By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

For the first time in Hays, the Kansas Science Festival sparked curiosity among children, turning downtown into a living lab of real-world science.

The festival was held on Sunday on Main Street and was filled with hands-on STEM activities. Organizer Dallas Haselhorst said it was the event's first outside of Manhattan.

"Science and STEM are really involved in everything. This was to show kids that there's a lot of different science and engineering-inspired technology," Haselhorst said.

With interactive booths and opportunities to meet researchers from across Kansas, the event aimed to highlight the importance of science in everyday life.

The festival featured four activity sites along Main Street, where about 25 presenters showcased various scientific fields to attendees.

Stacy Campbell, agent with the Cottonwood District, used a model aquifer at the festival to help children understand how underground water systems function.

Using food coloring and tubing, he demonstrated how water and pollutants travel through soil layers, providing a simple visual for kids.

"Even when I was a kid, I lived where the aquifer was... I always thought it was this big underground cavern where water was, but it's really in the soil. All these different layers can hold the water," Campbell said.

Several activities were held under the Hays Outdoor Pavilion, including a roped-off area where elephant toothpaste would erupt from a tube, requiring science goggles.

Arvin Cruz, chair of the Fort Hays State University Chemistry Department, supervised the FHSU Chemistry Club as they demonstrated experiments such as liquid nitrogen, disappearing styrofoam and burning cloth.

Cruz also emphasized the importance of making science approachable to kids and families rather than just experts, hoping similar events will encourage others to explore careers in science.

"Someday we'll be gone from Earth, and we'll need a new generation of scientists," Cruz said.&nbsp;

Activities spanned from the Hays Public Library to STEM Harvest on the south end of Main Street, where children could learn from researchers, examine artifacts and interact with animals.

Haselhorst said Hays was selected for the Kansas Science Festival due to its strong educational foundation, including Fort Hays State University and STEM Harvest.

He said that if the event is successful, Hays could become a model for bringing the festival to other rural communities across the state.

"Maybe in the future, aside from just those four locations, we line up Main Street with different presenters, tables and organizations showing what they do in the form of STEM," Haslehorst said.

Children also learned from the FHSU Robotics Team, the university’s Science and Mathematics Education Institute, the Sternberg Museum and the Hays Fire Department. They also had the chance to view the sun safely through telescopes and enjoy face painting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746388925061.jpeg" alt="A boy watching an elephant toothpaste reaction at the Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A boy watching an elephant toothpaste reaction at the Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostFor the first time in Hays, the Kansas Science Festival sparked curiosity among children, turning downtown into a living lab of real-world science.The festival was held on Sunday on Main Street and was filled with hands-on STEM activities. Organizer Dallas Haselhorst said it was the event's first outside of Manhattan."Science and STEM are really involved in everything. This was to show kids that there's a lot of different science and engineering-inspired technology," Haselhorst said.With interactive booths and opportunities to meet researchers from across Kansas, the event aimed to highlight the importance of science in everyday life.The festival featured four activity sites along Main Street, where about 25 presenters showcased various scientific fields to attendees.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389016817.jpeg" alt="Children playing a game at a science booth at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Children playing a game at a science booth at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389091400.jpeg" alt="A boy holding a snake at the Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A boy holding a snake at the Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389120389.jpeg" alt="Children learning at an animal booth at the Hays Public Library during the Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Children learning at an animal booth at the Hays Public Library during the Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389223893.jpeg" alt="Two boys learning about groundwater flow at the K-State Extension Office during the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Two boys learning about groundwater flow at the K-State Extension Office during the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Stacy Campbell, agent with the Cottonwood District, used a model aquifer at the festival to help children understand how underground water systems function.Using food coloring and tubing, he demonstrated how water and pollutants travel through soil layers, providing a simple visual for kids."Even when I was a kid, I lived where the aquifer was... I always thought it was this big underground cavern where water was, but it's really in the soil. All these different layers can hold the water," Campbell said.Several activities were held under the Hays Outdoor Pavilion, including a roped-off area where elephant toothpaste would erupt from a tube, requiring science goggles.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389348925.jpeg" alt="Children watching an elephant toothpaste reaction at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Children watching an elephant toothpaste reaction at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389384705.jpeg" alt="A group of children watching a liquid nitrogen experiment at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A group of children watching a liquid nitrogen experiment at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389419236.jpeg" alt="A group of children watching a burning cloth experiment at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A group of children watching a burning cloth experiment at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Arvin Cruz, chair of the Fort Hays State University Chemistry Department, supervised the FHSU Chemistry Club as they demonstrated experiments such as liquid nitrogen, disappearing styrofoam and burning cloth.Cruz also emphasized the importance of making science approachable to kids and families rather than just experts, hoping similar events will encourage others to explore careers in science."Someday we'll be gone from Earth, and we'll need a new generation of scientists," Cruz said.&nbsp;Activities spanned from the Hays Public Library to STEM Harvest on the south end of Main Street, where children could learn from researchers, examine artifacts and interact with animals.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389273656.jpeg" alt="Three kids looking at a turtle and snakes at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Three kids looking at a turtle and snakes at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389570597.jpeg" alt="A girl petting a lizard at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A girl petting a lizard at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389609087.jpeg" alt="A girl petting a turtle at the Hays Public Library during the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A girl petting a turtle at the Hays Public Library during the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389659096.jpeg" alt="A snake being held at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A snake being held at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Haselhorst said Hays was selected for the Kansas Science Festival due to its strong educational foundation, including Fort Hays State University and STEM Harvest.He said that if the event is successful, Hays could become a model for bringing the festival to other rural communities across the state."Maybe in the future, aside from just those four locations, we line up Main Street with different presenters, tables and organizations showing what they do in the form of STEM," Haslehorst said.Children also learned from the FHSU Robotics Team, the university’s Science and Mathematics Education Institute, the Sternberg Museum and the Hays Fire Department. They also had the chance to view the sun safely through telescopes and enjoy face painting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389833325.jpeg" alt="The Fort Hays State University Kansas Academy of Math and Science robotics teams shows off its Hays Community FIRST robot at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Fort Hays State University Kansas Academy of Math and Science robotics teams shows off its Hays Community FIRST robot at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746389858362.jpeg" alt="A girl looking through a large telescope at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A girl looking through a large telescope at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746390007254.jpeg" alt="A boy learning from the Sternberg Museum at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A boy learning from the Sternberg Museum at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746390061423.jpeg" alt="Two boys looking at fossils at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Two boys looking at fossils at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746390156916.jpeg" alt="A boy getting his face painted at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A boy getting his face painted at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746390128625.jpeg" alt="A girl getting her face painted at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A girl getting her face painted at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746390195536.jpeg" alt="The Fort Hays State University's Maker Van at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Fort Hays State University's Maker Van at the&nbsp;Kansas Science Festival in Hays. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

Kansas Science Festival makes STEM fun for Hays children

BOSTON (AP) — Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;on Sunday repeatedly invoked the Constitution and said it is what “binds us all together” after receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

Pence received the award for his refusal to go along with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election. The award recognizes Pence “for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021,” the JFK Library Foundation said.

“To forge a future together, we have to find common ground,” Pence said. “I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It’s what binds us across time and generations. .... It’s what makes us one people.”

His comments came hours after an interview with Trump aired in which he was asked whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Trump was noncommittal.

“I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump said when pressed in an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker. It was taped Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired Sunday.

Pence never mentioned Trump during his 10-minute speech but made several references to the Trump administration.

Referencing what he called “these divided times, in these anxious days,” he acknowledged that he probably had differences with the Democrats in the room but also with his own Republican Party “on spending, tariffs and my belief that America is the leader of the free world and must stand with Ukraine until the Russian invasion is repelled and a just and lasting peace is secured.”

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-united-states-government-and-politics-liz-cheney-b9f4cbbcb9d4b5fc1abbdf1f016d38ac">pressured Pence</a>&nbsp;to reject election results from swing states where the Republican president falsely claimed the vote was marred by fraud. Pence refused, saying he lacked such authority. When&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to “hang Mike Pence.” Pence was whisked away by Secret Service agents, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with the rioters.

“Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,” Trump wrote at the time on X, formerly Twitter, as rioters moved through the Capitol and Pence was in hiding with his family, aides and security detail inside the building.

Pence rejected the Secret Service’s advice that he leave the Capitol, staying to continue the ceremonial election certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential victory once rioters were cleared.

In describing his role, Pence told the audience that “by God’s grace I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States of America.”

“Jan. 6 was a tragic day but it became a triumph of freedom. History will record that our institutions held,” he said in his speech. “Leaders in both chambers, in both political parties reconvened the very same day and finished democracy’s work under the Constitution.”

JFK’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who along with his grandson Jack Schlossberg presented the award, said Pence’s actions that day were a reminder that you cannot take democracy for granted.

“At the time I thought Vice President Pence was just doing his job,” she said. “Only later did I realize that his act of courage saved our government and warned us about what could happen and is happening right now.”

The Profile in Courage Award, named for a book Kennedy published in 1957 before he became president, honors public officials who take principled stands despite the potential political or personal consequences. Previous recipients of the award include former Presidents Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford.

Pence has emerged as one of the few Republicans willing to take on the Trump administration.

His political action group, Advancing American Freedom, campaigned against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the nation’s health agencies. He’s delivered speeches urging the president to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-marc-fogel-prisoner-swap-98418693957b1fa0189ee8ac4e8b4f2d">stand with longtime foreign allies</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Mike_Pence/status/1890887398461948057" target="_blank">posted an article he penned more than a decade ago</a>&nbsp;on the limits of presidential power after&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114009179225169296" target="_blank">Trump claimed</a>&nbsp;that, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609956651601.png" alt="Vice President Mike Pence during the electoral college vote certification on Jan. 6, 2021-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Mike Pence during the electoral college vote certification on Jan. 6, 2021-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;on Sunday repeatedly invoked the Constitution and said it is what “binds us all together” after receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.Pence received the award for his refusal to go along with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election. The award recognizes Pence “for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021,” the JFK Library Foundation said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746408998768.png" alt="Caroline Kennedy presented the award to Mike Pence Sunday night-image from the JFK Library and Foundation video" />
 <figcaption>Caroline Kennedy presented the award to Mike Pence Sunday night-image from the JFK Library and Foundation video</figcaption>
 </figure>“To forge a future together, we have to find common ground,” Pence said. “I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It’s what binds us across time and generations. .... It’s what makes us one people.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former VP <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mike_Pence</a>: &quot;To forge a future together we have to find common ground...whatever differences we have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It&#39;s what binds is together across time and across generations...it&#39;s what make us one people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/8nvhDnr4H8">pic.twitter.com/8nvhDnr4H8</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1919413103256797332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">2025 profiles in courage award — VP Mike Pence for upholding his oath and saving America on January 6 2021 <a href="https://t.co/MSYcIQVT1P">pic.twitter.com/MSYcIQVT1P</a>&mdash; Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/JBKSchlossberg/status/1919235316591845880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>His comments came hours after an interview with Trump aired in which he was asked whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Trump was noncommittal.“I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump said when pressed in an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker. It was taped Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired Sunday.Pence never mentioned Trump during his 10-minute speech but made several references to the Trump administration.Referencing what he called “these divided times, in these anxious days,” he acknowledged that he probably had differences with the Democrats in the room but also with his own Republican Party “on spending, tariffs and my belief that America is the leader of the free world and must stand with Ukraine until the Russian invasion is repelled and a just and lasting peace is secured.”Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-united-states-government-and-politics-liz-cheney-b9f4cbbcb9d4b5fc1abbdf1f016d38ac">pressured Pence</a>&nbsp;to reject election results from swing states where the Republican president falsely claimed the vote was marred by fraud. Pence refused, saying he lacked such authority. When&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to “hang Mike Pence.” Pence was whisked away by Secret Service agents, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with the rioters.“Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,” Trump wrote at the time on X, formerly Twitter, as rioters moved through the Capitol and Pence was in hiding with his family, aides and security detail inside the building.Pence rejected the Secret Service’s advice that he leave the Capitol, staying to continue the ceremonial election certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential victory once rioters were cleared.In describing his role, Pence told the audience that “by God’s grace I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States of America.”“Jan. 6 was a tragic day but it became a triumph of freedom. History will record that our institutions held,” he said in his speech. “Leaders in both chambers, in both political parties reconvened the very same day and finished democracy’s work under the Constitution.”JFK’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who along with his grandson Jack Schlossberg presented the award, said Pence’s actions that day were a reminder that you cannot take democracy for granted.“At the time I thought Vice President Pence was just doing his job,” she said. “Only later did I realize that his act of courage saved our government and warned us about what could happen and is happening right now.”The Profile in Courage Award, named for a book Kennedy published in 1957 before he became president, honors public officials who take principled stands despite the potential political or personal consequences. Previous recipients of the award include former Presidents Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford.Pence has emerged as one of the few Republicans willing to take on the Trump administration.His political action group, Advancing American Freedom, campaigned against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the nation’s health agencies. He’s delivered speeches urging the president to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-marc-fogel-prisoner-swap-98418693957b1fa0189ee8ac4e8b4f2d">stand with longtime foreign allies</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Mike_Pence/status/1890887398461948057" target="_blank">posted an article he penned more than a decade ago</a>&nbsp;on the limits of presidential power after&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114009179225169296" target="_blank">Trump claimed</a>&nbsp;that, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”

🎥Former VP Pence receives JFK Courage Award for actions on Jan. 6

EMPORIA - Former Hays High standout Jordan Dale won the men's high jump at the MIAA Track and Field Championships. Dale, who finished second at the MIAA Championships in 2024, won with a leap of&nbsp;2.12m (6-11.50).

Dale is a three-time All-American and set the Hays High school record with a height of&nbsp;6-10.00 at the state meet.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746440801872.png" alt="Courtesy Washburn Athletics (Gene Cassell)" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Washburn Athletics (Gene Cassell)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Post SportsEMPORIA - Former Hays High standout Jordan Dale won the men's high jump at the MIAA Track and Field Championships. Dale, who finished second at the MIAA Championships in 2024, won with a leap of&nbsp;2.12m (6-11.50).Dale is a three-time All-American and set the Hays High school record with a height of&nbsp;6-10.00 at the state meet.

🏃 Former HHS standout Dale wins MIAA high jump title

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts appears to hold the key vote over whether the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;will allow the nation's first publicly funded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-religious-catholic-charter-school-unconstitutional-oklahoma-e4ef414605094313331a39cc645ede8a">religious charter school</a>&nbsp;in Oklahoma.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/24-394">Click here to listen to a replay</a>&nbsp;of the oral arguments

Roberts was the only justice whose vote seemed in doubt after the court heard more than two hours of arguments Wednesday in a major culture-war clash involving the separation of church and state.

The court seemed otherwise deeply divided.

Four other conservative justices seemed firmly on the side of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School and the state charter school board that approved it.

“They’re not asking for special treatment, not asking for favoritism,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said. “They’re just saying, ’Don’t treat us worse because we’re religious.”

The three liberal justices seemed just as likely to vote to affirm an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that held that the taxpayer-funded school would entangle church and state in violation of the First Amendment.

“Charter schools are in every respect equivalent to regular public schools,” Justice Elena Kagan said.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself without explanation. Barrett previously taught law at Notre Dame and is close friends with Notre Dame law professor Nicole Garnett, a leading proponent of publicly funded religious charter schools.

If Roberts sides with the liberals, the court would be tied 4-4, an outcome that would leave the state court decision in place, but would leave the issue unresolved nationally.

If he joins his conservative colleagues, on the other hand, the court could find that the taxpayer-funded school is in line with a string of high court decisions that have allowed public funds to flow to religious entities. Those rulings were based on a different part of the First Amendment that protects religious freedom.

Roberts wrote the last three of those decisions. He acknowledged at one point that the court had previously ruled that states “couldn't exclude religious participants,” suggesting support for St. Isidore.

But he also said the state's involvement in this case is “much more comprehensive” than in the earlier ones, a point that could lead him in the other direction.

St. Isidore, a K-12 online school, had planned to start classes for its first 200 enrollees last fall, with part of its mission to evangelize its students in the Catholic faith.

Opponents warn a decision to allow the school to open would sap money from public schools and possibly upend the rules governing charter schools in almost every state.

Greg Garre, the lawyer defending the Oklahoma decision, repeatedly urged the justices to consider the broad impact of a ruling for the school.

“This is going to have a dramatic effect on charter schools across the country,” Garre said.

Representing the state charter school board, lawyer James Campbell said Oklahoma's charter school law discriminates against religion by encouraging diversity, but “deeming religion to be the wrong kind of diversity.”

The case comes to the court amid efforts, mainly in conservative-led states, to insert religion into public schools. Those include a challenged Louisiana requirement that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-ten-commandments-displayed-classrooms-571a2447906f7bbd5a166d53db005a62">the Ten Commandments</a>&nbsp;be posted in classrooms and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-bible-schools-religion-ryan-walters-d15be2f74df2ffbbdfdc549569d06c4e">a mandate</a>&nbsp;from Oklahoma’s state schools superintendent that the Bible be placed in public school classrooms.

The state board and the school are backed by an array of Republican-led states and religious and conservative groups, though the case has divided some of Oklahoma’s Republican leaders.

Gov. Kevin Stitt and Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters support using public funds for religious schools, while Attorney General Gentner Drummond has opposed the idea and sued to overturn the state board’s approval of St. Isidore.

A key issue in the case is whether the school is public or private. Charter schools are deemed public in Oklahoma and the other 45 states and the District of Columbia where they operate. North Dakota recently enacted legislation allowing for charter schools.

They are free and open to all, receive state funding, abide by antidiscrimination laws and submit to oversight of curriculum and testing. But they also are run by independent boards that are not part of local public school systems.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672235865420.png" alt="Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts appears to hold the key vote over whether the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;will allow the nation's first publicly funded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-religious-catholic-charter-school-unconstitutional-oklahoma-e4ef414605094313331a39cc645ede8a">religious charter school</a>&nbsp;in Oklahoma.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/24-394">Click here to listen to a replay</a>&nbsp;of the oral argumentsRoberts was the only justice whose vote seemed in doubt after the court heard more than two hours of arguments Wednesday in a major culture-war clash involving the separation of church and state.The court seemed otherwise deeply divided.Four other conservative justices seemed firmly on the side of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School and the state charter school board that approved it.“They’re not asking for special treatment, not asking for favoritism,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said. “They’re just saying, ’Don’t treat us worse because we’re religious.”The three liberal justices seemed just as likely to vote to affirm an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that held that the taxpayer-funded school would entangle church and state in violation of the First Amendment.“Charter schools are in every respect equivalent to regular public schools,” Justice Elena Kagan said.Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself without explanation. Barrett previously taught law at Notre Dame and is close friends with Notre Dame law professor Nicole Garnett, a leading proponent of publicly funded religious charter schools.If Roberts sides with the liberals, the court would be tied 4-4, an outcome that would leave the state court decision in place, but would leave the issue unresolved nationally.If he joins his conservative colleagues, on the other hand, the court could find that the taxpayer-funded school is in line with a string of high court decisions that have allowed public funds to flow to religious entities. Those rulings were based on a different part of the First Amendment that protects religious freedom.Roberts wrote the last three of those decisions. He acknowledged at one point that the court had previously ruled that states “couldn't exclude religious participants,” suggesting support for St. Isidore.But he also said the state's involvement in this case is “much more comprehensive” than in the earlier ones, a point that could lead him in the other direction.St. Isidore, a K-12 online school, had planned to start classes for its first 200 enrollees last fall, with part of its mission to evangelize its students in the Catholic faith.Opponents warn a decision to allow the school to open would sap money from public schools and possibly upend the rules governing charter schools in almost every state.Greg Garre, the lawyer defending the Oklahoma decision, repeatedly urged the justices to consider the broad impact of a ruling for the school.“This is going to have a dramatic effect on charter schools across the country,” Garre said.Representing the state charter school board, lawyer James Campbell said Oklahoma's charter school law discriminates against religion by encouraging diversity, but “deeming religion to be the wrong kind of diversity.”The case comes to the court amid efforts, mainly in conservative-led states, to insert religion into public schools. Those include a challenged Louisiana requirement that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-ten-commandments-displayed-classrooms-571a2447906f7bbd5a166d53db005a62">the Ten Commandments</a>&nbsp;be posted in classrooms and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-bible-schools-religion-ryan-walters-d15be2f74df2ffbbdfdc549569d06c4e">a mandate</a>&nbsp;from Oklahoma’s state schools superintendent that the Bible be placed in public school classrooms.St. Isidore, a K-12 online school, had planned to start classes for its first 200 enrollees last fall, with part of its mission to evangelize its students in the Catholic faith.Opponents warn a decision to allow the school to open would sap money from public schools and possibly upend the rules governing charter schools in almost every state.The state board and the school are backed by an array of Republican-led states and religious and conservative groups, though the case has divided some of Oklahoma’s Republican leaders.Gov. Kevin Stitt and Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters support using public funds for religious schools, while Attorney General Gentner Drummond has opposed the idea and sued to overturn the state board’s approval of St. Isidore.A key issue in the case is whether the school is public or private. Charter schools are deemed public in Oklahoma and the other 45 states and the District of Columbia where they operate. North Dakota recently enacted legislation allowing for charter schools.They are free and open to all, receive state funding, abide by antidiscrimination laws and submit to oversight of curriculum and testing. But they also are run by independent boards that are not part of local public school systems.

🎧 Will court allow first publicly funded religious charter school?

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — After months of tense negotiations, the U.S. and Ukraine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-trump-peace-ce025ba11929ceff0c90f94c25a47624">signed a deal</a>&nbsp;that is expected to give Washington access to the country’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">critical minerals</a>&nbsp;and other natural resources, an agreement Kyiv hopes will secure long-term support for its defense against Russia.

According to Ukrainian officials, the version of the deal signed Wednesday is far more beneficial to Ukraine than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">previous versions</a>, which they said reduced Kyiv to a junior partner and gave Washington unprecedented rights to the country's resources.

The agreement — which the Ukrainian parliament must ratify — would establish a reconstruction fund for Ukraine that Ukrainian officials hope will be a vehicle to ensure future American military assistance. A previous agreement was nearly signed before being derailed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;involving U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“We have formed a version of the agreement that provides mutually beneficial conditions for both countries. This is an agreement in which the United States notes its commitment to promoting long-term peace in Ukraine and recognizes the contribution that Ukraine has made to global security by giving up its nuclear arsenal,” Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who signed the deal for Ukraine, said in a post on Facebook.

The signing comes during what U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said would be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-trump-844dc8747a63ef6921f0b1f0e3348ccd">a “very critical” week</a>&nbsp;for U.S.-led efforts to end the war that appear to have stalled. Ukraine sees the deal as a way to ensure that its biggest and most consequential ally stays engaged and doesn’t freeze military support, which has been key in its 3-year-old fight against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s full-scale invasion</a>.

“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who signed for the U.S., said in a statement.

The deal covers minerals, including rare earth elements, but also other valuable resources, including oil and natural gas, according to the text released by Ukraine's government.

It does not include resources that are already a source of revenue for the Ukrainian state. In other words, any profits under the deal are dependent on the success of new investments. Ukrainian officials have also noted that it does not refer to any debt obligations for Kyiv, meaning profits from the fund will likely not go toward the paying the U.S. back for its previous support.

Officials have also emphasized that the agreement ensures full ownership of the resources remains with Ukraine, and the state will determine what can be extracted and where.

The text of the deal lists 55 minerals but says more can be agreed to.

Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in Ukraine's rare earth elements, and some of them are included in the list, as are other critical minerals, such as titanium, lithium and uranium.

They are a group of 17 elements that are essential to many kinds of consumer technology, including cellphones, hard drives and electric and hybrid vehicles.

China is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/01902a5df8bf4a13bd46f401e914b46b">world’s largest producer</a>&nbsp;of rare earth elements, and both the U.S and Europe have sought to reduce their dependence on Beijing, Trump’s chief geopolitical adversary.

They include elements such as lanthanum, cerium and scandium, which are listed in the deal.

The agreement establishes a reconstruction investment fund, and both the U.S. and Ukraine will have an equal say in its management, according to Svyrydenko.

The fund will be supported by the U.S. government through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation agency, which Ukraine hopes will attract investment and technology from American and European countries.

Ukraine is expected to contribute 50% of all future profits from government-owned natural resources into the fund. The United States will also contribute in the form of direct funds and equipment, including badly needed air defense systems and other military aid.

Contributions to the fund will be reinvested in projects related to mining, oil and gas as well as infrastructure.

No profits will not be taken from the fund for the first 10 years, Svyrydenko said.

Trump administration officials initially pushed for a deal in which Washington would receive $500 billion in profits from exploited minerals as compensation for its wartime support.

But Zelenskyy rejected the offer, saying he would not sign off on an agreement “that will be paid off by 10 generations of Ukrainians.”

What is the state of Ukraine's minerals industry?

Ukraine’s rare earth elements are largely untapped because of state policies regulating the industry, a lack of good information about deposits, and the war.

The industry’s potential is unclear since geological data is thin because mineral reserves are scattered across Ukraine, and existing studies are considered largely inadequate, according to businessmen and analysts.

In general, however, the outlook for Ukrainian natural resources is promising. The country's reserves of titanium, a key component for the aerospace, medical and automotive industries, are believed to be among Europe’s largest. Ukraine also holds some of Europe’s largest known reserves of lithium, which is required to produce batteries, ceramics and glass.

In 2021, the Ukrainian mineral industry accounted for 6.1% of the country’s gross domestic product and 30% of exports.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740765031457.png" alt="President Trump greeting&nbsp; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. at the White House in April- photo courtesy the White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump greeting&nbsp; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. at the White House in April- photo courtesy the White House</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — After months of tense negotiations, the U.S. and Ukraine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-trump-peace-ce025ba11929ceff0c90f94c25a47624">signed a deal</a>&nbsp;that is expected to give Washington access to the country’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">critical minerals</a>&nbsp;and other natural resources, an agreement Kyiv hopes will secure long-term support for its defense against Russia.According to Ukrainian officials, the version of the deal signed Wednesday is far more beneficial to Ukraine than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">previous versions</a>, which they said reduced Kyiv to a junior partner and gave Washington unprecedented rights to the country's resources.The agreement — which the Ukrainian parliament must ratify — would establish a reconstruction fund for Ukraine that Ukrainian officials hope will be a vehicle to ensure future American military assistance. A previous agreement was nearly signed before being derailed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;involving U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.“We have formed a version of the agreement that provides mutually beneficial conditions for both countries. This is an agreement in which the United States notes its commitment to promoting long-term peace in Ukraine and recognizes the contribution that Ukraine has made to global security by giving up its nuclear arsenal,” Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who signed the deal for Ukraine, said in a post on Facebook.The signing comes during what U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said would be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-trump-844dc8747a63ef6921f0b1f0e3348ccd">a “very critical” week</a>&nbsp;for U.S.-led efforts to end the war that appear to have stalled. Ukraine sees the deal as a way to ensure that its biggest and most consequential ally stays engaged and doesn’t freeze military support, which has been key in its 3-year-old fight against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s full-scale invasion</a>.“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who signed for the U.S., said in a statement.Here is a look at the deal.<h2>What does the</h2><h2>deal include?</h2>The deal covers minerals, including rare earth elements, but also other valuable resources, including oil and natural gas, according to the text released by Ukraine's government.It does not include resources that are already a source of revenue for the Ukrainian state. In other words, any profits under the deal are dependent on the success of new investments. Ukrainian officials have also noted that it does not refer to any debt obligations for Kyiv, meaning profits from the fund will likely not go toward the paying the U.S. back for its previous support.Officials have also emphasized that the agreement ensures full ownership of the resources remains with Ukraine, and the state will determine what can be extracted and where.The text of the deal lists 55 minerals but says more can be agreed to.Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in Ukraine's rare earth elements, and some of them are included in the list, as are other critical minerals, such as titanium, lithium and uranium.<h2>What are rare earth elements?</h2>They are a group of 17 elements that are essential to many kinds of consumer technology, including cellphones, hard drives and electric and hybrid vehicles.China is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/01902a5df8bf4a13bd46f401e914b46b">world’s largest producer</a>&nbsp;of rare earth elements, and both the U.S and Europe have sought to reduce their dependence on Beijing, Trump’s chief geopolitical adversary.They include elements such as lanthanum, cerium and scandium, which are listed in the deal.<h2>How will the fund work?</h2>The agreement establishes a reconstruction investment fund, and both the U.S. and Ukraine will have an equal say in its management, according to Svyrydenko.The fund will be supported by the U.S. government through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation agency, which Ukraine hopes will attract investment and technology from American and European countries.Ukraine is expected to contribute 50% of all future profits from government-owned natural resources into the fund. The United States will also contribute in the form of direct funds and equipment, including badly needed air defense systems and other military aid.Contributions to the fund will be reinvested in projects related to mining, oil and gas as well as infrastructure.No profits will not be taken from the fund for the first 10 years, Svyrydenko said.Trump administration officials initially pushed for a deal in which Washington would receive $500 billion in profits from exploited minerals as compensation for its wartime support.But Zelenskyy rejected the offer, saying he would not sign off on an agreement “that will be paid off by 10 generations of Ukrainians.”<h2>What is the state of Ukraine's minerals industry?</h2>Ukraine’s rare earth elements are largely untapped because of state policies regulating the industry, a lack of good information about deposits, and the war.The industry’s potential is unclear since geological data is thin because mineral reserves are scattered across Ukraine, and existing studies are considered largely inadequate, according to businessmen and analysts.In general, however, the outlook for Ukrainian natural resources is promising. The country's reserves of titanium, a key component for the aerospace, medical and automotive industries, are believed to be among Europe’s largest. Ukraine also holds some of Europe’s largest known reserves of lithium, which is required to produce batteries, ceramics and glass.In 2021, the Ukrainian mineral industry accounted for 6.1% of the country’s gross domestic product and 30% of exports.

Read what the U.S., Ukraine minerals deal includes

Beginning Monday, May 5, the 100 block of West Fourth Street will be closed to traffic from Main to Fort for pavement repairs. 

Work is anticipated to be completed by Friday, May 16, weather permitting. 

The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603291672014.jpeg" alt="File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysBeginning Monday, May 5, the 100 block of West Fourth Street will be closed to traffic from Main to Fort for pavement repairs. Work is anticipated to be completed by Friday, May 16, weather permitting. The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

Portion of W. 4th closed in Hays for pavement repairs starting Monday

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

As the Hays City Commission neared the end of their discussion during Thursday's work session about a requested property abatement for the former&nbsp;Rodeway Inn Motel, the owner's representative spoke up from the audience and announced there is a likely buyer for the property.

Elinda Mages, is the owner's representative and also general manager of the Avid Hotel in Hays.

"We would respectfully ask that you not pass this abatement," Mages said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Rodeway Inn Motel, 3404 Vine St., is owned by HKHR Hospitality Inc. and was&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e02e23b-0f72-40cb-9cb4-862afda92c4c">shut down by the Kansas Fire Marshal</a>&nbsp;last year for significant structural damage.&nbsp; On Oct. 5, 2024, the fire marshal was notified by the owner that the motel was closed.

If an abatement is approved by commissioners at next week's regular meeting and the owner takes no action to remedy the issues, the city will hire a contractor to demolish the structure, and all abatement costs will be charged to the property owner.

"That doesn't mean if you were to approve the resolution, that on day 11 after that, we're going to have bulldozers there," said Toby Dougherty, city manager.

"We do have a letter of intent from someone to purchase the property," Mages told the commission.

"I'm not at liberty to give who it is, but it is a national chain. It's a pretty sure thing. This chain has been looking at Hays for a while. In that purchase, they would be responsible for the building. We're just waiting to finalize everything."

Mages said she did not have a time frame for closing on the property purchase.

City Attorney Don Hoffman said he didn't think an abatement would legally affect a potential sale.

Commissioners stressed they do not want to stand in the way of progress or a potential purchase.

Public Works Director Jesse Rohr said in the past, there have been situations where an abatement resolution was passed, and the owner then stepped in to rehabilitate or demolish the property's contents.

"It gives staff the ability to take action if nothing happens," said Mason Ruder, vice-mayor.

"As long as communication continues, nobody's going to jump out there and mess up a sale," said Mayor Sandy Jacobs. "We all want the same thing, I think."

"We are in the process of contracting with an auctioneer to sell the personal property so it doesn't just go to a landfill," Mages said.

The former Budget Inn property, 810 E. Eighth St., was also scheduled for an abatement discussion but was removed from the agenda.

Jarrod Kuckelman, assistant city manager, told the Hays Post after the work session, "progress has been made on cleaning up the property (owned by Mark Ottley) and demolition is scheduled to begin Monday."

In other business, commissioners reviewed an ordinance to establish a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and a plan for developing 101 houses and public facilities in the Tallgrass 2nd Addition, Phase 4 at the northeast corner of Wheatland Avenue and 22nd Street.

The private developer, Heart of America Development Corporation of Ellis County, requests the district financing on a pay-as-you-go basis for 25 years.

Heart of America proposes the city finance the majority of the district-eligible costs and construct the infrastructure, utilizing the district revenues to offset the city’s costs. Revenues will come from incremental property tax revenues collected on the project site.

A low bid award was also considered for constructing a stormwater equipment storage building by QMC, Inc., Gove County, for $292,650. QMC most recently built the Hays Microfactory.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746115364907.png" alt="A national chain has signed a letter of intent to purchase the former Rodeway Inn Motel, 3404 Vine, according to the owner's representative. Photo by city of Hays&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A national chain has signed a letter of intent to purchase the former Rodeway Inn Motel, 3404 Vine, according to the owner's representative. Photo by city of Hays&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostAs the Hays City Commission neared the end of their discussion during Thursday's work session about a requested property abatement for the former&nbsp;Rodeway Inn Motel, the owner's representative spoke up from the audience and announced there is a likely buyer for the property.Elinda Mages, is the owner's representative and also general manager of the Avid Hotel in Hays."We would respectfully ask that you not pass this abatement," Mages said.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746197072113.jpeg" alt="Elinda Mages, owner's representative for&nbsp;HKHR Hospitality Inc. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Elinda Mages, owner's representative for&nbsp;HKHR Hospitality Inc. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The Rodeway Inn Motel, 3404 Vine St., is owned by HKHR Hospitality Inc. and was&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e02e23b-0f72-40cb-9cb4-862afda92c4c">shut down by the Kansas Fire Marshal</a>&nbsp;last year for significant structural damage.&nbsp; On Oct. 5, 2024, the fire marshal was notified by the owner that the motel was closed.If an abatement is approved by commissioners at next week's regular meeting and the owner takes no action to remedy the issues, the city will hire a contractor to demolish the structure, and all abatement costs will be charged to the property owner."That doesn't mean if you were to approve the resolution, that on day 11 after that, we're going to have bulldozers there," said Toby Dougherty, city manager."We do have a letter of intent from someone to purchase the property," Mages told the commission."I'm not at liberty to give who it is, but it is a national chain. It's a pretty sure thing. This chain has been looking at Hays for a while. In that purchase, they would be responsible for the building. We're just waiting to finalize everything."Mages said she did not have a time frame for closing on the property purchase.City Attorney Don Hoffman said he didn't think an abatement would legally affect a potential sale.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746206158892.jpeg" alt="Hays city commissioners discuss the shuttered property at 3404 Vine Street in Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays city commissioners discuss the shuttered property at 3404 Vine Street in Hays. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Commissioners stressed they do not want to stand in the way of progress or a potential purchase.Public Works Director Jesse Rohr said in the past, there have been situations where an abatement resolution was passed, and the owner then stepped in to rehabilitate or demolish the property's contents."It gives staff the ability to take action if nothing happens," said Mason Ruder, vice-mayor."As long as communication continues, nobody's going to jump out there and mess up a sale," said Mayor Sandy Jacobs. "We all want the same thing, I think.""We are in the process of contracting with an auctioneer to sell the personal property so it doesn't just go to a landfill," Mages said.The former Budget Inn property, 810 E. Eighth St., was also scheduled for an abatement discussion but was removed from the agenda.Jarrod Kuckelman, assistant city manager, told the Hays Post after the work session, "progress has been made on cleaning up the property (owned by Mark Ottley) and demolition is scheduled to begin Monday."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746207609043.png" alt="Tallgrass 2nd Addition, Phase 4 at the&nbsp;northeast corner of Wheatland Avenue and 22nd Street. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tallgrass 2nd Addition, Phase 4 at the&nbsp;northeast corner of Wheatland Avenue and 22nd Street. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In other business, commissioners reviewed an ordinance to establish a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and a plan for developing 101 houses and public facilities in the Tallgrass 2nd Addition, Phase 4 at the northeast corner of Wheatland Avenue and 22nd Street.The private developer, Heart of America Development Corporation of Ellis County, requests the district financing on a pay-as-you-go basis for 25 years.Heart of America proposes the city finance the majority of the district-eligible costs and construct the infrastructure, utilizing the district revenues to offset the city’s costs. Revenues will come from incremental property tax revenues collected on the project site.A low bid award was also considered for constructing a stormwater equipment storage building by QMC, Inc., Gove County, for $292,650. QMC most recently built the Hays Microfactory.&nbsp;

'Likely buyer' in place for former Rodeway Inn Motel property

HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTES WEEK OF May 5 – May 9, 2025

THE SUCCESSES OF TOMORROW BEGIN TODAY, CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS A LIFETIME ADVANTAGE!

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS…. SCHOOLS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!

--May 5 • Today is Mr. Flax Day! We hope you wore your tie today with your uniform to celebrate Mr. Flax since this is his last school year at Holy Family! Give him a high-5 or hug today! • KinderPrep will eat in the classroom today. • There are No Bus Services today. • Joyful Noise will take a field trip to Good Sam’s and Via Christi to sing this morning.&nbsp;

--May 6 • Feast of St. Dominic Savio so Dominic Savio Club ended the year with a party this morning! • It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! We have the best teachers at HFE!! Teachers work so hard to help our students learn &amp; grow, support us on our educational &amp; faith journey, they grade papers, create fun activities &amp; spend lots of extra hours to plan for each new day of learning! Be sure to tell your teachers “Thank You” this week!! • 2nd Graders were recognized this morning at mass as they had their First Holy Communion over the weekend! Blessings to all of you after making this special sacrament! • 5th Graders are running “Carnival Games” in the A.C. with Mrs. Brown for a special stream project with our preschoolers from 10-11:30.&nbsp;

--May 7 • PK3 Park Day at Massey Park. • 3rd Grade Pioneer Day at the Historical Society. • 5th Grade is on their Ameritowne Field Trip all day today. • Kindergarten Stuffed Animal Day. • KinderPrep Afternoon at Massey Park at 12:30. • Sr. Rose Marie will visit 4th grade this afternoon.

--May 8 • We celebrated our Mothers today with Mother’s Mass! Our mothers are so special to us! They love us unconditionally, they take care of us, pray for us &amp; help us grow! Be sure to thank your mom for all she does for you! • We also recognized our Altar Servers in 4th &amp; 5th grade! 3rd graders, this is a wonderful way to get involved in our school masses! Be thinking about if you’d like to train to be an altar server next year! • PK3 End-of-Year Program on the Stage after mass. • 2A Lunch with the Principal Day. • Sr. Rose Marie will visit 5th gr. this afternoon.

--May 9 • 2nd Gr. Church Tours Field Trip. • 3rd Gr. Field Trip to Smoky Hill Museum &amp; Cathedral in Salina. • 5th Gr. Kindergarten-4-a-Day. • 1st Gr. Team Shirt Day &amp; Massey Mayhem. • 4th Gr. Massey Mayhem at 1:30. • This is the LAST DAY of Preschool 3 &amp; 4! Preschoolers will enjoy a Picnic &amp; Fun Morning at Massey Park with their classmates and parents! • Fr. Nick will visit KB this morning. • Hourly Staff Timesheets are due to Ms. Karla in the office this morning.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737555085782.png" alt="Holy Family Elementary School. File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Holy Family Elementary School. File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Holy Family Elementary SchoolHOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTES WEEK OF May 5 – May 9, 2025THE SUCCESSES OF TOMORROW BEGIN TODAY, CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS A LIFETIME ADVANTAGE!CATHOLIC SCHOOLS…. SCHOOLS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!MONDAY--May 5 • Today is Mr. Flax Day! We hope you wore your tie today with your uniform to celebrate Mr. Flax since this is his last school year at Holy Family! Give him a high-5 or hug today! • KinderPrep will eat in the classroom today. • There are No Bus Services today. • Joyful Noise will take a field trip to Good Sam’s and Via Christi to sing this morning.&nbsp;TUESDAY--May 6 • Feast of St. Dominic Savio so Dominic Savio Club ended the year with a party this morning! • It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! We have the best teachers at HFE!! Teachers work so hard to help our students learn &amp; grow, support us on our educational &amp; faith journey, they grade papers, create fun activities &amp; spend lots of extra hours to plan for each new day of learning! Be sure to tell your teachers “Thank You” this week!! • 2nd Graders were recognized this morning at mass as they had their First Holy Communion over the weekend! Blessings to all of you after making this special sacrament! • 5th Graders are running “Carnival Games” in the A.C. with Mrs. Brown for a special stream project with our preschoolers from 10-11:30.&nbsp;WEDNESDAY--May 7 • PK3 Park Day at Massey Park. • 3rd Grade Pioneer Day at the Historical Society. • 5th Grade is on their Ameritowne Field Trip all day today. • Kindergarten Stuffed Animal Day. • KinderPrep Afternoon at Massey Park at 12:30. • Sr. Rose Marie will visit 4th grade this afternoon.THURSDAY--May 8 • We celebrated our Mothers today with Mother’s Mass! Our mothers are so special to us! They love us unconditionally, they take care of us, pray for us &amp; help us grow! Be sure to thank your mom for all she does for you! • We also recognized our Altar Servers in 4th &amp; 5th grade! 3rd graders, this is a wonderful way to get involved in our school masses! Be thinking about if you’d like to train to be an altar server next year! • PK3 End-of-Year Program on the Stage after mass. • 2A Lunch with the Principal Day. • Sr. Rose Marie will visit 5th gr. this afternoon.FRIDAY--May 9 • 2nd Gr. Church Tours Field Trip. • 3rd Gr. Field Trip to Smoky Hill Museum &amp; Cathedral in Salina. • 5th Gr. Kindergarten-4-a-Day. • 1st Gr. Team Shirt Day &amp; Massey Mayhem. • 4th Gr. Massey Mayhem at 1:30. • This is the LAST DAY of Preschool 3 &amp; 4! Preschoolers will enjoy a Picnic &amp; Fun Morning at Massey Park with their classmates and parents! • Fr. Nick will visit KB this morning. • Hourly Staff Timesheets are due to Ms. Karla in the office this morning.&nbsp;

Holy Family Elementary School notes, May 5-9 

EMPORIA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field teams posted a strong showing on Saturday at the MIAA Outdoor Championships, with ten Tigers qualifying for Sunday (May 4) finals, multiple athletes securing NCAA Division II provisional marks, and several scoring valuable team points by finishing inside the top eight of their events.

On the women's side, Annabeth Baalmann delivered a spectacular performance in the pole vault, clearing 14-0.50 to win and claim her first MIAA Champion mark. Her jump not only earned her All-MIAA honors and a national provisional qualifying mark, but also gave Fort Hays State a huge boost in the team standings with 10 points. Baalmann's mark currently ranks third in all of Division II this season.

Another major contributor for the Tigers was Emma Slade, who threw 149-6 in the discus to finish third overall, earning All-MIAA recognition, an NCAA provisional mark, and adding six key points to the team score. Slade already holds the 13th-best mark in DII from earlier this season. She also placed 18th in the hammer throw.

In the women's 400m hurdles, Reba Mader qualified first for Sunday's final with a time of 1:00.79, hitting the NCAA provisional standard. In distance events, Makenzie Premer finished fifth in the 3,000m steeplechase, scoring four points for the team, while Emma Weiner placed sixth in the 10,000m to bring in three more points. In the heptathlon, Kylin Rudzik placed eighth overall, adding one point to the team total.

For the men, Toby Wahlmeier advanced to the 100m final with a provisional time of 10.42, placing fifth in prelims. In the 200m, the Tigers will be well-represented in Sunday's final. Nakari Morrical-Palmer placed third in prelims with a time of 21.23 seconds. Toby Wahlmeier followed in fourth at 21.27, while Hayden Albright took seventh with a mark of 21.58 seconds. Morrical-Palmer also qualified for the 400m final with a time of 47.95. Nolan Churchman will race in the 400m hurdles final after placing eighth in prelims.

In the men's 3,000m steeplechase, Cole Krug represented the Tigers with an 11th-place finish in a time of 9:31.11. In field events, Dean Clark placed tenth in the long jump, just shy of scoring. Churchman took 11th in the same event.

Freshman Drew Tolar wrapped up the decathlon with a seventh-place finish, contributing two points to the team score with a total of 6,114 points. He won the 1500m portion of the event and put up solid marks in the javelin and 110m hurdles.

As the Tigers head into Championship Sunday, the women hold strong at fifth place with 25 team points while the men have a pair of points. The team will look to capitalize on their momentum with several athletes positioned to contend for All-MIAA recognition and more crucial team points.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746440073607.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Annabeth Baalmann on the podium after winning the pole vault, at the MIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 3, 2025 in Emporia Kan. (Mason Hart/ESU Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Annabeth Baalmann on the podium after winning the pole vault, at the MIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 3, 2025 in Emporia Kan. (Mason Hart/ESU Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsEMPORIA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field teams posted a strong showing on Saturday at the MIAA Outdoor Championships, with ten Tigers qualifying for Sunday (May 4) finals, multiple athletes securing NCAA Division II provisional marks, and several scoring valuable team points by finishing inside the top eight of their events.On the women's side, Annabeth Baalmann delivered a spectacular performance in the pole vault, clearing 14-0.50 to win and claim her first MIAA Champion mark. Her jump not only earned her All-MIAA honors and a national provisional qualifying mark, but also gave Fort Hays State a huge boost in the team standings with 10 points. Baalmann's mark currently ranks third in all of Division II this season.Another major contributor for the Tigers was Emma Slade, who threw 149-6 in the discus to finish third overall, earning All-MIAA recognition, an NCAA provisional mark, and adding six key points to the team score. Slade already holds the 13th-best mark in DII from earlier this season. She also placed 18th in the hammer throw.In the women's 400m hurdles, Reba Mader qualified first for Sunday's final with a time of 1:00.79, hitting the NCAA provisional standard. In distance events, Makenzie Premer finished fifth in the 3,000m steeplechase, scoring four points for the team, while Emma Weiner placed sixth in the 10,000m to bring in three more points. In the heptathlon, Kylin Rudzik placed eighth overall, adding one point to the team total.For the men, Toby Wahlmeier advanced to the 100m final with a provisional time of 10.42, placing fifth in prelims. In the 200m, the Tigers will be well-represented in Sunday's final. Nakari Morrical-Palmer placed third in prelims with a time of 21.23 seconds. Toby Wahlmeier followed in fourth at 21.27, while Hayden Albright took seventh with a mark of 21.58 seconds. Morrical-Palmer also qualified for the 400m final with a time of 47.95. Nolan Churchman will race in the 400m hurdles final after placing eighth in prelims.In the men's 3,000m steeplechase, Cole Krug represented the Tigers with an 11th-place finish in a time of 9:31.11. In field events, Dean Clark placed tenth in the long jump, just shy of scoring. Churchman took 11th in the same event.Freshman Drew Tolar wrapped up the decathlon with a seventh-place finish, contributing two points to the team score with a total of 6,114 points. He won the 1500m portion of the event and put up solid marks in the javelin and 110m hurdles.As the Tigers head into Championship Sunday, the women hold strong at fifth place with 25 team points while the men have a pair of points. The team will look to capitalize on their momentum with several athletes positioned to contend for All-MIAA recognition and more crucial team points.

🏃‍♀️ FHSU's Baalmann crowned MIAA Champion on day 2 of Outdoor Championships

When disaster strikes from above or below, Hays firefighters are ready thanks to rope rescue training that pushes precision and trust to the limit.

The Hays Fire Department participated in a weeklong rope rescue training course led by the Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute at its training grounds Monday through Friday.

Matt Breininger, special operations training coordinator, said firefighters have been training together in rope rescue techniques and preparing for a national certification exam.

"Hays Firefighters are going above and beyond normal everyday firefighting responsibilities," Breninger said.

The training equips Hays Fire Department personnel to meet National Fire Protection Association standards required for state technical rescue teams.

Firefighters trained on anchor systems and high-angle rope operations. Breininger said a vital aspect of the training is its adaptability to allow multiple agencies to work together during emergency responses.

"That's a nice part about having KFRTI standardized curriculum that we teach to ensure everybody understands the roles and responsibilities," he said. "It doesn't matter which department... they're all trained with that same standard and should be able to interconnect immediately."

Hays Fire Lt. Tim Detrixhe, who also serves as the department’s technical rescue training coordinator, said firefighters used equipment to simulate rescues involving lifting and lowering victims from deep spaces, such as an elevator tower.

"We were called to the grain elevator at Midland Marketing for a gentleman who found himself on top of the grain elevator and had fallen to a place that was really inaccessible," Detrixhe said.

Detrixhe said they used the same techniques to rescue the man and get him the medical care he needed.

Firefighters also learned the importance of anchor points, including fixed setups and experimental methods like 'meat anchors,' where one or more people serve as the anchor in a rope system.

"Say we're in the middle of nowhere and don't have something to anchor off. How much force can a bunch of people standing in a row provide for an actual anchor point?" Detrixhe said as firefighters began testing that method.

Although rope rescue situations are considered high-risk and low-frequency, Detrixhe said they leave no room for error and must be carried out perfectly.

"We hope it doesn't happen, but when it does, we're ready to go," he said.

Upcoming training for the Hays Fire Department includes a full-day building shoring exercise with the Ellis County Fire Department and a session focused on confined space rescue.

You can follow along with the department's training on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysFire">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746213946296.jpeg" alt="Hays Firefighters pulling a test dummy during their rope and rescue training session. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays Firefighters pulling a test dummy during their rope and rescue training session. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostWhen disaster strikes from above or below, Hays firefighters are ready thanks to rope rescue training that pushes precision and trust to the limit.The Hays Fire Department participated in a weeklong rope rescue training course led by the Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute at its training grounds Monday through Friday.Matt Breininger, special operations training coordinator, said firefighters have been training together in rope rescue techniques and preparing for a national certification exam."Hays Firefighters are going above and beyond normal everyday firefighting responsibilities," Breninger said.The training equips Hays Fire Department personnel to meet National Fire Protection Association standards required for state technical rescue teams.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746214009937.jpeg" alt="Hays firefighters arranging ropes during their rope and rescue session. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays firefighters arranging ropes during their rope and rescue session. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746214037691.jpeg" alt="Hays firefighters arranging ropes during their rope and rescue session. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays firefighters arranging ropes during their rope and rescue session. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Firefighters trained on anchor systems and high-angle rope operations. Breininger said a vital aspect of the training is its adaptability to allow multiple agencies to work together during emergency responses."That's a nice part about having KFRTI standardized curriculum that we teach to ensure everybody understands the roles and responsibilities," he said. "It doesn't matter which department... they're all trained with that same standard and should be able to interconnect immediately."Hays Fire Lt. Tim Detrixhe, who also serves as the department’s technical rescue training coordinator, said firefighters used equipment to simulate rescues involving lifting and lowering victims from deep spaces, such as an elevator tower."We were called to the grain elevator at Midland Marketing for a gentleman who found himself on top of the grain elevator and had fallen to a place that was really inaccessible," Detrixhe said.Detrixhe said they used the same techniques to rescue the man and get him the medical care he needed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746214150377.jpeg" alt="A Hays Firefighter going over the ledge of a structure at the Hays Fire Department's training grounds. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>A Hays Firefighter going over the ledge of a structure at the Hays Fire Department's training grounds. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746214111774.jpeg" alt="A Hays firefighter being lowered down a structure at the Hays Fire Department's training grounds. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>A Hays firefighter being lowered down a structure at the Hays Fire Department's training grounds. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746214227110.jpeg" alt="A Hays firefighter hanging by a rope at the Hays Fire Department's training grounds. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>A Hays firefighter hanging by a rope at the Hays Fire Department's training grounds. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Firefighters also learned the importance of anchor points, including fixed setups and experimental methods like 'meat anchors,' where one or more people serve as the anchor in a rope system."Say we're in the middle of nowhere and don't have something to anchor off. How much force can a bunch of people standing in a row provide for an actual anchor point?" Detrixhe said as firefighters began testing that method.Although rope rescue situations are considered high-risk and low-frequency, Detrixhe said they leave no room for error and must be carried out perfectly.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746214338324.jpeg" alt="Hays Firefighters pulling a test dummy during their rope and rescue training session. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays Firefighters pulling a test dummy during their rope and rescue training session. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"We hope it doesn't happen, but when it does, we're ready to go," he said.Upcoming training for the Hays Fire Department includes a full-day building shoring exercise with the Ellis County Fire Department and a session focused on confined space rescue.You can follow along with the department's training on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysFire">Facebook</a>.

📷 Hays Fire Department conducts rope rescue training

NEW YORK (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as pope as the mourning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;continues and just days before the conclave to elect his successor is set to begin. Trump's action drew rebukes from a group representing Catholic bishops in New York and among Italians.

The image, shared Friday night on Trump's Truth Social site and later reposted by the White House on its official X account, raised eyebrows on social media and at the Vatican, which is still in the period of nine days of official mourning following Francis' death on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">April 21</a>. Catholic cardinals have been celebrating daily Masses in his memory and are due to open the conclave to elect his successor on Wednesday.

The death of a pope and election of another is a matter of utmost solemnity for Catholics, for whom the pope is Christ’s vicar on Earth. That is all the more true in Italy, where the papacy is held in high esteem even by nonreligious Italians.

The image featuring Trump in a white cassock and pointed miter, or bishop’s hat, was the topic of several questions during the Vatican’s daily conclave briefing Saturday. Italian and Spanish news reports lamented its poor taste and said it was offensive, given that the period of official mourning is still underway.

Left-leaning former Premier Matteo Renzi said the image was shameful. “This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around,” Renzi wrote on X. “Meanwhile, the U.S. economy risks recession and the dollar loses value. The sovereignists are doing damage, everywhere.”

The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, declined to comment.

In the United States, the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops of the state in working with government, accused Trump of mockery.

“There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NYSCatholicConf/status/1918634983712772173">they wrote.</a>&nbsp;"We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.”

Italy’s left-leaning La Repubblica also featured the image on its homepage Saturday with a commentary accusing Trump of "pathological megalomania.”

The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the backlash to the image or why the president had shared the image.

But Jack Posobiec, a prominent far-right influencer and Trump ally who recently participated in a Catholic prayer event in March at Trump's Florida resort, defended the president.

"I’m Catholic. We’ve all been making jokes about the upcoming Pope selection all week. It’s called a sense of humor,"&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/jackposobiec/status/1918643358341156894?s=46&amp;t=3i-N0FHmxEr1p3UbjXIyNg">he wrote on X</a>.

The episode comes after Trump joked last week about his interest in the vacancy. “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice," the thrice married president, who is not Catholic, told reporters.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, piled on.

“I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1917331380297478530">Graham, R-S.C., wrote on X</a>. “The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke…. Trump MMXXVIII!”

Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic and was one of the last foreign officials to meet with Francis before the pope died, also&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JDVance/status/1918083148803453334">joked about Secretary of State Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;becoming pope, suggesting Rubio could add it to the long list of titles he holds, including national security adviser and acting archivist.

Beyond floating himself for the job, Trump also has put in a plug for Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.

“I have no preference. I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out a place called New York who's very good. So we'll see what happens,” he said.

Dolan, 75, is one of 10 U.S. cardinals who will be voting in the conclave, but Trump’s pitch might have cost Dolan support.

The reason conclaves are held in secrecy, with cardinals sequestered for the duration, is to prevent outside secular powers from influencing their choice, as occurred in centuries past.

There is an old saying about campaigning for the job of pope or of being promoted excessively, especially by outsiders: If you “enter a conclave as pope, you leave as a cardinal.”

While Trump attended Francis’ funeral, he and Vance have clashed with U.S. bishops in general and Francis in particular over the administration’s hard line stance on immigration and its efforts to deport migrants en masse. Right before he was hospitalized in February for pneumonia, Francis issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-trump-migration-09a89091f8e7dc3270099f0947d04e90">strong rebuke</a>&nbsp;of the administration's mass deportation plans and Vance's theological justification of it.

Over 12 years as pope, Francis tried to remake the U.S. Catholic hierarchy more in his image, elevating pastors who prioritized social justice and migration issues over culture warriors who were more favored by his more doctrinaire predecessors St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. A new pope who is more conservative could reverse that effort.

Trump has nominated as his ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch, whose&nbsp;<a href="http://catholicvote.org/">Catholicvote.org</a>&nbsp;has been aggressively covering the pre-conclave days at the Vatican. It was one of the main disseminators in English-speaking media of a report, flatly and officially denied by the Vatican, that Cardinal Pietro Parolin had had a health scare this past week that required medical attention.

Parolin was the secretary of state under Francis and is seen as a leading contender to be pope. He is also the main architect of the Vatican’s China policy and its controversial 2018 deal with Beijing over bishop nominations --&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cea788b88fd2ae4bbef77503ee0c1a85">a deal that the was sharply criticized by the first Trump administration.</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as pope as the mourning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;continues and just days before the conclave to elect his successor is set to begin. Trump's action drew rebukes from a group representing Catholic bishops in New York and among Italians.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/x2HrR939tn">pic.twitter.com/x2HrR939tn</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1918502592335724809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The image, shared Friday night on Trump's Truth Social site and later reposted by the White House on its official X account, raised eyebrows on social media and at the Vatican, which is still in the period of nine days of official mourning following Francis' death on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">April 21</a>. Catholic cardinals have been celebrating daily Masses in his memory and are due to open the conclave to elect his successor on Wednesday.The death of a pope and election of another is a matter of utmost solemnity for Catholics, for whom the pope is Christ’s vicar on Earth. That is all the more true in Italy, where the papacy is held in high esteem even by nonreligious Italians.The image featuring Trump in a white cassock and pointed miter, or bishop’s hat, was the topic of several questions during the Vatican’s daily conclave briefing Saturday. Italian and Spanish news reports lamented its poor taste and said it was offensive, given that the period of official mourning is still underway.Left-leaning former Premier Matteo Renzi said the image was shameful. “This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around,” Renzi wrote on X. “Meanwhile, the U.S. economy risks recession and the dollar loses value. The sovereignists are doing damage, everywhere.”The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, declined to comment.In the United States, the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops of the state in working with government, accused Trump of mockery.“There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NYSCatholicConf/status/1918634983712772173">they wrote.</a>&nbsp;"We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.”Italy’s left-leaning La Repubblica also featured the image on its homepage Saturday with a commentary accusing Trump of "pathological megalomania.”The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the backlash to the image or why the president had shared the image.But Jack Posobiec, a prominent far-right influencer and Trump ally who recently participated in a Catholic prayer event in March at Trump's Florida resort, defended the president."I’m Catholic. We’ve all been making jokes about the upcoming Pope selection all week. It’s called a sense of humor,"&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/jackposobiec/status/1918643358341156894?s=46&amp;t=3i-N0FHmxEr1p3UbjXIyNg">he wrote on X</a>.The episode comes after Trump joked last week about his interest in the vacancy. “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice," the thrice married president, who is not Catholic, told reporters.Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, piled on.“I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1917331380297478530">Graham, R-S.C., wrote on X</a>. “The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke…. Trump MMXXVIII!”Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic and was one of the last foreign officials to meet with Francis before the pope died, also&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JDVance/status/1918083148803453334">joked about Secretary of State Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;becoming pope, suggesting Rubio could add it to the long list of titles he holds, including national security adviser and acting archivist.Beyond floating himself for the job, Trump also has put in a plug for Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.“I have no preference. I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out a place called New York who's very good. So we'll see what happens,” he said.Dolan, 75, is one of 10 U.S. cardinals who will be voting in the conclave, but Trump’s pitch might have cost Dolan support.The reason conclaves are held in secrecy, with cardinals sequestered for the duration, is to prevent outside secular powers from influencing their choice, as occurred in centuries past.There is an old saying about campaigning for the job of pope or of being promoted excessively, especially by outsiders: If you “enter a conclave as pope, you leave as a cardinal.”While Trump attended Francis’ funeral, he and Vance have clashed with U.S. bishops in general and Francis in particular over the administration’s hard line stance on immigration and its efforts to deport migrants en masse. Right before he was hospitalized in February for pneumonia, Francis issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-trump-migration-09a89091f8e7dc3270099f0947d04e90">strong rebuke</a>&nbsp;of the administration's mass deportation plans and Vance's theological justification of it.Over 12 years as pope, Francis tried to remake the U.S. Catholic hierarchy more in his image, elevating pastors who prioritized social justice and migration issues over culture warriors who were more favored by his more doctrinaire predecessors St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. A new pope who is more conservative could reverse that effort.Trump has nominated as his ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch, whose&nbsp;<a href="http://catholicvote.org/">Catholicvote.org</a>&nbsp;has been aggressively covering the pre-conclave days at the Vatican. It was one of the main disseminators in English-speaking media of a report, flatly and officially denied by the Vatican, that Cardinal Pietro Parolin had had a health scare this past week that required medical attention.Parolin was the secretary of state under Francis and is seen as a leading contender to be pope. He is also the main architect of the Vatican’s China policy and its controversial 2018 deal with Beijing over bishop nominations --&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cea788b88fd2ae4bbef77503ee0c1a85">a deal that the was sharply criticized by the first Trump administration.</a>___ Winfield reported from Vatican City.

Trump draws criticism with AI image of himself as pope ahead of the papal conclave

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Kaley Klaus of Fort Hays State University's Professional and Continuing Education team. They're launching a new business retention and expansion pilot program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650389030295.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="POST PODCAST: FHSU's business retention and expansion pilot program" 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=yng7n-189827b-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 Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Kaley Klaus of Fort Hays State University's Professional and Continuing Education team. They're launching a new business retention and expansion pilot program.

🎙POST PODCAST: FHSU's business retention and expansion pilot program

Viewers in Kansas know Aisa Cymone Smith as the dynamic weekend sports anchor and sport reporter for KSN News 3. Most often found on the sidelines of football fields or courtside at basketball games, Smith is now making headlines herself, this time, as Miss Kansas USA 2025.

Born and raised in San Diego, Smith has called Wichita home for over two years. Since joining KSN, she’s transitioned from general news into full-time sports, a field where she’s building both her career and a legacy.

“Being on the sidelines has been a dream, but now I have the opportunity to stand on a different kind of stage,” Smith said during a recent interview on the BW Morning Show. “Competing for Miss Kansas USA was a way for me to return to my roots in pageantry and amplify my platform for women in sports broadcasting.”

Smith has been involved in pageantry since age 12, a pursuit she says built her confidence and prepared her for a life in front of the camera. Although she took a break during college, her recent return led to a state crown and a new mission.

“I didn’t compete in a local pageant. I went at-large and chose to represent East Wichita,” she said. “Now, I’ll compete for Miss USA later this year — and if I win that, it’s on to Miss Universe.”

The date and location for Miss USA have yet to be announced, but Smith said preparation is already in full swing. In the meantime, she’s focused on deepening her community engagement through mentorship and service.

Her mentorship initiative, Girls Talk Game, supports women pursuing careers in sports media — a field where women remain underrepresented, particularly in leadership roles. Smith hopes to change that.

“I want to be the mentor I didn’t always have,” she said. “A lot of girls don’t know where to start. I want to give them that starting point — to show them they belong.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746200742312.jpeg" alt="Asia Cymone Smith - Photo courtesy Will Patterson&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Asia Cymone Smith - Photo courtesy Will Patterson&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch Post&nbsp;Viewers in Kansas know Aisa Cymone Smith as the dynamic weekend sports anchor and sport reporter for KSN News 3. Most often found on the sidelines of football fields or courtside at basketball games, Smith is now making headlines herself, this time, as Miss Kansas USA 2025.Born and raised in San Diego, Smith has called Wichita home for over two years. Since joining KSN, she’s transitioned from general news into full-time sports, a field where she’s building both her career and a legacy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746200618081.jpeg" alt="Asia Cymone Smith - Photo Courtesy Will Patterson&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Asia Cymone Smith - Photo Courtesy Will Patterson&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>“Being on the sidelines has been a dream, but now I have the opportunity to stand on a different kind of stage,” Smith said during a recent interview on the BW Morning Show. “Competing for Miss Kansas USA was a way for me to return to my roots in pageantry and amplify my platform for women in sports broadcasting.”Smith has been involved in pageantry since age 12, a pursuit she says built her confidence and prepared her for a life in front of the camera. Although she took a break during college, her recent return led to a state crown and a new mission.“I didn’t compete in a local pageant. I went at-large and chose to represent East Wichita,” she said. “Now, I’ll compete for Miss USA later this year — and if I win that, it’s on to Miss Universe.”The date and location for Miss USA have yet to be announced, but Smith said preparation is already in full swing. In the meantime, she’s focused on deepening her community engagement through mentorship and service.Her mentorship initiative, Girls Talk Game, supports women pursuing careers in sports media — a field where women remain underrepresented, particularly in leadership roles. Smith hopes to change that.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746200567604.png" alt="Girls Talk Game" />
 <figcaption>Girls Talk Game</figcaption>
 </figure>“I want to be the mentor I didn’t always have,” she said. “A lot of girls don’t know where to start. I want to give them that starting point — to show them they belong.”Smith brings more than encouragement — she brings experience. A former competitive cheerleader and track athlete, she ran collegiately at San Diego State and the University of Florida, where she earned her master’s degree and was part of an NCAA championship-winning team.Beyond broadcasting, Smith is currently writing a children’s book titled There’s No One Like Me, inspired by her mother, who developed vitiligo more than a decade ago. The story aims to teach kids about diversity, acceptance, and the beauty in being different.“She struggled with how people looked at her,” Smith said. “I wanted to create something that helps children understand skin differences and learn not to judge people by appearance.”In addition to her work at KSN and with Girls Talk Game, Smith also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas, serves as a mentor and "big," and is involved with the Miracle League of Wichita, supporting adaptive sports for youth with disabilities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746200707128.jpeg" alt="Asia Cymone Smith - Photo courtesy Will Patterson&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Asia Cymone Smith - Photo courtesy Will Patterson&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>“Being Miss Kansas USA isn’t just about the crown,” she said. “It’s about using the platform to serve, to uplift, and to represent the people of this state with pride.”As she prepares for Miss USA and juggles her roles in sports, service, and storytelling, Smith is focused on one mission: making space for others — particularly women — to follow in her footsteps.“Pageants and sports might seem like opposites,” she said. “But I’m proof you can love both — and succeed in both.”If you are interested in Girls Talk Game you can find more information <a href="https://www.instagram.com/girlstalkgame?igsh=MXFqeW5maHQ5cGJwNw%3D%3D&amp;utm_source=qr">here.</a>&nbsp;