By BECKY KISER Hays Post

In a short meeting on Thursday, the newly elected Hays city commissioners were sworn into office and the governing body reorganized.

Jamie Breit, city clerk, issued the oath of office to incumbents Shaun Musil and Sandy Jacobs, and newcomer David Vilaysing. The entire commission then voted to elect Mason Ruder to a second term as mayor and Alaina Cunningham as vice-mayor.

Jacobs, the previous mayor, was thanked for her service after she highlighted some of the major accomplishments of her mayoral term.

"As a body, this commission has made huge strides with our R9 project, housing, economic growth, commitment to our police with a new facility, parks, and our airport," Jacobs said.&nbsp;

"Leadership, to me, has never been about position or title but about listening, bringing people together and keeping our community at the center of every decision."

Vilaysing, the new commissioner who will serve a two-year term, said he has been meeting with department heads the past couple of months and touring the city's facilities.

"During those tours," he said. "I saw countless examples of department leaders finding ways to be resourceful, to preserve our resources and embracing innovation.&nbsp;

"Along with the educators, health care professionals, civic groups, the chamber of commerce, they're all out there being the backbone of the city," Vilaysing said.&nbsp;

Ruder, a sixth-generation Ellis County resident, said 2026 will also be filled with celebration for the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Volga-German settlers in Ellis County, and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767973689566.jpeg" alt="Andrea Winholz, executive assistant, rearranges name plates after the Hays City Commission governing body was reorganized on Jan. 8. Pictured are Mason Ruder, mayor, Alaina Cunningham, vice-mayor, Shaun Musil, Sandy Jacobs and David Vilaysing. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Andrea Winholz, executive assistant, rearranges name plates after the Hays City Commission governing body was reorganized on Jan. 8. Pictured are Mason Ruder, mayor, Alaina Cunningham, vice-mayor, Shaun Musil, Sandy Jacobs and David Vilaysing. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: New year, new governing body for city of Hays" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=quykn-1a1381c-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300%22 loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By BECKY KISER Hays PostIn a short meeting on Thursday, the newly elected Hays city commissioners were sworn into office and the governing body reorganized.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767972818998.jpeg" alt="Jami Breit, city clerk, administers the oath of office Jan. 8 to Hays city commissioners David Vilaysing, Sandy Jacobs and Shaun Musil, who were elected last fall. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Jami Breit, city clerk, administers the oath of office Jan. 8 to Hays city commissioners David Vilaysing, Sandy Jacobs and Shaun Musil, who were elected last fall. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Jamie Breit, city clerk, issued the oath of office to incumbents Shaun Musil and Sandy Jacobs, and newcomer David Vilaysing. The entire commission then voted to elect Mason Ruder to a second term as mayor and Alaina Cunningham as vice-mayor.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767974118756.jpeg" alt="Mason Ruder, Hays mayor, thanks outgoing mayor Sandy Jacobs for her service. Jacobs was re-elected in November for a four-year term. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Mason Ruder, Hays mayor, thanks outgoing mayor Sandy Jacobs for her service. Jacobs was re-elected in November for a four-year term. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Jacobs, the previous mayor, was thanked for her service after she highlighted some of the major accomplishments of her mayoral term."As a body, this commission has made huge strides with our R9 project, housing, economic growth, commitment to our police with a new facility, parks, and our airport," Jacobs said.&nbsp;"Leadership, to me, has never been about position or title but about listening, bringing people together and keeping our community at the center of every decision."Vilaysing, the new commissioner who will serve a two-year term, said he has been meeting with department heads the past couple of months and touring the city's facilities."During those tours," he said. "I saw countless examples of department leaders finding ways to be resourceful, to preserve our resources and embracing innovation.&nbsp;"Along with the educators, health care professionals, civic groups, the chamber of commerce, they're all out there being the backbone of the city," Vilaysing said.&nbsp;Ruder, a sixth-generation Ellis County resident, said 2026 will also be filled with celebration for the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Volga-German settlers in Ellis County, and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.&nbsp;

🎙 New year, new governing body for city of Hays

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post Sports

Hays High hosted their second Centennial League opponent of the week on Friday evening as they welcomed Emporia to town.

Girls:&nbsp;#5 Hays 51, Emporia 25 Hays used big runs in each of the first three quarters to pull away from Emporia in a 51-25 victory.

The Indians scored the first eight points of the game and never trailed in the contest. The Hays (9-1) defense allowed just one of nine shooting in the first quarter and led 10-2. The Indians had multiple first quarter shots rattle around inside the rim but pop out.

Hays shot better rest of the way. Emporia (4-6) trimmed the Indian advantage down to 12-7 with back-to-back field goals in the first two minutes of the second quarter. The Indians responded with a 14-2 run that saw five different players score, leading to a 26-9 lead at halftime.

Emporia never got closer than fifteen points in the second half. The Indians took control of the third quarter with a 13-2 run that again saw five different players score.

Hays pushed their lead as high as 30 at 47-17 just thirty seconds into the fourth quarter to enact a continuous clock. Emporia outscored Hays 8-7 in the fourth quarter leaving Hays with a 51-25 victory.

Twelve players got onto the court for Hays and nine of them scored.

Rupp 2, Schmeidler 12, Humphrey 3, LaBarge 2, Koerner 0, Cunningham 0, Armbruster 8, Turner 2, Newell 4, Harrington 0, Buckles 6, Winter 12.

Boys: #8 Hays 55, #3 Emporia 54 Hays High overcame cold fourth quarter free throw shooting to win 55-54 over the previously undefeated Emporia Spartans.

Hays and Emporia traded the lead over the first six minutes of the game. Leading 10-9, Hays saw Emporia miss three free throws over two trip to tie or take the lead with just over a minute to go in the first quarter. The Indians scored four straight points to end the first with a 14-9 lead.

Emporia again scored the first points of the quarter and make the game a one possession affair at 14-11. Hays used the next two minutes to score ten consecutive points for their first double-digit lead of the game at 24-11.&nbsp;

The Indians eventually pushed their advantage to a game high 15 at 29-14 with 1:10 left in the first half. Emporia scored the final five points of the second quarter to crawl within ten at halftime 29-19.

The lead for Hays hovered around ten points for the majority of the third quarter. With 1:10 left in the third quarter Emporia started their comeback. A 15-3 run by the Spartans that took just over five minutes tied the game at 43.

The teams would be tied one more time at 45 with 2:50 remaining.

Hays took a pair of five point leads at 50-45 and 52-47 in the final two minutes. Emporia scored the game's next six points. A pair of free throws with :29.4 second remaining gave the Spartans their first lead since the score was 7-4 in the first quarter.

The Indians missed a pair of free throws to tie the game with 25.2 seconds left. Emporia managed to make just one of two free throws with 23.5 remaining. Hays was fouled just twelve seconds later. Izaac Fox made the first of two free throws with :11.4 on the clock.&nbsp;

The second free throw was short, but rebounded by Dawson Ruder who scored on the put back to match his career high of 27 points and give the Indians a 55-54 lead.&nbsp;

Emporia elected not to use one of their final two timeouts and missed a shot near the rim. Hays gathered the rebound and was fouled with just .2 second left to secure the one point victory, 55-54.&nbsp;

Fox and Ruder each recorded a double-double for the second consecutive game. Fox had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Ruder added 11 rebounds to his 27 points.

Hays is off until next Friday when they travel to Garden City.

Pfeifer 2, Burkholder 0, Homeier 2, Oakley 5, Harmoney 3, Schmidtberger 3, Fox 13, Smalley 0, Otte 0, Ruder 27, Loving 0.

By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post SportsHays High hosted their second Centennial League opponent of the week on Friday evening as they welcomed Emporia to town.Girls:&nbsp;#5 Hays 51, Emporia 25 Hays used big runs in each of the first three quarters to pull away from Emporia in a 51-25 victory.The Indians scored the first eight points of the game and never trailed in the contest. The Hays (9-1) defense allowed just one of nine shooting in the first quarter and led 10-2. The Indians had multiple first quarter shots rattle around inside the rim but pop out.Hays shot better rest of the way. Emporia (4-6) trimmed the Indian advantage down to 12-7 with back-to-back field goals in the first two minutes of the second quarter. The Indians responded with a 14-2 run that saw five different players score, leading to a 26-9 lead at halftime.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2244889202&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hhs-wbkb-highlights-v-emporia" title="HHS WBKB Highlights v Emporia Jan 9, 2026" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS WBKB Highlights v Emporia Jan 9, 2026</a></div></div>Emporia never got closer than fifteen points in the second half. The Indians took control of the third quarter with a 13-2 run that again saw five different players score.Hays pushed their lead as high as 30 at 47-17 just thirty seconds into the fourth quarter to enact a continuous clock. Emporia outscored Hays 8-7 in the fourth quarter leaving Hays with a 51-25 victory.Coach Len Melvin<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2244889352&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/melvin-post-int-v-emporia-jan" title="Melvin Post Int v Emporia Jan 9, 2026" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Melvin Post Int v Emporia Jan 9, 2026</a></div></div>Twelve players got onto the court for Hays and nine of them scored.Rupp 2, Schmeidler 12, Humphrey 3, LaBarge 2, Koerner 0, Cunningham 0, Armbruster 8, Turner 2, Newell 4, Harrington 0, Buckles 6, Winter 12.Boys: #8 Hays 55, #3 Emporia 54 Hays High overcame cold fourth quarter free throw shooting to win 55-54 over the previously undefeated Emporia Spartans.Hays and Emporia traded the lead over the first six minutes of the game. Leading 10-9, Hays saw Emporia miss three free throws over two trip to tie or take the lead with just over a minute to go in the first quarter. The Indians scored four straight points to end the first with a 14-9 lead.Emporia again scored the first points of the quarter and make the game a one possession affair at 14-11. Hays used the next two minutes to score ten consecutive points for their first double-digit lead of the game at 24-11.&nbsp;The Indians eventually pushed their advantage to a game high 15 at 29-14 with 1:10 left in the first half. Emporia scored the final five points of the second quarter to crawl within ten at halftime 29-19.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2244894473&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/hhs-mbkb-highlights-v-emporia" title="HHS MBKB Highlights v Emporia Jan 9, 2026" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HHS MBKB Highlights v Emporia Jan 9, 2026</a></div></div>The lead for Hays hovered around ten points for the majority of the third quarter. With 1:10 left in the third quarter Emporia started their comeback. A 15-3 run by the Spartans that took just over five minutes tied the game at 43.The teams would be tied one more time at 45 with 2:50 remaining.Hays took a pair of five point leads at 50-45 and 52-47 in the final two minutes. Emporia scored the game's next six points. A pair of free throws with :29.4 second remaining gave the Spartans their first lead since the score was 7-4 in the first quarter.The Indians missed a pair of free throws to tie the game with 25.2 seconds left. Emporia managed to make just one of two free throws with 23.5 remaining. Hays was fouled just twelve seconds later. Izaac Fox made the first of two free throws with :11.4 on the clock.&nbsp;The second free throw was short, but rebounded by Dawson Ruder who scored on the put back to match his career high of 27 points and give the Indians a 55-54 lead.&nbsp;Emporia elected not to use one of their final two timeouts and missed a shot near the rim. Hays gathered the rebound and was fouled with just .2 second left to secure the one point victory, 55-54.&nbsp;Coach Sean Dreiling<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2244889421&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/dreiling-post-int-v-emporia" title="Dreiling Post Int v Emporia Jan 9, 2026" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Dreiling Post Int v Emporia Jan 9, 2026</a></div></div>Fox and Ruder each recorded a double-double for the second consecutive game. Fox had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Ruder added 11 rebounds to his 27 points.Hays is off until next Friday when they travel to Garden City.Pfeifer 2, Burkholder 0, Homeier 2, Oakley 5, Harmoney 3, Schmidtberger 3, Fox 13, Smalley 0, Otte 0, Ruder 27, Loving 0.

🏀 Hays girls and boys grab wins over Emporia

PAWNEE COUNTY —A&nbsp; Kansas couple made their first court appearance on Thursday following a more than two-year investigation of&nbsp;financial mistreatment and elder abuse.

Jeffrey S. Bates, 64 and Sandi K. Bates, 62, both of Larned, appeared before Pawnee Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

They were each charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Financial Mistreatment of a Dependent Adult/Elder Person, with an aggregate value of at least $100,000, but less than $250,000, alleged to have occurred between July 15, 2015, and December 31, 2022. This charge is a severity level 6 person felony.

Jeffrey Bates faces an additional count of Physical Mistreatment of a Dependent Adult/Elder Person, by allegedly knowingly inflicting physical injury, unreasonable confinement or unreasonable punishment upon a dependent adult or an elder person, alleged to have occurred on or about November 26, 2022. This charge is a severity level 5 person felony. In the alternative Bates is charged with Criminal Restraint, a Class A Person Misdemeanor.

The charges stem from a two-and-a-half-year investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department initiated by a report of alleged elder abuse. The sheriff department was assisted in the investigation by the Kansas Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit.

The Bates were arrested by the sheriff’s department without incident at their Larned residence on December 1, 2025, and released later that day after posting surety bonds.

&nbsp;A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 21, 2026.

Under Kansas law, “elder person” means a person 60 years of age or older. As charged, the crime of Financial Mistreatment of a Dependent Adult/Elder Person means the intent to knowingly take the personal property or financial resources of a dependent adult or an elder person for the benefit of the defendant by taking control of the personal property or financial resources of said dependent adult or elder person through undue influence, coercion, harassment, duress, deception, false representation, false pretense or without adequate consideration to such dependent adult or elder person.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for January 21.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767975992577.png" alt="Bates photo Pawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Bates photo Pawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY —A&nbsp; Kansas couple made their first court appearance on Thursday following a more than two-year investigation of&nbsp;financial mistreatment and elder abuse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767975957079.png" alt="Bates photo Pawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Bates photo Pawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>Jeffrey S. Bates, 64 and Sandi K. Bates, 62, both of Larned, appeared before Pawnee Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.They were each charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Financial Mistreatment of a Dependent Adult/Elder Person, with an aggregate value of at least $100,000, but less than $250,000, alleged to have occurred between July 15, 2015, and December 31, 2022. This charge is a severity level 6 person felony.Jeffrey Bates faces an additional count of Physical Mistreatment of a Dependent Adult/Elder Person, by allegedly knowingly inflicting physical injury, unreasonable confinement or unreasonable punishment upon a dependent adult or an elder person, alleged to have occurred on or about November 26, 2022. This charge is a severity level 5 person felony. In the alternative Bates is charged with Criminal Restraint, a Class A Person Misdemeanor.The charges stem from a two-and-a-half-year investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department initiated by a report of alleged elder abuse. The sheriff department was assisted in the investigation by the Kansas Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit.The Bates were arrested by the sheriff’s department without incident at their Larned residence on December 1, 2025, and released later that day after posting surety bonds.&nbsp;A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 21, 2026.Under Kansas law, “elder person” means a person 60 years of age or older. As charged, the crime of Financial Mistreatment of a Dependent Adult/Elder Person means the intent to knowingly take the personal property or financial resources of a dependent adult or an elder person for the benefit of the defendant by taking control of the personal property or financial resources of said dependent adult or elder person through undue influence, coercion, harassment, duress, deception, false representation, false pretense or without adequate consideration to such dependent adult or elder person.A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for January 21.

Kan. couple charged following an elder abuse investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said on social media Thursday that he is directing the federal government to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move he said would help reduce mortgage rates at a time when Americans are worried about home prices.

Trump and the White House have been trying to show they are responding to voter concerns about affordability ahead of midterm elections in November. Home prices have generally risen faster than incomes because of a persistent construction shortfall, making it harder for renters to buy their first home and for existing owners to upgrade to a new property — a challenge that dates back to Trump’s first term and the recovery from the housing market collapse that triggered the global financial crisis in 2008.

Trump said the two mortgage companies under government conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have $200 billion in cash that will be used to make the purchase.

“This will drive Mortgage Rates DOWN, monthly payments DOWN, and make the cost of owning a home more affordable,” Trump posted on social media.

White House officials did not immediately respond to questions about the timelines for how purchases would occur.

The Federal Reserve has in the past bought mortgage bonds during times of economic turmoil in order to help reduce interest rates, leading many homeowners to refinance into rates of 3% or less. The low rates of the recent past make these homeowners reluctant to sell their properties, depriving the market of inventory.

“At a high level I feel this is putting a Band-Aid on a deeper issue and it probably wouldn’t lower rates enough to really undo the mortgage rate lock-in effect,” said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at the real estate brokerage Redfin.

Fairweather estimated the government purchases of mortgage debt could shave 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points off the rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. But the purchases wouldn’t address other factors such as a chronic shortage of homes on the market, which has helped make homeownership unaffordable for many Americans, she cautioned.

Mortgage rates have been averaging around 6.2%, according to Freddie Mac, which went into conservatorship along with Fannie Mae in 2008 when the U.S. economy crashed during the Great Recession. Thirty-year mortgage rates haven’t been below 6% since September 2022.

“Lowering mortgage rates by maybe a quarter point or half a point maybe will encourage more demand on the margins, but I don’t think it’s going to solve the restrictions that exist in the housing market,” Fairweather said.

There is also a risk because Trump would be spending the cash reserves that are supposed to help be a buffer against an economic downturn akin to what happened during the Great Recession. In a sense, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be more vulnerable if anything negative happens to the housing market, meaning Trump is betting that possibility is highly unlikely.

Separately, the Fed holds roughly $2 trillion worth of mortgage-backed securities on its balance sheet. That’s down from $2.7 trillion in June 2022. The Fed began to unwind its mortgage-debt holdings as the U.S. economy recovered from the global pandemic.

Mortgage rates began to climb as inflation spiked coming out of the global pandemic, with the consumer price index hitting a four-decade high in 2022. The average mortgage rate is down from nearly 7% at the start of Trump’s second term last year, yet the decrease has done little to reassure a public that feels pressure from the costs of housing, food and energy.

When interest rates fall it can become cheaper to service housing debt on a monthly basis. The reduced monthly payments can improve affordability for a period until home prices adjust in response to changes in the rates. There was roughly $21.1 trillion in outstanding mortgage debt as of the middle of last year, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve.

Many homeowners took advantage of low interest rates during the pandemic to refinance their mortgages at rates of 3% or lower.

Trump last month said he planned to unveil housing reforms -- and on Wednesday he said he wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-housing-plan-investors-davos-6ec9f96c03d16c0714a6804c5f703db2">block institutional investors</a>&nbsp;from buying houses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659001075252.jpeg" alt="Photo AP" />
 <figcaption>Photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said on social media Thursday that he is directing the federal government to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move he said would help reduce mortgage rates at a time when Americans are worried about home prices.Trump and the White House have been trying to show they are responding to voter concerns about affordability ahead of midterm elections in November. Home prices have generally risen faster than incomes because of a persistent construction shortfall, making it harder for renters to buy their first home and for existing owners to upgrade to a new property — a challenge that dates back to Trump’s first term and the recovery from the housing market collapse that triggered the global financial crisis in 2008.Trump said the two mortgage companies under government conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have $200 billion in cash that will be used to make the purchase.“This will drive Mortgage Rates DOWN, monthly payments DOWN, and make the cost of owning a home more affordable,” Trump posted on social media.White House officials did not immediately respond to questions about the timelines for how purchases would occur.The Federal Reserve has in the past bought mortgage bonds during times of economic turmoil in order to help reduce interest rates, leading many homeowners to refinance into rates of 3% or less. The low rates of the recent past make these homeowners reluctant to sell their properties, depriving the market of inventory.“At a high level I feel this is putting a Band-Aid on a deeper issue and it probably wouldn’t lower rates enough to really undo the mortgage rate lock-in effect,” said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at the real estate brokerage Redfin.Fairweather estimated the government purchases of mortgage debt could shave 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points off the rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. But the purchases wouldn’t address other factors such as a chronic shortage of homes on the market, which has helped make homeownership unaffordable for many Americans, she cautioned.Mortgage rates have been averaging around 6.2%, according to Freddie Mac, which went into conservatorship along with Fannie Mae in 2008 when the U.S. economy crashed during the Great Recession. Thirty-year mortgage rates haven’t been below 6% since September 2022.“Lowering mortgage rates by maybe a quarter point or half a point maybe will encourage more demand on the margins, but I don’t think it’s going to solve the restrictions that exist in the housing market,” Fairweather said.There is also a risk because Trump would be spending the cash reserves that are supposed to help be a buffer against an economic downturn akin to what happened during the Great Recession. In a sense, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be more vulnerable if anything negative happens to the housing market, meaning Trump is betting that possibility is highly unlikely.Separately, the Fed holds roughly $2 trillion worth of mortgage-backed securities on its balance sheet. That’s down from $2.7 trillion in June 2022. The Fed began to unwind its mortgage-debt holdings as the U.S. economy recovered from the global pandemic.Mortgage rates began to climb as inflation spiked coming out of the global pandemic, with the consumer price index hitting a four-decade high in 2022. The average mortgage rate is down from nearly 7% at the start of Trump’s second term last year, yet the decrease has done little to reassure a public that feels pressure from the costs of housing, food and energy.When interest rates fall it can become cheaper to service housing debt on a monthly basis. The reduced monthly payments can improve affordability for a period until home prices adjust in response to changes in the rates. There was roughly $21.1 trillion in outstanding mortgage debt as of the middle of last year, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve.Many homeowners took advantage of low interest rates during the pandemic to refinance their mortgages at rates of 3% or lower.Trump last month said he planned to unveil housing reforms -- and on Wednesday he said he wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-housing-plan-investors-davos-6ec9f96c03d16c0714a6804c5f703db2">block institutional investors</a>&nbsp;from buying houses.___Veiga contributed from Los Angeles.

Trump taking action to make buying a home more affordable

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Hays received an additional .47 inches of rain on Thursday, according to the K-State Ag Research Center.

Hays had received .38 inches of rain as of 8 a.m. Thursday for a total of .85 inches.

Hays averages .5 inches of precipitation in January.

The center reported no snowfall as of 8 a.m., although snow is in the forecast for today.

The high for Hays today is forecast for 37 degrees with a 50% chance of snow today, a 20% chance of snow before midnight, and an overnight low of 22 degrees.

Southwest Kansas is forecast to receive the most snowfall, with accumulations of up to 6 inches.

The forecast for Hays calls for sunny skies with highs in the upper 40s on Saturday and Sunday, and in the upper 50s on Monday and Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767974904353.png" alt="National Weather Service, Dodge City" />
 <figcaption>National Weather Service, Dodge City</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostHays received an additional .47 inches of rain on Thursday, according to the K-State Ag Research Center.Hays had received .38 inches of rain as of 8 a.m. Thursday for a total of .85 inches.Hays averages .5 inches of precipitation in January.The center reported no snowfall as of 8 a.m., although snow is in the forecast for today.The high for Hays today is forecast for 37 degrees with a 50% chance of snow today, a 20% chance of snow before midnight, and an overnight low of 22 degrees.Southwest Kansas is forecast to receive the most snowfall, with accumulations of up to 6 inches.The forecast for Hays calls for sunny skies with highs in the upper 40s on Saturday and Sunday, and in the upper 50s on Monday and Tuesday.

Hays receives more needed rainfall Thursday; snow still in forecast for today

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Friday, the U.S. military said, as the Trump administration continues to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">target sanctioned tankers</a>&nbsp;traveling to and from Venezuela.

The pre-dawn action was carried out by Marines and Navy sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, part of the extensive force the U.S. has built up in the Caribbean in recent months, according to U.S. Southern Command, which declared “there is no safe haven for criminals” as it announced the seizure of the tanker called the Olina. The Coast Guard then took control of the vessel, officials said.

Southern Command and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem both posted unclassified footage on social media of a U.S. helicopter landing on the vessel and U.S. personnel conducting a search of the deck and tossing what appeared to be an explosive device in front of a door leading to inside the ship.

In her social media post, Noem said the ship was “another ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil” and it had departed Venezuela “attempting to evade U.S. forces."

The Olina is the fifth tanker that has been seized by U.S. forces as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-oil-reserves-trump-exxon-8a6462e76315c7d1a6e6a5a879f98c16">the distribution of Venezuela’s oil products</a>&nbsp;globally following the U.S. ouster of President Nicolás Maduro in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">a surprise nighttime raid</a>.

U.S. government records show that the Olina was sanctioned for moving Russian oil under its prior name, Minerva M, and flagged in Panama.

While records show the Olina is now flying the flag of Timor-Leste, it is listed in the international shipping registry as having a false flag, meaning the registration it is claiming is not valid. In July, the owner and manager of the ship on its registration was changed to a company in Hong Kong.

According to ship tracking databases, the Olina last transmitted its location in November in the Caribbean, north of the Venezuelan coast. Since then, however, the ship has been running dark with its location beacon turned off.

While Noem and the military framed the seizure as part of an effort to enforce the law, other officials in the Trump administration have made clear they see it as a way to generate cash to fund U.S. goals in Venezuela.

In an early morning post on his social media network, Trump said the U.S. and Venezuela “are working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.”

The administration said it expects to sell 30 million to 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil, with the proceeds to go to both the U.S. and Venezuelan people. But the president expects the arrangement to continue indefinitely as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-chevron-exxonmobil-conocophillips-0e0619a991e92fd546504f1a613161e7">meets on Friday</a>&nbsp;with executives from 17 oil companies to discuss his goal of investing $100 billion in Venezuela to repair and upgrade its oil production and distribution.

Vice President JD Vance told Fox News this week that the U.S. can “control” Venezuela’s “purse strings” by dictating where its oil can be sold.

The Olina has a listed cargo capacity of up to 890,000 barrels of oil. While it is unclear if the tanker was full or empty, at the current market price of about $60 a barrel, a full cargo of oil from the tanker would be worth about $53 million.

Associated Press writers Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Josh Boak in Washington contributed reporting.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea on Friday, the U.S. military said, as the Trump administration continues to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-tanker-77f2c1441dda8217b37f9e38c3ae9131">target sanctioned tankers</a>&nbsp;traveling to and from Venezuela.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: “there is no safe haven for criminals.” In a pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, in support of the Department of Homeland Security, launched from the USS Gerald R.… <a href="https://t.co/StHo4ufcdx">pic.twitter.com/StHo4ufcdx</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2009632097858711656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The world’s criminals are on notice. Early this morning, the <a href="https://twitter.com/USCG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USCG</a> executed a boarding and seizure of the Motor Tanker Olina in international waters east of the Caribbean Sea. As another &quot;ghost fleet&quot; tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil, this vessel had departed… <a href="https://t.co/vvS3u3nrvl">pic.twitter.com/vvS3u3nrvl</a>&mdash; Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem/status/2009628070047604976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The pre-dawn action was carried out by Marines and Navy sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, part of the extensive force the U.S. has built up in the Caribbean in recent months, according to U.S. Southern Command, which declared “there is no safe haven for criminals” as it announced the seizure of the tanker called the Olina. The Coast Guard then took control of the vessel, officials said.Southern Command and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem both posted unclassified footage on social media of a U.S. helicopter landing on the vessel and U.S. personnel conducting a search of the deck and tossing what appeared to be an explosive device in front of a door leading to inside the ship.In her social media post, Noem said the ship was “another ‘ghost fleet’ tanker ship suspected of carrying embargoed oil” and it had departed Venezuela “attempting to evade U.S. forces."The Olina is the fifth tanker that has been seized by U.S. forces as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-oil-reserves-trump-exxon-8a6462e76315c7d1a6e6a5a879f98c16">the distribution of Venezuela’s oil products</a>&nbsp;globally following the U.S. ouster of President Nicolás Maduro in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">a surprise nighttime raid</a>.U.S. government records show that the Olina was sanctioned for moving Russian oil under its prior name, Minerva M, and flagged in Panama.While records show the Olina is now flying the flag of Timor-Leste, it is listed in the international shipping registry as having a false flag, meaning the registration it is claiming is not valid. In July, the owner and manager of the ship on its registration was changed to a company in Hong Kong.According to ship tracking databases, the Olina last transmitted its location in November in the Caribbean, north of the Venezuelan coast. Since then, however, the ship has been running dark with its location beacon turned off.While Noem and the military framed the seizure as part of an effort to enforce the law, other officials in the Trump administration have made clear they see it as a way to generate cash to fund U.S. goals in Venezuela.In an early morning post on his social media network, Trump said the U.S. and Venezuela “are working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.”The administration said it expects to sell 30 million to 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil, with the proceeds to go to both the U.S. and Venezuelan people. But the president expects the arrangement to continue indefinitely as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-chevron-exxonmobil-conocophillips-0e0619a991e92fd546504f1a613161e7">meets on Friday</a>&nbsp;with executives from 17 oil companies to discuss his goal of investing $100 billion in Venezuela to repair and upgrade its oil production and distribution.Vice President JD Vance told Fox News this week that the U.S. can “control” Venezuela’s “purse strings” by dictating where its oil can be sold.The Olina has a listed cargo capacity of up to 890,000 barrels of oil. While it is unclear if the tanker was full or empty, at the current market price of about $60 a barrel, a full cargo of oil from the tanker would be worth about $53 million.___Associated Press writers Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Josh Boak in Washington contributed reporting.

🎥 US intercepts another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea

SEDGWICK COUNTY– A 49-year-old Wichita man was sentenced Thursday for the shooting of a teenager in a Goddard parking lot in May 2024, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Judge Seth Rundle sentenced Ruben Contreras to 43 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. This sentence represents the maximum term of imprisonment allowed under Kansas law for the conviction.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Rundle ordered Contreras to serve 36 months of post-release supervision and required him to register as a violent offender for 15 years.

In November 2025, a Sedgwick County jury found Contreras guilty of one count of aggravated battery. The jury acquitted him of a separate charge of attempted first-degree murder.

The charges stemmed from an incident on May 11, 2024, at Walmart in Goddard, Kansas.&nbsp; Contreras shot 18-year-old Anakin Zehring following an altercation in the parking lot. Zehring was struck by gunfire and left paralyzed.

The case was prosecuted by the Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District of Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767959698810.png" alt="Contreras photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Contreras photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY– A 49-year-old Wichita man was sentenced Thursday for the shooting of a teenager in a Goddard parking lot in May 2024, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Judge Seth Rundle sentenced Ruben Contreras to 43 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. This sentence represents the maximum term of imprisonment allowed under Kansas law for the conviction.In addition to the prison term, Judge Rundle ordered Contreras to serve 36 months of post-release supervision and required him to register as a violent offender for 15 years.In November 2025, a Sedgwick County jury found Contreras guilty of one count of aggravated battery. The jury acquitted him of a separate charge of attempted first-degree murder.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715641692899.png" alt="Contreras as shown in his Sedgwick Co. booking photo from May of 2024" />
 <figcaption>Contreras as shown in his Sedgwick Co. booking photo from May of 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>The charges stemmed from an incident on May 11, 2024, at Walmart in Goddard, Kansas.&nbsp; Contreras shot 18-year-old Anakin Zehring following an altercation in the parking lot. Zehring was struck by gunfire and left paralyzed.The case was prosecuted by the Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District of Kansas.

Maximum sentence for shooting Kan. teen in Walmart parking lot

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Local Republican legislators said property tax relief will be a focus as the Kansas Legislature begins its session on Monday.

Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th district, Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City, Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, and Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, spoke with Hays Post to give a sneak peek at key issues slated for the Kansas legislative session.

Wasinger said her top priorities include controlling spending, balancing the state budget and addressing taxes. She spoke with the Ellis County Commission and the Hays City Commission in December about potential property tax solutions.

"What we have to do is figure out a more equitable way to impose property taxes that aren't so high," she said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0dc3bf76-bd9f-4190-a0c7-231ca8172d18">SEE RELATED STORY: Rep. Wasinger seeks Ellis County commissioners' input on property tax relief</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/31a9d9f8-0883-480f-aada-22ac084f09b9">SEE RELATED FOR CITY: Hays City Commission talks housing, business developments, marijuana sales</a>

"Valuations and property taxes are so high," Billinger said. "Our seniors especially, spent their whole life paying mortgages off, and now they're paying more on property tax than they did for a mortgage. ... It's made it very tough on our seniors."

Wasinger said all state agencies are on the table for budget cuts, with no exceptions. She noted excess staffing and unused office space in Topeka.

"We have to learn to live within our budget, and we have to learn how to cut back in a very judicious way," she said. "I think the government itself is very bloated. ... I think we have a lot of excess space, and we're not filling it, so we shouldn't be paying for it."

Rahjes said property tax relief remains the top issue, pointing to constituent frustration and ongoing disagreements between the House and Senate on how to address it.

"We need to have a conversation with the counties, the Legislature and all parties concerned, rather than just yelling at each other," Rahjes said.

Minnix said he wants to explore new revenue sources to reduce the state’s reliance on property taxes.

"I'm working on something to tax some of the additional energy here in Kansas that seems to be a very fast-growing industry to bring a little tax revenue into the state and distribute that back to the local government, cities and counties," he said.

Billinger said Kansas spent more than it collected last year, prompting the state to tap into its reserves.

"Last year, we cut about a little over $200 million, but we still spent more than we brought in. The revenues were less than what we spent," Billinger said. "We spent from our reserves, and we'll have to find ways to reduce the budget some more again this year."

Waymaster said the state has limited flexibility on property taxes but pointed to education as a possible area for adjustments.

"We did reduce the 20 mills that go to education. We could possibly look at that," he said. "There are various other proposals that some are coming up with regarding addressing property taxes for taxpayers."

Billinger said all agencies will be considered for budget cuts, while acknowledging the importance of supporting social services and education.

On education funding, Wasinger said she questions whether increased spending is effective, citing low reading and math proficiency rates despite higher funding levels.

"We have given the Department of Education millions and millions of dollars, and they said, 'You haven't paid us enough. That's why there's no student success.' But if you look at the test results of children right now, over 40% do not read or do math at grade level, and that's with a few billion more dollars," she said.

Wasinger said the department also oversees the distribution of special education funding and that a broader review is needed before any potential court involvement.

Billinger said there is little room to cut funding for K-12 education and social services. He said special education remains underfunded, and lawmakers plan to continue increasing its share of the budget.

Waymaster said education is a recurring focus each year, with K-12 funding making up about 52% of the state budget.

"It's not like we don't fund special education, we do," he said. "A lot of school districts are saying that the state is coming up short because we should be financing it at a certain level. But the federal government is also supposed to be doing that, too, which it's not."

Waymaster said higher education institutions, such as universities, are expected to submit sizable funding requests and will be part of budget discussions.

As chairman of the House Water Committee, Minnix said he plans to work on several bills, such as proposals for long-term water funding.

"There are a lot of things that we need to improve. We need to encourage conservation and better utilization of our water resources out there," he said.

Rahjes said the session will include discussions on the agricultural economy, disease prevention and right-to-farm protections.

"We want to make sure the tools that farmers have when it comes to using some chemicals are correct. In fact, we're learning about some of those right now and working on some language that allows farmers to use some of those tools that work," Rahjes said.

Minnix said agriculture is experiencing mixed conditions between cattle and crop production, and property tax relief would also benefit both.

Health care staff, rural attorney shortage

Rahjes said rural health care will be discussed. He acknowledged critical access hospitals in southwest Kansas continue to face challenges, including staffing shortages.

"The other thing we hope to complete this year is to start the process of working with our law schools to get more rural attorneys. We are desperately short," he said.

Billinger said mental health is a growing concern and expects the new 104-bed South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital in Wichita to help reduce the state’s reliance on temporary health care staff.

"At Larned and Osawatomie, we're using a lot of traveling staff, nurses and doctors. We spent over $60 million on traveling personnel," he said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2c666ccf-6356-4a39-8f41-6d19c237f901">SEE RELATED STORY: Two Kansas hospitals spent $61.4 million on temporary staff. It was just $6 million in 2019</a>

Waymaster said recent federal health care changes are expected to affect the state’s budget, but added that Kansas received funding in December to support rural health care.

"Kansas is going to be receiving about $221 million to address rural health care across the state. That's kind of in its infancy," Waymaster said. "The timeline, according to the Department of Health and Environment, is we have to spend or allocate it by Oct. 31, 2026."

Direct election of Kansas Supreme Court justices

Voters will decide in August whether to rewrite the state Constitution to make Kansas Supreme Court justices elected and end the current merit-based selection system for filling vacancies.

Wasinger and Rahjes said they support the amendment.

"We need to have the Supreme Court justices be elected," Wasinger said. "The Supreme Court is chosen by a panel that is not in touch with Kansans or what's going on. They are making the decisions for us, and we need to be accountable for our decisions."

A nine-member nominating commission reviews applications to fill a vacancy and selects three finalists for the governor to choose from.&nbsp;

"The Supreme Court should be representative of the people," Rahjes said. "Over the last few years, if you go back and look at who has appointed these Supreme Court Justices, it's primarily been one party. There's this game being played that if you're in the right position, you hold out until you absolutely have to retire, and maybe somebody that's&nbsp;from my party is the governor."

Waymaster said he likes the idea of elections but prefers to have a federal model.

"We'll see what the Kansas voters say in the primary ballot," he said.

Minnix said he is still undecided, while Billinger said he has not yet thoroughly reviewed the issue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767376436372.jpg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostLocal Republican legislators said property tax relief will be a focus as the Kansas Legislature begins its session on Monday.Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th district, Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City, Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, and Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, spoke with Hays Post to give a sneak peek at key issues slated for the Kansas legislative session.Wasinger said her top priorities include controlling spending, balancing the state budget and addressing taxes. She spoke with the Ellis County Commission and the Hays City Commission in December about potential property tax solutions."What we have to do is figure out a more equitable way to impose property taxes that aren't so high," she said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0dc3bf76-bd9f-4190-a0c7-231ca8172d18">SEE RELATED STORY: Rep. Wasinger seeks Ellis County commissioners' input on property tax relief</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/31a9d9f8-0883-480f-aada-22ac084f09b9">SEE RELATED FOR CITY: Hays City Commission talks housing, business developments, marijuana sales</a>"Valuations and property taxes are so high," Billinger said. "Our seniors especially, spent their whole life paying mortgages off, and now they're paying more on property tax than they did for a mortgage. ... It's made it very tough on our seniors."Wasinger said all state agencies are on the table for budget cuts, with no exceptions. She noted excess staffing and unused office space in Topeka."We have to learn to live within our budget, and we have to learn how to cut back in a very judicious way," she said. "I think the government itself is very bloated. ... I think we have a lot of excess space, and we're not filling it, so we shouldn't be paying for it."Rahjes said property tax relief remains the top issue, pointing to constituent frustration and ongoing disagreements between the House and Senate on how to address it."We need to have a conversation with the counties, the Legislature and all parties concerned, rather than just yelling at each other," Rahjes said.Minnix said he wants to explore new revenue sources to reduce the state’s reliance on property taxes."I'm working on something to tax some of the additional energy here in Kansas that seems to be a very fast-growing industry to bring a little tax revenue into the state and distribute that back to the local government, cities and counties," he said.Billinger said Kansas spent more than it collected last year, prompting the state to tap into its reserves."Last year, we cut about a little over $200 million, but we still spent more than we brought in. The revenues were less than what we spent," Billinger said. "We spent from our reserves, and we'll have to find ways to reduce the budget some more again this year."Waymaster said the state has limited flexibility on property taxes but pointed to education as a possible area for adjustments."We did reduce the 20 mills that go to education. We could possibly look at that," he said. "There are various other proposals that some are coming up with regarding addressing property taxes for taxpayers."Billinger said all agencies will be considered for budget cuts, while acknowledging the importance of supporting social services and education.Education fundingOn education funding, Wasinger said she questions whether increased spending is effective, citing low reading and math proficiency rates despite higher funding levels."We have given the Department of Education millions and millions of dollars, and they said, 'You haven't paid us enough. That's why there's no student success.' But if you look at the test results of children right now, over 40% do not read or do math at grade level, and that's with a few billion more dollars," she said.Wasinger said the department also oversees the distribution of special education funding and that a broader review is needed before any potential court involvement.Billinger said there is little room to cut funding for K-12 education and social services. He said special education remains underfunded, and lawmakers plan to continue increasing its share of the budget.Waymaster said education is a recurring focus each year, with K-12 funding making up about 52% of the state budget."It's not like we don't fund special education, we do," he said. "A lot of school districts are saying that the state is coming up short because we should be financing it at a certain level. But the federal government is also supposed to be doing that, too, which it's not."Waymaster said higher education institutions, such as universities, are expected to submit sizable funding requests and will be part of budget discussions.Water, agAs chairman of the House Water Committee, Minnix said he plans to work on several bills, such as proposals for long-term water funding."There are a lot of things that we need to improve. We need to encourage conservation and better utilization of our water resources out there," he said.Rahjes said the session will include discussions on the agricultural economy, disease prevention and right-to-farm protections."We want to make sure the tools that farmers have when it comes to using some chemicals are correct. In fact, we're learning about some of those right now and working on some language that allows farmers to use some of those tools that work," Rahjes said.Minnix said agriculture is experiencing mixed conditions between cattle and crop production, and property tax relief would also benefit both.Health care staff, rural attorney shortageRahjes said rural health care will be discussed. He acknowledged critical access hospitals in southwest Kansas continue to face challenges, including staffing shortages."The other thing we hope to complete this year is to start the process of working with our law schools to get more rural attorneys. We are desperately short," he said.Billinger said mental health is a growing concern and expects the new 104-bed South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital in Wichita to help reduce the state’s reliance on temporary health care staff."At Larned and Osawatomie, we're using a lot of traveling staff, nurses and doctors. We spent over $60 million on traveling personnel," he said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2c666ccf-6356-4a39-8f41-6d19c237f901">SEE RELATED STORY: Two Kansas hospitals spent $61.4 million on temporary staff. It was just $6 million in 2019</a>Waymaster said recent federal health care changes are expected to affect the state’s budget, but added that Kansas received funding in December to support rural health care."Kansas is going to be receiving about $221 million to address rural health care across the state. That's kind of in its infancy," Waymaster said. "The timeline, according to the Department of Health and Environment, is we have to spend or allocate it by Oct. 31, 2026."Direct election of Kansas Supreme Court justicesVoters will decide in August whether to rewrite the state Constitution to make Kansas Supreme Court justices elected and end the current merit-based selection system for filling vacancies.Wasinger and Rahjes said they support the amendment."We need to have the Supreme Court justices be elected," Wasinger said. "The Supreme Court is chosen by a panel that is not in touch with Kansans or what's going on. They are making the decisions for us, and we need to be accountable for our decisions."A nine-member nominating commission reviews applications to fill a vacancy and selects three finalists for the governor to choose from.&nbsp;"The Supreme Court should be representative of the people," Rahjes said. "Over the last few years, if you go back and look at who has appointed these Supreme Court Justices, it's primarily been one party. There's this game being played that if you're in the right position, you hold out until you absolutely have to retire, and maybe somebody that's&nbsp;from my party is the governor."Waymaster said he likes the idea of elections but prefers to have a federal model."We'll see what the Kansas voters say in the primary ballot," he said.Minnix said he is still undecided, while Billinger said he has not yet thoroughly reviewed the issue.

Local legislators to prioritize property taxes during 2026 session

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday proposed setting U.S. military spending at $1.5 trillion in 2027, citing “troubled and dangerous times.”

Trump called for the massive surge in spending days after he ordered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/us-trump-updates-01-07-2026">U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;and spirit him out of the country to face drug trafficking charges in the United States. U.S. forces continue to mass in the Caribbean Sea.

The 2026 military budget is set&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-bill-congress-trump-dd67d203accfb65b7604072ebb5da153">at $901 billion.</a>

Trump in recent days has also called for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-greenland-trump-russia-deterrence-threat-07d6c18ed968c25736eca2c25d935edb">taking over the Danish territory of Greenland</a>&nbsp;for national security reasons and has suggested he’s open to carrying out military operations in Colombia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ominously warned that longtime adversary Cuba “is in trouble.”

“This will allow us to build the ‘Dream Military’ that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe,” Trump said in a posting on Truth Social announcing his proposal.

The military just received a large boost of some $175 billion in the GOP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">“big, beautiful bill”</a>&nbsp;of tax breaks and spending reductions that Trump signed into law last year.

Insisting on more funding for the Pentagon is almost certain to run into resistance from Democrats who work to maintain parity between changes in defense and non-defense spending. But it’s also sure to draw objections from the GOP’s deficit hawks who have pushed back against larger military spending.

But Trump said he feels comfortable surging spending on the military because of increased revenue created by his administration through tariffs imposed on friends and foes around the globe since his return to office.

The U.S. government collected gross revenues of $288.5 billion last year from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-trade-economy-3096dec0bb6bc49f3b965f64fce70bfa">tariffs</a>&nbsp;and other excise taxes, up from $98.3 billion in 2024, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. That’s a meaningful increase in revenues from taxing imports. But it’s not enough to cover the various promises made by Trump, who has said the tariffs can also cover dividends to taxpayers, pay down the national debt and, now, cover increased spending on the military.

Meanwhile, Trump on Wednesday also threatened to cut off Pentagon purchases from Raytheon, one of the biggest U.S. defense contractors, if the company did not end the practice of stock buybacks and invest more profits into building out its weapons manufacturing capacity.

“Either Raytheon steps up, and starts investing in more upfront Investment like Plants and Equipment, or they will no longer be doing business with Department of War,” Trump said on social media. “Also, if Raytheon wants further business with the United States Government, under no circumstances will they be allowed to do any additional Stock Buybacks, where they have spent Tens of Billions of Dollars, until they are able to get their act together.”

The threat came as the president issued an executive order calling on the Pentagon to begin a review to spot defense contractors who are underperforming on fulfilling contracts and insufficiently investing in building manufacturing but are still engaging in stock buybacks or distributing dividends to shareholders.

The order also calls for the Pentagon to take steps to ensure future contracts with any new or existing defense contractor contain a provision prohibiting stock buybacks during a period of underperformance on U.S. government contracts. The order also calls for the Pentagon to stipulate in future contracts that executive incentive compensation is not tied to short-term financial metrics.

Trump in recent months has repeatedly complained broadly that defense companies have been woefully behind on deliveries of critical weaponry, yet continue to mete out dividends and stock buybacks to investors and offering eye-popping salaries to top executives.

The criticism of Raytheon, however, was the most pointed to date of a particular contractor.

The company is responsible for making some of the military’s most widely used and notable missiles, including the Tomahawk cruise missile, the shoulder-launched Javelin and Stinger missiles, and the Sidewinder air-to-air missile.

Raytheon also owns Pratt and Whitney, a company that is responsible for manufacturing a host of jet engines that power aircraft for all the military branches, including the newest F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

On Wall Street, shares of defense contractors fell, with Northrop Grumman dropping 5.5%, Lockheed Martin declining 4.8% and RTX Corp., the parent company of Raytheon, slipping 2.5%.

Raytheon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday proposed setting U.S. military spending at $1.5 trillion in 2027, citing “troubled and dangerous times.”Trump called for the massive surge in spending days after he ordered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/us-trump-updates-01-07-2026">U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;and spirit him out of the country to face drug trafficking charges in the United States. U.S. forces continue to mass in the Caribbean Sea.The 2026 military budget is set&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-bill-congress-trump-dd67d203accfb65b7604072ebb5da153">at $901 billion.</a>Trump in recent days has also called for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-greenland-trump-russia-deterrence-threat-07d6c18ed968c25736eca2c25d935edb">taking over the Danish territory of Greenland</a>&nbsp;for national security reasons and has suggested he’s open to carrying out military operations in Colombia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ominously warned that longtime adversary Cuba “is in trouble.”“This will allow us to build the ‘Dream Military’ that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe,” Trump said in a posting on Truth Social announcing his proposal.The military just received a large boost of some $175 billion in the GOP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">“big, beautiful bill”</a>&nbsp;of tax breaks and spending reductions that Trump signed into law last year.Insisting on more funding for the Pentagon is almost certain to run into resistance from Democrats who work to maintain parity between changes in defense and non-defense spending. But it’s also sure to draw objections from the GOP’s deficit hawks who have pushed back against larger military spending.But Trump said he feels comfortable surging spending on the military because of increased revenue created by his administration through tariffs imposed on friends and foes around the globe since his return to office.The U.S. government collected gross revenues of $288.5 billion last year from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-trade-economy-3096dec0bb6bc49f3b965f64fce70bfa">tariffs</a>&nbsp;and other excise taxes, up from $98.3 billion in 2024, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. That’s a meaningful increase in revenues from taxing imports. But it’s not enough to cover the various promises made by Trump, who has said the tariffs can also cover dividends to taxpayers, pay down the national debt and, now, cover increased spending on the military.Meanwhile, Trump on Wednesday also threatened to cut off Pentagon purchases from Raytheon, one of the biggest U.S. defense contractors, if the company did not end the practice of stock buybacks and invest more profits into building out its weapons manufacturing capacity.“Either Raytheon steps up, and starts investing in more upfront Investment like Plants and Equipment, or they will no longer be doing business with Department of War,” Trump said on social media. “Also, if Raytheon wants further business with the United States Government, under no circumstances will they be allowed to do any additional Stock Buybacks, where they have spent Tens of Billions of Dollars, until they are able to get their act together.”The threat came as the president issued an executive order calling on the Pentagon to begin a review to spot defense contractors who are underperforming on fulfilling contracts and insufficiently investing in building manufacturing but are still engaging in stock buybacks or distributing dividends to shareholders.The order also calls for the Pentagon to take steps to ensure future contracts with any new or existing defense contractor contain a provision prohibiting stock buybacks during a period of underperformance on U.S. government contracts. The order also calls for the Pentagon to stipulate in future contracts that executive incentive compensation is not tied to short-term financial metrics.Trump in recent months has repeatedly complained broadly that defense companies have been woefully behind on deliveries of critical weaponry, yet continue to mete out dividends and stock buybacks to investors and offering eye-popping salaries to top executives.The criticism of Raytheon, however, was the most pointed to date of a particular contractor.The company is responsible for making some of the military’s most widely used and notable missiles, including the Tomahawk cruise missile, the shoulder-launched Javelin and Stinger missiles, and the Sidewinder air-to-air missile.Raytheon also owns Pratt and Whitney, a company that is responsible for manufacturing a host of jet engines that power aircraft for all the military branches, including the newest F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.On Wall Street, shares of defense contractors fell, with Northrop Grumman dropping 5.5%, Lockheed Martin declining 4.8% and RTX Corp., the parent company of Raytheon, slipping 2.5%.Raytheon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.—

Dangerous times: Trump proposes massive increase in defense spending

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser, news reporter, talks with Lee Ann June, The Bricks executive director, about the 2025 holiday season in downtown Hays and some of the plans for 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650389030295.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, Becky Kiser, news reporter, talks with Lee Ann June, The Bricks executive director, about the 2025 holiday season in downtown Hays and some of the plans for 2026.<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: The Bricks wraps up the holiday season in downtown Hays" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=gp4gc-1a0ecac-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

🎙 Post Podcast: The Bricks wraps up holiday season in downtown Hays

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Friday for Hays and Ellis County.

Other affected areas include:&nbsp;Trego, Scott, Lane, Ness, Rush, Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Hodgeman,&nbsp;Pawnee, Stafford, Stanton, Grant, Haskell, Gray, Ford, Edwards, Kiowa, Pratt, Morton, Stevens, Seward, Meade, Clark, Comanche and Barber counties.

Light snow will develop near the Colorado border after midnight, according to the National Weather Service.

This light snow will continue west of U.S. Highway 83 through daybreak and then begin to spread east across the remainder of southwest Kansas on Friday. 

The overnight snowfall is expected to end by 6 a.m. Friday and is currently expected to be light and average less than one inch.

Snowfall is expected to continue to accumulate on Friday, with totals between 0.5 to 1.5 inches likely, but there is a 60-80% chance that over 2 inches will be possible before the snow ends west of a Liberal to Sublette line.

Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be sunny with highs in the mid-40s.

The highs in Hays Monday through Wednesday are forecast in the 50s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767889706278.png" alt="National Weather Service, Dodge City" />
 <figcaption>National Weather Service, Dodge City</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Friday for Hays and Ellis County.Other affected areas include:&nbsp;Trego, Scott, Lane, Ness, Rush, Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Hodgeman,&nbsp;Pawnee, Stafford, Stanton, Grant, Haskell, Gray, Ford, Edwards, Kiowa, Pratt, Morton, Stevens, Seward, Meade, Clark, Comanche and Barber counties.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2411751015946515%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Light snow will develop near the Colorado border after midnight, according to the National Weather Service.This light snow will continue west of U.S. Highway 83 through daybreak and then begin to spread east across the remainder of southwest Kansas on Friday. The overnight snowfall is expected to end by 6 a.m. Friday and is currently expected to be light and average less than one inch.Snowfall is expected to continue to accumulate on Friday, with totals between 0.5 to 1.5 inches likely, but there is a 60-80% chance that over 2 inches will be possible before the snow ends west of a Liberal to Sublette line.Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be sunny with highs in the mid-40s.The highs in Hays Monday through Wednesday are forecast in the 50s.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767901967971.jpeg" alt="City of Hays snow routes" />
 <figcaption>City of Hays snow routes</figcaption>
 </figure>

Snow expected Friday; hazardous weather outlook issued

The first moisture of 2026 for Hays brought rain overnight into Thursday morning.&nbsp;

As of 8 a.m., 0.38 inches of rain had been measured at the K-State&nbsp; Agricultural Research Center south of town.&nbsp;

At the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, 0.51 inches was measured as of 8:30 a.m. with light rain continuing.

The cumulative moisture average for January in Hays is 0.50.

The National Weather Service <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/55051a5e-58fd-43e9-8073-ff35efae26c0">weather forecast</a> calls for a 100% change of rain, then tapering off tonight.

A 40% chance of snow showers is in the forecast for Friday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715004827241.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe first moisture of 2026 for Hays brought rain overnight into Thursday morning.&nbsp;As of 8 a.m., 0.38 inches of rain had been measured at the K-State&nbsp; Agricultural Research Center south of town.&nbsp;At the Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, 0.51 inches was measured as of 8:30 a.m. with light rain continuing.The cumulative moisture average for January in Hays is 0.50.The National Weather Service <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/55051a5e-58fd-43e9-8073-ff35efae26c0">weather forecast</a> calls for a 100% change of rain, then tapering off tonight.A 40% chance of snow showers is in the forecast for Friday.&nbsp;

First moisture of new year falls in Hays overnight into Thursday 

SEDGWICK COUNTY– A 49-year-old Wichita man was sentenced Thursday for the shooting of a teenager in a Goddard parking lot in May 2024.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is scheduled for sentencing Thursday for shooting a teen in a Walmart parking lot.

&nbsp;In November a jury found 47-year-old Ruben Contreras of Wichita guilty of aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He had originally been charged with attempted first-degree murder.

&nbsp; He is scheduled to appear in Judge Seth Rundle's courtroom for the sentencing. In July Contreras plead not guilty to the charges.

Just before 5p.m. May 11, 2024 officers were dispatched to a call involving a weapon at Walmart, 18631 W. Kellogg in Goddard, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office. First responders located an 18-year-old, later identified as Anakin Zehring, in a vehicle&nbsp;suffering from a gunshot wound, in the Walmart parking lot.

Zehring and some friends were firing a&nbsp;toy gel blaster in the parking lot&nbsp;when they hit a girl, according to a court document. Investigators say she called her father, Contreras, who came to the scene and shot Zehring. EMS transported Zehring to the hospital in serious condition.&nbsp; He continues to recover at a hospital in Nebraska, according to an<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-support-my-sons-recovery-journey?lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link&amp;mibextid=xfxF2i">&nbsp;online fundraiser.</a>

A suspect identified as&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=748186">Contreras,</a>&nbsp;remained on the scene when law enforcement arrived and was taken into custody.

Contreras was transported to Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigation to be interviewed. He was later booked into Sedgwick County Detention Facility and later met the condition of a $300-thousand bond and is out of jail, according to online records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715641692899.png" alt="Contreras photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Contreras photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY– A 49-year-old Wichita man was sentenced Thursday for the shooting of a teenager in a Goddard parking lot in May 2024.Judge Seth Rundle sentenced Ruben Contreras to 43 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. This sentence represents the maximum term of imprisonment allowed under Kansas law for the conviction.In addition to the prison term, Judge Rundle ordered Contreras to serve 36 months of post-release supervision and required him to register as a violent offender for 15 years.In November 2025, a Sedgwick County jury found Contreras guilty of one count of aggravated battery. The jury acquitted him of a separate charge of attempted first-degree murder.The charges stemmed from an incident on May 11, 2024, at Walmart in Goddard, Kansas.&nbsp; Contreras shot 18-year-old Anakin Zehring following an altercation in the parking lot. Zehring was struck by gunfire and left paralyzed.The case was prosecuted by the Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District of Kansas.-------------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is scheduled for sentencing Thursday for shooting a teen in a Walmart parking lot.&nbsp;In November a jury found 47-year-old Ruben Contreras of Wichita guilty of aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He had originally been charged with attempted first-degree murder.&nbsp; He is scheduled to appear in Judge Seth Rundle's courtroom for the sentencing. In July Contreras plead not guilty to the charges.Just before 5p.m. May 11, 2024 officers were dispatched to a call involving a weapon at Walmart, 18631 W. Kellogg in Goddard, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office. First responders located an 18-year-old, later identified as Anakin Zehring, in a vehicle&nbsp;suffering from a gunshot wound, in the Walmart parking lot.Zehring and some friends were firing a&nbsp;toy gel blaster in the parking lot&nbsp;when they hit a girl, according to a court document. Investigators say she called her father, Contreras, who came to the scene and shot Zehring. EMS transported Zehring to the hospital in serious condition.&nbsp; He continues to recover at a hospital in Nebraska, according to an<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-support-my-sons-recovery-journey?lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link&amp;mibextid=xfxF2i">&nbsp;online fundraiser.</a>A suspect identified as&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=748186">Contreras,</a>&nbsp;remained on the scene when law enforcement arrived and was taken into custody.Contreras was transported to Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigation to be interviewed. He was later booked into Sedgwick County Detention Facility and later met the condition of a $300-thousand bond and is out of jail, according to online records.