By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

Energy technology company Baker Hughes announced a blockbuster merger with competitor Chart Industries. The sale price is $13.6 billion in cash.

Rig counts are dropping toward five-year lows again, as horizontal drillers post big declines. The latest report from Baker Hughes is down five oil rigs from last week, while the gas tally was up two. 

The breakout for horizontal rigs drops a whopping 12 rigs from a week ago, and 49 from a year ago, marking the biggest decline in recent memory. 

Rig counts have dropped below this week's 540 only twice since September of 2021. Texas is down four rigs for the week. Oklahoma and Louisiana are each down one.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is down one rig in eastern Kansas and up two west of Wichita for a total of 19 active rigs. That's up nearly 60% from a month ago but down nearly 35% from a year ago.

Kansas Common crude starts the week and the month at $57.50 per barrel after falling two dollars on Friday. The average price for Kansas Common at CHS in McPherson in July is $57.44 per barrel.&nbsp; That's 76 cents a barrel cheaper than June, and down from last July by more than $13 a barrel.

Kansas regulators gave their okay to 21 new drilling locations, or 430 so far this year, compared to 591 a year ago. There are seven new permits in western Kansas including one in Finney County.

Operators completed 16 wells last week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports seven in western Kansas. That's 725 completed wells so far this year, compared to 745 a year ago.

Kansas regulators gave the green light to 91 new drilling locations in July, including three in Ellis County. That's 480 intent-to-drill notices so far this year, down from 655 through July last year.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserves now stand at 402.7 million barrels after taking delivery on 200,000 barrels last week. Strategic stockpiles are up more than 25 million barrels from a year ago.

At 426.7 million barrels, commercial crude inventories are up 7.7 million barrels from last week. The government says stockpiles are about six percent below the five-year average for this time of year.

U.S. crude production for the week increased slightly to just over 13.3 million barrels a day. Cumulative output this year remains above 13.4 million barrels a day.

Crude imports increased to 6.1 million barrels a day last week, up 159,000 barrels a day from a week earlier. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports the four-week average is also 6.1 million, down eleven percent from a year ago.

EIA reports crude exports dropped by 30% from a week ago and 45% from a year ago to just under 2.7 million barrels a day. Four-week average exports are down by 25% from a year ago.

The Republic of the Congo is opening up a huge swath of land to energy exploration, in what's described in The Guardian newspaper as "the world’s worst place to prospect for oil.” It's pristine forests include the habitats of endangered wildlife.

President Donald Trump shortened his deadline for Russia in Ukraine from 50 days to just "ten-to-twelve days." Trump is now threatening Russia with so-called secondary sanctions on its oil export customers, notably China and India.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670507085360.jpeg" alt="Photo by Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle MediaEnergy technology company Baker Hughes announced a blockbuster merger with competitor Chart Industries. The sale price is $13.6 billion in cash.Rig counts are dropping toward five-year lows again, as horizontal drillers post big declines. The latest report from Baker Hughes is down five oil rigs from last week, while the gas tally was up two. The breakout for horizontal rigs drops a whopping 12 rigs from a week ago, and 49 from a year ago, marking the biggest decline in recent memory. Rig counts have dropped below this week's 540 only twice since September of 2021. Texas is down four rigs for the week. Oklahoma and Louisiana are each down one.The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is down one rig in eastern Kansas and up two west of Wichita for a total of 19 active rigs. That's up nearly 60% from a month ago but down nearly 35% from a year ago.Kansas Common crude starts the week and the month at $57.50 per barrel after falling two dollars on Friday. The average price for Kansas Common at CHS in McPherson in July is $57.44 per barrel.&nbsp; That's 76 cents a barrel cheaper than June, and down from last July by more than $13 a barrel.Kansas regulators gave their okay to 21 new drilling locations, or 430 so far this year, compared to 591 a year ago. There are seven new permits in western Kansas including one in Finney County.Operators completed 16 wells last week. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports seven in western Kansas. That's 725 completed wells so far this year, compared to 745 a year ago.Kansas regulators gave the green light to 91 new drilling locations in July, including three in Ellis County. That's 480 intent-to-drill notices so far this year, down from 655 through July last year.The Strategic Petroleum Reserves now stand at 402.7 million barrels after taking delivery on 200,000 barrels last week. Strategic stockpiles are up more than 25 million barrels from a year ago.At 426.7 million barrels, commercial crude inventories are up 7.7 million barrels from last week. The government says stockpiles are about six percent below the five-year average for this time of year.U.S. crude production for the week increased slightly to just over 13.3 million barrels a day. Cumulative output this year remains above 13.4 million barrels a day.Crude imports increased to 6.1 million barrels a day last week, up 159,000 barrels a day from a week earlier. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports the four-week average is also 6.1 million, down eleven percent from a year ago.EIA reports crude exports dropped by 30% from a week ago and 45% from a year ago to just under 2.7 million barrels a day. Four-week average exports are down by 25% from a year ago.The Republic of the Congo is opening up a huge swath of land to energy exploration, in what's described in The Guardian newspaper as "the world’s worst place to prospect for oil.” It's pristine forests include the habitats of endangered wildlife.President Donald Trump shortened his deadline for Russia in Ukraine from 50 days to just "ten-to-twelve days." Trump is now threatening Russia with so-called secondary sanctions on its oil export customers, notably China and India.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: Horizontal drilling posts big declines

PAWNEE COUNTY —On Aug. 1, the Kansas Court of Appeals issued a 33 page memorandum opinion upholding the felony convictions and sentence of Justin W. Hammond, 41 of Larned, according to a statement from Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

In March of 2023, a Pawnee County Jury found Hammond Guilty of four counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberty with a Child, to wit: sexual intercourse with a child 14 or 15 years of age, and one count of Indecent Liberties with a Child, to wit: lewd fondling of child 14 or 15 years of age, following a five-day trial.

The crimes were alleged to have occurred in Pawnee County between July 8, 2018, and December 15, 2018. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation following a referral by the Pawnee County Sheriff.

At the sentencing held June 30, 2023, Judge Bruce Gatterman denied a defense request for probation and sentenced Hammond on the primary offense to the standard sentence of 59 months with an additional 37 month consecutive sentence on the additional counts for a total sentence of 96 months in the department of corrections. Hammond is also subject to lifetime post-release supervision and lifetime offender registration as a sex offender.

Hammond is currently incarcerated at the Lansing Correctional Facility.

On May 20, 2025, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals heard appellate oral arguments. On appeal, the defendant argued the District Court errored when it failed to grant a mistrial when an alternate juror was released on the fourth day of the jury trial due to a family emergency. The defendant also argued that the District Court errored when it failed to grant probation and by sentencing him to lifetime post-release supervision.

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett presented the State’s case at trial. The Kansas Solicitor General’s Office represented the State on Appeal. Hammond was represented by Jonathon McConnell of Wichita, Kansas at trial and Jonathan Laurans of Kansas City on Appeal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688158843330.png" alt="Hammond from his arrest in Pawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Hammond from his arrest in Pawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY —On Aug. 1, the Kansas Court of Appeals issued a 33 page memorandum opinion upholding the felony convictions and sentence of Justin W. Hammond, 41 of Larned, according to a statement from Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.In March of 2023, a Pawnee County Jury found Hammond Guilty of four counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberty with a Child, to wit: sexual intercourse with a child 14 or 15 years of age, and one count of Indecent Liberties with a Child, to wit: lewd fondling of child 14 or 15 years of age, following a five-day trial.The crimes were alleged to have occurred in Pawnee County between July 8, 2018, and December 15, 2018. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation following a referral by the Pawnee County Sheriff.At the sentencing held June 30, 2023, Judge Bruce Gatterman denied a defense request for probation and sentenced Hammond on the primary offense to the standard sentence of 59 months with an additional 37 month consecutive sentence on the additional counts for a total sentence of 96 months in the department of corrections. Hammond is also subject to lifetime post-release supervision and lifetime offender registration as a sex offender.Hammond is currently incarcerated at the Lansing Correctional Facility.On May 20, 2025, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals heard appellate oral arguments. On appeal, the defendant argued the District Court errored when it failed to grant a mistrial when an alternate juror was released on the fourth day of the jury trial due to a family emergency. The defendant also argued that the District Court errored when it failed to grant probation and by sentencing him to lifetime post-release supervision.Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett presented the State’s case at trial. The Kansas Solicitor General’s Office represented the State on Appeal. Hammond was represented by Jonathon McConnell of Wichita, Kansas at trial and Jonathan Laurans of Kansas City on Appeal.

Court upholds conviction and sentence of Kan. child sex offender

&nbsp;One of the goals identified by the Ellis County Workforce Committee is to develop a collaborative system that promotes local students staying in Ellis County post-graduation. 

To help accomplish this, a community career building sub-committee has been formed, which includes: Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson, Hays High School Assistant Principal Becky Hickert, Grow Hays Director of Recruitment and Retention David Clingan, Fort Hays State University Vice President for Economic Development Ben Schears, and The Chamber in Hays, Kansas President/CEO Sarah Wasinger.

Discussions within the ECWC have identified a need to catalyze stronger collaboration between the education and business communities, which has stimulated a groundbreaking partnership that will connect Ellis County business leaders with education administration and faculty, as well as students in high school and post-secondary. 

This will be accomplished by hosting a series of industry cluster meetings. 

During these engaging sessions, the following business will be conducted:

· Discussing enrollment numbers to track student trends and better understand employer needs in hard-to-fill positions in the next three to five years

· Sharing success stories centered around unique partnerships between businesses and individual students

· Bringing students in to share what resonates with them most when seeking employment and potentially connecting with employers for scholarship-to-work contracts

· Providing a platform for businesses to share their expectations directly with students

· Identify potential courses that need to be added into the curriculum to address future workforce needs

· Find potential opportunities for externships so faculty can shadow with employers to better understand their industry’s current and future needs

· Have students share what they are looking for from an employment perspective

Based on current clusters available within Ellis County high schools, the following industries will be grouped together for the 2025-2026 academic year:

The first meeting will feature the manufacturing, distribution, and welding cluster and will be held at the new Hays High School on September 10 from 8:15 to 9:45 a.m. in the hospitality room. 

Members of the sub-committee will be contacting businesses to register for this event. Details for future cluster meetings will be shared in future newsletters, and invitations will be extended to chamber members in each of the outlined industries.

For more information about this exciting new collaboration or to get involved in the ECWC, email sarah@hayschamber.com call the Chamber in Hays at 785-628-8201.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648131478897.jpeg" alt="Image by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>The Chamber in Hays&nbsp;One of the goals identified by the Ellis County Workforce Committee is to develop a collaborative system that promotes local students staying in Ellis County post-graduation. To help accomplish this, a community career building sub-committee has been formed, which includes: Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson, Hays High School Assistant Principal Becky Hickert, Grow Hays Director of Recruitment and Retention David Clingan, Fort Hays State University Vice President for Economic Development Ben Schears, and The Chamber in Hays, Kansas President/CEO Sarah Wasinger.Discussions within the ECWC have identified a need to catalyze stronger collaboration between the education and business communities, which has stimulated a groundbreaking partnership that will connect Ellis County business leaders with education administration and faculty, as well as students in high school and post-secondary. This will be accomplished by hosting a series of industry cluster meetings. During these engaging sessions, the following business will be conducted:· Discussing enrollment numbers to track student trends and better understand employer needs in hard-to-fill positions in the next three to five years· Sharing success stories centered around unique partnerships between businesses and individual students· Bringing students in to share what resonates with them most when seeking employment and potentially connecting with employers for scholarship-to-work contracts· Providing a platform for businesses to share their expectations directly with students· Identify potential courses that need to be added into the curriculum to address future workforce needs· Find potential opportunities for externships so faculty can shadow with employers to better understand their industry’s current and future needs· Have students share what they are looking for from an employment perspectiveBased on current clusters available within Ellis County high schools, the following industries will be grouped together for the 2025-2026 academic year:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754316068224.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The first meeting will feature the manufacturing, distribution, and welding cluster and will be held at the new Hays High School on September 10 from 8:15 to 9:45 a.m. in the hospitality room. Members of the sub-committee will be contacting businesses to register for this event. Details for future cluster meetings will be shared in future newsletters, and invitations will be extended to chamber members in each of the outlined industries.For more information about this exciting new collaboration or to get involved in the ECWC, email sarah@hayschamber.com call the Chamber in Hays at 785-628-8201.

Forging a stronger jobs pipeline to connect Ellis County students with local careers

By GERARD WELLBROCK
 Hays Post Sports

HAYS – With the NCAA's recent decision to expand
the Division II football playoffs from seven to eight teams per region, the
Fort Hays State Tigers have their sights set on the postseason. Had the new
rules been in place last year, the Tigers would have likely made the playoffs
after finishing the 2024 season with an 8-3 record and a No. 8 ranking in Super
Region 3.

The team officially kicked off its 2025 campaign
on Monday with the start of preseason camp on the new turf inside Lewis Field. Head
coach Chris Brown, entering his 14th season, was impressed with what he saw
from his players on day one.

"You could tell these guys really put the
time in this summer with the weight room and conditioning," Brown said.
"It was crisp, it was sharp. Guys knew what they were doing."

Brown noted that being so close to a playoff spot
last season fueled his team's motivation throughout the offseason. "Our
guys are hungry," he said. "They want to win the conference and they
want to get into the playoffs, and you could see that by what they did this
summer."

Despite the high hopes, Brown was quick to
emphasize that the past is in the past. "2024 is over," he stated.
"It’s about what this 2025 group does right now, that’s the most important
thing. I think the pieces to the puzzle are there; it's what they do with
it."

The Tigers will open their season at home against
Angelo State on Thursday, August 28.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754342219245.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State head football coach Chris Brown addresses his team following their first practice of preseason camp (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State head football coach Chris Brown addresses his team following their first practice of preseason camp (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>By GERARD WELLBROCK
 Hays Post SportsHAYS – With the NCAA's recent decision to expand
the Division II football playoffs from seven to eight teams per region, the
Fort Hays State Tigers have their sights set on the postseason. Had the new
rules been in place last year, the Tigers would have likely made the playoffs
after finishing the 2024 season with an 8-3 record and a No. 8 ranking in Super
Region 3.The team officially kicked off its 2025 campaign
on Monday with the start of preseason camp on the new turf inside Lewis Field. Head
coach Chris Brown, entering his 14th season, was impressed with what he saw
from his players on day one."You could tell these guys really put the
time in this summer with the weight room and conditioning," Brown said.
"It was crisp, it was sharp. Guys knew what they were doing."<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2147932680&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/chris-brown-080425" title="Chris Brown 080425" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Chris Brown 080425</a></div></div>Brown noted that being so close to a playoff spot
last season fueled his team's motivation throughout the offseason. "Our
guys are hungry," he said. "They want to win the conference and they
want to get into the playoffs, and you could see that by what they did this
summer."Despite the high hopes, Brown was quick to
emphasize that the past is in the past. "2024 is over," he stated.
"It’s about what this 2025 group does right now, that’s the most important
thing. I think the pieces to the puzzle are there; it's what they do with
it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754342791492.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754342826388.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754342887300.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754342944508.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure>The Tigers will open their season at home against
Angelo State on Thursday, August 28.

Tigers start preseason camp with playoff hopes

WASHINGTON (AP) The president posted on Truth Social about Sweeney’s jeans ad for American Eagle Outfitters, the second time in the last 24 hours in which he weighed in on the controversy over the ad, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-eagle-sydney-sweeney-jeans-dunkin-e4d0cfade207d3b1e1b4e93531bfc082">sparked a debate</a>&nbsp;over race and Western beauty standards.

Trump, misspelling Sweeney’s first name, said it was “the HOTTEST ad out there.”

“It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying of the shelves.’ Go get ’em Sidney,” Trump said in his post.

In the same post, Trump complained about advertisements from Bud Light (which he also misspelled) and Jaguar, along with renewing his complaints about singer Taylor Swift, declaring them all “woke.”

WASHINGTON (AP) The president posted on Truth Social about Sweeney’s jeans ad for American Eagle Outfitters, the second time in the last 24 hours in which he weighed in on the controversy over the ad, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-eagle-sydney-sweeney-jeans-dunkin-e4d0cfade207d3b1e1b4e93531bfc082">sparked a debate</a>&nbsp;over race and Western beauty standards.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;She&#39;s a registered Republican? Oh, now I love her ad. Is that right? You&#39;d be surprised at how many people are Republicans. That&#39;s one I wouldn&#39;t have known, but I&#39;m glad you told me that. If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.&quot; - Pres. Trump <a href="https://t.co/l4BA1sRe70">pic.twitter.com/l4BA1sRe70</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1952345996584759451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump, misspelling Sweeney’s first name, said it was “the HOTTEST ad out there.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump on Sidney Sweeney <a href="https://t.co/Or1m3DAR9q">pic.twitter.com/Or1m3DAR9q</a>&mdash; Diana Nerozzi (@diana_nerozzi) <a href="https://twitter.com/diana_nerozzi/status/1952368664575098985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying of the shelves.’ Go get ’em Sidney,” Trump said in his post.In the same post, Trump complained about advertisements from Bud Light (which he also misspelled) and Jaguar, along with renewing his complaints about singer Taylor Swift, declaring them all “woke.”

🎥President Trump comments on Sydney Sweeney's jeans ad 

Beginning Tuesday, 13th Street east of Canterbury Drive in Hays will return to one-way traffic - westbound ONLY - for a mill and overlay of roadway until further notice. 

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Public Works office at 785-628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689603343931.jpeg" alt="File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysBeginning Tuesday, 13th Street east of Canterbury Drive in Hays will return to one-way traffic - westbound ONLY - for a mill and overlay of roadway until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Public Works office at 785-628-7350.

13th St. east of Canterbury in Hays returns to 1-way traffic Tuesday

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center, which will be opening soon in Hays, on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center is set to open this month.

Grow Hays received its occupancy permit last week.&nbsp;

Bright Minds will be opening its child care facility on the north side of the building, and the senior center will be moving into south side of the building before the end of the month.

The center area of the building is a community room that will be available to rent through Grow Hays. Call 785-628-3102&nbsp;for more information.

Grow Hays will host an official ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Friday,&nbsp; Aug 29.

Please submit your questions for Doug Williams for future interviews to&nbsp;hayspost@eaglemedia.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754266840678.jpeg" alt="The Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center is complete. An official ribbon cutting will be Aug. 29. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center is complete. An official ribbon cutting will be Aug. 29. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Grow Hays" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=95ks2-1920048-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center, which will be opening soon in Hays, on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754266948112.jpeg" alt="A room in the child care center in the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A room in the child care center in the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center is set to open this month.Grow Hays received its occupancy permit last week.&nbsp;Bright Minds will be opening its child care facility on the north side of the building, and the senior center will be moving into south side of the building before the end of the month.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754267084189.jpeg" alt="The child care wing of the community center has a storm shelter that will accommodate 300 people. The windows have reinforced steel doors. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The child care wing of the community center has a storm shelter that will accommodate 300 people. The windows have reinforced steel doors. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The center area of the building is a community room that will be available to rent through Grow Hays. Call 785-628-3102&nbsp;for more information.Grow Hays will host an official ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Friday,&nbsp; Aug 29.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754267262237.jpeg" alt="One of the child care rooms in the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>One of the child care rooms in the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754267375754.jpeg" alt="Washing machine in the new child care center in the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Washing machine in the new child care center in the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754267457163.jpeg" alt="A conference room in the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center. The space is available to rent by community members. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A conference room in the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center. The space is available to rent by community members. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754267523529.jpeg" alt="The community room in the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center. This large open room is available to rent through Grow Hays. It has multiple TVs for presentations.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The community room in the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center. This large open room is available to rent through Grow Hays. It has multiple TVs for presentations.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754267694878.jpeg" alt="New senior center in the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>New senior center in the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754267748911.jpeg" alt="A commercial kitchen is available for use by the senior center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A commercial kitchen is available for use by the senior center.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754267836942.jpeg" alt="The sun room in the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center looks out onto the child care's playground. The community center was designed to allow intergenerational interactions between seniors and children.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The sun room in the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center looks out onto the child care's playground. The community center was designed to allow intergenerational interactions between seniors and children.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754268391734.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Please submit your questions for Doug Williams for future interviews to&nbsp;hayspost@eaglemedia.com.

🎙 Schmidt Community Center complete, ribbon cutting set for Aug. 29

NEW YORK (AP) — Boeing workers who build fighter jets went on strike Monday at midnight Central Daylight Time.

About 3,200 workers at Boeing facilities in St. Louis; St. Charles, Missouri; and Mascoutah, Illinois, voted to reject a modified four-year labor agreement with Boeing, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union said Sunday.

In a post on X, the union said: “3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing went on strike at midnight because enough is enough.”

The vote followed members’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-defense-machinists-union-contract-strike-60670fdfd1bbed54eb3e91ed682cc2c8">rejection last week of an earlier proposal</a>&nbsp;from the troubled aerospace giant, which had included a 20% wage increase over four years.

“IAM District 837 members build the aircraft and defense systems that keep our country safe,” said Sam Cicinelli, Midwest territory general vice president for the union, in a statement. “They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise.”

At the time of the earlier vote, union leaders had recommended approving the offer, calling it a “landmark agreement” and saying it would improve medical, pension and overtime benefits.

The union members rejected the latest proposal after a weeklong cooling-off period.

“We’re disappointed our employees rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth and resolved their primary issue on alternative work schedules," said Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance vice president and general manager, and senior St. Louis site executive. "We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking workforce can continue supporting our customers.”

Boeing has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-aviation-aircraft-air-india-crash-f12b20e65dc57ae655a1e0759b58938f">struggling</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-plea-737-max-crashes-b34daa014406657e720bec4a990dccf6">two of its Boeing 737 Max airplanes crashed</a>, one in Indonesia in 2018 and the other in Ethiopia in 2019, killing 346 people. In June, one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-india-plane-crash-ahmedabad-1da81c28862041317f29f547d3f00348">Boeing's Dreamliner planes, operated by Air India, crashed</a>, killing at least 260 people.

Last week, Boeing reported that its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-ntsb-max-faa-a5d9b4a7fc3d26906fee65130cd43234">second-quarter revenue</a>&nbsp;had improved and losses had narrowed. The company lost $611 million in the second quarter, compared to a loss of $1.44 billion during the same period last year.

NEW YORK (AP) — Boeing workers who build fighter jets went on strike Monday at midnight Central Daylight Time.About 3,200 workers at Boeing facilities in St. Louis; St. Charles, Missouri; and Mascoutah, Illinois, voted to reject a modified four-year labor agreement with Boeing, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union said Sunday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 STRIKE ALERT: 3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing went on strike at midnight because enough is enough. This is about respect and dignity, not empty promises. <a href="https://t.co/2mRlPkmOMm">https://t.co/2mRlPkmOMm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnionStrong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnionStrong</a>&mdash; IAM Union (@IAM_Union) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAM_Union/status/1952244162931155295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a post on X, the union said: “3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing went on strike at midnight because enough is enough.”The vote followed members’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-defense-machinists-union-contract-strike-60670fdfd1bbed54eb3e91ed682cc2c8">rejection last week of an earlier proposal</a>&nbsp;from the troubled aerospace giant, which had included a 20% wage increase over four years.“IAM District 837 members build the aircraft and defense systems that keep our country safe,” said Sam Cicinelli, Midwest territory general vice president for the union, in a statement. “They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise.”At the time of the earlier vote, union leaders had recommended approving the offer, calling it a “landmark agreement” and saying it would improve medical, pension and overtime benefits.The union members rejected the latest proposal after a weeklong cooling-off period.“We’re disappointed our employees rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth and resolved their primary issue on alternative work schedules," said Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance vice president and general manager, and senior St. Louis site executive. "We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking workforce can continue supporting our customers.”Boeing has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-aviation-aircraft-air-india-crash-f12b20e65dc57ae655a1e0759b58938f">struggling</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-plea-737-max-crashes-b34daa014406657e720bec4a990dccf6">two of its Boeing 737 Max airplanes crashed</a>, one in Indonesia in 2018 and the other in Ethiopia in 2019, killing 346 people. In June, one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-india-plane-crash-ahmedabad-1da81c28862041317f29f547d3f00348">Boeing's Dreamliner planes, operated by Air India, crashed</a>, killing at least 260 people.Last week, Boeing reported that its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-ntsb-max-faa-a5d9b4a7fc3d26906fee65130cd43234">second-quarter revenue</a>&nbsp;had improved and losses had narrowed. The company lost $611 million in the second quarter, compared to a loss of $1.44 billion during the same period last year.

Boeing workers who build fighter jets go on strike

Police responded to the Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County ReStore, 2707 Broadway in Hays at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The glass front door was broken. Officers cleared the building and found nothing immediately missing.

Habitat for Humanity rents the building. The nonprofit's landlord is checking with insurance to see if the vandalism will be covered.

The group is part of a global, nonprofit organization operated on Christian principles that works to eliminate substandard housing through construction, rehabilitation and advocacy for fair policies.

Habitat is fundraising to invest in another home for an Ellis County resident. The nonprofit earns money through the ReStore thrift store, which is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Donations can also be made to the local chapter by writing checks payable to Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County and sending them to P.O. Box 444​, Hays, KS 67601.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HFHEC">Follow the ReStore on Facebook</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754269859533.png" alt="Hays firefighters place a piece of plywood on the broken glass door of the Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County building in Hays. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Hays firefighters place a piece of plywood on the broken glass door of the Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County building in Hays. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostPolice responded to the Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County ReStore, 2707 Broadway in Hays at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday.The glass front door was broken. Officers cleared the building and found nothing immediately missing.Habitat for Humanity rents the building. The nonprofit's landlord is checking with insurance to see if the vandalism will be covered.The group is part of a global, nonprofit organization operated on Christian principles that works to eliminate substandard housing through construction, rehabilitation and advocacy for fair policies.Habitat is fundraising to invest in another home for an Ellis County resident. The nonprofit earns money through the ReStore thrift store, which is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.Donations can also be made to the local chapter by writing checks payable to Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County and sending them to P.O. Box 444​, Hays, KS 67601.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HFHEC">Follow the ReStore on Facebook</a>.&nbsp;

Habitat for Humanity building in Hays vandalized during weekend

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/hillel-italie">HILLEL ITALIE</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;will have a memoir out in the fall on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-democratic-presidential-nomination-eb43b6b346cc644b2d195315cb2bfb20">her historic presidential run</a>.

The book is called “107 Days,” the length of her abbreviated campaign, and will be published by Simon &amp; Schuster on Sept. 23.

On Wednesday, she announced that she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-california-governor-2026-eeea5d7315d65cebb50692c5311379fb">will not run for California governor</a>&nbsp;in 2026, but she is still regarded as a potential presidential candidate for 2028. CBS Television announced that Harris will appear Thursday night on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” her first interview since the election.

Simon &amp; Schuster, where authors also include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward, is calling the Harris book a “page-turning account,” with ”surprising and revealing insights.”

“Kamala Harris is a singular American leader,” Karp said in a statement. “‘107 DAYS’ captures the drama of running for president better than just about anything I’ve read. It’s one of the best works of political nonfiction Simon &amp; Schuster has ever published. It’s an eyewitness contribution to history and an extraordinary story.”

Financial terms for “107 Days,” which is listed at 320 pages, were not disclosed. In 2019, Penguin Books published Harris’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9a8a5861627846f9b378bf86e9c27966">“The Truths We Hold: An American Journey</a>,” timed to coincide with her presidential run for the 2020 election. Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-ca-state-wire-politics-election-2020-kamala-harris-9f15f9bae46c54de8d88ad3e8388e4be">dropped out before the first primary</a>&nbsp;but was eventually chosen by Biden to be his running mate.

“Just over a year ago, I launched my campaign for President of the United States,” Harris said in a video announcement on Thursday. “107 days traveling the country, fighting for our future — the shortest presidential campaign in modern history. Since leaving office, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on those days and with candor and reflection, I’ve written a behind-the-scenes account of that journey. I believe there’s value in sharing what I saw, what I learned, and what it will take to move forward.”

Simon &amp; Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp declined to offer any specifics on what Harris will write about, including her thoughts on questions about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-pardon-fitness-reelection-interview-eb84cf6c3e201fa6100419b9fe616f8a">President Joe Biden’s fitness for office</a>, but said Harris “addresses everything we would want her to address.”

Harris ended up heading the Democratic ticket after Biden dropped out last July in the wake of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-lawmakers-debate-2c426f98063ab30143a7675cba10a5b4">a disastrous debate performance</a>, and she was defeated last November by Republican Donald Trump. She would have been the first woman and first woman of color to become president.

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/hillel-italie">HILLEL ITALIE</a>NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;will have a memoir out in the fall on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-democratic-presidential-nomination-eb43b6b346cc644b2d195315cb2bfb20">her historic presidential run</a>.The book is called “107 Days,” the length of her abbreviated campaign, and will be published by Simon &amp; Schuster on Sept. 23.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">What the world saw on the campaign trail was only part of the story. My new book is a behind-the-scenes look at my experience leading the shortest presidential campaign in modern history. 107 Days is out on September 23. I can&#39;t wait for you to read it: <a href="https://t.co/G4bkeZB4NZ">https://t.co/G4bkeZB4NZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/taUof0L4hs">pic.twitter.com/taUof0L4hs</a>&mdash; Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1950904316841115711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On Wednesday, she announced that she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-california-governor-2026-eeea5d7315d65cebb50692c5311379fb">will not run for California governor</a>&nbsp;in 2026, but she is still regarded as a potential presidential candidate for 2028. CBS Television announced that Harris will appear Thursday night on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” her first interview since the election.Simon &amp; Schuster, where authors also include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward, is calling the Harris book a “page-turning account,” with ”surprising and revealing insights.”“Kamala Harris is a singular American leader,” Karp said in a statement. “‘107 DAYS’ captures the drama of running for president better than just about anything I’ve read. It’s one of the best works of political nonfiction Simon &amp; Schuster has ever published. It’s an eyewitness contribution to history and an extraordinary story.”Financial terms for “107 Days,” which is listed at 320 pages, were not disclosed. In 2019, Penguin Books published Harris’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9a8a5861627846f9b378bf86e9c27966">“The Truths We Hold: An American Journey</a>,” timed to coincide with her presidential run for the 2020 election. Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-ca-state-wire-politics-election-2020-kamala-harris-9f15f9bae46c54de8d88ad3e8388e4be">dropped out before the first primary</a>&nbsp;but was eventually chosen by Biden to be his running mate.“Just over a year ago, I launched my campaign for President of the United States,” Harris said in a video announcement on Thursday. “107 days traveling the country, fighting for our future — the shortest presidential campaign in modern history. Since leaving office, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on those days and with candor and reflection, I’ve written a behind-the-scenes account of that journey. I believe there’s value in sharing what I saw, what I learned, and what it will take to move forward.”Simon &amp; Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp declined to offer any specifics on what Harris will write about, including her thoughts on questions about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-pardon-fitness-reelection-interview-eb84cf6c3e201fa6100419b9fe616f8a">President Joe Biden’s fitness for office</a>, but said Harris “addresses everything we would want her to address.”Harris ended up heading the Democratic ticket after Biden dropped out last July in the wake of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-lawmakers-debate-2c426f98063ab30143a7675cba10a5b4">a disastrous debate performance</a>, and she was defeated last November by Republican Donald Trump. She would have been the first woman and first woman of color to become president.

🎥Kamala Harris memoir about presidential run a real 'page-turner'

Become an instant finalist in the Miller Lite UTV Giveaway from A&amp;A Coors-Miller and Briney Motorsports of Hays.

Sign up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at Ol' 40 Express, 2020 E. Eighth St., Hays

Register for a 4-seat CF-Moto U-Force 1000 valued at $20,000.&nbsp;

Ol 40 will have free ice cream sandwiches, limit one per customer while supplies last. Stop by for breakfast or homemade lunch.

Additional thanks to Advantage Glass Plus and Commercial Sign of Hays.

Keep listening to Eagle Radio and reading the Hays Post all summer long for your chance to become a finalist.

The UTV will be given away at a Fort Hays State University football game on Saturday, Sept. 13.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753111227517.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750185433864.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4GiQ8bT1mls?si=x0Sy46fK9L1wTVy1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Become an instant finalist in the Miller Lite UTV Giveaway from A&amp;A Coors-Miller and Briney Motorsports of Hays.Sign up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at Ol' 40 Express, 2020 E. Eighth St., HaysRegister for a 4-seat CF-Moto U-Force 1000 valued at $20,000.&nbsp; Ol 40 will have free ice cream sandwiches, limit one per customer while supplies last. Stop by for breakfast or homemade lunch.Additional thanks to Advantage Glass Plus and Commercial Sign of Hays.Keep listening to Eagle Radio and reading the Hays Post all summer long for your chance to become a finalist.The UTV will be given away at a Fort Hays State University football game on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Become Miller Lite UTV giveaway finalist Monday at Ol' 40 Express in Hays!

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

VICTORIA- Victoria will double in size as Herzogfest draws crowds with the scent of bierocks and the spirit of German culture.

Brenton Hoffman, president of Herzogfest, said the two-day celebration, which will be Aug. 8-9, features traditional food, children’s activities, a car show and live music.

"It's our hometown's annual festival that represents our German heritage," he said.

The festival takes place Friday and Saturday on Main Street, offering more than a dozen activities and free entertainment:

Friday Food vendors open at 11 a.m. ZOG Olympics at 2 p.m. Drift Trikes at 3 p.m. Horsehsoes at 6 p.m. Matfield Green, music entertainment, at 7 p.m. 50/50 raffle at 8:45 p.m. Blaine Younger Band, music entertainment, at 9 p.m.

Saturday 5k run and walk at 8:30 a.m. Heritage Market at 9 a.m. Herzog Car Show, Jammin Randy, three-on-three basketball tournament, valve cover races and drift trikes at 10 a.m. Bingo at the VFW, 204 E. Main St., and a cornhole tournament at 11 a.m. Kids Steinhoist Competition and free swimming at noon Polka Mass at 4 p.m. Polka Dance at 5 p.m. Steinhoist Competition at 6 p.m. Wes Cossman Band at 7 p.m. 50/50 raffle at 8:45 p.m. Dylan Wheeler at 9 p.m.

"People from all of Ellis County come to our festival. ... It really helps. It keeps us thriving in Victoria,"&nbsp;Hoffman said. 

Herzogfest is free to attend, but some events require entry fees, including the 5K Run/Walk at $25 and the cornhole tournament at $40 per team.

You can find all registration information and forms <a href="https://theherzogfest.com/applications/">here</a>,&nbsp;with same-day registration also offered at the event.

Hoffman highlighted German dishes such as green bean dumpling soup, blackberry dumplings and bierocks.

He gives thanks to the sponsors, donors and committee members who make Herzogfest possible. You can follow the Herzogfest on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theherzogfest/events">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and visit its website <a href="https://theherzogfest.com/">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753807703478.jpeg" alt="Live music performance at Herzogfest in Victoria. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Live music performance at Herzogfest in Victoria. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostVICTORIA- Victoria will double in size as Herzogfest draws crowds with the scent of bierocks and the spirit of German culture.Brenton Hoffman, president of Herzogfest, said the two-day celebration, which will be Aug. 8-9, features traditional food, children’s activities, a car show and live music."It's our hometown's annual festival that represents our German heritage," he said.The festival takes place Friday and Saturday on Main Street, offering more than a dozen activities and free entertainment:Friday Food vendors open at 11 a.m. ZOG Olympics at 2 p.m. Drift Trikes at 3 p.m. Horsehsoes at 6 p.m. Matfield Green, music entertainment, at 7 p.m. 50/50 raffle at 8:45 p.m. Blaine Younger Band, music entertainment, at 9 p.m.Saturday 5k run and walk at 8:30 a.m. Heritage Market at 9 a.m. Herzog Car Show, Jammin Randy, three-on-three basketball tournament, valve cover races and drift trikes at 10 a.m. Bingo at the VFW, 204 E. Main St., and a cornhole tournament at 11 a.m. Kids Steinhoist Competition and free swimming at noon Polka Mass at 4 p.m. Polka Dance at 5 p.m. Steinhoist Competition at 6 p.m. Wes Cossman Band at 7 p.m. 50/50 raffle at 8:45 p.m. Dylan Wheeler at 9 p.m."People from all of Ellis County come to our festival. ... It really helps. It keeps us thriving in Victoria,"&nbsp;Hoffman said. Herzogfest is free to attend, but some events require entry fees, including the 5K Run/Walk at $25 and the cornhole tournament at $40 per team.You can find all registration information and forms <a href="https://theherzogfest.com/applications/">here</a>,&nbsp;with same-day registration also offered at the event.Hoffman highlighted German dishes such as green bean dumpling soup, blackberry dumplings and bierocks.He gives thanks to the sponsors, donors and committee members who make Herzogfest possible. You can follow the Herzogfest on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theherzogfest/events">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and visit its website <a href="https://theherzogfest.com/">here</a>.

Herzogfest set for Aug. 8-9 in Victoria

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the top federal prosecutor for the nation’s capital, filling the post after President Donald Trump withdrew his controversial first pick, conservative activist Ed Martin Jr.

Pirro, a former county prosecutor and elected judge, was confirmed 50-45. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with majority.

 Before becoming the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in May, she co-hosted the Fox News show “The Five” on weekday evenings, where she frequently interviewed Trump.

Trump yanked Martin’s nomination after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ed-martin-prosecutor-january-6-trump-nominee-justice-7b9d392ff6a20ab6c25dd5f03b176c85">key Republican senator</a>&nbsp;said he could not support him due to Martin’s outspoken support for rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Martin now serves as the Justice Department’s pardon attorney.

In 2021, voting technology company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/smartmatic-sues-fox-news-giuliani-2a8d83df2e6d73b750dd85f92f4fd7ef">Smartmatic USA</a>&nbsp;sued Fox News, Pirro and others for spreading false claims that the company helped “steal” the 2020 presidential election from Trump. The company’s libel suit, filed in a New York state court, sought $2.7 billion from the defendants.

Last month, Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to send Pirro’s nomination to the Senate floor after Democrats walked out to protest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bove-justice-department-judge-nomination-trump-efea8c93ad892f1eb000321939a7283c">Emil Bove’s nomination</a>&nbsp;to become a federal appeals court judge.

Pirro, a 1975 graduate of Albany Law School, has significantly more courtroom experience than Martin, who had never served as a prosecutor or tried a case before taking office in January. She was elected as a judge in New York’s Westchester County Court in 1990 before serving three terms as the county’s elected district attorney.

In the final minutes of his first term as president, Trump issued a pardon to Pirro’s ex-husband, Albert Pirro, who was convicted in 2000 on conspiracy and tax evasion charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754213325459.png" alt="Pirro during her swearing in ceremony as interim U.S. Attorney- White House video" />
 <figcaption>Pirro during her swearing in ceremony as interim U.S. Attorney- White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the top federal prosecutor for the nation’s capital, filling the post after President Donald Trump withdrew his controversial first pick, conservative activist Ed Martin Jr.Pirro, a former county prosecutor and elected judge, was confirmed 50-45. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with majority.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am blessed to have received a Senate confirmation vote this evening of 50 to 45 to be the United States attorney for the District of Columbia the largest United States Attorney’s Office in the country. Thank you to those senators who supported my confirmation and DC- get ready…&mdash; Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) <a href="https://twitter.com/JudgeJeanine/status/1951813162732593454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> Before becoming the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in May, she co-hosted the Fox News show “The Five” on weekday evenings, where she frequently interviewed Trump.Trump yanked Martin’s nomination after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ed-martin-prosecutor-january-6-trump-nominee-justice-7b9d392ff6a20ab6c25dd5f03b176c85">key Republican senator</a>&nbsp;said he could not support him due to Martin’s outspoken support for rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Martin now serves as the Justice Department’s pardon attorney.In 2021, voting technology company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/smartmatic-sues-fox-news-giuliani-2a8d83df2e6d73b750dd85f92f4fd7ef">Smartmatic USA</a>&nbsp;sued Fox News, Pirro and others for spreading false claims that the company helped “steal” the 2020 presidential election from Trump. The company’s libel suit, filed in a New York state court, sought $2.7 billion from the defendants.Last month, Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to send Pirro’s nomination to the Senate floor after Democrats walked out to protest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bove-justice-department-judge-nomination-trump-efea8c93ad892f1eb000321939a7283c">Emil Bove’s nomination</a>&nbsp;to become a federal appeals court judge.Pirro, a 1975 graduate of Albany Law School, has significantly more courtroom experience than Martin, who had never served as a prosecutor or tried a case before taking office in January. She was elected as a judge in New York’s Westchester County Court in 1990 before serving three terms as the county’s elected district attorney.In the final minutes of his first term as president, Trump issued a pardon to Pirro’s ex-husband, Albert Pirro, who was convicted in 2000 on conspiracy and tax evasion charges.

Moran, Marshall vote to confirm former Fox host as U.S. Attorney for DC

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-stobbe">MIKE STOBBE</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials have told more than a half-dozen of the nation’s top medical organizations that they will no longer help establish vaccination recommendations.

The government told the organizations on Thursday via email that their experts are being disinvited from the workgroups that have been the backbone of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

The organizations include the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

“I’m concerned and distressed,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University vaccine expert who for decades has been involved with ACIP and its workgroups.

He said the move will likely propel a confusing fragmentation of vaccine guidance, as patients may hear the government say one thing and hear their doctors say another.

One email said the organizations are “special interest groups and therefore are expected to have a ‘bias’ based on their constituency and/or population that they represent.”

A federal health official on Friday confirmed the action, which was first reported by Bloomberg.

The decision was the latest development in what has become a saga involving the ACIP. The committee, created in 1964, makes recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how vaccines that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration should be used.

CDC directors have traditionally almost always approved those recommendations, which are widely heeded by doctors and greenlight insurance coverage for shots.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a leading voice in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccine-trump-science-autism-9b99621b01f11b7f0bdc81e5a0b82d2b">anti-vaccine movement</a>&nbsp;before becoming the U.S. government’s top health official, and in June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-cdc-acip-vaccines-3790c89f45b6314c5c7b686db0e3a8f9">abruptly fired</a>&nbsp;the entire ACIP after accusing them of being too closely aligned with manufacturers. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-acip-vaccine-committee-9f58e1f004075b081718ff078de88d76">handpicked replacements</a>&nbsp;that include several vaccine skeptics.

The workgroups typically include committee members and experts from medical and scientific organizations. At workgroup meetings, members evaluate data from vaccine manufacturers and the CDC, and formulate vaccination recommendation proposals to be presented to the full committee.

The structure was created for several reasons, Schaffner said. The professional groups provide input about what might and might not be possible for doctors to implement. And it helped build respect and trust in ACIP recommendations, having the buy-in of respected medical organizations, he said.

Workgroup members are vetted for conflicts of interest, to make sure than no one who had, say, made money from working on a hepatitis vaccine was placed on the hepatitis committee, Schaffner noted.

Also disinvited from the groups were the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, the American Geriatrics Society, the American Osteopathic Association, the National Medical Association and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

In a joint statement Friday, the AMA and several of the other organizations said: “To remove our deep medical expertise from this vital and once transparent process is irresponsible, dangerous to our nation’s health, and will further undermine public and clinician trust in vaccines.”

They urged the administration to reconsider the move “so we can continue to feel confident in its vaccine recommendations for our patients.”

Some of the professional organizations have criticized Kennedy’s changes to the ACIP, and three of the disinvited groups last month joined&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuit-vaccines-kennedy-95a1aa23c3f015f7a35a570f5ef8da36">a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the government over Kennedy’s decision to stop recommending COVID-19 vaccines for most children and pregnant women.

In a social media post Friday, one of the Kennedy-appointed ACIP members — Retsef Levi — wrote that the working groups “will engage experts from even broader set of disciplines!”

Levi, a business management professor, also wrote that working group membership “will be based on merit &amp; expertise — not membership in organizations proven to have (conflicts of interest) and radical &amp; narrow view of public health!”

HHS officials have not said which people are going to be added to the ACIP workgroups.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600861747887.png" alt="Photo Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-stobbe">MIKE STOBBE</a>NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials have told more than a half-dozen of the nation’s top medical organizations that they will no longer help establish vaccination recommendations.The government told the organizations on Thursday via email that their experts are being disinvited from the workgroups that have been the backbone of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.The organizations include the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.“I’m concerned and distressed,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University vaccine expert who for decades has been involved with ACIP and its workgroups.He said the move will likely propel a confusing fragmentation of vaccine guidance, as patients may hear the government say one thing and hear their doctors say another.One email said the organizations are “special interest groups and therefore are expected to have a ‘bias’ based on their constituency and/or population that they represent.”A federal health official on Friday confirmed the action, which was first reported by Bloomberg.The decision was the latest development in what has become a saga involving the ACIP. The committee, created in 1964, makes recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how vaccines that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration should be used.CDC directors have traditionally almost always approved those recommendations, which are widely heeded by doctors and greenlight insurance coverage for shots.U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a leading voice in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccine-trump-science-autism-9b99621b01f11b7f0bdc81e5a0b82d2b">anti-vaccine movement</a>&nbsp;before becoming the U.S. government’s top health official, and in June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-cdc-acip-vaccines-3790c89f45b6314c5c7b686db0e3a8f9">abruptly fired</a>&nbsp;the entire ACIP after accusing them of being too closely aligned with manufacturers. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-acip-vaccine-committee-9f58e1f004075b081718ff078de88d76">handpicked replacements</a>&nbsp;that include several vaccine skeptics.The workgroups typically include committee members and experts from medical and scientific organizations. At workgroup meetings, members evaluate data from vaccine manufacturers and the CDC, and formulate vaccination recommendation proposals to be presented to the full committee.The structure was created for several reasons, Schaffner said. The professional groups provide input about what might and might not be possible for doctors to implement. And it helped build respect and trust in ACIP recommendations, having the buy-in of respected medical organizations, he said.Workgroup members are vetted for conflicts of interest, to make sure than no one who had, say, made money from working on a hepatitis vaccine was placed on the hepatitis committee, Schaffner noted.Also disinvited from the groups were the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, the American Geriatrics Society, the American Osteopathic Association, the National Medical Association and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.In a joint statement Friday, the AMA and several of the other organizations said: “To remove our deep medical expertise from this vital and once transparent process is irresponsible, dangerous to our nation’s health, and will further undermine public and clinician trust in vaccines.”They urged the administration to reconsider the move “so we can continue to feel confident in its vaccine recommendations for our patients.”Some of the professional organizations have criticized Kennedy’s changes to the ACIP, and three of the disinvited groups last month joined&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuit-vaccines-kennedy-95a1aa23c3f015f7a35a570f5ef8da36">a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the government over Kennedy’s decision to stop recommending COVID-19 vaccines for most children and pregnant women.In a social media post Friday, one of the Kennedy-appointed ACIP members — Retsef Levi — wrote that the working groups “will engage experts from even broader set of disciplines!”Levi, a business management professor, also wrote that working group membership “will be based on merit &amp; expertise — not membership in organizations proven to have (conflicts of interest) and radical &amp; narrow view of public health!”HHS officials have not said which people are going to be added to the ACIP workgroups.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

AMA and other medical associations are kicked out of CDC vaccine workgroups

WICHITA – The Hays Larks come up one win shy of a return
trip to the NBC World Series finals Friday, falling to the Lonestar Kraken 9-8 at
Eck Stadium.

The Larks (32-5-1) trailed by as many as seven runs in the
game but came back to force extra innings. But in the 10th, Lonestar pushed a
run across to advance to the NBC World Series finals Saturday against the
Hutchinson Monarchs. 

The Larks broke onto the scoreboard early, scoring a run on
Thomas Lyssy RBI single, putting Hays up 1-0.

Lonestar answered back with two runs in the bottom of the
second and then exploded for six more runs in the fourth inning.

The Kraken got a homerun and then took advantage of five
straight walks, six total in the inning, for the 8-1 lead. 

Hays got a run back on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth
and then added two runs in the seventh.

The Larks took advantage of three free passes in the inning.
Hays scored on a Trent Baker RBI single and a Brady Kreutzer walk with the
bases loaded, cutting the Kraken's lead to 8-4.

Hays got back-to-back singles to open the top of the eighth
inning and then opened the scoring with a two-run Tabor Stokes double, cutting
the deficit to 8-6.

After two men were retired, Baker singled in Stokes, making
it 8-7.

Still trailing by one, in the top of the ninth inning, the
Larks manufactured the tying run to send the game to extra innings.

A walk and a stolen base by Kaleb Duncan, followed by a
sacrifice bunt, put the tying run at third. Two batters later, Stokes grounded
out to the shortstop, scoring the run from third and tying the game at eight
with two outs.

Both teams threatened to score in their half of the 10th
inning, leaving two runners on base.

Then in the bottom of the 10th inning, Preston
Curtis connected on the third homerun of the game of the Kraken, lifting
Lonestar to a 9-8 victory.

Tabor Stokes collected two hits, runs and three RBIs for the
Larks. Trent Baker added two hits, runs and RBIs.

Julio Ramos suffered the loss. He allowed just the one run,
on five hits, with eight strikeouts over six and two-thirds innings.

Hays Post SportsWICHITA – The Hays Larks come up one win shy of a return
trip to the NBC World Series finals Friday, falling to the Lonestar Kraken 9-8 at
Eck Stadium.The Larks (32-5-1) trailed by as many as seven runs in the
game but came back to force extra innings. But in the 10th, Lonestar pushed a
run across to advance to the NBC World Series finals Saturday against the
Hutchinson Monarchs. The Larks broke onto the scoreboard early, scoring a run on
Thomas Lyssy RBI single, putting Hays up 1-0.Lonestar answered back with two runs in the bottom of the
second and then exploded for six more runs in the fourth inning.The Kraken got a homerun and then took advantage of five
straight walks, six total in the inning, for the 8-1 lead. Hays got a run back on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth
and then added two runs in the seventh.The Larks took advantage of three free passes in the inning.
Hays scored on a Trent Baker RBI single and a Brady Kreutzer walk with the
bases loaded, cutting the Kraken's lead to 8-4.Hays got back-to-back singles to open the top of the eighth
inning and then opened the scoring with a two-run Tabor Stokes double, cutting
the deficit to 8-6.After two men were retired, Baker singled in Stokes, making
it 8-7.Still trailing by one, in the top of the ninth inning, the
Larks manufactured the tying run to send the game to extra innings.A walk and a stolen base by Kaleb Duncan, followed by a
sacrifice bunt, put the tying run at third. Two batters later, Stokes grounded
out to the shortstop, scoring the run from third and tying the game at eight
with two outs.Both teams threatened to score in their half of the 10th
inning, leaving two runners on base.Then in the bottom of the 10th inning, Preston
Curtis connected on the third homerun of the game of the Kraken, lifting
Lonestar to a 9-8 victory.Tabor Stokes collected two hits, runs and three RBIs for the
Larks. Trent Baker added two hits, runs and RBIs.Julio Ramos suffered the loss. He allowed just the one run,
on five hits, with eight strikeouts over six and two-thirds innings.

⚾ Larks season ends in extras at NBC World Series

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday removed the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures after a report showed hiring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-economy-trump-federal-reserve-68a15f89d68793a6cf88a522ff33246c">slowed in July</a>&nbsp;and was much weaker in May and June than previously reported.

Trump, in a post on his social media platform, alleged that the figures were manipulated for political reasons and said that Erika McEntarfer, the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, should be fired. He provided no evidence for the charge.

“I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump said on Truth Social. “She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.”

Trump later posted: “In my opinion, today’s Jobs Numbers were RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.”

The charge that the data was faked is an explosive one that threatens to undercut the political legitimacy of the U.S. government's economic data, which has long been seen as the “gold standard” of economic measurement globally. Economists and Wall Street investors have for decades generally accepted the data as free from political bias.

Trump’s move to fire McEntarfer represented another extraordinary assertion of presidential power. He has wielded the authority of the White House to try to control the world’s international trade system, media companies, America’s top universities and Congress’ constitutional power of the purse, among other institutions.

McEntarfer's firing was roundly condemned by a group that included two former BLS commissioners, including William Beach, who was appointed by Trump to the position. They particularly objected to the charge that the data was altered for political reasons.

“This rationale for firing Dr. McEntarfer is without merit and undermines the credibility of federal economic statistics that are a cornerstone of intelligent economic decision-making by businesses, families, and policymakers,” the statement from the group, the Friends of BLS, said.

In addition to Beach, the statement was signed by Erica Groshen, BLS commissioner under former President Barack Obama.

“Firing the Commissioner ... when the BLS revises jobs numbers down (as it routinely does) threatens to destroy trust in core American institutions, and all government statistics,” Arin Dube, an economist at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, said on X. “I can’t stress how damaging this is.”

After Trump's initial post, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said on X that McEntarfer was no longer leading the bureau and that William Wiatrowski, the deputy commissioner, would serve as the acting director.

“I support the President’s decision to replace Biden’s Commissioner and ensure the American People can trust the important and influential data coming from BLS,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

Friday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">jobs report</a>&nbsp;showed that just 73,000 jobs were added last month and that 258,000 fewer jobs were created in May and June than previously estimated. The report suggested that the economy has sharply weakened during Trump's tenure, a pattern consistent with a slowdown in economic growth during the first half of the year and an increase in inflation during June that appeared to reflect the price pressures created by the president's tariffs.

“What does a bad leader do when they get bad news? Shoot the messenger,” Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said in a Friday speech.

McEntarfer was nominated by Biden in 2023 and became the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January 2024. Commissioners typically serve four-year terms but since they are political appointees can be fired. The commissioner is the only political appointee of the agency, which has hundreds of career civil servants.

The Senate confirmed McEntarfer to her post 86-8, with now Vice President JD Vance among the yea votes.

Trump focused much of his ire on the revisions the agency made to previous hiring data. Job gains in May were revised down to just 19,000 from a previously revised 125,000, and for June they were cut to 14,000 from 147,000. In July, only 73,000 positions were added. The unemployment rate ticked up to a still-low 4.2% from 4.1%.

“No one can be that wrong? We need accurate Jobs Numbers,” Trump wrote. “She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified. Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can’t be manipulated for political purposes.”

Trump has not always been so suspicious of the monthly jobs report and responded enthusiastically after the initial May figures came out on June 6 when it was initially reported that the economy added 139,000 jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754090217869.png" alt="&nbsp;Erika McEntarfer from her official government portrait" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Erika McEntarfer from her official government portrait</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday removed the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures after a report showed hiring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-economy-trump-federal-reserve-68a15f89d68793a6cf88a522ff33246c">slowed in July</a>&nbsp;and was much weaker in May and June than previously reported.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Legacy media’s wrong on why the BLS chief was fired. It’s not ‘bad numbers’—it’s incompetence. She inflated job numbers by 800K pre-election, then missed by 250K last two months. How can the Fed make sound decisions with such flawed data? Trump was right to act.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1951651037770887487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on the former Biden-appointed Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics: &quot;You have to have HONEST reports.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/r15Vpiq7kr">pic.twitter.com/r15Vpiq7kr</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1951390584230613146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I have been raising concerns for the past year about inaccurate job numbers put out by Dr. Erika McEntarfer. Her cooked-up numbers have misled the American people for too long. Glad President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> is going to clean this up. <a href="https://t.co/cmfcC1w5J3">https://t.co/cmfcC1w5J3</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1951353610295709938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump, in a post on his social media platform, alleged that the figures were manipulated for political reasons and said that Erika McEntarfer, the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, should be fired. He provided no evidence for the charge.“I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump said on Truth Social. “She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified.”Trump later posted: “In my opinion, today’s Jobs Numbers were RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad.”The charge that the data was faked is an explosive one that threatens to undercut the political legitimacy of the U.S. government's economic data, which has long been seen as the “gold standard” of economic measurement globally. Economists and Wall Street investors have for decades generally accepted the data as free from political bias.Trump’s move to fire McEntarfer represented another extraordinary assertion of presidential power. He has wielded the authority of the White House to try to control the world’s international trade system, media companies, America’s top universities and Congress’ constitutional power of the purse, among other institutions.McEntarfer's firing was roundly condemned by a group that included two former BLS commissioners, including William Beach, who was appointed by Trump to the position. They particularly objected to the charge that the data was altered for political reasons.“This rationale for firing Dr. McEntarfer is without merit and undermines the credibility of federal economic statistics that are a cornerstone of intelligent economic decision-making by businesses, families, and policymakers,” the statement from the group, the Friends of BLS, said.In addition to Beach, the statement was signed by Erica Groshen, BLS commissioner under former President Barack Obama.“Firing the Commissioner ... when the BLS revises jobs numbers down (as it routinely does) threatens to destroy trust in core American institutions, and all government statistics,” Arin Dube, an economist at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, said on X. “I can’t stress how damaging this is.”After Trump's initial post, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said on X that McEntarfer was no longer leading the bureau and that William Wiatrowski, the deputy commissioner, would serve as the acting director.“I support the President’s decision to replace Biden’s Commissioner and ensure the American People can trust the important and influential data coming from BLS,” Chavez-DeRemer said.Friday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">jobs report</a>&nbsp;showed that just 73,000 jobs were added last month and that 258,000 fewer jobs were created in May and June than previously estimated. The report suggested that the economy has sharply weakened during Trump's tenure, a pattern consistent with a slowdown in economic growth during the first half of the year and an increase in inflation during June that appeared to reflect the price pressures created by the president's tariffs.“What does a bad leader do when they get bad news? Shoot the messenger,” Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said in a Friday speech.McEntarfer was nominated by Biden in 2023 and became the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January 2024. Commissioners typically serve four-year terms but since they are political appointees can be fired. The commissioner is the only political appointee of the agency, which has hundreds of career civil servants.The Senate confirmed McEntarfer to her post 86-8, with now Vice President JD Vance among the yea votes.Trump focused much of his ire on the revisions the agency made to previous hiring data. Job gains in May were revised down to just 19,000 from a previously revised 125,000, and for June they were cut to 14,000 from 147,000. In July, only 73,000 positions were added. The unemployment rate ticked up to a still-low 4.2% from 4.1%.“No one can be that wrong? We need accurate Jobs Numbers,” Trump wrote. “She will be replaced with someone much more competent and qualified. Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can’t be manipulated for political purposes.”Trump has not always been so suspicious of the monthly jobs report and responded enthusiastically after the initial May figures came out on June 6 when it was initially reported that the economy added 139,000 jobs.“GREAT JOB NUMBERS, STOCK MARKET UP BIG!” Trump posted at the time.That estimate was later revised down to 125,000 jobs, prior to the most-recent revision down to just 19,000.During the 2016 campaign, Trump was more critical: He often attacked the jobs figures as they showed the unemployment rate steadily declining while Obama was still president, only to immediately switch to praising the data once he was in office as steady job gains continued.The monthly employment report is one of the most closely-watched pieces of government economic data and can cause sharp swings in financial markets. The disappointing figure sent U.S. market indexes about 1.5% lower Friday.The revisions to the May and June numbers were quite large and surprising to many economists. At the same time, every monthly jobs report includes revisions to the prior two months' figures. Those revisions occur as the government receives more responses from businesses to its survey, which help provide a more complete picture of employment trends each month.In the past decade, companies have taken longer to respond, which may have contributed to larger monthly revisions.The proportion of companies responding to the surveys has also fallen steadily over the past 10 years, but the survey still gets responses from roughly 200,000 business locations, which can be independent companies or franchises of larger chains.The monthly jobs report has long been closely guarded within the BLS, with early copies held in safes under lock and key to prevent any leaks or early dissemination.