRAT SHUTDOWN LOADING. <a href="https://t.co/t7I2x7guxZ">pic.twitter.com/t7I2x7guxZ</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1973171967865004192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In Port’s view, the finger-pointing was inappropriate from a federal agency and lacked the context that Republicans, too, could have taken steps&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">to keep the government funded</a>. He said it wore away any trust he had left in the VA to offer services without a political agenda.“This blatant propaganda being spat out was astonishing,” said Port, a Virginia-based volunteer for the progressive advocacy organization Common Defense. “Then the astonishment turned into just anger that we’re being politicized like this.”Port is among a growing number of Americans whose routine interactions with the federal government this week have been met with partisan messaging. As a Senate deadlock keeps the federal government unfunded, with no end in sight, some traditionally apolitical federal agencies are using their official channels to spread a coordinated political message: It’s the Democrats’ fault.The rhetoric, popping up in bright-red webpage banners, email autoreplies and social media posts, lays blame on the political party that is out of power in Washington when both sides are refusing to accommodate the other.Democrats, who have minorities in both the U.S. Senate and House, have demanded that a set of expiring health insurance tax credits be extended before they sign on to any deal. Republicans, who need several Democratic votes in the Senate, said those negotiations should wait until after the funding measure passes.Experts say the communication strategy from across the federal government reflects how aligned President Donald Trump’s entire administration has become in targeting his political opponents.Far more partisan than the straightforward alerts that typically grace agency websites during shutdowns, the messages are in keeping with Trump’s pattern of requiring loyalty and obedience at all levels of government.“There’s really been a consistent and sustained effort to try to pull the entire bureaucracy in sync with what the president wants,” said Don Kettl, a professor emeritus and former dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. “The big risk here is that it erodes the fundamental trust that people have in government’s ability to be impartial.”<h2>Several government websites blame Democrats</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759452448754.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Many internet users noticed the first political postings from government agencies on Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shutdown-warning-democrats-hatch-act-hud-d21afb79d01007bdd39a9211af1e2b99">before the shutdown began.</a>&nbsp;The website of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development displayed a message warning that “The Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands.”That afternoon, employees across the federal government reported receiving messages from their agencies noting Trump’s general opposition to a shutdown.It’s difficult to know with certainty how many federal agencies and departments are promoting the partisan language across websites, social media accounts and email messages. Of the 15 executive departments in Trump’s Cabinet, at least 10 posted messages this week that blamed Democrats or the “radical left” for the shutdown on their official websites or social media accounts.The website of the Small Business Administration placed its message in a red banner that took up the entire screen on a smartphone. It said actions from Senate Democrats are preventing the agency “from serving America’s 36 million small businesses.” Other websites, including that of the Food and Drug Administration, told visitors that mission-critical activities would continue “during the Democrat-led government shutdown.”Several other federal agencies and departments maintained politically neutral messages, noting simply that there might be delays in services or updates because of the lapse in funding.<h2>Employee out-of-office messages are changed</h2>At the Department of Education, out-of-office email messages were reset Wednesday with language blaming Democrats for the shutdown.“On September 19, 2025, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, a clean continuing resolution,” the message said. “Unfortunately, Democrat Senators are blocking passage of H.R. 5371 in the Senate which has led to a lapse in appropriations.”Some employees tried to change it to something nonpartisan only to see it reverted, according to an employee who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.The White House isn’t shying away from the politics, displaying a by-the-second ticker on its website adding up the length of time for which “Democrats Have Shut Down the Government.”Concerned citizens calling the White House comment line on Wednesday also heard a political voicemail message. In the recording, press secretary Karoline Leavitt repeats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-government-shutdown-health-care-immigrant-11b3ec0066407a17b407bc8e43962fd9">Trump’s false claim</a>&nbsp;that Democrats forced the government shutdown fight because they want to fund health care for illegal immigrants.<h2>Could the messaging violate federal law?</h2>Ethics watchdogs said the political messages from government agency websites and emails exceed the level of partisanship they have seen in the past from the civil service.Multiple experts said the messages also violate a 1939 law called the Hatch Act, which restricts certain political activities by federal employees. Kathleen Clark, a government ethics lawyer and law professor at Washington University, said they are “aimed at pursuing partisan political advantages” and therefore violate the law.On Thursday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee sent a letter to the Office of Special Counsel calling for an investigation into the messages for “apparent violations of the Hatch Act.”Donald K. Sherman, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said he doesn’t think the messages violate the Hatch Act because they discuss the Democratic Party related to a policy difference rather than an election or a candidate. Still, he said, the postings might violate other ethics laws and are “wildly inappropriate.”Veterans Affairs spokesman Pete Kasperowicz defended his agency’s email message, saying it was “100% factual.”HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a Wednesday night interview with NewsNation that he’s not worried about the Hatch Act allegations against his agency. He called them a “distraction” to deflect from “irresponsible actions on the Hill” and how “Americans are being impacted greatly by this government shutdown.”Asked about the HUD website banner Thursday morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson said it shared “the objective truth.”“There are 44 Democrats in the Senate — and by the way every Democrat in the House except one — who voted to shut the government down,” Johnson said in a press conference outside his office. “They are the ones that made that decision. The White House, the executive branch, take no pleasure in this.”___Associated Press writers Collin Binkley, Joey Cappelletti and Gary Fields i

Blame game on at federal agencies; messages fault Dems for the shutdown

The Heartland Community Foundation is excited to host the second annual Give Fest — communitywide giving day — on Friday, October 10 in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties! Get ready to experience a day filled with philanthropy, community spirit, and Oktoberfest-themed fun. With up to 100% of donations matched by the Heartland Community Foundation, this is a powerful opportunity to maximize your impact while supporting your favorite local nonprofits.

During the 24-hour giving period, all donations made to participating nonprofits will be matched&nbsp;from a $150,000 match pool, with $50,000 designated for each county. These donations go directly&nbsp;to the nonprofit's endowed fund at the Heartland Community Foundation, ensuring a stable&nbsp;financial future for the organization, while the match dollars are available for immediate use,&nbsp;providing vital, immediate support. To give even more people the chance to give, early-bird giving&nbsp;begins online at midnight this Wednesday, Oct. 1, at <a href="https://www.heartlandgivefest.org/">www.HeartlandGiveFest.org</a> and continues&nbsp;through 11:59 p.m., Oct. 10.

With 58 participating organizations, there’s a cause that will speak to everyone’s unique charitable passion. Whether your interests lie in education or healthcare, first responders or food insecurity, and many more, there is a nonprofit that aligns with the causes that matter most to you.

Give Fest was created to mobilize the community to “give back” in a big way. Not only does the event raise essential funds for nonprofits, but it also brings a playful Oktoberfest twist to the giving season, celebrating the cultural heritage of the region.

 This is an opportunity to come together and make a difference. In 2024, Give Fest raised over $240,000 in donations, and with $160,000 in matching funds, more than $400,000 went directly to strengthen local nonprofits. This year, we’re ready to build on that success together. 

"Give Fest is one of my favorite days of the year because it shows the power of community," said Sarah Meitner, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation. "When neighbors come together to give, the impact multiplies — not just through the matching dollars, but through the spirit of generosity that carries forward long after the day is over."

This year's festivities will feature in-person events at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

• Ellis County: Hays Rec Center Main Gym, 1105 Canterbury, Hays

• Rooks County: Rooks County Fairgrounds, 4-H Building, 918 S. Elm, Stockton

• Trego County: Trego County Fairgrounds, 13th and Russell, WaKeeney 

Nonprofits will share information with visitors, and attendees can enjoy Oktoberfest food, drinks, and entertainment while connecting with local organizations and learning more about the causes they can support.

Returning this year, nonprofits will get to compete in a lively cornhole challenge for a chance to win up to $400 in bonus match dollars for their organization. Attendees can also take part in the Nonprofit Passport activity: visit nonprofit tables (8 in Ellis County, 6 in Rooks and Trego counties) to be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card for yourself and $100 in bonus match dollars for your favorite organization. Come cheer on your favorite nonprofits and join in the fun! 

In a heartwarming effort to inspire the next generation of givers, Heartland Community Foundation is proud to bring back the 5th Grade Give Bucks initiative. Every 5th grader in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties will once again receive funds to donate to a local nonprofit of their choice. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, Ellis County students will each receive $15, while Rooks and Trego County students will each receive $10. On October 10, students will visit the Give Fest events to meet nonprofits throughout the day, learn about their missions, and choose where to donate their Give Bucks. This initiative teaches young people firsthand the joy and power of philanthropy.

• Online: Donate at www.HeartlandGiveFest.org from midnight on October 1 through 11:59 p.m. on October 10. Online gifts will be eligible for matching funds for a full week!

• In-Person: Drop off donations at the Give Fest events or the Heartland Community Foundation office, 1200 Main St., Hays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on October 10.

• Mail: Send donations to Heartland Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1673, Hays, KS 67601. They must be received by October 10.

• Out-of-Town Donors: Send your gift directly to the nonprofit, and they will bring it to be counted. Checks should be made out to Heartland Community Foundation with the charity’s name in the memo, along with a donor form.

One of the most convenient features of Give Fest is that donors can make a single donation and designate it to one or more participating nonprofits. Your donation is 100% tax-deductible, and you can easily support multiple organizations at once with one simple gift.

To keep with all the Give Fest excitement, follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%20Heartland%20Community%20Foundation%20%20">Heartland Community Foundation on Facebook</a> or the social media pages of your favorite nonprofits! Many participating organizations will mark Give Fest with their own events and fundraisers, so check in with them for updates on how you can participate.

About Heartland Community Foundation

Since 2007, the Heartland Community Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties through philanthropy. As an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, HCF connects donors with the philanthropic causes they love, supporting initiatives in various areas including education, healthcare, youth, community development, and more. By fostering a spirit of generosity and engaging local donors, nonprofits, and community members, HCF aims to create a vibrant, supportive community for all. The Heartland Community Foundation is committed to promoting generosity, building endowment funds, and empowering communities to thrive.

For more information, visit <a href="https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/">heartlandcommunityfoundation.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759341873827.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Heartland Community FoundationThe Heartland Community Foundation is excited to host the second annual Give Fest — communitywide giving day — on Friday, October 10 in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties! Get ready to experience a day filled with philanthropy, community spirit, and Oktoberfest-themed fun. With up to 100% of donations matched by the Heartland Community Foundation, this is a powerful opportunity to maximize your impact while supporting your favorite local nonprofits.During the 24-hour giving period, all donations made to participating nonprofits will be matched&nbsp;from a $150,000 match pool, with $50,000 designated for each county. These donations go directly&nbsp;to the nonprofit's endowed fund at the Heartland Community Foundation, ensuring a stable&nbsp;financial future for the organization, while the match dollars are available for immediate use,&nbsp;providing vital, immediate support. To give even more people the chance to give, early-bird giving&nbsp;begins online at midnight this Wednesday, Oct. 1, at <a href="https://www.heartlandgivefest.org/">www.HeartlandGiveFest.org</a> and continues&nbsp;through 11:59 p.m., Oct. 10.With 58 participating organizations, there’s a cause that will speak to everyone’s unique charitable passion. Whether your interests lie in education or healthcare, first responders or food insecurity, and many more, there is a nonprofit that aligns with the causes that matter most to you.Give Fest was created to mobilize the community to “give back” in a big way. Not only does the event raise essential funds for nonprofits, but it also brings a playful Oktoberfest twist to the giving season, celebrating the cultural heritage of the region. This is an opportunity to come together and make a difference. In 2024, Give Fest raised over $240,000 in donations, and with $160,000 in matching funds, more than $400,000 went directly to strengthen local nonprofits. This year, we’re ready to build on that success together. "Give Fest is one of my favorite days of the year because it shows the power of community," said Sarah Meitner, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation. "When neighbors come together to give, the impact multiplies — not just through the matching dollars, but through the spirit of generosity that carries forward long after the day is over."This year's festivities will feature in-person events at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.:• Ellis County: Hays Rec Center Main Gym, 1105 Canterbury, Hays• Rooks County: Rooks County Fairgrounds, 4-H Building, 918 S. Elm, Stockton• Trego County: Trego County Fairgrounds, 13th and Russell, WaKeeney Nonprofits will share information with visitors, and attendees can enjoy Oktoberfest food, drinks, and entertainment while connecting with local organizations and learning more about the causes they can support.Returning this year, nonprofits will get to compete in a lively cornhole challenge for a chance to win up to $400 in bonus match dollars for their organization. Attendees can also take part in the Nonprofit Passport activity: visit nonprofit tables (8 in Ellis County, 6 in Rooks and Trego counties) to be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card for yourself and $100 in bonus match dollars for your favorite organization. Come cheer on your favorite nonprofits and join in the fun! In a heartwarming effort to inspire the next generation of givers, Heartland Community Foundation is proud to bring back the 5th Grade Give Bucks initiative. Every 5th grader in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties will once again receive funds to donate to a local nonprofit of their choice. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, Ellis County students will each receive $15, while Rooks and Trego County students will each receive $10. On October 10, students will visit the Give Fest events to meet nonprofits throughout the day, learn about their missions, and choose where to donate their Give Bucks. This initiative teaches young people firsthand the joy and power of philanthropy.How to Give • Online: Donate at www.HeartlandGiveFest.org from midnight on October 1 through 11:59 p.m. on October 10. Online gifts will be eligible for matching funds for a full week!• In-Person: Drop off donations at the Give Fest events or the Heartland Community Foundation office, 1200 Main St., Hays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on October 10.• Mail: Send donations to Heartland Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1673, Hays, KS 67601. They must be received by October 10.• Out-of-Town Donors: Send your gift directly to the nonprofit, and they will bring it to be counted. Checks should be made out to Heartland Community Foundation with the charity’s name in the memo, along with a donor form.One of the most convenient features of Give Fest is that donors can make a single donation and designate it to one or more participating nonprofits. Your donation is 100% tax-deductible, and you can easily support multiple organizations at once with one simple gift. To keep with all the Give Fest excitement, follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%20Heartland%20Community%20Foundation%20%20">Heartland Community Foundation on Facebook</a> or the social media pages of your favorite nonprofits! Many participating organizations will mark Give Fest with their own events and fundraisers, so check in with them for updates on how you can participate.Participating Nonprofits IncludeELLIS COUNTY<figure>
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 </figure>About Heartland Community FoundationSince 2007, the Heartland Community Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties through philanthropy. As an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, HCF connects donors with the philanthropic causes they love, supporting initiatives in various areas including education, healthcare, youth, community development, and more. By fostering a spirit of generosity and engaging local donors, nonprofits, and community members, HCF aims to create a vibrant, supportive community for all. The Heartland Community Foundation is committed to promoting generosity, building endowment funds, and empowering communities to thrive. For more information, visit <a href="https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/">heartlandcommunityfoundation.org</a>.

Heartland Community Foundation Give Fest is Oct. 10 in Ellis, Rooks, Trego counties

After 25 impactful years, HaysMed is retiring its traditional drive-thru flu shot clinic and launching a more flexible, integrated approach to community health. Starting this fall, flu shots will be offered during its monthly blood screening events- providing a convenient, one-stop opportunity for preventive care.

The decision to discontinue the drive-thru format comes in response to changing community needs and increased access to free flu shots at local pharmacies such as Walgreens, Walmart, and Dillon’s. While the HaysMed drive-thru clinic once served nearly 4,000 individuals annually, recent participation has dropped below 1,500. This new format allows the hospital to better align with current trends and improve accessibility for the community.

Participants can now receive a free flu shot, participate in blood screening lab draws, or do both- all in one visit. Flu shots will be available on the following Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. – 10:00a.m. at Entrance B (Miller Pavillion), using parking Lot B on September 6, October 4, or November 1, 2025.

Children’s flu shots will be administered in the same area as adult vaccinations to simplify the experience for families. To help with flow and minimize wait times, participants may choose to go directly to the flu shot station or begin with blood screening.

Since its inception, HaysMed has proudly administered 69,802 flu shots to the community. In 2024 alone, the hospital provided 1,300 adult and 378 pediatric vaccines free of charge, thanks to the support of the HaysMed Foundation.

The HaysMed flu shot events have also supported local families through food donations. In 2024, participants donated 583 pounds of canned food to the Community Assistance Center. Since 2007, the hospital collected a total of 26,854 pounds- nearly 13.5 tons of food!

All attendees are encourage to bring a non-perishable food item to continue this tradition of giving back.

Watch the HaysMed 2025 Flu Shot video&nbsp;below about this change.

HaysMed is thrilled to continue partnering with Fort Hays State University and Fort Hays North Central Tech nursing students, who will assist with flu shot administration. Their involvement ensures hands-on learning and reflects the spirit of community collaboration.

· Free flu shots available for individuals 6 months and older

· Participants may choose to receive a flu shot, participate in blood screening lab draws, or both

· Consent forms available at&nbsp;<a href="https://haysmedfoundation.org/flu/">haysmedfoundation.org/flu</a>&nbsp;– please complete, print, and bring a signed copy for each person being vaccinated

· Short-sleeved shirts recommended for ease of vaccination

· Egg-free vaccines will not be available; individuals with egg allergies should consult their healthcare provider

· High-dose flu vaccines for those 65+ will not be offered at these events

For more information about blood screenings, visit the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysmed.com/august-volunteer-community-blood-screenings/">monthly blood screenings article</a>. For flu shot updates, maps, and logistics, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://haysmedfoundation.org/flu/">haysmedfoundation.org/flu/</a>.

Together, HaysMed is working to keep the community healthy, strong, and connected- now in a format that’s more convenient than ever.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696974409148.jpg" alt="file photo" />
 <figcaption>file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedAfter 25 impactful years, HaysMed is retiring its traditional drive-thru flu shot clinic and launching a more flexible, integrated approach to community health. Starting this fall, flu shots will be offered during its monthly blood screening events- providing a convenient, one-stop opportunity for preventive care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759421035601.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Why the Change?The decision to discontinue the drive-thru format comes in response to changing community needs and increased access to free flu shots at local pharmacies such as Walgreens, Walmart, and Dillon’s. While the HaysMed drive-thru clinic once served nearly 4,000 individuals annually, recent participation has dropped below 1,500. This new format allows the hospital to better align with current trends and improve accessibility for the community.What to Expect:Participants can now receive a free flu shot, participate in blood screening lab draws, or do both- all in one visit. Flu shots will be available on the following Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. – 10:00a.m. at Entrance B (Miller Pavillion), using parking Lot B on September 6, October 4, or November 1, 2025.Children’s flu shots will be administered in the same area as adult vaccinations to simplify the experience for families. To help with flow and minimize wait times, participants may choose to go directly to the flu shot station or begin with blood screening.Since its inception, HaysMed has proudly administered 69,802 flu shots to the community. In 2024 alone, the hospital provided 1,300 adult and 378 pediatric vaccines free of charge, thanks to the support of the HaysMed Foundation.The HaysMed flu shot events have also supported local families through food donations. In 2024, participants donated 583 pounds of canned food to the Community Assistance Center. Since 2007, the hospital collected a total of 26,854 pounds- nearly 13.5 tons of food!All attendees are encourage to bring a non-perishable food item to continue this tradition of giving back.Watch the HaysMed 2025 Flu Shot video&nbsp;below about this change.HaysMed is thrilled to continue partnering with Fort Hays State University and Fort Hays North Central Tech nursing students, who will assist with flu shot administration. Their involvement ensures hands-on learning and reflects the spirit of community collaboration.Flu Shot Key Details:· Free flu shots available for individuals 6 months and older· No appointment necessary· Participants may choose to receive a flu shot, participate in blood screening lab draws, or both· Consent forms available at&nbsp;<a href="https://haysmedfoundation.org/flu/">haysmedfoundation.org/flu</a>&nbsp;– please complete, print, and bring a signed copy for each person being vaccinated· Short-sleeved shirts recommended for ease of vaccination· Egg-free vaccines will not be available; individuals with egg allergies should consult their healthcare provider· High-dose flu vaccines for those 65+ will not be offered at these eventsFor more information about blood screenings, visit the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysmed.com/august-volunteer-community-blood-screenings/">monthly blood screenings article</a>. For flu shot updates, maps, and logistics, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://haysmedfoundation.org/flu/">haysmedfoundation.org/flu/</a>.Together, HaysMed is working to keep the community healthy, strong, and connected- now in a format that’s more convenient than ever.

Free flu shots at HaysMed on Saturday

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cami-koons/">Cami Koons</a>

Nearly half of U.S. Department of Agriculture employees will be furloughed during the federal government shutdown, though key programs that support nutrition, forest preservation and wildfire prevention, the most pressing plant and animal diseases and agricultural commodity assessments will continue.

Many offices, including county USDA service centers, will be closed or operating with minimal staff until Congress agrees on a temporary spending package. Support, payment processing and other functions of these offices are also suspended during the shutdown.

Congress failed to pass a stopgap spending bill Tuesday which resulted in the start of a government shutdown at midnight and federal agencies had to implement the contingency plans required by the Office of Management and Budget.

According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fy2026-usda-lapse-plan.pdf" target="_blank">contingency plan</a>&nbsp;filed&nbsp;by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only a handful of agency operations will continue during the shutdown. The primary objective is that agencies cannot incur financial obligations if the funding source has lapsed and any planned or in-the-works activities that would incur new obligations, must cease.&nbsp;

Activities that may continue during the shutdown include those that are financed by something other than current year appropriations, expressly authorized to continue, either by law or by necessary implication, necessary to the presidential duties and powers or related to emergencies that endanger human life or the protection of property.

According to the plan, more than 42,000 USDA employees are expected to be furloughed during the shutdown. That’s about half of the more than 85,000 employees the agency said would be “on board” prior to the shutdown.&nbsp;

USDA programs that will continue despite the shutdown:&nbsp;

Under the contingency plan, USDA functions like ongoing research, reports, outreach and technical assistance are suspended. The agency will also stop processing payments and disaster assistance.&nbsp;

Trade negotiations, hazardous fuel treatments, special use permits, regulatory work, training and travel by USDA employees and agencies are also suspended.&nbsp;

According to the contingency plan, most functions are suspended for the Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Food and Nutrition Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistical Service, Rural Development, and staff offices.

Website updates are also suspended under the shutdown. A banner atop the USDA website informs visitors that the website will not be updated “due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown.”&nbsp;

“President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people,” the banner reads.&nbsp;

According to the plan, “all activities will cease” for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and her office during the shutdown.&nbsp;

Approximately 67% of Farm Service Agency, or FSA, employees will be furloughed. According to the plan, selected leadership at headquarters and USDA offices will stay on during the shut down. This means county service centers, and the majority of the services they offer, will not be available during the shutdown.&nbsp;

Nearly all, 1135 out of 1237 employees, at the Food and Nutrition Service offices were projected to be furloughed during the shutdown, though according to the plan, enough employees remain to facilitate SNAP, child nutrition programs and WIC. WIC must make unspent funds from past years available in order to continue operations through October.

Close to 20,000 of the 32,390 Forest Service employees will continue to work on certain approved areas of agency work, like wildfire prevention, protection of federal land and federal directives to expand timber production. Public access to recreation sites managed by the department will be reduced, according to the plan.&nbsp;

A significant portion of Agricultural Marketing Service operations are funded by previous farm bill appropriations or by user fees, so services like the Federal Grain Inspection Service and dairy grading will continue, as will market news information.

Operations like country of origin labeling, the packers and stockyards program, the national organic program, shell egg surveillance and the pesticide data program will be suspended.&nbsp;

The plan calls for a number of reconsiderations in the event the shutdown persists longer than 5 days. This could include, for example a farm loan employee or other staff member on call at USDA service centers, or the reinstatement of some furloughed employees to deal with wildfire management.&nbsp;

Glenn “GT” Thompson, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, blamed Democrats, who&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/09/30/repub/protesters-at-us-capitol-back-democrats-in-shutdown-fight-over-health-care-costs/" target="_blank">demanded extentions to the Affordable Care Act</a>&nbsp;be added to the stopgap spending bill, for shutting down the government and putting “critical USDA services in jeopardy.”

“These political games harm rural America through disruptions to farm payments, disaster relief, food assistance, and other critical services,” the Republican from Pennsylvania said in a statement. “Performative photo ops at state fairs and lip service to the producers who feed, fuel, and clothe our country won’t hide the truth—Democrats forcing a government shutdown only inflicts more pain on our agricultural economy.”

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/01/what-the-government-shutdown-means-for-usda-agencies/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716664034438.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cami-koons/">Cami Koons</a>Nearly half of U.S. Department of Agriculture employees will be furloughed during the federal government shutdown, though key programs that support nutrition, forest preservation and wildfire prevention, the most pressing plant and animal diseases and agricultural commodity assessments will continue.Many offices, including county USDA service centers, will be closed or operating with minimal staff until Congress agrees on a temporary spending package. Support, payment processing and other functions of these offices are also suspended during the shutdown.Congress failed to pass a stopgap spending bill Tuesday which resulted in the start of a government shutdown at midnight and federal agencies had to implement the contingency plans required by the Office of Management and Budget.According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fy2026-usda-lapse-plan.pdf" target="_blank">contingency plan</a>&nbsp;filed&nbsp;by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only a handful of agency operations will continue during the shutdown. The primary objective is that agencies cannot incur financial obligations if the funding source has lapsed and any planned or in-the-works activities that would incur new obligations, must cease.&nbsp;Activities that may continue during the shutdown include those that are financed by something other than current year appropriations, expressly authorized to continue, either by law or by necessary implication, necessary to the presidential duties and powers or related to emergencies that endanger human life or the protection of property.According to the plan, more than 42,000 USDA employees are expected to be furloughed during the shutdown. That’s about half of the more than 85,000 employees the agency said would be “on board” prior to the shutdown.&nbsp;USDA programs that will continue despite the shutdown:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Farm loan processing.</li><li>Certain natural resources and conservation programs that are mandatory under the farm bill or to protect human life and private property, like the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, dam safety and rehab work, the National Water and Climate Center which tracks flooding and weather risks and the National Soil Survey Center.&nbsp;</li><li>“Core” nutrition safety net programs. This includes SNAP and child nutrition programs which have funding appropriations through October. The Women Infants and Children, or WIC, program is set to continue through the shutdown “subject to the availability of funding.” According to the plan, WIC can “recover and reallocate” unused grant funding from previous years to cover gap in coverage.&nbsp;</li><li>Food safety operations, like inspections and laboratory testing.</li><li>Wildfire preparation and response.&nbsp;</li><li>Activities like grading, assessment, inspection, import and export for farm commodities. These activities are supported by user fees and therefore not impacted by the shutdown.</li><li>Emergency programs under USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service that address new world screwworm, highly pathogenic avian influenza, African swine fever, rabies and exotic fruit flies. Surveying for other plant and livestock diseases will cease during the shutdown.&nbsp;</li><li>Prior obligations in the Section 521 rental housing agreement program. This is the program element of USDA Rural Development offices that will persist.</li><li>Operational requirements like human resource policies, cybersecurity and critical IT infrastructure.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Under the contingency plan, USDA functions like ongoing research, reports, outreach and technical assistance are suspended. The agency will also stop processing payments and disaster assistance.&nbsp;Trade negotiations, hazardous fuel treatments, special use permits, regulatory work, training and travel by USDA employees and agencies are also suspended.&nbsp;According to the contingency plan, most functions are suspended for the Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Food and Nutrition Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistical Service, Rural Development, and staff offices.Website updates are also suspended under the shutdown. A banner atop the USDA website informs visitors that the website will not be updated “due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown.”&nbsp;“President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people,” the banner reads.&nbsp;According to the plan, “all activities will cease” for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and her office during the shutdown.&nbsp;Approximately 67% of Farm Service Agency, or FSA, employees will be furloughed. According to the plan, selected leadership at headquarters and USDA offices will stay on during the shut down. This means county service centers, and the majority of the services they offer, will not be available during the shutdown.&nbsp;Nearly all, 1135 out of 1237 employees, at the Food and Nutrition Service offices were projected to be furloughed during the shutdown, though according to the plan, enough employees remain to facilitate SNAP, child nutrition programs and WIC. WIC must make unspent funds from past years available in order to continue operations through October.Close to 20,000 of the 32,390 Forest Service employees will continue to work on certain approved areas of agency work, like wildfire prevention, protection of federal land and federal directives to expand timber production. Public access to recreation sites managed by the department will be reduced, according to the plan.&nbsp;A significant portion of Agricultural Marketing Service operations are funded by previous farm bill appropriations or by user fees, so services like the Federal Grain Inspection Service and dairy grading will continue, as will market news information.Operations like country of origin labeling, the packers and stockyards program, the national organic program, shell egg surveillance and the pesticide data program will be suspended.&nbsp;The plan calls for a number of reconsiderations in the event the shutdown persists longer than 5 days. This could include, for example a farm loan employee or other staff member on call at USDA service centers, or the reinstatement of some furloughed employees to deal with wildfire management.&nbsp;Glenn “GT” Thompson, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, blamed Democrats, who&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/09/30/repub/protesters-at-us-capitol-back-democrats-in-shutdown-fight-over-health-care-costs/" target="_blank">demanded extentions to the Affordable Care Act</a>&nbsp;be added to the stopgap spending bill, for shutting down the government and putting “critical USDA services in jeopardy.”“These political games harm rural America through disruptions to farm payments, disaster relief, food assistance, and other critical services,” the Republican from Pennsylvania said in a statement. “Performative photo ops at state fairs and lip service to the producers who feed, fuel, and clothe our country won’t hide the truth—Democrats forcing a government shutdown only inflicts more pain on our agricultural economy.”This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/01/what-the-government-shutdown-means-for-usda-agencies/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

What the government shutdown means for USDA agencies

Thursday, October 2
 none

Friday, October 3
 KKQY: LaCrosse FB at
Quinter, 6:00pm KFIX: Hays High FB vs. Junction City, 6:30pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian FB at Smith Center, 6:30pm

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)Thursday, October 2
 noneFriday, October 3
 KKQY: LaCrosse FB at
Quinter, 6:00pm KFIX: Hays High FB vs. Junction City, 6:30pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian FB at Smith Center, 6:30pmSaturday, October 4
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
FB at Missouri Southern State, 12:00pm KAYS: Kansas FB at UCF, 5:00pmSunday, October 5
 none

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats kept their promise to reject any Republican spending bill that didn’t extend or restore health care benefits, choosing instead to force&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-chuck-schumer-20e54a0f5e4fee909d0f9ea2c07c15e1">a government shutdown</a>. Now they have to figure out how to get out of it.

Just hours after the shutdown began, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said that if the Republicans work with them, “the shutdown could go away very quickly.”

But that won’t be easy. Republican leaders — Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump — have said that they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-democrats-health-care-blame-ee852953197b7b59f3447aa3a2167ac0">won’t negotiate or be “held hostage</a>&nbsp;” by Democrats demanding concessions to reopen the government. The bill Democrats voted against was a simple extension of funding for 45 days, legislation they say should be noncontroversial.

While that uncompromising Republican position may not last long — there were some early, informal talks on the Senate floor Wednesday — reaching a deal would be difficult. It’s deeply uncertain, for now, if the two sides could find common ground on health care policy or sow enough trust for the Democrats to change their position.

At the same time, an extended shutdown could be increasingly painful for Democrats. The Trump administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-congress-government-shutdown-99d4cafe53209f6dc6ae5562c2ac79d2">threatened to lay off thousands of workers</a>&nbsp;and target Democratic-leaning states. On Wednesday, the White House announced it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-new-york-rail-projects-money-withheld-ada494e08ae9ae5269c6ce554ecdbd43">putting a hold on subway and tunnel projects</a>&nbsp;in Schumer’s home state of New York.

“This Democrat shutdown is actually delaying progress on the issues that Democrats claim to be interested in,” Thune, who represents South Dakota, said on the Senate floor Wednesday.

Some wavering Democrats emerge in shutdown saga

Republicans were encouraged Tuesday evening when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-senate-schumer-thune-trump-health-care-b85fe6cdd5d8cdc3e3aa1f4ae889474f">three Democrats voted with them to keep the government open</a>&nbsp;— Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine.

Republicans, who hold the majority, need eight Democrats to win the 60 votes needed for passage in the 53-47 Senate. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote with Democrats against the measure.

Thune is holding repeated votes on the measure, which failed 55-45 on Tuesday night and again Wednesday morning. He said he hopes that five Democrats will eventually feel the pressure and support the bill “when they realize that this is playing a losing hand.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759369156073.png" alt="House Minority Leaker Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Schumer following their Oval Office meeting this week-image courtesy Jeffries' office" />
 <figcaption>House Minority Leaker Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Schumer following their Oval Office meeting this week-image courtesy Jeffries' office</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats kept their promise to reject any Republican spending bill that didn’t extend or restore health care benefits, choosing instead to force&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-chuck-schumer-20e54a0f5e4fee909d0f9ea2c07c15e1">a government shutdown</a>. Now they have to figure out how to get out of it.Just hours after the shutdown began, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said that if the Republicans work with them, “the shutdown could go away very quickly.”But that won’t be easy. Republican leaders — Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump — have said that they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-democrats-health-care-blame-ee852953197b7b59f3447aa3a2167ac0">won’t negotiate or be “held hostage</a>&nbsp;” by Democrats demanding concessions to reopen the government. The bill Democrats voted against was a simple extension of funding for 45 days, legislation they say should be noncontroversial.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Even the Democrat-controlled CBO highlights the disastrous impacts of a government shutdown ➡️ costing Americans $400 MILLION A DAY. <a href="https://t.co/3lPyMNBCyY">pic.twitter.com/3lPyMNBCyY</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1973478659664314727?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>While that uncompromising Republican position may not last long — there were some early, informal talks on the Senate floor Wednesday — reaching a deal would be difficult. It’s deeply uncertain, for now, if the two sides could find common ground on health care policy or sow enough trust for the Democrats to change their position.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨A statement from <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wc91BposJE">pic.twitter.com/Wc91BposJE</a>&mdash; Department of State (@StateDept) <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept/status/1973520967440969807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At the same time, an extended shutdown could be increasingly painful for Democrats. The Trump administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-congress-government-shutdown-99d4cafe53209f6dc6ae5562c2ac79d2">threatened to lay off thousands of workers</a>&nbsp;and target Democratic-leaning states. On Wednesday, the White House announced it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-new-york-rail-projects-money-withheld-ada494e08ae9ae5269c6ce554ecdbd43">putting a hold on subway and tunnel projects</a>&nbsp;in Schumer’s home state of New York.“This Democrat shutdown is actually delaying progress on the issues that Democrats claim to be interested in,” Thune, who represents South Dakota, said on the Senate floor Wednesday.<h2>Some wavering Democrats emerge in shutdown saga</h2>Republicans were encouraged Tuesday evening when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-senate-schumer-thune-trump-health-care-b85fe6cdd5d8cdc3e3aa1f4ae889474f">three Democrats voted with them to keep the government open</a>&nbsp;— Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine.Republicans, who hold the majority, need eight Democrats to win the 60 votes needed for passage in the 53-47 Senate. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote with Democrats against the measure.Thune is holding repeated votes on the measure, which failed 55-45 on Tuesday night and again Wednesday morning. He said he hopes that five Democrats will eventually feel the pressure and support the bill “when they realize that this is playing a losing hand.”Republicans are eyeing several moderate Democrats who appeared to be wavering before casting “no” votes on Tuesday night, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Gary Peters of Michigan. Both voted to keep the government open in March,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-congress-chuck-schumer-government-funding-shutdown-43d1acea20c34ad28d848edc08ad6375">along with Schumer</a>, while many of their colleagues voted for a shutdown.But Shaheen and Peters each voted no on Tuesday after extensive negotiations with colleagues in both parties on the floor. Shaheen said afterward that “I have been in intensive conversations with colleagues from both sides of the aisle on how to find a path forward and I’m eager to work with my Republican colleagues to find common ground.”<h2>Democrats at a crossroad: To dig in or dig out?</h2>As some Democrats are already looking for a way out, others say they need to dig in and fight.“As Donald Trump’s lawlessness grows during this shutdown, our spines should stiffen, not bend,” Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said in a social media post on Wednesday. “Let’s stand for something. The American people don’t want us to fund the destruction of their health care and the destruction of our democracy.”The divisions in the caucus pose a dilemma for Schumer, who was blasted by base voters and activists in March when he voted with Republicans to keep the government open. Many Democrats in the House and Senate have suggested that shutting down the government is their only leverage to fight Trump and push back on his policies, including health care and spending cuts.“Standing up to (Trump) on this is sending a message to him on those other issues as well,” said Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.<h2>The politics of health care</h2>Democrats have demanded that Republicans immediately&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-subsidies-congress-shutdown-democrats-republicans-bb3464820a347fd2c0399e78e335881e">extend health care subsidies</a>&nbsp;for people who purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. The expanded subsidies first put in place in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic are set to expire at the end of the year, raising premium costs for millions of people.Many Republicans have said they are open to an extension, but they want to see changes. Other Republicans — especially in the House — see it as an unacceptable expansion of President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, which Republicans have tried to eliminate or cut back since it was enacted 15 years ago.Johnson has not committed to talks on the issue and said, “There has to be reform.”Obamacare “is a flawed system,” Johnson said on CNBC.Thune has repeatedly said that Republicans are willing to negotiate on the issue once the government reopens.Even so, some Republicans began informal talks with Democrats on the Senate floor Wednesday about potentially extending the expanded subsidies for a year and then eventually phasing them out. The idea floated by Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota would likely be rejected by many Republicans, but Democrats said they were encouraged that the two sides were talking at all.“At least we’re on the same page talking about the same problem,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said after the floor huddle. “So I see that as progress, but it’s a long way from where we have to end up.”<h2>Lessons from the past</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdowns-history-schumer-trump-f442ba1392fab3e7cab37756302e829c">Past shutdowns</a>&nbsp;show that it’s hard to win major concessions by closing the government.In 2018, the government shut down for three days as Democrats, led by Schumer, insisted that any budget measure come with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-donald-trump-immigration-bills-north-america-532fcd6149a34d488723517156c34a55">protections for young immigrants</a>&nbsp;known as “Dreamers” under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. They voted to reopen after then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised only a vote on the issue.Later that year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/30769167ab7a4ef9adf880d020b775dd">Trump forced a shutdown</a>&nbsp;over funding for his border wall and retreated after 35 days as intensifying delays at the nation’s airports and missed paydays for hundreds of thousands of federal workers.Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and House Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-general-news-9f568e68401b4695ad8290e89169d9c2">triggered a shutdown in 2013</a>&nbsp;over Obama’s health care law. Bipartisan negotiations in the Senate finally ended the shutdown after 16 days, and Republicans did not win any major concessions on health care.“I don’t think shutdowns benefit anybody, least of all the American people,” Thune said.___