By GERARD WELLBROCK Hays Post

HAYS, Kan. – Caleb Heavner passed for 302 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 97 yards and a score in his first collegiate start and 0Fort Hays State defeated No. 12 Central Missouri 31-21 in front of a homecoming crowd of 7,125 Saturday night at Lewis Field.

The Tigers (3-2, 2-1 MIAA) scored on their first possession on a 1-yard touchdown run from Shane Watts that capped a nine-play, 53-yard drive. FHSU had an 18-yard pass from Heavner to Watts and a 14-yard run by Heavner to help set up the score.

Central Missouri tied the game on a 36-yard touchdown pass from reigning Harlon Hill Trophy winner Zach Zebrowski to C'ing Blanton on fourth down. The Tigers responded on their next possession, marching 75 yards in five plays. Heavner had a key 31-yard run and a 36-yard pass to Jabari Lewis. Heavner capped the drive with a&nbsp;16-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Horace give them a&nbsp;14-7 lead.

Later in the second quarter, Heavner found Ryan Allen&nbsp;on a short pass. Allen broke a tackle and raced 40-yards for a touchdown and a 21-7 halftime lead.

After neither team scored in the third quarter, FHSU added a career-long 46-yard field goal from from Carson Arndt to push the lead to 24-7.

Central Missouri closed the gap to 10 points with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Zebrowski to Zach Patterson on the Mules first play from scrimmage on their next possession. The Tigers answered with a 7-play, 65-yard touchdown drive which was capped by a Heavner 38-yard scramble to push the score to 31-14.

The Mules added a final touchdown with just over a minute to go, but the Tigers recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock for the victory.

Heavner completed 24-of-30 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 97 yards and a score and finished with 399 yards of total offense. Horace had seven catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Makel Williams led the FHSU defense with&nbsp;14 tackles, while Kobe Rome added 11 and John Johnson&nbsp;10.

FHSU generated 445 yards of total offense, while UCM had 533. Zebrowski, the nation's top passing quarterback, finished with 471 yards through the air. Patterson had 232 receiving yards for the Mules on 10 catches.

Fort Hays State improved to 4-1 at home against Central Missouri teams that are ranked in the FCA Top 25 and run their winning streak over ranked Mules team at home to four-straight.. It's Fort Hays State's first Homecoming win over a ranked team since 2021 when they knocked off Nebraska-Kearney, also ranked No. 12 at the time.

The crowd of 7,135 fans was the largest since Homecoming in 2018 when 7,140 attended a shutout win over Central Oklahoma.

Fort Hays State is back at home next Saturday night against Washburn. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728195029574.png" alt="Fort Hays State offensive lineman Kofi Karikari (77), wide receiver Jayden Horace (7) and quarterback Caleb Heavner (4) celebrate after a touchdown in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against No. 12 Central Missouri on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Coryn Hahn)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State offensive lineman Kofi Karikari (77), wide receiver Jayden Horace (7) and quarterback Caleb Heavner (4) celebrate after a touchdown in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against No. 12 Central Missouri on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Coryn Hahn)</figcaption>
 </figure>By GERARD WELLBROCK Hays PostHAYS, Kan. – Caleb Heavner passed for 302 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 97 yards and a score in his first collegiate start and 0Fort Hays State defeated No. 12 Central Missouri 31-21 in front of a homecoming crowd of 7,125 Saturday night at Lewis Field.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1929687392&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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/coach-brown-post-v-ucm-oct-5" title="Chris Brown Postgame vs. #12 Central Missouri (Oct 5, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Chris Brown Postgame vs. #12 Central Missouri (Oct 5, 2024)</a></div></div>The Tigers (3-2, 2-1 MIAA) scored on their first possession on a 1-yard touchdown run from Shane Watts that capped a nine-play, 53-yard drive. FHSU had an 18-yard pass from Heavner to Watts and a 14-yard run by Heavner to help set up the score.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728195254884.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Ryan Allen (11) races towards the endzone after making a catch in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against No. 12 Central Missouri on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (Hays Post phtoto/Jeff Leiker)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Ryan Allen (11) races towards the endzone after making a catch in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against No. 12 Central Missouri on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (Hays Post phtoto/Jeff Leiker)</figcaption>
 </figure>Central Missouri tied the game on a 36-yard touchdown pass from reigning Harlon Hill Trophy winner Zach Zebrowski to C'ing Blanton on fourth down. The Tigers responded on their next possession, marching 75 yards in five plays. Heavner had a key 31-yard run and a 36-yard pass to Jabari Lewis. Heavner capped the drive with a&nbsp;16-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Horace give them a&nbsp;14-7 lead.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1929687239&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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/caleb-heavner-post-v-ucm-oct-5" title="Caleb Heavner Post vs. #12 Central Missouri (Oct 5, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Caleb Heavner Post vs. #12 Central Missouri (Oct 5, 2024)</a></div></div>Later in the second quarter, Heavner found Ryan Allen&nbsp;on a short pass. Allen broke a tackle and raced 40-yards for a touchdown and a 21-7 halftime lead.After neither team scored in the third quarter, FHSU added a career-long 46-yard field goal from from Carson Arndt to push the lead to 24-7.Central Missouri closed the gap to 10 points with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Zebrowski to Zach Patterson on the Mules first play from scrimmage on their next possession. The Tigers answered with a 7-play, 65-yard touchdown drive which was capped by a Heavner 38-yard scramble to push the score to 31-14.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1929687494&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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/makel-williams-post-v-ucm-oct" title="Makel Williams Post vs. #12 Central Missouri (Oct 5, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Makel Williams Post vs. #12 Central Missouri (Oct 5, 2024)</a></div></div>The Mules added a final touchdown with just over a minute to go, but the Tigers recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock for the victory.Heavner completed 24-of-30 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 97 yards and a score and finished with 399 yards of total offense. Horace had seven catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Makel Williams led the FHSU defense with&nbsp;14 tackles, while Kobe Rome added 11 and John Johnson&nbsp;10.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1929687113&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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/fhsu-fb-highlights-v-ucm-oct-5" title="Fort Hays State FB Highlights vs. #12 Central Missouri *(Oct 5 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State FB Highlights vs. #12 Central Missouri *(Oct 5 2024)</a></div></div>FHSU generated 445 yards of total offense, while UCM had 533. Zebrowski, the nation's top passing quarterback, finished with 471 yards through the air. Patterson had 232 receiving yards for the Mules on 10 catches.HOME SWEET HOMEFort Hays State improved to 4-1 at home against Central Missouri teams that are ranked in the FCA Top 25 and run their winning streak over ranked Mules team at home to four-straight.. It's Fort Hays State's first Homecoming win over a ranked team since 2021 when they knocked off Nebraska-Kearney, also ranked No. 12 at the time.LARGE CROWDThe crowd of 7,135 fans was the largest since Homecoming in 2018 when 7,140 attended a shutout win over Central Oklahoma.UP NEXTFort Hays State is back at home next Saturday night against Washburn. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 Tigers take down No. 12 Central Missouri on homecoming

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after an arrest

On October 3, the Brown County Sheriffs Office arrested 30-year-old&nbsp; River Keo of Horton on a Douglas County $150,000 Felony Criminal Threat Warrant, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

He has previous convictions for driving under influence of alcohol or drugs - 3rd or subsequent conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp; He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728160722551.png" alt="Keo photo Brown County" />
 <figcaption>Keo photo Brown County</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after an arrestOn October 3, the Brown County Sheriffs Office arrested 30-year-old&nbsp; River Keo of Horton on a Douglas County $150,000 Felony Criminal Threat Warrant, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.He has previous convictions for driving under influence of alcohol or drugs - 3rd or subsequent conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp; He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas felon jailed for alleged criminal threat

Robert Duane Bell, 77,
of Hill City, began his life May 10, 1947 in Hays, Kansas. He was the oldest of
seven children born to Duane and Berneta (Kerbaugh) Bell. Bob departed this
life on Earth to begin his next journey September 30, 2024 with his family at
his side.

Bob was united in
marriage to Kathy Brown and to this union three children were born: Jeremy,
Nicole and Casey. In 1990 Bob met Adrenne Brault, better known as Andie, at an
AA meeting. They began dating, attending singles dances, fishing and doing many
outdoor activities. Bob and Andie were united in marriage June 14, 1991. With
this union, Bob gained three sons: Jon, Mike and Ron Brault, and three
grandsons: Brandon, Caden and Weston.

Bob’s passions in life
included driving fast cars and loud motorcycles, fishing, hunting, camping and
generally anything outdoors. And Bob was also
passionate about his dogs, especially his bird dogs. Bob and Andie spent hours
and hours in their yard. Their gardens were a wealth of fresh vegetables and a
bounty of fruit from&nbsp; the various
trees.&nbsp; 

Bob served his country
during the Vietnam War Era. In addition to his time in Germany, he spent time
in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, “The Screaming Eagles”.
Bob was an active member in AA and served as a sponsor. He was proud of his 48
years of sobriety.&nbsp;&nbsp; He was also a member
of the Hill City American Legion and the Honor Guard, marching in the Graham
County Fair Parades and Memorial Day Services at the cemetery. Following his
military service he worked in various jobs. Later returning to Hill City, Bob
began his employment with the City of Hill City, working in all departments. A
portion of his employment with the city was as Superintendent. Following his
retirement, Bob continued serving as cemetery caretaker.

Bob
was preceded in death by his parents: Duane and Berneta, his sister Nelda,
daughter Nicole, stepson Jon Brault, and sister-in-law Marcella Brin. 

He is survived and
will be deeply missed by his wife Andie; children Jeremy and wife Nikki of
Victoria, Casey of Hill City; stepsons: Mike and wife Stacie Brault of Magalia,
California and Ron Brault of Oroville, California; nine grandchildren: Kelsi
and husband Donny Hildebrand, Kinzie, Lux, Taylor Stramel and wife Hollie,
Lucas, Cydnee, Brandon Brault, Caden, Weston; four great grandchildren;
brothers: Ronald and wife Brenda of Lawrence, Richard&nbsp; and wife Leslie of Hill City, Gaylen and wife
Susie of Bogue, and Craig Ayers of Canyon Lake, Texas; sisters: Juanita Richey
of Hill City and Becky and husband Charles Hoss of Lenexa; brothers and
sisters-in-law and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Visitation:&nbsp; Sunday, October 6, 2024, 3 to 7 p.m. at
Stinemetz Funeral Home – Funeral Service:&nbsp;
Monday, October 7, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at Hill City Christian Church.
Memorials suggested to the family may be sent to Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N.
Pomeroy, Hill City, KS 67642. Condolences for the family may be posted on
www.stinemetzfh.com&nbsp; 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728065905414.jpeg" alt="Robert “Bob” Bell" />
 <figcaption>Robert “Bob” Bell</figcaption>
 </figure>Robert Duane Bell, 77,
of Hill City, began his life May 10, 1947 in Hays, Kansas. He was the oldest of
seven children born to Duane and Berneta (Kerbaugh) Bell. Bob departed this
life on Earth to begin his next journey September 30, 2024 with his family at
his side.Bob was united in
marriage to Kathy Brown and to this union three children were born: Jeremy,
Nicole and Casey. In 1990 Bob met Adrenne Brault, better known as Andie, at an
AA meeting. They began dating, attending singles dances, fishing and doing many
outdoor activities. Bob and Andie were united in marriage June 14, 1991. With
this union, Bob gained three sons: Jon, Mike and Ron Brault, and three
grandsons: Brandon, Caden and Weston.Bob’s passions in life
included driving fast cars and loud motorcycles, fishing, hunting, camping and
generally anything outdoors. And Bob was also
passionate about his dogs, especially his bird dogs. Bob and Andie spent hours
and hours in their yard. Their gardens were a wealth of fresh vegetables and a
bounty of fruit from&nbsp; the various
trees.&nbsp; Bob served his country
during the Vietnam War Era. In addition to his time in Germany, he spent time
in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, “The Screaming Eagles”.
Bob was an active member in AA and served as a sponsor. He was proud of his 48
years of sobriety.&nbsp;&nbsp; He was also a member
of the Hill City American Legion and the Honor Guard, marching in the Graham
County Fair Parades and Memorial Day Services at the cemetery. Following his
military service he worked in various jobs. Later returning to Hill City, Bob
began his employment with the City of Hill City, working in all departments. A
portion of his employment with the city was as Superintendent. Following his
retirement, Bob continued serving as cemetery caretaker.Bob
was preceded in death by his parents: Duane and Berneta, his sister Nelda,
daughter Nicole, stepson Jon Brault, and sister-in-law Marcella Brin. He is survived and
will be deeply missed by his wife Andie; children Jeremy and wife Nikki of
Victoria, Casey of Hill City; stepsons: Mike and wife Stacie Brault of Magalia,
California and Ron Brault of Oroville, California; nine grandchildren: Kelsi
and husband Donny Hildebrand, Kinzie, Lux, Taylor Stramel and wife Hollie,
Lucas, Cydnee, Brandon Brault, Caden, Weston; four great grandchildren;
brothers: Ronald and wife Brenda of Lawrence, Richard&nbsp; and wife Leslie of Hill City, Gaylen and wife
Susie of Bogue, and Craig Ayers of Canyon Lake, Texas; sisters: Juanita Richey
of Hill City and Becky and husband Charles Hoss of Lenexa; brothers and
sisters-in-law and a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation:&nbsp; Sunday, October 6, 2024, 3 to 7 p.m. at
Stinemetz Funeral Home – Funeral Service:&nbsp;
Monday, October 7, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at Hill City Christian Church.
Memorials suggested to the family may be sent to Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N.
Pomeroy, Hill City, KS 67642. Condolences for the family may be posted on
www.stinemetzfh.com&nbsp;

Robert “Bob” Bell

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

There may be no standard definition of a sports "superfan," but everyone knows one when they see one. Cleveland's John Adams comes to mind. The Guardians fan attended every home baseball game from 1973 until his death, at the age of 71, in 2023. He literally beat the drum from the stands for 48 seasons, or more than 3,500 games.

Kansas City has its own Superfan. Chris Coats, a United States Postal Service employee from Raytown, Mo., has been attending Royals games for most of his life, including 31 of the team's 33 playoff games since 2014. Coats attended the two American League Wild Card games in Baltimore earlier this week and is sticking around on the east coast for the Divisional Series that begins Saturday at Yankee Stadium. The goal is to make it back to Kauffman Stadium for Wednesday's game three in the series.

"It's going to be about 18 hours after Monday night to try to get back by Wednesday," Coats said in a Friday appearance on 1590 KVGB/95.5 FM's "Sports Day" show. "I think we can manage. We did 16 to Baltimore and we did okay. I've got a home-game streak going of over 1,600 games. I've got to make it."

With 81 home games a season, Coats' streak dates back more than 20 seasons. Things picked up around 2009 when Coats began following the Royals to other stadiums. Wearing a promotional Royals flag as a cape, he made the Fox Sports Kansas City broadcast at a game in Houston. The nickname "Superfan Chris" was christened.

"I was walking back and I found Ryan Lefebvre," Coats said. "We just got to talking. I had driven to Houston and I told him I was driving to Pittsburgh. He said, 'Oh wow, we'll have to get you on TV there, too. That's a heck of a drive.'"

Coats became a regular on Royals broadcasts as the team continued to struggle with losing seasons from 2004 to 2012. The Royals finished the 2013 season at 86-76, then made it to Game Seven of the 2014 World Series. Coats was one of several fans that postseason featured on the side of buses in downtown Kansas City.

Coats has now been to all 30 Major League Baseball cities but has yet to visit the new Truist Park in Atlanta or LoanDepot Park in Miami. Also a Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tigers fan, he frequently attends football games in the fall.

"I get five weeks off every year but I've been saving a lot of that every year for something like this," Coats said of the MLB playoffs. "I asked for the whole month of October off and they gave it to me. I told them I'd come back as long as the Royals aren't playing. I don't expect to use all the time, but I guess I will if they make it to the World Series."

During his streak, Coats has married and had two boys. The youngest son, at just five years old, has attended between 50 and 60 Royals games this year and made the 16-hour trip to Baltimore with his father.

"I wanted to include him on the ride," Coats said. "I worked Monday, then I packed up the car and we drove. We had about 24 hours to get there. We made it work and what an incredible series to watch."

Coats has watched games from the old Yankee Stadium and the new park that is already 15 years old. As discussion in Kansas City turns to a new downtown stadium, Coats said there are plenty of good examples to choose from.

"A lot of the National League ballparks are pretty good," he said. "Pittsburgh and San Diego, there's just something about the background. Even St. Louis, with the Arch in the background, the downtown atmosphere is pretty cool. I know the Royals are pushing for it and the fans don't like it but it's something else."

Kansas City will play games one and two of the American League Divisional Series at Yankee Stadium on Saturday and Monday evenings. Game three moves to Kansas City with a time to be determined.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728052435978.jpeg" alt="Royals "Superfan" Chris Coats (left) has attended more than 1,600 consecutive Royals games at Kauffman Stadium, and has attended 31 of the team's last 33 playoff games dating back to 2014." />
 <figcaption>Royals "Superfan" Chris Coats (left) has attended more than 1,600 consecutive Royals games at Kauffman Stadium, and has attended 31 of the team's last 33 playoff games dating back to 2014.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThere may be no standard definition of a sports "superfan," but everyone knows one when they see one. Cleveland's John Adams comes to mind. The Guardians fan attended every home baseball game from 1973 until his death, at the age of 71, in 2023. He literally beat the drum from the stands for 48 seasons, or more than 3,500 games.Kansas City has its own Superfan. Chris Coats, a United States Postal Service employee from Raytown, Mo., has been attending Royals games for most of his life, including 31 of the team's 33 playoff games since 2014. Coats attended the two American League Wild Card games in Baltimore earlier this week and is sticking around on the east coast for the Divisional Series that begins Saturday at Yankee Stadium. The goal is to make it back to Kauffman Stadium for Wednesday's game three in the series."It's going to be about 18 hours after Monday night to try to get back by Wednesday," Coats said in a Friday appearance on 1590 KVGB/95.5 FM's "Sports Day" show. "I think we can manage. We did 16 to Baltimore and we did okay. I've got a home-game streak going of over 1,600 games. I've got to make it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728051719002.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>With 81 home games a season, Coats' streak dates back more than 20 seasons. Things picked up around 2009 when Coats began following the Royals to other stadiums. Wearing a promotional Royals flag as a cape, he made the Fox Sports Kansas City broadcast at a game in Houston. The nickname "Superfan Chris" was christened."I was walking back and I found Ryan Lefebvre," Coats said. "We just got to talking. I had driven to Houston and I told him I was driving to Pittsburgh. He said, 'Oh wow, we'll have to get you on TV there, too. That's a heck of a drive.'"Coats became a regular on Royals broadcasts as the team continued to struggle with losing seasons from 2004 to 2012. The Royals finished the 2013 season at 86-76, then made it to Game Seven of the 2014 World Series. Coats was one of several fans that postseason featured on the side of buses in downtown Kansas City.Coats has now been to all 30 Major League Baseball cities but has yet to visit the new Truist Park in Atlanta or LoanDepot Park in Miami. Also a Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tigers fan, he frequently attends football games in the fall."I get five weeks off every year but I've been saving a lot of that every year for something like this," Coats said of the MLB playoffs. "I asked for the whole month of October off and they gave it to me. I told them I'd come back as long as the Royals aren't playing. I don't expect to use all the time, but I guess I will if they make it to the World Series."During his streak, Coats has married and had two boys. The youngest son, at just five years old, has attended between 50 and 60 Royals games this year and made the 16-hour trip to Baltimore with his father."I wanted to include him on the ride," Coats said. "I worked Monday, then I packed up the car and we drove. We had about 24 hours to get there. We made it work and what an incredible series to watch."Coats has watched games from the old Yankee Stadium and the new park that is already 15 years old. As discussion in Kansas City turns to a new downtown stadium, Coats said there are plenty of good examples to choose from."A lot of the National League ballparks are pretty good," he said. "Pittsburgh and San Diego, there's just something about the background. Even St. Louis, with the Arch in the background, the downtown atmosphere is pretty cool. I know the Royals are pushing for it and the fans don't like it but it's something else."Kansas City will play games one and two of the American League Divisional Series at Yankee Stadium on Saturday and Monday evenings. Game three moves to Kansas City with a time to be determined.

Kansas City 'Superfan' looking to keep attendance streak alive during playoffs

#12/13 Central Missouri (3-1, 1-1 MIAA) at Fort Hays State (3-2, 1-2 MIAA) Saturday, October 5 – 7 p.m. Hays, Kan. – Lewis Field

Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Fort Hays State returns home to face No. 12/13 Central Missouri for their homecoming game Saturday night at Lewis Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Tigers enter at 3-2 overall, 1-2 in the MIAA, while the Mules are 3-1 overall, 1-1 in the MIAA.

This will be the third AFCA Top 25 ranked team the Tigers face this season. FHSU notched a 21-7 win over No. 24 ranked Angelo State in the season opener in Hays, but fell last week to a No. 23 ranked Central Oklahoma team in Edmond 49-24.Fort Hays State has had success against ranked Central Missouri teams in Hays. The Tigers are 3-1 against AFCA-ranked UCM teams in Hays since joining the MIAA in 2006, which includes wins in the last three games in Hays when UCM was ranked. FHSU defeated a No. 20 ranked UCM team 28-14 in 2015, a No. 13 ranked UCM team 35-6 in 2017, and a No. 18 ranked UCM team 20-16 in 2018. The only time UCM won in Hays while ranked in the AFCA Top 25 was in 2010 when it held a No. 12 ranking and won 30-27.

The last time the Tigers face a ranked team on Homecoming was in 2021 when a No. 12 ranked Nebraska-Kearney squad came to Hays. FHSU won that meeting 42-35 with a massive second-half comeback after trailing 21-0 at halftime.

Central Missouri holds an 11-8 advantage in the all-time series. The teams have split 10 previous meetings in Hays with five wins going to each side.

The Mules won last year's meeting with the Tigers by a score of 47-28 in Warrensburg. The Mules were ranked No. 11 in the AFCA Top 25 for that contest. FHSU held a 28-24 lead at halftime, but went scoreless in the second half and saw UCM race by with 23 unanswered points after halftime.

The Tigers faced the nation's top offense last week at Central Oklahoma, which averages 584.8 yards per game. This week, they face the No. 3 ranked offense in Central Missouri, which averages 565.0 per game. UCM quarterback Zach Zebrowski, the 2023 D2CCA National Offensive Player of the Year, leads NCAA Division II in passing yards (1,815), passing yards per game (452.5), and passing touchdowns (18).

Offensively for the Tigers, Shane Watts&nbsp;is averaging 134.4 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks third in the MIAA and 25th&nbsp;in NCAA Division II. He also ranks in the same positions for the MIAA and nationally in rushing at 90.6 yards per game. Jabari Lewis&nbsp;leads the team in receiving yards with 278 following a career-high 79 receiving yards at Central Oklahoma last week. Jack Dawson has 865 passing yards for the season with five touchdowns.

The Tiger kicking game remains solid as&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/parker-janky/8008">Parker Janky</a>&nbsp;ranks third nationally in punting average at 45.9 yards per attempt.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/carson-arndt/7962">Carson Arndt</a>&nbsp;ranks fifth nationally in field goals made per game (1.8), converting nine of 11 attempts so far this season.

On the defensive side of the ball, Makel Williams&nbsp;leads the MIAA in total tackles with 39. Mason Perez&nbsp;is also among the conference top 10 in tackles with 34. Myles Menges&nbsp;leads the Tigers in sacks with 3.0, while Sam Brandt&nbsp;leads in interceptions with two. In home games so far this season, the Tiger defense is allowing just 280.7 yards per game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727989952927.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics

#12/13 Central Missouri (3-1, 1-1 MIAA) at Fort Hays State (3-2, 1-2 MIAA) Saturday, October 5 – 7 p.m. Hays, Kan. – Lewis FieldRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>Promotions:<ul>
 <li>Homecoming sponsored by Big Creek Crossing</li><li>Postgame Fireworks sponsored by J.Day Fireworks, Hays CVB, Horizon Appliance and Electronics, and Astra Bank.</li><li>Ticket Promotion: Show your football ticket at 1 p.m. soccer match or 2 p.m. volleyball match on Saturday to get in FREE. Also can show your football ticket on Sunday to get into 2 p.m. soccer match for FREE.</li>
 </ul>Fort Hays State returns home to face No. 12/13 Central Missouri for their homecoming game Saturday night at Lewis Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Tigers enter at 3-2 overall, 1-2 in the MIAA, while the Mules are 3-1 overall, 1-1 in the MIAA.This will be the third AFCA Top 25 ranked team the Tigers face this season. FHSU notched a 21-7 win over No. 24 ranked Angelo State in the season opener in Hays, but fell last week to a No. 23 ranked Central Oklahoma team in Edmond 49-24.Fort Hays State has had success against ranked Central Missouri teams in Hays. The Tigers are 3-1 against AFCA-ranked UCM teams in Hays since joining the MIAA in 2006, which includes wins in the last three games in Hays when UCM was ranked. FHSU defeated a No. 20 ranked UCM team 28-14 in 2015, a No. 13 ranked UCM team 35-6 in 2017, and a No. 18 ranked UCM team 20-16 in 2018. The only time UCM won in Hays while ranked in the AFCA Top 25 was in 2010 when it held a No. 12 ranking and won 30-27.The last time the Tigers face a ranked team on Homecoming was in 2021 when a No. 12 ranked Nebraska-Kearney squad came to Hays. FHSU won that meeting 42-35 with a massive second-half comeback after trailing 21-0 at halftime.Central Missouri holds an 11-8 advantage in the all-time series. The teams have split 10 previous meetings in Hays with five wins going to each side.The Mules won last year's meeting with the Tigers by a score of 47-28 in Warrensburg. The Mules were ranked No. 11 in the AFCA Top 25 for that contest. FHSU held a 28-24 lead at halftime, but went scoreless in the second half and saw UCM race by with 23 unanswered points after halftime.The Tigers faced the nation's top offense last week at Central Oklahoma, which averages 584.8 yards per game. This week, they face the No. 3 ranked offense in Central Missouri, which averages 565.0 per game. UCM quarterback Zach Zebrowski, the 2023 D2CCA National Offensive Player of the Year, leads NCAA Division II in passing yards (1,815), passing yards per game (452.5), and passing touchdowns (18).Offensively for the Tigers, Shane Watts&nbsp;is averaging 134.4 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks third in the MIAA and 25th&nbsp;in NCAA Division II. He also ranks in the same positions for the MIAA and nationally in rushing at 90.6 yards per game. Jabari Lewis&nbsp;leads the team in receiving yards with 278 following a career-high 79 receiving yards at Central Oklahoma last week. Jack Dawson has 865 passing yards for the season with five touchdowns.The Tiger kicking game remains solid as&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/parker-janky/8008">Parker Janky</a>&nbsp;ranks third nationally in punting average at 45.9 yards per attempt.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/carson-arndt/7962">Carson Arndt</a>&nbsp;ranks fifth nationally in field goals made per game (1.8), converting nine of 11 attempts so far this season.On the defensive side of the ball, Makel Williams&nbsp;leads the MIAA in total tackles with 39. Mason Perez&nbsp;is also among the conference top 10 in tackles with 34. Myles Menges&nbsp;leads the Tigers in sacks with 3.0, while Sam Brandt&nbsp;leads in interceptions with two. In home games so far this season, the Tiger defense is allowing just 280.7 yards per game.

🏈🎧 LISTEN: Tigers host #12/13 Central Missouri for homecoming

Alice Marie (Gosser) Stramel, 94, Hays, died Thursday,
October 3, 2024 at HaysMed.

She was born January 18, 1930 in Hays, the second child of
Theodore and Foila (Joy) Gosser.&nbsp; She
attended grade school in Hays except for third grade at Silverdale Country
School and graduated from Hays High School in 1948, then soon started working
for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator and later plant
clerk, retiring in 1985 after 28 years.

Alice married her high school sweetheart, Jim Stramel, on
December 18, 1950, and they raised six children in Hays.&nbsp; She was an excellent seamstress and really
enjoyed quilting.&nbsp; She made quilts for
her children and grandchildren and sent hundreds of quilts to Lutheran World
Relief.&nbsp; Alice was the hostess for many
family gatherings and always served delicious meals and desserts.&nbsp; She and Jim loved to travel and visited all
50 states and a number of foreign countries. &nbsp;They loved camping and fishing with close
friends.&nbsp; Alice was a lifetime member of
Trinity Lutheran Church in Hays, AT&amp;T – Southwestern Bell Pioneers, former
volunteer at Hays Medical Center and member of Buckeye Ladies Club.

Alice is survived by her husband Jim of Hays, sons, Dean
(Janet) Stramel and Glen (Nancy) Stramel, both of Hays, daughters, Susan
(Claude) Anderson of Kansas City, MO, Terry (Scott) Dennis of Urbandale, IA,
Jean Stramel of Lucas, and Amy (Robert) Sanchez of Urbandale, IA, nine
grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers,
Allen (Donna) Gosser, Arnold (Eileen) Gosser, and Harvey (infant), and her
sisters, Velma (Don) Baker and Bonnie (Bud) Wyatt.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 8,
2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Brenda Rodger officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in Fort Hays Memorial
Gardens.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm
until 7:00 on Monday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am
until service time on Tuesday at the church.&nbsp;
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or to First Call for
Help.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Alice
may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728138629528.jpeg" alt="Alice Marie (Gosser) Stramel" />
 <figcaption>Alice Marie (Gosser) Stramel</figcaption>
 </figure>Alice Marie (Gosser) Stramel, 94, Hays, died Thursday,
October 3, 2024 at HaysMed.She was born January 18, 1930 in Hays, the second child of
Theodore and Foila (Joy) Gosser.&nbsp; She
attended grade school in Hays except for third grade at Silverdale Country
School and graduated from Hays High School in 1948, then soon started working
for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator and later plant
clerk, retiring in 1985 after 28 years.Alice married her high school sweetheart, Jim Stramel, on
December 18, 1950, and they raised six children in Hays.&nbsp; She was an excellent seamstress and really
enjoyed quilting.&nbsp; She made quilts for
her children and grandchildren and sent hundreds of quilts to Lutheran World
Relief.&nbsp; Alice was the hostess for many
family gatherings and always served delicious meals and desserts.&nbsp; She and Jim loved to travel and visited all
50 states and a number of foreign countries. &nbsp;They loved camping and fishing with close
friends.&nbsp; Alice was a lifetime member of
Trinity Lutheran Church in Hays, AT&amp;T – Southwestern Bell Pioneers, former
volunteer at Hays Medical Center and member of Buckeye Ladies Club.Alice is survived by her husband Jim of Hays, sons, Dean
(Janet) Stramel and Glen (Nancy) Stramel, both of Hays, daughters, Susan
(Claude) Anderson of Kansas City, MO, Terry (Scott) Dennis of Urbandale, IA,
Jean Stramel of Lucas, and Amy (Robert) Sanchez of Urbandale, IA, nine
grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers,
Allen (Donna) Gosser, Arnold (Eileen) Gosser, and Harvey (infant), and her
sisters, Velma (Don) Baker and Bonnie (Bud) Wyatt.Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 8,
2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Brenda Rodger officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in Fort Hays Memorial
Gardens.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm
until 7:00 on Monday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am
until service time on Tuesday at the church.&nbsp;
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or to First Call for
Help.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Alice
may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

Alice Marie (Gosser) Stramel

When: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sunday,
October 13 11:00 – 12:30

Where: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kennedy
Middle School Cafeteria 1309 Fort St

Entry
Cost: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Enter a GERMAN FOOD for a
chance to win a Cash Prize! There is no entry fee.

Cash Prize for the top 3
People’s Choice Award

Taster
Cost: $5 per person, you can purchase
at the door.&nbsp; Taste all entries!

Call/Text
Sarah Shubert for registration 

There
will also be a Bake Sale, Polka Music, and
a 50/50 Raffle!! 

Proceeds
will be donated to local charities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656095420568.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedSt.
Catherine’s Christian MothersKATHARINENSTADT’S ESSENFESTGerman
Style Cook-OffWhen: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sunday,
October 13 11:00 – 12:30Where: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kennedy
Middle School Cafeteria 1309 Fort StEntry
Cost: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Enter a GERMAN FOOD for a
chance to win a Cash Prize! There is no entry fee.Cash Prize for the top 3
People’s Choice AwardDeadline
to register is October 9Taster
Cost: $5 per person, you can purchase
at the door.&nbsp; Taste all entries!Call/Text
Sarah Shubert for registration Cell:
785-656-2399There
will also be a Bake Sale, Polka Music, and
a 50/50 Raffle!! Proceeds
will be donated to local charities.

Essenfest set for Oct. 13

Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus discusses last week's come-from-behind win over the Chargers in Los Angeles and previews their Monday game with the New Orleans Saints.

The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday's at 8:00 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.

Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus discusses last week's come-from-behind win over the Chargers in Los Angeles and previews their Monday game with the New Orleans Saints.The Holthus Hotline airs Saturday's at 8:00 a.m. on 96.9, KFIX.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1928270258%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-TZrg3bHZ2Kn&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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/holthus-hotline-october-5-2024/s-TZrg3bHZ2Kn" title="Holthus Hotline (October 5, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Holthus Hotline (October 5, 2024)</a></div></div>

🎧 Holthus Hotline with Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus

Saturday, October 5 KAYS: Kansas City Royals BSB at New York Yankees, 5:00pm KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Central Missouri, 6pm

Saturday, October 5 KAYS: Kansas City Royals BSB at New York Yankees, 5:00pm KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Central Missouri, 6pmSunday, October 6 none

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

Centralia 52, Maur Hill - Mount Academy 0

Hutchinson Central Christian 52, St Paul 6

Peabody-Burns 46, Marais des Cygnes Valley 24

Pittsburg St Mary's-Colgan 56, Uniontown 0

St. Pius X (Kansas City), Mo. 27, St. James Academy 20

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726285481171.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728098785438.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PREP FOOTBALL=Axtell 50, Wakefield 0Blair Oaks, Mo. 59, BV Southwest 28Blue Valley 42, BV North 14Burlingame 50, Lebo 0Burlington 42, Anderson County 12Caney Valley 48, Cherryvale 0Central Heights 46, West Franklin 0Centralia 52, Maur Hill - Mount Academy 0Chanute 41, Independence 8Cheney 47, Hoisington 18Clifton-Clyde 48, Washington County 0Cunningham 50, Otis-Bison 0Derby 36, Hutchinson 3Dighton 44, Logan 14Ell-Saline 45, Solomon 0Eureka 30, Bluestem 14Frankfort 54, Thunder Ridge 6Frontenac 21, Parsons 0Gardner-Edgerton 27, SM East 14Girard 28, Iola 23Goddard-Eisenhower 21, Andover 17Golden Plains 59, Northern Valley 14Great Bend 28, Dodge City 14Hesston 48, Smoky Valley 6Hodgeman County 48, Stafford 0Holcomb 41, Colby 7Hutchinson Central Christian 52, St Paul 6Ingalls 59, Moscow 0Kingman 41, Douglass 12Kiowa County 62, Udall 12Labette County 16, Fort Scott 14Leavenworth 25, KC Piper 20Liberal 23, Garden City 6Little River 66, Canton-Galva 6Lyndon 58, Flinthills 8Madison 48, Northern Heights 2Maize 79, Wichita Campus 7Manhattan 59, Emporia 0Minneapolis 28, Halstead 21Minneola 1, Satanta 0Moundridge 41, Remington 8Mulvane 57, El Dorado 0Norton 14, Beloit 7Olpe 63, Maranatha 0Osborne 64, Pike Valley 18Oswego 49, Burden Central 0Ottawa 31, Spring Hill 24Oxford 54, Pratt Skyline 8Pawnee Heights 62, Rolla 12Peabody-Burns 46, Marais des Cygnes Valley 24Pittsburg 42, Paola 14Pittsburg St Mary's-Colgan 56, Uniontown 0Rossville 43, Mission Valley 0Royal Valley 12, Perry-Lecompton 8Rural Vista 68, Centre 0Scott City 50, Hugoton 0Sedgwick 39, Salina Sacred Heart 7Silver Lake 50, Baldwin 0South Barber 61, Chetopa 6South Central 80, Wichita Independent 0Southeast of Saline 66, Lyons 0St. Pius X (Kansas City), Mo. 27, St. James Academy 20Sublette 46, Elkhart 0Tonganoxie 45, Bonner Springs 0Valley Heights 43, Bennington 6Victoria 62, St John 6Wamego 29, Buhler 16Wellsville 43, Santa Fe Trail 13Weskan 46, Cheylin 0Wichita County 62, Ness City 6Wright City, Mo. 45, Veritas Christian 0

🏈 Friday night high school scoreboard (October 4)

HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team struggled to get things going Friday evening at Gross Memorial Coliseum, falling to Northwest Missouri State in three sets, 25-16, 25-20, 25-20. The Tigers move to 9-3 overall and 1-2 in conference action after dropping consecutive matches for the first time all season, while the Bearcats improve to 8-5 on the year and 2-1 in MIAA play.

The Bearcats led wire-to-wire in the first set, eventually sealing the set with four-straight points. The Tigers took their first lead early in the second frame, leading 4-1 before Northwest scored five in a row to regain the lead. FHSU bounced back to regain the lead at 9-8 before another big Bearcat run put the visitors in front for good.

Northwest jumped in front 6-1 early in the third set before a kill from&nbsp; Ashlyn Reeves&nbsp;helped the Tigers close within two, 9-7. The Bearcats bounced back by scoring six of the next seven points, going in front 15-8 before scoring the final three points to secure the sweep.

Reeves led the Tigers with 10.5 points, totaling six kills, two service aces and three blocks, including two solo swats. Haylee Wolf and Kirsten Evans&nbsp;each recorded 10 digs, with Caiya Stucky&nbsp;contributing 18 assists, four digs, three kills and one block.

The Tigers will look to bounce back Saturday (Oct. 5) when they host Missouri Western beginning at 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728093281091.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Grace Schmedding digs a serve against Northwest Missouri State on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Katie Kuhlman)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Grace Schmedding digs a serve against Northwest Missouri State on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Katie Kuhlman)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team struggled to get things going Friday evening at Gross Memorial Coliseum, falling to Northwest Missouri State in three sets, 25-16, 25-20, 25-20. The Tigers move to 9-3 overall and 1-2 in conference action after dropping consecutive matches for the first time all season, while the Bearcats improve to 8-5 on the year and 2-1 in MIAA play.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1929145139&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=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-814667509/10-4-24-fhsu-vb-coach-postgame-interview" title="Jessica Wood-Atkins Postgame vs. NW Missouri State (Oct. 4, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Jessica Wood-Atkins Postgame vs. NW Missouri State (Oct. 4, 2024)</a></div></div>The Bearcats led wire-to-wire in the first set, eventually sealing the set with four-straight points. The Tigers took their first lead early in the second frame, leading 4-1 before Northwest scored five in a row to regain the lead. FHSU bounced back to regain the lead at 9-8 before another big Bearcat run put the visitors in front for good.Northwest jumped in front 6-1 early in the third set before a kill from&nbsp; Ashlyn Reeves&nbsp;helped the Tigers close within two, 9-7. The Bearcats bounced back by scoring six of the next seven points, going in front 15-8 before scoring the final three points to secure the sweep.Reeves led the Tigers with 10.5 points, totaling six kills, two service aces and three blocks, including two solo swats. Haylee Wolf and Kirsten Evans&nbsp;each recorded 10 digs, with Caiya Stucky&nbsp;contributing 18 assists, four digs, three kills and one block.UP NEXTThe Tigers will look to bounce back Saturday (Oct. 5) when they host Missouri Western beginning at 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏐Tigers fall at home to NW Missouri State

WASHINGTON— President Biden made a rare appearance Friday at the White House press briefing.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Biden also had terse words for&nbsp;Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, and said he didn't know whether the Israeli leader was holding up a peace deal in order to influence the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Biden, was responding to comments made by one of his allies, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who said on CNN this week that he was concerned Netanyahu had little interest in a peace deal in part because of U.S. politics.

Israel has pressed forward on two fronts, pursuing a ground incursion into Lebanon against Hezbollah that left eight Israeli soldiers dead and conducting strikes in Gaza that killed dozens, including children. And the nation has vowed to retaliate for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">Iran’s ballistic missile attack</a>&nbsp;this week, as the region braced for further escalation.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON— President Biden made a rare appearance Friday at the White House press briefing.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Do you have confidence that it will be a free and fair election and that it will be peaceful?&quot; President Biden: &quot;I&#39;m confident it will be free and fair. I don&#39;t know whether it will be peaceful. The things that Trump has said...were very dangerous.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/HrhpaooEHe">pic.twitter.com/HrhpaooEHe</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1842271469838962742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Biden also had terse words for&nbsp;Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, and said he didn't know whether the Israeli leader was holding up a peace deal in order to influence the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Do you want to re-consider dropping out of the race?&quot; President Biden jokingly, &quot;I&#39;m back in!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/WIyhRwbjjk">pic.twitter.com/WIyhRwbjjk</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1842272465117921726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden, was responding to comments made by one of his allies, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who said on CNN this week that he was concerned Netanyahu had little interest in a peace deal in part because of U.S. politics.Israel has pressed forward on two fronts, pursuing a ground incursion into Lebanon against Hezbollah that left eight Israeli soldiers dead and conducting strikes in Gaza that killed dozens, including children. And the nation has vowed to retaliate for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">Iran’s ballistic missile attack</a>&nbsp;this week, as the region braced for further escalation.-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

🎥President Biden said he doesn't know if the election will be peaceful

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sun-solar-flare-earth-ed204eef352560f09b8366bee05e2381">Solar storms</a>&nbsp;may cause&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/solar-storm-flares-eruption-sun-fc23251025efc2d20dc128dc0b6a7c68">faint northern lights</a>&nbsp;across fringes of the northern United States over the weekend as forecasters monitor for possible disruptions to power and communications.

The sun’s magnetic field is currently at the peak of its 11-year cycle, making solar storms and northern lights more frequent. The sun shot out two strong flares this week, including one Thursday that was the biggest since 2017.

<a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental">Pale auroras may be visible</a>&nbsp;as far south as South Dakota, Iowa and New York — but the storms could still intensify or weaken over the weekend.

“There's still a fair amount of uncertainty," Erica Grow Cei, spokesperson for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said Friday.

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sun-solar-flare-earth-ed204eef352560f09b8366bee05e2381">Solar storms</a>&nbsp;may cause&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/solar-storm-flares-eruption-sun-fc23251025efc2d20dc128dc0b6a7c68">faint northern lights</a>&nbsp;across fringes of the northern United States over the weekend as forecasters monitor for possible disruptions to power and communications.The sun’s magnetic field is currently at the peak of its 11-year cycle, making solar storms and northern lights more frequent. The sun shot out two strong flares this week, including one Thursday that was the biggest since 2017.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today&#39;s X9 (R3) flare was prolific, but impulsive (imagery courtesy of jhelioviewer). Still, the flare was associated with a CME and analyses and model runs are being conducted at this time. Updates will come later, stay tuned! <a href="https://t.co/lMGQOIoR4l">pic.twitter.com/lMGQOIoR4l</a>&mdash; NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSSWPC/status/1841881547575632088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental">Pale auroras may be visible</a>&nbsp;as far south as South Dakota, Iowa and New York — but the storms could still intensify or weaken over the weekend.“There's still a fair amount of uncertainty," Erica Grow Cei, spokesperson for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said Friday.

Solar flares may cause faint auroras across top of Northern Hemisphere

Brian Joseph Windholz, 80, the son of Isidore and Pauline
(Erbert) Windholz, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in
Valley, Nebraska after several years of bravely facing progressive supranuclear
palsy (PSP), a late-onset neurodegenerative disease.

He was born on January 2, 1944 in Hays, Kansas and married
Shirley Schmidt on November 27, 1969. &nbsp;He
graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in 1962 and earned a bachelor’s
degree from Fort Hays State College where he was the editor of the State
College Leader newspaper. &nbsp;An Army
Reserve veteran, Brian served in the 388th Medical Depot, Hays, from 1965 to
1971. &nbsp;He played saxophone and clarinet
in the Ted Smith Orchestra and the Eddie Frank Band, and enjoyed golf, travel,
playing cards, visiting casinos, cheering for the Boston Red Sox and Green Bay
Packers, and deploying his dry and mildly subversive sense of humor when you
least expected it.

Brian was Associate Administrator and Accountant at St.
Thomas Hospital in Colby, Kansas, and was Administrator of Thomas County
Hospital, assisting in the move to Citizens Medical Center until 1985. &nbsp;He also worked at Russell Regional Hospital,
Clara Barton Hospital, and as Treasurer for the City of Russell, Kansas before
happily retiring in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Elkhorn, Nebraska,
children, Jennifer (Barry) Weiner of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Chad (Teri Madsen)
Windholz of Papillion, Nebraska, and Kim (Jared) Spletstoser of Collegeville,
Pennsylvania, brothers, Oren M. (Patricia) Windholz and Guy (Kathy) Windholz,
sisters-in-law, Betty Augustine and Gerri (Don) Johnson, adored grandchildren,
David, Cameron, Justin and Alex Weiner; Rian Boub, Gavyn and Tyler Windholz;
Ben and Kate Spletstoser, and many nieces and nephews, including godson, Jason
Windholz.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Glen J.
Windholz, mother-in-law, Katherine Schmidt, brother-in-law, Lavern Augustine,
and the cherished dogs he never wanted, Candy, Scout, and KoKo.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday,
October 12, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays with Fr. Fred Gatschet
officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment with military
honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph
Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00
pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at Hays
Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; A vigil
service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral Home.&nbsp; Brian was always impeccably dressed and loved
a colorful necktie. &nbsp;If you are attending
either service, feel free to wear a pop of color in his honor!&nbsp; Brian’s family would be grateful for
memorials to Cure PSP <a href="http://www.psp.org">www.psp.org</a> or to Arbor
Care Center in appreciation for their wonderful staff.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Brian may be
shared with his family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728064462919.jpeg" alt="Brian Joseph Windholz" />
 <figcaption>Brian Joseph Windholz</figcaption>
 </figure>Brian Joseph Windholz, 80, the son of Isidore and Pauline
(Erbert) Windholz, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in
Valley, Nebraska after several years of bravely facing progressive supranuclear
palsy (PSP), a late-onset neurodegenerative disease.He was born on January 2, 1944 in Hays, Kansas and married
Shirley Schmidt on November 27, 1969. &nbsp;He
graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in 1962 and earned a bachelor’s
degree from Fort Hays State College where he was the editor of the State
College Leader newspaper. &nbsp;An Army
Reserve veteran, Brian served in the 388th Medical Depot, Hays, from 1965 to
1971. &nbsp;He played saxophone and clarinet
in the Ted Smith Orchestra and the Eddie Frank Band, and enjoyed golf, travel,
playing cards, visiting casinos, cheering for the Boston Red Sox and Green Bay
Packers, and deploying his dry and mildly subversive sense of humor when you
least expected it.Brian was Associate Administrator and Accountant at St.
Thomas Hospital in Colby, Kansas, and was Administrator of Thomas County
Hospital, assisting in the move to Citizens Medical Center until 1985. &nbsp;He also worked at Russell Regional Hospital,
Clara Barton Hospital, and as Treasurer for the City of Russell, Kansas before
happily retiring in 2003.He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Elkhorn, Nebraska,
children, Jennifer (Barry) Weiner of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Chad (Teri Madsen)
Windholz of Papillion, Nebraska, and Kim (Jared) Spletstoser of Collegeville,
Pennsylvania, brothers, Oren M. (Patricia) Windholz and Guy (Kathy) Windholz,
sisters-in-law, Betty Augustine and Gerri (Don) Johnson, adored grandchildren,
David, Cameron, Justin and Alex Weiner; Rian Boub, Gavyn and Tyler Windholz;
Ben and Kate Spletstoser, and many nieces and nephews, including godson, Jason
Windholz.He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Glen J.
Windholz, mother-in-law, Katherine Schmidt, brother-in-law, Lavern Augustine,
and the cherished dogs he never wanted, Candy, Scout, and KoKo.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday,
October 12, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays with Fr. Fred Gatschet
officiating.&nbsp; Inurnment with military
honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph
Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00
pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at Hays
Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; A vigil
service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral Home.&nbsp; Brian was always impeccably dressed and loved
a colorful necktie. &nbsp;If you are attending
either service, feel free to wear a pop of color in his honor!&nbsp; Brian’s family would be grateful for
memorials to Cure PSP <a href="http://www.psp.org">www.psp.org</a> or to Arbor
Care Center in appreciation for their wonderful staff.&nbsp; Condolences and memories of Brian may be
shared with his family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a>&nbsp;

Brian Joseph Windholz

October Hays Community events

Congratulations to Angie Tetlow, who won $500 in the first Cash Grab giveaway.

Listen at 9, 11, 1, and 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and enter the keyword on <a href="http://hayspost.com">hayspost.com</a>&nbsp;for a chance to win $500 on each Friday in October.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728054212514.jpeg" alt="Angie Tetlow, right, is the winner of the first $500 Cash Grab prize. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Angie Tetlow, right, is the winner of the first $500 Cash Grab prize. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Congratulations to Angie Tetlow, who won $500 in the first Cash Grab giveaway.Listen at 9, 11, 1, and 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and enter the keyword on <a href="http://hayspost.com">hayspost.com</a>&nbsp;for a chance to win $500 on each Friday in October.&nbsp;

First Cash Grab winner selected

First Care Clinic, Inc.
is pleased to announce Ross Kee, DDS, as its full-time dentist.&nbsp; Dr. Kee previously served on a part-time
basis as the Dental Director for the clinic but will be joining the dental
department full-time beginning October 1, 2024.&nbsp;


Dr. Kee earned his
Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School
of Dentistry. He comes to First Care Clinic from the La Crosse Family Dentistry
practice in La Crosse, where he served his patients for four years. Patients from
La Crosse Family Dentistry are now able to schedule with Dr. Kee at the First
Care Clinic location at 105 W. 13th St. in Hays.

“I am happy to announce that some of my current staff are making
the transition to Hays with me,” stated Dr. Ross Kee. “My patients will receive
the same exceptional dental care, just at a different location.”

“A little over a year
ago, Dr. Kee joined our clinic as Dental Director, and his leadership style
really resonated with our dental team.&nbsp;
We were fortunate to have him in our clinic providing dental services one
day a week as well” says CEO, Eric Flax, “I saw first-hand how caring and
patient-driven Dr. Kee is.&nbsp; I am very
excited to now have Dr. Kee in our clinic full-time.&nbsp; We are looking forward to meeting the dental,
medical and pharmacy needs of the La Crosse Family Dental patients. “

Flax went on to
explain, “As we work to integrate Dr. Kee’s current patients into First Care
Clinic, we have not forgotten our longtime dental patients.&nbsp; Our goal is to get those patients back on
schedule, and our staff will be reaching out to them soon.”

Dental patients of
First Care Clinic, who are waiting to be seen, can expect to receive a text
notification to request an appointment with Dr. Kee, or one of the Dental
Hygienists.

“We have put together a wonderful team.  Along with Dr. Kee, we are very fortunate to have three very talented dental hygienists on staff as well - Cheyenne Branch, Kim Seib and Rylee Smalley.  They take pride in providing the compassionate and quality care that our patients have come to expect,” stated Flax.

First Care Clinic is a federally qualified health center, with three locations in Hays, providing services for people of all ages, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. They provide family medicine, express care, pharmaceutical, behavioral health, and family dentistry services.

First Care Clinic welcomes all patients and accepts all major insurances. A sliding fee scale discount is also available to those who qualify. Patients can request an appointment at firstcareclinic.com or by calling First Care Clinic at (785) 621-4990. Patients can also schedule same-day Express Care visits on our website. Book a time and skip the line!

“First Care Clinic. The region’s premiere medical home, dedicated to providing access to compassionate, quality care for all.”

For more information contact Danielle Windholz, Director of Operations, at First Care Clinic (785-621-4990).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727812014203.png" alt="Ross Kee, DDS" />
 <figcaption>Ross Kee, DDS</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedFirst Care Clinic, Inc.
is pleased to announce Ross Kee, DDS, as its full-time dentist.&nbsp; Dr. Kee previously served on a part-time
basis as the Dental Director for the clinic but will be joining the dental
department full-time beginning October 1, 2024.&nbsp;
Dr. Kee earned his
Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School
of Dentistry. He comes to First Care Clinic from the La Crosse Family Dentistry
practice in La Crosse, where he served his patients for four years. Patients from
La Crosse Family Dentistry are now able to schedule with Dr. Kee at the First
Care Clinic location at 105 W. 13th St. in Hays.“I am happy to announce that some of my current staff are making
the transition to Hays with me,” stated Dr. Ross Kee. “My patients will receive
the same exceptional dental care, just at a different location.”“A little over a year
ago, Dr. Kee joined our clinic as Dental Director, and his leadership style
really resonated with our dental team.&nbsp;
We were fortunate to have him in our clinic providing dental services one
day a week as well” says CEO, Eric Flax, “I saw first-hand how caring and
patient-driven Dr. Kee is.&nbsp; I am very
excited to now have Dr. Kee in our clinic full-time.&nbsp; We are looking forward to meeting the dental,
medical and pharmacy needs of the La Crosse Family Dental patients. “Flax went on to
explain, “As we work to integrate Dr. Kee’s current patients into First Care
Clinic, we have not forgotten our longtime dental patients.&nbsp; Our goal is to get those patients back on
schedule, and our staff will be reaching out to them soon.”Dental patients of
First Care Clinic, who are waiting to be seen, can expect to receive a text
notification to request an appointment with Dr. Kee, or one of the Dental
Hygienists.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727812104488.png" alt="Cheyenne Branch, Dental Hygienist" />
 <figcaption>Cheyenne Branch, Dental Hygienist</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727812092247.png" alt="Rylee Smalley, Dental Hygienist" />
 <figcaption>Rylee Smalley, Dental Hygienist</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727812082668.png" alt="Kim Sieb, Dental Hygienist" />
 <figcaption>Kim Sieb, Dental Hygienist</figcaption>
 </figure>“We have put together a wonderful team. Along with Dr. Kee, we are very fortunate to have three very talented dental hygienists on staff as well - Cheyenne Branch, Kim Seib and Rylee Smalley. They take pride in providing the compassionate and quality care that our patients have come to expect,” stated Flax.ABOUT FIRST CARE CLINIC, INC.First Care Clinic is a federally qualified health center, with three locations in Hays, providing services for people of all ages, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. They provide family medicine, express care, pharmaceutical, behavioral health, and family dentistry services.First Care Clinic welcomes all patients and accepts all major insurances. A sliding fee scale discount is also available to those who qualify. Patients can request an appointment at firstcareclinic.com or by calling First Care Clinic at (785) 621-4990. Patients can also schedule same-day Express Care visits on our website. Book a time and skip the line!“First Care Clinic. The region’s premiere medical home, dedicated to providing access to compassionate, quality care for all.”For more information contact Danielle Windholz, Director of Operations, at First Care Clinic (785-621-4990).

SPONSORED: Dr. Ross Kee expands his role at First Care Clinic

Friday, October 4 KAYS: Fort Hays State VB vs. NW Missouri State, 5:45pm KKQY: Quinter FB at LaCrosse, 6:15pm KFIX: Hays High FB at Junction City, 6:30pm KHAZ: TMP-Marian FB vs. Smith Center, 6:30pm

Friday, October 4 KAYS: Fort Hays State VB vs. NW Missouri State, 5:45pm KKQY: Quinter FB at LaCrosse, 6:15pm KFIX: Hays High FB at Junction City, 6:30pm KHAZ: TMP-Marian FB vs. Smith Center, 6:30pmSaturday, October 5 KAYS: Kansas City Royals BSB at New York Yankees, 5:00pm KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Central Missouri, 6pmSunday, October 6 none

CHICAGO (AP) — Melania Trump revealed her support for abortion rights Thursday ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, exposing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-issue-positions-worlds-apart-3f80a342c790da64e3de92a4f5760991">stark contrast with her husband</a>, Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, on the crucial election issue.

<a href="https://x.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1841806743216537870">In a video</a>&nbsp;posted to her X account Thursday morning, the former first lady defended women's “individual freedoms” to do what they want with their bodies — a position at odds with much of the Republican Party and her own husband, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">struggled to find a consistent message</a>&nbsp;on abortion while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">wedged between</a>&nbsp;anti-abortion supporters within his base and the majority of Americans who support abortion rights.

“Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard,” Melania Trump said in the video. “Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth: individual freedom. What does ‘my body, my choice’ really mean?”

The video appears to confirm excerpts of her self-titled memoir&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/02/melania-trump-memoir-defends-abortion-rights">reported</a>&nbsp;by The Guardian on Wednesday.

Melania Trump has rarely publicly expressed her personal political views and has been largely absent from the campaign trail. But in her memoir, set to be released publicly next Tuesday, she argues that the decision to end a pregnancy should be left to a woman and her doctor, “free from any intervention of pressure from the government,” according to the published excerpts.

“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she wrote, according to The Guardian. “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”

Melania Trump writes that she has “carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”

These views contrast sharply with the GOP's anti-abortion platform and with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken credit for appointing the three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade and boasted about returning the abortion question to the states. Democrats have blamed the former president for the severe deterioration of reproductive rights as abortion bans were implemented in large swaths of the country following the overturning of the landmark case, which had granted a constitutional right to abortion.

Donald Trump said Thursday that he had talked to his wife about the book and told her to “go with your heart.”

“We spoke about it. And I said, you have to write what you believe. I’m not going to tell you what to do. You have to write what you believe,” he told Fox News, adding, “There are some people that are very, very far right on the issue, meaning without exceptions, and then there are other people that view it a little bit differently than that.”

Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;' campaign noted Trump's role in ending Roe v. Wade in a statement reacting to Melania Trump's defense of abortion rights.

“Sadly for the women across America, Mrs. Trump’s husband firmly disagrees with her and is the reason that more than one in three American women live under a Trump Abortion Ban that threatens their health, their freedom, and their lives,” Harris campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. “Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear: If he wins in November, he will ban abortion nationwide, punish women, and restrict women’s access to reproductive health care."

Donald Trump on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">said he would veto</a>&nbsp;a federal abortion ban, the first time he has explicitly said so after previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">refusing to answer questions</a>&nbsp;on the subject. Abortion rights advocates are skeptical, however, saying Trump cannot be trusted not to restrict reproductive rights.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said the memoir is another example of “the Trumps playing voters like a fiddle.”

“As president, (Trump) made it his mission to get Roe v. Wade overturned,” she said in a statement. “Melania stood by him, never once publicly disavowing his actions until weeks before an election where our bodies are again on the ballot and they are losing voters to this issue. Read between the lines.”

Democratic strategist Brittany Crampsie called the memoir's release a “clear attempt to appeal to more moderate voters and to moderate JD Vance’s very clearly extreme views on the issue." But she was skeptical that the move would work in favor of Trump, saying his shifting views “have already confused voters and sowed distrust.”

Melania Trump also defends abortions later in pregnancy, asserting that “most abortions conducted during the later stages of pregnancy were the result of severe fetal abnormalities that probably would have led to the death or stillbirth of the child. Perhaps even the death of the mother."

“These cases were extremely rare and typically occurred after several consultations between the woman and her doctor,” she writes.

These views appear diametrically opposed to her husband, who has often parroted misinformation about abortions later in pregnancy, falsely claiming that Democrats support abortion “after birth,” though infanticide is outlawed in every state.

The national abortion group SBA Pro-Life America denounced the former first lady’s views on abortion, including her comments on abortion later in pregnancy, but said their “priority is to defeat Kamala Harris.”

“Women with unplanned pregnancies are crying out for more resources, not more abortions,” the organization’s president Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. “We must have compassion for them and for babies in the womb who suffer from brutal abortions.”

Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law who focuses on reproductive rights law and history, said it is unclear if the memoir’s release so close to the election was an attempt to help Donald Trump. But she did note that Melania Trump's split from Trump on the issue is not uncommon historically.

There is “a pretty deep history of first ladies being more supportive of abortion rights than their husbands,” including Betty Ford, a vocal abortion rights supporter and the wife of former President Gerald Ford, Ziegler said.

Donald Trump promoted his wife's book at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9fGfm56TyA">a September rally in New York</a>, calling on supporters to “go out and get her book.” It is unclear if the former president has read the book.

“Go out and buy it,” he told the crowd. “It’s great. And if she says bad things about me, I’ll call you all up, and I’ll say, ‘Don’t buy it.’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602762449332.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — Melania Trump revealed her support for abortion rights Thursday ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, exposing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-issue-positions-worlds-apart-3f80a342c790da64e3de92a4f5760991">stark contrast with her husband</a>, Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, on the crucial election issue.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/ZCTwZSqZND">https://t.co/ZCTwZSqZND</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y9MT3uj97b">pic.twitter.com/Y9MT3uj97b</a>&mdash; MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1841806743216537870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://x.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1841806743216537870">In a video</a>&nbsp;posted to her X account Thursday morning, the former first lady defended women's “individual freedoms” to do what they want with their bodies — a position at odds with much of the Republican Party and her own husband, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">struggled to find a consistent message</a>&nbsp;on abortion while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">wedged between</a>&nbsp;anti-abortion supporters within his base and the majority of Americans who support abortion rights.“Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard,” Melania Trump said in the video. “Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth: individual freedom. What does ‘my body, my choice’ really mean?”The video appears to confirm excerpts of her self-titled memoir&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/02/melania-trump-memoir-defends-abortion-rights">reported</a>&nbsp;by The Guardian on Wednesday.Melania Trump has rarely publicly expressed her personal political views and has been largely absent from the campaign trail. But in her memoir, set to be released publicly next Tuesday, she argues that the decision to end a pregnancy should be left to a woman and her doctor, “free from any intervention of pressure from the government,” according to the published excerpts.“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she wrote, according to The Guardian. “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”Melania Trump writes that she has “carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”These views contrast sharply with the GOP's anti-abortion platform and with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken credit for appointing the three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade and boasted about returning the abortion question to the states. Democrats have blamed the former president for the severe deterioration of reproductive rights as abortion bans were implemented in large swaths of the country following the overturning of the landmark case, which had granted a constitutional right to abortion.Donald Trump said Thursday that he had talked to his wife about the book and told her to “go with your heart.”“We spoke about it. And I said, you have to write what you believe. I’m not going to tell you what to do. You have to write what you believe,” he told Fox News, adding, “There are some people that are very, very far right on the issue, meaning without exceptions, and then there are other people that view it a little bit differently than that.”Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;' campaign noted Trump's role in ending Roe v. Wade in a statement reacting to Melania Trump's defense of abortion rights.“Sadly for the women across America, Mrs. Trump’s husband firmly disagrees with her and is the reason that more than one in three American women live under a Trump Abortion Ban that threatens their health, their freedom, and their lives,” Harris campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. “Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear: If he wins in November, he will ban abortion nationwide, punish women, and restrict women’s access to reproductive health care."Donald Trump on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">said he would veto</a>&nbsp;a federal abortion ban, the first time he has explicitly said so after previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">refusing to answer questions</a>&nbsp;on the subject. Abortion rights advocates are skeptical, however, saying Trump cannot be trusted not to restrict reproductive rights.Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said the memoir is another example of “the Trumps playing voters like a fiddle.”“As president, (Trump) made it his mission to get Roe v. Wade overturned,” she said in a statement. “Melania stood by him, never once publicly disavowing his actions until weeks before an election where our bodies are again on the ballot and they are losing voters to this issue. Read between the lines.”Democratic strategist Brittany Crampsie called the memoir's release a “clear attempt to appeal to more moderate voters and to moderate JD Vance’s very clearly extreme views on the issue." But she was skeptical that the move would work in favor of Trump, saying his shifting views “have already confused voters and sowed distrust.”Melania Trump also defends abortions later in pregnancy, asserting that “most abortions conducted during the later stages of pregnancy were the result of severe fetal abnormalities that probably would have led to the death or stillbirth of the child. Perhaps even the death of the mother."“These cases were extremely rare and typically occurred after several consultations between the woman and her doctor,” she writes.These views appear diametrically opposed to her husband, who has often parroted misinformation about abortions later in pregnancy, falsely claiming that Democrats support abortion “after birth,” though infanticide is outlawed in every state.The national abortion group SBA Pro-Life America denounced the former first lady’s views on abortion, including her comments on abortion later in pregnancy, but said their “priority is to defeat Kamala Harris.”“Women with unplanned pregnancies are crying out for more resources, not more abortions,” the organization’s president Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. “We must have compassion for them and for babies in the womb who suffer from brutal abortions.”Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law who focuses on reproductive rights law and history, said it is unclear if the memoir’s release so close to the election was an attempt to help Donald Trump. But she did note that Melania Trump's split from Trump on the issue is not uncommon historically.There is “a pretty deep history of first ladies being more supportive of abortion rights than their husbands,” including Betty Ford, a vocal abortion rights supporter and the wife of former President Gerald Ford, Ziegler said.Donald Trump promoted his wife's book at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9fGfm56TyA">a September rally in New York</a>, calling on supporters to “go out and get her book.” It is unclear if the former president has read the book.“Go out and buy it,” he told the crowd. “It’s great. And if she says bad things about me, I’ll call you all up, and I’ll say, ‘Don’t buy it.’”CHICAGO (AP) — Melania Trump revealed her support for abortion rights Thursday ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, exposing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-issue-positions-worlds-apart-3f80a342c790da64e3de92a4f5760991">stark contrast with her husband</a>, Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, on the crucial election issue.<a href="https://x.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1841806743216537870">In a video</a>&nbsp;posted to her X account Thursday morning, the former first lady defended women's “individual freedoms” to do what they want with their bodies — a position at odds with much of the Republican Party and her own husband, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">struggled to find a consistent message</a>&nbsp;on abortion while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">wedged between</a>&nbsp;anti-abortion supporters within his base and the majority of Americans who support abortion rights.“Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard,” Melania Trump said in the video. “Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth: individual freedom. What does ‘my body, my choice’ really mean?”The video appears to confirm excerpts of her self-titled memoir&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/02/melania-trump-memoir-defends-abortion-rights">reported</a>&nbsp;by The Guardian on Wednesday.Melania Trump has rarely publicly expressed her personal political views and has been largely absent from the campaign trail. But in her memoir, set to be released publicly next Tuesday, she argues that the decision to end a pregnancy should be left to a woman and her doctor, “free from any intervention of pressure from the government,” according to the published excerpts.“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she wrote, according to The Guardian. “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”Melania Trump writes that she has “carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”These views contrast sharply with the GOP's anti-abortion platform and with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken credit for appointing the three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade and boasted about returning the abortion question to the states. Democrats have blamed the former president for the severe deterioration of reproductive rights as abortion bans were implemented in large swaths of the country following the overturning of the landmark case, which had granted a constitutional right to abortion.Donald Trump said Thursday that he had talked to his wife about the book and told her to “go with your heart.”“We spoke about it. And I said, you have to write what you believe. I’m not going to tell you what to do. You have to write what you believe,” he told Fox News, adding, “There are some people that are very, very far right on the issue, meaning without exceptions, and then there are other people that view it a little bit differently than that.”Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;' campaign noted Trump's role in ending Roe v. Wade in a statement reacting to Melania Trump's defense of abortion rights.“Sadly for the women across America, Mrs. Trump’s husband firmly disagrees with her and is the reason that more than one in three American women live under a Trump Abortion Ban that threatens their health, their freedom, and their lives,” Harris campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. “Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear: If he wins in November, he will ban abortion nationwide, punish women, and restrict women’s access to reproductive health care."Donald Trump on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">said he would veto</a>&nbsp;a federal abortion ban, the first time he has explicitly said so after previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">refusing to answer questions</a>&nbsp;on the subject. Abortion rights advocates are skeptical, however, saying Trump cannot be trusted not to restrict reproductive rights.Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said the memoir is another example of “the Trumps playing voters like a fiddle.”“As president, (Trump) made it his mission to get Roe v. Wade overturned,” she said in a statement. “Melania stood by him, never once publicly disavowing his actions until weeks before an election where our bodies are again on the ballot and they are losing voters to this issue. Read between the lines.”Democratic strategist Brittany Crampsie called the memoir's release a “clear attempt to appeal to more moderate voters and to moderate JD Vance’s very clearly extreme views on the issue." But she was skeptical that the move would work in favor of Trump, saying his shifting views “have already confused voters and sowed distrust.”Melania Trump also defends abortions later in pregnancy, asserting that “most abortions conducted during the later stages of pregnancy were the result of severe fetal abnormalities that probably would have led to the death or stillbirth of the child. Perhaps even the death of the mother."“These cases were extremely rare and typically occurred after several consultations between the woman and her doctor,” she writes.These views appear diametrically opposed to her husband, who has often parroted misinformation about abortions later in pregnancy, falsely claiming that Democrats support abortion “after birth,” though infanticide is outlawed in every state.The national abortion group SBA Pro-Life America denounced the former first lady’s views on abortion, including her comments on abortion later in pregnancy, but said their “priority is to defeat Kamala Harris.”“Women with unplanned pregnancies are crying out for more resources, not more abortions,” the organization’s president Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. “We must have compassion for them and for babies in the womb who suffer from brutal abortions.”Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law who focuses on reproductive rights law and history, said it is unclear if the memoir’s release so close to the election was an attempt to help Donald Trump. But she did note that Melania Trump's split from Trump on the issue is not uncommon historically.There is “a pretty deep history of first ladies being more supportive of abortion rights than their husbands,” including Betty Ford, a vocal abortion rights supporter and the wife of former President Gerald Ford, Ziegler said.Donald Trump promoted his wife's book at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9fGfm56TyA">a September rally in New York</a>, calling on supporters to “go out and get her book.” It is unclear if the former president has read the book.“Go out and buy it,” he told the crowd. “It’s great. And if she says bad things about me, I’ll call you all up, and I’ll say, ‘Don’t buy it.’”___

🎥In new video Melania Trump explains her support for abortion rights

Western Kansas Graham County native, longtime resident and farmer, Terry Davis of Hill City, is looking forward to the Inaugural Nicodemus Township History Trail Bike tour taking place on Saturday, October 12, 2024.&nbsp; Mr. Davis will be participating as a rider.

Terry was interviewed at the “Rest Area” North of Bogue where two historical signs are located and the second SAG (supply and gear) stop will be setup.* Sign 12:&nbsp; Wildhorse Township Orientation* Sign 13:&nbsp; Crossroads and Development

When asked about his experience as a rider, Mr. Davis shared that in his family, when someone reached their 9th birthday, receiving a bicycle was a given.&nbsp; Since the age of nine he has been riding bikes and he really enjoys it.&nbsp; He has ridden in many tours across different states with his daughters and by himself.&nbsp; Terry estimates that he has completed the annual Bike Across Kansas or BAK at least 25 times. One of the other prominent (known to cyclists) bike rides that Terry has completed is the RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across lowa).&nbsp; He said that he rides his bike by Nicodemus all the time.&nbsp; The history is what’s attracting him to join the ride.

While Terry admits that he is not familiar with the historical significance of the tour, the history is what enticed him to commit and participate.&nbsp; Mr. Davis is looking forward to the opportunity of riding his bike while learning about the history of the baseball field, church and other historical sites that were cornerstones in the Nicodemus community.

Because Terry has much more experience riding on pavement versus gravel, he has opted to ride the shorter 21.5 mile tour.&nbsp; Mr. Davis is hoping that his sister, brother-in-law and a daughter (all residents of Colorado) will also be joining him for the event.&nbsp; Terry encourages others to join the bike tour.&nbsp; Terry's motto is always, "the more the merrier" and hopes more folks throughout the community will consider this event.&nbsp; He stated that it’s a great form of exercise, fun and some rich history to be learned.

The Nicodemus Historical Society invites your entire family including the kids to bring your bikes and ride a FREE shorter route that will take you on a tour around the historic town of Nicodemus to various silhouettes, historic building sites and a few of the historic tour signs.

Come enjoy the free pancake breakfast sponsored by Kansas Black Farmers Association.&nbsp; Share a day of community history, fun, delicious food by “RC RubGrub BBQ” of Glade and enjoy live music by Graham County’s local musicians and house band for Mikkelson's Tavern, Butch Creek.&nbsp; A free showing of the documentary which illustrates the first settlers arriving in Nicodemus,"Ellis Trail To Nicodemus" will be featured on the big screen at 2:30 in the Visitor's Center.&nbsp; The day is expected to be great fun.

Whether you participate in the bike tour or not everyone is welcome to discover the rich history and learn about one of the nation's most iconic African American national sites in the West, Nicodemus.

To learn more about the ride and our history follow us on Facebook.&nbsp; Interested riders should register via the Nicodemus Historical Society’s website at:&nbsp; nicodemushistoricalsociety.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727976015921.png" alt="Terry is pictured at the “Rest Area” North of Bogue where two historical signs 12 and 13 are located and the second SAG stop will be setup. (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Terry is pictured at the “Rest Area” North of Bogue where two historical signs 12 and 13 are located and the second SAG stop will be setup. (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROBIN HARDMANWestern Kansas Graham County native, longtime resident and farmer, Terry Davis of Hill City, is looking forward to the Inaugural Nicodemus Township History Trail Bike tour taking place on Saturday, October 12, 2024.&nbsp; Mr. Davis will be participating as a rider.Terry was interviewed at the “Rest Area” North of Bogue where two historical signs are located and the second SAG (supply and gear) stop will be setup.* Sign 12:&nbsp; Wildhorse Township Orientation* Sign 13:&nbsp; Crossroads and DevelopmentWhen asked about his experience as a rider, Mr. Davis shared that in his family, when someone reached their 9th birthday, receiving a bicycle was a given.&nbsp; Since the age of nine he has been riding bikes and he really enjoys it.&nbsp; He has ridden in many tours across different states with his daughters and by himself.&nbsp; Terry estimates that he has completed the annual Bike Across Kansas or BAK at least 25 times. One of the other prominent (known to cyclists) bike rides that Terry has completed is the RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across lowa).&nbsp; He said that he rides his bike by Nicodemus all the time.&nbsp; The history is what’s attracting him to join the ride.While Terry admits that he is not familiar with the historical significance of the tour, the history is what enticed him to commit and participate.&nbsp; Mr. Davis is looking forward to the opportunity of riding his bike while learning about the history of the baseball field, church and other historical sites that were cornerstones in the Nicodemus community.Because Terry has much more experience riding on pavement versus gravel, he has opted to ride the shorter 21.5 mile tour.&nbsp; Mr. Davis is hoping that his sister, brother-in-law and a daughter (all residents of Colorado) will also be joining him for the event.&nbsp; Terry encourages others to join the bike tour.&nbsp; Terry's motto is always, "the more the merrier" and hopes more folks throughout the community will consider this event.&nbsp; He stated that it’s a great form of exercise, fun and some rich history to be learned.The Nicodemus Historical Society invites your entire family including the kids to bring your bikes and ride a FREE shorter route that will take you on a tour around the historic town of Nicodemus to various silhouettes, historic building sites and a few of the historic tour signs.Come enjoy the free pancake breakfast sponsored by Kansas Black Farmers Association.&nbsp; Share a day of community history, fun, delicious food by “RC RubGrub BBQ” of Glade and enjoy live music by Graham County’s local musicians and house band for Mikkelson's Tavern, Butch Creek.&nbsp; A free showing of the documentary which illustrates the first settlers arriving in Nicodemus,"Ellis Trail To Nicodemus" will be featured on the big screen at 2:30 in the Visitor's Center.&nbsp; The day is expected to be great fun.Whether you participate in the bike tour or not everyone is welcome to discover the rich history and learn about one of the nation's most iconic African American national sites in the West, Nicodemus.To learn more about the ride and our history follow us on Facebook.&nbsp; Interested riders should register via the Nicodemus Historical Society’s website at:&nbsp; nicodemushistoricalsociety.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nicodemus Township History Trail Bike Tour Interview Series: Terry Davis

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman who says she worked as a hair-and-makeup stylist for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/garth-brooks">Garth Brooks</a>&nbsp;alleged in a lawsuit filed Thursday that he raped her in a Los Angeles hotel in 2019.

The woman does not use her name and goes by Jane Roe in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Brooks forcefully denied the allegations in a statement and acknowledged he tried to get a court to stop Thursday's lawsuit from being filed.

The woman says in the lawsuit she had worked for Brooks' wife, country singer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/trisha-yearwood">Trisha Yearwood</a>, since 1999, and had started also working for Brooks in 2017.

She said the assault occurred when she traveled from Nashville to Los Angeles with Brooks, who was performing with soul singer Sam Moore at a Grammy Awards tribute to Moore in October 2019.

Brooks normally traveled with an entourage, but the two were alone on his private jet, and he booked just one hotel suite for both of them, the lawsuit says.

The woman alleges that in the suite, he appeared naked in the doorway to the bedroom and raped her.

The suit says that he then proceeded as though nothing had happened and expected her to do his hair and makeup immediately after.

The woman's lawsuit alleges that earlier in 2019, when she was at Brooks' home, he had appeared naked in front of her, grabbed her hands, and put them on his genitals.

Brooks filed a preemptive lawsuit in federal court in Mississippi last month, in which both him and the woman are anonymous.

In court filings in that case, the plaintiff, going by John Doe, says the allegations are “wholly untrue,” and he first learned of them in July when she threatened to publicly sue him unless he gave her millions of dollars.

He asked a judge to stop the woman from “intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and false light invasion of privacy.”

“For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars,” Brooks’ statement said. “It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face."

Brooks said he filed the case anonymously “for the sake of families on both sides.”

“I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be," his statement concluded.

The woman's suit also says Brooks exposed himself to her many other times and talked about sexual fantasies with her and sent her explicit text messages.

She said she was forced to keep working for Brooks because of financial hardship, which he knew about and took advantage of.

An email to the woman's attorney asking whether she had reported her allegations to police was not immediately answered.

The 62-year-old Oklahoma-born Brooks was the biggest star in country music of the 1990s, with hits including “Friends in Low Places" and “The Thunder Rolls.” He brought arena-rock theatrics to his concerts and a pop-music sensibility to his recordings. He had huge success that went beyond typical country audiences.

He married fellow country star Yearwood in 2005. There was no immediate response to a message to a Yearwood representative seeking comment on the lawsuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728005993484.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman who says she worked as a hair-and-makeup stylist for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/garth-brooks">Garth Brooks</a>&nbsp;alleged in a lawsuit filed Thursday that he raped her in a Los Angeles hotel in 2019.The woman does not use her name and goes by Jane Roe in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Brooks forcefully denied the allegations in a statement and acknowledged he tried to get a court to stop Thursday's lawsuit from being filed.The woman says in the lawsuit she had worked for Brooks' wife, country singer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/trisha-yearwood">Trisha Yearwood</a>, since 1999, and had started also working for Brooks in 2017.She said the assault occurred when she traveled from Nashville to Los Angeles with Brooks, who was performing with soul singer Sam Moore at a Grammy Awards tribute to Moore in October 2019.Brooks normally traveled with an entourage, but the two were alone on his private jet, and he booked just one hotel suite for both of them, the lawsuit says.The woman alleges that in the suite, he appeared naked in the doorway to the bedroom and raped her.The suit says that he then proceeded as though nothing had happened and expected her to do his hair and makeup immediately after.The woman's lawsuit alleges that earlier in 2019, when she was at Brooks' home, he had appeared naked in front of her, grabbed her hands, and put them on his genitals.Brooks filed a preemptive lawsuit in federal court in Mississippi last month, in which both him and the woman are anonymous.In court filings in that case, the plaintiff, going by John Doe, says the allegations are “wholly untrue,” and he first learned of them in July when she threatened to publicly sue him unless he gave her millions of dollars.He asked a judge to stop the woman from “intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and false light invasion of privacy.”“For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars,” Brooks’ statement said. “It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face."Brooks said he filed the case anonymously “for the sake of families on both sides.”“I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be," his statement concluded.The woman's suit also says Brooks exposed himself to her many other times and talked about sexual fantasies with her and sent her explicit text messages.She said she was forced to keep working for Brooks because of financial hardship, which he knew about and took advantage of.An email to the woman's attorney asking whether she had reported her allegations to police was not immediately answered.The 62-year-old Oklahoma-born Brooks was the biggest star in country music of the 1990s, with hits including “Friends in Low Places" and “The Thunder Rolls.” He brought arena-rock theatrics to his concerts and a pop-music sensibility to his recordings. He had huge success that went beyond typical country audiences.He married fellow country star Yearwood in 2005. There was no immediate response to a message to a Yearwood representative seeking comment on the lawsuit.

Garth Brooks responds to lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Helene's death toll&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-florida-carolinas-georgia-tennessee-8f4b65a0ca5278dbac9faaf49f1ecce6">reached 200</a>&nbsp;on Thursday and could rise higher still, as searchers made their way toward the hardest to reach places in the mountains of western North Carolina, where the storm washed out roads and knocked out electricity, water and cellular service.

Officials in Georgia and North Carolina added to their states' grim tallies, padding an overall count that has already made Helene the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-katrina">Hurricane Katrina</a>&nbsp;in 2005.

A week after the storm came ashore in Florida before carving a path of destruction through the Southeast, connections between friends, neighbors and even strangers have provided hope in the worst-affected areas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727712742274.png" alt="Photo Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson</figcaption>
 </figure>BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Helene's death toll&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-florida-carolinas-georgia-tennessee-8f4b65a0ca5278dbac9faaf49f1ecce6">reached 200</a>&nbsp;on Thursday and could rise higher still, as searchers made their way toward the hardest to reach places in the mountains of western North Carolina, where the storm washed out roads and knocked out electricity, water and cellular service.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground. For more information on temporary flight restrictions follow: <a href="https://twitter.com/FAADroneZone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FAADroneZone</a> <a href="https://t.co/muxHefL1sH">pic.twitter.com/muxHefL1sH</a>&mdash; U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USDOT/status/1841565072360968304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Officials in Georgia and North Carolina added to their states' grim tallies, padding an overall count that has already made Helene the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-katrina">Hurricane Katrina</a>&nbsp;in 2005.A week after the storm came ashore in Florida before carving a path of destruction through the Southeast, connections between friends, neighbors and even strangers have provided hope in the worst-affected areas.While government cargo planes brought food and water to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-hurricane-helene-flooding-north-carolina-f49b2a6bf2b549473e0211f883332592">these areas</a>&nbsp;and rescue crews waded through creeks searching for survivors, those who made it through the storm leaned on one another for support.Sarah Vekasi, who makes and sells pottery out of her Sarah Sunshine Pottery store in Black Mountain, North Carolina, said she’s struggling with the trauma of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/world-news/weather-general-news-domestic-news-1a071b5de822e51f741a193374a49c26">Hurricane Helene</a>&nbsp;and uncertainty about the future of her business.“All I can say is that I’m alive. I’m not doing great. I’m not doing good. But I’m extremely grateful to be alive, especially when so many are not,” Vekasi said.One thing that makes her feel a little better is the fellowship of the daily town meeting at the square.“It’s incredible being able to meet in person,” said Vekasi, who was cut off by impassible roads for days. More than 150 people gathered for Wednesday's session, as local leaders stood atop a picnic table shouting updates.Martha Sullivan took careful notes so she could share the information — roads reopened, progress in getting power restored, work on trying to get water flowing again — with others.Sullivan, who has lived in Black Mountain for 43 years, said her children invited her to come to Charlotte after the storm, but she wants to stay in her community and look after her neighbors.“I’m going to stay as long as I feel like I’m being useful,” Sullivan said.<h2>Helping one another in the hardest-hit areas</h2>In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-hurricane-helene-flooding-north-carolina-f49b2a6bf2b549473e0211f883332592">remote mountain areas,</a>&nbsp;helicopters hoisted the stranded to safety while search crews moved toppled trees so they could look door to door for survivors. In some places, homes teetered on hillsides and washed-out riverbanks.Electricity is being slowly restored, as the number of homes and businesses&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-power-outages-32958ff95f6e51e8c69e56e587de46d2">without power</a>&nbsp;dipped below 1 million for the first time since last weekend, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://poweroutage.us/">poweroutage.us</a>. Most of the outages are in the Carolinas and Georgia, where Helene struck after barreling over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-climate-change-florida-big-bend-182d68761b3d2328e56e3fb8d9cdb802">Florida’s Gulf Coast</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 26 as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-florida-georgia-mexico-42fb7cc90604b7f87179920f97627873">Category 4 hurricane.</a>&nbsp;Deaths have been reported in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia, in addition to the Carolinas.Robin Wynn lost power at her Asheville home early last Friday and was able to grab a bag of canned goods and water before getting to a shelter despite water up to her knees.“I didn’t know where I was going, didn’t know what was going to happen next. But I got out and I’m alive,” Wynn said Wednesday.Now that she’s back home, her neighbors have been watching out for one another. Plenty of people have come around to make sure everyone has a hot meal and water, she said.Eric Williamson, who works at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, normally makes home visits to members who can’t physically get to church. This week, he’s their lifeline, delivering food that meets dietary restrictions and tossing out food that had spoiled.Beyond checking in on the essentials, he says it’s important to just socialize with folks in a moment like this to help them know they aren’t alone.He has a handwritten list of everyone he needs to visit. “They don’t have telephone service, even if they have a landline, a lot of that isn’t working,” Williamson said. "So we're bringing them food and water, but also just bringing them a smile and a prayer with them just to give them comfort.”Volunteers in Asheville gathered Wednesday before going out to help find people who have been unreachable because of phone and internet outages. They took along boxes of drinking water and instructions to return in person with their results.Even notifying relatives of people who died in the storm has been difficult.“That has been our challenge, quite honestly, is no cell service, no way to reach out to next of kin,” said Avril Pinder, an official in Buncombe County where at least 61 people have died. “We have a confirmed body count, but we don’t have identifications on everyone or next-of-kin notifications.”Thursday marked the seventh day of search and rescue operations, Pinder said, adding the county doesn’t have an official tally of people who are unaccounted for or missing.“We’re continuing to find people. We know we have pockets of people who are isolated due to landslides and bridges out,” she said. “So they are disconnected but not missing.”<h2>Biden meets Florida survivors and surveys damage</h2>President Joe Biden spoke with survivors and first responders and surveyed damage Thursday in Keaton Beach, Florida, walking past mountains of splintered wood, demolished homes and massive pieces of siding crumpled like paper. Biden met with people who had lost homes; one couple was living out of a trailer near the wreckage of their home, their personal belongings strewn on the ground.The president also was due to visit Georgia Thursday.Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-hurricane-helene-survey-damage-48baf62af5560a9617ae2032f8776d1e">flew over the devastation</a>&nbsp;in North and South Carolina on Wednesday. The administration announced a federal commitment to foot the bill for debris removal and emergency protective measures for six months in North Carolina and three months in Georgia. The money will address the impacts of landslides and flooding and cover costs of first responders, search and rescue teams, shelters, and mass feeding.<h2>Devastation from Florida to Tennessee</h2>Employees at a plastics factory in rural Tennessee who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-tennessee-f7c4a460de588df7a4d5bc9efa756ecb">kept working last week</a>&nbsp;until water flooded their parking lot and power went out at the plant were among those killed. The floodwaters swept 11 workers away, and only five were rescued. Two are confirmed dead.Tennessee state authorities said they are investigating the company that owns the factory after some employees said they weren’t allowed to leave in time to avoid the storm’s impact.Hospitals and health care organizations in the Southeast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/helene-asheville-hospitals-southeast-recovery-3076ac4366152f19a84a004f4ccf7e9e">mostly stayed open</a>&nbsp;despite dealing with blackouts, wind damage, supply issues and flooding. Many hospitals halted elective procedures, while only a few closed completely.In Florida, officials were turning to “low-risk” state prisoners to help clear the mountains of debris left behind.“Department of Corrections, they do prison labor anyways. So they’re bringing them to do debris removal,” Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters on Wednesday.___