MANHATTAN — Direct from London, The Barricade Boys are bringing their spectacular "Broadway Party" show to Kansas State University's McCain Performance Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20.

These four dazzling performers are taking the world by storm with their electrifying show that will have audiences tapping their feet, belting out their favorite tunes and grinning from ear to ear.From the heart-wrenching emotion of "Les Misérables" to the toe-tapping harmonies of the "Jersey Boys," The Barricade Boys perform a musical journey like no other. Throw in a mix of the greatest pop, rock, swing and Motown hits of all time, and The Barricade Boys create the ultimate Broadway musical mashup!

But it's not just about the music — these four superstar performers will also share hilarious and inspiring stories from their time on stage touring the world and also in some of the biggest shows in London's West End, including "Wicked," "Billy Elliot," "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Sound of Music," "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat" and more.

The Barricade Boys bring 'Broadway Party' to McCain Performance Series 

&nbsp; Santa’s coming to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=bed394d5a2&amp;e=8c33f27c6f">Sunset Zoo</a>, and so are the lights!

Tickets for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=fa16a1c4ba&amp;e=8c33f27c6f">Santa’s Luminary Trail</a>&nbsp;go on sale&nbsp;NOW!Join Sunset Zoo on&nbsp;November 29 &amp; 30&nbsp;to kick off the holiday season with a magical, fun, and festive evening filled with glowing lights, seasonal treats, and a visit from Santa Claus himself

!<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=7300f39e56&amp;e=8c33f27c6f">Get your tickets online</a>.

Santa's Luminary Trail tickets are available

&nbsp; The Flint Hills MPO has released the region's long-range transportation plan, Connect 2050, for public comment. &nbsp;Connect 2050 was developed with local and state partners, and community members and organizations. &nbsp;

The result is a plan that walks through regional transportation needs of today while also examining future challenges, including traffic congestion and financials.&nbsp;The draft plan can be found here: &nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=de31efad3c&amp;e=8c33f27c6f">https://www.flinthillsmpo.org/connect2050</a>

Long range transportation plan

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged sex crimes.

Just after 2p.m. Thursday, police arrested Kevin Brown, 42, of Manhattan, on requested charges that include lewd and lascivious acts; four counts of exposing sex organs to another under the age of 16 and three counts of exposing sex organs to another over the age of 16. A 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl were listed as the victims, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Brown is being held on a $41,000 bond, according to the RCPD.

Manhattan man accused of lewd and lascivious acts

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 November 7

The Flint Hills Veterans Day Parade will be held Tuesday in Manhattan. Sponsored by the Flint Hills Veterans Coalition, it will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Manhattan Town Center and go to City Park.

Following the parade there will be a Veterans Day ceremony at Peace Memorial Auditorium at City Hall.&nbsp;

Veterans Day celebration in Manhattan

&nbsp; In May we celebrated Mr. Dorst's selection as Area 2 High School Principal of the Year. Yesterday and today, Mr. Dorst was recognized at the KPA Conference in Wichita for his dedication to excellence in education. Congratulations again Mr. Dorst!!!&nbsp;&nbsp;

MHS principal is honored

Riley County Arrest Report November 6

The City of Manhattan and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MHKParksRecFound?__cft__[0]=AZVuCORauHE9xBSFEosYa0d2pN_vgYSidb5hbBuOVFNLMEoo3wT7-SSyBI__7N49HNmGF0p5Uja6yMzWJnUPylcLc310Pt2JZIoOuPL3nwlJ79ulnxKkp_t8OrWMbCrKiwrbD33YQIifFgp4cGFuxJZWZDiSY3oaUt4rhzuVdPIq7I7x-PwFhCao1GioKQGdNj0&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Manhattan Parks &amp; Recreation Foundation</a> are proud to announce a landmark partnership with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/steelandpipe?__cft__[0]=AZVuCORauHE9xBSFEosYa0d2pN_vgYSidb5hbBuOVFNLMEoo3wT7-SSyBI__7N49HNmGF0p5Uja6yMzWJnUPylcLc310Pt2JZIoOuPL3nwlJ79ulnxKkp_t8OrWMbCrKiwrbD33YQIifFgp4cGFuxJZWZDiSY3oaUt4rhzuVdPIq7I7x-PwFhCao1GioKQGdNj0&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Steel and Pipe Supply Company Inc.</a>, who have purchased the Hall of Fame Naming Rights for the CiCo Ballfield Complex!

Through a 10-year, $500,000 commitment, Steel and Pipe Supply, Inc. will hold exclusive naming rights for the newly renovated CiCo Ballfield Complex. These funds will be placed in a dedicated account with The Manhattan Parks and Recreation Foundation, supporting future park improvements and ensuring the continued growth of recreational opportunities in our community.

City officials thanked Steel and Pipe Supply for their generosity and continued investment in Manhattan’s future.&nbsp;

Steel and Pipe Supply Company Inc. makes a generous donation.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new financial crimes in Manhattan.

On Tuesday, officers filed a report of financial crimes that occurred on June 15, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. Beto’s Meat Market, 612 Fort Riley Blvd. in Manhattan reported a known individual unlawfully used a credit card at the business. 

On Tuesday, police arrested Tiffany Fernandez, 43, of Manhattan, on requested charges of burglary, theft of property or services and criminal use of a financial card. Fernandez is being held on a $10,000 bond. She has a previous conviction for theft that occurred in 2021, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon accused of financial crimes in Manhattan

MANHATTAN — Dazzling color, rich vocals and uplifting energy will fill McCain Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 14, as the multi-Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir returns to Manhattan. Performing their concert program "Peace," the 30+ member ensemble will deliver a blend of original South African freedom songs, traditional spirituals and classics.

 The performance will also feature beloved tracks from iconic performers, including Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen and more.Since its formation in 2002, the Soweto Gospel Choir has served as a global ambassador of hope and unity. 

Soweto Gospel Choir returns to the McCain stage for a joyful, soul-filled celebration

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations.

Just before midnight, November 5, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center was notified of a burglary in progress at a residence in the 1500 block of SW Clearview Lane, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 The suspect vehicle fled the scene. A nearby patrol sergeant observed the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the 6400 block of SW Topeka Boulevard. Four individuals were taken into custody. Jaquan L. Taylor, 21, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections (SNDOC) on requestd charges of aggravated burglary, criminal damage to property and&nbsp; criminal threat.

Kylin G. Goudeau, 24, and Charles T. Lolar Jr., 20, were arrested and booked into the SNDOC rquested charges of aggravated burglary and&nbsp; theft. A 33-year-old woman was released.&nbsp;

Police capture Kansas home burglary suspects

BOSTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown, even though residents in some states already have received the funds.

A judge had given the Republican administration until Friday to make the payments through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-food-lines-snap-6b55e2c21c0198f3309f3a45a55f33b6">the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>. But the administration asked an appeals court to suspend any court orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund, and instead allow it to continue with planned partial SNAP payments for the month.

After a Boston appeals court declined to immediately intervene, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an order late Friday pausing the requirement to distribute full SNAP payments until the appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause. Jackson handles emergency matters from Massachusetts.

Her order will remain in place until 48 hours after the appeals court rules, giving the administration time to return to the Supreme Court if the appeals court refuses to step in.

The food program serves about 1 in 8 Americans, mostly with lower incomes.

Officials in more than a half-dozen states confirmed that some SNAP recipients already were issued full November payments on Friday. But Jackson's order could prevent other states from initiating the payments.

In Wisconsin, more than $104 million of monthly food benefits became available at midnight on electronic cards for about 337,000 households, a spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said. The state was able to access the federal money so quickly by submitting a request to its electronic benefit card vendor to process the SNAP payments within hours of a Thursday court order to provide full benefits.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said state employees “worked through the night” to issue full November benefits “to make sure every Oregon family relying on SNAP could buy groceries” by Friday.

Hawaii had the information for November's monthly payments ready to go, so it could submit it quickly for processing after Thursday's court order — and before a higher court could potentially pause it, Joseph Campos II, deputy director of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services, told The Associated Press.

“We moved with haste once we verified everything,” Campos said.

Trump's administration told the Supreme Court that the fast-acting states were “trying to seize what they could of the agency’s finite set of remaining funds, before any appeal could even be filed, and to the detriment of other States’ allotments.”

“Once those billions are out the door, there is no ready mechanism for the government to recover those funds,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in the court filing.

Officials in California, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington state also said they moved quickly to issue full SNAP benefits Friday, while other states said they expected full benefits to arrive over the weekend or early next week. Still others said they were waiting for further federal guidance.

The court wrangling prolonged weeks of uncertainty for Americans with lower incomes.

An individual can receive a monthly maximum food benefit of nearly $300 and a family of four up to nearly $1,000, although many receive less than that under a formula that takes into consideration their income.

For some SNAP participants, it remained unclear when they would receive their benefits.

Jasmen Youngbey of Newark, New Jersey, waited in line Friday at a food pantry in the state’s largest city. As a single mom attending college, Youngbey said she relies on SNAP to help feed her 7-month-old and 4-year-old sons. But she said her account balance was at $0.

“Not everybody has cash to pull out and say, ‘OK, I’m going to go and get this,’ especially with the cost of food right now,” she said.

Later Friday, Youngbey said, she received her monthly SNAP benefits.

The legal battle over SNAP takes another twist

Because of the federal government shutdown, the Trump administration originally had said SNAP benefits would not be available in November. However, two judges ruled last week that the administration could not skip November’s benefits entirely because of the shutdown. One of those judges was U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr., who ordered the full payments Thursday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-shutdown-lawsuits-deadline-4af8b0dec6cd31cddd023cc99c131b73">In both cases</a>, the judges ordered the government to use one emergency reserve fund containing more than $4.6 billion to pay for SNAP for November but gave it leeway to tap other money to make the full payments, which cost between $8.5 billion and $9 billion each month.

On Monday, the administration said it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-government-shutdown-court-order-b354aa0b596dcb8bfc6dc59a3382e811">would not use additional money</a>, saying it was up to Congress to appropriate the funds for the program and that the other money was needed to shore up other child hunger programs.

Thursday’s federal court order rejected the Trump administration’s decision to cover only 65% of the maximum monthly benefit, a decision that could have left some recipients getting nothing for this month.

In its court filings Friday, Trump’s administration contended that the judge usurped both legislative and executive authority in ordering SNAP benefits to be fully funded.

“This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers,” Sauer told the Supreme Court.

States are taking different approaches to food aid

Some states said they stood ready to distribute SNAP money as quickly as possible.

Colorado and Massachusetts said SNAP participants could receive their full November payments as soon as Saturday. New York said access to full SNAP benefits should begin by Sunday. New Hampshire said full benefits should be available by this weekend. Arizona and Connecticut said full benefits should be accessible in the coming days.

Officials in North Carolina said they distributed partial SNAP payments Friday and full benefits could be available by this weekend. Officials in Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana and North Dakota also said they distributed partial November payments.

Amid the federal uncertainty, Delaware's Democratic Gov. Matt Meyer said the state used its own funds Friday to provide the first of what could be a weekly relief payment to SNAP recipients.

Read the order: Supreme Court temporarily blocks full SNAP funding

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has pardoned former New York Mets great&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/television-fc6318ff6f3d4133890956a7576999e6">Darryl Strawberry</a>&nbsp;on past tax evasion and drug charges, citing the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year’s post-career embrace of his Christian faith and longtime sobriety.

Strawberry was an outfielder and eight-time All-Star, including seven with the Mets from 1983-90. He hit 335 homers and had 1,000 RBIs and 221 stolen bases in 17 seasons.

Plagued by later legal, health and personal problems, Strawberry was indicted for tax evasion and eventually pleaded guilty in 1995 to a single felony count. That was based on his failure to report $350,000 in income from autographs, personal appearances and sales of memorabilia.

Strawberry agreed to pay more than $430,000 as part of the case. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy in 1998.

The following year, Strawberry was sentenced to probation and suspended from baseball after pleading no contest to charges of possession of cocaine and soliciting a prostitute. He eventually spoke in court about struggling with depression, and was charged with violating his probation numerous times — including on his 40th birthday in 2002.

Strawberry ultimately served 11 months in Florida state prison, and was released in 2003.

A White House official said Friday that Trump approved a pardon for Strawberry, who had served time and paid back taxes. Speaking on condition of anonymity to detail a pardon that had not yet been formally announced, the official noted that Strawberry found faith in Christianity and has been sober for more than a decade, and that he’d become active in ministry and started a still-active recovery center.

Strawberry&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQwok6mkUvw/?img_index=1&amp;igsh=NGJia3RzOGc3cXpv" target="_blank">posted on Instagram</a>&nbsp;a picture of himself and Trump and wrote, “Thank you, President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/realdonaldtrump/" target="_blank">@realdonaldtrump</a>&nbsp;for my full pardon and for finalizing this part of my life, allowing me to be truly free and clean from all of my past.”

He described being home Thursday afternoon, caring for his wife, who was recovering from surgery, “when my phone kept ringing relentlessly.”

“Half asleep, I glanced over and saw a call from Washington DC. Curious, I answered, and to my amazement, the lady on the line said, ‘Darryl Strawberry, you have a call from the President of the United States, Donald Trump,’” Strawberry wrote. “I put it on speakerphone with my wife nearby, and President Trump spoke warmly about my baseball days in NYC, praising me as one the greatest player of the ’80s and celebrating the Mets. Then, he told me he was granting me a full pardon from my past.”

Trump was a New York real estate mogul before becoming a reality television star and twice winning the presidency.

Strawberry said he was “overwhelmed with gratitude — thanking God for setting me free from my past, helping me become a better Man, Husband and Father.”

“This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true follower of Jesus Christ,” Strawberry wrote, while also noting, “This has nothing to do with politics — it’s about a Man, President Trump, caring deeply for a friend. God used him as a vessel to set me free forever!”

The president has broad constitutional powers to grant pardons, which don’t expunge the recipient’s criminal record but can be seen as acts of justice or mercy, often in cases that can further public welfare.

Strawberry’s followed Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-former-tennessee-house-speaker-fa22308ddf176ad83f35d649e7f0e498">issuing pardons</a>&nbsp;this week for a former Republican speaker of the Tennessee House and a onetime aide on public corruption charges. It also adds to a list of celebrities and political allies who have similarly received&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-justice-department-f9c5b82dfea0128a49c218fa7f1cbeac">unlikely pardons</a>&nbsp;— including a former Republican governor of Connecticut, an ex-GOP congressman and reality TV stars who had been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/television-personalities-sentenced-years-federal-prison-fraud-and-tax-evasion" target="_blank">convicted of cheating banks</a>&nbsp;and evading taxes.

Strawberry played for the Mets, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants between 1983 and 1999. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-playoffs-dodgers-mets-nlcs-1988-c9695f6b9931a217725e9c740dc06816">won the World Series</a>&nbsp;with the 1986 Mets, starring alongside the likes of Dwight Gooden and Keith Hernandez, and with the Yankees in 1996, 1998 and 1999.

Strawberry was hospitalized with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strawberry-darryl-heart-attack-002a53fd990e168734bfaa652260505a">heart attack</a>&nbsp;in March 2024, a day before he turned 62. That same year, the Mets retired his No. 18 and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/darryl-strawberry-mets-c8fe5620df275dd5280568ecc71862dd">emotional Strawberry</a>&nbsp;told the Citi Field crowd: “I’m truly, deeply sorry that I ever left you guys. I never played baseball in front of fans greater than you guys.”

President Trump pardons baseball star Darryl Strawberry

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal hit-and-run and asking the public for help to identify a vehicle.

The incident involving a pedestrian occurred Thursday evening just north of Lawrence in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, according to Sheriff's Department Spokesman Officer George Diepenbrock.

 A passerby notified dispatchers at 3:35 a.m. Friday upon finding a person near the road. When deputies responded, they determined the person had died.&nbsp;Deputies have determined the person was struck around 6 p.m. Thursday. 

Upon processing the scene, deputies were able to identify the person who died as a 20-year-old Lawrence woman.&nbsp;Deputies believe she had been running in the area before she was struck by a vehicle.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Detectives are following leads regarding a suspected driver of the vehicle involved.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the victim.

At this time, the Sheriff’s Office asks anyone who might have been in the area between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday and has potential information to call DGSO Det. Lance Flachsbarth, 785-393-5845, or Douglas County Crime Stoppers, 785-843-TIPS (8477), and leave your contact information.

Sheriff: 20-year-old Kansas woman killed in hit-and-run

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two people died in a house fire Thursday in Sedgwick County.

Just after 10:30p.m., crews&nbsp;were dispatched a fire at a home in the 6000 block North West ParkView in Park City, according to county spokesperson Brandon Zenner.

Firefighters on scene were met with heavy smoke and flames from the front of the home. One victim was pulled out of the residence where life saving efforts were made but later succumbed of their injuries at the hospital. 

The second victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of fire is under investigation.&nbsp; Authorities did not release the names of the victims.

Two dead after fire at Kansas home

TOKPEA —On Friday, the Kansas Department for Children and Families issued full November benefits to Kansans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food Assistance, according to a statement on the a agency website.

Beneficiaries should have access to their full benefit​s by the end of the day on Friday, Nov. 7. 

All current Kansas beneficiaries will receive benefits on Nov. 7 instead of the typical monthly issuances that are staggered over a 10-day period according to last name.&nbsp;

“Kansans can rest assured that we are moving quickly to disburse full November SNAP benefits,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly. “I’m pleased that these benefits will be issued in full and I hope that it is a sign that the shutdown will end soon so Kansas families do not go through this uncertainty again in December.”

This includes a total distribution of more than $31.6 million to approximately 86,000 Kansas households. All current Kansas beneficiaries will receive benefits on Nov. 7 instead of the typical monthly issuances that are staggered over a 10-day period according to last name.

Kansas should call 1-800-997-6666, the number on the back of their EBT card, to check on those benefits, and the pending benefits information should be provided. EBT card users should download and use ebtEDGE app to track and protect their benefits. Find the ebtEDGE app in your app store and at the web portal:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do" target="_blank">https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do​</a>. The FIS ebtEDGE app is completely free to use and provides protective features like blocking out-of-state purchases and card freezing.The total November benefit distribution was more than $31.6 million to approximately 86,000 Kansas households.&nbsp;​

DCF: Kansans to receive full November SNAP benefits

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune pleaded with colleagues on Friday to “end these weeks of misery” as many Democrats pledged to vote against reopening the government until President Donald Trump and Republican leaders negotiate with them on an extension of health care benefits.

A small group of Democrats has been negotiating with Republicans on a deal that would end the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">shutdown</a>. But the contours of that agreement would only come with the promise of a future health care vote, rather than a guarantee that Affordable Care Act subsidies are extended by the end of the year. Many Democrats say that’s unacceptable.

It’s a frustrating dynamic for Republican leaders, who only need five additional votes to fund the government.

“The time to act is now,” Thune said in his opening remarks on the Senate floor Friday, speaking directly to Democrats who might change their position.

As the shutdown reached its 38th day, Republicans were still refusing to negotiate with Democrats on health care, insisting that they vote to reopen the government first. They were planning instead to introduce a new, bipartisan package of bills that they hope will break the impasse.

It was unclear whether that new plan would work, even as lawmakers in both parties were feeling increased urgency to alleviate the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-airlines-faa-e39c423facec2b0dcc2544af48de0fa1">growing crisis at airports</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/furlough-federal-workers-unemployment-government-shutdown-e0c73357aab61c7a6162cfb26c659c03">pay government workers</a>&nbsp;and restore&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-government-shutdown-court-order-b354aa0b596dcb8bfc6dc59a3382e811">delayed food aid</a>&nbsp;to millions of people.

Thune said he’s likely to keep the Senate in session over the weekend for the first time since the shutdown began, an effort to apply pressure and resolve the standoff.

A test vote on the new package, which has not been made public, could come as soon as Friday.

Democrats will then have a crucial choice to make: Do they keep fighting for a meaningful deal on extending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-subsidies-obamacare-shutdown-e94d96a8a837a5f7f681dc6893872d3b">the subsidies</a>&nbsp;that expire in January, while prolonging the pain of the shutdown? Or do they vote to reopen the government and hope for the best as Republicans promise an eventual health care vote, but not a guaranteed outcome?

After a caucus meeting on Thursday, many Democrats said they would continue to hold out for negotiations.

“That’s what leaders do,” said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M. “You have the gavel, you have the majority, you have to bring people together.”

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York has not yet weighed in. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said Democrats are “obviously not unanimous” but “without something on health care, the vote is very unlikely to succeed.”

Thune’s decision to keep the Senate in session came after Trump urged Republicans at a White House breakfast Wednesday to end the shutdown quickly. He’s urging Republicans to end the legislative filibuster, which requires 60 Senate votes for most legislation, so that they bypass Democrats altogether and fund the government.

“I am totally in favor of terminating the filibuster, and we would be back to work within 10 minutes after that vote took place,” Trump said Friday.

Republicans have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-filibuster-resistance-senate-thune-shutdown-e2facc2a1a32811d294b1bd16853f307">emphatically rejected</a>&nbsp;Trump’s call, instead eyeing a bipartisan package that would pay for parts of government — food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things — and extend funding for everything else until December or January. The three annual spending bills that would likely be included are the product of bipartisan negotiations that have continued through the shutdown.

The package would replace the House-passed bill that the Democrats have rejected repeatedly. That would only extend government funding until Nov. 21, a date that is rapidly approaching after six weeks of inaction.

The new package would mirror a tentative proposal that moderate Democrats have been sketching out. The framework led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., would also take up Republicans on their offer to hold a vote on extending the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies at a later date.

It was unclear what Thune, who has refused to negotiate, would promise on health care.

Johnson delivers setback to bipartisan talks

Democrats are facing pressure from unions eager for the shutdown to end and from allied groups that want them to hold firm. Many Democrats have argued that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-new-jersey-trump-election-democrat-republican-fad109893cfd4be5b49a5bb1b0138d8d">wins for Democrats</a>&nbsp;on Election Day show voters want them to continue the fight until Republicans yield and agree to extend the health tax credits.

A vote on the health care subsidies “has got to mean something,” said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. “That means a commitment by the speaker of the House, that he will support the legislation, that the president will sign.”

But Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., made clear he will not make any commitments. “I’m not promising anybody anything,” Johnson said on Thursday when asked if he could promise a vote on a health care bill.

Johnson’s clear refusal was a setback for negotiators. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, one of the moderate Democrats involved in negotiations, said the speaker’s comments were “a significant problem.”

“We have to make sure we have a deal that we can get broad support for,” Peters said.

As Democrats try to figure out what to do, Schumer has not said when he thinks the shutdown should end. He and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York have called for Trump to sit down with them and negotiate — a meeting that seems unlikely to happen.

“Donald Trump clearly is feeling pressure,” Schumer said.

The Democrats and Republicans who have been talking insisted they were making steady progress on a deal.

Republicans suggested on Thursday they might be open to including language in a final agreement that would reverse some mass firings of government workers by the White House, according to two people familiar with the private talks granted anonymity to discuss them. It was unclear whether that proposal would be included in the new package.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins of Maine, a moderate Republican who has been talking to Democrats, says she wants furloughed workers to be given back pay and workers who have been fired during the shutdown to be “recalled.”

“We’re still negotiating that language,” she said.

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Joey Cappelletti, and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

🎥Government shutdown: Senate GOP leader pleads for end to misery

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man convicted of a violent attack on a teen, later identified as his girlfriend, will learn his fate Friday.

Dominic Thomas, who was 19 at the time of the crime is scheduled for sentencing in Judge William Wolley's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November of 2024, a jury convicted him of attempted first-degree murder.

Just after 10 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2020 police responded to an assault report at a home in the 3900 block of North Litchfield in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 17-year-old girl who was visibly shaken and wet. The investigation revealed 19-year-old Dominic Thomas and the victim were talking near a pond at 37th Street North and Sullivan when a disturbance occurred.

During the disturbance, Thomas battered the girl, drug her to a nearby pond and held her head under the water. Thomas then released her and fled. Officers later located Thomas, and he was arrested without further incident.

Sentencing Day: Kansas man tried to drown pregnant girlfriend

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to continue carrying out, for now, its policy requiring that passports only list a person’s sex assigned at birth.

The nation’s highest court paused a lower court order that temporarily barred the administration from enforcing the policy, codified in an executive order Trump signed in January.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;made it the “policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female” and called on the State Department to “implement changes to require that government-issued identification documents, including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect the holder’s sex.”&nbsp;

Under then-President Joe Biden, the State Department&nbsp;<a href="https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/31/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-advances-equality-and-visibility-for-transgender-americans/" target="_blank">allowed</a>&nbsp;people to “select an ‘X’ as their gender marker on their U.S. passport application.”

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26219531-scotus-passports-11625/" target="_blank">the unsigned court order</a>, the majority noted that “displaying passport holders’ sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth — in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, indicating a 6-3 decision.

Jackson, who authored the dissent, wrote that the court “fails to spill any ink considering the plaintiffs, opting instead to intervene in the Government’s favor without equitable justification, and in a manner that permits harm to be inflicted on the most vulnerable party.”&nbsp;

“This Court has once again paved the way for the immediate infliction of injury without adequate (or, really, any) justification,” she wrote. “Because I cannot acquiesce to this pointless but painful perversion of our equitable discretion, I respectfully dissent.”&nbsp;

In February, the American Civil Liberties Union&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.280559/gov.uscourts.mad.280559.1.0_2.pdf" target="_blank">filed a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the administration on behalf of seven transgender and nonbinary people over the suspension of the Biden-era policy.

A federal judge in Massachusetts in June temporarily blocked the administration from enforcing the policy. The judge had issued an earlier preliminary injunction in April that applied to six of the case’s plaintiffs.&nbsp;

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit kept in place the district court’s order in September, prompting the administration to ask the Supreme Court to intervene.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Supreme Court OKs for now Trump passport policy that targets trans people

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged violent crime.

Just after 9p.m. Nov. 4, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a disturbance in the area of the 2400 Block of Dike Road, in Great Bend, according to a media release.

Officers found a male victim with a large cut on his forehead. The victim stated that he had been at the river near the North Main bridge when he got into an argument with Tiara Mills-Dotson, 30. The victim stated that during the argument, Mills-Dotson charged at him and struck him in the head with an unknown object.

While speaking with a witness, it was determined that the object used was a butcher knife, which was located and recovered at the scene. Mills-Dotson was transported and booked into the Barton County jail on requested charges of Aggravated Battery and for Aggravated Assault.

Kansas man jailed for alleged attack with a butcher knife

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Freshman Caleb Wilson had 24 points, big man Henri Veesaar added 20 and No. 25 North Carolina dominated the second half to pull away from No. 19 Kansas 87-74 in Friday night's battle of college basketball bluebloods.

Senior Seth Trimble added 13 of his 17 after halftime, proving to be a catalyst for the Tar Heels (2-0) in taking control of the second-half tempo as UNC roared out of the break.

But North Carolina made 18 of its first 23 second-half shots — including back-to-back push-the-tempo scores by Trimble that had Kansas coach Bill Self first waving his hands in frustration and then burning a quick timeout barely two minutes in.

Kyan Evans added 12 points after a scoreless first half for the Tar Heels, who went from shooting 33% before the break to making 24 of 36 shots (66.7%) after halftime to lead by as many as 16 on the way to scoring 58 second-half points.

Kansas star freshman Darryn Peterson had 22 points to lead the Jayhawks (1-1), who led by 10 in the first half and 37-29 at the break.

The Jayhawks entered Friday having won five straight meetings between programs with a combined 10 NCAA titles, including in the 2008 Final Four, the 2012 NCAA Elite Eight and the 2022 national championship game. The Jayhawks won last year's meeting at Allen Fieldhouse despite blowing a 20-point lead and were playing their first game in Chapel Hill.

Kansas: The Jayhawks return home to face Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday.

🏀 Wilson, Veesaar, Trimble power North Carolina over Kansas

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State offensive lineman&nbsp;Sam Hecht&nbsp;and safety&nbsp;VJ Payne&nbsp;have been rewarded with successful collegiate careers thus far as the senior duo has earned invitations to the 2026 East West Shrine Bowl.

Hecht and Payne are invited to take part in the longest-running college all-star football game in the nation on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, inside the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Hecht has started each of the last 22 games dating back to the 2024 season opener, seeing time on a combined 1,410 offensive snaps while only committing two penalties. A 2024 All-Big 12 Second Team honoree, Hecht was on the watch lists for the 2025 Outland and Rimington trophies in addition to being a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.

Payne, a product of Buford, Georgia, has started a team-leading 39 games, including 38-straight contests to stand as the best on the squad. He has 191 career tackles, including 10.0 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and 12 total passes defended. This season, Payne ranks third on the team with 43 career tackles.

 K-State’s Hecht, Payne Earn Shine Bowl Invitations

MANHATTAN, Kan. —&nbsp;<a href="http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5106275/pj-haggerty">P.J. Haggerty</a>&nbsp;scored 27 points,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4898278/nate-johnson">Nate Johnson</a>&nbsp;had 22 points and just missed a triple-double as Kansas State rolled to a 93-64 victory over UNC Greensboro on Tuesday night in the season opener for both teams.

Haggerty shot 10 of 20 from the field and Johnson was 8-of-11 shooting and grabbed a nine rebounds to go with nine assists.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5174959/abdi-bashir-jr">Abdi Bashir Jr</a>. scored all 16 of his points in the second half for K-State, which finished shooting 34 of 67 (51%) from the floor and 14 of 27 (52%) from long range.

<a href="http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4896620/justin-neely">Justin Neely</a>&nbsp;had 15 points, nine rebounds, fives assists and three steals to lead UNC Greensboro.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5314576/lilian-marville">Lilian Marville</a>&nbsp;added 14 points.

The Spartans built a 26-18 advantage with about six minutes left in the first half and led 34-33 at the break.

It was tied 40-all early in the second half before K-State pulled away on a 25-5 run, capped by a Johnson 3-pointer, and led 70-45 with 9:39 to play. The Wildcats were 3-of-10 shooting from 3-point range in the first half but 11 of 17 in the second.

🏀 Haggerty scores 27 to lead K-State over UNC Greensboro

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Freshman Darryn Peterson scored 21 points in 22 minutes in his debut to lead No. 19 Kansas past Green Bay 94-51 in the season opener for both teams Monday night.

Peterson shot 7 of 11 from the field, including 3 for 7 from 3-point range, before sitting most of the second half.

Kansas' Flory Bidunga led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 sniping from the line. Melvin Council added 10 points for Kansas, which was 33 of 58 from the field (56.9%).

Green Bay was led by Marcus Hall's 17 points.

The Jayhawks, who led by 21 points at the break, put any thoughts of a Green Bay comeback to rest by scoring the first seven points of the second half. The Jayhawks extended their lead throughout the second half and their final 43-point margin was their largest of the game.

Peterson made an impact early. His first bucket, a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the 18:31 mark, put Kansas in front and the Jayhawks never looked back. He also had two steals before the first media timeout. He finished the first half with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Bidunga picked up his second foul with 6:44 left, which earned him a spot on the bench. He finished the half with 16 points. He was 6 for 6 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line.

The Jayhawks were 17 of 29 from the field in the first half, and missed 11 of their 14 3-point attempts. They still led 48-27 at intermission.

Green Bay was led by C.J. O’Hara's nine points before halftime. The Phoenix hit just 34.6% of their shots.

Kansas: At No. 25 North Carolina on Friday.

🏀 Peterson scores 21 in 22 minutes in debut to lead KU past Green Bay

Manhattan High School football playoff game ticket information

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference and ESPN announced Monday that Kansas State’s November 15 contest at Oklahoma State will kick at 11 a.m., and be televised on ESPNU.

This will be the Wildcats’ first daytime game at Oklahoma State since a 45-40 win over the 10th-ranked Cowboys in 2017 – which was the last time K-State won in Stillwater – while it is K-State’s first 11 a.m., kickoff in Stillwater since 2003. After a 42-20 home victory over the Cowboys last year, the Wildcats are looking to win consecutive games in the series for the first time since 2017 and 2018.

Following the game at Oklahoma State, the Wildcats travel to Utah. K-State’s home finale is slated for Saturday, November 29, against Colorado. Tickets to the game against the Buffaloes can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS.

K-State’s Game at Oklahoma State Set for Morning Kick

Manhattan High School captured the 6A Girls State Cross Country Championship at Rim Rock Farm, finishing with a team score of 61 to bring home the 2025 title.

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