By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The word armor might evoke a picture of a knight clad in metal, but creatures from the tiniest insects to ancient fish, giant alligators and dinosaurs have been using armor as protection for millions of years.

The Sternberg Museum of Natural History opened a new exhibit, "Animal Armor," by Gaston Designs of Grand Junction, Colorado, this week.

"Instead of focusing on one animal group, we are taking an idea, armor, and having a chance to look at how that's used across all animal groups,"&nbsp; Reese Barrick, museum director, said. ... "It gives you a diversity of things to look at."

He said visitors also have the chance to see how armor has evolved across Earth's history.

As you enter the museum, a couple of the more stunning armored creatures greet you. One is a prehistoric crocodile-like creature, Sarcosuchus, that lived in North Africa, and the other is a prehistoric alligator-like creature, Deinosuchus, found in North America.

Deinosuchus lived between&nbsp;83.5 million and 70.6 million years ago. The animals could grow up to 11,000 pounds and reach lengths of 45 feet. Their teeth could grow as large as six inches.

"It's interesting to see that even the big carnivores have lots of armor," Barrick said. "There are always big crocodiles that will eat smaller ones. Everyone needs animal armor, even if you are a super predator."

Both creatures, like modern-day alligators and crocodiles, possess dermal armor, characterized by bony plates embedded in their skin.

Sarcosuchus, with its narrower snout, was probably  a fish-eater, Barrick said. However,&nbsp;Deinosuchus, which had a more rounded snout, probably could snatch dinosaurs off banks, he said.

A Jurassic crocodilian is also featured, which predated the&nbsp;Sarcosuchus and&nbsp;Deinosuchus, but was much smaller and also had armor on its belly.

Once you crest the stairs in the exhibit hall, you go forward in time to modern-day insects and sea creatures.

You can see an array of beetles, along with snails (gastropods) and crabs (arthropods), including the shell of a giant clam, which still lives in our oceans today.

The Eurypterids,&nbsp;ancient arthropods  also commonly referred to as sea scorpions, were heavily armored. Most examples average only about 5 to 9 inches in length, but some Eurypterids could grow as large as 8 feet long.

They had to be considering what they swam with and ate in the shallow seas about 420 million years ago.&nbsp;

The fish in those seas also had armor, multiple examples of which can be seen in the exhibit at the Sternberg. These armored fish lived until about 320 million years ago, when fish closer to our modern fish began to appear, Barrick said.

"Something is always trying to eat you, so armor has always been a mainstay of protection," Barrick said.

Akainacephalus is one of the armored dinosaurs that had a clubbed tail.

These creatures ate plants, but had large spikes on their backs and used their clubbed tail in defense.&nbsp;

"If you are big and you can't hide, and you're slow and you can't run, you develop armor as a way to protect yourself," Barrick said. ... "These particular guys aren't very smart, either. They have very small brains. If you're big, slow and stupid, it's good to have armor."

During the Ice Age, you would have seen creatures that more closely resembled modern animals, but much larger.&nbsp;

The exhibit has an example of a&nbsp;Glyptodon. It looks like a giant armadillo and would have been found in South America between 12,000 and 100,000 years ago.

The exhibit concludes with examples of modern mammals that use armor, including&nbsp;armadillos, hedgehogs, porcupines and the endangered pangolins of Africa.

Not to be excluded are humans. Although humans have used metal for centuries in armor, the exhibit also features a replica of a suit of armor crafted from crocodilian skin, as well as replicas of helmets adorned with antlers and crab pincers.

"What I think is interesting is that you think of armored animals, you might think of armored dinosaurs or armadillos," Barrick said, "but what I want people to know is that armor has been important throughout the whole evolutionary history of the planet, from fish to snails to all sorts of invertebrates to insects.&nbsp;

"Insects have some of the most dynamic armor on the planet. Every key animal group you can think of has developed armor because it is one of the key things to avoid being eaten," he said. "If you want to survive to reproduce, you have to survive and not be eaten by something else. There's always something that's trying to eat you."

Animals have utilized armor in various ways.

"But there's always the battle between how do you eat something and how do you keep from being eaten," Barrick said. "If you have armor, you're trying to keep from being eaten, but someone is trying to defeat that armor to survive also."

The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 15. Admission to the exhibit is available with museum general admission or free to members.

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays&nbsp; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays&nbsp;through the summer.&nbsp;

Admission Adults (age 13-59) $10 Youths (age 4-12) $7&nbsp; Senior citizens (60+) $9 FHSU students (w/valid ID) $6

You can learn more about the museum or get help planning your trip at the <a href="https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/">museum's website</a> or by following the museum on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sternberg.museum/">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748535574830.jpeg" alt="A cast of a&nbsp;Deinosuchus, which lived&nbsp;83.5 million years ago in the United States and was similar to modern alligators. They could grow as long as 45 feet. The Deinosuchus is part of a current exhibit at the Sternberg Museum,&nbsp;"Animal Armor." Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A cast of a&nbsp;Deinosuchus, which lived&nbsp;83.5 million years ago in the United States and was similar to modern alligators. They could grow as long as 45 feet. The Deinosuchus is part of a current exhibit at the Sternberg Museum,&nbsp;"Animal Armor." Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe word armor might evoke a picture of a knight clad in metal, but creatures from the tiniest insects to ancient fish, giant alligators and dinosaurs have been using armor as protection for millions of years.The Sternberg Museum of Natural History opened a new exhibit, "Animal Armor," by Gaston Designs of Grand Junction, Colorado, this week."Instead of focusing on one animal group, we are taking an idea, armor, and having a chance to look at how that's used across all animal groups,"&nbsp; Reese Barrick, museum director, said. ... "It gives you a diversity of things to look at."He said visitors also have the chance to see how armor has evolved across Earth's history.As you enter the museum, a couple of the more stunning armored creatures greet you. One is a prehistoric crocodile-like creature, Sarcosuchus, that lived in North Africa, and the other is a prehistoric alligator-like creature, Deinosuchus, found in North America.Deinosuchus lived between&nbsp;83.5 million and 70.6 million years ago. The animals could grow up to 11,000 pounds and reach lengths of 45 feet. Their teeth could grow as large as six inches."It's interesting to see that even the big carnivores have lots of armor," Barrick said. "There are always big crocodiles that will eat smaller ones. Everyone needs animal armor, even if you are a super predator."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748536251816.jpeg" alt="A cast and depiction of&nbsp;Sarcosuchus. Crocodilians have armor plates in their skin on their backs, as can be seen on these prehistoric giants from North Africa. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A cast and depiction of&nbsp;Sarcosuchus. Crocodilians have armor plates in their skin on their backs, as can be seen on these prehistoric giants from North Africa. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Both creatures, like modern-day alligators and crocodiles, possess dermal armor, characterized by bony plates embedded in their skin.Sarcosuchus, with its narrower snout, was probably a fish-eater, Barrick said. However,&nbsp;Deinosuchus, which had a more rounded snout, probably could snatch dinosaurs off banks, he said.A Jurassic crocodilian is also featured, which predated the&nbsp;Sarcosuchus and&nbsp;Deinosuchus, but was much smaller and also had armor on its belly.Once you crest the stairs in the exhibit hall, you go forward in time to modern-day insects and sea creatures.You can see an array of beetles, along with snails (gastropods) and crabs (arthropods), including the shell of a giant clam, which still lives in our oceans today.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748536610811.jpeg" alt="A model of an&nbsp;Eurypterid, commonly called a sea scorpion.&nbsp;Eurypterids patrolled the seas about 420 million years ago. It fed on armored fish and sported its own armor. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A model of an&nbsp;Eurypterid, commonly called a sea scorpion.&nbsp;Eurypterids patrolled the seas about 420 million years ago. It fed on armored fish and sported its own armor. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748536918887.jpeg" alt="A cast of a Dunkleosteus, which lived about 382 to 358 million years ago. These fish, which were armored with sharp tooth plates, were believed to have the most powerful bite of any known fish. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A cast of a Dunkleosteus, which lived about 382 to 358 million years ago. These fish, which were armored with sharp tooth plates, were believed to have the most powerful bite of any known fish. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The Eurypterids,&nbsp;ancient arthropods also commonly referred to as sea scorpions, were heavily armored. Most examples average only about 5 to 9 inches in length, but some Eurypterids could grow as large as 8 feet long.They had to be considering what they swam with and ate in the shallow seas about 420 million years ago.&nbsp;The fish in those seas also had armor, multiple examples of which can be seen in the exhibit at the Sternberg. These armored fish lived until about 320 million years ago, when fish closer to our modern fish began to appear, Barrick said."Something is always trying to eat you, so armor has always been a mainstay of protection," Barrick said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748537309852.jpeg" alt="Akainacephalus was a 2-ton armored dinosaur that lived about 75 million years ago. This specimen was found in southern Utah. Not only did this creature have armor, but it also had a clubbed tail that it could use to fight off tyrannosaurids. Those stubby legs gave it a low center of gravity, making it difficult for predators to flip over. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Akainacephalus was a 2-ton armored dinosaur that lived about 75 million years ago. This specimen was found in southern Utah. Not only did this creature have armor, but it also had a clubbed tail that it could use to fight off tyrannosaurids. Those stubby legs gave it a low center of gravity, making it difficult for predators to flip over. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748538811440.jpeg" alt="Another example of a clubbed tail. This example comes from a Doedicurus, which lived about 150,000 to 12,000 years ago. This specimen was found in South America. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Another example of a clubbed tail. This example comes from a Doedicurus, which lived about 150,000 to 12,000 years ago. This specimen was found in South America. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Akainacephalus is one of the armored dinosaurs that had a clubbed tail.These creatures ate plants, but had large spikes on their backs and used their clubbed tail in defense.&nbsp;"If you are big and you can't hide, and you're slow and you can't run, you develop armor as a way to protect yourself," Barrick said. ... "These particular guys aren't very smart, either. They have very small brains. If you're big, slow and stupid, it's good to have armor."During the Ice Age, you would have seen creatures that more closely resembled modern animals, but much larger.&nbsp;The exhibit has an example of a&nbsp;Glyptodon. It looks like a giant armadillo and would have been found in South America between 12,000 and 100,000 years ago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748538412434.jpeg" alt="Glyptodonts weighed over a ton and were protected from Ice Age predators by massive shells. Above is a cast of a saber-toothed cat. The Glyptodonts, which were similar to modern armadillos, developed robust limbs and pelvises to support the extra weight. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Glyptodonts weighed over a ton and were protected from Ice Age predators by massive shells. Above is a cast of a saber-toothed cat. The Glyptodonts, which were similar to modern armadillos, developed robust limbs and pelvises to support the extra weight. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The exhibit concludes with examples of modern mammals that use armor, including&nbsp;armadillos, hedgehogs, porcupines and the endangered pangolins of Africa.Not to be excluded are humans. Although humans have used metal for centuries in armor, the exhibit also features a replica of a suit of armor crafted from crocodilian skin, as well as replicas of helmets adorned with antlers and crab pincers."What I think is interesting is that you think of armored animals, you might think of armored dinosaurs or armadillos," Barrick said, "but what I want people to know is that armor has been important throughout the whole evolutionary history of the planet, from fish to snails to all sorts of invertebrates to insects.&nbsp;"Insects have some of the most dynamic armor on the planet. Every key animal group you can think of has developed armor because it is one of the key things to avoid being eaten," he said. "If you want to survive to reproduce, you have to survive and not be eaten by something else. There's always something that's trying to eat you."Animals have utilized armor in various ways."But there's always the battle between how do you eat something and how do you keep from being eaten," Barrick said. "If you have armor, you're trying to keep from being eaten, but someone is trying to defeat that armor to survive also."The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 15. Admission to the exhibit is available with museum general admission or free to members.The museum is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays&nbsp; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays&nbsp;through the summer.&nbsp;Admission Adults (age 13-59) $10 Youths (age 4-12) $7&nbsp; Senior citizens (60+) $9 FHSU students (w/valid ID) $6 You can learn more about the museum or get help planning your trip at the <a href="https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/">museum's website</a> or by following the museum on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sternberg.museum/">Facebook</a>.

From titans to tiny, Sternberg Museum welcomes 'Armored Animals' exhibit

By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight Kansas

Are Republicans the new infrequent voters?&nbsp; In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://catalist.us/whathappened2024/">new Catalist study,</a>&nbsp;researchers say yes. Big shifts may be coming in both political campaigning, and election laws.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Unlike&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mpsanet.org/election-2024-political-science-first-takes/">mis-reported “horse race” polls</a>&nbsp;during election season, the Catalist study is public opinion polling done right. Catalist collects comprehensive data from a sample featuring a broad cross-section of Americans.&nbsp; This includes panel data, in which the same people are repeatedly interviewed over time to see how their opinions change. Political campaigns and academics both consider the for-profit firm to be a gold standard for well-collected data.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Catalist study found that in 2024, Democratic support increased markedly among frequent voters, that is, voters who regularly participate in elections. Support for Trump surged among infrequent voters, including a growing coalition–particularly of men–that was far more diverse than Trump’s traditional base of older, white voters.

Frequent voters could also be called “self sufficient” voters. They do not need much help from campaigns or get out the vote (GOTV) drives, and are less likely to be influenced by either.&nbsp; Frequent voters are more likely to make up their minds on their own, without reference to advertising or candidate appearances and well in advance of the election. They are more likely to be abreast of any changes in election laws, to keep their voter registrations up to date, to go to the right polling place, and to have the right documentation (such as state-issued Photo ID), without needing prompts or reminders.

In recent decades, Democrats have invested heavily in GOTV efforts, otherwise known as the “ground game,” particularly in battleground states and districts.&nbsp; These target infrequent voters.&nbsp; In 2024, the Trump campaign countered with more investment of their own in GOTV, and it paid off handsomely.&nbsp; If the Democrats’ base is now made up mostly of self-sufficient, unpersuadable voters, both parties’ strategies will shift.&nbsp; Democrats will have to target infrequent voters more carefully, in order to avoid accidentally mobilizing more Republicans.

Meanwhile, Republicans will increase their investment in the ground game more generally. They face major challenges.&nbsp; This spring, I attended the post-election symposium at the Dole Institute of Politics at KU, where panelists speculated that some voters in battleground states such as Arizona and Wisconsin simply voted for Trump and then left the rest of their ballots blank, enabling Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate to win. This behavior is consistent with infrequent voting, and the election results from these states suggest that the Dole panelists were at least partially correct in both.

What about election laws? For decades, Republicans have backed new laws that may lower turnout among infrequent voters, including Photo ID and proof of citizenship laws, the latter enthusiastically championed by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. Since 2020, Republicans have added crackdowns on dropbox and mail in voting, such as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kwch.com/2025/03/25/kansas-lawmakers-end-three-day-grace-period-mail-in-ballots-override-governors-veto/">new Kansas law</a>&nbsp;eliminating the grace period for mail-in ballots.&nbsp; &nbsp;

What if the voters disenfranchised by these crackdowns are now mostly Republicans?&nbsp; Well before 2024, and despite Democrats’ objections, political science research has consistently shown that Photo ID laws have little impact on election results.&nbsp; Photo ID requirements may lower voter turnout by an average of about 2%, but those numbers include roughly equal numbers of Democratic and Republican voters. It is well-documented that these laws are unnecessary– there is no widespread election fraud.

With these recent changes, restrictive laws may hurt&nbsp;Republican&nbsp;vote share.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/28/voting-rights-advocates-pan-kansas-republicans-invite-only-stage-for-election-conspiracies/">Conspiracy theories notwithstanding</a>, GOP legislators may want to do some serious soul-searching before passing any more voting restrictions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745349371713.jpeg" alt="Michael A. Smith" />
 <figcaption>Michael A. Smith</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight KansasAre Republicans the new infrequent voters?&nbsp; In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://catalist.us/whathappened2024/">new Catalist study,</a>&nbsp;researchers say yes. Big shifts may be coming in both political campaigning, and election laws.&nbsp;&nbsp;Unlike&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mpsanet.org/election-2024-political-science-first-takes/">mis-reported “horse race” polls</a>&nbsp;during election season, the Catalist study is public opinion polling done right. Catalist collects comprehensive data from a sample featuring a broad cross-section of Americans.&nbsp; This includes panel data, in which the same people are repeatedly interviewed over time to see how their opinions change. Political campaigns and academics both consider the for-profit firm to be a gold standard for well-collected data.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Catalist study found that in 2024, Democratic support increased markedly among frequent voters, that is, voters who regularly participate in elections. Support for Trump surged among infrequent voters, including a growing coalition–particularly of men–that was far more diverse than Trump’s traditional base of older, white voters.Frequent voters could also be called “self sufficient” voters. They do not need much help from campaigns or get out the vote (GOTV) drives, and are less likely to be influenced by either.&nbsp; Frequent voters are more likely to make up their minds on their own, without reference to advertising or candidate appearances and well in advance of the election. They are more likely to be abreast of any changes in election laws, to keep their voter registrations up to date, to go to the right polling place, and to have the right documentation (such as state-issued Photo ID), without needing prompts or reminders.In recent decades, Democrats have invested heavily in GOTV efforts, otherwise known as the “ground game,” particularly in battleground states and districts.&nbsp; These target infrequent voters.&nbsp; In 2024, the Trump campaign countered with more investment of their own in GOTV, and it paid off handsomely.&nbsp; If the Democrats’ base is now made up mostly of self-sufficient, unpersuadable voters, both parties’ strategies will shift.&nbsp; Democrats will have to target infrequent voters more carefully, in order to avoid accidentally mobilizing more Republicans.Meanwhile, Republicans will increase their investment in the ground game more generally. They face major challenges.&nbsp; This spring, I attended the post-election symposium at the Dole Institute of Politics at KU, where panelists speculated that some voters in battleground states such as Arizona and Wisconsin simply voted for Trump and then left the rest of their ballots blank, enabling Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate to win. This behavior is consistent with infrequent voting, and the election results from these states suggest that the Dole panelists were at least partially correct in both.What about election laws? For decades, Republicans have backed new laws that may lower turnout among infrequent voters, including Photo ID and proof of citizenship laws, the latter enthusiastically championed by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. Since 2020, Republicans have added crackdowns on dropbox and mail in voting, such as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kwch.com/2025/03/25/kansas-lawmakers-end-three-day-grace-period-mail-in-ballots-override-governors-veto/">new Kansas law</a>&nbsp;eliminating the grace period for mail-in ballots.&nbsp; &nbsp;What if the voters disenfranchised by these crackdowns are now mostly Republicans?&nbsp; Well before 2024, and despite Democrats’ objections, political science research has consistently shown that Photo ID laws have little impact on election results.&nbsp; Photo ID requirements may lower voter turnout by an average of about 2%, but those numbers include roughly equal numbers of Democratic and Republican voters. It is well-documented that these laws are unnecessary– there is no widespread election fraud.With these recent changes, restrictive laws may hurt&nbsp;Republican&nbsp;vote share.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/28/voting-rights-advocates-pan-kansas-republicans-invite-only-stage-for-election-conspiracies/">Conspiracy theories notwithstanding</a>, GOP legislators may want to do some serious soul-searching before passing any more voting restrictions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Are Republicans suppressing their own voters?

WICHITA – The Ellis girls brought home eight individual medals, including
four first-place finishes.

Avery Boydston earned a pair of first-place finishes and a third-place
finish.

Boydston earned gold in the 1A 1600 meter and 3200 meter
runs. She also finished third in the 800 meter.

Natalee North also earned a pair of first-place finishes.

Isabella Eck finished fourth in the high jump.

You can find a complete list of the finals results for
both the girls and boys below.

Aron Bencze placed eight in both the boys discus and shot
put.

Hays Post SportsWICHITA – The Ellis girls brought home eight individual medals, including
four first-place finishes.Avery Boydston earned a pair of first-place finishes and a third-place
finish.Boydston earned gold in the 1A 1600 meter and 3200 meter
runs. She also finished third in the 800 meter.Natalee North also earned a pair of first-place finishes.She won both the discus and shot put.Isabella Eck finished fourth in the high jump.You can find a complete list of the finals results for
both the girls and boys below.Aron Bencze placed eight in both the boys discus and shot
put.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748844029128.png" alt="Ellis finals results" />
 <figcaption>Ellis finals results</figcaption>
 </figure>

👟 Ellis girls win 1A state track and field team title

WICHITA – TMP’s Paige Schlyer earned gold in the 2A girls discus this past
weekend with a throw of 129 feet and 10 inches, or her final attempt, helping the
Monarchs to an eighth-place finish at the KSHSAA Track and Field Championship
in Wichita. 

Schlyer also earned a third-place finish in the 2A shot put.

In all, the Lady Monarchs earned six top-eight finishes.

Piper Simpson earned a second-place finish in the pole
vault. She matched the school record, clearing 10 feet six inches. That marked
tied the best in 2A, but the first-place finisher cleared that height on her
first attempt, giving her the first-place finish.

For the TMP boys, Jackson Gillespie was the only Monarchs to
earn a top-eight finish.

He finished eighth in the 2A boys 100 meter dash.

Hays Post SportsWICHITA – TMP’s Paige Schlyer earned gold in the 2A girls discus this past
weekend with a throw of 129 feet and 10 inches, or her final attempt, helping the
Monarchs to an eighth-place finish at the KSHSAA Track and Field Championship
in Wichita. Schlyer also earned a third-place finish in the 2A shot put.In all, the Lady Monarchs earned six top-eight finishes.Piper Simpson earned a second-place finish in the pole
vault. She matched the school record, clearing 10 feet six inches. That marked
tied the best in 2A, but the first-place finisher cleared that height on her
first attempt, giving her the first-place finish.You can find a complete list of the finals results for
both the girls and boys below.For the TMP boys, Jackson Gillespie was the only Monarchs to
earn a top-eight finish.He finished eighth in the 2A boys 100 meter dash.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748841041170.png" alt="TMP finals results" />
 <figcaption>TMP finals results</figcaption>
 </figure>

👟 TMP’s Schlyer wins discus title; TMP girls finish 8th at state track and field championship

WICHITA – The Hays High girls had 11 medal winners and the
boys seven this weekend at the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships in
Wichita.

The Lady Indians accumulated 42.67 team points and finished
in fourth place.

Rylen Harrington earned a runner-up finish in the 5A girls
javelin and was the highest finisher for the Indians.

The girls 4x100 meter relay team brought home a third-place
finish. The team was made up of; Moriah Hallam, Lyndi Zimmerman, Lynsi Kanak
and Kamryn McCall.

Zimmerman earned two more medals, finishing third in the 100
meter hurdles and fourth in the 100 meter dash.

McCall earned three more top-eight finishes. She was fourth
in the long jump, sixth in the 200 meter dash and seventh in the 100 meter
dash. 

Kanak also finished third in the long jump.

You can find a complete list of the finals results for both
the girls and boys below.

Dalton Myers was the highest finisher for the Hays High boys.
He finished fourth in the javelin. 

Parker McGuire was fifth in the discus and the boys 4x400
relay team finished fifth. 

The 4x400 meter relay team was made up of; Bryce Steffa, Chase
Zadina, Taevian Maupin-Dabney and Kamani Jones.

Hays Post SportsWICHITA – The Hays High girls had 11 medal winners and the
boys seven this weekend at the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships in
Wichita.The Lady Indians accumulated 42.67 team points and finished
in fourth place.Rylen Harrington earned a runner-up finish in the 5A girls
javelin and was the highest finisher for the Indians.The girls 4x100 meter relay team brought home a third-place
finish. The team was made up of; Moriah Hallam, Lyndi Zimmerman, Lynsi Kanak
and Kamryn McCall.Zimmerman earned two more medals, finishing third in the 100
meter hurdles and fourth in the 100 meter dash.McCall earned three more top-eight finishes. She was fourth
in the long jump, sixth in the 200 meter dash and seventh in the 100 meter
dash. Kanak also finished third in the long jump.You can find a complete list of the finals results for both
the girls and boys below.Dalton Myers was the highest finisher for the Hays High boys.
He finished fourth in the javelin. Parker McGuire was fifth in the discus and the boys 4x400
relay team finished fifth. The 4x400 meter relay team was made up of; Bryce Steffa, Chase
Zadina, Taevian Maupin-Dabney and Kamani Jones.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748839689755.png" alt="HHS girls finals results" />
 <figcaption>HHS girls finals results</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748839736103.png" alt="HHS boys finals results" />
 <figcaption>HHS boys finals results</figcaption>
 </figure>

👟 Hays High girls 4th; Boys 13th at state track and field championship

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/former-connecticut-governor-john-rowland-pardoned-trump-3f64b89567cb5f688808eb1b1ddd581f">A governor who resigned amid a corruption scandal</a>&nbsp;and served two stints in federal prison. A New York Republican who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-michael-grimm-new-york-fraud-30dd91417b29015aa0f78503efefc81d">resigned from Congress after a tax fraud conviction</a>&nbsp;and who made headlines for threatening to throw a reporter off a Capitol balcony over a question he didn't like.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/television-personalities-sentenced-years-federal-prison-fraud-and-tax-evasion">Reality TV stars convicted of cheating banks</a>&nbsp;and evading taxes.

All were unlikely beneficiaries this week of pardons, with President Donald Trump flexing his executive power to bestow clemency on political allies, prominent public figures and others convicted of defrauding the public. The moves not only take aim at criminal cases once touted as just by the Justice Department but also come amid a continuing Trump administration erosion of public integrity guardrails, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-mel-gibson-congress-667a79b368b215bb0cd7b0333f372fc7">firing of the department's pardon attorney</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-public-corruption-unit-cuts-4123347b1ffe4a0f3c681e49a15ab4ca">near-dismantling of a prosecution unit</a>&nbsp;established to hold public officials accountable for abusing the public trust.

"He is using pardons to essentially override the verdicts of juries, to set aside the sentences that have been imposed by judges and to accomplish political objectives,” said Liz Oyer, who was fired in March as the pardon attorney after she says she refused to endorse a recommendation to restore the gun rights of actor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-mel-gibson-congress-667a79b368b215bb0cd7b0333f372fc7">Mel Gibson</a>, a Trump supporter. “That is very damaging and destructive to our system of justice.”

To be sure, other presidents have courted controversy with their clemency decisions.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/today-in-history/september-8">President Gerald Ford famously pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon,</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-43a8f6e91f4f4783b6836c98dbf6f87d">Bill Clinton pardoned fugitive financier Marc Rich just hours before the Democratic president left office</a>. More recently,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-son-hunter-charges-pardon-pledge-24f3007c2d2f467fa48e21bbc7262525">President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter,</a>&nbsp;sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.

But the pardons announced Wednesday are part of a pattern of clemency grants that began in Trump's first term and has continued in the current one in which bold-face names, prominent supporters and defendants whose causes are championed by friends time and again have an edge on ordinary citizens who lack connections to the White House.

In 2020, for instance,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-campaigns-baghdad-a6741e5cf9032ce004c8f6751b3cc968">he pardoned allies convicted in the Russia election interference investigation</a>&nbsp;that shadowed his first term as well as his son-in-law's father,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charles-kushner-france-ambassador-trump-pardon-3a65cfec3b2393d6d9eafec7333b2625">Charles Kushner, who was later named ambassador to France</a>.

On his first day back in office,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-jan-6-pardons-trump-justice-department-8ce8b2a8f8cb602d5eaf85ac7b969606">he pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or vowed to dismiss the cases</a>&nbsp;of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/january-6-cases/">in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot</a>, using his clemency powers to undo the massive prosecution of the unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy.

Twice indicted by the Justice Department, and entangled in criminal investigations in the White House and in his post-presidency life, Trump has long conveyed public suspicion about prosecutorial power and found common cause with politicians — including on the other side of the aisle — he sees as having been mistreated like he believes he was.

In February, for instance, the Republican president pardoned former Democratic Illinois Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardons-rod-blagojevich-ea52b9bd10ee8120934c434e5c75e406">Rod Blagojevich</a>&nbsp;after having earlier commuted his 14-year sentence on political corruption charges. Blagojevich, he said, “was set up by a lot of bad people, some of the same people I had to deal with.”

The most recent pardon beneficiaries include former GOP New York Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-michael-grimm-new-york-fraud-30dd91417b29015aa0f78503efefc81d">Michael Grimm</a>, who pleaded guilty in 2014 to underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran in Manhattan. The former Marine and FBI agent resigned from Congress the following year and served eight months in prison. Grimm tried to reenter politics in 2018 but lost a primary for his old district.

Others include former Republican Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, whose once-promising political career was cut short by an investigation into gifts and favors from state contractors. Rowland was convicted and imprisoned a second time for conspiring to hide his work on political campaigns and was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-e159cc86fc7a42e592b8e5817cc49e78">sentenced to 30 months</a>&nbsp;in federal prison.

The White House also announced pardons for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-youngboy-pardon-trump-weapons-charges-4e0129e9587c61a317acb4153b2e6f9c">rap artist NBA YoungBoy on gun-related charges</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/julie-todd-chrisley-fraud-tax-evasion-sentence-ea5d65c638f06cce3bd82fcfc2c5647c">TV stars</a>&nbsp;Todd and Julie Chrisley, famous for “Chrisley Knows Best,” a reality show that followed their family and extravagant lifestyle that prosecutors said was boosted by bank fraud and hiding earnings from tax authorities. The couple was convicted in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks out of more than $30 million in loans by submitting false documents.

The latest pardons unfold as Trump has departed from the norms and protocols of the clemency process and as the Justice Department has signaled a tweaked approach to public corruption and white-collar fraud.

The department, for instance, has long had a pardon attorney tasked with sifting through applications from defendants and recommending clemency to the White House for those seen as having served their debt to society and accepted responsibility for their crimes, including drug offenders serving long sentences and not generally known to the public or connected to the powerful.

In place of Oyer, the fired pardon attorney,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-pardons-ed-martin-de43fc3e38ac1e21461c0f30d93b4186">the administration installed Ed Martin</a>, a Trump loyalist who briefly served as interim U.S. attorney in Washington. He has already pledged to scrutinize pardons that Biden issued on his way out of the White House and has said he&nbsp;<a href="https://at%20two%20men%20who%20are%20serving%20long%20prison%20terms%20for%20leading%20a%20conspiracy%20to%20kidnap%20michigan%20gov.%20gretchen%20whitmer./">would take a “hard look" at two men</a>&nbsp;who are serving long prison terms for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gretchen-whitmer-politics-michigan-legal-proceedings-067bdf0f233865a9070918f98b6d4c3a">leading a conspiracy</a>&nbsp;to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Meanwhile, the department's vaunted public integrity section, created in the post-Watergate era to investigate and prosecute public officials for abusing their powers, has been dramatically slashed, whittled down to just a handful of lawyers.

The section endured an exodus of prosecutors after Justice Department leaders demanded the dismissal of a corruption case against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-attorney-adams-trump-6627665d0dd41e766d6e94598fba11ff">New York Mayor Eric Adams</a>&nbsp;so he could assist in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

The pardons, said Princeton University presidential historian Julian Zelizer, fit “within the fold of his presidency, where he uses a lot of his power either for retribution or reward rather than for just kind of pure policy-making. We have to understand the pardons in that framework.”

Louisiana rap artist NBA YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden and whose stage moniker stands for “Never Broke Again,” also received a Trump pardon.

In 2024, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentrell-gaulden-nba-youngboy-sentence-09ab0405e071156c64063eb464b3c313">was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to just under two years in prison on gun-related charges after he acknowledged having possessed weapons despite being a convicted felon. Gaulden also pleaded guilty to his role in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/rapper-nba-youngboy-booked-into-cache-county-jail-for-pattern-of-unlawful-activity/" target="_blank">a prescription drug fraud ring</a>&nbsp;in Utah.

Gaulden’s and the other pardons were confirmed Wednesday evening by two White House officials who spoke only on condition of anonymity to detail actions that had not yet been made public.

In a statement posted online, Gaulden said, “I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist.”

He said this “opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this,” and thanked Johnson.

Trump has spent the week issuing high-profile pardons. Video released by a White House aide showed Johnson in the Oval Office on Tuesday, as Trump called the daughter of Todd and Julie Chrisley of the reality show “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/julie-todd-chrisley-fraud-tax-evasion-appeal-983ca240f0a631e075ef5dd911ebfe26">Chrisley Knows Best</a>&nbsp;" to say he was pardoning them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669079805529.png" alt="Todd Chrisley, left, and his wife, Julie Chrisley, pose for photos at the 52nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 2, 2017, i(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)" />
 <figcaption>Todd Chrisley, left, and his wife, Julie Chrisley, pose for photos at the 52nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 2, 2017, i(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/former-connecticut-governor-john-rowland-pardoned-trump-3f64b89567cb5f688808eb1b1ddd581f">A governor who resigned amid a corruption scandal</a>&nbsp;and served two stints in federal prison. A New York Republican who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-michael-grimm-new-york-fraud-30dd91417b29015aa0f78503efefc81d">resigned from Congress after a tax fraud conviction</a>&nbsp;and who made headlines for threatening to throw a reporter off a Capitol balcony over a question he didn't like.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/television-personalities-sentenced-years-federal-prison-fraud-and-tax-evasion">Reality TV stars convicted of cheating banks</a>&nbsp;and evading taxes.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">No MAGA left behind.&mdash; Ed Martin (@EagleEdMartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/EagleEdMartin/status/1927092000848855360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>All were unlikely beneficiaries this week of pardons, with President Donald Trump flexing his executive power to bestow clemency on political allies, prominent public figures and others convicted of defrauding the public. The moves not only take aim at criminal cases once touted as just by the Justice Department but also come amid a continuing Trump administration erosion of public integrity guardrails, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-mel-gibson-congress-667a79b368b215bb0cd7b0333f372fc7">firing of the department's pardon attorney</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-public-corruption-unit-cuts-4123347b1ffe4a0f3c681e49a15ab4ca">near-dismantling of a prosecution unit</a>&nbsp;established to hold public officials accountable for abusing the public trust."He is using pardons to essentially override the verdicts of juries, to set aside the sentences that have been imposed by judges and to accomplish political objectives,” said Liz Oyer, who was fired in March as the pardon attorney after she says she refused to endorse a recommendation to restore the gun rights of actor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-mel-gibson-congress-667a79b368b215bb0cd7b0333f372fc7">Mel Gibson</a>, a Trump supporter. “That is very damaging and destructive to our system of justice.”To be sure, other presidents have courted controversy with their clemency decisions.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/today-in-history/september-8">President Gerald Ford famously pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon,</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-43a8f6e91f4f4783b6836c98dbf6f87d">Bill Clinton pardoned fugitive financier Marc Rich just hours before the Democratic president left office</a>. More recently,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-son-hunter-charges-pardon-pledge-24f3007c2d2f467fa48e21bbc7262525">President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter,</a>&nbsp;sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.But the pardons announced Wednesday are part of a pattern of clemency grants that began in Trump's first term and has continued in the current one in which bold-face names, prominent supporters and defendants whose causes are championed by friends time and again have an edge on ordinary citizens who lack connections to the White House.In 2020, for instance,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-campaigns-baghdad-a6741e5cf9032ce004c8f6751b3cc968">he pardoned allies convicted in the Russia election interference investigation</a>&nbsp;that shadowed his first term as well as his son-in-law's father,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charles-kushner-france-ambassador-trump-pardon-3a65cfec3b2393d6d9eafec7333b2625">Charles Kushner, who was later named ambassador to France</a>.On his first day back in office,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-jan-6-pardons-trump-justice-department-8ce8b2a8f8cb602d5eaf85ac7b969606">he pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or vowed to dismiss the cases</a>&nbsp;of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/january-6-cases/">in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot</a>, using his clemency powers to undo the massive prosecution of the unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy.Twice indicted by the Justice Department, and entangled in criminal investigations in the White House and in his post-presidency life, Trump has long conveyed public suspicion about prosecutorial power and found common cause with politicians — including on the other side of the aisle — he sees as having been mistreated like he believes he was.In February, for instance, the Republican president pardoned former Democratic Illinois Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardons-rod-blagojevich-ea52b9bd10ee8120934c434e5c75e406">Rod Blagojevich</a>&nbsp;after having earlier commuted his 14-year sentence on political corruption charges. Blagojevich, he said, “was set up by a lot of bad people, some of the same people I had to deal with.”The most recent pardon beneficiaries include former GOP New York Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-michael-grimm-new-york-fraud-30dd91417b29015aa0f78503efefc81d">Michael Grimm</a>, who pleaded guilty in 2014 to underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran in Manhattan. The former Marine and FBI agent resigned from Congress the following year and served eight months in prison. Grimm tried to reenter politics in 2018 but lost a primary for his old district.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">BREAKING! President Trump calls <a href="https://twitter.com/_ItsSavannah_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_ItsSavannah_</a> to inform her that he will be granting full pardons to her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley! Trump Knows Best! <a href="https://t.co/j5WPMOOQ7L">pic.twitter.com/j5WPMOOQ7L</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1927470034688839944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Others include former Republican Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, whose once-promising political career was cut short by an investigation into gifts and favors from state contractors. Rowland was convicted and imprisoned a second time for conspiring to hide his work on political campaigns and was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-e159cc86fc7a42e592b8e5817cc49e78">sentenced to 30 months</a>&nbsp;in federal prison.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748524734972.png" alt="NBA Youngboy" />
 <figcaption>NBA Youngboy</figcaption>
 </figure>The White House also announced pardons for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-youngboy-pardon-trump-weapons-charges-4e0129e9587c61a317acb4153b2e6f9c">rap artist NBA YoungBoy on gun-related charges</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/julie-todd-chrisley-fraud-tax-evasion-sentence-ea5d65c638f06cce3bd82fcfc2c5647c">TV stars</a>&nbsp;Todd and Julie Chrisley, famous for “Chrisley Knows Best,” a reality show that followed their family and extravagant lifestyle that prosecutors said was boosted by bank fraud and hiding earnings from tax authorities. The couple was convicted in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks out of more than $30 million in loans by submitting false documents.The latest pardons unfold as Trump has departed from the norms and protocols of the clemency process and as the Justice Department has signaled a tweaked approach to public corruption and white-collar fraud.The department, for instance, has long had a pardon attorney tasked with sifting through applications from defendants and recommending clemency to the White House for those seen as having served their debt to society and accepted responsibility for their crimes, including drug offenders serving long sentences and not generally known to the public or connected to the powerful.In place of Oyer, the fired pardon attorney,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-pardons-ed-martin-de43fc3e38ac1e21461c0f30d93b4186">the administration installed Ed Martin</a>, a Trump loyalist who briefly served as interim U.S. attorney in Washington. He has already pledged to scrutinize pardons that Biden issued on his way out of the White House and has said he&nbsp;<a href="https://at%20two%20men%20who%20are%20serving%20long%20prison%20terms%20for%20leading%20a%20conspiracy%20to%20kidnap%20michigan%20gov.%20gretchen%20whitmer./">would take a “hard look" at two men</a>&nbsp;who are serving long prison terms for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gretchen-whitmer-politics-michigan-legal-proceedings-067bdf0f233865a9070918f98b6d4c3a">leading a conspiracy</a>&nbsp;to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.Meanwhile, the department's vaunted public integrity section, created in the post-Watergate era to investigate and prosecute public officials for abusing their powers, has been dramatically slashed, whittled down to just a handful of lawyers.The section endured an exodus of prosecutors after Justice Department leaders demanded the dismissal of a corruption case against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-attorney-adams-trump-6627665d0dd41e766d6e94598fba11ff">New York Mayor Eric Adams</a>&nbsp;so he could assist in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.The pardons, said Princeton University presidential historian Julian Zelizer, fit “within the fold of his presidency, where he uses a lot of his power either for retribution or reward rather than for just kind of pure policy-making. We have to understand the pardons in that framework.”Louisiana rap artist NBA YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden and whose stage moniker stands for “Never Broke Again,” also received a Trump pardon.In 2024, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentrell-gaulden-nba-youngboy-sentence-09ab0405e071156c64063eb464b3c313">was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to just under two years in prison on gun-related charges after he acknowledged having possessed weapons despite being a convicted felon. Gaulden also pleaded guilty to his role in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/rapper-nba-youngboy-booked-into-cache-county-jail-for-pattern-of-unlawful-activity/" target="_blank">a prescription drug fraud ring</a>&nbsp;in Utah.Gaulden’s and the other pardons were confirmed Wednesday evening by two White House officials who spoke only on condition of anonymity to detail actions that had not yet been made public.In a statement posted online, Gaulden said, “I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist.”He said this “opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this,” and thanked Johnson.Trump has spent the week issuing high-profile pardons. Video released by a White House aide showed Johnson in the Oval Office on Tuesday, as Trump called the daughter of Todd and Julie Chrisley of the reality show “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/julie-todd-chrisley-fraud-tax-evasion-appeal-983ca240f0a631e075ef5dd911ebfe26">Chrisley Knows Best</a>&nbsp;" to say he was pardoning them.

Who else did President Trump pardon this week?

The <a href="https://www.echshays.org/">Ellis County Historical Society</a> received a $35,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce on Thursday for the renovation of a portion of St. John's Place in Victoria.

The historical society is renovating space in the former nursing home as a satellite campus.

Amanda Rupp, historical society executive director, said the second floor of the society's space is complete and is already being used to store collection items. More items from the collection will be moved to that space this summer.

The lower floor has been gutted, the roof repaired and gas lines installed. Asbestos has also been removed from the building.

The society plans to use the grant funds to install a new HVAC system, install new floor coverings and restrooms. Rupp said she hopes the society can have at least this much of the renovations complete by next summer, when Ellis County will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Volga Germans first settling in the area.

One of the rooms in the Victoria location will be dedicated to the Volga German settlement of Ellis County. 

Rupp, a descendant of those Volga Germans, said, "I look forward to telling that story to people who don't know and to people walking into the front entrance and realizing that America was this great place to come to."

Plaques commemorating the first settlers of Ellis County are being reserved by donation, with the proceeds supporting the renovations at the St. John's location.

Eleven large plaques, which will be installed in the new space, have already been sold. Twenty smaller plaques are in the works, some of which are still available for a donation of $5,000 each. If you are interested in reserving a plaque for your family, contact Cynthia Stone at 785-893-1431.

Each plaque will list the first generation of settlers in Ellis County, along with family history submitted by the families. The society has the last say on the content of the plaques to reduce replication, Rupp said.

The satellite location will also include: • Children's discovery center • Space for traveling exhibits • Gift shop featuring Kansas-made products &nbsp;• Room dedicated to the county's military history, including Walker Army Airfield • Room dedicated to the oil and agriculture industries in Ellis County. This will include a section dedicated to the introduction of Angus cattle in the U.S. by Ellis County settler George Grant in 1873. The Grant homestead, which is in Ellis County, is a&nbsp;National Historic Site.

Rupp said a garden outside of the building will highlight life in the Volga region of Russia. Then, when visitors enter the building, they will learn about the Volga Germans' life and settlement in America.

The Volga German exhibit will highlight the various cities in the area founded by Volga Germans, as well as the beautiful churches they built.

The society is also in talks with the county library board to establish a branch library at the location. Victoria does not have a public library at this time.

Timing for completion of the rest of the renovations depends on fundraising, Rupp said.

Rupp said the society is accepting donations and is applying for grants.

The Victoria Community Coalition owns the property. The Ellis County Historical Society pays no rent as long as it pays its utilities and maintains insurance and upkeep on its portion of the building.

You can also follow the society of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ECHSHays">Facebook</a>.

The coalition has just finished moderate-income apartments for seniors on the other side of the building. See more on that project in the Hays Post next week.&nbsp;

The coalition has plans to also renovate part of the former nursing home for use as a child care and a community center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748631263784.jpeg" alt="The Ellis County Historical Society received a grant Thursday from the Kansas Department of Commerce for work on its Victoria satellite campus. The group is standing in a room dedicated to the history of Ellis County's Volga German settlers. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Ellis County Historical Society received a grant Thursday from the Kansas Department of Commerce for work on its Victoria satellite campus. The group is standing in a room dedicated to the history of Ellis County's Volga German settlers. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe <a href="https://www.echshays.org/">Ellis County Historical Society</a> received a $35,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce on Thursday for the renovation of a portion of St. John's Place in Victoria.The historical society is renovating space in the former nursing home as a satellite campus.Amanda Rupp, historical society executive director, said the second floor of the society's space is complete and is already being used to store collection items. More items from the collection will be moved to that space this summer.The lower floor has been gutted, the roof repaired and gas lines installed. Asbestos has also been removed from the building.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748631065024.jpeg" alt="The Ellis County Historical Society entrance to the St. John's Place satellite campus in Victoria. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Ellis County Historical Society entrance to the St. John's Place satellite campus in Victoria. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The society plans to use the grant funds to install a new HVAC system, install new floor coverings and restrooms. Rupp said she hopes the society can have at least this much of the renovations complete by next summer, when Ellis County will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Volga Germans first settling in the area.One of the rooms in the Victoria location will be dedicated to the Volga German settlement of Ellis County. Rupp, a descendant of those Volga Germans, said, "I look forward to telling that story to people who don't know and to people walking into the front entrance and realizing that America was this great place to come to."Plaques commemorating the first settlers of Ellis County are being reserved by donation, with the proceeds supporting the renovations at the St. John's location.Eleven large plaques, which will be installed in the new space, have already been sold. Twenty smaller plaques are in the works, some of which are still available for a donation of $5,000 each. If you are interested in reserving a plaque for your family, contact Cynthia Stone at 785-893-1431.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748632320642.jpeg" alt="A mock-up of what one of the Volga German family plaques for the new museum satellite location will look like. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A mock-up of what one of the Volga German family plaques for the new museum satellite location will look like. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Each plaque will list the first generation of settlers in Ellis County, along with family history submitted by the families. The society has the last say on the content of the plaques to reduce replication, Rupp said.The satellite location will also include: • Children's discovery center • Space for traveling exhibits • Gift shop featuring Kansas-made products &nbsp;• Room dedicated to the county's military history, including Walker Army Airfield • Room dedicated to the oil and agriculture industries in Ellis County. This will include a section dedicated to the introduction of Angus cattle in the U.S. by Ellis County settler George Grant in 1873. The Grant homestead, which is in Ellis County, is a&nbsp;National Historic Site.Rupp said a garden outside of the building will highlight life in the Volga region of Russia. Then, when visitors enter the building, they will learn about the Volga Germans' life and settlement in America.The Volga German exhibit will highlight the various cities in the area founded by Volga Germans, as well as the beautiful churches they built.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748632613751.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Historical Society collection items stored on the second floor of the St. John's Place building in Victoria. More items are scheduled to be moved to the space this summer.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Historical Society collection items stored on the second floor of the St. John's Place building in Victoria. More items are scheduled to be moved to the space this summer.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748632715795.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Historical Society collection items stored on the second floor of the St. John's Place building in Victoria. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Historical Society collection items stored on the second floor of the St. John's Place building in Victoria. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The society is also in talks with the county library board to establish a branch library at the location. Victoria does not have a public library at this time.Timing for completion of the rest of the renovations depends on fundraising, Rupp said.Rupp said the society is accepting donations and is applying for grants.The Victoria Community Coalition owns the property. The Ellis County Historical Society pays no rent as long as it pays its utilities and maintains insurance and upkeep on its portion of the building.You can also follow the society of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ECHSHays">Facebook</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748632871121.jpeg" alt="The Ellis County Historical Society is planning a children's discovery center on the left side of this room in the St. John's Place building in Victoria. The society is in discussions with the Ellis County Library Board to house a satellite library in the rear right-hand corner. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Ellis County Historical Society is planning a children's discovery center on the left side of this room in the St. John's Place building in Victoria. The society is in discussions with the Ellis County Library Board to house a satellite library in the rear right-hand corner. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The coalition has just finished moderate-income apartments for seniors on the other side of the building. See more on that project in the Hays Post next week.&nbsp;The coalition has plans to also renovate part of the former nursing home for use as a child care and a community center.

Ellis County Historical Society receives grant to continue work on Victoria campus

Creek Side Resort is set to become an even bigger draw for visitors after receiving a $25,000 Tourism Attraction Development Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The award aims to support Kansas communities in creating or improving tourism attractions that draw visitors, stimulate local economies and enhance the overall travel experience.

The award provides financial assistance to fund projects that foster community pride and contribute to Kansas’s reputation as a vibrant go-to destination, according to a press release from the department.

"Creek Side Resort has been so wonderful for Hays and western Kansas. It's warm and welcoming for visitors, and we are grateful for all that it brings to our community," Kansas Representative Barb Wasinger said.

The grant funds will go toward new features for Creek Side Resort's seasonal attraction, Christmas at Creekside.

Creek Side Resort owner Aaron Dreher said, "Thank you to Kansas Tourism for this amazing grant opportunity to improve our Christmas at Creek Side holiday light show. This will go far to enhance the magic of Christmas for local and visiting families."

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced almost $600,000 has been awarded in the latest round of Tourism Attraction Development Grant funding, bringing the total awarded this fiscal year to more than $1 million. The new grants will support 32 communities through 21 projects aimed at developing new or enhancing existing tourism attractions across the state.

“Tourism continues to be a powerful driver of economic growth for communities of all sizes — and we’re committed to supporting as many attractions as possible,” Toland said. “These grant initiatives are extremely effective strategic investments that not only enhance the visitor experience, but also create more jobs, support small businesses and strengthen community pride.”

Through the grant program, Kansas Tourism will inspire travel, enhance the state’s economy and elevate unique community experiences across the state. The program is designed to provide communities across Kansas with financial backing and continue improving the state as a top tourism destination, the department's press release said.

“Kansas continues to invest in the kind of attractions that inspire curiosity, spark exploration and keep visitors coming back,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “We know our communities thrive off vibrancy, and with more than $1 million awarded this fiscal year, we are proud to be able to support them while they continue bringing in fresh energy and new experiences to the tourism landscape.”

The total amount of funding awarded this round was $599,616, and recipients will contribute more than $8 million in matching funds for the 21 projects. Once the projects are complete, they will contribute nearly $16 million in total investment.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b6454123-e1a4-446d-95f8-2a4870f81803">The Ellis County Historical Society Victoria satellite campus at St. John's Place also received a $35,000 grant this week&nbsp;in the same round of awards.</a> See a complete list of recipients below.

For more information on the Tourism Attraction Development Grant program, visit the Kansas Tourism Grants webpage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelks.com/travel-industry/programs-and-resources/grants/" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;or contact Program Manager Babette Dixon&nbsp;<a href="mailto:babette.dixon@ks.gov" target="_blank">here</a>.

Interested in learning about all the grants offered by the Kansas Department of Commerce? See the Grants Calendar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/grantscalendar/">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748617856678.jpeg" alt="From left to right: Hays CVB Executive Director Melissa Dixon, Hays Chamber President/CEO Sarah Wasinger, Kansas Tourism Deputy Director Jordan Roemerman, Kansas State Representative Barb Wasinger, Creek Side Resort General Manager Cheyenne Shelton, Hays City Commissioner Shaun Musil, Creek Side Resort Co-Owner Sarah Dreher, Hays CVB Convention sales manager Janet Kuhn, and Creek Side Resort owner Aaron Dreher. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>From left to right: Hays CVB Executive Director Melissa Dixon, Hays Chamber President/CEO Sarah Wasinger, Kansas Tourism Deputy Director Jordan Roemerman, Kansas State Representative Barb Wasinger, Creek Side Resort General Manager Cheyenne Shelton, Hays City Commissioner Shaun Musil, Creek Side Resort Co-Owner Sarah Dreher, Hays CVB Convention sales manager Janet Kuhn, and Creek Side Resort owner Aaron Dreher. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays PostCreek Side Resort is set to become an even bigger draw for visitors after receiving a $25,000 Tourism Attraction Development Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce.The award aims to support Kansas communities in creating or improving tourism attractions that draw visitors, stimulate local economies and enhance the overall travel experience.The award provides financial assistance to fund projects that foster community pride and contribute to Kansas’s reputation as a vibrant go-to destination, according to a press release from the department."Creek Side Resort has been so wonderful for Hays and western Kansas. It's warm and welcoming for visitors, and we are grateful for all that it brings to our community," Kansas Representative Barb Wasinger said.The grant funds will go toward new features for Creek Side Resort's seasonal attraction, Christmas at Creekside.Creek Side Resort owner Aaron Dreher said, "Thank you to Kansas Tourism for this amazing grant opportunity to improve our Christmas at Creek Side holiday light show. This will go far to enhance the magic of Christmas for local and visiting families."Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced almost $600,000 has been awarded in the latest round of Tourism Attraction Development Grant funding, bringing the total awarded this fiscal year to more than $1 million. The new grants will support 32 communities through 21 projects aimed at developing new or enhancing existing tourism attractions across the state.“Tourism continues to be a powerful driver of economic growth for communities of all sizes — and we’re committed to supporting as many attractions as possible,” Toland said. “These grant initiatives are extremely effective strategic investments that not only enhance the visitor experience, but also create more jobs, support small businesses and strengthen community pride.”Through the grant program, Kansas Tourism will inspire travel, enhance the state’s economy and elevate unique community experiences across the state. The program is designed to provide communities across Kansas with financial backing and continue improving the state as a top tourism destination, the department's press release said.“Kansas continues to invest in the kind of attractions that inspire curiosity, spark exploration and keep visitors coming back,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “We know our communities thrive off vibrancy, and with more than $1 million awarded this fiscal year, we are proud to be able to support them while they continue bringing in fresh energy and new experiences to the tourism landscape.”The total amount of funding awarded this round was $599,616, and recipients will contribute more than $8 million in matching funds for the 21 projects. Once the projects are complete, they will contribute nearly $16 million in total investment.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b6454123-e1a4-446d-95f8-2a4870f81803">The Ellis County Historical Society Victoria satellite campus at St. John's Place also received a $35,000 grant this week&nbsp;in the same round of awards.</a> See a complete list of recipients below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748618834761.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>For more information on the Tourism Attraction Development Grant program, visit the Kansas Tourism Grants webpage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelks.com/travel-industry/programs-and-resources/grants/" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;or contact Program Manager Babette Dixon&nbsp;<a href="mailto:babette.dixon@ks.gov" target="_blank">here</a>.Interested in learning about all the grants offered by the Kansas Department of Commerce? See the Grants Calendar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/grantscalendar/">here</a>.

Creek Side Resort receives Kansas Tourism Grant 

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;has regained control over her entire body of work.

In a lengthy note posted to her official website on Friday, Swift announced: “All of the music I’ve ever made now belongs to me.”

The pop star said she purchased her catalog of recordings — originally released through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">Big Machine Records —</a>&nbsp;from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. She did not disclose the amount.

In recent years, Swift has been rerecording and releasing her first six albums in an attempt to regain control of her music.

“I can’t thank you enough for helping to reunite me with this art that I have dedicated my life to, but have never owned until now,” Swift addressed fans in the post. “The best things that have ever been mine … finally actually are.”

“We are thrilled with this outcome and are so happy for Taylor,” Shamrock Capital said in a statement.

Swift's rerecordings were instigated by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scooter-braun-what-to-know-d5669e8b0fe641dd268c2e2cf88b0e24">Hybe America CEO Scooter Braun’s</a>&nbsp;purchase and sale of her early catalog and represents Swift’s effort to control her own songs and how they’re used. Previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">“Taylor’s Version” releases</a>&nbsp;have been more than conventional re-recordings, arriving with new “from the vault” music, Easter eggs and visuals that deepen understanding of her work.

She has also released new music, including last year’s “The Tortured Poets Department,” announced during the 2024 Grammys and released during her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-billion-dollar-record-52945111233438b1f2166aa19eee365f">record-breaking tour.</a>

So far, there have been four rerecorded albums, beginning with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-redoing-fearless-album-127eefa2a3ef3373e65507495f50145c">“Fearless (Taylor's Version)"</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-super-bowl-6fe895e1691f6cd85216e520cc3b8ce1">“Red (Taylor's Version)"</a>&nbsp;in 2021. All four have been massive commercial and cultural successes, each one debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Swift’s last rerecording,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-a4002b50f70b5899a846baf3e20de5ab">“1989 (Taylor’s Version),”</a>&nbsp;arrived in October 2023, just four months after the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-speak-now-taylors-version-a41998c4d1f08af9d89c6d314ed4c2bd">“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”</a>&nbsp;That was the same year Swift claimed the record for the woman with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-number-one-albums-speak-now-5dfb913b75ee6628d8804d5a02f9333f">most No. 1 albums in history.</a>

Fans have theorized that “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” would be next: On May 19, “Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version)” aired nearly in full during the opening scene of a Season 6 episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/handmaids-tale-final-season-elisabeth-moss-interview-0b283200ed109e243267b4244eb6d76c">“The Handmaid’s Tale.”</a>&nbsp;Prior to that, the song was teased in 2023’s Prime Video limited-series thriller “Wilderness” and in Apple TV+’s “The Dynasty: New England Patriots” in 2024. Also in 2023, she contributed “Delicate (Taylor’s Version)” to Prime Video’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-belly-new-york-wilmington-north-carolina-72c6af96ec643e9524678d8b95e67cfc">“The Summer I Turned Pretty.”</a>

But according to the note shared Friday, Swift says she hasn’t “even rerecorded a quarter of it.”

She did say, however, that she has completely rerecorded her self-titled debut album “and I really love how it sounds now.”

Swift writes that both her self-titled debut and “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” “can still have their moments to reemerge when the time is right.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702856990029.png" alt="File photo Taylor Swift celebrates with Brittany Mahomes in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)" />
 <figcaption>File photo Taylor Swift celebrates with Brittany Mahomes in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;has regained control over her entire body of work.In a lengthy note posted to her official website on Friday, Swift announced: “All of the music I’ve ever made now belongs to me.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">You belong with me. 💚💛💜❤️🩵🖤 Letter on my site :) <a href="https://t.co/pdb6kGDcVO">pic.twitter.com/pdb6kGDcVO</a>&mdash; Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) <a href="https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/1928473246770327678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748636908438.png" alt="From Brittany Mahomes Instagram" />
 <figcaption>From Brittany Mahomes Instagram</figcaption>
 </figure>The pop star said she purchased her catalog of recordings — originally released through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">Big Machine Records —</a>&nbsp;from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. She did not disclose the amount.In recent years, Swift has been rerecording and releasing her first six albums in an attempt to regain control of her music.“I can’t thank you enough for helping to reunite me with this art that I have dedicated my life to, but have never owned until now,” Swift addressed fans in the post. “The best things that have ever been mine … finally actually are.”“We are thrilled with this outcome and are so happy for Taylor,” Shamrock Capital said in a statement.Swift's rerecordings were instigated by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scooter-braun-what-to-know-d5669e8b0fe641dd268c2e2cf88b0e24">Hybe America CEO Scooter Braun’s</a>&nbsp;purchase and sale of her early catalog and represents Swift’s effort to control her own songs and how they’re used. Previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">“Taylor’s Version” releases</a>&nbsp;have been more than conventional re-recordings, arriving with new “from the vault” music, Easter eggs and visuals that deepen understanding of her work.She has also released new music, including last year’s “The Tortured Poets Department,” announced during the 2024 Grammys and released during her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-billion-dollar-record-52945111233438b1f2166aa19eee365f">record-breaking tour.</a>So far, there have been four rerecorded albums, beginning with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-redoing-fearless-album-127eefa2a3ef3373e65507495f50145c">“Fearless (Taylor's Version)"</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-super-bowl-6fe895e1691f6cd85216e520cc3b8ce1">“Red (Taylor's Version)"</a>&nbsp;in 2021. All four have been massive commercial and cultural successes, each one debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.Swift’s last rerecording,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-a4002b50f70b5899a846baf3e20de5ab">“1989 (Taylor’s Version),”</a>&nbsp;arrived in October 2023, just four months after the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-speak-now-taylors-version-a41998c4d1f08af9d89c6d314ed4c2bd">“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”</a>&nbsp;That was the same year Swift claimed the record for the woman with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-number-one-albums-speak-now-5dfb913b75ee6628d8804d5a02f9333f">most No. 1 albums in history.</a>Fans have theorized that “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” would be next: On May 19, “Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version)” aired nearly in full during the opening scene of a Season 6 episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/handmaids-tale-final-season-elisabeth-moss-interview-0b283200ed109e243267b4244eb6d76c">“The Handmaid’s Tale.”</a>&nbsp;Prior to that, the song was teased in 2023’s Prime Video limited-series thriller “Wilderness” and in Apple TV+’s “The Dynasty: New England Patriots” in 2024. Also in 2023, she contributed “Delicate (Taylor’s Version)” to Prime Video’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-belly-new-york-wilmington-north-carolina-72c6af96ec643e9524678d8b95e67cfc">“The Summer I Turned Pretty.”</a>But according to the note shared Friday, Swift says she hasn’t “even rerecorded a quarter of it.”She did say, however, that she has completely rerecorded her self-titled debut album “and I really love how it sounds now.”Swift writes that both her self-titled debut and “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” “can still have their moments to reemerge when the time is right.”

Brittany Mahomes celebrates Taylor Swift's big music news

BY DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post Sports

Wichita - Blue Valley Southwest scored early and often to take the third place trophy home as they beat Hays High 12-0 in five innings.

Hays had just one hit in the run-rule loss. A Jalen Smith single in the fourth inning was the Indians only hit. Southwest limited the Hays to just five total baserunners.&nbsp;

The Indians used four pitchers in the loss. Trace Jacobs, Ian McGuire, Brett Rhoades and Jalen Smith each spent time on the mound.&nbsp;

The Timberwolves used an eleven hit attack in the victory. They recorded three doubles and three triples.&nbsp;

Hays finishes the season at 19-10 while Southwest ends the year at 23-6.

It is the ninth top four finish for the Indians in program history.&nbsp;

BY DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post SportsWichita - Blue Valley Southwest scored early and often to take the third place trophy home as they beat Hays High 12-0 in five innings.Hays had just one hit in the run-rule loss. A Jalen Smith single in the fourth inning was the Indians only hit. Southwest limited the Hays to just five total baserunners.&nbsp;The Indians used four pitchers in the loss. Trace Jacobs, Ian McGuire, Brett Rhoades and Jalen Smith each spent time on the mound.&nbsp;<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2105118435&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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-814667509/5-30-25-hhs-bsb-game-2" title="5-30-25 HHS BSB Game #2 Highlights v. Blue Valley SW" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">5-30-25 HHS BSB Game #2 Highlights v. Blue Valley SW</a></div></div>The Timberwolves used an eleven hit attack in the victory. They recorded three doubles and three triples.&nbsp;Hays finishes the season at 19-10 while Southwest ends the year at 23-6.It is the ninth top four finish for the Indians in program history.&nbsp;<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2105117907&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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-814667509/5-3025-hhs-bsb-game-2-coach" title="5-3025 HHS BSB Game #2 Coach Interview v. Blue Valley SW" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">5-3025 HHS BSB Game #2 Coach Interview v. Blue Valley SW</a></div></div>

⚾ Hays finishes fourth in 5A

BY DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post Sports

Wichita - St. Thomas Aquinas scored five runs in the fifth inning to blow open a close game and end Hays High's chances at a state title.

The day prior in the semifinals Hays had used a big five run fifth inning on their way to a quarterfinal win. The top seeded Saints turned the tables on the Indians in the semifinals.&nbsp;

Aquinas scored a single run in the bottom of the first inning and added two more in the third. Hays didn't get their first baserunner until the fourth when Jalen Smith hit a double. The Indians again got a runner into scoring position in the fifth. Ian McGuire laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Brett Rhoades into scoring position.

Hays though couldn't take advantage. The Saints turned the three run game into an eight run advantage with five runs in the fifth. All seven of their hits in the inning were singles.

Trace Jacobs drove in Johnny Cano and Jalen Smith with a two-run double in the top of the sixth. Aquinas put three runs back onto the board in their half of the inning for an 11-2 lead.

Karsen Flaska worked his way around the bases in the top of the seventh to score the game's final run at 11-3.

Aquinas (26-4) gets the chance to defend their 5A championship. Hays (19-9) will play for third place around 3:30.

Johnny Cano (5-2) went 4 2/3 innings for the Indians. Trenton Welch pitched the final 1 1/3. Nic Sabers struck out nine batters in his start for the Saints.

BY DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER Hays Post SportsWichita - St. Thomas Aquinas scored five runs in the fifth inning to blow open a close game and end Hays High's chances at a state title.The day prior in the semifinals Hays had used a big five run fifth inning on their way to a quarterfinal win. The top seeded Saints turned the tables on the Indians in the semifinals.&nbsp;Aquinas scored a single run in the bottom of the first inning and added two more in the third. Hays didn't get their first baserunner until the fourth when Jalen Smith hit a double. The Indians again got a runner into scoring position in the fifth. Ian McGuire laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Brett Rhoades into scoring position.Hays though couldn't take advantage. The Saints turned the three run game into an eight run advantage with five runs in the fifth. All seven of their hits in the inning were singles.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2105003598&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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-814667509/5-30-25-hhs-bsb-highlights-v" title="5-30-25 HHS BSB Highlights v. St Thomas Aquinas" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">5-30-25 HHS BSB Highlights v. St Thomas Aquinas</a></div></div>Trace Jacobs drove in Johnny Cano and Jalen Smith with a two-run double in the top of the sixth. Aquinas put three runs back onto the board in their half of the inning for an 11-2 lead.Karsen Flaska worked his way around the bases in the top of the seventh to score the game's final run at 11-3.<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2105002578&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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-814667509/5-30-25-hhs-bsb-coach" title="5-30-25 HHS BSB Coach Interview v. St. Thomas Aquinas" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">5-30-25 HHS BSB Coach Interview v. St. Thomas Aquinas</a></div></div>Aquinas (26-4) gets the chance to defend their 5A championship. Hays (19-9) will play for third place around 3:30.Johnny Cano (5-2) went 4 2/3 innings for the Indians. Trenton Welch pitched the final 1 1/3. Nic Sabers struck out nine batters in his start for the Saints.

⚾ Hays falls to Aquinas in state semifinals

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks about snacking and metabolism with Jessica Phelan, assistant professor in the Fort Hays State University Department of Health and Human Performance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650389030295.jpeg" alt=" " />
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 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: How your metabolism works" 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=ahtwi-18b721d-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks about snacking and metabolism with Jessica Phelan, assistant professor in the Fort Hays State University Department of Health and Human Performance.

🎙 Post Podcast: How your metabolism works

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Detectives working to determine who stabbed an elderly woman in her home in Lawrence now say they do not believe this incident was criminal in nature. No suspect is being sought, and there is no known threat to the public related to this investigation.

Just after 1p.m. Thursday, officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Beatnik Court in Lawrence and found the woman inside the home with life-threatening injuries, according to a social media report. Police did not know when the&nbsp; attack occurred.

The woman was alone and not able to provide significant details to first responders.&nbsp;&nbsp;Detectives were able to speak briefly with her before she was taken into surgery.

 Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical medics transported her to an area trauma center, accompanied by an officer.

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746787609141.png" alt="File photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Detectives working to determine who stabbed an elderly woman in her home in Lawrence now say they do not believe this incident was criminal in nature. No suspect is being sought, and there is no known threat to the public related to this investigation.Just after 1p.m. Thursday, officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Beatnik Court in Lawrence and found the woman inside the home with life-threatening injuries, according to a social media report. Police did not know when the&nbsp; attack occurred.The woman was alone and not able to provide significant details to first responders.&nbsp;&nbsp;Detectives were able to speak briefly with her before she was taken into surgery. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical medics transported her to an area trauma center, accompanied by an officer.Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Police update details of knife attack on elderly Kan. woman in her home

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays Fresh Produce Market is in full swing, offering farm-fresh and handcrafted items.

The market opened on May 24&nbsp;and will continue into the fall. It will operate from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays in the Bomgaars parking lot, 2900 Broadway Ave.

Greg Swob, organizer of the Hays Fresh Produce Market, said the market has been around for about 25 years and will include at least 22 vendors this season, with more to come.

"We opened up with about 18 vendors last Saturday, and that was 90% food," he said.

Swob said the market will run through October or November, depending on the weather. It features local and homegrown goods, including fresh produce, eggs, roasted peppers, jams, honey and crafts.

Handmade crafts will range from knitted to wooden items.

Swob said the market is still welcoming new vendors. Those interested can reach out through the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/454412422049889/">Hays Fresh Produce Market Facebook group</a>.

"We welcome anyone who has a product that they would like to sell, as long as it meets the state food sold to consumer guidelines," Swob said.

All items must be made or grown by the vendor, and reselling is not permitted, with the exception of peach sellers from outside the area.

Customers can expect a wider selection of sellers on Saturdays compared to Wednesdays. Swob also participates as a vendor, offering honey from his own hives through Swob Honey Farm.

"I want to thank the public for really supporting our market as well as they have," Swob said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517192138.jpeg" alt="Produce at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Produce at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Hays Fresh Produce Market is in full swing, offering farm-fresh and handcrafted items.The market opened on May 24&nbsp;and will continue into the fall. It will operate from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays in the Bomgaars parking lot, 2900 Broadway Ave.Greg Swob, organizer of the Hays Fresh Produce Market, said the market has been around for about 25 years and will include at least 22 vendors this season, with more to come."We opened up with about 18 vendors last Saturday, and that was 90% food," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517228414.jpeg" alt="Vegetables at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Vegetables at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517257492.jpeg" alt="Fresh-baked bread and dip mixes at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Fresh-baked bread and dip mixes at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517328593.jpeg" alt="Jams and jellies at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Jams and jellies at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517418047.jpeg" alt="Farm eggs for sale at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Farm eggs for sale at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Swob said the market will run through October or November, depending on the weather. It features local and homegrown goods, including fresh produce, eggs, roasted peppers, jams, honey and crafts.Handmade crafts will range from knitted to wooden items.Swob said the market is still welcoming new vendors. Those interested can reach out through the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/454412422049889/">Hays Fresh Produce Market Facebook group</a>."We welcome anyone who has a product that they would like to sell, as long as it meets the state food sold to consumer guidelines," Swob said.All items must be made or grown by the vendor, and reselling is not permitted, with the exception of peach sellers from outside the area.Customers can expect a wider selection of sellers on Saturdays compared to Wednesdays. Swob also participates as a vendor, offering honey from his own hives through Swob Honey Farm."I want to thank the public for really supporting our market as well as they have," Swob said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517391925.jpeg" alt="Honey products for sale at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Honey products for sale at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517464379.jpeg" alt="Plates of cookies at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Plates of cookies at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517486448.jpeg" alt="Cinnamon rolls and cake at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Cinnamon rolls and cake at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517519516.jpeg" alt="Egg noodles at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Egg noodles at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748517368137.jpeg" alt="Bouquets at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Bouquets at the Hays Fresh Produce Market. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays Fresh Produce Market in Bomgaars parking lot underway

CALICO ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas authorities are looking at whether a job in the prison kitchen played a role in the weekend escape of a convicted former police chief known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-prison-escape-police-chief-grant-hardin-934e7fe6a45d3eafb18443f5b2bc5680?utm_source=Facebook&amp;utm_medium=share&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawKjFE9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF4MmxjbUJyV05JWjVpTWZxAR7HdBxBzlrOzjOfYiCdChZPCLBAhbxLUw0ibnBZA-1ZgEI9955QwHFHVGhqmw_aem_bQ6Hm8suIdhTYD_ucbzvWg">the “Devil in the Ozarks.”</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748309291610.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>CALICO ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas authorities are looking at whether a job in the prison kitchen played a role in the weekend escape of a convicted former police chief known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-prison-escape-police-chief-grant-hardin-934e7fe6a45d3eafb18443f5b2bc5680?utm_source=Facebook&amp;utm_medium=share&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawKjFE9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF4MmxjbUJyV05JWjVpTWZxAR7HdBxBzlrOzjOfYiCdChZPCLBAhbxLUw0ibnBZA-1ZgEI9955QwHFHVGhqmw_aem_bQ6Hm8suIdhTYD_ucbzvWg">the “Devil in the Ozarks.”</a>Grant Hardin, 56, was housed in a maximum-security wing of the medium-security Calico Rock prison, where he also held a job in the kitchen, Arkansas Department of Corrections spokesperson Rand Champion said Thursday. Authorities have said Hardin escaped Sunday by donning an outfit designed to look like a law enforcement uniform.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748562682920.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>“His job assignment was in the kitchen, so just looking to see if that played a part in it as well,” Champion told The Associated Press.The kitchen is divided into two shifts of about 25 workers each, according to a 2021 accreditation report that involved an extensive review of the prison. In the kitchen, “tools and utensils were stored on shadow boards with proper controls for sign out/in of all tools,” the report states. “A check of the inventory control sheets found them to be accurate and up to date.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748354598066.png" alt="Photo of the escape -Arkansas Dpt. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Photo of the escape -Arkansas Dpt. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>The kitchen is in one of 16 buildings on over 700 acres (280 hectares) of prison land. The sprawling grounds include a garden, two greenhouses, and extensive pasture lands where a herd of more than 100 horses is raised and trained by staff and inmates.Hardin, the former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-chief-arkansas-prison-escape-grant-hardin-280127e9737bc8e8e0d6388d7f268bd1">was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape</a>. He was the subject of the TV documentary “Devil in the Ozarks.”A prison expert said corrections officials are likely investigating whether the kitchen job gave Hardin access to other parts of the prison or to tools in the kitchen that could have helped him, including fashioning the makeshift uniform.Bryce Peterson, a criminal justice expert at security-based research organization CNA, said prison escapes are usually a combination of motivation and opportunity.“You wouldn't immediately think of a kitchen as a source of a bunch of escape tools,” Peterson said. “But these people are really smart and what they're thinking about day in and day out is how they can escape if that's what their motivation is.”Local, state and federal law enforcement are continuing their search for Hardin, and the FBI announced Thursday it was offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to his arrest. Champion said officials remained confident that Hardin was in the north-central Arkansas area.Officials have said there are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-prison-escape-police-chief-grant-hardin-441d37501f2ab0de8af27501546dfb13">plenty of hideouts</a>&nbsp;in the Ozark Mountains area, from caves to campsites.Authorities on Thursday continued to stop cars at a checkpoint near Calico Rock, and fliers featuring photos of Hardin could be seen in local store windows.Elsewhere Thursday, a sheriff's office in southern Missouri said it had received a report of a sighting of someone resembling Hardin's description in the Moody/Bakersfield area, less than an hour's drive north of Calico Rock.Deputies with the Howell County Sheriff's Office responded but were unable to locate anyone though agents were continuing to canvass the area, the agency said in a Facebook post.“At this time, we have no information indicating with any degree of certainty this suspicious person was the escapee or that he is even in the state of Missouri,” the post said.Champion said Arkansas authorities were aware of the tip and were looking into it.The department late Wednesday said search teams also responded to Faulkner County in the central Arkansas area after receiving a tip.Champion did not immediately know how many other inmates were housed in the prison’s maximum-security wing.Hardin's assignment to the prison, formally known as the North Central Unit, has drawn questions from legislators in the area and family members of the former chief's victims.Hardin received culinary training at some point during his incarceration, said Cheryl Tillman, whose brother James Appleton was shot to death by Hardin in 2017.Tillman said she was aware that Hardin had been working in the kitchen at the Calico Rock prison and questioned why he would be allowed to do so.“It sounds like to me that he was given free range down there,” she said this week during an interview.Now that he’s free, “it makes it uneasy for all of us, the whole family,” she said.___DeMillo reported from Little Rock, Arkansas, Martin from Atlanta, and Riddle from Montgomery, Alabama.