September 2025

O’Loughlin school additions underway, middle school demo begins

At O’Loughlin Elementary, construction of new classroom additions is underway while at the demolition has begun to renovate of the former high school into new Hays Middle School (HMS.) In USD489 Superintendent Ron Wilson’s Bond Construction Update to the Board of Education (BOE) on September 8, 2025, he provided photos and highlights of both the O’Loughlin and HMS projects. “I don’t know if you’ve been by O’Loughlin recently, on the north end closed to TMP, but they are blocking up those classrooms.

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County Commissioners insist 1.9 mill levy increase necessary; say other options will be pursued

Ellis County Commissioners unanimously voted on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 to exceed the revenue neutral rate (RNR) and approve the 2026 Budget as previously published. The 2026 Ellis County General Fund Mill Levy rate is 37.956, increased 1.961 from 2025 (35.995.) The RNR and Budget roll-call votes followed an approximately half hour long Public Hearing where four residents discussed their concerns with both exceeding the RNR and the Commissioners decision to include a one mill “cushion” as a proactive measure.

Read MoreCounty Commissioners insist 1.9 mill levy increase necessary; say other options will be pursued

Trump grants disaster declaration, funds for Kansas counties recovering from summer storms

TOPEKA — President Donald Trump granted a disaster declaration for Kansas Friday in the wake of destructive June storms and after bipartisan support from lawmakers concerned with recovery efforts. Severe storms landed in southeast and south-central Kansas on June 3, causing tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that lasted until June 7 and damaged farms, homes and power lines.

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Wagers on touchdowns, strikeouts and even penalties: States eye limits on prop bets

As a bankruptcy attorney, New Jersey Assemblymember Dan Hutchison said he sees clients “all the time” whose betting on football and baseball quickly leads to missed car payments, delinquent mortgages and, ultimately, bankruptcy. The rise of live, in-game bets — in which a gambler could place more than 200 individual bets during a baseball game if they wager on each pitch thrown — has only amplified his misgivings.

Read MoreWagers on touchdowns, strikeouts and even penalties: States eye limits on prop bets