LENEXA, KAN. (JULY 18, 2025) – Today, at the Flint Hills Regional Council (FHRC) board meeting in Junction City, Kansas, EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy presented a $1 million award to FHRC for their selection to receive funding for their Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). Macy was joined by Kansas State Representative Nathan Butler and FHRC Board President Trish Giordano.

"Today, we are thrilled to present this award for the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund to the Flint Hills Regional Council, a testament to their unwavering commitment to transforming our community,"&nbsp;Macy said. "Having previously received an Assessment Grant, FHRC has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision in identifying and preparing sites for revitalization. This new funding will empower them to continue their vital work, turning environmental challenges into opportunities for growth and renewal."

“This $1 million EPA grant is a game changer for the Flint Hills region,”&nbsp;Giordano said. “It empowers us to transform abandoned properties into thriving community assets, sparking revitalization and creating new jobs. Together, we’re paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.”

The $1 million grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund (RLF), from which FHRC will provide up to three loans and up to two subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds also will be used to establish the RLF, market the program, and support community engagement activities. RLF activities will focus on Chase, Geary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, and Wabaunsee counties in Kansas, with a focus on the Kansas cities of Herington, Junction City, and Manhattan.

This grant is part of FY 2025 Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, Cleanup Grants, and RLF Supplemental Funding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-267-million-brownfields-grants-cleanup-communities-across-country">announced</a>&nbsp;in May 2025. This announcement included:

Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants:

Brownfields Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund Grants:

View the list of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applications-selected-fy-2025-brownfields-assessment-revolving-loan-fund-rlf-cleanup">selected applicants</a>.

EPA’s Brownfields program began in 1995 and has&nbsp;provided&nbsp;nearly $2.9 billion&nbsp;in Brownfields Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date,&nbsp;brownfields investments&nbsp;have leveraged over $42 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding was able to leverage over 220,500 jobs from both public and private sources.

Flint Hills Regional Council presented with $1 Million Check from EPA Region 7

-- EXTREME HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO 7 PM CDT WEDNESDAY...

A prolonged period of hot conditions with heat index values  up to 107 is expected. The affected areas are Portions of central, east central, north central, and northeast Kansas.

Impacts of the heat are heat related illnesses increase significantly during&nbsp;  extreme heat and high humidity events.

The warning could be extended through next  week if the forecast plays out as expected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

Heat Warning in Effect from Noon Saturday - Wednesday

The window replacement project at the Courthouse Plaza East (CPE) building (115 N. 4th Street) starts next week.

The project is expected to last several months and be completed in February 2026. During the renovation, County Commission meetings will be held at the Family and Child Resource Center (2101 Claflin Rd) and some departments will temporarily relocate to different floors/spaces. 

Signs will be posted on the entry doors to help you find the department you're looking for.&nbsp; More information can be found <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rileycountyks.gov%2FCivicAlerts.aspx%3FAID%3D1768%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExMFJrVndaSzdTNlhUdUd5MQEe8VOPTELEmsepK6XhVIqiwplVmJT6x3YjxEr1LuHKC94vOJtHbZIRfIjyCYU_aem_U-hjHrHI6YypT-rZjcO_eg&amp;h=AT3twinszTrXFWdW2MXffCrLGOt9fEeoaQidjxc9PhoTrQDvg5MPcFGDqOlrYpqXP64rmPWy60kCiqVEaXe9FXzn4ScH2mMg2yI3dWCC0UI_xCtLs_EQp03PJf0t3u-kQ3Vwz4h5-7OwJXlj&amp;__tn__=-UK*F&amp;c[0]=AT08gLfKzP24fWLYbYRBG1swXt9r5HRJ5FQ8JliMgYeIGsVpbxYWXqyB0aB-UPees1D2DBE-gQCYUONqNheIotfONdKU1Y0vk9ifICvyhFhiAbQrzkZLug1sX1Yn08HqnKILZnKRYSZe1QbXaxawVVBfDwvVCuVCPLgtiTfbpAxscIGlr0WizTdMoBmZMon5WzcC74j4dJERekQ0JoVlf0hbVFrhdaE_1h5WcZ6RoGCZNqgmUQ">here.&nbsp;</a>

Window Replacement Project to begin at the Courthouse Plaza East Building

The 31st Annual Junction City Rodeo is happening this weekend, Friday and Saturday night, July 18th &amp; 19th, starting at 8:00 P.M. at the Geary County 4-H Fairgrounds Arena, located at 1025 Spring Valley Rd in Junction City.

The rodeo will feature: bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 Friday night's theme is Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night . On Saturday night, the theme is Red, White &amp; Blue Night.

There will be events for this kids at the rodeo as well. Kids events include the calf scramble, the boot scramble, and mutton busting.

Tickets to the Junction City Rodeo can be purchased at the gate. Adults are $10.00, kids ages 6-12 are $5.00, and those five and under are free.&nbsp;

Junction City Rodeo is this Weekend

On Monday, July 21, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to close the eastbound I-70 entrance ramp at exit&nbsp;299/J-Hill Road for reconstruction in Junction City. This closure is in addition to the following ramp closures:

The contractor has scheduled the I-70 entrance ramp at eastbound exit&nbsp;299&nbsp;to reopen by the end of August.

This final phase, Phase Three, of reconstruction is scheduled to be completed by December, weather permitting. Wildcat Construction Co. Inc., of Wichita, is the prime contractor for this $30 million project.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones. For current road conditions, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010197f0b673c7-6f1e76e0-e44d-4db5-94ca-ac4c45798e8f-000000/75SFfB2JbgoUtWO881evdUNKfNqynJvVxGWRVMchbRo=413">kandrive.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 5-1-1. For more information on this project, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.ksdot.gov%2Fprojects%2Fi-70-pavement-replacement-in-junction-city%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010197f0b673c7-6f1e76e0-e44d-4db5-94ca-ac4c45798e8f-000000/DCzujLCR0N6o7pkPCa85q27KydRW0sa4Rw91ccmcx7A=413">ksdot.gov/projects/i-70-pavement-replacement-in-junction-city</a>.

I-70 entrance ramp -  Exit 299/J-Hill Road to close Monday for reconstruction 

Abilene is ready to add another national accolade to its growing list. On Thursday, Newsweek announced the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum &amp; Boyhood Home inn, as a nominee in its 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Presidential Attraction. This marks the first time Abilene has been honored by Newsweek.

“Being nominated by Newsweek is a tremendous honor,” said Todd Arrington, Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. “It’s a reflection of the important work we do to preserve and share the story of Dwight D. Eisenhower—one of America’s most admired leaders.” Nominees for Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards are selected by editors with input from travel experts across the country. Abilene’s nomination was submitted by Amy Piper, Follow the Piper, a travel writer who visited the Presidential Library and Museum through the Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau’s Travel Media Hosting Program.

The relationships we build are invaluable, and we’re so appreciative of this nomination,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Director of the Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau. “From USA TODAY and Travel Awaits to True West Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, and other respected outlets powered by real traveler experiences, Abilene continues to earn national recognition from those who’ve experienced it firsthand.”

Voting for Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards opens Thursday, July 17 at 11 a.m. CST and closes Thursday, August 14 at 10:59 a.m. CST. Voters can cast their vote daily at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice">https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice</a>.

Best Presidential Attraction Nominee:&nbsp;Eisenhower Presidential Library &amp; Museum200 S. E. 4th St, Abilene, KS

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/">www.EisenhowerLibrary.gov</a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/"></a>Located on a stunning 22-acre campus in the heart of Abilene, the Eisenhower Presidential Library &amp; Museum invites visitors to explore the life and legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower—from a modest Kansas upbringing to global leadership as Supreme Allied Commander in World War II and the 34th President of the United States.

The campus includes the recently renovated museum,&nbsp; Eisenhower’s boyhood home, research archives, the Place of Meditation–final resting place of President Eisenhower and his wife Mamie,&nbsp; and a visitor center with a gift shop. Guests can enjoy interactive exhibits, rare personal artifacts, and immersive storytelling that highlights Ike’s military leadership, creation of the Interstate Highway System, formation of NASA, and civil rights progress. Consistently ranked among the top five U.S. presidents by C-SPAN historians, Eisenhower’s steady leadership continues to inspire generations.

“Eisenhower’s legacy continues to receive national attention and to inspire Americans of all ages to be active and engaged citizens,” added Arrington.&nbsp;&nbsp;

BONUS: Abilene's Victorian Inn Bed &amp; Breakfast Nominated as Newsweek's Best Historic Bed &amp; Breakfast.

Once the home of President Eisenhower's boyhood friend, Swede Hazlett, Abilene's Victorian Inn is now a lovely bed-and-breakfast that has been refreshed to its former glory. Guests begin each morning with coffee in the parlor before indulging in dishes like quiche, fresh fruit parfaits, biscuits and more. In the afternoon, you can listen to the sounds of songbirds mixed with a train whistle from a swing on the spacious porch.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; Vote daily at:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice/best-historical-bb-2025">https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice/best-historical-bb-2025</a>.

Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum Nominated for Newsweek's Best Presidential Attraction

July's Third Thursday is on track to be one of our largest Third Thursday events EVER! 

We are proud to showcase and support local artists, makers, and vendors in our neighborhood but we couldn't do it without the support of our Downtown Partners. Thanks Partners for your dedication in making our Neighborhood the place to be for everyone

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063796920245&amp;__cft__[0]=AZU12My4hYVOsgtXKsn6ODiboOK1slfA194N3gP5yNveK6u1O56TXF3U0xtGo-KFcGdLaA3TnoP0lO2iZvTr9bI_3FBjpndpNxHPKwht442rOYGSZT7353zOTPCZuoVXmfqvqgFKxbTy2An5srpJB3YCNHk842lmC4mqwxRrioe1WC5dSWkPLR5gFd8NcsU6No6MduPUQ7BBTkS1HDuOnk71hdSkdFZwNLmxtqwtqXkiYg&amp;__tn__=-]K-R"></a>Be sure to head Downtown for Third Thursday, 5-8pm!&nbsp;&nbsp;Enjoy the new CCA Outdoor Refreshment Zone at tonight's Third Thursday!

What does this mean? The City of Manhattan has established a Common Consumption Area (CCA) in Downtown. This Outdoor Refreshment Zone is a designated area where drinks that are purchased from participating establishments can be carried and consumed.

You may also take your alcoholic beverage into other downtown businesses if they allow it. Please look for stickers on doors as you enter. Signs and sidewalk paint will let you know the boundaries of the refreshment zone. Please discard your drink before leaving the Downtown CCA Outdoor Refreshment Zone.

We invite you to enjoy the CCA Outdoor Refreshment Zone responsibly as you explore all that Downtown has to offer!

For CCA Outdoor Refreshment Zone Rules - Visit the City of Manhattan webpage: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fflymhk.com%2F3889%2FDowntown-CCA%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQzIwWnkwYWVyMzBLbWxScAEe3U6sgzB-NpQ2lpkSWu9_1QMx6GF7jZncR5iK5iIjxt6XG6aWBsN4L2JBSe0_aem_IJqtcWKfAeRpK9bEvhOPYw&amp;h=AT01zAojuoRYGA5NCre7YSg-55lAfeCRD-9JKFOE4y7gLKjLT8IHCwrEtXX7F4RWaYhixVQ3KW8jz03Jh5U5lVgGI6daS1GzatUyBD9JwHh4Hr-e5qBmpDhVwiBRGinz2DoiPu4QTNvneHlh&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT3pEgAkPIv97HwSmzOnXNPEywCR3hH2SAZBsLiofn6sg8PeT9ATgSyn91gBlQYZBxV1xFek9N_iYCnQtXA6XLZr_VLVYzcRxao-Ml76dU58XDPNDqOddoQgHVXgoaAu-TN4yX-rOTRV0sJMecoIRcZWF4gFDh5mYJf7nrS2xlDJoxAEYFjE163TwnQd1U0OfOmybmaI2ufdm5urso3I_JaGVw" target="_blank">https://flymhk.com/3889/Downtown-CCA</a>.

Third Thursday Event is Tonight in Downtown Manhattan 

The Kansas Department of Transportation announced that Traffic is reduced to one lane on WB I-70, just E of Mink Rd/KS-43 in Dickinson County.&nbsp; Workers are replacing a section of concrete that had previously buckled due to heat.

KDOT shared a message saying, "Loved ones are waiting for these workers at home. We ask that you please <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/moveover?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZU82SFd4EA1ntuFIANd6crp4MKzn49mXjbhZk6QZAi3wE0o3dOpeNzJkVB0RwZ4yEKv8Y0c4bNgOktTdL-f3uep3x547m87ees46MrCrbptjBDASGgU36g-o8fs9_sH2-UyUX6e4p4nT0nkKvNZ7SdOlVhqmwTvddLsHnm07oqPKg&amp;__tn__=*NK-R-R">#MoveOver</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/slowdown?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZU82SFd4EA1ntuFIANd6crp4MKzn49mXjbhZk6QZAi3wE0o3dOpeNzJkVB0RwZ4yEKv8Y0c4bNgOktTdL-f3uep3x547m87ees46MrCrbptjBDASGgU36g-o8fs9_sH2-UyUX6e4p4nT0nkKvNZ7SdOlVhqmwTvddLsHnm07oqPKg&amp;__tn__=*NK-R-R">#SlowDown</a> as you pass by so everyone can go home safely!"

Traffic Alert: WB I-70 reduced to one lane E. of Mink Rd/KS-43 in Dickinson County

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Release

LENEXA, KAN.&nbsp; – On Friday, July 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will present a $1 million award in Junction City, Kansas, to the Flint Hills Regional Council as a Brownfields Grant selectee.

EPA has selected Flint Hills Regional Council Inc. for a Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant. It will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the council will provide up to three loans and up to two subgrants to support cleanup activities.

Grant funds also will be used to establish the RLF, market the program, and support community engagement activities. RLF activities will focus on Chase, Geary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, and Wabaunsee counties in Kansas, with a focus on the Kansas cities of Herington, Junction City, and Manhattan.

The presentation will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18, at 726 N. Washington St. in Junction City.

EPA Region 7 to Present $1M Award to Flint Hills Regional Council After Selection for Brownfields Grant

The fair sees LEGOS, artistry, and woodworking too

There are animals that you won’t see in a zoo

2025 Riley County 4-H Fair  Clover Hunt Clues!

Rain Showers and Thunderstorms are possible Wednesday evening and carrying into Thursday morning. Some of the storms may contain strong gusty winds and heavy rainfall.&nbsp;

With the rainfall and storms, a cold front moves through with the highs tomorrow in the mid 70's with scattered showers and thunderstorms once again possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The heat returns to end the work week and into the weekend. Friday is sunny with a high of 90. Saturday and Sunday the high is 98 degrees.&nbsp;

Rain and Storms possible Wednesday evening through Thursday Morning

ATLANTA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber was nervous.

He had played in Game 7 of the World Series, homered for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

But he had never walked up to the plate in an All-Star Game swing-off.

“That’s kind of like the baseball version of a shootout,” he said after homering on all three of his swings, going down to his left knee on the final one, to overcome a two-homer deficit. That held up when Jonathan Aranda fell short on the American League’s final three swings, giving the National League a 4-3 swing-off win after a 6-6 tie Tuesday night in which it wasted a six-run, seventh-inning lead.

Schwarber earned the MVP award, going 0 for 2 with a walk as the NL won for the second time in its last 12 tries. He became the first non-pitcher MVP without a hit.

“It will be interesting to see where that goes,” said AL manager Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees. “There’s probably a world where you could see that in the future, where maybe it’s in some regular season mix. I wouldn’t be surprised if people start talking about it like that.”

Concerned about running out of pitchers in an era where no All-Star throws more than one inning,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-new-york-mets-brian-snitker-38d3dc0ea869992ebcab83a4ef4c960b">Major League Baseball and the players’ association made the change in 2022</a>.

In baseball’s equivalent of soccer’s penalty-kicks shootout, the game was decided by having three batters from each league take three swings each off coaches.

Boone picked Brent Rooker, Randy Arozarena and Aranda on Monday, and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts picked Eugenio Suárez, Schwarber and Pete Alonso for the NL. Because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eugenio-suarez-allstar-game-3a86937e6a6e74ade4399711717f1f9b">Suárez was hit</a>&nbsp;on the left hand by a fastball in the eighth inning, the NL turned to its alternate, Kyle Stowers.

Players from both teams stood outside their dugouts, some already in street clothes, jumping and shouting after each long ball from their side. Yankees coach Travis Chapman threw to the AL batters and Dodgers coach Dino Ebel to the NL hitters.

Rooker put the AL ahead by homering on his last two swings, and Stowers hit one. Randy Arozarena boosted the AL lead to 3-1.

Ebel had thrown BP to Schwarber two years ago at the WBC.

“He asked me right before, he was like, where do you want it?” Schwarber recalled “I’m like, just middle. And he’s like, `I gotcha.’”

He took two pitches and deposited the third just over the center-field fence. Schwarber took another, then hit a 461-foot drive over the right-center bullpen. After letting two more go by, he dropped to a knee while pulling the third, craned his neck and held his bat it the air as the ball landed in the fourth row of the Chop House seats.

“I didn’t hit it, obviously, my best, but I was thinking I got enough of it,” Schwarber said. “And I was just kind of down there, hoping, saying: go, go, go. And it went. And it was awesome.”

Aranda followed with a fly well short of the center-field warning track, drove a pitch about a foot shy of the top of the right-field wall and hit an opposite-field pop that dropped in medium left.

Alonso, a two-time Home Run Derby champion, didn’t have to bat and patted Schwarber on the head as fireworks went off at Truist Field.

“I felt like a closer like a closer going into a game,” Alonso said, “and then it’s like, wait, the guy in the field got a double play to end the inning. You’re not going in.”

MLB, after consulting with the Elias Sports Bureau,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-college-football-soccer-sports-baseball-3e3fc1fa9ba55a1ec4e563353e69db56">said in 2022</a>&nbsp;that All-Star Games ending in a swing-off would be listed as tied, with a notation of the game being decided in a swing-off. MLB’s official postgame notes listed Tuesday’s outcome as a 7-6 NL victory.

Ketel Marte’s two-run double in the first had put the NL ahead, and Alonso’s three-run homer off Kris Bubic and Corbin Carroll’s solo shot against Casey Mize opened a 6-0 lead in the sixth.

The AL comeback began when Rooker hit a three-run pinch homer against Randy Rodríguez in a four-run seventh that included Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI groundout. Robert Suarez allowed consecutive doubles to Byron Buxton and Witt with one out in ninth, and Steven Kwan’s infield hit on a three-hopper to third off Edwin Díaz drove in the tying run.

Paul Skenes, the first pitcher to start the All-Star Game each of his first two seasons, reached 100 mph on four pitches in a perfect first. Jacob Misiorowski,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/misiorowski-allstar-game-534280740b0ceafc9dcc10c011df6cbb">a controversial inclusion</a>&nbsp;after pitching in just five major league games in his rookie season, fired nine pitches of 100 mph or more in a one-hit eighth 34 days after his major league debut. The 23-year-old righty, added to the NL roster by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, reached 102.3 mph. There were 21 pitches of 100 mph or more, down from a record 23 last year.

Four of five challenges were successful in the first use of the robot umpire in the All-Star Game

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-allstar-game-uniforms-8f3891854c6aab41e02a8a08c4263ea2">Teams were back in their regular-season club jerseys</a>&nbsp;— whites for the NL, mostly grays for the AL — after four years of special All-Star uniforms that were much criticized. The AL leads 48-45 with two ties.

⚾ Schwarber’s 3 homers in All-Star Game’s first tiebreaking swing-off lift NL over AL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Loftin delivered his second game-winning hit in less than a week, driving in Tyler Tolbert from second base with a single in the ninth inning to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 win over the New York Mets on Sunday.

Tolbert singled off Sean Manaea, who had been dominant in relief in his season debut for the Mets. And when the speedster stole second base, that gave Loftin the chance to deliver another winner after his deciding single Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

Manaea (0-1), who had been out after straining an oblique in spring training and then developing an elbow issue during his rehab outings, allowed that lone run and five hits while striking out seven in 3 1/3 innings.

Noah Cameron delivered another brilliant start for Kansas City, scattering seven hits while matching a career best with eight strikeouts over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. And the rookie left-hander was in line for his fourth win when John Schreiber and Lucas Erceg shepherded a 2-0 lead — courtesy of John Rave's second-inning double — to All-Star closer Carlos Estévez.

Ronny Mauricio led off the ninth with a double off Estévez (4-2). Jeff McNeil followed with an RBI triple off the center-field wall, and fellow pinch hitter Jared Young delivered a sacrifice fly moments later to tie the game.

Clay Holmes allowed two runs and five hits and a walk over five innings for New York.

Tolbert entered the game in the eighth for Jac Caglianone for his defense. It wound up being his offense that mattered, helping the Royals avoid a three-game sweep heading into the All-Star break.

The Mets went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight in the game.

The Mets will be represented at the All-Star Game in Atlanta this week by LHP David Peterson, RHP Edwin Diaz, SS Francisco Lindor and 1B Pete Alonso. The Royals will have INF Maikel Garcia, Estévez, SS Bobby Witt Jr. and LHP Kris Bubic there.

⚾ Nick Loftin hits game-winner as Royals beat Mets to avoid 3-game sweep

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Juan Soto homered to lead the New York Mets past the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Saturday.

Soto’s two-run shot into the right field fountains opened the scoring in the fourth. Over his last 20 games, Soto has nine home runs and 19 RBIs.

Frankie Montas (2-1) threw first-pitch strikes to 14 of 19 batters while allowing a run on four hits and striking out five.

Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India opened the sixth with doubles, reducing the Mets lead to 2-1. India had two of the Royals four hits, both doubles.

Reed Garrett relieved Montas and permitted India to advance on a wild pickoff attempt before retiring the heart of the Royals lineup, stranding the tying run.

Jeff McNeil’s two-out RBI single capped the scoring in the ninth.

Edwin Díaz allowed a walk in two hitless frames, earning his 19th save.

Scheduled Royals starter Michael Lorenzen missed the game with illness.

Jonathan Bowlan (1-2), the second of six Royals bullpen pitchers, threw three innings, allowing two runs on four hits, including Soto’s 435-foot home run.

For the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mets-royals-score-0422928fba3a49675263472a78de8105">second straight game</a>, the Mets successfully challenged a safe call on a Royals stolen base attempt. In both instances — Tyler Tolbert on Friday and Bobby Witt Jr. on Saturday — the runner didn’t maintain contact with the base during a head-first slide.

Witt popped up twice with runners in scoring position while his 14-game hitting streak ended. The Royals batted 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position during the first two games of the series.

With a runner at third and the infield drawn in, first baseman Pete Alonso made a diving stop of Vinnie Pasquantino’s sharp grounder, preserving the Mets one-run lead in the sixth.

Soto leads the majors with 77 walks, the most in Mets history prior to the All-Star break.

Mets RHP Clay Holmes (8-4, 3.29 ERA) opposes Royals LHP Noah Cameron (3-4, 2.56) on Sunday.

⚾ Juan Soto's 435-foot homer lifts Mets over Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mark Vientos had a three-run double in the eighth inning, Francisco Lindor hit a three-run homer in the ninth and the New York Mets beat the Kansas City Royals 8-3 on Friday night.

Brandon Nimmo singled to open the eighth and Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto walked to load the bases against Steven Cruz (2-1). Carlos Estévez entered to strike out Pete Alonso before Vientos cleared the bases for a 4-3 lead.

Lindor added his 19th homer in the ninth. He has 29 home runs and 81 RBIs against the Royals, his most against any opponent. Juan Soto followed with his 22nd homer, the sixth pair of back-to-back homers by the Mets.

Huascar Brazobán (5-2) won after allowing four hits and a two-run homer by Bobby Witt Jr. while pitching the seventh.

Kodai Senga returned from the injured list to make his first start in since leaving a June 12 start with a right hamstring strain.

Working on a pitch limit, Senga threw four scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks, striking out four.

Michael Wacha allowed a run on two hits and three walks in five innings, striking out five.

After Kyle Isbel’s seventh-inning leadoff single, pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert stole second. The Mets challenged and the safe call was overturned because Tolbert came off the bag during his head-first slide. Witt homered two batters later.

Senga’s “ghost fork” has induced 113 of his 206 career strikeouts.

Mets RHP Frankie Montas (1-1, 6.14 ERA) was set to face Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (5-8, 4.61) on Saturday.

⚾ Vientos and Lindor lead the Mets past the Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez homered twice, Jac Caglianone hit the longest measured homer by a Royals rookie, and Kansas City beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.

Perez broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with his longball off Isaac Mattson (2-1). He opened the scoring with a 444-foot shot to center in the second.

But the most impressive homer of the game belonged to Caglianone —&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1943109192639762689">a 466-foot, two-run drive</a>&nbsp;to center in the fourth against Bailey Falter. It was the longest homer by a Royals rookie since Statcast started tracking in 2015 and the fourth-longest by any Kansas City player at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals have won six of seven overall. They did not have a multi-homer game this season before doing it Monday night against Pittsburgh, and now they've done it three games in a row. Kansas City hit nine homers in the series.

Pittsburgh fell to 0-6 on its nine-game trip ahead of the All-Star break after getting shut out in three straight games at Seattle.

Perez had his second multi-homer game of the season and 19th of his career, extending his franchise record.

Lucas Erceg (4-2) worked a scoreless eighth and Carlos Estevez pitched the ninth for his 25th save.

Ke'Bryan Hayes had a two-run single in the Pirates' three-run sixth.

<a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1943129622788354333">Perez sent the first pitch of the eighth</a>&nbsp;to the walkway just short of the fountains in right-center.

Kansas City swept a series at home for the first time since a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox in early May.

Pirates: Begin a three-game series at Minnesota on Friday.

Royals: Host the New York Mets for three games starting Friday.

⚾ Perez and Caglianone power Royals to win over Pirates 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Loftin hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning, then won it in the ninth with a one-out RBI single as the Kansas City Royals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Rookie Jac Caglianone homered for the Royals,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1942737397579669574">a 421-foot drive</a>&nbsp;leading off the second inning that was his first extra-base hit in 14 games at Kauffman Stadium. He had been 5 for 46 at home before Tuesday.

Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz tied it in the fourth with&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1942743739161596193">a 458-foot shot</a>&nbsp;over the fountains in right field on the day he was announced as a participant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oneil-cruz-pirates-home-run-derby-e0d48db4b4f6792bbca476b590a1dac1">in next-week's Home Run Derby</a>.

Nick Gonzales put the Pirates ahead with a homer in the top of the seventh before Loftin's drive made it 3-2.

Bryan Reynolds tied it with an RBI grounder in the eighth.

Maikel Garcia singled leading off the ninth against Dennis Santana (2-2) and Salvador Perez followed with a base hit. With one out, Isaac Mattson came in and gave up Loftin's game-ending hit on a 1-0 fastball.

The Pirates fell to 0-5 to start their nine-game trip ahead of the All-Star Break. Kansas City has won five of six.

Carlos Estevez (3-2) worked a scoreless ninth for Kansas City.

The Pirates' Mitch Keller and the Royals' Seth Lugo, both rumored to be trade candidates before the July 31 deadline, were nearly identical through six innings. Each allowed one run on three hits with five strikeouts.

The Pirates loaded the bases with one out in the eighth against Lucas Erceg, who gave up Reynolds' tying fielder's-choice grounder and then retired Gonzales on another groundball.

The Royals had their second straight multi-homer game after not having done that all season.

The teams complete their three-game series Wednesday night with Pittsburgh's Bailey Falter (6-4, 3.69 ERA) facing Kris Bubic (7-6, 2.36).

⚾ Nick Loftin hits 2-run homer in 7th as Royals beat the Pirates

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State junior linebacker&nbsp;Austin Romaine&nbsp;and senior tight end&nbsp;Will Swanson&nbsp;earned nods on the 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 team as voted on by media representatives who cover the league, the conference office announced Monday.

Both players are coming off All-Big 12 seasons as Romaine earned second-team honors and Swanson was an honorable mention pick.

A product of Hillsboro, Missouri, Romaine played in every game a year ago with 12 starts, leading the team with 96 tackles to go along with 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups. He tied for fifth in the Big 12 in forced fumbles and finished ninth in tackles as he also earned All-Big 12 Second Team accolades from the Associated Press.

Romaine tallied the most tackles in a season by a Wildcat since Jayd Kirby had 99 in 2017 thanks to at least five stops in 11 games, including a career-high 12 tackles at West Virginia, Houston and Iowa State. His first in the line of 12-tackle performances against the Mountaineers were the most by a Wildcat in a single game since Daniel Green had 13 at Baylor in 2020.

Swanson, who was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 team as a fullback/H-Back, made four starts among his 13 games played last season, hauling in nine receptions for 66 yards and three touchdowns. He tied for sixth among Big 12 tight ends in receiving touchdowns, helping the K-State tight end unit to a nation-best 13 touchdowns. A native of Papillion, Nebraska, Swanson was also a vital part of a K-State ground attack that ranked second nationally and first in the Big 12 in rushing yards per carry (6.08) in addition to ranking 11th&nbsp;in the country and second in the conference in rushing yards per game (215.5).

K-State takes part in 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days, powered by Microsoft Copilot, on Tuesday at The Star in Frisco, Texas.&nbsp;

K-State’s Romaine, Swanson Named to Preseason All-Big 12 Team   

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez hit two of Kansas City's four home runs to back a strong start by rookie Noah Cameron, and the Royals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-3 on Monday night.

Cameron (3-4) struck out seven in a season-high seven innings. The left-hander allowed three hits, a walk, and two runs — on Tommy Pham's two-run shot in the third.

Witt went 2 for 3 and scored twice to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1942388380320387120">Witt hit his 13th homer</a>, a two-run shot the opposite way to right-center field off reliever Chase Shugart to give the Royals a 6-2 lead in the fourth. He added a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Witt finished off a seven-game trip Sunday by extending his club-record hitting streak on the road to 25 games.

<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1942391158166151263">Perez hit his 11th</a>&nbsp;homer, a solo shot to left in the fifth for a five-run advantage. He hit his 24th double off the top of the wall in left to drive in a run for a 3-2 lead in the third.

Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-out pitch from Andrew Heaney in the first for his 15th homer and a 1-0 lead. Nick Loftin hit his second, a one-out solo shot off Génesis Cabrera in the eighth. Heaney (4-8) threw 76 pitches and allowed four runs in three innings.

Pham's homer was his third. It snapped Pittsburgh's 30-inning scoreless streak and gave the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

Steven Cruz pitched a scoreless eighth and Jonathan Bowlan allowed Alexander Canario's RBI single in the ninth to finish for Kansas City.

Cameron didn't surrender a hit after Bryan Reynolds' leadoff single in the third.

The Royals hit more home runs in their first home game of July than they did in the month of June.

⚾ Witt Jr. and Perez homer as Royals beat the Pirates

PHOENIX (AP) — Michael Lorenzen struck out seven in seven dominant innings, Bobby Witt Jr. homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0 on Sunday.

Lorenzen (5-8) kept the Diamondbacks off-balance all afternoon with a mix of mid-90s fastballs and changeups. He struck out the side in the first inning and didn’t allow a hit until Randal Grichuk’s two-out double in the fifth.

Lorenzen allowed two hits and walked one.

Witt hit a solo homer off Anthony DeSclafani (0-1) in the fifth inning to extend his team-record road hitting streak to 26 games. Salvador Perez also hit a solo homer in the Royals' fourth win in six games.

Arizona had three hits and didn't get a runner past second base to lose for the fourth time in five games.

Witt's homer with one out in the fifth — hit 12th of the season — was the first hit off DeSclafani. Perez followed with his 10th later in the inning.

John Rave chased DeSclafani with a run-scoring single in the fifth inning and Kyle Isbel followed with another to put Kansas City up 4-0.

DeSclafani allowed four runs on four hits and struck out six in four innings.

Witt's homer in the fifth was the first hit by either team.

Witt's road hitting streak ties for the second-longest in the last 10 years, behind the 32-game streak by the Dodgers' Trea Turner from 2021-22. Marcus Semien also had a hit in 26 straight road games for Toronto in 2021.

Kansas City LHP Noah Cameron (2-4, 2.56 ERA) pitches the opener of a three-game home series against Pittsburgh on Monday night. Arizona RHP Zac Gallen 6-9, 5.45) opens a four-game series at San Diego on Monday night.

⚾ Lorenzen dominant, Witt homers in Royals win over Diamondbacks

PHOENIX (AP) — Ryne Nelson retired the first 16 Kansas City batters and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Royals 7-1 on Saturday to end a three-game losing streak.

Nelson (5-2), who moved into the rotation full-time when Corbin Burnes was sidelined for the season by elbow surgery, gave up four hits and one run over seven innings. The right-hander threw 86 pitches, walked none and struck out five.

Freddy Fermin’s sharp single to center with one out in the sixth ended Nelson’s perfect-game bid. Fermin scored on Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-out single.

Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez had RBI singles in the third off Michael Wacha (4-9), and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled in two runs in the fifth for Arizona. Gurriel also tripled in the seventh off Taylor Clarke and scored on James McCann’s double.

Wacha lasted four-plus innings, giving up four hits and four runs. He threw 97 pitches, walking four and striking out four.

Randal Grichuk hit an&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Dbacks/status/1941628353775272246">inside-the-park homer</a>&nbsp;in the eighth. With a man on base, he hit a long fly to right-center that bounced away from outfielders Jac Caglianone and Kyle Isbel and into center field as Grichuk scored standing up for his fifth homer of the season.

Before the game, the Diamondbacks activated outfielder Corbin Carroll from the injured list. The 2023 National League Rookie of the Year, who has 20 homers and a major league-leading nine triples, was 0 for 5 in his return. He had been sidelined since June 18, when he sustained a chip fracture in his left wrist when he was hit by a pitch in Toronto.

Utilityman Tim Tawa was optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

Gurriel’s two-out, two-run double off reliever John Schreiber made it 4-0 in the fifth.

Nelson is 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA in his last five starts.

⚾ Nelson retires first 16 Royals in Diamondbacks' victory

In several states, a renter has to make $20 or more an hour to afford apartments being leased at Fair Market Value. Nearly half of Americans don’t make enough money to afford a one-bedroom rental.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/naomi-delkamiller-1">Jessica Meza</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/">KCUR</a>

Personal stories about struggling to make ends meet appear throughout the report, “Out of Reach: The High Cost of Housing.”

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