KSU Division of Communications and Marketing

MANHATTAN — The Kansas State University campus is bustling with Wildcats, but the newest face among the crowd is a dog named Oakley. The three-year-old golden retriever is a therapy dog, and he's on campus to provide companionship and comfort to students, faculty and staff.

Jenneen LeMay, assistant director of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/center-for-wellbeing/">Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being</a>, is Oakley's owner and handler. They completed the training together as a team to become pet therapy certified. Most days, Oakley and LeMay can be seen walking on campus ready to bring joy and comfort to anyone who might need it — and they're almost always approached by a student or group that stops to pet Oakley."The reaction from students, faculty and staff has just been incredible," LeMay said. "It is so rewarding to see how happy they are when they're with Oakley. I cannot tell you the number of students who say, 'This is what I needed today.'"

Oakley is easily recognizable with his purple harness featuring his name and the "therapy dog" red heart tag. He also sometimes wears a green bandana as part of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.thegreenbandanaproject.org/chapter/kansas-state-university/">Green Bandana Project</a>.According to LeMay, Oakley primarily serves students and programs in the Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being, but students, faculty and staff are always welcome to stop by to see if he is available or request that he visit a class or office. He will also attend campus events and meetings, and he'll eventually have drop-in hours, as his schedule allows. &nbsp;

Born for the role&nbsp;LeMay got Oakley when he was just eight weeks old. Even as a puppy, she noticed something in him that made her think he'd be a good candidate for a therapy dog."I kew early on that Oakley would be a great therapy dog because he was so good at getting close to people and enjoying physical contact," LeMay said. "He's very emotional, and he just wants everybody's love all the time."

In fall 2024, LeMay began therapy dog training with Oakley. They completed the training in May 2025, and he received his certification in June 2025. During the training, Oakley also received the Canine Good Citizen certificate, a prerequisite for obtaining therapy dog recognition, LeMay said.As a certified therapy dog, Oakley is not the same as a service dog or an emotional support animal."Since Oakley is a therapy dog, he doesn't have legal access to public spaces," LeMay said. "We as a therapy team must be invited into spaces on campus to provide comfort and support to groups of people."&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJNcS3YLc3QnZEW?Q_CHL=qr">To request Oakley and the therapy team for events, complete the online form</a>.

Oakley is in: A face of well-being&nbsp;This fall semester, the staff at the Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being are working on a schedule for Oakley to be available to meet with students on a regular basis. LeMay, who oversees all of the programming offered by the center, said Oakley will also be involved with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/center-for-wellbeing/wellbeing-initiatives/thrive-navigators.html">THRIVE Navigators</a>, well-being workshops,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/center-for-wellbeing/wellbeing-initiatives/green-bandana-project.html">Green Bandana Project trainings</a>&nbsp;and WellCAT chats, a collaboration with Lafene Health Center's Counseling and Psychological Services. As part of the university's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/news/articles/2025/09/prioritize-wellness-during-health-and-well-being-month.html">Health and Well-being Month</a>, Oakley will be available for "Paws Breaks" where students, faculty and staff are invited to spend time and have a space to relax with him. The next event is scheduled for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://events.k-state.edu/event/paws-break-with-oakley-4751">Wednesday, Oct. 29</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Companionship for 'Cats

USD 383 has named Sowmya Sugumaran and Clancy Livingston as the USD 383 Kansas Teacher of the Year Nominees.

Teacher of the Year nominees

Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences, will present&nbsp;"State of Science in America and the Future of Innovation"&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/about/distinguished-lecture-series/">President's Distinguished Lecture Series</a>&nbsp;at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the K-State Alumni Center on the Manhattan campus. &nbsp;

Marcia McNutt leads the National Academy of Sciences, the nation's most prestigious scientific advisory body, which provides independent, objective advice to the federal government on matters related to science and technology. McNutt brings a distinguished career&nbsp;spanning leadership roles&nbsp;across academia,&nbsp;government&nbsp;and industry. She will provide a candid assessment of the U.S. research enterprise and its evolution since World War II, examining how national investment in science, engineering and medicine has driven innovation and societal advancement. 

The lecture will evaluate current strengths and weaknesses of America's scientific enterprise and offer insights on meeting 21st-century challenges.&nbsp;

 National Academy of Sciences president to deliver 'State of Science in America' at Kansas State University  

The Kansas Planning Conference takes place every three years and this year, Manhattan is hosting the event. Almost 200 planners, administrators, and decision-makers gathered on campus Friday morning at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KState?__cft__[0]=AZVzRn5kXqu5aRm1avEudqGViVXdyG4lt3kSUDHFZVDJGxuB5rA6UaxYrCPvAkmXA93Doa5favAzmrAzBBqHNyCqADe-ijHAGEwpMPYFFnlJes7dSorrwYKM-Im2YvCvZUx1PUPjN4M6-ys35aIBIlL1F1XBauppOPVVUyvCY-CubrjH9AS4OpvbKrvldBB-HIQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas State University</a> Student Union to share information, provide updates, plan for the next year, and enjoy each other’s company for the next two days.

Three staff members from the Manhattan Community Development Department will present at this conference.John Verssue, Planner III, will join with his colleague Gabby Coleman, an architecture professor at K-State, to share how their collaboration has taken real-world projects into the classroom and the students’ work has informed City projects, creating a mutually beneficial “town-gown” relationship.

Senior Planner Ben Chmiel will lead two presentations during the conference. First, Ben will take attendees on a walking tour of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Aggieville?__cft__[0]=AZVzRn5kXqu5aRm1avEudqGViVXdyG4lt3kSUDHFZVDJGxuB5rA6UaxYrCPvAkmXA93Doa5favAzmrAzBBqHNyCqADe-ijHAGEwpMPYFFnlJes7dSorrwYKM-Im2YvCvZUx1PUPjN4M6-ys35aIBIlL1F1XBauppOPVVUyvCY-CubrjH9AS4OpvbKrvldBB-HIQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Aggieville</a> to showcase the public and private developments that are enhancing this&nbsp; neighborhood. Next, he will share how the Long-Range Division continues to engage with the community, analyze and use data, and help to deliver big-picture visions for Manhattan on a tight budget.

Finally, Assistant Director John Adam will lead a group presentation, with a local architect and developer, which will share recent changes to the Manhattan Development Code, improvements to the permitting process, and incentive programs to help tackle local market housing challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Manhattan hosts the Kansas Planning Conference

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 October 17

USD 383 has announced that there will not be school for all USD 383 students on Friday, October 17. It is a teacher preparation day.

No school for USD 383 students on Friday

Riley County Commissioners learned Thursday there were decreases in crime compared to the five-year average. Police Director Brian Peete said there was a 37% decrease in Part One crimes compared to the five year average and 34% compared to one year ago at the same time.

There were nine aggravated batteries and seven aggravated assaults, but an arrest on Oct.8 accounted for those incidents.

Part One Property Crimes were 38% below the five-year average.

The average in mate population totaled 131.5.

There was also a shooting on Marlatt last Saturday and the suspect turned himself in

September Crime Statistics Report

Riley County Arrest Report October 16

When night falls, Abilene’s Old West history takes a spooky turn during Haunted Old Town, held at Old Abilene Town, 200 SE 6th St., from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. ct. 17-18, 24-25 and on Oct. 31. Creepy characters, eerie effects, and unexpected scares are features. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Filo Foods Food Truck will be onsite, and on October 25, visitors are invited to stay for a Halloween Costume Party.

Haunted Old Town

MANHATTAN and SALINA, Kan. — Every student’s journey to a bachelor’s degree looks different — and sometimes, students need help finding their unique paths.That’s why&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/">Kansas State University</a>&nbsp;is partnering with technical colleges in two of its campus communities — Manhattan and Salina — to launch new programs that meet students where they are and ensure they have a pathway to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Under these new programs, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/admissions/undergrad/manhattan/apply/other-applicant/mhk-pathway/">MHK Pathway program</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/admissions/apply/sln-pathway.html">SLN Pathway program</a>, eligible students who do not meet the academic requirements for admission to K-State as degree-seeking freshmen will be able to live in a K-State residence hall, participate in university programming and experience K-State student life their first year, all while completing courses concurrently at either&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://manhattantech.edu/">Manhattan Area Technical College</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://salinatech.edu/">Salina Area Technical College</a>. Students will work toward K-State’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/admissions/undergrad/manhattan/apply/transfer/">transfer requirements</a>, ultimately continuing on at K-State with the completion of their bachelor’s degree within reach.

“The MHK and SLN Pathway programs are collectively just one way we demonstrate our commitment of educational access, as the programs have the potential to support hundreds of students each year who may not have believed a bachelor’s degree was within reach” said Jesse Perez Mendez, K-State provost and executive vice president. “This is all about creating opportunity, breaking down barriers and ensuring these students know their success matters to us.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

K-State partnerships with Manhattan Tech, Salina Tech expand access for Kansas students

The annual Freedom Fest celebration in Junction City attracted an estimated attendance of 50,000 over the five-day event. The summary for the celebration was presented to the Geary County Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee on Wednesday.

--There were 19 food vendors and 30 craft vendors.&nbsp;

--466 registered runners in the Freedom Run.

--80 room nights were contracted to accommodate entertainers.

--255 people used the contracted ATA Bus to travel to and from Fort Riley

Families from Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Missouri and Oregon attended.

Freedom Fest generated local revenue, with WEEE Carnival alone reporting over $200,000 in revenue for the week. There were economic benefits for local vendors, hotels, restaurants and service providers.

In pre-event fundraiser attendance exceeded 1,500 people for Balloons, Bands and BBQ and the Mudd Bogg event on Grant Ave, recorded the highest attendance in recent memory.

The dates for Freedom Fest JC in 2026 are July 1-5. It coincides with the 250th birthday of the United States.

Freedom Fest JC 2025 Summary

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The victim in an aggravated battery that occurred on September 23rd has died from his injuries, and the suspect has been arrested and charged in his death, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Police.

At approximately 10:30p.m. Sept. 23, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 2300 block of Ridge Avenue regarding a physical altercation between two ment. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered 78-year-old Leroy Alexander lying outside his residence, unconscious and with apparent head trauma. He was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries on September 30. 

Police arrested Perry Allen Tilghman, Jr., 31, Kansas City, Kansas,&nbsp; and he has been charged with second- degree murder in Alexander’s death. He is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

Police: 74-year-old Kan. man died a week after violent altercation

DEKALB COUNTY, Mo. —Three juveniles were injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Saturday in DeKalb County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Freightliner Straight Truck driven by a 42-year-old Wichita man was southbound on MO 33 one mile north of Osborn. The driver attempted to travel through the intersection at U.S. 36 and continue southbound on Route M. The driver failed to yield to an eastbound 2018 School bus driven by a 64-year-old Burlington Junction woman.

The bus struck the rear passenger side of the truck. Three girls on the bus were transported for treatment of minor injuries.

A private vehicle transported a 15-year-old Maryville girl to Mosaic in St. Joseph and a 16-year-old Maryville girl to Cameron Regional Medical Center. DeKalb-Clinton Ambulance transported a 17-year-old Maryville girl to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The drivers were both properly restrained and not injured according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 girls injured after truck driven by Kan. man strikes a school bus

WASHINGTON (AP) — The two survivors of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-drug-smuggling-pentagon-strike-12820c173da3de80c1a7a559c252c743">American military strike</a>&nbsp;on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean will be sent to Ecuador and Colombia, their home countries, President Donald Trump said Saturday.

The military rescued the pair after striking a submersible vessel Thursday, in what was at least the sixth such attack since early September.

“It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route,” Trump said in a social media post. “U.S. Intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics.”

After Trump’s announcement, the Pentagon posted on X a brief black-and-white video of the strike. In the clip, a vessel can be seen moving through the waves, its front portion submerged inches below the water’s surface. Then, several explosions are seen, with at least one over the back of the vessel.

The Republican president said two people onboard were killed — one more than was previously reported — and the two who survived are being sent to their home countries “for detention and prosecution.”

However, the press office for Ecuador’s government said Saturday it was not aware of the plans for repatriation.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the presidential press office in Colombia did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

With Trump’s statement on his Truth Social platform of the death toll, that would mean U.S. military action against vessels in the region have killed at least 29 people.

The president has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">engaged in an “armed conflict”</a>&nbsp;with drug cartels. He is relying on the same legal authority used by the George W. Bush administration when it declared a war on terrorism after the Sept. 11 attacks, and that includes the ability to capture and detain combatants and to use lethal force to take out their leadership. Trump is also treating the suspected traffickers as if they were enemy soldiers in a traditional war.

The repatriation would avoid questions for the Trump administration about what the legal status of the two would have been in the U.S. justice system. It may also sidestep some of the legal issues that arose out of the detention of enemy combatants in the global war on terrorism as well as challenges to the constitutionality of the current operation.

To some legal scholars, Trump's use of such military force against suspect drug cartels, along with his authorization of covert action inside Venezuela, possibly to oust President Nicolás Maduro, stretches the bounds of international law.

On Friday, Trump seemed to confirm reports that Maduro has offered a stake in Venezuela’s oil and other mineral wealth in recent months to try to stave off mounting pressure from the United States. Venezuelan government officials have also floated a plan in which Maduro would eventually leave office, according to a former Trump administration official. That plan was also rejected by the White House, The Associated Press reported.

The strikes in the Caribbean have caused unease among members of Congress from both parties and complaints about receiving insufficient information on how the attacks are being conducted. But most Republican senators backed the administration last week on a measure that would have required Trump's team to get approval from Congress before more strikes.

Meanwhile, another resolution to be considered would prevent Trump from outright attacking Venezuela without congressional authorization.

Megerian reported from West Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump releases video of US drone strike on ‘drug-carrying submarine’

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/olga-r-rodriguez">OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ</a>

San Francisco (AP) — A Northern California aquarium has raised more than $2 million for sea otter conservation in just two days. All it took was Taylor Swift wearing a vintage T-shirt.

Swift wore a vintage Monterey Bay Aquarium otter conservation T-shirt in a release party movie for her new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-showgirl-eras-tour-disney-3a64afd94014fd6aa22436f5132acccc">“The Life of a Showgirl” album</a>, sending her ardent fans on a quest to buy the shirt last produced in the 1990s. After the aquarium was flooded with calls about buying the T-shirt showing two otters floating on their back, it decided to re-release the garment Thursday as part of a special campaign to raise $1.3 million, a nod to Swift’s favorite number, said Liz MacDonald, the aquarium’s director of content strategy.

The aquarium met and surpassed its goal to raise the funds for its sea otter conservation program in less than eight hours, averaging about $100,000 in sales every 15 minutes, MacDonald said. Donors who give at least $65.13 to its newest fundraising campaign to help injured and orphan otters will be mailed a T-shirt, MacDonald said.

“We definitely had a little Taylor Swift dance party in the office yesterday afternoon when we hit the goal,” she said.

The aquarium began accepting back-orders and by Friday afternoon it had raised more than $2 million, according to its website.

How Swift acquired the T-Shirt that was last produced more than 32 years ago — when she was just 3 years old — remains a mystery.

She and fiancé Travis Kelce have been documented visiting nearby Carmel, but MacDonald said the aquarium is not aware of the couple having been in their shop.

MacDonald said the staff has had fun speculating about Swift’s interest in the T-shirt.

When Taylor announced the release of her new album on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-heights-podcast-taylor-swift-kelce-e5b21dc74fdc8aebf04f383e5dc11b0b">Kelce’s podcast “New Heights”</a>&nbsp;a couple of weeks ago, the couple had a little banter about how he loves otters and loves sending her videos of the furry sea creatures.

“One of my favorite theories is that we have a sea otter on our exhibit whose name is Opal and she was named by the fans through an online poll, and I wonder if Taylor Swift may have been one of the people that voted for the name Opal,” MacDonald said, adding that opal is Kelce’s birthstone and that Opalite is the name of one of Swift’s songs.

Whatever the reason, the aquarium and Liberty Graphics, an employee-owned company printing the T-shirts, are reveling in the moment.

“They’re a company based in Maine who were as taken by surprise as us, but who are also as delighted to have this opportunity to be part of this amazing moment that does so much for sea otters and for ocean conservation,” MacDonald said.

Liberty Graphics will use 100% cotton in the T-shirts and water-based ink, which is more ocean-friendly and sustainable, she said.

“We’re also working to make sure that the packaging doesn’t use plastic,” she added.

The company of 50 employees normally produces 1,500 shirts a day, said Matt Enos, a company manager.

Enos said that beginning Monday the company will probably have to focus most of its resources on fulfilling T-shirt orders from Swifties.

“We definitely didn’t envision something this big but it’s a pretty good problem to have,” he said.

 T-shirt worn by Taylor Swift sparks a $2M windfall for sea otters

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is showing little urgency to broker a compromise that would end the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>, even as Democrats insist no breakthrough is possible without his direct involvement.

Three weeks in, Congress is at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-democrats-congress-02382f77ea1ba72896148555a75dc075">standstill</a>. The House hasn’t been in session for a month, and senators left Washington on Thursday frustrated by the lack of progress. Republican leaders are refusing to negotiate until a short-term funding bill to reopen the government is passed, while Democrats say they won’t agree without guarantees on extending health insurance subsidies.

For now, Trump appears content to stay on the sidelines.

He spent the week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-trump-b86ea472e290947b98976eb9b7ef6994">celebrating</a>&nbsp;an Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal he led, hosted a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-presidential-medal-of-freedom-f895a361c5c1d2663cacd64082bb5ed7">remembrance event</a>&nbsp;for conservative activist Charlie Kirk and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-putin-russia-ukraine-e3a1d62d2a24f459aa6dbbfa940e1067">refocused attention</a>&nbsp;on the Russia-Ukraine war. Meanwhile, his administration has been managing the shutdown in unconventional ways, continuing to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-pay-troops-government-shutdown-8601ea092fe746cc35b88076e70c4598">pay the troops</a>&nbsp;while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-federal-worker-firings-0439e8d0979d9a32e021c5c851fea1cf">laying off</a>&nbsp;other federal employees.

Asked Thursday whether he was willing to deploy his dealmaking background on the shutdown, Trump seemed uninterested.

“Well, look, I mean, all we want to do is just extend. We don’t want anything, we just want to extend, live with the deal they had,” he said in an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office. Later Thursday, he criticized Democratic health care demands as “crazy,” adding, “We’re just not going to do it.”

Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Democrats must first vote to reopen the government, “then we can have serious conversations about health care.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune echoed that approach before leaving for the weekend, saying Trump is “ready to weigh in and sit down with the Democrats or whomever, once the government opens up.”

Thune said he'd also be willing to talk, but only after the shutdown ends.

“I am willing to sit down with Democrats,” Thune posted on social media Friday.

“But there’s one condition: End the Schumer Shutdown. I will not negotiate under hostage conditions, nor will I pay a ransom,” he added.

Frustration is beginning to surface among rank-and-file Republicans, with bipartisan conversations breaking out on the Senate floor as members look for ways to move things forward. Still, even those Republicans admit little happens in Congress without Trump's direction.

Leaving the Capitol on Thursday, GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski said, “We’re not making much headway this week.” For things to progress, Murkowski acknowledged Trump may need to get more involved: “I think he’s an important part of it.”

“I think there are some folks in his administration that are kind of liking the fact that Congress really has no role right now,” she added. “I don’t like that. I don’t like that at all.”

Trump has not been slowed by the shutdown

While Congress has been paralyzed by the shutdown, Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-government-shutdown-russ-vought-project-2025-bf3ecd1f7cd765c9e125d7d7179c8b39">moved rapidly</a>&nbsp;to enact his vision of the federal government.

He has called budget chief Russ Vought the “grim reaper,” and Vought has taken the opportunity to withhold&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-new-york-rail-projects-money-withheld-ada494e08ae9ae5269c6ce554ecdbd43">billions of dollars for infrastructure projects</a>&nbsp;and lay off thousands of federal workers, signaling that workforce reductions could become even more drastic.

At the same time, the administration has acted unilaterally to fund Trump’s priorities, including paying the military this week, easing pressure on what could have been one of the main deadlines to end the shutdown.

Some of these moves, particularly the layoffs and funding shifts, have been criticized as illegal and are facing court challenges. A federal judge on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-layoffs-trump-unions-b312b3ca77cbdbc72e778ece3b2cbffc">temporarily blocked</a>&nbsp;the administration from firing workers during the shutdown, ruling that the cuts appeared politically motivated and were carried out without sufficient justification.

And with Congress focused on the funding fight, lawmakers have had little time to debate other issues.

In the House, Johnson has said the House won’t return until Democrats approve the funding bill and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adelita-grijalva-swear-congress-epstein-files-25636fec1d99960a5fb11501ac86cc69">refused to swear in</a>&nbsp;Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva. Democrats say the move is to prevent her from becoming the 218th signature on a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on releasing documents related to the sex trafficking investigation into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>.

So far, the shutdown has shown little impact on public opinion.

An AP-NORC poll&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-government-shutdown-blame-trump-republicans-democrats-12c01432bbb43746b6d8d32390c959f4">released Thursday</a>&nbsp;found that 3 in 10 U.S. adults have a “somewhat” or “very” favorable view of the Democratic Party, similar to an AP-NORC poll from September. Four in 10 have a “somewhat” or “very” favorable view of the Republican Party, largely unchanged from last month.

Democrats want Trump at the table. Republicans would rather he stay out

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have said Republicans have shown little seriousness in negotiating an end to the shutdown.

“Leader Thune has not come to me with any proposal at this point,” Schumer said Thursday.

Frustrated with congressional leaders, Democrats are increasingly looking to Trump.

At a CNN town hall Wednesday night featuring Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, both repeatedly called for the president’s involvement when asked why negotiations had stalled.

“President Trump is not talking. That is the problem,” Sanders said.

Ocasio-Cortez added that Trump should more regularly “be having congressional leaders in the White House.”

Democrats’ focus on Trump reflects both his leadership style — which allows little to happen in Congress without his approval — and the reality that any funding bill needs the president’s signature to become law.

This time, however, Republican leaders who control the House and Senate are resisting any push for Trump to intervene.

“You can’t negotiate when somebody’s got a hostage,” said South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, who added that Trump getting involved would allow Democrats to try the same tactic in future legislative fights.

Trump has largely followed that guidance. After previously saying he would be open to negotiating with Democrats on health insurance subsidies, he walked it back after Republican leaders suggested he misspoke.

And that's unlikely to change for now. Trump has no plans to personally intervene to broker a deal with Democrats, according to a senior White House official granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. The official added that the only stopgap funding bill that Democrats can expect is the one already on the table.

“The President is happy to have a conversation about health care policy, but he will not do so while the Democrats are holding the American people hostage,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Thursday.

A product of the Congress Trump has molded

In his second term, Trump has taken a top-down approach, leaving little in Congress to move without his approval.

“What’s obvious to me is that Mike Johnson and John Thune don't do much without Donald Trump telling them what to do,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona.

His hold is particularly strong in the GOP-led House, where Speaker Mike Johnson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-mike-johnson-trump-mccarthy-0e0b5613f1d39f4e1405a475fdfea8ea">effectively</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-johnson-speaker-vote-house-freedom-caucus-be61b59070a468862119799e847ae8d8">owes his job</a>&nbsp;to Trump, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-compliant-ceding-power-republicans-4508b5e6f893da17e9064426e6fefc6c">relies</a>&nbsp;on his influence to power through difficult legislative fights.

When Republicans have withheld votes on Trump’s priorities in Congress, he’s called them on the phone or summoned them to his office to directly sway them. When that doesn’t work, he has vowed to unseat them in the next election. It’s led many Democrats to believe the only path to an agreement runs through the White House and not through the speaker’s office.

Democrats also want assurances from the White House that they won't backtrack on an agreement. The White House earlier this year cut out the legislative branch entirely with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-aid-pocket-rescission-374c63e6b4004e819a657e33b76f502e">$4.9 billion cut to foreign aid</a>&nbsp;in August through a legally dubious process known as a “pocket rescission.” And before he even took office late last year, Trump and ally Elon Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-elon-budget-house-republican-05481374b154949c3fe1270141a02918">blew up</a>&nbsp;a bipartisan funding agreement that both parties had negotiated.

“I think we need to see ink on paper. I think we need to see legislation. I think we need to see votes,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “I don’t accept pinky promises. That’s not the business that I’m in.”

Both parties also see little reason to fold under public pressure, believing they are winning the messaging battle.

“Everybody thinks they’re winning,” Murkowski said. “Nobody is winning when everybody’s losing. And that’s what’s happening right now. The American public is losing.”

Associated Press reporter Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

Democrats say Trump needs to be involved in shutdown talks

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) — A California engineer and gardening enthusiast won the top prize at an annual pumpkin-weighing contest in Northern California after growing a giant jack-o’-lantern gourd weighing 2,346 pounds (1,064 kilograms).

Brandon Dawson, of Santa Rosa, California, clinched the victory at the 52nd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco.

Dawson pumped his arms in the air and sat his two children on top of the giant pumpkin — roughly the same weight as a small sedan or a large bison — after being crowned this year’s winner.

“My mind is kind of racing because I was in this position last year when I lost by 6 pounds (3 kilograms),” he said in an interview.

Dawson, a manufacturing engineer at electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive, said he has been growing massive pumpkins for five years. Precision skills acquired at his job helped him with the right watering and sunlight to help his gourd grow, he said.

He said he enjoys getting his children involved in the process.

“We like to spend time out in the patch and watch the thing grow,” Dawson said about his 2-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.

“My 4-year-old now can really pay attention to the growing process,” especially since the giant pumpkins can grow by 50 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kilograms) a day, he added.

The pumpkin champ won a $20,000 prize for growing the biggest pumpkin.

Dawson’s pumpkin was the runner up in last year’s contest at Half Moon Bay when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-giant-pumpkin-winner-71cc6201bb732f057261d452bdf97ba5">the winning gourd grown</a>&nbsp;by Minnesota horticulture teacher Travis Gienger came in at 2,471 pounds (1,121 kilograms).

Gienger, of Anoka, Minnesota,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-giant-pumpkin-world-record-dbe2b22743e332998c204f2191b2a46f">set a world record</a>&nbsp;at the California contest in 2023 for the heaviest pumpkin when his giant jack-o’-lantern gourd weighed 2,749 pounds (1,247 kilograms). Gienger’s pumpkin was damaged earlier this season and he couldn’t enter this year’s contest in California.

Two brothers in England earlier this month broke Gienger’s record with a gourd that weighed 2,819 pounds (1,278kg).

Biggest pumpkin in America, just in time for Halloween  

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry&nbsp;Moran – a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense – spoke on the Senate floor this week to reaffirm the importance of continued U.S. support for Ukraine and maintained pressure on Moscow in order to end Russia’s unjust war. 

Sen.&nbsp;Moran’s remarks were delivered following President Trump’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and ahead President Trump’s meeting Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Shortly before Sen.&nbsp;Moran’s remarks, the U.S. Senate voted on the FY2026 Appropriations bill to fund the U.S. military. Despite receiving bipartisan support in the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the bill did not receive the necessary votes to advance, failing 50-44.

“Last week, we witnessed the long-awaited peace agreement between Israel and Hamas come to fruition,”&nbsp;said Sen.&nbsp;Moran.&nbsp;“Thanks to the efforts of President Trump and his administration, a ceasefire is holding. Iran has been dealt a crippling blow that has weakened its hold on the region, and Hamas has released all living hostages who had been held captive for more than two years.”“Through strength, the U.S. brokered a peace deal that serves the security of Israel and the humanitarian needs of Gazans alike,”&nbsp;continued Sen.&nbsp;Moran.&nbsp;

“Now, as the conflict in Ukraine has surpassed the three-year mark, Putin remains undeterred in his mission to carry out his unjust war on the Ukrainian people. Each day this war continues, lives are lost, and the safety, economic stability and global leadership of the United States are threatened. This war must end.”

“To bring an end to this war, the United States and our allies must maintain pressure on Moscow, as was just seen we maintained pressure on Hamas. One recent and important development in this effort is the potential transfer of U.S. Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This weaponry will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its territory, deter further Russian aggression and help level the battlefield as negotiations hopefully move forward. By providing advanced, precision-strike systems, America demonstrates that our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty is backed not only by words, but by legitimate support that can alter the course of this war."

“Our adversaries, Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, are always looking for an opportunity to disrupt our alliances, weaken our resolve and disturb the free world,”&nbsp;concluded Sen.&nbsp;Moran.&nbsp;“It is imperative that the United States stands firm in its support for Ukraine and, in doing so, places significant pressure on Putin to show our adversaries that democracy will not go undefended.”

Sen.&nbsp;Moran’s full remarks as delivered:“As President Trump today spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and tomorrow, he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, I want to highlight how important it is, how critical it is, to securing a resolution to Russia’s unjust war in Ukraine.“I had intended to give remarks today on this topic, and I opened the Wall Street Journal this morning. And I was reading it, its top editorial on the editorial page deals with this topic, and I would recommend it to my colleagues. It expresses the views as I wish I could express them so clearly. I’m going to do so today right now.“Last week, we witnessed the long-awaited peace agreement between Israel and Hamas come to fruition. Thanks to the efforts of President Trump and his administration, a ceasefire is holding. Iran has been dealt a crippling blow that has weakened its hold on the region, and Hamas has released all living hostages who had been held captive for more than two years. While we recognize there are significant challenges that remain in the Middle East, this marks a critical step toward a just and lasting peace in the region.“This agreement would not have been possible without the strength of the United States military, our steadfast alliance with Israel and making it unequivocally clear to Hamas that the United States is willing and able to assist our ally in war. Through strength, the U.S. brokered a peace deal that serves the security of Israel and the humanitarian needs of Gazans alike.“Now, as the conflict in Ukraine has surpassed the three-year mark, Putin remains undeterred in his mission to carry out his unjust war on the Ukrainian people. Each day this war continues, lives are lost, and the safety, economic stability and global leadership of the United States are threatened. This war must end.“To bring an end to this war, the United States and our allies must maintain pressure on Moscow, as was just seen we maintained pressure on Hamas. One recent and important development in this effort is the potential transfer of U.S. Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This weaponry will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its territory, deter further Russian aggression and help level the battlefield as negotiations hopefully move forward. By providing advanced, precision-strike systems, America demonstrates that our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty is backed not only by words, but by legitimate support that can alter the course of this war.“I commend the administration for its efforts to facilitate this transfer and for leading discussions between Ukraine and Russia that hopefully will secure a durable and just peace.“The United States cannot act alone. Our NATO allies must also shoulder the burden. President Trump recently secured an agreement with our NATO allies to increase defense spending from two percent to five percent by 2035. This commitment is critical to maintaining the continued defense of Europe. Russia’s economy is already under strain, but their capacity to fund conflict will continue without enforcement of steady and severe global sanctions.“Before Congress, there’s legislation that has widespread support of more than 80 senators from both sides of the aisle. This legislation would deliver a severe blow to Russia’s economy and trade. By cutting off the resources that allow Putin to fund this war, we can hasten the path to success in finding peace.“Last week, we advanced the National Defense Authorization Act, but today, we failed to advance the appropriations bill to fund our military. We always should recognize that the world is watching. They’re watching us. Our adversaries pay attention, and our allies pay attention. We have to every day make clear the case that it is true: the United States is a stable and friendly supporter of our allies and a full-fledged adversary to those who wish to cause us harm.“Our adversaries, Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, are always looking for an opportunity to disrupt our alliances, weaken our resolve and disturb the free world. It is imperative that the United States stands firm in its support for Ukraine and, in doing so, places significant pressure on Putin to show our adversaries that democracy will not go undefended.”

🎥Kan. U.S Senator: U.S. must send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas woman who called 911 to report shooting her son in October of 2024 learned her fate on Friday.

On Friday, Judge Eric Williams sentenced&nbsp;Tesha Florence, 46, Wichita  to 194 months in prison with 36 months of post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; She is also required to register as a violent offender.&nbsp;

In August, Florence 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, 2024, 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.

Years in prison for Kansas mother who killed her teenage son

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

&nbsp;A 21-year-old Pratt man pleaded guilty this week and is expected to get probation in the violent attack of a Hays woman in August 2024.

Tucker Eisenhauer pleaded guilty in Ellis County District Court to aggravated battery, and as a result of the guilty plea, he had four other charges dropped.

According to court documents, on Aug. 25, 2024, Eisenhauer allegedly sexually assaulted the victim by holding her against her will. He was also charged with kidnapping for allegedly locking the victim in his pickup, aggravated battery for allegedly violently shaking her, causing her neck to pop, and criminal deprivation of property by allegedly taking the victim’s keys and phone during the altercation.

Eisenhauer does not have a criminal record, so under Kansas sentencing guidelines, the sentence would be presumptive probation with an underlying prison sentence if he violates his probation.

Court documents show both the state and defense will ask for eight months of jail time, but 12 months of probation.

Man enters plea to violent attack on a woman in NW Kansas 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Protesting the direction of the country under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, people will gather Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protests-trump-immigration-first-amendment-f04e7a4728c10b694f540bcef0646370">“No Kings”</a>&nbsp;demonstrations — what the president’s Republican Party is calling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7REVjTcBdc" target="_blank">“Hate America” rallies</a>.

This is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/no-kings-protest-trump-us-b5de52994b7c592034fb19b7d3e9d577">third mass mobilization</a>&nbsp;since Trump’s return to the White House and it is expected to be the largest. It comes against the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;that not only has closed federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-food-aid-snap-november-417bd9a473701b6334491c9e6e28a1c4">programs and services,</a>&nbsp;but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-layoffs-trump-unions-b312b3ca77cbdbc72e778ece3b2cbffc">Congress and the courts</a>&nbsp;in ways that organizers warn is a slide toward American authoritarianism.

Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

“They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. super PAC fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago. Protests are expected nearby Saturday.

While the earlier protests this year —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-protests-hands-off-472c574303260cbac315367cc808960d">against Elon Musk’s cuts in spring,</a>&nbsp;then to counter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">Trump’s military parade</a>&nbsp;in June — drew crowds, organizers say this one is building a more unified opposition party movement. Top Democrats such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Senate Leader Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;and Independent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bernie-sanders">Sen. Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;are joining in what organizers view an antidote to Trump’s actions, from the administration’s clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

“There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power,” said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, among the key organizers.

As Republicans and the White House dismiss the protests as a rally of radicals, Levin said their own sign-up numbers are growing. More than 2,600 rallies are planned in cities large and small, organized by hundreds of coalition partners. They said rallies are being planned within a one-hour drive for most Americans.

Republicans have have sought to portray participants in Saturday’s rallies as far outside the mainstream of American politics, and a main reason for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7REVjTcBdc" target="_blank">prolonged government shutdown</a>, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60epVqMtYPg" target="_blank">GOP leaders</a>&nbsp;disparaged the rallygoers as “communists” and “Marxists.”

They say Democratic leaders, including Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.

“I encourage you to watch — we call it the Hate America rally — that will happen Saturday,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">House Speaker Mike Johnson,</a>&nbsp;R-La.

“Let’s see who shows up for that,” Johnson said listing off groups including “antifa types,” people who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.”

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after government reopens.

But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the U.S. system as a co-equal branch of the government.

In a Facebook post, Sanders of Vermont, himself a former presidential contender, said, “It’s a love America rally.”

“It’s rally of millions of people all over this country who believe in our Constitution, who believe in American freedom and,” he said, pointing at the GOP leadership, “are not going to let you and Donald Trump turn this country into an authoritarian society.”

The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent, unsure about how best to respond to Trump’s return to the White House. Schumer in particular was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.

In April, the national march against Trump and Elon Musk had 1,300 registered locations. In June, for the first “No Kings” day, there were 2,100 registered locations. The march Saturday will have more than 2,600 registered locations, Levin said.

“What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine,” Levin said. “The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he wasn’t sure if he would join the rallygoers Saturday, but he took issue with the Republicans’ characterization of the events.

“What’s hateful is what happened on January 6th,” he said, referring to the 2021 Capitol attack, as Trump’s supporters stormed the building to protest Joe Biden’s election victory. “What you’ll see this weekend is what patriotism looks like, people showing up to express opposition to the extremism that Donald Trump has been unleashing on the American people.”

Riddle reported from Montgomery, Ala. Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed.

'No Kings' protests planned nationwide, in what the GOP calls 'hate America' rallies

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference and TNT Sports announced on Monday that the Dillons Sunflower Showdown between Kansas State and Kansas in Lawrence on October 25 will kick at 11 a.m. and be shown on TNT with a simulcast on truTV and HBO MAX.

Kansas leads the all-time series, 64-53-5 – including a 37-23-2 mark in Lawrence – but the Wildcats have won each of the last 16 meetings, including each of the last eight inside Memorial Stadium.

 Dillons Sunflower Showdown Set for Morning Kick

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;Following his two-interception performance in Kansas State’s 41-28 Homecoming victory over TCU, senior linebacker&nbsp;Des Purnell&nbsp;has been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday.

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