The Fort Hays chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is hosting Soup Fest at the Herndon Clinic on the Fort Hays State University campus. This fundraiser features a soup competition where our students prepare soups, and attendees purchase tickets to taste and vote for their favorite.

All proceeds from Soup Fest directly support our clients at the Herndon Clinic by helping offset treatment costs for services such as speech, voice, language, and cognitive-communication therapy.

We are reaching out for your support in helping us advertise Soup Fest. You can make a big difference by:

Your help will allow us to spread the word and bring more people together for this fun event that supports such an important cause.

📍 Event Location:&nbsp;Albertson Hall lobby, FHSU Campus 📅 Event Date/Time:&nbsp;October 24th, 5-7 PM 🎟️ Details: Soup tastings, voting, and community fun — all benefiting clients at the clinic

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760390952531.jpg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Fort Hays chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is hosting Soup Fest at the Herndon Clinic on the Fort Hays State University campus. This fundraiser features a soup competition where our students prepare soups, and attendees purchase tickets to taste and vote for their favorite.All proceeds from Soup Fest directly support our clients at the Herndon Clinic by helping offset treatment costs for services such as speech, voice, language, and cognitive-communication therapy.We are reaching out for your support in helping us advertise Soup Fest. You can make a big difference by:<ul>
 <li>Posting or sharing our event flyer at your location&nbsp;</li><li>Sharing the event on your social media channels&nbsp;</li><li>Including Soup Fest in your email newsletters or community calendars ✉️</li>
 </ul>Your help will allow us to spread the word and bring more people together for this fun event that supports such an important cause.📍 Event Location:&nbsp;Albertson Hall lobby, FHSU Campus 📅 Event Date/Time:&nbsp;October 24th, 5-7 PM 🎟️ Details: Soup tastings, voting, and community fun — all benefiting clients at the clinic<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760390786543.png" alt="Soup.PNG" />
 <figcaption>Soup.PNG</figcaption>
 </figure>

Fifth-annual Soup Fest to take place tonight

Portland Trail Blazers head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trail-blazers-chauncey-billups-57c920d0fcace5dbce25cd474468cd40">Chauncey Billups</a>, Miami Heat guard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/terry-rozier">Terry Rozier</a>&nbsp;and former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rozier-billups-jones-betting-arrests-4241238cb43d998f1b9eac47b8d326a7">Damon Jones</a>&nbsp;are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-terry-rozier-gambling-probe-de98ecb76bb8f13b85f4c5ac62f66221">among 34 people charged</a>&nbsp;in connection with schemes involving illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia, authorities said on Thursday.

<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eT7xaYmsbTNbHsaP1mTkMy2MSPYQiV0G/view">Click here to read the complete charging documents.</a>

Rozier is accused in participating in an illegal sports betting scheme using private insider NBA information, officials said. Billups is charged in a separate indictment alleging a wide-ranging scheme to rig underground poker games, authorities said.

FBI Director Kash Patel and other law enforcement officials said the multiple charges involve four of the five leading mafia families and organized crime networks, and “mind-boggling” amounts of fraud. Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, accused the FBI of aiming for “misplaced glory” by embarrassing the professional athlete with a perp walk, rather than allowing him to self-surrender.

More defendants appear in federal court in Brooklyn

Roughly 20 of the defendants — from alleged high-ranking mobsters to money launderers — appeared in Brooklyn federal court late Thursday. Most pleaded not guilty during packed court hearings attended by family members.

Many of those charged with violent crimes or with lengthy criminal records and ties to organized crime were detained.

Others, including some of the poker players who participated in the rigged games, were released on bond.

Defense attorney discusses Rozier exit from 2023 game key to case

Rozier’s attorney told reporters outside the federal courthouse after Thursday’s hearing about the March 23, 2023, game between Charlotte and New Orleans that was the focus of the charges. The NBA star played the first 9 minutes and 36 seconds in the first quarter before exiting and did not play again in that game or the final eight games of the season.

Some bettors were furious with sportsbooks, posting on social media that something “shady” had gone on regarding the prop bets involving Rozier’s stats for that night.

Trusty said that Rozier had confided in several people that he was injured that night.

“He’s like, ‘Why am I going to make this injury worse? I shouldn’t be playing,’” Trusty said.

Rozier was interviewed twice during an NBA investigation, and officials downloaded his phone, Trusty said.

“And at the end of the day, they said, ‘There’s nothing to see here,’ and cleared him,” Trusty said. “And that was a very professional investigation. It wasn’t something that was perfunctory.”

Billups made his first federal court appearance in Portland on Thursday afternoon, wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt as he sat next to his attorney before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie Russo.

Lawyers from both sides told the judge they have agreed on Billups’ release from custody pending trial on certain conditions.

Under the release conditions, Billups must secure “a substantial bond” with the court in the Eastern District of New York, where the case was filed; abide by certain travel restrictions; and surrender his passport, among others. He is also prohibited from gambling related activity. The dollar amount of the bond was not discussed during the court hearing.

Billups’ attorney, Chris Heywood, declined to comment after the hearing.

Rozier attorney describes ‘chicaner’ by prosecutors and federal agents

Trusty, Rozier’s attorney, described what he said was “chicanery” of prosecutors and federal agents. The defense attorney said he got a predawn call saying that federal agents were downstairs at Rozier’s hotel in downtown Orlando and that the attorney should call his client to tell him to go downstairs.

Within minutes, federal agents were at the door to Rozier’s hotel room, Trusty told the judge.

“It has had a damaging effect on his career,” Trusty said.

Another condition of Rozier’s release is that he can have no contact with any others named in the indictment, as well as any listed individuals the government provides.

Judge says Rozier can be released by putting house up as bond and surrendering passport

A federal magistrate judge said Thursday that Rozier could be released from custody by putting up his Florida home as bond and surrendering his passport. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Norway also restricted Rozier’s travel to the continental United States and prohibited him from gambling as conditions for his release.

Federal prosecutors had asked for a $10 million bond but Rozier’s attorney said that was excessive given that the NBA star had no prior record.

“I think it’s Draconian,” said Jim Trusty, Rozier’s attorney. “He is a man of high character.”

In court, Rozier wore a black Charlotte Hornets sweatshirt with green lettering and was shackled and handcuffed. He didn’t speak much except when answering basic questions from the judge.

Rozier is facing two counts: conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu. Each count carries no more than 20 years in prison.

Trail Blazers name Tiago Splitter as interim head coach

Assistant coach and former NBA player Tiago Splitter has been named as the team’s interim head coach, according to a statement released Thursday by the Portland Trail Blazers.

“We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups, and the Trail Blazers are fully cooperating with the investigation. Billups has been placed on immediate leave, and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the interim. Any further questions should be directed to the NBA,” the brief statement said.

The six defendants in the sports betting indictment include former NBA player and coach Damon Jones, current NBA player Terry Rozier, one of Rozier’s close friends. Two of the defendants portrayed themselves on Instagram as successful sports bettors and sold sports betting picks through their profiles, according to the indictment.

Jones is also a defendant in the rigged poker game indictment, as is Portland Trail Blazers Coach Chauncey Billups.

The 31 defendants named in the second indictment include 12 people who are identified as either members or associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese or Lucchese Crime Families.

Portland Trail Blazers cancel scheduled practice

The Portland Trail Blazers canceled their scheduled practice on Thursday.

The team is set to play its first game without head coach Chauncey Billups on Friday night at Portland’s Moda Center against the Golden State Warriors.

Indictments describe several unnamed NBA players

The indictments contain the description of several unnamed NBA players whose injury status and availability for certain games were the source of betting activity. Those players are not accused of any wrongdoing and there is no indication that they would have even known what was being said about their status for those games.

Those players include LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard. Their identities are clear based on a review of corresponding injury reports surrounding games mentioned in the indictment.

The indictments show that certain defendants shared information about the availability of those players in games on March 24, 2023, involving the Portland Trail Blazers, and two in 2023 and 2024 involving the Los Angeles Lakers.

For the Portland game, defendant Eric Earnest, investigators said, was given information that a player who had been listed as probable and then questionable to play that day would not play at all. Those details perfectly match how Lillard was listed on injury reports that day.Similar patterns were found with Lakers games involving James and Davis, with Jones alleged to have shared their injury information before it was publicly known. In one of the cases, investigators said, Jones got the details wrong and caused some bettors who placed large wagers to lose.

Prosecutors ask judge to detain 13 defendants

Federal prosecutors asked a judge to detain 13 defendants pending trial, including six reputed crime family members, and to not release other defendants unless they post substantial bonds.

“The Court should consider that each of those defendants has taken a lifetime oath to commit crimes and put their crime families above all else,” prosecutors said about the alleged mob associates in a court filing. “Those crime families have a long history of committing crimes, including obstruction of justice.”

Court documents describe violent encounter at poker game run by Gambino associate

Court documents also describe a violent encounter in 2023 at a poker game in Manhattan run by a Gambino crime family associate. Two members of rival crime families that had a poker game in another location on the same night busted into the Gambino associate’s game armed with a gun and baton, sparked a brawl and assaulted the Gambino member, the documents say.

Court documents say proceeds from the rigged card games were laundered through shell companies and cryptocurrency.

FanDuel calls allegations ‘deeply disturbing’

FanDuel, one of the largest sportsbooks, released a statement expressing its concern over Thursday’s developments.

“Today’s events are deeply disturbing, and should concern fans, athletes, and everyone who loves sports and values integrity and fair play,” the company said. “They also illustrate the stark contrast between legal and illegal betting markets. At FanDuel, we use advanced technology and real-time monitoring to identify suspicious activity and work closely with leagues, data monitoring groups, and law enforcement. We are unwavering in our commitment to rooting out abuses by those who seek to undermine fair competition and the games we love.”

The National Basketball Players Association said it would do all it can to protect the league’s players, including Rozier.

“The integrity of the game is paramount to NBA players, but so is the presumption of innocence, and both are hindered when player popularity is misused to gain attention,” the union said. “We will ensure our members are protected and afforded their due process rights through this process.“

Black Sox, Ohtani’s interpreter and more: A look at notable sports betting scandals

Betting scandals have been a concern for professional sports leagues for as long as they’ve existed, but a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">U.S. Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;in May 2018 has led to a wave of gambling incidents involving athletes and officials.

The ruling struck down a federal law that barred sports betting in most states and opened the doors for online sportsbooks to take up a prominent space in the sports ecosystem.

▶ Here is a lineup of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-gambling-suspensions-nba-mlb-nhl-54b526162ebd86b1f1d8886cc46efc6b">betting scandals involving pro sports</a>

What polling shows Americans think about legal sports betting

As legalized&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sports-betting">sports betting</a>&nbsp;expands, recent polling suggests Americans are increasingly critical of its role in U.S. society and sports — although they’re more tolerant of it for professional sports.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biggest-sports-betting-scandals-0098b62195eab133d4d03f143db42445">Betting scandals</a>&nbsp;have multiplied since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">a U.S. Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;in May 2018 struck down a federal law that barred sports betting in most states. Waves of cases have involved athletes and officials — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/miami-heat-terry-rozier-gambling-probe-de98ecb76bb8f13b85f4c5ac62f66221">those arrested Thursday</a>.

In the years since the Supreme Court’s ruling, sports betting has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-sports-betting-taxes-571a3fe28a9986ff8f4a4334f71b783f">brought revenue to state governments</a>, but it’s also prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-baseball-coach-fired-bets-bohannon-0471b144a9348caa456a22cab23b9a8b">concerns about the potential for wrongdoing</a>, as well as the impact on athletes.

▶ Read about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-gambling-poll-b7a989cf5ad01f4e224a3f62cecabbeb">what polls suggest Americans think about the impact of legal sports betting</a>

FBI probe poked at the massive industry in legal sports betting

The indictments unsealed in New York create a massive cloud for the NBA — which opened its season this week — and show how certain types of wagers are vulnerable to massive fraud in the growing, multi-billion-dollar legal sports-betting industry.

“We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “This is the insider trader saga of the NBA — that’s why we are going to take heat for this.”

Former NBA assistant coach Damon Jones also charged

Jones is accused in both indictments announced Thursday — of participating in rigged poker games as well as an illegal sports betting scheme using private insider NBA information.

Messages were left Thursday at a phone number and email address listed in public records for Jones.

Jones, 49, has been coaching since at least 2014 after an 11-year NBA playing career. He was an unofficial assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23 when he allegedly was involved with the sports betting scheme, according to the indictment.

Jones is from Galveston, Texas, and played for Houston in college before suiting up in New Jersey, Boston, Golden State, Dallas, Vancouver, Detroit, Sacramento, Milwaukee, Miami and Cleveland. He also worked as a TV analyst for ESPN in 2018.

Authorities say Jones was coached — in real time — about how to play his hands during the poker games, and that at one point, he snapped back, saying: “Y’all know I know what I’m doing!! Let me hibachi like Gilbert Arenas.”

Billups was winning so much, he had to lose on purpose, prosecutors say

The detention memo says Billups and Damon Jones, a former NBA player, served as “face cards” in the scheme, luring victims drawn by the chance to play alongside former professional athletes. Others were charged with supplying the cheating technology, or arranging the underground games and bringing in the “fish” as well as big-money players known as “whales.”

Text messages between the defendants as they carried out their scheme show that in one such game in Las Vegas on April 2019, Billups was winning so many improbable hands with the help of a rigged shuffling machine that his overseers said he needed to lose on purpose, to avoid being suspected of cheating.

Following another rigged game in October 2020, Billups was wired $50,000 for his participation, the memo states.

Detention memo reveals more details of poker rigging

The memo notes that the rigged poker scheme began as early as 2019 and involved locations across the US, including the Hamptons, Manhattan, Las Vegas, and Miami.

The memo describes sophisticated technology such as card shuffling machines that had been secretly altered to incorporate concealed technology that could read the cards in the deck, predict which players at the table had the best poker hand, and relay that information to offsite operators in other states.

Prosecutors say in the memo that defendants also used other cheating technology, including a poker chip tray analyzer, which secretly read cards using hidden cameras, an X-ray device that could read cards as they were kept face down on the table, and special contact lenses or eyeglasses that could read pre-marked cards.

Prosecutors want poker rigging defendants to meet bail conditions

Prosecutors, in their detention memo, asked a judge to impose “substantial bail conditions” before releasing all the defendants in the poker rigging case, including a prohibition on any form of gambling, travel restrictions, surrendering their passport, and prohibiting the transfer of assets valued at or greater than $10,000 without the permission of the court.

For Billups, they noted that he has “substantial financial resources.”

“As an NBA player from 1997 to 2013, his lifetime career earnings exceeded $100 million, and he currently has a multi year contract to serve as the head coach of the Portland Trailblazers for an undisclosed salary,” the memo reads.

‘Face cards’ were used to lure in the ‘fish’, authorities say

Nocella said the scheme targeted victims known as “fish,” who were lured to participate in the rigged games with the chance to play alongside former athletes who were known as “face cards.” Billups was one of those celebrities, Nocella said.

The games were rigged through sophisticated cheating technology, such as altered card shuffling machines, hidden cameras in poker chip trays, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table to read the cards of unsuspecting players.

And once the “fish” lost, the mafia used extortion and violence to make sure they paid their gambling debts, Nocella said.

Losses from the rigged poker games top $7 million — and counting, commissioner says

Organizers brought in well-known former and current players and coaches to appear legitimate and used hidden cameras, bar-coded decks and shuffling machines that could read the order of cards, Tisch said.

“Victims believed that they were sitting at a fair table,” she said. “Instead, they were cheated out of millions.”

Losses exceed $7 million and continue to grow, with one victim losing $1.8 million, Tisch said. When people refused to pay, the defendants used threats, intimidation, and violence, she said.

New York’s formidable crime families were involved, police commissioner says

Investigators found that the scheme involved members and associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese and Genovese crime families, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at the news conference.

NBA gambling scandal: Former Big 12 star won so much, had to lose on purpose

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

In memory of a friend and with a vision to bring more recreation to Hays youth, Leigh Purdy is looking to establish the Cody Joseph Younger Memorial Paintball Park.

"Our community is already very famous for Frisbee golf, and I would really like to see it famous for paintball because there is nothing like this in the area," Purdy said.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d56189d4-f969-4ac7-9aa0-7a2f5c4e6efa">In April, Purdy won the inaugural Think-Tank Throwdown hosted by Imagine Ellis County, earning a $2,500 prize to help turn her idea into reality.</a>

The paintball committee met on Wednesday.

Two possible locations are under consideration: a preferred K-State–owned triangle of land near Old 40 by the Dusty Glassman Ballfields and a privately owned site near the 183 bypass, near residential areas.

Purdy noted the private property option could take a for-profit approach, which differs from her original vision of offering a free park. If the K-State site moves forward, she said attendees could likely use the nearby ballfield restrooms with support from the Hays Recreation Commission, which has already expressed interest in the project.

The nearest paintball facility is in Salina, and Purdy said her proposed park would not only offer a new recreational option for Hays families but could also attract visitors from across the region.

Purdy envisions a bring-your-own-gear, play-at-your-own-risk setup similar to a skate park, with the option to host tournaments. She discussed potential layouts, equipment and playing environments with James McCord, who has experience in paintball.

"The Think Tank prize money can completely cover the materials I put down, but if more wanted to be done, I know there are grants I can file," Purdy said.

They also discussed partnering with local suppliers to help launch the project. Purdy said the Hays Recreation Commission has shown interest in collaborating to create competitive leagues.

Purdy said the public park would include posted rules and be maintained and managed by volunteers who would receive benefits for their service.

"I would hope that if there were to be things we want to put inside the park, or swap out, that we would have a committee," she said. "But hopefully we're building it low-maintenance enough that it wouldn't be something we'd have to do a lot."

Purdy shared results from a public survey indicating interest in various competition formats, prize options, and age and skill divisions. The top game preferences were capture the flag, elimination and speedball.

Purdy highlighted responses from a public survey that showed interest in competition formats and age or skill divisions, as well as desired prizes. The most popular game types were Capture the Flag, elimination and speedball.

Neal Younger and Carolyn Younger, the parents of Cody Joseph Younger, were also present for the discussion of the piantball facility in their son's honor.

"Let's do this paintball park and give our kids something to do," Neal said.

You can follow the Cody Joseph Younger Memorial Paintball Park&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574974210566">Facebook</a>&nbsp;page&nbsp;for updates.

Anthony Hurla earned second place at the Think-Tank Throwdown with a similar paintball park proposal. He and Purdy initially planned to collaborate on the project, but Purdy said Hurla has since moved away and is no longer able to take part.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761229300310.jpg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostIn memory of a friend and with a vision to bring more recreation to Hays youth, Leigh Purdy is looking to establish the Cody Joseph Younger Memorial Paintball Park."Our community is already very famous for Frisbee golf, and I would really like to see it famous for paintball because there is nothing like this in the area," Purdy said.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d56189d4-f969-4ac7-9aa0-7a2f5c4e6efa">In April, Purdy won the inaugural Think-Tank Throwdown hosted by Imagine Ellis County, earning a $2,500 prize to help turn her idea into reality.</a>The paintball committee met on Wednesday.Two possible locations are under consideration: a preferred K-State–owned triangle of land near Old 40 by the Dusty Glassman Ballfields and a privately owned site near the 183 bypass, near residential areas.Purdy noted the private property option could take a for-profit approach, which differs from her original vision of offering a free park. If the K-State site moves forward, she said attendees could likely use the nearby ballfield restrooms with support from the Hays Recreation Commission, which has already expressed interest in the project.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761236327012.jpeg" alt="The field east of the Dusty Glassman Ballfields, marked in yellow, that can potentially be the location for the&nbsp;Cody Joseph Younger Memorial Paintball Park.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The field east of the Dusty Glassman Ballfields, marked in yellow, that can potentially be the location for the&nbsp;Cody Joseph Younger Memorial Paintball Park.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The nearest paintball facility is in Salina, and Purdy said her proposed park would not only offer a new recreational option for Hays families but could also attract visitors from across the region.Purdy envisions a bring-your-own-gear, play-at-your-own-risk setup similar to a skate park, with the option to host tournaments. She discussed potential layouts, equipment and playing environments with James McCord, who has experience in paintball."The Think Tank prize money can completely cover the materials I put down, but if more wanted to be done, I know there are grants I can file," Purdy said.They also discussed partnering with local suppliers to help launch the project. Purdy said the Hays Recreation Commission has shown interest in collaborating to create competitive leagues.Purdy said the public park would include posted rules and be maintained and managed by volunteers who would receive benefits for their service."I would hope that if there were to be things we want to put inside the park, or swap out, that we would have a committee," she said. "But hopefully we're building it low-maintenance enough that it wouldn't be something we'd have to do a lot."Purdy shared results from a public survey indicating interest in various competition formats, prize options, and age and skill divisions. The top game preferences were capture the flag, elimination and speedball.Purdy highlighted responses from a public survey that showed interest in competition formats and age or skill divisions, as well as desired prizes. The most popular game types were Capture the Flag, elimination and speedball.Neal Younger and Carolyn Younger, the parents of Cody Joseph Younger, were also present for the discussion of the piantball facility in their son's honor."Let's do this paintball park and give our kids something to do," Neal said.You can follow the Cody Joseph Younger Memorial Paintball Park&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574974210566">Facebook</a>&nbsp;page&nbsp;for updates.Anthony Hurla earned second place at the Think-Tank Throwdown with a similar paintball park proposal. He and Purdy initially planned to collaborate on the project, but Purdy said Hurla has since moved away and is no longer able to take part.

Committee discusses potential sites for Hays paintball park

The six candidates for Hays City Commission were interviewed by the Hays Post. Their responses are being presented in a question-and-answer format. The other candidates running include Samuel Allen, Reese Barrick, Candace (CJ) Hathaway, Sandy Jacobs, David Koshiol and David Vilaysing.

Allen did not respond to Hays Post's request for an interview.&nbsp;

Allen was&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1e91cd79-cb0f-4efc-a6f1-2dc8ddbbe8d9">arrested on a charge of alleged blackmail</a>&nbsp;in July.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Also listed on the ballot but not pursuing office are Kelly Ancar and Justin Choitz.&nbsp;

Three seats are available on the board. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will each receive a four-year term. The third-highest candidate will serve a two-year term. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Age: 53&nbsp; Occupation:&nbsp;&nbsp;Account representative for Nex-Tech

Why are you running for Hays City Commission?

I think we have some unfinished business. For me, mainly,&nbsp; it's our water project.&nbsp;

I think in the next three or four years, we'll at least have the approval process over with.

The commission we have has put a lot of time and effort into that, and I think it'd be the right people to continue it.

When the current term is over with, I will have served Hays a little over 12 years.

As an incumbent, what do you think is the most impactful legislation enacted by the governing body since you were elected?

Looking in the last four to five years, I think that relaxing the RHID (Reinvestment Housing Incentive District) policy has let more people use it, and the proof is we've got a lot more houses being built.

That was the whole reasoning behind it. The frustrating part is we're still not getting the exact kind of houses we feel like we need, but we're definitely getting houses built.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ae1db76a-b42e-4a7e-8a6d-64505465e8a1">A recent quarterly luncheon by Grow Hays explained how RHIDs work and their economic impact on the city.&nbsp;</a>

It's been suggested by a local developer that the city provide free land for construction of new homes costing $150,00 or less. What are your thoughts about housing in Hays?

Currently, what we're being told, and city staff is meeting with some other groups, is that it's not even possible to build a $200,000 house, much less $150,000.&nbsp;

People have come to us about a lot of low-income housing, and we've approved it every time for them to apply for low-income housing grants.&nbsp;

There's not a lot of profit for the builder, and they're in it to make money.

But a lot of those grants have been taken away or sunsetted. They're not going to make enough profit, so they're not going to build low-income housing.

Even if the city gives them the land, I still don't believe they can build houses, which are considered low-income.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What is the most pressing issue(s) the city of Hays faces?

To me, water should always be our No. 1 issue.&nbsp;

Housing, and having the right kind of housing, which we're working on, is also important.

All of these are being worked on like crazy, and they're three of the hardest things that I've ever dealt with as a commissioner. They just don't happen fast.

We have some stuff behind the scenes that we can't announce yet, but it's really close. I think people will be excited about it.

The city narrowly avoided a 2-mill levy increase in the 2026 budget. How would you keep the mill levy at 25 mills? Should it instead be increased?

I don't think we should seriously consider an increase, but I do believe we need to make sure that stuff we're using or building needs to be sustainable.

You always hear us talk about parks. Parks are great, but they're very tough to keep up with, and we have to figure out a way to be sustainable.&nbsp;&nbsp;

No, we don't want to raise the mill levy, but as things increase, it's gonna have to happen.

We've got a great city staff, and they've been able to move stuff around so we haven't had to.&nbsp;

You never want to say never because things change.&nbsp;

If we have a strong retail or sales tax, that helps everything.&nbsp;

I have no thought of raising the mill levy in the next few years.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7d615ae1-9b48-4ebd-9200-7c593c85db69">The governing body of Hays chose to remain revenue neutral for the budget year 2026.</a>

Should each city park become more "individualized," offering different/fewer amenities at each location to save maintenance costs?

If a park is being used, we need to take care of it.&nbsp;

But it's just different nowadays. Kids aren't outside as much using the parks like we used to.&nbsp;&nbsp;

I just think we need to evaluate every single park in the very near future.&nbsp;

If we can specialize in different parks, make it better, and more kids come out, I'll be the first one in line to do it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

We do spend a lot of money on green space that sometimes doesn't get used. 

But we also have a lot of [sports] teams that practice at those parks. You don't want to take that away. Traveling sports is a huge thing anymore, having enough practice facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Are there areas in the city budget or departments that can be streamlined? What would you change in the city's current operations?

We challenge them every year to be as productive as possible and also not to spend more than they need to. I think they do a great job.

Some residents may express an opinion to the commission. They do have some good ideas. Sometimes we put those into practice. Other times, it's not possible.&nbsp;

Sometimes, as a commissioner, you're so close to the situation, you don't think outside of the box. That's why I've always enjoyed sitting down with residents, even if they're complaining to you. I enjoy listening because you do learn a lot from them.&nbsp;

Should the city get involved in the operation of the public transportation program ACCESS,&nbsp;which&nbsp;is struggling with its funding?&nbsp;Should the city offer greater financial support?

I think we need to be looking into it.&nbsp;

It's a need. There are a lot of people who use those services to get to work. If you don't have that, they can't get work, and that hurts businesses and everything.

But, off the top of my head, I don't have a better way.&nbsp;Rideshares were mentioned and funding them a little bit.

I haven't yet done any research into it, but if something is constantly losing money, I think you definitely need to look at it and see if you can change something.

Like I've always said, if you have questions for me, please contact me.&nbsp;

Local elections do count. We really, really need people to get out and vote.&nbsp;

The way I look at it is, if you like the way your community is going, please vote us back in. But if not, then you have an opportunity for some new people.

I will listen to what people have to say and will represent people the best I can. But I have to do it for the whole community and not just a few people at a time.&nbsp;&nbsp;

I take great pride in representing this community.&nbsp;

The six candidates for Hays City Commission were interviewed by the Hays Post. Their responses are being presented in a question-and-answer format. The other candidates running include Samuel Allen, Reese Barrick, Candace (CJ) Hathaway, Sandy Jacobs, David Koshiol and David Vilaysing.Allen did not respond to Hays Post's request for an interview.&nbsp;

Allen was&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1e91cd79-cb0f-4efc-a6f1-2dc8ddbbe8d9">arrested on a charge of alleged blackmail</a>&nbsp;in July.&nbsp; &nbsp;Also listed on the ballot but not pursuing office are Kelly Ancar and Justin Choitz.&nbsp;Three seats are available on the board. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will each receive a four-year term. The third-highest candidate will serve a two-year term. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760632422362.jpeg" alt="Shaun Musil. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Shaun Musil. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Age: 53&nbsp; Occupation:&nbsp;&nbsp;Account representative for Nex-TechWhy are you running for Hays City Commission?I think we have some unfinished business. For me, mainly,&nbsp; it's our water project.&nbsp;I think in the next three or four years, we'll at least have the approval process over with.The commission we have has put a lot of time and effort into that, and I think it'd be the right people to continue it.When the current term is over with, I will have served Hays a little over 12 years. I love representing Hays.&nbsp;As an incumbent, what do you think is the most impactful legislation enacted by the governing body since you were elected?Looking in the last four to five years, I think that relaxing the RHID (Reinvestment Housing Incentive District) policy has let more people use it, and the proof is we've got a lot more houses being built.That was the whole reasoning behind it. The frustrating part is we're still not getting the exact kind of houses we feel like we need, but we're definitely getting houses built.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ae1db76a-b42e-4a7e-8a6d-64505465e8a1">A recent quarterly luncheon by Grow Hays explained how RHIDs work and their economic impact on the city.&nbsp;</a>It's been suggested by a local developer that the city provide free land for construction of new homes costing $150,00 or less. What are your thoughts about housing in Hays?Currently, what we're being told, and city staff is meeting with some other groups, is that it's not even possible to build a $200,000 house, much less $150,000.&nbsp;People have come to us about a lot of low-income housing, and we've approved it every time for them to apply for low-income housing grants.&nbsp;There's not a lot of profit for the builder, and they're in it to make money.But a lot of those grants have been taken away or sunsetted. They're not going to make enough profit, so they're not going to build low-income housing.Even if the city gives them the land, I still don't believe they can build houses, which are considered low-income.&nbsp;&nbsp;What is the most pressing issue(s) the city of Hays faces?To me, water should always be our No. 1 issue.&nbsp;Housing, and having the right kind of housing, which we're working on, is also important.Also, having enough retail.All of these are being worked on like crazy, and they're three of the hardest things that I've ever dealt with as a commissioner. They just don't happen fast.We have some stuff behind the scenes that we can't announce yet, but it's really close. I think people will be excited about it.The city narrowly avoided a 2-mill levy increase in the 2026 budget. How would you keep the mill levy at 25 mills? Should it instead be increased?I don't think we should seriously consider an increase, but I do believe we need to make sure that stuff we're using or building needs to be sustainable.You always hear us talk about parks. Parks are great, but they're very tough to keep up with, and we have to figure out a way to be sustainable.&nbsp;&nbsp;No, we don't want to raise the mill levy, but as things increase, it's gonna have to happen.We've got a great city staff, and they've been able to move stuff around so we haven't had to.&nbsp;You never want to say never because things change.&nbsp;If we have a strong retail or sales tax, that helps everything.&nbsp;I have no thought of raising the mill levy in the next few years.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7d615ae1-9b48-4ebd-9200-7c593c85db69">The governing body of Hays chose to remain revenue neutral for the budget year 2026.</a>Should each city park become more "individualized," offering different/fewer amenities at each location to save maintenance costs?If a park is being used, we need to take care of it.&nbsp;But it's just different nowadays. Kids aren't outside as much using the parks like we used to.&nbsp;&nbsp;I just think we need to evaluate every single park in the very near future.&nbsp;If we can specialize in different parks, make it better, and more kids come out, I'll be the first one in line to do it.&nbsp;&nbsp;We do spend a lot of money on green space that sometimes doesn't get used. But we also have a lot of [sports] teams that practice at those parks. You don't want to take that away. Traveling sports is a huge thing anymore, having enough practice facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Are there areas in the city budget or departments that can be streamlined? What would you change in the city's current operations?We challenge them every year to be as productive as possible and also not to spend more than they need to. I think they do a great job.Some residents may express an opinion to the commission. They do have some good ideas. Sometimes we put those into practice. Other times, it's not possible.&nbsp;Sometimes, as a commissioner, you're so close to the situation, you don't think outside of the box. That's why I've always enjoyed sitting down with residents, even if they're complaining to you. I enjoy listening because you do learn a lot from them.&nbsp;Should the city get involved in the operation of the public transportation program ACCESS,&nbsp;which&nbsp;is struggling with its funding?&nbsp;Should the city offer greater financial support?I think we need to be looking into it.&nbsp;It's a need. There are a lot of people who use those services to get to work. If you don't have that, they can't get work, and that hurts businesses and everything.But, off the top of my head, I don't have a better way.&nbsp;Rideshares were mentioned and funding them a little bit.I haven't yet done any research into it, but if something is constantly losing money, I think you definitely need to look at it and see if you can change something.Anything else you'd like to add?Like I've always said, if you have questions for me, please contact me.&nbsp;Local elections do count. We really, really need people to get out and vote.&nbsp;The way I look at it is, if you like the way your community is going, please vote us back in. But if not, then you have an opportunity for some new people.I will listen to what people have to say and will represent people the best I can. But I have to do it for the whole community and not just a few people at a time.&nbsp;&nbsp;I take great pride in representing this community.&nbsp;As told to Becky Kiser/Hays Post

Hays City Commission Candidate Q&A: Shaun Musil

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has pardoned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/binance-crypto-money-laundering-sanctions-changpeng-zhao-cf81925ff9b4b65e27f80f906a6a63ae">Binance founder Changpeng Zhao</a>, who created the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange and served prison time for failing to stop criminals from using the platform to move money connected to child sex abuse, drug trafficking and terrorism.

The pardon caps a monthslong effort by Zhao, a billionaire commonly known as CZ in the crypto world and one of the biggest names in the industry. He and Binance have been key supporters of some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crypto-american-bitcoin-mining-69fc9161fe037822e76b02c05f88a5df">Trump family's crypto enterprises</a>.

"Deeply grateful for today’s pardon and to President Trump for upholding America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice," Zhao said on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/cz_binance/status/1981404850832494666">social media</a>&nbsp;Thursday.

Zhao’s pardon is the last move by a president who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-justice-department-f9c5b82dfea0128a49c218fa7f1cbeac">flexed his executive power</a>&nbsp;to bestow clemency on political allies, prominent public figures and others convicted of crimes.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted in a statement Thursday that Democratic President Joe Biden's administration prosecuted Zhao out of a “desire to punish the cryptocurrency industry" and that there were “no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims.”

The crypto industry has long complained it was subject to a “regulation by enforcement” ethos under the Biden administration. Trump’s pardon of Zhao fits into a broad pattern of the his taking a hands-off approach to an industry that spent heavily to help him win the election in 2024. His administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coinbase-sec-cryptocurrency-trump-f6f7b6b0e546c854c18cf322658699b1">dropped several</a>&nbsp;enforcement actions against crypto companies that began during Biden’s term and disbanded the crypto-related&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-crypto-enforcement-trump-blanche-265c91c32e5fab22fb09ba8449a0aec6">enforcement team</a>&nbsp;at the Justice Department.

Former federal prosecutor Mark Bini said Zhao went to prison for what “sounds like a regulatory offense, or at worst its kissing cousin.”

“So this pardon, while it involves the biggest name in crypto, is not very surprising,” said Bini, a white collar defense lawyer who handles crypto issues at Reed Smith.

Zhao was released from prison last year after receiving a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/binance-crypto-money-laundering-sanctions-changpeng-zhao-cf81925ff9b4b65e27f80f906a6a63ae">four-month sentence</a>&nbsp;for violating the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.occ.treas.gov/topics/supervision-and-examination/bsa/index-bsa.html">Bank Secrecy Act</a>. He was the first person ever sentenced to prison time for such violations of that law, which requires U.S. financial institutions to know who their customers are, to monitor transactions and to file reports of suspicious activity. Prosecutors said no one had ever violated the regulations to the extent Zhao did.

The judge in the case said he was troubled by Zhao’s decision to ignore U.S. banking requirements that would have slowed the company’s explosive growth.

“Better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” was what Zhao told his employees about the company’s approach to U.S. law, prosecutors said. Binance allowed more than 1.5 million virtual currency trades, totaling nearly $900 million, that violated U.S. sanctions, including ones involving Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, al-Qaida and Iran, prosecutors said.

“I failed here,” Zhao told the court last year during sentencing. “I deeply regret my failure, and I am sorry.”

Zhao had a remarkable path to becoming a crypto billionaire. He grew up in rural China and his family immigrated to Canada after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. As a teenager, he worked at a McDonald’s and became enamored with the tech industry in college. He founded Binance in 2017.

In addition to taking pro-crypto enforcement and regulatory positions, the president and his family have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-media-crypto-treasury-cryptocom-cfb8da95070cad9678ff9597f1900791">plunged headfirst</a>&nbsp;into making money in crypto.

A stablecoin launched by World Liberty Financial, a crypto project founded by Trump and sons Donald Jr. and Eric, received early support and credibility&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-business-interests-family-middle-east-cryptocurrency-cbb7d2354304ce0308800819944cf3f8">thanks to an investment fund</a>&nbsp;in the United Arab Emirates using $2 billion worth of World Liberty's stablecoin to purchase a stake in Binance. Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency that are typically tied to the value of the U.S. dollar.

A separate World Liberty Finance token saw a huge spike in price Thursday shortly after news of the pardon was made public, with gains that far outpaced any other major cryptocurrency, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Zhao said earlier this year that his lawyers had requested a pardon.

It is not immediately clear what impact Trump's pardon of Zhao may have for operations at Binance and Binance.US, a separate arm of the main exchange offering more limited trading options to U.S. residents.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has pardoned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/binance-crypto-money-laundering-sanctions-changpeng-zhao-cf81925ff9b4b65e27f80f906a6a63ae">Binance founder Changpeng Zhao</a>, who created the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange and served prison time for failing to stop criminals from using the platform to move money connected to child sex abuse, drug trafficking and terrorism.The pardon caps a monthslong effort by Zhao, a billionaire commonly known as CZ in the crypto world and one of the biggest names in the industry. He and Binance have been key supporters of some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crypto-american-bitcoin-mining-69fc9161fe037822e76b02c05f88a5df">Trump family's crypto enterprises</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Deeply grateful for today’s pardon and to President Trump for upholding America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice. 🙏🙏🙏🙏 Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto and advance web3 worldwide. (Still in flight, more posts to come.)…&mdash; CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) <a href="https://twitter.com/cz_binance/status/1981404850832494666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"Deeply grateful for today’s pardon and to President Trump for upholding America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice," Zhao said on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/cz_binance/status/1981404850832494666">social media</a>&nbsp;Thursday.Zhao’s pardon is the last move by a president who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-justice-department-f9c5b82dfea0128a49c218fa7f1cbeac">flexed his executive power</a>&nbsp;to bestow clemency on political allies, prominent public figures and others convicted of crimes.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted in a statement Thursday that Democratic President Joe Biden's administration prosecuted Zhao out of a “desire to punish the cryptocurrency industry" and that there were “no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims.”The crypto industry has long complained it was subject to a “regulation by enforcement” ethos under the Biden administration. Trump’s pardon of Zhao fits into a broad pattern of the his taking a hands-off approach to an industry that spent heavily to help him win the election in 2024. His administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coinbase-sec-cryptocurrency-trump-f6f7b6b0e546c854c18cf322658699b1">dropped several</a>&nbsp;enforcement actions against crypto companies that began during Biden’s term and disbanded the crypto-related&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-crypto-enforcement-trump-blanche-265c91c32e5fab22fb09ba8449a0aec6">enforcement team</a>&nbsp;at the Justice Department.Former federal prosecutor Mark Bini said Zhao went to prison for what “sounds like a regulatory offense, or at worst its kissing cousin.”“So this pardon, while it involves the biggest name in crypto, is not very surprising,” said Bini, a white collar defense lawyer who handles crypto issues at Reed Smith.Zhao was released from prison last year after receiving a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/binance-crypto-money-laundering-sanctions-changpeng-zhao-cf81925ff9b4b65e27f80f906a6a63ae">four-month sentence</a>&nbsp;for violating the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.occ.treas.gov/topics/supervision-and-examination/bsa/index-bsa.html">Bank Secrecy Act</a>. He was the first person ever sentenced to prison time for such violations of that law, which requires U.S. financial institutions to know who their customers are, to monitor transactions and to file reports of suspicious activity. Prosecutors said no one had ever violated the regulations to the extent Zhao did.The judge in the case said he was troubled by Zhao’s decision to ignore U.S. banking requirements that would have slowed the company’s explosive growth.“Better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” was what Zhao told his employees about the company’s approach to U.S. law, prosecutors said. Binance allowed more than 1.5 million virtual currency trades, totaling nearly $900 million, that violated U.S. sanctions, including ones involving Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, al-Qaida and Iran, prosecutors said.“I failed here,” Zhao told the court last year during sentencing. “I deeply regret my failure, and I am sorry.”Zhao had a remarkable path to becoming a crypto billionaire. He grew up in rural China and his family immigrated to Canada after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. As a teenager, he worked at a McDonald’s and became enamored with the tech industry in college. He founded Binance in 2017.In addition to taking pro-crypto enforcement and regulatory positions, the president and his family have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-media-crypto-treasury-cryptocom-cfb8da95070cad9678ff9597f1900791">plunged headfirst</a>&nbsp;into making money in crypto.A stablecoin launched by World Liberty Financial, a crypto project founded by Trump and sons Donald Jr. and Eric, received early support and credibility&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-business-interests-family-middle-east-cryptocurrency-cbb7d2354304ce0308800819944cf3f8">thanks to an investment fund</a>&nbsp;in the United Arab Emirates using $2 billion worth of World Liberty's stablecoin to purchase a stake in Binance. Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency that are typically tied to the value of the U.S. dollar.A separate World Liberty Finance token saw a huge spike in price Thursday shortly after news of the pardon was made public, with gains that far outpaced any other major cryptocurrency, according to data from CoinMarketCap.Zhao said earlier this year that his lawyers had requested a pardon.It is not immediately clear what impact Trump's pardon of Zhao may have for operations at Binance and Binance.US, a separate arm of the main exchange offering more limited trading options to U.S. residents.___