BELOIT, Kan. - Several Hutch Post-area student-athletes and coaches will be featured in the annual Eight-Man All-Star Football Games, set for Saturday at Trojan Football Stadium in Beloit.

The Kansas Eight-Man Football Association sponsors the event, which honors the top players from across the state in two showcase matchups. The Division II game will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the Division I contest at 1:30 p.m.

Among the local representatives, Victoria will be well represented in Division II. Cale Braun, Wyatt Griffin and Jeb Miller were selected to the West squad, and Aaron Dinkel will be the West head coach. Logan-Palco’s Rhett Kats and Caleb Sparks along with Wheatland-Grinnell’s Kaden Redburn are on the West team.

Ellis’ Caleb Noble and Trego’s Graeden Deines will play for the Division I West team along with Quinter’s Camden Polifka and Hill City’s Dayton Stephen. State champ Hoxie has three participants in Duncan Bell, Easton Nickelson and Sam Watkins. Hoxie’s Lance Baar is an assistant coach.

The Eight-Man All-Star Game tradition began in 1986 after a group of north central Kansas coaches came together to give recognition to athletes from the state’s smallest schools, many of whom were regularly overlooked for the Kansas Shrine Bowl. With support from similar associations in Nebraska and Oklahoma, the Kansas Eight-Man Football Association (KEMFA) was formed, and the first all-star game was played that summer.

The city of Beloit has served as the game’s permanent host site, with the annual event highlighting the excellence and legacy of eight-man football in Kansas.

Players reported to camp earlier this week to begin preparations.

Division I West • Caleb Noble, Ellis • Dayton Stephen, Hill City • Duncan Bell, Hoxie • Caleb Nickelson, Hoxie • Camden Polifka, Quinter • Graeden Deines, WaKeeney-Trego

Coaches • Lance Baar, Hoxie (West assistant)

Division I East • Dalton Garman, Osborne

East Team Kyler Bergkamp, Little River; Ruxton Birdsong, Little River; Cade Brokes, Sylvan-Lucas; Luke Budke, Chase County; Lucky Cherico, Sedan; Trent Haag, West Elk; Aiden Hekele, Central Plains; Dante Henley, Central-Burden; Eli Hurley, Central Plains; Josh Hutchinson, Oswego; Colton Isch, Madison; Creyo Koop, West Elk; Brodin Koch, Clifton-Clyde; Trextin Koch, Clifton-Clyde; Cooper McDill, Rock Hills; Rayden Myers, Oswego; Oliver Nobert, Clifton-Clyde; Logan Renken, Little River; Victor Ruiz-Torres, Ell-Saline; Jacob Tillberg, Ell-Saline.

Coaches – Derick Budke, Chase County (head); Colby Hamel, Lincoln; JD Johnson, Central Plains.

West Team Duncan Bell, Hoxie; Dorian Culwell, Rawlins County; Graeden Dienes, WaKeeney-Trego; Zac Hendrickson, South Gray; Khris Hermosillo, Wichita County; Alex Holguin, Meade; Cordell Jordan, Oxford; Zach Kraft, Kinsley; Damien Loewen, South Gray; Easton Nickelson, Hoxie; Caleb Noble, Ellis; Camden Polifka, Quinter; JT Prusa, South Central; Jase Rutherford, South Central; Jamie Sarmiento, South Central; Ryan Sramek, Rawlins County; Dayton Stephen, Hill City; Juan Tapia, Wichita County; Sam Watkins, Hoxie; Max Witham, Wichita County.

Coaches – Aaron Sramek, Rawlins County (head); Brett Westrup, South Central; Lance Baar, Hoxie.

Hays Post SportsBELOIT, Kan. - Several Hutch Post-area student-athletes and coaches will be featured in the annual Eight-Man All-Star Football Games, set for Saturday at Trojan Football Stadium in Beloit.The Kansas Eight-Man Football Association sponsors the event, which honors the top players from across the state in two showcase matchups. The Division II game will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the Division I contest at 1:30 p.m.Among the local representatives, Victoria will be well represented in Division II. Cale Braun, Wyatt Griffin and Jeb Miller were selected to the West squad, and Aaron Dinkel will be the West head coach. Logan-Palco’s Rhett Kats and Caleb Sparks along with Wheatland-Grinnell’s Kaden Redburn are on the West team.Ellis’ Caleb Noble and Trego’s Graeden Deines will play for the Division I West team along with Quinter’s Camden Polifka and Hill City’s Dayton Stephen. State champ Hoxie has three participants in Duncan Bell, Easton Nickelson and Sam Watkins. Hoxie’s Lance Baar is an assistant coach.The Eight-Man All-Star Game tradition began in 1986 after a group of north central Kansas coaches came together to give recognition to athletes from the state’s smallest schools, many of whom were regularly overlooked for the Kansas Shrine Bowl. With support from similar associations in Nebraska and Oklahoma, the Kansas Eight-Man Football Association (KEMFA) was formed, and the first all-star game was played that summer.The city of Beloit has served as the game’s permanent host site, with the annual event highlighting the excellence and legacy of eight-man football in Kansas.Players reported to camp earlier this week to begin preparations.<h2>Area Participants</h2>Division I West • Caleb Noble, Ellis • Dayton Stephen, Hill City • Duncan Bell, Hoxie • Caleb Nickelson, Hoxie • Camden Polifka, Quinter • Graeden Deines, WaKeeney-TregoCoaches • Lance Baar, Hoxie (West assistant)Division I East • Dalton Garman, Osborne<h2>Eight-Man All-Star Football Selections</h2>Division IEast Team Kyler Bergkamp, Little River; Ruxton Birdsong, Little River; Cade Brokes, Sylvan-Lucas; Luke Budke, Chase County; Lucky Cherico, Sedan; Trent Haag, West Elk; Aiden Hekele, Central Plains; Dante Henley, Central-Burden; Eli Hurley, Central Plains; Josh Hutchinson, Oswego; Colton Isch, Madison; Creyo Koop, West Elk; Brodin Koch, Clifton-Clyde; Trextin Koch, Clifton-Clyde; Cooper McDill, Rock Hills; Rayden Myers, Oswego; Oliver Nobert, Clifton-Clyde; Logan Renken, Little River; Victor Ruiz-Torres, Ell-Saline; Jacob Tillberg, Ell-Saline.Coaches – Derick Budke, Chase County (head); Colby Hamel, Lincoln; JD Johnson, Central Plains.West Team Duncan Bell, Hoxie; Dorian Culwell, Rawlins County; Graeden Dienes, WaKeeney-Trego; Zac Hendrickson, South Gray; Khris Hermosillo, Wichita County; Alex Holguin, Meade; Cordell Jordan, Oxford; Zach Kraft, Kinsley; Damien Loewen, South Gray; Easton Nickelson, Hoxie; Caleb Noble, Ellis; Camden Polifka, Quinter; JT Prusa, South Central; Jase Rutherford, South Central; Jamie Sarmiento, South Central; Ryan Sramek, Rawlins County; Dayton Stephen, Hill City; Juan Tapia, Wichita County; Sam Watkins, Hoxie; Max Witham, Wichita County.Coaches – Aaron Sramek, Rawlins County (head); Brett Westrup, South Central; Lance Baar, Hoxie.

🏈 Local athletes, coaches set for 8-Man All-Star Game in Beloit

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

"I can't think of anything more important to Kansas than water." That was the concluding statement of Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City, chairman of the Kansas House Water Committee, who spoke at Tuesday's water summit in Hays.

Minnix, a farmer and former Scott County commissioner, was one of several speakers who addressed water industry professionals and state officials from across Kansas gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Minnix updated the audience on water-related legislation he's championed during his time in office and lamented the tightened 2025 state budget.&nbsp;

"The Kansas House has been working hard on water for the past five years," he said. "It doesn't happen fast." 

The state senate does not have a dedicated water committee.

During its 90-day session, the Kansas Legislature approved Substitute for House Bill&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/HB2172/" target="_blank">2172,</a>&nbsp;which establishes the Water Program Task Force to evaluate the state’s water program and its funding.&nbsp;The task force is also required to establish a water planning work group and submit a report to the legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly.

Minnix said all Kansans live or work "upstream and downstream from somebody. We're in this together."

There are an estimated 15 or so state agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the federal Environmental Protection Agency that oversee water programs in Kansas. Minnix strongly supports Kelly's desire to create a single natural resources office and spend an additional $30 million each year to address the state's water crisis. 

Education, such as the research findings presented at the Know Water Summit, is an important component of helping Kansans understand the future of water quantity and quality in the Sunflower State.

Water conservation is a way of life in Hays, which was cited by numerous speakers for its leadership in the state.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b67d05b8-588a-43fe-9d91-32eb24d3a273">Outdoor watering restrictions</a> went into effect on June 1 and will continue through Sept. 30. Other restrictions are effective year-round.

There are 34 counties in Kansas with a population of more than 15,000 people. Thirty-three of those have adequate surface or groundwater supplies. Only Ellis County does not. The huge underground Ogallala Aquifer, which supports much of western Kansas, does not reach into Ellis County and is declining.&nbsp;

The average daily water use per Hays resident has continued to decrease, said Jeff Crispin, Hays water resources director.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We're at 78 gallons per person per day usage," he said.

The state average is 130 gallons per person, while the regional average is 172 gallons per person.

Hays also must consider water quality, given the city's urban area and the surrounding agricultural operations. Nitrates and phosphorus contaminants must be controlled, along with newer "forever chemicals" or PFAs (polyfluorooctane sulfonate) found in drinking water supplies and surface water across the United States.

"It's not only important for us to produce good water at the water treatment plant," Crispin said, "but also to clean it on the back end of things, such as the <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/362/Water-Reclamation-Reuse">water reclamation and reuse facility</a>.&nbsp;

"We need to make sure we're sending the best quality water we can downstream for the next user. We take that very seriously."

The Know Water Summit, a Kansas State University 105 Initiative, was organized and moderated by Stacie Minson, WaKeeney, a K-State watershed specialist with Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watershed WRAPS. 

She also discussed testing to determine what is in private well water and irrigation systems. Private water wells are unregulated in Kansas.&nbsp;

Other speakers included Holly Dickman, city of Hays water conservation specialist along with representatives from the Western Kansas Research Extension Centers, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Water Bureau, Kansas State University, and the Kansas Rural Water Association.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749058433182.jpeg" alt="Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City, chairman of the Kansas House Water Committee. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City, chairman of the Kansas House Water Committee. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays Post"I can't think of anything more important to Kansas than water." That was the concluding statement of Rep. Jim Minnix, R-Scott City, chairman of the Kansas House Water Committee, who spoke at Tuesday's water summit in Hays.Minnix, a farmer and former Scott County commissioner, was one of several speakers who addressed water industry professionals and state officials from across Kansas gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn.&nbsp;&nbsp;Minnix updated the audience on water-related legislation he's championed during his time in office and lamented the tightened 2025 state budget.&nbsp; "The Kansas House has been working hard on water for the past five years," he said. "It doesn't happen fast." The state senate does not have a dedicated water committee.During its 90-day session, the Kansas Legislature approved Substitute for House Bill&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/HB2172/" target="_blank">2172,</a>&nbsp;which establishes the Water Program Task Force to evaluate the state’s water program and its funding.&nbsp;The task force is also required to establish a water planning work group and submit a report to the legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly.Minnix said all Kansans live or work "upstream and downstream from somebody. We're in this together."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749058902950.jpeg" alt="2022 reported water use in Kansas counties compiled by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources." />
 <figcaption>2022 reported water use in Kansas counties compiled by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources.</figcaption>
 </figure>There are an estimated 15 or so state agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the federal Environmental Protection Agency that oversee water programs in Kansas. Minnix strongly supports Kelly's desire to create a single natural resources office and spend an additional $30 million each year to address the state's water crisis. Education, such as the research findings presented at the Know Water Summit, is an important component of helping Kansans understand the future of water quantity and quality in the Sunflower State. Water conservation is a way of life in Hays, which was cited by numerous speakers for its leadership in the state.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b67d05b8-588a-43fe-9d91-32eb24d3a273">Outdoor watering restrictions</a> went into effect on June 1 and will continue through Sept. 30. Other restrictions are effective year-round.There are 34 counties in Kansas with a population of more than 15,000 people. Thirty-three of those have adequate surface or groundwater supplies. Only Ellis County does not. The huge underground Ogallala Aquifer, which supports much of western Kansas, does not reach into Ellis County and is declining.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749058599736.jpeg" alt="Information about Hays' water conservation programs was provided at one of the interactive water education booths. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Information about Hays' water conservation programs was provided at one of the interactive water education booths. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The average daily water use per Hays resident has continued to decrease, said Jeff Crispin, Hays water resources director.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We're at 78 gallons per person per day usage," he said.The state average is 130 gallons per person, while the regional average is 172 gallons per person.Hays also must consider water quality, given the city's urban area and the surrounding agricultural operations. Nitrates and phosphorus contaminants must be controlled, along with newer "forever chemicals" or PFAs (polyfluorooctane sulfonate) found in drinking water supplies and surface water across the United States."It's not only important for us to produce good water at the water treatment plant," Crispin said, "but also to clean it on the back end of things, such as the <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/362/Water-Reclamation-Reuse">water reclamation and reuse facility</a>.&nbsp;"We need to make sure we're sending the best quality water we can downstream for the next user. We take that very seriously."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749058171922.jpeg" alt="Stacie Minson, WaKeeney, a K-State watershed specialist with Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watershed WRAPS talks about irrigation system checks in private water wells. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Stacie Minson, WaKeeney, a K-State watershed specialist with Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watershed WRAPS talks about irrigation system checks in private water wells. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The Know Water Summit, a Kansas State University 105 Initiative, was organized and moderated by Stacie Minson, WaKeeney, a K-State watershed specialist with Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill River Watershed WRAPS. She also discussed testing to determine what is in private well water and irrigation systems. Private water wells are unregulated in Kansas.&nbsp;Other speakers included Holly Dickman, city of Hays water conservation specialist along with representatives from the Western Kansas Research Extension Centers, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Water Bureau, Kansas State University, and the Kansas Rural Water Association.&nbsp;

Rep. Minnix: 'Water is most important issue in Kansas'

DODGE
CITY - Jackson Babcock had three hits, Trent Baker drove in four runs and the
Hays Larks opened the 2025 season with a 9-2 non-league win over Dodge City
Wednesday night at Cavalier Field.

Baker’s
bases loaded double scored three in the top of the fourth inning and broke a
1-1 tie. The Larks (1-0) added four in the fifth on Thomas Lyssy’s RBI single to
center, back-to-back bases loaded walks and a groundout. They tacked on their
final run in the seventh on a Babcock single.

Braxton
Bjur (1-0), the only player out of high school on the Larks roster, allowed one
unearned run on three hits over three innings and was awarded the win. The lefty from Buckeye,
Ariz. and Pima Community College signee, struck out three and walked two.
Brooks Jones, Dalton Campbell and Julio Ramos all combined to allow one unearned
run on two hits over the final six innings.

The
Larks travel to Newton Thursday for a non-league game with the Rebels. First
pitch at scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Klein Scott Field.

The
Larks will host the Dodge City A’s on Saturday for their home and Rocky
Mountain Baseball League opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at
Larks Park.

The
directors of the NBC World Series will be on hand Saturday to present the 2024 NBC World
Series trophy prior to the game. Fans can get a photo with the trophy throughout the night. Laces, the
NBC mascot will also be in attendance and hamburgers and hot dogs will be $1
courtesy of Hays Med.

Hays Post SportsDODGE
CITY - Jackson Babcock had three hits, Trent Baker drove in four runs and the
Hays Larks opened the 2025 season with a 9-2 non-league win over Dodge City
Wednesday night at Cavalier Field.Baker’s
bases loaded double scored three in the top of the fourth inning and broke a
1-1 tie. The Larks (1-0) added four in the fifth on Thomas Lyssy’s RBI single to
center, back-to-back bases loaded walks and a groundout. They tacked on their
final run in the seventh on a Babcock single.Braxton
Bjur (1-0), the only player out of high school on the Larks roster, allowed one
unearned run on three hits over three innings and was awarded the win. The lefty from Buckeye,
Ariz. and Pima Community College signee, struck out three and walked two.
Brooks Jones, Dalton Campbell and Julio Ramos all combined to allow one unearned
run on two hits over the final six innings.UP
NEXTThe
Larks travel to Newton Thursday for a non-league game with the Rebels. First
pitch at scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Klein Scott Field.HOME
OPENERThe
Larks will host the Dodge City A’s on Saturday for their home and Rocky
Mountain Baseball League opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at
Larks Park.TROPHY PRESENTATIONThe
directors of the NBC World Series will be on hand Saturday to present the 2024 NBC World
Series trophy prior to the game. Fans can get a photo with the trophy throughout the night. Laces, the
NBC mascot will also be in attendance and hamburgers and hot dogs will be $1
courtesy of Hays Med.

⚾ Baker leads Larks to win in season opener

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin told him “very strongly” in a phone call Wednesday that he will respond to Ukraine’s weekend drone attack on Russian airfields as the deadlock over the war drags on and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-memorandum-talks-instanbul-6014fb7e87c15aa60e30bf72bf6cd2fd">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses Russia's ceasefire proposal</a>.

The U.S. president said in a social media post that his lengthy call with Putin "was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace.”

It's the first time Trump has weighed in on Ukraine's daring attack inside Russia. The U.S. did not have advance notice of the operation, according to the White House, a point Trump emphasized during the call with Putin, according to a Putin’s foreign affairs adviser.

The U.S. has led a recent diplomatic push to stop the full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.

Trump, in his social media post, did not say how he reacted to Putin's promise to respond to Ukraine's attack, but his post showed none of the frustration that Trump has expressed with his Russian counterpart in recent weeks over his prolonging of the war.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, said at a briefing that the two leaders characterized the call as “positive and quite productive,” and reaffirmed their readiness to stay in touch.

“I believe it was useful for Trump to hear our assessments of what happened,” Ushakov said, noting that the discussion of the attacks was one of the key points in the conversation. He didn’t respond to a question about what the Russian response to the attacks could be.

Trump repeatedly promised to end the war quickly, and even said he would accomplish it before he was sworn in. But he lost patience with Putin in recent weeks, publicly pleading with him to stop fighting and even said late last month that the Russian leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-1f2d99bbc4fa9c4bfcc84b50c94ca578">“has gone absolutely CRAZY</a>."

Trump, however, has not committed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-b2b9b69f504b8afd064055bb3bf11800">backing a bipartisan push to sanction Putin.</a>

The call was Trump’s first known talk with Putin since May 19. They also discussed, according to Trump and Ushakov, Iran’s nuclear program and the possibility of Russia engaging in talks with Tehran as the U.S. pushes it to abandon its rapidly advancing nuclear program.

It was not clear if Trump also planned to speak with Zelenskyy. The White House did not respond to a message Wednesday afternoon.

Zelenskyy brushes off Russian plan and pushes for talks

The Ukrainian leader earlier Wednesday dismissed Russia's ceasefire plan as “an ultimatum” and renewed his call for direct talks with Putin to break the stalemate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>, which has dragged on for nearly 3½ years.

Putin, however, showed no willingness to meet with Zelenskyy, expressing anger Wednesday about what he said were Ukraine's recent “terrorist acts” on Russian rail lines in the Kursk and Bryansk regions on the countries' border.

“How can any such (summit) meetings be conducted in such circumstances? What shall we talk about?” Putin asked in a video call with top Russian officials.

Putin accused Ukraine of seeking a truce only to replenish its stockpiles of Western arms, recruit more soldiers and prepare new attacks like those in Kursk and Bryansk.

Putin also spoke Wednesday to Pope Leo XIV, who has promised to make “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-eastern-rite-christians-persecuted-protect-a06c75258299e585c7eb8ea2006dc22f">every effort</a>&nbsp;” to help end the war.

During the call, Leo urged Putin to make a gesture that would promote peace and stressed the importance of dialogue, according to the Vatican.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged memorandums setting out their conditions for a ceasefire for discussion at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-drone-attacks-0c2e0a4aeccd86c3fe18edf5cc73b250">Monday's direct peace talks</a>&nbsp;between delegations in Istanbul, their second meeting in just over two weeks. Zelenskyy had previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-2b3d2fad88436c5406ea63f81ac554ef">challenged Putin to meet him</a>&nbsp;in Turkey, but Putin stayed away.

Russia and Ukraine have established red lines that make a quick deal unlikely, despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">U.S.-led international diplomatic push</a>&nbsp;to stop the fighting. The Kremlin's Istanbul proposal contained a list of demands that Kyiv and its Western allies see as nonstarters.

Zelenskyy said that the second round of talks in Istanbul was no different from the first meeting on May 16. Zelenskyy described the latest negotiations in Istanbul as “a political performance” and “artificial diplomacy” designed to stall for time, delay sanctions and convince the United States that Russia is engaged in dialogue.

“The same ultimatums they voiced back then — now they just put them on paper ... Honestly, this document looks like spam. It’s spam meant to flood us and create the impression that they’re doing something,” Zelenskyy said in his first reaction to the Russian document.

The Ukrainian leader said that he sees little value in continuing talks at the current level of delegations. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, while Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin, headed the Russian team.

Zelenskyy said he wants a ceasefire with Russia before a possible summit meeting with Putin, possibly also including Trump, in an effort to remove obstacles to a peace settlement.

A second round of peace talks on Monday between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul lasted just over an hour and made no progress on ending the war. They agreed only to swap thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops.

Also, a new prisoner exchange with Russia could take place over the weekend, Zelenskyy said.

In tandem with the talks, both sides have kept up offensive military actions along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line and carried out deep strikes.

Ukraine’s Security Service gave more details Wednesday about its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-attack-bomber-d9078d989efcec36ec65ddfedfd2b3a5">spectacular weekend drone strike</a>&nbsp;on Russian air bases, which it claimed destroyed or damaged 41 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers.

The agency released more footage showing drones swooping under and over parked aircraft and featuring some planes burning. It also claimed the planes struck included A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160, An-12, and Il-78 aircraft, adding that the drones had highly automated capabilities and were partly piloted by an operator and partly by using artificial intelligence which flew the drone along a planned route in the event it lost signal.

The drones were not fully autonomous and a “human is still choosing what target to hit,” said Caitlin Lee, a drone warfare expert at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rand.org/about.html">RAND</a>, a think thank.

Ukraine’s security agency said it also set off an explosion on Tuesday on the seabed beneath the Kerch Bridge, a vital transport link between Russia and illegally annexed Crimea, claiming it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/ukraine-claims-it-struck-key-bridge-linking-russia-with-crimea-causing-damage-1f55b3ffc93b4d91b27649092ef3b9f1">caused damage to the structure</a>.

But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that there was no damage.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that its troops have taken control of another village in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, on the border with Russia. Putin announced on May 22 that Russian troops aim to create a buffer zone that might help prevent Ukrainian cross-border attacks. Since then, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims its forces have taken control of nine Sumy villages.

Arhirova reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Chris Megerian in Washington, Emma Burrows in London, Nicole Winfield in Rome and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England contributed reporting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663760963726.jpeg" alt="File image (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP" />
 <figcaption>File image (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin told him “very strongly” in a phone call Wednesday that he will respond to Ukraine’s weekend drone attack on Russian airfields as the deadlock over the war drags on and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-memorandum-talks-instanbul-6014fb7e87c15aa60e30bf72bf6cd2fd">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses Russia's ceasefire proposal</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia. The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes...&quot; - President Donald J. Trump <a href="https://t.co/LUe38UcoHQ">pic.twitter.com/LUe38UcoHQ</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1930306225347977475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The U.S. president said in a social media post that his lengthy call with Putin "was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace.”It's the first time Trump has weighed in on Ukraine's daring attack inside Russia. The U.S. did not have advance notice of the operation, according to the White House, a point Trump emphasized during the call with Putin, according to a Putin’s foreign affairs adviser.The U.S. has led a recent diplomatic push to stop the full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.Trump, in his social media post, did not say how he reacted to Putin's promise to respond to Ukraine's attack, but his post showed none of the frustration that Trump has expressed with his Russian counterpart in recent weeks over his prolonging of the war.Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, said at a briefing that the two leaders characterized the call as “positive and quite productive,” and reaffirmed their readiness to stay in touch.“I believe it was useful for Trump to hear our assessments of what happened,” Ushakov said, noting that the discussion of the attacks was one of the key points in the conversation. He didn’t respond to a question about what the Russian response to the attacks could be.Trump repeatedly promised to end the war quickly, and even said he would accomplish it before he was sworn in. But he lost patience with Putin in recent weeks, publicly pleading with him to stop fighting and even said late last month that the Russian leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-1f2d99bbc4fa9c4bfcc84b50c94ca578">“has gone absolutely CRAZY</a>."Trump, however, has not committed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-b2b9b69f504b8afd064055bb3bf11800">backing a bipartisan push to sanction Putin.</a>The call was Trump’s first known talk with Putin since May 19. They also discussed, according to Trump and Ushakov, Iran’s nuclear program and the possibility of Russia engaging in talks with Tehran as the U.S. pushes it to abandon its rapidly advancing nuclear program.It was not clear if Trump also planned to speak with Zelenskyy. The White House did not respond to a message Wednesday afternoon.<h2>Zelenskyy brushes off Russian plan and pushes for talks</h2>The Ukrainian leader earlier Wednesday dismissed Russia's ceasefire plan as “an ultimatum” and renewed his call for direct talks with Putin to break the stalemate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>, which has dragged on for nearly 3½ years.Putin, however, showed no willingness to meet with Zelenskyy, expressing anger Wednesday about what he said were Ukraine's recent “terrorist acts” on Russian rail lines in the Kursk and Bryansk regions on the countries' border.“How can any such (summit) meetings be conducted in such circumstances? What shall we talk about?” Putin asked in a video call with top Russian officials.Putin accused Ukraine of seeking a truce only to replenish its stockpiles of Western arms, recruit more soldiers and prepare new attacks like those in Kursk and Bryansk.Putin also spoke Wednesday to Pope Leo XIV, who has promised to make “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-eastern-rite-christians-persecuted-protect-a06c75258299e585c7eb8ea2006dc22f">every effort</a>&nbsp;” to help end the war.During the call, Leo urged Putin to make a gesture that would promote peace and stressed the importance of dialogue, according to the Vatican.Russia and Ukraine exchanged memorandums setting out their conditions for a ceasefire for discussion at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-drone-attacks-0c2e0a4aeccd86c3fe18edf5cc73b250">Monday's direct peace talks</a>&nbsp;between delegations in Istanbul, their second meeting in just over two weeks. Zelenskyy had previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-2b3d2fad88436c5406ea63f81ac554ef">challenged Putin to meet him</a>&nbsp;in Turkey, but Putin stayed away.Russia and Ukraine have established red lines that make a quick deal unlikely, despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">U.S.-led international diplomatic push</a>&nbsp;to stop the fighting. The Kremlin's Istanbul proposal contained a list of demands that Kyiv and its Western allies see as nonstarters.<h2>‘This document looks like spam’</h2>Zelenskyy said that the second round of talks in Istanbul was no different from the first meeting on May 16. Zelenskyy described the latest negotiations in Istanbul as “a political performance” and “artificial diplomacy” designed to stall for time, delay sanctions and convince the United States that Russia is engaged in dialogue.“The same ultimatums they voiced back then — now they just put them on paper ... Honestly, this document looks like spam. It’s spam meant to flood us and create the impression that they’re doing something,” Zelenskyy said in his first reaction to the Russian document.The Ukrainian leader said that he sees little value in continuing talks at the current level of delegations. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, while Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin, headed the Russian team.Zelenskyy said he wants a ceasefire with Russia before a possible summit meeting with Putin, possibly also including Trump, in an effort to remove obstacles to a peace settlement.<h2>U.S. defense secretary stays away</h2>A second round of peace talks on Monday between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul lasted just over an hour and made no progress on ending the war. They agreed only to swap thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops.Also, a new prisoner exchange with Russia could take place over the weekend, Zelenskyy said.In tandem with the talks, both sides have kept up offensive military actions along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line and carried out deep strikes.Ukraine’s Security Service gave more details Wednesday about its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-attack-bomber-d9078d989efcec36ec65ddfedfd2b3a5">spectacular weekend drone strike</a>&nbsp;on Russian air bases, which it claimed destroyed or damaged 41 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers.The agency released more footage showing drones swooping under and over parked aircraft and featuring some planes burning. It also claimed the planes struck included A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160, An-12, and Il-78 aircraft, adding that the drones had highly automated capabilities and were partly piloted by an operator and partly by using artificial intelligence which flew the drone along a planned route in the event it lost signal.The drones were not fully autonomous and a “human is still choosing what target to hit,” said Caitlin Lee, a drone warfare expert at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rand.org/about.html">RAND</a>, a think thank.Ukraine’s security agency said it also set off an explosion on Tuesday on the seabed beneath the Kerch Bridge, a vital transport link between Russia and illegally annexed Crimea, claiming it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/ukraine-claims-it-struck-key-bridge-linking-russia-with-crimea-causing-damage-1f55b3ffc93b4d91b27649092ef3b9f1">caused damage to the structure</a>.But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that there was no damage.Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that its troops have taken control of another village in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, on the border with Russia. Putin announced on May 22 that Russian troops aim to create a buffer zone that might help prevent Ukrainian cross-border attacks. Since then, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims its forces have taken control of nine Sumy villages.___Arhirova reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Chris Megerian in Washington, Emma Burrows in London, Nicole Winfield in Rome and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England contributed reporting.___

Trump details latest phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin

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Open a browser on your mobile device and visit the website at <a href="https://hayspost.com">https://hayspost.com</a>.&nbsp; Add it to the Home screen on your mobile device for the best possible experience.&nbsp; Here’s a screenshot that shows you how:<figure>
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Childhood vaccination rates against measles fell in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic in nearly 80% of the more than 2,000 U.S. counties with available data — including in states that are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccination-us-rfk-mmr-8fb86f56b0892408680daae4a52047e6">battling outbreaks</a>&nbsp;this year including in Kansas.&nbsp; The Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported seven new case of measles over the past week in the state for a total of 71 cases in 11 counties.

A Johns Hopkins University study,&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2834892">published in JAMA this week</a>, illustrates where more vulnerable communities are located. The results mirror trends established at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">state</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccinations-kindergarten-exemptions-cdc-1c0f9a196a70491fccf48b9125090de0">national levels</a>: Routine childhood&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">vaccination rates</a>&nbsp;are dropping.

“When you look at the state level or national level ... you really don’t see those drastic drops. Those are there. They’re real and they’re really problematic,” said Lauren Gardner, an expert in infectious disease modeling at Johns Hopkins University who is the paper’s senior author. Gardner also built the university’s COVID-19 database.

Most of the measles cases in the U.S. this year — 1,088 nationally as of Friday — are in unvaccinated people. It has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-international-travel-vaccine-980fdb9fcf8522fed01d23427eba4429">been spreading</a>&nbsp;among communities due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">international and domestic travel</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">Three people have died from measles</a>&nbsp;during this year's outbreaks, and 2025 is inching closer to becoming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">the worst for measles</a>&nbsp;in more than three decades.

Measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-mmr-vaccine-texas-rfk-ff8e744b19ead87698d7217de02814ee">the vaccine is safe and highly effective</a>. Public schools nationwide require two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine before kindergarten, but the number of children with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-whooping-cough-rfk-measles-exemptions-covid-27dae6f61505ef1953ca869a78c71942">non-medical exemptions</a>&nbsp;from those requirements hit an all-time high in the 2023-2024 school year. Health experts say community-level vaccination needs to be at 95% or higher to prevent outbreaks.

The Johns Hopkins study looked at 2,066 counties across 33 states, comparing kindergarten vaccination rates averaged over school years from 2017-2020 to averages from 2022-2024. Where kindergarten data wasn’t available, the researchers used a comparable rate.

Here's what it looks like in counties where there have been outbreaks this year, including in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">Texas counties that are the epicenter of measles</a>.

Counties with outbreaks in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas</a>&nbsp;include Gray with 25 cases, Haskell with 11 and and Stevens with seven.

Vaccination rates in Gray County dropped 23 percentage points after the pandemic, from 94% to 71%.

Haskell County dropped 18 percentage points to 65%. And Stevens County dropped 0.5 percentage points to 90.5%.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-vaccines-measles-outbreak-exemptions-rfk-ab4aea44661153a789472f9d7fa8d17b">Texas</a>&nbsp;has logged 742 measles cases since late January, most in West Texas.

Gaines County has 411 cases, the most in the state. Almost 2% of its population got measles. While the county saw a two percentage-point increase in vaccination rates after the pandemic, its 82.4% rate remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-gaines-county-texas-religious-exemptions-cacdae1843fa918964a1b8e01fe757f5">below herd immunity.</a>

Terry County (60 cases) and Yoakum County (20 cases) dropped below the 95% threshold for herd immunity after the pandemic, to 93.7% and 91.8% respectively.

Lubbock County — which has seen 53 cases and is the closest metro area to Gaines County — was just below 95% before the pandemic, but dropped three percentage points after to 91.8%.

El Paso County on the border of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-measles-vaccines-misinformation-mmr-mennonites-misinformation-ea6158b9a4d513b20f33cbc09034e5c2">Mexico</a>&nbsp;has had the third-most measles cases in Texas this year with 57. Its vaccination rate is higher than 95% but saw a 2.1 percentage-point decline to 96.5%.

Colorado's outbreak, which is linked to an international flight that landed at the Denver airport in mid-May, involves six cases: five in state residents and one out-of-state traveler.

Two people who got measles live in Arapahoe County in the Denver metro, where the vaccination rate dropped 3.5 percentage points to 88.4%. Three others live in El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, where the vaccination rate dropped 3.8 percentage points to 80% post-pandemic.

Pre-pandemic data in North Dakota wasn't available to Johns Hopkins researchers, but they looked at rates from school years ending in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

North Dakota's first outbreak started in Williams County, which now has 16 measles cases. In the timeframe researchers looked at, vaccination rates in Williams rose from 84.6% in 2022 to 87.7% in 2023, only to drop back to 83.5% in 2024.

Cass County has seven cases, and its rate has stayed steady at about 92.7%, while Grand Forks County, which has 10 measles cases, dropped from 95.4% to 93.4%.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743085628490.png" alt="Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</figcaption>
 </figure>Childhood vaccination rates against measles fell in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic in nearly 80% of the more than 2,000 U.S. counties with available data — including in states that are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccination-us-rfk-mmr-8fb86f56b0892408680daae4a52047e6">battling outbreaks</a>&nbsp;this year including in Kansas.&nbsp; The Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported seven new case of measles over the past week in the state for a total of 71 cases in 11 counties.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749059518752.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A Johns Hopkins University study,&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2834892">published in JAMA this week</a>, illustrates where more vulnerable communities are located. The results mirror trends established at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">state</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccinations-kindergarten-exemptions-cdc-1c0f9a196a70491fccf48b9125090de0">national levels</a>: Routine childhood&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">vaccination rates</a>&nbsp;are dropping.“When you look at the state level or national level ... you really don’t see those drastic drops. Those are there. They’re real and they’re really problematic,” said Lauren Gardner, an expert in infectious disease modeling at Johns Hopkins University who is the paper’s senior author. Gardner also built the university’s COVID-19 database.Most of the measles cases in the U.S. this year — 1,088 nationally as of Friday — are in unvaccinated people. It has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-international-travel-vaccine-980fdb9fcf8522fed01d23427eba4429">been spreading</a>&nbsp;among communities due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">international and domestic travel</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">Three people have died from measles</a>&nbsp;during this year's outbreaks, and 2025 is inching closer to becoming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">the worst for measles</a>&nbsp;in more than three decades.Measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-mmr-vaccine-texas-rfk-ff8e744b19ead87698d7217de02814ee">the vaccine is safe and highly effective</a>. Public schools nationwide require two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine before kindergarten, but the number of children with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-whooping-cough-rfk-measles-exemptions-covid-27dae6f61505ef1953ca869a78c71942">non-medical exemptions</a>&nbsp;from those requirements hit an all-time high in the 2023-2024 school year. Health experts say community-level vaccination needs to be at 95% or higher to prevent outbreaks.The Johns Hopkins study looked at 2,066 counties across 33 states, comparing kindergarten vaccination rates averaged over school years from 2017-2020 to averages from 2022-2024. Where kindergarten data wasn’t available, the researchers used a comparable rate.Here's what it looks like in counties where there have been outbreaks this year, including in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">Texas counties that are the epicenter of measles</a>.<h2>Kansas</h2>Counties with outbreaks in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas</a>&nbsp;include Gray with 25 cases, Haskell with 11 and and Stevens with seven.Vaccination rates in Gray County dropped 23 percentage points after the pandemic, from 94% to 71%.Haskell County dropped 18 percentage points to 65%. And Stevens County dropped 0.5 percentage points to 90.5%.<h2>Texas</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-vaccines-measles-outbreak-exemptions-rfk-ab4aea44661153a789472f9d7fa8d17b">Texas</a>&nbsp;has logged 742 measles cases since late January, most in West Texas.Gaines County has 411 cases, the most in the state. Almost 2% of its population got measles. While the county saw a two percentage-point increase in vaccination rates after the pandemic, its 82.4% rate remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-gaines-county-texas-religious-exemptions-cacdae1843fa918964a1b8e01fe757f5">below herd immunity.</a>Terry County (60 cases) and Yoakum County (20 cases) dropped below the 95% threshold for herd immunity after the pandemic, to 93.7% and 91.8% respectively.Lubbock County — which has seen 53 cases and is the closest metro area to Gaines County — was just below 95% before the pandemic, but dropped three percentage points after to 91.8%.El Paso County on the border of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-measles-vaccines-misinformation-mmr-mennonites-misinformation-ea6158b9a4d513b20f33cbc09034e5c2">Mexico</a>&nbsp;has had the third-most measles cases in Texas this year with 57. Its vaccination rate is higher than 95% but saw a 2.1 percentage-point decline to 96.5%.<h2>Colorado</h2>Colorado's outbreak, which is linked to an international flight that landed at the Denver airport in mid-May, involves six cases: five in state residents and one out-of-state traveler.Two people who got measles live in Arapahoe County in the Denver metro, where the vaccination rate dropped 3.5 percentage points to 88.4%. Three others live in El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, where the vaccination rate dropped 3.8 percentage points to 80% post-pandemic.<h2>North Dakota</h2>Pre-pandemic data in North Dakota wasn't available to Johns Hopkins researchers, but they looked at rates from school years ending in 2022, 2023 and 2024.North Dakota's first outbreak started in Williams County, which now has 16 measles cases. In the timeframe researchers looked at, vaccination rates in Williams rose from 84.6% in 2022 to 87.7% in 2023, only to drop back to 83.5% in 2024.Cass County has seven cases, and its rate has stayed steady at about 92.7%, while Grand Forks County, which has 10 measles cases, dropped from 95.4% to 93.4%.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Measles vaccination rates drop after COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for jumping the wall at President&nbsp;Donald Trump's Florida Mar-a-Lago estate, according to Captain Will Rothrock with the Palm Beach Police Department.

Just after midnight June 3, Palm Beach Police Department responded to Mar-a-Lago club, 1100 South Ocean Blvd., in reference to a trespass, according to a probable cause affidavit from the department.

Upon arrival, Palm Beach Police officers were met by U.S. Secret Service agents who had detained 23-year-old Anthony Thomas Reyes.

Secret Service agents advised that Reyes was found on the property and that Reyes stated to them that "he had jumped over the wall to get into the property." Secret Service agents stated that Reyes had not entered the sweep area or had been granted permission to enter the protected site. Reyes was previously trespassed from Mar-a-Lago on December 31, 2024.

Reyes was read his Miranda Warnings from a Palm Beach Police pre-printed card to which he acknowledged he understood.&nbsp;

Mar-a-Lago Club has numerous signs posted around the property that clearly state "No Trespassing" with tallgates that remain closed when not in use. At this time, Mar-a-Lago was not accepting visitors or guests, the gates and entry points were closed and manned by USSS security personnel.

Reyes is being held at Palm Beach County Jail on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records. He pleaded not guilty later Tuesday during his first appearance in court. President Trump was in Washington at the time of the incident.

It should be noted that effective May 16, 2025, House Bill 1447: Trespass provides enhanced penalties for trespassing on property maintained or secured by federal, state, or local law enforcement officers if specified notice is posted, anyone in violation commits a felony.

Based on the facts, police had&nbsp; Probable Cause to arrest Reyes on requested charges of count of Felony Occupied Trespass pursuant to F.S.S 810.09 (1) (a) (2) because he did in fact, without being authorized, licensed, or invited, willfully entered upon and remained on the property at 1100 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, FL 33480, which at the time of the offense, was a federally protected area by the United States Secret Service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749032592579.png" alt="Reyes photo Palm Beach County" />
 <figcaption>Reyes photo Palm Beach County</figcaption>
 </figure>PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for jumping the wall at President&nbsp;Donald Trump's Florida Mar-a-Lago estate, according to Captain Will Rothrock with the Palm Beach Police Department.Just after midnight June 3, Palm Beach Police Department responded to Mar-a-Lago club, 1100 South Ocean Blvd., in reference to a trespass, according to a probable cause affidavit from the department.Upon arrival, Palm Beach Police officers were met by U.S. Secret Service agents who had detained 23-year-old Anthony Thomas Reyes.Secret Service agents advised that Reyes was found on the property and that Reyes stated to them that "he had jumped over the wall to get into the property." Secret Service agents stated that Reyes had not entered the sweep area or had been granted permission to enter the protected site. Reyes was previously trespassed from Mar-a-Lago on December 31, 2024.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749048514455.png" alt="Document from the New Year's Eve incident at Mar-a-Lago involving Reyes-Palm Beach Police" />
 <figcaption>Document from the New Year's Eve incident at Mar-a-Lago involving Reyes-Palm Beach Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Reyes was read his Miranda Warnings from a Palm Beach Police pre-printed card to which he acknowledged he understood.&nbsp;Mar-a-Lago Club has numerous signs posted around the property that clearly state "No Trespassing" with tallgates that remain closed when not in use. At this time, Mar-a-Lago was not accepting visitors or guests, the gates and entry points were closed and manned by USSS security personnel.Reyes is being held at Palm Beach County Jail on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records. He pleaded not guilty later Tuesday during his first appearance in court. President Trump was in Washington at the time of the incident.It should be noted that effective May 16, 2025, House Bill 1447: Trespass provides enhanced penalties for trespassing on property maintained or secured by federal, state, or local law enforcement officers if specified notice is posted, anyone in violation commits a felony.Based on the facts, police had&nbsp; Probable Cause to arrest Reyes on requested charges of count of Felony Occupied Trespass pursuant to F.S.S 810.09 (1) (a) (2) because he did in fact, without being authorized, licensed, or invited, willfully entered upon and remained on the property at 1100 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, FL 33480, which at the time of the offense, was a federally protected area by the United States Secret Service.

Police: Man scaled wall at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Fireworks can be discharged in unincorporated areas of the county on and before Independence Day.

On Tuesday, the Ellis County Commission approved fireworks discharge times from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from July 2 to 4, aligning with the City of Hays’ schedule to make enforcement easier.

The city of Ellis allows discharge from July 3 to 4, and the city of Victoria only allows it on July 4.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748631073672.jpg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostFireworks can be discharged in unincorporated areas of the county on and before Independence Day.On Tuesday, the Ellis County Commission approved fireworks discharge times from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from July 2 to 4, aligning with the City of Hays’ schedule to make enforcement easier.The city of Ellis allows discharge from July 3 to 4, and the city of Victoria only allows it on July 4.&nbsp;

Ellis County sets fireworks discharge rules

On this episode of the Hays&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney talks with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ipifinancialservices.com/" target="_blank">Insurance Planning, Inc.</a>&nbsp;account executive Brian Weimer and Tiffany Zimmerman about insuring boats and RVS.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: IPI - Boat, RV, Camper Coverage" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=qgzxv-18c8583-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/post-podcast" target="_blank">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney talks with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ipifinancialservices.com/" target="_blank">Insurance Planning, Inc.</a>&nbsp;account executive Brian Weimer and Tiffany Zimmerman about insuring boats and RVS.

🎙 Post Podcast: Insurance Planning on insuring your boat, RV

Reporter Cristina Janney discusses the new Chamber in Hays Workforce Development Committee with Leigh Purdy with the Chamber and Ben Shears with Fort Hays State University on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: The Chamber" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=gmy64-18c6c33-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Reporter Cristina Janney discusses the new Chamber in Hays Workforce Development Committee with Leigh Purdy with the Chamber and Ben Shears with Fort Hays State University on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: Chamber in Hays discusses new Workforce Development Committee

The county administrator said the county is within .01 mill of last year as of its draft budget presented on Tuesday.

To keep the mill levy stable, commissioners would need to cut about $100,000 out of the county budget,&nbsp;Darin Myers, county administrator, said as he reviewed a draft of the budget with county commissioners on Tuesday.

County officials are projecting $30.43 million in general fund revenue and $33.33 million in expenditures, an increase from 2025.

The county is waiting for the final assessed valuation from the appraiser.

"This is very preliminary, but the good news is the budget came in at a point where it's not as concerning as originally thought," Myers said.

Myers said the proposed 2026 budget slightly exceeds the revenue-neutral rate, and to stay within the revenue-neutral rate, the county would need to cut about $750,000 from the budget.

Myers said Ellis County has the 13th lowest mill levy in Kansas.&nbsp;

The cash carryover was $4.3 million last year compared to $4.8 million this year, which Myers said will be positive for property taxes.

The current draft includes an estimated 7% increase in health insurance costs. The actual renewal rates will not be determined until after the final budget adoption in September.

Items in the 2026 Ellis County Budget draft include:

• Step wage increase for county employees with a possible cost of living increase mid-year • $1.6 million to the highway fund for road and bridge projects. • Continued funding for the asphalt road maintenance program. • Funding for staff development to attend a Certified Public Manager Course through KU. • Continued transfers to reserves for capital projects. • Finalization of a plan to absorb 911 communications positions from the city of Hays

The commission heard from a few outside agencies and will hear from more at the June 10 meeting. Myers said about 18 agencies have submitted their funding requests to the Ellis County Care Council, which will review them and likely provide recommendations before the end of July.

Some items that are not currently in the first draft budget but the commission has expressed interest in considering include:

• Funding for the law enforcement center remodel after the Hays Police Department moves into their new facility in August 2026. • Price increase request from the contract attorneys for the Ellis County District Court. • Funding for IT infrastructure for upgrades in the 911 communications center. • Staffing requests to change the sheriff's office from 8 to 12 hour shifts and adding one additional EMT medic per shift for EMS

The biggest increase in the fire district budget is due to higher insurance costs. Myers said this is because the county must insure both active fire trucks and those still being built.

The 2026 solid waste budget is balanced, and no rate increases are planned for municipal waste, Myers said.

Commissioner Michael Berges said even though the commission now has a clearer picture of the draft budget, there will be tough financial decisions to make due to state and federal funding cuts to local agencies.

"I think this is going to be our toughest budget out of the three that I've been through for various reasons," Berges said, "but I appreciate what we have to start here today."

Commissioners heard from DSNWK President Jerry Michaud about the 2026 fiscal year budget requests for three of the disability services organization's programs.

The commission provided $250,000 in 2024 and 2025. The nonprofit is asking for the same amount despite a local funding gap. Michaud said the agency faces ongoing staffing challenges, with 27 open positions, 12 of which are in Ellis County.

The commission reappointed Eugene Rupp as County Appraiser for a new four-year term starting July 1. Rupp was appointed in December 2023 to finish the term of former appraiser Lisa Ree.

The commission was notified of two upcoming vacancies on the Planning &amp; Zoning and Library Boards due to members moving out of the county. Myers announced the openings and invited interested residents to apply <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/494/Citizen-Interest---Volunteer">here</a>.

Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, provided an update on ongoing projects and economic development initiatives across Ellis County, such as the Heart of America Development.

The commission also approved a new job description for an assistant county attorney in training position.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748874047174.jpg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe county administrator said the county is within .01 mill of last year as of its draft budget presented on Tuesday.To keep the mill levy stable, commissioners would need to cut about $100,000 out of the county budget,&nbsp;Darin Myers, county administrator, said as he reviewed a draft of the budget with county commissioners on Tuesday.County officials are projecting $30.43 million in general fund revenue and $33.33 million in expenditures, an increase from 2025.The county is waiting for the final assessed valuation from the appraiser."This is very preliminary, but the good news is the budget came in at a point where it's not as concerning as originally thought," Myers said.Myers said the proposed 2026 budget slightly exceeds the revenue-neutral rate, and to stay within the revenue-neutral rate, the county would need to cut about $750,000 from the budget.Myers said Ellis County has the 13th lowest mill levy in Kansas.&nbsp;The cash carryover was $4.3 million last year compared to $4.8 million this year, which Myers said will be positive for property taxes.The current draft includes an estimated 7% increase in health insurance costs. The actual renewal rates will not be determined until after the final budget adoption in September.Items in the 2026 Ellis County Budget draft include:• Step wage increase for county employees with a possible cost of living increase mid-year • $1.6 million to the highway fund for road and bridge projects. • Continued funding for the asphalt road maintenance program. • Funding for staff development to attend a Certified Public Manager Course through KU. • Continued transfers to reserves for capital projects. • Finalization of a plan to absorb 911 communications positions from the city of HaysThe commission heard from a few outside agencies and will hear from more at the June 10 meeting. Myers said about 18 agencies have submitted their funding requests to the Ellis County Care Council, which will review them and likely provide recommendations before the end of July.Some items that are not currently in the first draft budget but the commission has expressed interest in considering include:• Funding for the law enforcement center remodel after the Hays Police Department moves into their new facility in August 2026. • Price increase request from the contract attorneys for the Ellis County District Court. • Funding for IT infrastructure for upgrades in the 911 communications center. • Staffing requests to change the sheriff's office from 8 to 12 hour shifts and adding one additional EMT medic per shift for EMSThe biggest increase in the fire district budget is due to higher insurance costs. Myers said this is because the county must insure both active fire trucks and those still being built.The 2026 solid waste budget is balanced, and no rate increases are planned for municipal waste, Myers said.Commissioner Michael Berges said even though the commission now has a clearer picture of the draft budget, there will be tough financial decisions to make due to state and federal funding cuts to local agencies."I think this is going to be our toughest budget out of the three that I've been through for various reasons," Berges said, "but I appreciate what we have to start here today."<h2>DSNWK budget requests</h2>Commissioners heard from DSNWK President Jerry Michaud about the 2026 fiscal year budget requests for three of the disability services organization's programs.The commission provided $250,000 in 2024 and 2025. The nonprofit is asking for the same amount despite a local funding gap. Michaud said the agency faces ongoing staffing challenges, with 27 open positions, 12 of which are in Ellis County.<h2>Other business</h2>The commission reappointed Eugene Rupp as County Appraiser for a new four-year term starting July 1. Rupp was appointed in December 2023 to finish the term of former appraiser Lisa Ree.The commission was notified of two upcoming vacancies on the Planning &amp; Zoning and Library Boards due to members moving out of the county. Myers announced the openings and invited interested residents to apply <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/494/Citizen-Interest---Volunteer">here</a>.Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, provided an update on ongoing projects and economic development initiatives across Ellis County, such as the Heart of America Development.The commission also approved a new job description for an assistant county attorney in training position.

Ellis County administrator says mill levy likely to be stable in 2026

HAYS - The Hays Larks embark on another season of summer
collegiate baseball Wednesday with a non-league game against the Dodge City A’s
at Cavalier Field in Dodge City. The Larks play their home opener against the A’s on
Saturday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m.

The team reported late last week to begin preparations for
the 2025 season. The Larks are coming off their first NBC World Series
championship in 2024 and are led by veteran head coach Frank Leo who begins his
43rd season.

"We've got a great bunch of those guys back that can actually enjoy what we accomplished last year" Leo said.

Keith Harper is back for a 21st season as the team's pitching coach and Andy Lewton returns for a fourth season as an assistant coach.

The 2025 schedule
includes 34 dates, with 25 home games at Larks Park.

Click <a href="https://hayslarks.org/schedule/">here</a> to view complete schedule.

DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	SPECIAL EVENT June 4	at Dodge City A’s	7:00pm	Cavalier Field June 5	at Newton Rebels	7:00pm	Klein Scott Field June 7	 DODGE CITY A’s*	7:00pm	Larks Park June 8	at Dodge City*	7:00pm	Cavalier Field June 10	 KANSAS CANNONS	7:00pm	Larks Park June 11	 DODGE CITY A’s*	7:00pm	Larks Park June 13	 DENVER COUGARS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	First Responders Night June 14	 DENVER COUGARS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Military Appreciation June 15	 DENVER COUGARS	6:00pm	Larks Park June 19	 GAMEDAY ANGELS*	7:00pm	Larks Park June 20	 GAMEDAY ANGELS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Big Brothers/Big Sisters June 21	 GAMEDAY ANGELS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Championship Celebration June 22	 GAMEDAY ANGELS*	6:00pm	Larks Park June 24	at Liberal BeeJays*	7:00pm	Brent Gould Field June 25	at Liberal BeeJays*	7:00pm	Brent Gould Field June 26	at Liberal BeeJays*	7:00pm	Brent Gould Field June 28	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS*	7:00pm	Larks Park June 29	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS	6:00pm	Larks Park	Stand UP 2 Cancer June 30	 DODGE CITY A’s*	7:00pm	Larks Park July 2	at Colorado Roughriders*	5:00pm	Regis Baseball Field	 July 3	at Gameday Angels	7:05pm	Double Angel Field July 5	at Gameday Angels*	7:05pm	Double Angel Field July 7	 NEWTON REBELS	7:00pm	Larks Park July 8 at Kansas Cannons 7:00pm Augusta HS July 10	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS*	7:00pm	Larks Park July 11	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS*	7:00pm	Larks Lark	Educators Night July 12	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	McKids Day July 13	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS	7:00pm	Larks Lark July 15	 LIBERAL BEEJAYS*	7:00pm	Larks Park July 16	 LIBERAL BEEJAYS*	7:00pm	Larks Park July 18	 DENVER COUGARS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Pack the Pantry July 19	 DENVER COUGARS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Host Family/Pack the Pantry July 20	 DENVER COUGARS	7:00pm	Larks Park	Pack the Pantry July 21	 DODGE CITY A’s*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Pack the Pantry July 24-Aug 2	at NBC World Series	TBD * Rocky Mountain Baseball League

2025 Hays Larks Roster #	Player	Position	College	Year	Hometown 1	CJ Reid	INF	Hutchinson CC	SO	Colorado Springs, CO 2	Trent Baker	Outfield, RHP	Lamar	JR	Spring, TX 3	Ray Jesse	C	Pima CC	SO	Lockport, IL 5	Jackson Babcock	1B	Colorado School of Mines	FR	League City, TX 6	Taber Stokes	INF	Hutchinson CC	SO	Mustang, OK 7	Mason Hamlin	INF	Oklahoma	JR	Falcon, CO 8	Lane Sparks	Outfield	Wharton State CC	SO	Brenham, TX 9	Michael Chago Barham	OF/1B	Murray State CC	FR	Duncan, OK 12	Kaleb Duncan	Outfield	Wichita State	SO	Goodyear, AZ 14	Nick Gray	RHP	Angelo State	JR	Forney, TX 15	Thomas Lyssy	INF	Incarnate Word	JR	Harlingen, TX 16	Seth Lee	RHP	Pima CC	SO	Rio Rancho, NM 17	Adrian Najar	RHP	Lamar	JR	DeSoto, TX 18	Garrett Hicks	RHP	Arizona	JR	Buckeye, AZ 19	Aiden Schmidgall	RHP	Arizona Western CC	SO	Yuma, AZ 20	Braxton Bjur	LHP	Pima CC	FR	Buckeye, AZ 21	Lorenzo Rios	C	Rice	JR	Yorkville, IL 22	Julio Ramos	RHP	Lamar	JR	Nogales, AZ 26	Dylan LaRue	1B/C	Cumberland Univ	JR	Blanco, TX 27	Brooks Jones	LHP	Hutchinson CC	FR	Lawrence, KS 29	Jordan Stribling	LHP	Oklahoma	FR	Dallas, TX 30	Nolan Wilson	RHP	Univ of Cumberlands	JR	Hockley, TX 31	Keevyn Goss	LHP	Wharton State CC	SO	Rockwell, TX 32	Dalton Campbell	LHP	Oklahoma City	JR	Liberty Hill, TX &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Braxton Bjur	LHP	Pima CC FR	Buckeye, AZ

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717183089670.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Post SportsHAYS - The Hays Larks embark on another season of summer
collegiate baseball Wednesday with a non-league game against the Dodge City A’s
at Cavalier Field in Dodge City. The Larks play their home opener against the A’s on
Saturday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m.The team reported late last week to begin preparations for
the 2025 season. The Larks are coming off their first NBC World Series
championship in 2024 and are led by veteran head coach Frank Leo who begins his
43rd season."We've got a great bunch of those guys back that can actually enjoy what we accomplished last year" Leo said.Keith Harper is back for a 21st season as the team's pitching coach and Andy Lewton returns for a fourth season as an assistant coach.The 2025 schedule
includes 34 dates, with 25 home games at Larks Park.Click <a href="https://hayslarks.org/schedule/">here</a> to view complete schedule.DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	SPECIAL EVENT June 4	at Dodge City A’s	7:00pm	Cavalier Field June 5	at Newton Rebels	7:00pm	Klein Scott Field June 7	 DODGE CITY A’s*	7:00pm	Larks Park June 8	at Dodge City*	7:00pm	Cavalier Field June 10	 KANSAS CANNONS	7:00pm	Larks Park June 11	 DODGE CITY A’s*	7:00pm	Larks Park June 13	 DENVER COUGARS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	First Responders Night June 14	 DENVER COUGARS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Military Appreciation June 15	 DENVER COUGARS	6:00pm	Larks Park June 19	 GAMEDAY ANGELS*	7:00pm	Larks Park June 20	 GAMEDAY ANGELS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Big Brothers/Big Sisters June 21	 GAMEDAY ANGELS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Championship Celebration June 22	 GAMEDAY ANGELS*	6:00pm	Larks Park June 24	at Liberal BeeJays*	7:00pm	Brent Gould Field June 25	at Liberal BeeJays*	7:00pm	Brent Gould Field June 26	at Liberal BeeJays*	7:00pm	Brent Gould Field June 28	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS*	7:00pm	Larks Park June 29	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS	6:00pm	Larks Park	Stand UP 2 Cancer June 30	 DODGE CITY A’s*	7:00pm	Larks Park July 2	at Colorado Roughriders*	5:00pm	Regis Baseball Field	 July 3	at Gameday Angels	7:05pm	Double Angel Field July 5	at Gameday Angels*	7:05pm	Double Angel Field July 7	 NEWTON REBELS	7:00pm	Larks Park July 8 at Kansas Cannons 7:00pm Augusta HS July 10	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS*	7:00pm	Larks Park July 11	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS*	7:00pm	Larks Lark	Educators Night July 12	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	McKids Day July 13	 COLORADO ROUGHRIDERS	7:00pm	Larks Lark July 15	 LIBERAL BEEJAYS*	7:00pm	Larks Park July 16	 LIBERAL BEEJAYS*	7:00pm	Larks Park July 18	 DENVER COUGARS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Pack the Pantry July 19	 DENVER COUGARS*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Host Family/Pack the Pantry July 20	 DENVER COUGARS	7:00pm	Larks Park	Pack the Pantry July 21	 DODGE CITY A’s*	7:00pm	Larks Park	Pack the Pantry July 24-Aug 2	at NBC World Series	TBD * Rocky Mountain Baseball League2025 Hays Larks Roster #	Player	Position	College	Year	Hometown 1	CJ Reid	INF	Hutchinson CC	SO	Colorado Springs, CO 2	Trent Baker	Outfield, RHP	Lamar	JR	Spring, TX 3	Ray Jesse	C	Pima CC	SO	Lockport, IL 5	Jackson Babcock	1B	Colorado School of Mines	FR	League City, TX 6	Taber Stokes	INF	Hutchinson CC	SO	Mustang, OK 7	Mason Hamlin	INF	Oklahoma	JR	Falcon, CO 8	Lane Sparks	Outfield	Wharton State CC	SO	Brenham, TX 9	Michael Chago Barham	OF/1B	Murray State CC	FR	Duncan, OK 12	Kaleb Duncan	Outfield	Wichita State	SO	Goodyear, AZ 14	Nick Gray	RHP	Angelo State	JR	Forney, TX 15	Thomas Lyssy	INF	Incarnate Word	JR	Harlingen, TX 16	Seth Lee	RHP	Pima CC	SO	Rio Rancho, NM 17	Adrian Najar	RHP	Lamar	JR	DeSoto, TX 18	Garrett Hicks	RHP	Arizona	JR	Buckeye, AZ 19	Aiden Schmidgall	RHP	Arizona Western CC	SO	Yuma, AZ 20	Braxton Bjur	LHP	Pima CC	FR	Buckeye, AZ 21	Lorenzo Rios	C	Rice	JR	Yorkville, IL 22	Julio Ramos	RHP	Lamar	JR	Nogales, AZ 26	Dylan LaRue	1B/C	Cumberland Univ	JR	Blanco, TX 27	Brooks Jones	LHP	Hutchinson CC	FR	Lawrence, KS 29	Jordan Stribling	LHP	Oklahoma	FR	Dallas, TX 30	Nolan Wilson	RHP	Univ of Cumberlands	JR	Hockley, TX 31	Keevyn Goss	LHP	Wharton State CC	SO	Rockwell, TX 32	Dalton Campbell	LHP	Oklahoma City	JR	Liberty Hill, TX &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Braxton Bjur	LHP	Pima CC FR	Buckeye, AZ

⚾ Larks open season Wednesday in Dodge City

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

The deadline for candidates to file for the 2025 city and
school board elections has passed, and while there are several contested races,
there aren’t enough candidates vying for each position to hold a preliminary
election. 

Instead, all races will be decided in the November general
election.

Nine candidates are vying for two four-year and one two-year
term on the Hays City Commission. 

Those candidates are incumbents Reese Barrick, Shaun Musil
and Sandy Jacobs. Other candidates include David Vilaysing, Candace (CJ)
Hathaway, Samuel Allen, Justin Choitz, Kelly Ancar and David Koshiol.

There are three at-large seats open on the Ellis City
Council. Incumbent John A. Walz and Mayor David R. McDaniel will be on the
ballot along with Kevin LaBarge.

Just one person filed for the Schoenchen City Council: Jim
Mowry. There are five positions up for election.

Ryan Lichter and Matthew L Sander filed for two of the three
open seats on the Victoria City Council.

Other contested races include the contest for three seats on
the Hays USD 489 School Board. 

Ken Brooks, Curt C. Vajnar, Craig Pallister, Meagan
Zampieri-Lillpopp and Kelly Ancar all filed to run for those three seats. 

Five Victoria residents will be facing off for three spots
on the USD 432 Victoria School Board. 

Those five candidates are Shanna Dinkel, Jacob Hunter, Connie
Braun, Jeanna Wellbrock and Jennifer Berens. 

There are also four Russell residents vying for three seats
on the Russell School Board. They are Joyce Ellis, Nancy M. Schmitt, Shari
Pittenger and Many K. Troug.

There are also contested races for the Big Creek, Munjor,
Prairie Acres and Suburban Estates Improvement Districts, as well as Cottonwood
Extension District #17. 

You can find the complete list of candidates below.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747840530130.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostThe deadline for candidates to file for the 2025 city and
school board elections has passed, and while there are several contested races,
there aren’t enough candidates vying for each position to hold a preliminary
election. Instead, all races will be decided in the November general
election.Nine candidates are vying for two four-year and one two-year
term on the Hays City Commission. Those candidates are incumbents Reese Barrick, Shaun Musil
and Sandy Jacobs. Other candidates include David Vilaysing, Candace (CJ)
Hathaway, Samuel Allen, Justin Choitz, Kelly Ancar and David Koshiol.There are three at-large seats open on the Ellis City
Council. Incumbent John A. Walz and Mayor David R. McDaniel will be on the
ballot along with Kevin LaBarge.Just one person filed for the Schoenchen City Council: Jim
Mowry. There are five positions up for election.Ryan Lichter and Matthew L Sander filed for two of the three
open seats on the Victoria City Council.Other contested races include the contest for three seats on
the Hays USD 489 School Board. Ken Brooks, Curt C. Vajnar, Craig Pallister, Meagan
Zampieri-Lillpopp and Kelly Ancar all filed to run for those three seats. Five Victoria residents will be facing off for three spots
on the USD 432 Victoria School Board. Those five candidates are Shanna Dinkel, Jacob Hunter, Connie
Braun, Jeanna Wellbrock and Jennifer Berens. There are also four Russell residents vying for three seats
on the Russell School Board. They are Joyce Ellis, Nancy M. Schmitt, Shari
Pittenger and Many K. Troug.There are also contested races for the Big Creek, Munjor,
Prairie Acres and Suburban Estates Improvement Districts, as well as Cottonwood
Extension District #17. You can find the complete list of candidates below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748987748023.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748987765874.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748987782414.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>

Candidate field set for fall general election

Note: The letter from the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, and the EAS recommended line-item cuts are attached at the end of this letter.

This is in response to the article regarding Essential Air Service funding for the Hays airport.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2730c5cd-1026-4098-9e5f-ebf15c8fd949">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays faces loss of federal airport funds</a>

After reading the article in Hays Post about the Hays airport losing its Essential Air Service (EAS) federal funding, I shared mixed feelings of panic and anger. Panic because it meant that my husband who has worked for TSA for 22 plus years would possibly need to relocate or lose his job if Hays no longer had air service. And anger at our city council for fear-mongering the public by not giving more details about the information and its source. Instead, they chose to direct us down a path of doom by making this comment about their solution of how to make up the money that would be lost: "For us, to make that up, we would have to increase our mill levy from 25 to 44. That's almost double the mills just to cover that annual subsidy," said Mason Ruder, vice-mayor.

While I appreciate our city council directing us to contact our legislators about anything of concern, I am putting them on notice. Give us the facts and the source of where you are getting your information. Spend time explaining it to those who voted for you. Don’t just say “Trump’s budget” and sound the alarm, push us in a corner and leave it at that! Research some other funding options, or at least tell us you are looking into it, rather than make some crazy comment about raising our mill levy/taxes. Like we all needed to hear that right now!

I am always skeptical of both sides of the news – left and right. I think for myself. It’s sad that journalism isn’t what it used to be…when opinions of the journalists were not expressed, and all that we got were the facts. Now it’s almost like a reality show where the public feeds off the controversy.

After reading the article, I did my research. I went to the belly of the beast, the actual “Big Beautiful Bill” all 1,118 pages of it. Doing a search within the bill, I found nothing that mentions “Essential Air Service.” I dissected the table of contents and still nothing. After searching more on <a href="http://Congress.gov">Congress.gov</a>, I found that cutting EAS has not been introduced into any type of legislation. Where I did find it mentioned was at the bottom of page 23 in a letter from the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget as a proposal to Congress for the 2026 budget. This is not written in stone legislation. It is merely a proposal to Congress. Congress is the one that needs to enact the legislation to remove EAS. Nothing in that budget proposal letter is written in stone. I encourage you to click on the bill highlighted above, which is legislation currently in the Senate, and read (or press the listen button) to be informed of what your Congress is voting on…go to the source itself instead of listening to he said, she said. Make up your own mind.

Here is an explanation about Essential Air Service for those who don’t know. The airline is given federal EAS funding for each seat in the plane, whether empty or occupied. To receive EAS funding, certain criteria must be met, and an application must be submitted and approved. It is federal money put in the pocket of the airline to entice them to service the area, and it gives the city an edge to contract with a competitive air carrier. Many rural towns do not fill their seats, so it is debatable by the administration if it is considered wasteful to the taxpayers to pay for all those empty seats in the airplane. Hays has high boarding numbers, which is very good and something positive that should be pointed out by our city council. In my opinion, and according to the criteria they are stating in the budget proposal, we are being good stewards of the money given by evidence of the enplanements we have. FHSU requires their faculty/staff to fly out of Hays whenever possible because the more the community supports the airline, the more likelihood the airline will be able to receive EAS funding, and we will keep our service. Community support is also one of the criteria for receiving funding.

Everyone complains that it is so expensive to fly out of Hays. To get the best ticket price you should try being flexible on the dates you are traveling, if possible. When going to United.com, click on the “flexible dates” box and adjust how many days in your trip and the month. It will show the entire month and the ticket prices for every day. You can adjust your travel dates or number of days to get the lowest price. Also, booking on Tuesday or Wednesday could be better. On my search for Hays to Orlando, I found a roundtrip ticket price of $275 on June 27. Isn’t it much better to avoid the driving, traffic, gas, hotel, parking fees, plus just all the hassle when you can fly right out of Hays?

We could all use more positivity in our lives. Shouldn’t we try to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem?

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Note: The letter from the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, and the EAS recommended line-item cuts are attached at the end of this letter.This is in response to the article regarding Essential Air Service funding for the Hays airport.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2730c5cd-1026-4098-9e5f-ebf15c8fd949">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays faces loss of federal airport funds</a>After reading the article in Hays Post about the Hays airport losing its Essential Air Service (EAS) federal funding, I shared mixed feelings of panic and anger. Panic because it meant that my husband who has worked for TSA for 22 plus years would possibly need to relocate or lose his job if Hays no longer had air service. And anger at our city council for fear-mongering the public by not giving more details about the information and its source. Instead, they chose to direct us down a path of doom by making this comment about their solution of how to make up the money that would be lost: "For us, to make that up, we would have to increase our mill levy from 25 to 44. That's almost double the mills just to cover that annual subsidy," said Mason Ruder, vice-mayor.While I appreciate our city council directing us to contact our legislators about anything of concern, I am putting them on notice. Give us the facts and the source of where you are getting your information. Spend time explaining it to those who voted for you. Don’t just say “Trump’s budget” and sound the alarm, push us in a corner and leave it at that! Research some other funding options, or at least tell us you are looking into it, rather than make some crazy comment about raising our mill levy/taxes. Like we all needed to hear that right now!I am always skeptical of both sides of the news – left and right. I think for myself. It’s sad that journalism isn’t what it used to be…when opinions of the journalists were not expressed, and all that we got were the facts. Now it’s almost like a reality show where the public feeds off the controversy.After reading the article, I did my research. I went to the belly of the beast, the actual “Big Beautiful Bill” all 1,118 pages of it. Doing a search within the bill, I found nothing that mentions “Essential Air Service.” I dissected the table of contents and still nothing. After searching more on <a href="http://Congress.gov">Congress.gov</a>, I found that cutting EAS has not been introduced into any type of legislation. Where I did find it mentioned was at the bottom of page 23 in a letter from the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget as a proposal to Congress for the 2026 budget. This is not written in stone legislation. It is merely a proposal to Congress. Congress is the one that needs to enact the legislation to remove EAS. Nothing in that budget proposal letter is written in stone. I encourage you to click on the bill highlighted above, which is legislation currently in the Senate, and read (or press the listen button) to be informed of what your Congress is voting on…go to the source itself instead of listening to he said, she said. Make up your own mind.Here is an explanation about Essential Air Service for those who don’t know. The airline is given federal EAS funding for each seat in the plane, whether empty or occupied. To receive EAS funding, certain criteria must be met, and an application must be submitted and approved. It is federal money put in the pocket of the airline to entice them to service the area, and it gives the city an edge to contract with a competitive air carrier. Many rural towns do not fill their seats, so it is debatable by the administration if it is considered wasteful to the taxpayers to pay for all those empty seats in the airplane. Hays has high boarding numbers, which is very good and something positive that should be pointed out by our city council. In my opinion, and according to the criteria they are stating in the budget proposal, we are being good stewards of the money given by evidence of the enplanements we have. FHSU requires their faculty/staff to fly out of Hays whenever possible because the more the community supports the airline, the more likelihood the airline will be able to receive EAS funding, and we will keep our service. Community support is also one of the criteria for receiving funding.Everyone complains that it is so expensive to fly out of Hays. To get the best ticket price you should try being flexible on the dates you are traveling, if possible. When going to United.com, click on the “flexible dates” box and adjust how many days in your trip and the month. It will show the entire month and the ticket prices for every day. You can adjust your travel dates or number of days to get the lowest price. Also, booking on Tuesday or Wednesday could be better. On my search for Hays to Orlando, I found a roundtrip ticket price of $275 on June 27. Isn’t it much better to avoid the driving, traffic, gas, hotel, parking fees, plus just all the hassle when you can fly right out of Hays?We could all use more positivity in our lives. Shouldn’t we try to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem?— Jodie J. Wear-Leiker<figure>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748979120678.png" alt="Line item for recommended budget cut for Essential Air Service." />
 <figcaption>Line item for recommended budget cut for Essential Air Service.</figcaption>
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LETTER: Reader wants city to find other solutions for air service

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/lisa-mascaro">LISA MASCARO</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mary-clare-jalonick">MARY CLARE JALONICK</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) —Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who just left the Trump administration, blasted the Republican tax cuts and spending plans that passed the House.

“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk posted Tuesday on X. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748628883590.png" alt="File photo White House- Elon Musk during a farewell press conference in the Oval Office last month" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House- Elon Musk during a farewell press conference in the Oval Office last month</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/lisa-mascaro">LISA MASCARO</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mary-clare-jalonick">MARY CLARE JALONICK</a>WASHINGTON (AP) —Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who just left the Trump administration, blasted the Republican tax cuts and spending plans that passed the House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1929954109689606359?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk posted Tuesday on X. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”Musk continued that the bill “will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt.”<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Musk stepped down</a>&nbsp;last week from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been tasked with slashing federal spending.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt played down the criticism by one of Trump’s top advisers and funders of his political operations during last year’s election.“The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill,” Leavitt said, adding that Musk’s post “doesn’t change the president’s opinion.”<h2>Senate majority leader pushes back on Musk critique of GOP bill</h2>John Thune said billionaire Elon Musk’s critiques of the Republicans’ sweeping tax and spending package amounts to “a difference of opinion” and said the Senate would not change course.“So we have a difference of opinion. He’s entitled to that opinion. We’re going to proceed full speed ahead,” Thune told reporters.Thune said he has seen economic modeling that predicts “significant growth” in the U.S. economy if the proposals were enacted.He said Musk’s concerns were based on analysis from the Congressional Budget Office that he called “static scoring assessment.”He dismissed concerns that Musk’s critiques could tank the GOP’s signature legislation.“We have an agenda that everybody campaigned on, most notably the president,” Thune said.<h2>House speaker calls Elon Musk’s criticism of the Republican tax and immigration bill ‘very disappointing’</h2>“With all due respect,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-leaves-white-house-doge-savings-trump-666f0c3f890354fe836230826d9faa85">my friend Elon</a>&nbsp;is terribly wrong about the one big beautiful bill,” Mike Johnson said Tuesday.Johnson said he spoke with Musk on Monday for more than 20 minutes by telephone. He said he extolled the virtues of the bill and how it was achieving campaign promises while making permanent massive tax and spending cuts.“It’s a very important first start. Elon is missing it,” Johnson said.Johnson also noted how the bill quickly phases out tax credits for electric vehicle purchases.“That is going away because the government should not be subsidizing these things,” Johnson said. “I know that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-trump-tesla-starlink-spacex-twitter-x-robotaxi-selfdriving-austin-e5206c756299f47e81fb90fb4734661a">has an effect on his business</a>&nbsp;and I lament that.”He also said that’s he’s surprised by Musk’s criticism given their conversation.“I just deeply regret he’s made this mistake,” Johnson said.