Troop plans were a subject during the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council Breakfast Thursday in Junction City.

Col. Patrick Kaine, 1st Inf. Div. Artillery Commander, said that next week they will receive an MP company and in October an engineer battalion. A bridging company will also eventually be added meaning about 1,000 soldiers will be added to the installation numbers by October of 2026.

The 1st Brigade Combat team of approximately 4,200 soldiers is currently deployed to eastern Europe for nine months. After they come home, next summer, Division Headquarters including DIVARTY, the Combat Aviation Brigade and Sustainment Brigade will deploy to Europe. Approximately two months later the Second Brigade Combat Team will also deploy.

Kaine noted that the Army is moving in the future toward division deployments and not brigades as is currently the case. The transition is expected to take years. Concern was expressed from the audience on the economic impact that entire division deployments could have on communities.

There will be loud training noise on Post in September with Division Artillery and other units including tanks participating.

The MAC audience received a report on the Oktoberfest planned in downtown Junction City October 3 and 4. There will be beer, brats, music and an expanded kids zone. Volunteers are still needed to help.

There is an effort to try to replace lights at the Vietnam Memorial in Junction City.

Future deployment plans are outlined

PRATT&nbsp;–The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will host five public meetings this fall to share information on proposed state park fee changes and hear directly from Kansans. These town hall-style meetings will provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the proposed changes, ask questions, and provide feedback. Fees remain unchanged at this time; any adjustments will require a vote of approval by the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission before they are implemented.

“Utility and operational costs for our state parks have risen nearly 45 percent since 2016,” said Conner O’Flannagan, KDWP State Parks Director. “These proposed changes are necessary to ensure our parks remain safe, well-maintained, and accessible to all Kansans, both now and for future generations.”

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to Host Public Meetings 

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 6a.m. Thursday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2026 Peterbilt semi driven by Kenneth&nbsp;Tate, 48, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was westbound on Interstate 70 at Todd Ranch Road. The semi traveled off the roadway to the right and came to rest in the right ditch.

EMS transported&nbsp;Tate and a passenger Nicholas&nbsp;Lorthe, 33,&nbsp;&nbsp;Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to Stormont Vail.&nbsp; Lorthe was in the sleeper of the cab and not wearing a seat belt. Tate was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2 hospitalized after semi accident on I-70

Riley County—Law enforcement investigating an alleged violent crime in Manhattan have a suspect in custody.

Just after 9a.m. Wenesday, police arrested 36-year-old Ivan Krdzic of Santa Rosa, California, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Krdzic is being held on a $200,000 bond on a Riley County District Court warrant on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated kidnapping and criminal threat. This warrant stems from two reports filed in June 2025.&nbsp;

RCPD: California man accused of kidnapping, criminal threat

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating an alleged violent crime that occurred in July have a suspect in custody.

Just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday, police arrested 19-year-old Chase Meinholdt, 19 Manhattan, in the 1300 block of Vattier in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

$305,000 bond on requested charges of attempted murder in the first degree, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, burglary, distribution of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

RCPD: Suspect in violent, July burglary captured 

NEW YORK (AP) — Mall-based teen accessories retailer Claire’s, known for helping to usher in millions of teens into an important rite of passage — ear piercing — but now struggling with a big debt load and changing consumer tastes, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this month.&nbsp; The retailer is closing nearly 300 stores including seven locations in Kansas and six in Missouri.

Claire’s Holdings LLC and certain of its U.S. and Gibraltar-based subsidiaries — collectively Claire’s U.S., the operator of Claire’s and Icing stores across the United States, made the filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. That marked the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-c1f3b24bc8e84c94ae5598694263ea57">second time since 2018</a>&nbsp;and for a similar reason: high debt load and the shift among teens heading online away from physical stores.

Claire’s Chapter 11 filing follows the bankruptcies of other teen retailers including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/forever-21-bankruptcy-shein-amazon-temu-0c5e9bac07bf184988475a2b57842e08">Forever 21,</a>&nbsp;which filed in March for bankruptcy protection&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/mall-owners-among-group-bidding-81-million-for-forever-21-51a545a3da59b4582d622514e830ccbe">for a second time</a>&nbsp;and eventually closed down its U.S. business as traffic in U.S. shopping malls fades and competition from online retailers like Amazon, Temu and Shein intensifies.

In a court filing, Claire’s said its assets and liabilities range between $1 billion and $10 billion.

“This decision is difficult, but a necessary one,” Chris Cramer, CEO of Claire’s, said in a press release issued Wednesday. “Increased competition, consumer spending trends and the ongoing shift away from brick-and-mortar retail, in combination with our current debt obligations and macroeconomic factors, necessitate this course of action for Claire’s and its stakeholders.”

Like many retailers, Claire’s was also struggling with higher costs tied to President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">tariff</a>&nbsp;plans, analysts said..

Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, a research firm, noted in a note published earlier this month, Claire’s bankruptcy filing comes as “no real surprise.”

“The chain has been swamped by a cocktail of problems, both internal and external, that made it impossible to stay afloat,” he wrote.

Saunders noted that internally, Claire’s struggled with high debt levels that made its operations unstable and said the cash crunch left it with little choice but to reorganize through bankruptcy.

He also noted that tariffs have pushed costs higher, and he believed that Claire’s is not in a position to manage this latest challenge effectively.

Competition has also become sharper and more intense over recent years, with retailers like jewelry chain Lovisa offering younger shoppers a more sophisticated assortment at low prices. He also cited the growing competition with online players like Amazon.

“Reinventing will be a tall order in the present environment,” he added.

Claire's set to close over 290 stores including 7 in Kansas

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Riley County Arrest Report August 28

Associate Athletics Director for Communications

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;As K-State Athletics prepares to welcome its fans back to Bill Snyder Family Stadium for Saturday’s home opener against North Dakota, fans are advised of the following construction projects in and around the Manhattan area that could affect travel plans.

The&nbsp;pavement replacement project between Exit 297 on the west and mile marker 300 on the east of Junction City is in its final stage but will again impact football game traffic this season. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction and is head-to-head. The speed limit is reduced in this area and delays are anticipated with heavy gameday traffic.

Fans traveling from the north into Manhattan should note that US 24 is closed between K-113 (Seth Child Road) on the west side and K-13 (Tuttle Creek Boulevard) on the east as roundabouts are being constructed at each junction. Construction is expected to last through the football season. Depending upon which side of the stadium fans park for the game, this may affect their postgame route as dictated by stadium exiting traffic patterns. For more information, see the map below and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksdot.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4933/385?arch=1-3472&amp;widgetId=3472">click here</a>.

A multi-year reconstruction project has begun on Anderson Avenue with the first phase occurring between Connecticut Avenue and College Heights Road. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction. Traffic delays are anticipated on gameday, and fans should consider other east-west arterials such as Claflin Road, Fort Riley Boulevard and Kimball Avenue.

All parking lots around Bill Snyder Family Stadium open five hours prior to kickoff, which is 1 p.m., this Saturday. As always, fans are encouraged to arrive early as pregame traffic could become congested.

A free shuttle sponsored by the K-State Union and Housing and Dining Services is available to fans with free parking in the K-State Parking Garage. The shuttle begins two hours prior to kickoff from the south circle on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between the K-State Parking Garage and the Union. Passengers will be dropped off near the Jardine Plaza Neighborhood. Return trips resume with five minutes remaining in the third quarter, and rides will continue until approximately one hour after the end of the game.

K-State Fans Advised of On-Going Road Construction

The City of Manhattan is considering a new Alternative Offsite Stormwater Treatment Program to assist developers in meeting their stormwater quality obligations.

<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=b5459b653e&amp;e=8c33f27c6f">Visit this webpage to view the documents that would guide the program</a>, if it is adopted. Public comment on these drafts is requested. Please submit your comments to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bill.heatherman@cityofmhk.com?subject=Alternative%20Offsite%20Stormwater%20Treatment%20Program">Bill Heatherman</a>&nbsp;no later than&nbsp;Thursday, September 25, 2025.

For questions, please contact Heatherman at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="tel:7855874578">(785) 587-4578</a>. Written comments also may be sent by mail to:

City of&nbsp;ManhattanAttn: Bill Heatherman1101 Poyntz AvenueManhattan, KS 66502

Under this proposed program, developers instead would fund conservation practices on nearby farmland. The funding would allow the city to gain even greater pollution removal to rivers in our region, at a lower cost.

As proposed, the funding specifically could be used for cover crops, no-till farming, rehabilitation of field terraces, and planting of filter strips on cropland next to rivers. Cover crops is one of the most targeted practices.

Alternative Offsite Stormwater Treatment Program being considered by Manhattan

The excitement of a home football game doesn't have to be accompanied by the stress of navigating game day traffic and parking. The K-State Student Union and Housing and Dining Services&nbsp;have once again&nbsp;partnered to provide free shuttle rides to Bill Snyder Family Stadium on home football game days.

The shuttle begins transportation two hours prior to kickoff from the south circle on M.L.K. Jr. Drive, between the K-State Parking Garage and the Union.&nbsp;Passengers will be dropped off near the&nbsp;Jardine Plaza Neighborhood.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://housing.k-state.edu/retail/jps_jardine.html">JP’s Sports Grill</a>&nbsp;will be open and serving up game-day favorites each week.

Return trips resume with five minutes remaining in the third quarter, and rides will continue until approximately one hour after the end of the game. The Union parking garage is free on Saturday and Sunday. Passengers&nbsp;can find&nbsp;more detailed information on campus parking regulations&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.k-state.edu/parking/">here</a>.

Game Day Shuttle from the K-State Student Union

Riley County Arrest Report August 27

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 7:30 August 25, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a white 2020 Dodge Charger with an expired license plate near NW Grant Street and NW Jackson Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, a K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located.&nbsp; Deputies arrested 27-year-old Rachael R. Ratzloff of Topeka on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Vehicles; operate a vehicle without registration or with an expired tag and Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license

Kansas woman without driver's license caught transporting drugs

LYON COUNTY —A switch that malfunctioned is being blamed for triggering an active shooter alarm on Thursday.

Just before 4:30p.m. the Emporia Police Department received a report of an active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health, 1201 W 12th Avenue in&nbsp; Emporia, according to Police Captain Ray Mattas.

Officers from the Emporia Police Department responded and law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the hospital and adjacent medical facilities for approximately two hours. No evidence of a shooter or any threat was found.

Further investigation revealed that the alarm was triggered by a malfunctioning emergency switch.

In addition to Emporia Police, personnel from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Emporia State University Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, responded promptly to the scene. The Emporia Fire Department also provided support.

The Emporia Police Department extended its gratitude to all responding agencies and the staff at Newman Regional Health for their cooperation and swift action in resolving this incident. The safety and security of our community remain our top priority.

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement in Emporia responded to an active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health, 1201 West 12 Street in Emporia, according to police spokesperson Christine Torrens. 

Officers thoroughly searched the premises, and it appears to be an alarm only — no active threat was identified.

Police asked the public continue to use caution in the area they remained on scene.

Police detail what caused active shooter alarm at hospital in Emporia

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas woman who called 911 to report shooting her son in October of 2024 was scheduled to attend a plea hearing on Thursday in Judge Eric Williams courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;Last week, Tesha Florence, 46, pleaded no contest to charges of second degree murder,&nbsp; aggravated assault and aggravated burglary, according to the District Attorney's office.

On October 9, 2025, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from Florence reporting that she shot her son, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

First responders located a 16-year-old identified as Robert Florence inside an apartment in the 9100 Block of East Harry. He had a single gunshot wound. EMS transported him to an area hospital where he was in extremely critical condition. He died two days later, according to Moses.

At the scene, officers detained&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=168822">&nbsp;Florence,</a>&nbsp;the boy's mother.&nbsp;&nbsp;

During the investigation into this case, detectives learned of a previously unreported incident from March 2024 where Florence threatened an ex-husband and his current girlfriend with a gun.

Florence will be sentenced October 17, according to the district attorney's office.

Mother enters plea in shooting death of her 16-year-old son

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lisa-cook-fed-governor-trump-firing-211c3db1a5082d46449f26b865fde850">Lisa Cook</a>&nbsp;has sued the Trump administration in an effort to overturn the president’s attempt to fire her, launching an unprecedented legal battle that could significantly reshape the Fed’s longstanding political independence.

<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.284270/gov.uscourts.dcd.284270.1.0_17.pdf">Click here to read the lawsuit</a>

The lawsuit seeks an emergency injunction to block her firing and “confirm her status” as a member of the Fed's governing board.

“The President’s effort to terminate a Senate-confirmed Federal Reserve Board member is a broadside attack on the century-old independence of the Federal Reserve System,” Cook's lawyer, Abbe David Lowell, wrote in a court filing.

The case could become a turning point for the 112-year old Federal Reserve, which was designed by Congress to be insulated from day-to-day political influence. Economists prefer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-independence-5c2ec1a37dc4aca6a59544f8b4513a45">independent central banks</a>&nbsp;because they can more easily take unpopular measures, such as lifting interest rates to combat inflation, than elected officials can.

The case was assigned to Judge Jia Cobb, an appointee of former President Joe Biden. A hearing was scheduled for Friday.

Many economists worry that if the Fed falls under the control of the White House, it will keep its key interest rate lower than justified by economic fundamentals to satisfy Trump's demands for cheaper borrowing. That could accelerate inflation and could also push up longer-term interest rates, such as those on mortgages and car loans. Investors may demand a higher yield to own bonds to offset greater inflation in the future, lifting borrowing costs throughout the economy.

“If Cook wins, she stays in place and we achieve some semblance of stability," said Peter Conti-Brown, a professor of financial regulation at the University of Pennsylvania and Fed historian in a Substack post. "If she loses ... that’s the end of Fed independence as it has been constructed and reconstructed over 112 years.”

If Trump can replace Cook, he may be able to gain a 4-3 majority on the Fed’s governing board. Trump appointed two board members during his first term and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-miran-794df2cd9d33b327bf3b836a553dd5ef">has nominated</a>&nbsp;a key White House economic adviser, Stephen Miran, to replace&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fed-reserve-trump-kugler-powell-332a2e185ca8bbe695c78b0c5a1eb73b">Adriana Kugler</a>, another Fed governor who stepped down unexpectedly Aug. 1. Trump has said he will only appoint people to the Fed who will support lower rates.

No president has sought to fire a Fed governor before until Trump posted a letter on media&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-lisa-cook-trump-6fca3d2fbb54ba204cc91398e6a7b020">late Monday saying that Cook was fired</a>. Trump said the reason for her removal were allegations that she committed mortgage fraud in 2021, before she was appointed to the board. Most observers expect the case to end up at the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has signaled that the president can’t fire Fed officials over policy differences, but can do so “for cause,” typically meaning misconduct or neglect of duty. Cook has not been charged with any crime.

The lawsuit argues that the allegations don't involve misconduct by Cook while in office and haven't been proven. Cook should also have been given a chance to answer the charges, the suit says.

“The unsubstantiated and unproven allegation that Governor Cook ‘potentially’ erred in filling out a mortgage form prior to her Senate confirmation—does not amount to ‘cause,’” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit also denies the charges against Cook, without providing supporting detail.

“Neither the type of ‘offense’ the President cited nor the threadbare evidence against Governor Cook would constitute 'cause' for removal even if the President’s allegations were true—which they are not,” the lawsuit said.

The president’s decision comes as he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-federal-reserve-4821bb5d0baa9980c4c69ab26fab3ab4">repeatedly attacked</a>&nbsp;Fed Chair Jerome Powell and the other members of the Fed’s interest-rate setting committee for not cutting the short-term interest rate they control more quickly. It currently stands at 4.3%, after Fed policymakers reduced it by a full percentage point late last year. Trump has said he thinks it should be as low as 1.3%, a level that no Fed official and few economists support.

The suit argues that the allegations of mortgage fraud are simply a pretext to fire Cook because she hasn't voted to lower interest rates: “The mortgage allegations against her are pretextual, in order to effectuate her prompt removal and vacate a seat for President Trump to fill and forward his agenda to undermine the independence of the Federal Reserve.”

“The President cannot rely on brute force or clever shortcuts to circumvent Congress to bend the institution to his will,” Lowell wrote in a request for an emergency order blocking the firing. “History provides no sanction for an attempt to short-circuit ‘for cause’ removal protections by conjuring up unfounded allegations of past wrongdoing.

The lawsuit also seeks to block the Federal Reserve from accepting the firing and asks the court to require the Fed and Powell to “treat Governor Cook as a member of the Board of Governors.”

Powell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-powell-287af1c758a30d67f5384d17423c5029">signaled last week</a>&nbsp;that the central bank was leaning toward cutting its rate at its next meeting Sept. 16-17. Still, it's likely that the Fed will cut its key rate more slowly than Trump wants, and perhaps to as low as 3.25% or so — higher than Trump would prefer.

Cook is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lisa-cook-federal-reserve-firing-trump-dei-4fdbb4af653bcca7b6fb0432166b44f3">first Black woman</a>&nbsp;to serve as a governor. She was a Marshall Scholar and received degrees from Oxford University and Spelman College, and prior to joining the board she taught at Michigan State University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Read the lawsuit: Fed official sues Trump over attempt to fire her

HARVEY COUNTY—Authorities with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are now investigating an exploded device found on the street in Newton.

Just before 5:30a.m. Thursday, police in Newton responded to a report of shots fired in the 1500 Block of North Anderson in Newton, according to a media release from police.

At around 10:25 a.m., a cyclist reported what appeared to be an exploded homemade device in the street. North Anderson was temporarily closed to traffic between 15th Street and Terrace Drive.&nbsp; The ATF is taking the device for lab analysis. There were no injuries reported.

ATF investigating exploded device found on street in Newton

Wall Street notched more milestones Thursday after gains in technology stocks helped push the market to another all-time high.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.3%, lifting the benchmark index to its second record high in a row. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reversed an early slide and gained 0.2%, enough to move past its record high set last Friday.

The Nasdaq composite closed 0.5% higher, finishing just short of its all-time high set two weeks ago.

About 55% of the companies in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 closed lower, but gains in the technology and communication services sectors offset losses elsewhere in the market. Broadcom rose 2.8%, Amazon added 1.1% and Google parent Alphabet finished 2% higher.

“We’re seeing a continuation of a theme that has been in place really all year long, and that is communication services, information technology, really the areas that are surrounding this incredible capital expenditure cycle, have been the primary beneficiaries,” said Bill Northey, senior investment director at U.S. Bank Asset Management.

Heading into the final day of trading in August, the S&amp;P 500 and Dow were on pace for their fourth straight monthly gain, while the Nasdaq was closing in on its fifth.

The market's latest gains came as traders pored over a mixed batch of earnings reports from big U.S. companies and new reports on the job market and U.S. economy.

Tech giant Nvidia fell 0.8% a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-artificial-intelligence-boom-bubble-42657a49554bf35fb12fdf48c02287d2">reporting quarterly earnings and revenue</a>&nbsp;that beat Wall Street analysts’ forecasts, though the company noted that sales of its artificial intelligence chipsets rose at a slower pace than analysts anticipated.

Investors consider Nvidia a barometer for the strength of the boom in artificial intelligence because the company makes most of the chips that power the technology. Its heavy weighting also gives Nvidia outsized influence as a bellwether for the broader market.

Shares in several retailers fell following their latest quarterly results.

Best Buy dropped 3.7% after the consumer electronics chain's second-quarter snapshot was overshadowed by an outlook clouded due to the tariffs the U.S. is imposing on trading partners.

Despite also posting better-than-expected quarterly results, Urban Outfitters slid 10.7% after the retailer warned that it expects tariffs will increase pressure on its gross margins in the second half of the year.

Dick’s Sporting Goods fell 4.8% despite reporting second-quarter results that beat analysts' expectations.

Victoria’s Secret &amp; Co. gave up an early gain and closed 0.5% lower.

Burlington Stores bucked the trend. The retail chain climbed 5.3% after its latest earnings topped analysts’ estimates.

Elsewhere in the market, Spam maker Hormel sank 13.1% for the biggest decline among S&amp;P 500 companies after its earnings fell short of Wall Street’s forecasts and the company cut its outlook for the year.

Traders also had their eye on new government reports on the job market and economy.

The Labor Department reported that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-trump-jobs-unemployment-tariffs-consumer-spending-bd496163bf386a3fabaaa6d1b6db06ff">applications for unemployment benefits fell last week</a>, the latest sign that employers are holding onto their workers even as the economy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-trump-gdp-tariffs-inflation-trade-28a0da24c803c4796eb32704cd0244cc">has slowed</a>.

The most recent government data suggests hiring has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-economy-trump-federal-reserve-68a15f89d68793a6cf88a522ff33246c">slowed sharply</a>&nbsp;since this spring.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department reported that U.S. gross domestic product —- the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economygdp-f2f3c1a5401124fdee31ca02a1daa4b6">nation’s output of goods and services — grew at a 3.3% annual pace in the April-June quarter</a>&nbsp;after shrinking 0.5% in the first three months of this year due to the fallout from the Trump administration’s trade wars.

“The GDP print reinforces the fact that this continues to be an economy, domestically, that is continuing to show a great deal of resilience in terms of producing economic growth,” Northey said.

Still, the sluggishness in the job market is a key reason that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-powell-287af1c758a30d67f5384d17423c5029">signaled last week</a>&nbsp;that the central bank may cut its key interest rate at its meeting next month.

Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to borrow, but they risk worsening inflation.

Traders are still betting the Fed will trim its benchmark interest rate at its next meeting in September. Traders see an 85.3% chance that the central bank will cut the rate by a quarter of a percentage point, according to data from CME Group.

Friday will bring another update on inflation: the U.S. personal consumption expenditures index. Economists expect it to show that inflation remained at about 2.6% in July, compared with a year ago. Businesses have been warning investors and consumers about higher costs and prices because of tariffs.

Treasury yields were mixed in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 4.21% from 4.24% late Wednesday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for Federal Reserve action, rose to 3.63% from 3.62%.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 20.46 points to 6,501.86. The Dow added 71.67 points to 45,636.90, and the Nasdaq gained 115.02 points to close at 21,705.16.

Stocks add to their records on Wall Street

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

OVERLAND PARK — Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman pushed for deepening relationships and maintaining international growth opportunities for Kansas farmers at a meeting of state political and agricultural leaders Wednesday.&nbsp;

Glickman and U.S. Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids spoke about the effects of tariffs and federal policies on Kansas farmers during a U.S. Global Leadership Coalition luncheon. The event was closed to journalists, but Glickman shared thoughts on the current political climate afterward.&nbsp;

“My theory is pretty much don’t burn bridges, build bridges,” he said. “I got along very well with (Pat) Roberts, (Bob) Dole, (Nancy) Kassebaum. We didn’t try to kill each other.”

Glickman, a Democrat, said Dole, a longtime Republican senator, helped him get the position as secretary of agriculture, which he held from 1995 to 2001 during the Clinton administration.&nbsp;

Politicians need to be able to reach across the aisle and have open discussions and agreements, Glickman said.&nbsp;

“I hope we can create an environment where there’s trust in the system of government generally, because it’s not just agriculture, it’s everything,” he said. “And then we have some predictability in foreign policy, federal farm policy.”

He would also like to see Republicans stand up to the president, something he said he had to do when he served under Clinton.&nbsp;

“I’d like to see the Republicans show more courage and moxie in challenging the president – on the federal side, not so much on the Kansas side – when they think he’s wrong,” Glickman said. “It’s difficult to challenge a president if you’re in their party. When I would say to Clinton, ‘I think you’re wrong,’ I would do it very deliberately but still, I would do it at times, and I don’t see very much happening like that.”

National reports that legislators fear retaliation if they speak up aren’t good, Glickman said.&nbsp;

“I don’t think it’s healthy for democracy. You know, you’ve got to be able to speak out responsibly,” he said.

Building relationships extends beyond domestic politics, and Glickman is concerned international relationships may be impaired because of the way tariffs are being negotiated. He’s not against tariffs in general, he said, but he’s concerned about future trade effects.

“I’ve never been a purist on tariffs and trade,” he said. “I mean, there are some countries that abuse their relationships with us, and that’s why you have tariff agreements and trade agreements, to build those things in there so one country can’t take advantage of another by being too self protective.”&nbsp;

But Glickman said the way trade barriers are being implemented concerns him. Historically, international policies involved collaboration between Congress and the private sector to determine the best way to proceed, he said.

“Because when you put your finger on one set of problems, if you’re not careful, you’re going to create another set of problems,” Glickman said. “Agriculture has often been the whipping boy for those other sets of problems, because of how much we rely on access to global markets. So I guess my real answer is, can we do this carefully, or do we have to do it with a sledgehammer?”

Right now, the country is relying too much on the sledgehammer, Glickman said.

Growth opportunities in agriculture lie in the international market, he said.&nbsp;

“The president said something when he announced the original set of tariffs – ‘American farmers are going to love this, because they can finally take advantage of domestic markets,’ and I’m thinking to myself, no, that’s not where the growth is,” Glickman said. “There’s not really much growth in domestic markets. There might be a little here, a little there. All the growth is global, and so maybe he doesn’t understand it.”

Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, attended the luncheon and agreed with Glickman.&nbsp;

“As Secretary Glickman mentioned, we are becoming less and less of a reliable trading partner to the world,” he said. “Anymore, we are a global market, and you know, you can be upset with another country because maybe they don’t do as much trade with you and all that, but I’ve always believed that the carrot versus the stick does a lot more good.”

Levendofsky said the potential of growing markets such as India are important to Kansas farmers.&nbsp;

“If China is shutting the door on us, we’ve got to find an opening somewhere,” he said. “And that, to me, right now speaks to India.”

Along with international trade, Glickman is watching the future of the Farm Bill. The reconciliation bill passed by Congress in July addressed some policies usually found in the Farm Bill, but it didn’t include all the elements that need to be addressed, he said.&nbsp;

A Farm Bill has not passed this year, and Glickman said expert assessments that this may be the beginning of creating a different process for agricultural legislation is “astute.”

“We’ve had in the last 40 or 50 years, these five-year farm bills,” he said. “But then lately, we’ve been having these extensions every year and with no real fundamental change.”

Recent legislation added $40 to $50 billion of new or enhanced programs over the next 10 years, and also addressed commodity programs, crop insurance and risk management, Glickman said.&nbsp;

He hopes this won’t be the new normal because there were many subjcts not addressed, such as research and nutrition programs.&nbsp;

In his role as a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Council on American Politics at George Washington University, Glickman said he keeps in contact with concerns of farmers and trade groups.

The real worry right now is instability, he said.

“The big story in agriculture is lack of stability, lack of planning, lack of predictability,” Glickman said. “Agriculture is complicated, and then the volatile weather complicates it further. Changes in the weather, plant and animal disease, making sure our research budgets are adequately funded – that’s all part of a new Farm Bill.”

Former ag secretary Glickman worries about ‘sledgehammer’ trade policies affecting Kansas farmers

WASHINGTON — In April Health secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;warned that children in the U.S. are being diagnosed with autism at an “alarming rate,” promising to conduct exhaustive studies to identify any environmental factors that may cause the developmental disorder.

During President Trump's Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Kennedy revealed his researchers have identified what could be responsible for Autism.&nbsp;

Autism experts applaud efforts to further understand the condition, but say the number of reported cases began to balloon as the definition of the condition expanded to include mild cases.

“We will have an announcement as promised in September,” Kennedy said. “We’re finding interventions, certain interventions now that are clearly almost certainly causing autism.”

🎥The latest promise from RFK Jr. on autism research

LYON COUNTY — Police Detectives took two 14-year-old boys into custody in connection with the Attempted Aggravated Robbery that occurred around 1:30am August 17, in the 1100 block of E 12th Avenue in Emporia.

After receiving a Crime Stoppers Tip early last week, detectives gained traction in the investigation. A gun and knife, believed to be used in the attempted robbery, were recovered as part of the investigation. The gun had been reported stolen prior to the attempted robbery.

&nbsp;Police did not released the names of the two teen suspects.

The Emporia Police Department thanked the public and Lyon County Crime Stoppers for their assistance in solving the crime.

Tip led to arrest of 14-year-olds for Kansas armed robbery

The countdown is on, with just eight days to go until the 2025 Kansas State Fair kicks off in Hutchinson. Fair General Manager Brian Schulz says preparations are well underway as vendors, exhibits, and entertainment begin to move onto the grounds.&nbsp;

“We’ve been out making sure everything is ready,”&nbsp;Schulz&nbsp;said. “People are starting to move in, and for safety reasons, we’ve closed the grounds to walkers during setup. With big trucks, combines, tractors, and other large items coming in, it’s just too dangerous.”&nbsp;

Schulz&nbsp;highlighted this year’s lineup of free entertainment, much of it featuring Kansas talent. Acts will perform at venues across the fairgrounds, including the Lowen Stage at Lake Talbott, the newly upgraded People’s Bank and Trust Arena with a permanent canopy, and Gottschalk Park. Local performers include Derby’s America’s Got Talent runner-up and Ella Wellman of Sterling, now a K-State student.&nbsp;

Vendors are also making their return. Most booths are held year-to-year, with waiting lists for new spots. The fair takes care to avoid placing direct competitors side by side. Schulz&nbsp;noted that equipment displays remain a highlight, connecting new generations with Kansas’ agricultural roots.&nbsp;

“We’re five to seven generations removed from the family farm,”&nbsp;Schulz&nbsp;said. “For many young people, this is their first chance to see a combine or tractor up close.”&nbsp;

This year’s grandstand shows feature a wide variety of acts:&nbsp; •&nbsp; &nbsp;Friday: Sam Barber and Adriana&nbsp; •&nbsp; &nbsp;Saturday: Jeff Dunham&nbsp; •&nbsp; &nbsp;Sunday: Josh Turner with Jason Scott and the High Heat&nbsp; •&nbsp; &nbsp;Monday: Demolition Derby&nbsp; •&nbsp; &nbsp;Tuesday: Fair Fight Pro Wrestling •&nbsp; &nbsp;Wednesday: Josiah Queen with Ben Fuller (Christian Night)&nbsp; •&nbsp; &nbsp;Thursday: Hairball&nbsp; •&nbsp; &nbsp;Friday: Ludacris&nbsp; •&nbsp; &nbsp;Saturday: Plain White T’s with The Fray&nbsp; •&nbsp; &nbsp;Sunday: Lorrie Morgan with Mason Ramsey&nbsp;

One sweet tradition is also making a comeback. The Kansas State Fair Foundation will be selling official saltwater taffy as a fundraiser. The taffy, absent in recent years, will be available at the merchandise booth near the interactive fountain and at the 1861 Club.&nbsp;

Alongside staple fair foods like Pronto Pups and roasted corn, new items this year include fried brownie bites, pulled pork corn dogs, pineapple smoothies, and firecracker wontons.&nbsp;

Advance ticket packages are still available, including kids, seniors, and couple’s night bundles.&nbsp;Schulz&nbsp;recommends purchasing early, as prices increase once the fair begins. Adults will be $10 at the gate, while kids 6–12 are $6, and seniors $6.&nbsp;

The Kansas State Fair app has also been updated, offering visitors maps, schedules, food locations, and event reminders. “It’ll be your best friend during the fair,”&nbsp;Schulz&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

The fair opens Friday, September 5, with gates at 10 a.m. and opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. at the People’s Bank and Trust Arena, where a ribbon-cutting will also be held for the new canopy.&nbsp;

The fair runs for 10 days, bringing back a mix of tradition and new experiences for Kansans of all ages.&nbsp;

Kansas State Fair getting ready for opening next week

CHICAGO (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a leadoff homer and a two-run double in Kansas City's eight-run fifth inning as the Royals pummeled the Chicago White Sox 12-1 on Wednesday night.

Perez’s double gave him 993 RBIs — one more than Amos Otis for third place in Royals history. Next on the list is Hal McRae with 1,012. George Brett leads with 1,596.

Ryan Bergert (2-1) pitched a season-high six innings, allowing one run and six hits for his first win in five starts with Kansas City. Jonathan Bowlan, Angel Zerpa and Daniel Lynch IV finished with a scoreless inning apiece.

Perez tied it at 1 with his 23rd homer when he connected off Aaron Civale (3-9). Bobby Witt Jr. chased Civale with a two-out, two-run single and Vinnie Pasquantino greeted Tyler Gilbert with a two-run single for a 5-1 lead. Adam Frazier doubled in Perez for an 8-1 advantage.

Mike Yastrzemski hit his 14th homer — a three-run shot off Gilbert in the sixth to make it 11-1. Yastrzemski doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia's single in the eighth. Witt went 2 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.

Andrew Benintendi hit his 15th home run in the Chicago fourth. The drive came on a pitch 1.02 feet above the ground, the lowest pitch he's homered on in his career, according to MLB Statcast.

Civale gave up five runs in 4 2/3 innings. Gilbert retired one batter and allowed six runs.

Bergert earned his first win since beating the New York Yankees 4-3 on May 5 with San Diego.

The White Sox need to win 15 of their final 29 games to avoid reaching 100 losses for a third straight season.

The Royals host the Detroit Tigers for three games beginning Friday. Neither team had announced a starting pitcher.

White Sox RHP Davis Martin (5-9, 3.93 ERA) starts Thursday at home in the opener of a four-game series against RHP Will Warren (7-6, 4.47) and the Yankees.

⚾ Eight-run fifth inning helps Royals rout the White Sox

CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Massey hit a tying two-run single in the ninth inning and Kyle Isbel had a go-ahead run-scoring single as the Kansas City Royals rallied for a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.