by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY - Starting Monday, June 5th, the Kansas Department of Transportation project on U.S. 24 in Pottawatomie County will begin.

The project will extend from the K-177/Fort Riley Boulevard intersection in Manhattan to just east of Excel Road, an approximately 4-mile long stretch.

Lane closures will occur during the project while crews work to widen the shoulder, milling and overlay work and pavement marking which will be completed in both directions of U.S. 24.

The works zone will have a 10-foot width restriction and speeds will be reduced to 40 mph during the project.

Work will take place Monday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.&nbsp;

During this KDOT construction project, the City of Manhattan will continue to work on the section of U.S. 24 near Levee Drive. Lane closures that are part of that project will remain until the City completes the project.

Shilling Construction Company is expected to complete the $2.6 million project by the end of July.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of highway construction projects across Kansas, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.org/" target="_blank">www.kandrive.org</a>&nbsp;or call 5-1-1.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Evening/overnight construction on U.S. 24 begins Monday, June 5th

MARION COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Friday in Marion County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Nissan Maxima driven by Mallory Anne&nbsp;Seirer, 19, Newton was westbound on U.S. 50. three and one half miles east of the U.S. 77 Junction.

The Nissan was passing a 2004 Freightliner semi driven by David Allen Williams, 52, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Seirer observed an eastbound vehicle. She swerved, lost control of the Nissan and struck the semi. After impact the Nissan traveled across the eastbound lanes and came to a rest in the south ditch.

EMS transported Seirer to Wesley Medical Center. Williams was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman hospitalized after crash with a semi

MANHATTAN - The Riley County Police Department is looking for 16-year-old Neveah, who is believed to have run away sometime between midnight and 10:30 a.m. on May 31st.&nbsp;

Neveah was last known to be in the 3000 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd and RCPD says it's believed she may still be in the Manhattan area.

Neveah is approximately 5'8" tall and weighs 150 lbs. She has blue eyes and brown hair with highlights.

RCPD says it is unknown what she was wearing when she went missing.&nbsp;

RCPD also noted that Neveah's top braces have been removed since the picture was taken.

If you have any information about her whereabouts, please contact us at (785) 537-2112 or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MHKCrimeStoppers?__cft__[0]=AZUo7dSr1RBev_UtJtIBllDWJE8vbSOcLRHeqaJWNzcaJlQ87NByYa6qXVbhDybA2ooiFVVclqgCJ80gamD7zNoGw_-JQ5I0KRTAFEzlV65gUWh1oqewzVswt6UJ7IAmc68bOLqv0koyoTLthzlwEAiCspx7JBNgEmvDO6dUMxb4KMusNWEnWvwso7Jmdz-atPc&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers</a> at (785) 539-7777.&nbsp;&nbsp;

MISSING from MHK: Have you seen Nevaeh?

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) – members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation – introduced legislation to invest new federal resources into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Center of Excellence (CoE) formed by Wichita State University and the University of Washington, according to a statement from his office. The&nbsp;Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials and Safety Act&nbsp;broadens the scope of research conducted at the Centers of Excellence to include testing for accessible air travel for people with disabilities, including in-cabin wheelchair users and passengers with mobility challenges, as well as increases federal resources for the consortium to accommodate additional research capabilities. The bill also strengthens the centers’ research into advanced aerospace technologies such as carbon fiber polymers, thermoplastic composites and additive manufacturing. This research supports innovative future commercial aircraft designs. “Our universities are necessary partners and pivotal contributors to aviation safety research,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran, Ranking Member of the Commerce Aviation Subcommittee. “As the aviation industry continues to evolve, this legislation will help make certain the Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials can continue identifying solutions for advanced structures and materials issues, while meeting the demands of a changing ecosystem to ensure that any passenger who chooses to fly can do so and in a safe manner. I am pleased this legislation will continue to support and invest in the important research conducted at Wichita State University in the Air Capital of the World.” “Continuing the mission of FAA’s Joint Centers of Excellence for Advanced Materials is critical to advancing U.S. leadership in advanced materials and composites that will make planes lighter, safer, and more fuel-efficient. Extending the Centers’ research to advance the safe use of wheelchair restraint systems and personal wheelchairs in flight is key to improving the passenger experience for individuals with disabilities,”&nbsp;said Sen. Cantwell, Chair of the Commerce Committee.&nbsp;“With this bill, Senator Moran and I will continue investing in collaborative research between the University of Washington and Wichita State University to make air travel safer and more accessible for all passengers.” “As the aerospace industry continues to advance, the need for high-performance materials is more critical than ever and Wichita State University strongly supports the continuation of the FAA Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials,”&nbsp;said John Tomblin, WSU senior V.P. for Industry and Defense Programs and director of the Center of Excellence for Composites and Advanced Materials (CECAM). “At the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), we recognize the importance of investing in the development and testing of advanced materials to ensure the safety and sustainability of all aircraft and passengers. That's why we proudly support the FAA Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials and its critical role in identifying, adopting, and testing the next generation of advanced materials. We're also proud to support the expansion of this center and the Aviation Safety Act and its goals, such as identifying cost-efficient options for wheelchair space on commercial aircraft while ensuring safety for all passengers. We at NIAR, and the South-Central Kansas region, applaud Senator Moran for his efforts and continued support to ensure the safety and accessibility of our skies and for being an advocate for our economy by promoting research and workforce development in advanced materials for aerospace and the expanded focus on accessibility to travel for individuals with disabilities.” “At the University of Washington, we pride ourselves in leading transformative research in partnership with industry leaders to make new and safe applications of advanced materials and composites possible,”&nbsp;said Dr. Marco Salviato, Associate Professor in the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics &amp; Astronautics (A&amp;A) and Director of the Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials in Transport Aircraft Structures (AMTAS) at the University of Washington.&nbsp;“We welcome the opportunity to advance our work with our JAMS COE partners to research aircraft accessibility for all passengers using AMTAS expertise in computational crashworthiness modeling and CECAM’s state-of-the-art crash test facilities. We thank Senator Cantwell and Senator Moran for their continued support of the Joint Centers of Excellence for Advanced Materials and appreciate Senator Cantwell’s ongoing work to ensure Washington state continues to be a leader in aerospace research and innovation for years to come.” “All Wheels Up is very encouraged by the progress being made through the great support and leadership of Senator Cantwell and Senator Moran to achieve safe, accessible air travel for all,”&nbsp;said Michele Erwin, Founder and President of All Wheels Up.&nbsp;“The Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials and Safety Act is an important and vital step towards making air travel truly accessible. Expanding the scope of the FAA Joint Centers of Excellence for Advanced Materials to include further research in aircraft accessibility and wheelchair restraint systems, among other areas which would enable individuals to use their personal wheelchairs in flight, is a significant milestone for our vision of accessible air travel where passengers remain safely in their personal wheelchairs when flying on commercial airplanes. We unequivocally support this Act and appreciate the work of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation to propel accessible air travel forward and inevitably achieve a shared goal - a wheelchair spot on airplanes that provides passengers a dignified, equitable and safe travel experience."

Moran introduces legislation to support aviation safety, accessibility

🎤 Forward Ever: State Library of Kansas director of reference Cindy Roupe

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kansas sex offender on new allegations.

Just after 2 p.m. Thursday, police arrested Tavian Garrett, 26, of Junction City on a Riley County District Court warrant for probation violation, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

This warrant stems from a violation of probation from an original charge of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child. 

Garrett was issued a total bond of $10,000 and is no longer in custody. He has been listed as a registered offender since August, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Junction City sex offender accused of new charges

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.&nbsp;

ROBERT LEE GRIMES, 30, Manhattan, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;; Bond $750

EDWIN OMAR ROJAS GONZALEZ, 28, Manhattan, Aggravated kidnapping; Aggravated battery; Knowingly use physical contact in angry/rude manner w/weapon; Kidnapping; Inflict bodily harm or terrorize the victim; Bond $50,000

JESSICA KAYE ANDERSON, 30, Manhattan, Failure to appear; Bond $2,500

BRITTANY JEWEL GUNNELS, 24, Manhattan, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol; 1st conv; blood/breath .08 or &gt;; Possession of marijuana; Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Bond $2,500

CHRISTIAN OCIEL URQUIZO GANDARILLA 33, Manhattan, Failure to appear; Bond $8,000

TAVIAN TISHUN GARRETT, 26, Junction City; Probation Violation; Bond $10,000

CRYSTAL MARIE COKER, 33, Westmoreland, Probation Violation; Bond $300

EDWARD WAYNE POTTER, 72, Manhattan, Probation violation; Bond $1,000

Riley County Arrest Report June 2

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for an alleged violent crime in Manhattan.

Just before 11p.m. Thursday, police arrested&nbsp;Edwin Gonzalez, 28, of Manhattan on a Riley County District Court warrant for aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, and kidnapping, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

This warrant stems from a February 18, case where it was reported Gonzalez and Cecilia Chavez, 29, also of Manhattan held two men known to them inside a Manhattan apartment in the 700 block of Allison Avenue. Gonzalez and Chavez were armed with a shotgun.

 It was also reported they hit the men several times. Gonzalaz remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $50,000. Chavez was arrested in connection to this case on February 19.

Police capture 2nd suspect in alleged Manhattan kidnapping

By NATE KING&nbsp; JC Post

Freedom Fest JC is back and bigger than ever before. Earlier this month I spoke with Junction City City Commissioner, Bob Story and State Representative Nate Butler to hear what makes this year's five day Fourth of July celebration a must attend event, the whole family will enjoy.&nbsp;

The festival will take place at Heritage Park, 101-199 W. 6th Street,&nbsp; in Junction City. Butler said WEEE Entertainment Carnival will set up their rides and attractions on Thursday.

"The carnival will line up on Jefferson Street and on Sixth Street, all of that area for about two, maybe three blocks," Butler said. "They have a large carnival this year. They've told us they're going to increase the number of rides by one. So we're excited about that."

The Freedom Fest event started two years ago replacing the Sundown Salute that had been held in the city for a number of years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event had to moved out of town.

"The downtown businesses and Junction City Main Street, wanted something back in downtown Junction City like we've had in the past. So we brought it back to life," Story said. "This is our second year for Freedom Fest JC and it's just a huge five day festival, carnival downtown crafters, vendors, great food and something new this year, there's going to be trapeze performers on Washington Street."

In addition to the carnival rides, trapeze performers, and craft vendors, Freedom Fest organizers told JC Post that the line up of musicians and bands will provide all event attendees with a wide variety of music to listen to, dance to and enjoy.

Friday, June 30 8:00 p.m.- The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 p.m.-Paramount (80’s rock tribute band)

Saturday, July 1 6:30 p.m.- The Shaky Ground Band (Classic Rock) 7:30 p.m.- The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 p.m.- The Frontmen (Country)

Sunday, July 2 8:00 p.m.-Consumed by Fire (Christian)

Monday, July 3 5:30 p.m.-Platinum Express (Motown, Soul, Funk, and Classic Rock) 7:30 p.m.-Foreigner Experience (Double Vision) Foreigner Tribute Band 9:00 p.m.-The Flying Pages trapeze Act 9:30 PM-Shooting Star&nbsp;(Nationally recognized Rock Band)

Tuesday, July 4 5:00 PM- Jay Hill Road Band (local musician) 6:30 PM-Burning Pianos&nbsp;(A Tribute to Keyboard Legends) 7:30 PM-The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 PM-Hotel California&nbsp;(Eagles Tribute Band)

Butler said there will be many returning food trucks and vendors, with one notable new food option.&nbsp;

"We have a new vendor who's going to bring alligator on the stick to Freedom Fest 2023, which we are really excited about," Butler said. "We've got some of the them [food vendors] coming back from last year. The boba tea guy, the slushy guy, we've got the chicken and rice guy, we've got the lemon lady. So we've got a large variety of food vendors that they can come through and enjoy."

How can you have a Fourth of July celebration without fireworks? The Freedom Fest Fireworks Extravaganza will take place on Tuesday evening at 10 p.m. Story said due to the construction on the E. Sixth Street viaduct, the fireworks will be set off from near where the bridge is missing.&nbsp;

"We're gonna have to move that back a little bit. A little bit off of East Sixth Street, just where the bridge is missing from," Story said. "But we're going to shoot a little bit bigger shells. So they should go higher and be bigger."

Story, former Junction City Police Chief, said event organizers have been, and continue to work with local law enforcement to ensure a safe environment for the approximately 50,ooo+ event attendees.&nbsp;

"We coordinate with the police department, sheriff's office and we have spoken to the Kansas Highway Patrol and the fire department, all these people we deal with, they know everything that we're doing," Story said. "We block off the streets the best we can to where you don't have something accidentally happen, let alone on purpose. As always we keep a close eye on who's in the park, what's going on. In today's world, you got to do that."&nbsp;

🎙King in the Community: 2023 Freedom Fest, Bob Story and Nate Butler

Prepared by Rich Vargo, Riley County Clerk

FILING DEADLINE IS JUNE 1ST, 2023 AT NOON

City of Leonardville: Mayor: Christopher Shoults City Council: Jeff Bulk Larry Wendland

City of Manhattan: City Commission: Susan E. Adamchak Rosemary Crumly-Loucks Mark J. Hatesohl Connor W. Knightley John E. Matta Karen McCulloh Peter Oppelt Rafael Rodriguez Jr.

City of Ogden: Mayor: Robert R. Pence City Council: Jonathan Anschutz Ed Burch Kenneth W. Carroll Kirk D. Crabtree Richard Lyle Foster Allan Guatemala James E. Pettay Eladio D Reid, Jr. Derek R. Shepard

City of Randolph: No filings

City of Riley:&nbsp; Mayor: Darci Pottroff City Council: William Isom

USD 378 - Riley County Schools: School Board Position 1: Jarred E. Anderes School Board Position 2: James L. Greer School Board Position 3: Jeffrey D. Hancock Sara Wahlmeier-Cox School Board Position 7: Shane T. Eslit

USD 383 - Manhattan-Ogden Schools: Board of Education: Katie Allen Frank Beer Kristin Brighton Robert Busby Nolan R. Roth Curt Hermann Courtney Jane Hochman Greg Hoyt Audrey E. Swartz

USD 384 - Blue Valley Schools: Dist. 1 Pos. 1: Jason Michael Anderson Jason M. Hartman Dist. 2 Pos. 2: Drew Taylor Position 7 - At Large: Autumn N. Cercone

Blue River Hills Improvement District: Crystal Adolph Dawn Belville Jessica Mauck

University Park Improvement District: Sarah Dahl Danielle Maple James Slaymaker Jo Ann Zahner

INFORMATION PULLED AT 10:00 AM on 06/01/2023

Unofficial Riley County candidate list for 2023

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a teen on multiple allegations after an incident at a home in Manhattan.

Just after 7a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the report of a domestic situation near the intersection of S. Manhattan Ave. and Fair Ln. in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

First responders found an 18-year-old man had threatened to shoot a 43-year-old man known to him, prevented him from leaving a residence by standing in front of his car, and took the key from his car and refused to give it back. 

The suspect was also found to be in possession of opiate pills that had been reported stolen by him and drug paraphernalia. 

Officers arrested Darryl Klemick, 18, of Manhattan on requested charges of criminal threat, possession of stolen property, criminal restraint, criminal deprivation of property, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of an opiate, and two counts of theft. 

Klemick remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $61,000.

Teen accused of criminal threat, theft at Manhattan home

MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a></a>Kickoff times and television selections for four of K-State’s first five football games of 2023 have been announced as the Big 12 Conference and its television partners have made selections for the first three weeks of the season and special weeknight contests.

The Wildcats will open their Big 12-defending season on Sept. 2 against SEMO at 6 p.m., in a game shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, and they stay at Bill Snyder Family Stadium the next Sept. 9, with an 11 a.m., tilt against Sun Belt Champion Troy that will be aired on FS1.

K-State hits the road for the first time in 2023 with an 11 a.m., contest at Missouri that will be broadcast by SEC Network. It is the Wildcats’ first trip to Columbia, Mo., since 2010 when the Tigers were members of the Big 12.

Kansas State will face Oklahoma State in a special Friday-night matchup on Oct. 6 that will kick at 6:30 p.m., and be shown on ESPN.

Season tickets are on sale now for the 2023 season and start at less than $30 per game. Single-game tickets will go on sale to Ahearn Fund members on June 12 and to the general public on June 15. Fans can order tickets online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.k-statesports.com/tickets</a>, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or at the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.

K-State, Big 12 announce four football game times

LAWRENCE –&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference released a portion of the early television broadcast assignments and kickoff times for the 2023 college football season on Wednesday. 

Times and TV designations are now set for Kansas’ games vs. Missouri State on Aug. 31 and at Nevada on Sept. 16. The season opener vs. Missouri State will kick off at 7 p.m. CT on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. It will be the third meeting all-time between the schools and the first since 2002. The Thursday night opener will mark the third-straight year Kansas has opened on a weeknight but is the first time opening on a Thursday after beginning the previous two seasons on Friday nights. The Jayhawks will kick off their road slate on Sept. 16 when they take on Nevada at 9:30 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network. It will be the first meeting between the two schools, while Kansas holds a 13-4 record against the Mountain West all-time. Kansas’ 2023 schedule also features home games against Illinois (Sept. 9), BYU (Sept. 23), UCF (Oct. 7), Oklahoma (Oct. 28), Texas Tech (No. 11) and Kansas State (Nov. 16). The Jayhawks away schedule features additional games at Texas (Sept. 30), Oklahoma State (Oct. 14), Iowa State (Nov. 4) and Cincinnati (Nov. 25). The remainder of the season’s television selections will be announced on a 12-day or six-day notice via Big12Sports.com and the Conference’s official digital platforms. Information on the Illinois game should be available in the coming weeks. The Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship will return to AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the ninth year. The game is slated for Dec. 2 with an 11 a.m. kickoff on ABC. The Big 12 had the second-highest attendance of last season’s conference title games with 69,335 spectators. The Championship delivered 9.4M viewers on ABC, the most-watched Big 12 Championship since 2018. It peaked at 12.7M viewers, the most of any conference championship across all networks. Big 12 Football Early Season and Special Date Television Selections (all times listed as Central) Aug. 31 Missouri State at Kansas (Big 12 Now on ESPN+), 7 p.m.&nbsp; Sept. 16 Kansas at Nevada (CBSSN), 9:30 p.m. Dec. 2 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship (ABC), 11 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KU football game times announced for Missouri State, Nevada games

MANHATTAN&nbsp;– Season tickets for the 2023-24 men’s and women’s basketball teams will go on-sale at 8:30 p.m., CT on Monday, athletic department officials announced on Wednesday.

Fans will once again want to make plans to be at Bramlage Coliseum in 2023-24, as excitement continues to grow for the men’s and women’s teams coming off outstanding seasons. The Wildcat men return several key components from a team that advanced to the Elite Eight and went 15-1 at Bramlage Coliseum under National Coach of the Year&nbsp;Jerome Tang. The women’s team is garnering preseason Top 25 mention for a squad that is expected to return consensus All-American&nbsp;Ayoka Lee, along with All-Big 12 selections&nbsp;Gabby Gregory&nbsp;and&nbsp;Serena Sundell, after winning 19 games and advancing to the WNIT Super 16.

The two teams attracted more than 200,000 fans to Bramlage Coliseum in 2022-23, including eight sellouts by the men’s team which were the most by the program in nearly a decade. The women’s team was once again one of the nation’s leaders in attendance, ranking 31st&nbsp;nationally.

Fans have a variety of ticket prices and locations from which to choose from, with men’s basketball bench season tickets starting at $345 each. With the Wildcat 4-Pack, fans can purchase four (4) season tickets in the bench or Cat Cushion areas starting at $900, which is less than $15 per game.

General admission women's basketball season tickets start at $50 for football and men’s basketball season ticket holders, $75 for public, or $200 for a 4-Pack. Wildcat 4-Packs are available for approximately $3 per game.

Fans who order season tickets by the Incentive Deadline of June 30 will have the $10 processing fee waived, and a 4-month payment plan option. Those who order before the Renewal Deadline of Aug. 1 will be able to retain their seat and parking locations as well as receive a 3-month payment plan option. Online seat and parking upgrades will begin on Aug. 22.

New full season-ticket requests will be able to select their seat during the ordering process from any seat location available from the 2022-23 season.&nbsp;An Ahearn Fund contribution is required for all premium, chairback and cushioned seating. Specific required giving levels by section are listed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ahearnfund.com/" target="_blank">www.AhearnFund.com</a>.

There are a number of premium seating options at Bramlage Coliseum, including 19 new courtside seats along the southeast baseline of the arena. For more information on premium seating opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ahearnfund.com/sports/2023/3/21/premium-seating-update.aspx" target="_blank">ahearnfund.com/premiumseating</a>&nbsp;or contact the Ahearn Fund at (888) 232-9074.

The men’s 2023-24 home schedule will include premier matchups with Villanova on Dec. 5 in the Big 12/BIG EAST Battle and Nebraska on Dec. 17, along with nine high-caliber conference games in the new-look Big 12, which welcomes BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF as new members.

In addition, season-ticket holders will have the first opportunity to pre-order tickets at a discounted rate for the Wildcat Classic against in-state foe Wichita State at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Thursday, Dec. 21.

In addition to nine Big 12 home games, the women's 2023-24 home schedule includes a return visit from Big Ten foe Wisconsin.

Fans can purchase season tickets in a variety of ways, including toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287) and online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.

K-State basketball 2023-24 season tickets on sale Monday

LAWRENCE –&nbsp;For the second straight semester, Kansas student-athletes established a new non-COVID era record, recording a combined department grade point average of 3.40.

Eleven programs established new program records with their grade point averages, while 89 student-athletes earned a 4.0 term GPA and 79 percent of all student-athletes earned AD Honor Roll status.

For the second straight semester, all 16 programs had a team GPA over 3.0 for the semester.

“This was another incredibly successful semester in the classroom, and I am especially proud that this is becoming the standard here because of the impressive work from our student-athletes and academic staff,” Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. “It is also an exceptional achievement to have 11 programs establish new records and continue to raise the bar each and every semester.”

So far this year, Kansas has had 106 student-athletes earn Academic All-Conference honors from the Big 12, including 74 in the fall and 32 in the winter. The spring sports teams will be announced in June.

KU student-athletes have record-breaking semester in classroom

By WARREN MAYES Associated Press

ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas pitched eight shutout innings, Nolan Arenado hit an RBI double and Nolan Gorman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Tuesday night to split the two-game set between the I-70 rivals.

Mikolas (4-1) matched a career high with 10 strikeouts and allowed three hits. The strikeout total matched the 34-year-old right-hander's effort against Milwaukee in 2019.

The Cardinals needed a defensive gem in the fourth inning to keep the game scoreless. With two outs and MJ Melendez on second, Michael Massey singled to right. Brendan Donovan threw a strike to the plate and Willson Contreras applied the tag to Melendez.

Gionvanny Gallegos replaced Mikolas in the ninth and gave up a double and single to start the inning. Vinnie Pasquantino scored on a fielder's choice by Bobby Witt Jr., cutting the deficit to a run. Gallegos went on to retire the next two hitters and record his seventh save.

The Cardinals got a run in the sixth with two outs against Carlos Hernández (0-2). Paul Goldschmidt reached first on an infield single. Arenado hit a run-scoring double to left-center. Arenado has a team-high 18 RBIs in interleague play this season.

St. Louis extended its lead to 2-0 in the eighth Gorman's sac fly off Aroldis Chapman, scoring Tommy Edman.

Zack Greinke started for the Royals but didn't figure in the decision. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk with six strikeouts. He ranks first in starts (526) and innings pitched (3,309 1/3), second in wins (224) and third in strikeouts (2,929) among active pitchers.

After off days Wednesday and Thursday, the Cardinals return Friday, continuing a stretch of 13 of 15 games on the road between May 22-June 7.

Tommy Edman made his first career start and third overall appearance in center field in the regular season, previously appearing as a defensive replacement on July 12, 2019 verus Arizona (one inning) and May 21, 2022 at Pittsburgh (five innings). The 28-year-old Edman also appeared in center in Game 4 of the NLCS at Washington (one inning). This season, the former Gold Glove second baseman has appeared at shortstop (27 games), second base (21 games), and right field (seven games).

With a win, the Cardinals (15-13) achieved a winning month of May for the 16th time since 2000.

Royals: OF Kyle Isbel (left hamstring strain) still undergoing a rehab process after getting hurt running out a bunt earlier this month against Baltimore. He is doing more baseball activity, but a rehab assignment is not in the immediate future.

Cardinals: OF Lars Nootbar (back spasms) is getting treatment and listed as day to day. He left Monday's game in third inning under his own power while walking with trainers. … RHP Jake Woodford (right shoulder inflammation) began an injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday night, starting for the Redbirds at the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Royals' affiliate. Woodford has missed the last 24 games.

Royals: The club has off Wednesday and Thursday before before hosting Colorado on Friday. No starter for either club has been named.

Cardinals: The team has Wednesday and Thursday off before playing Friday at Pittsburgh. No starter has been determined.

Mikolas works 8 shutout innings, leads Cardinals to win over Royals

ST. LOUIS — Josh Staumont and Mike Mayers came within six outs of the first combined perfect game in major league history before Nolan Arenado lined a leadoff single in the eighth inning of the Kansas City Royals' 7-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Staumont, a 29-year-old right-hander, served as the opener in a planned bullpen game for the Royals. He made his first major league start in his 167th appearance and struck out two in a 1-2-3 inning, throwing 14 pitches.

Mayers, a 31-year-old left-hander who pitched for the Cardinals from 2016-19, made his third appearance for the Royals this season after eight starts at Triple-A Omaha. He retired 18 consecutive batters before Arenado lined a 1-0 slider to left on his 72nd pitch. Willson Contreras followed with a single to center that stopped an 0 for 27 slide.

Taylor Clarke relieved and retired Brendan Donovan, Paul DeJong and Alex Burleson in order. Amir Garrett pitched a perfect ninth to finish a two-hitter and Kansas City's second shutout this year.

St. Louis was shut out for the sixth time and has scored 13 runs in its last six games.

There have been 23 perfect games, the last by Seattle's Félix Hernández against Tampa Bay on Aug. 15, 2012. All perfect games have been complete games.

Kansas City had not shut out the Cardinals since May 22, 2015, and had not blanked them in St. Louis since June 2, 2014.

In the opener of a two-game series, the Royals tied their season high with 16 hits and stranded 14 runners, one shy of their high.

Nicky Lopez matched his career high with four hits, and Nick Pratto and Vinnie Pasquantino had three each. Mike Massey hit a two-run homer and Bobby Witt Jr. added a solo homer.

Adam Wainwright (2-1) allowed three runs and nine hits in five innings for the Cardinals, playing their 18th game in a stretch of 19 days in a row. The Cardinals and the Royals have back-to-back days off Wednesday and Thursday.

Pasquantino hit an RBI double in the third. MJ Melendez hit a run-scoring triple in the fifth and scored on Freddy Fermin's bunt down the first-base line for a 3-0 lead.

Pasquantino had an RBI single off Steven Matz in the eighth, and Witt and Massey homered in the ninth against Drew VerHagen.

CF Lars Nootbar left after Pratto doubled leading off the third inning, appearing to pull up near the wall. Nootbar has slammed into the wall catching a Massey drive in the second. The Cardinals said Nootbar had back spasms.

Royals: RHP Brad Keller (right shoulder impingement syndrome) is progressing well after throwing a recent bullpen.

Cardinals: OF Dylan Carlson (left ankle sprain) has been taking swings from the right side. On Monday, he took swings left-handed. Once he is comfortable, he will have short rehab stint in the minors.

RHP Zack Greinke (1-5, 4.55) starts Tuesday for the Royals and RHP Miles Mikolas (3-1, 4.23) for the Cardinals. Grienke is 13-7 with a 3.48 ERA against St. Louis. Mikolas pitched a four-hit shutout in his only game against the Royals on May 21, 2018.

Royals' Staumont, Mayers within 6 outs of perfect game in win over Cards

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis 500 is the one race Josef Newgarden desperately wanted to win.

It's basically the only race that matters to his boss.

Coming up empty for 11 consecutive years had become personal for the two-time IndyCar champion.

Newgarden finally broke through Sunday, though, winning the Indy 500 to extend team owner Roger Penske's record to 19 victories — and the first since he bought Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Newgarden did it with an audacious pass of defending race winner Marcus Ericsson during a frantic, controversial 2.5-mile sprint to the finish.

"We've had a tough go here the last three, four years, and we've had a lot of questions to answer every day, after every qualifying weekend. We've had to come out and put on a brave face," Newgarden said. "It's just not an easy place to succeed at. I don't necessarily subscribe to the fact that if you don't win the 500, your career is a failure.

"But I think a lot of people view this race and this championship with that lens," Newgarden continued. "The 500 stands alone and if you are not able to capture one, the career really is a failure."

After the race was red-flagged for the third time in the final 16 laps, Newgarden was moved from fourth to second by race control following a review of the running order at the time the yellow flag waved.

He took advantage of his improved position to slingshot around Ericsson on the restart and hold him off from there.

Newgarden brought his Chevrolet-powered car to a stop on the front stretch, jumped out and found a hole in the fence, diving into part of a crowd estimated at more than 300,000 to celebrate. Then, Newgarden climbed the fence to mimic longtime Team Penske driver and four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves.

The 32-year-old from Nashville is the first American to win the Indy 500 since Alexander Rossi in 2016. He led five of the 200 laps and beat Ericsson in the fourth-closest finish in 107 years with a margin of victory of .0974 seconds.

"I'm just so thankful to be here. I started out as a fan in the crowd, and this place is amazing, regardless of where you're sitting," Newgarden said after pouring a bottle of whole milk over his head. "Everyone kept asking why I hadn't won this race, and they look at you like you're a failure if you haven't won it. I knew I was capable. I knew I could."

Ericsson finished second in a Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, and he immediately criticized IndyCar's decision to hold a one-lap shootout to the checkered flag. The Swede believed the race should have ended under caution, with him the winner, rather than having the green flag fly on the first lap out of the pits.

"I think it wasn't enough laps to go to do what we did. I don't think it's safe to go out of the pits on cold tires for a restart when half the field is sort of still trying to get out on track when we go green," Ericsson said. "I can't agree with that."

Newgarden and Ericsson were followed by Santino Ferrucci, who gave 88-year-old A.J. Foyt his team's best finish in the iconic race that Super Tex won four times since Kenny Bräck reached victory lane in 1999.

Alex Palou, the pole sitter and race favorite for Chip Ganassi Racing, finished fourth after recovering from a crash on pit road, and Rossi was fifth on what was an otherwise disappointing day for Arrow McLaren.

What was on pace to be the fastest Indy 500 in history ended with three red flags in the final 16 laps.

The first came for a crash involving Felix Rosenqvist and Kyle Kirkwood, who were near the front of the lead pack. Kirkwood went upside down into the catch fence, beginning a terrifying, spark-filled ride through the short chute.

One of Kirkwood's wheels sailed over the fencing and narrowly cleared the packed grandstand. Nobody was injured. His tire smashed the hood of a Chevrolet in a parking lot next to the grandstand.

"All I know is I was up in the fence, which is never a good thing in IndyCar. Thank God these cars are so safe," Kirkwood said. "I saw sparks flying everywhere. That's the scary part. You're upside-down and you're kind of stuck at that point."

On the restart, Pato O'Ward — who already had a restart called off for setting too slow of a pace — was shuffled from first to third as Newgarden shot to the lead. O'Ward and Ericsson were then side by side entering Turn 3 and touched wheels, and O'Ward slid into the wall and out of the race in another disappointment for Arrow McLaren.

Agustin Canapino did a 360-spin behind him, snapping a break line. He was unable to stop and collided with O'Ward's car.

"I was a little too nice there," O'Ward said. "I just feel so bummed for the team. ... I got onto the apron to give (Ericsson) room. I got squeezed. Yeah, I won't forget that."

Suddenly, the race had its second red flag with six laps to go.

Last year's race was red-flagged with five to go, when Ericsson was leading O'Ward to the finish. Ericsson held him off the rest of the way, and many criticized O'Ward for not making a more aggressive move for the win.

Newgarden didn't make the same mistake with Ericsson out in front of him.

As Newgarden crossed the yard of bricks, Penske and his entire executive committee jumped up and down in celebration on an elevated platform near the start-finish line. And for a moment, the 86-year-old team owner looked like a child filled with joy.

"The last two laps, I forgot about being the track owner and said 'Let's go for it,'" said Penske, who joined Newgarden in an open-top Chevy Camaro for a victory lap around the speedway. It was the first Indy win for a Team Penske driver since 2019, the year before Roger Penske bought the track.

"We always want to win this place, but 2019 was the last time that we had won and somebody else owned the place before," Penske president Tim Cindric said. "I apologize it's taken four years."

Roger Penske's parking spot inside the speedway has been marked simply 18 for the last four years. Newgarden was still doing postrace media obligations and the spot had already been changed to 19.

"I think back about coming here in 1951 with my dad to see the first race of my own with him, and of course never realized that many, many years would pass and I would be here today, our family as the steward of the track, and also to have 19 wins," Penske said.

AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta contributed to this report.

Newgarden wins 1st Indianapolis 500, extends Roger Penske's record

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Dániel Sallói scored the go-ahead goal and Sporting Kansas City used an own-goal by Portland's Larrys Mabiala to provide some cushion in a 4-1 victory over the Timbers on Sunday.

Portland jumped on top early on Franck Boli's third goal of the season — unassisted in the 8th minute.

Erik Thommy scored the equalizer for Sporting KC (3-8-4) when he took a pass from Marinos Tzionis in the 33rd minute and notched his second goal this season.

Things fell apart for the Timbers (4-7-4) over a two-minute span of the second half.

First, Sallói scored for a third time this season, using an assist from Graham Zusi to find the net in the 66th minute. Then came Mabiala's own-goal two minutes later and Portland never recovered.

Roger Espinoza picked up an assist in the third minute of stoppage time on Felipe Hernández's first netter of the season.

Kendall McIntosh finished with two saves in his third start for Sporting KC. Aljaz Ivacic saved four shots for the Timbers.

The Timbers beat Sporting KC 1-0 in the season opener. Portland has never beaten SKC twice in the same season.

Sporting KC will host FC Dallas on Wednesday. Portland travels to play the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Sallói sparks Sporting KC to 4-1 victory over Timbers

By AVERY OSEN Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Michael Massey's single with two outs in the ninth scored MJ Melendez to cap a late rally that lifted the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

The Royals hit homers in the seventh and eighth innings to tie the game, then pulled it out in the ninth to avoid a sweep.

Melendez reached with one out on an error by first baseman Dominic Smith and scored when Massey lined a single into right off Chad Kuhl (0-3) that fell in front of Lane Thomas.

"I was trying to be selectively aggressive," Massey said. "I was just making sure I was staying in the spot I was looking and didn't help the pitcher out. I thought the outfielder was going to get it, but then luckily it had some top spin and dove on him. Luckily it fell in there for us."

Washington's Mackenzie Gore struck out a career-high 11 over seven innings and allowed one earned run on three hits and one walk. He gave up a double to the leadoff batter, then didn't allow another hit until the sixth inning.

"It was good," Gore said. "We did a lot of good things today and look, we just won the series. It's a tough loss, but we just have to keep taking it one day at a time. We put some guys away today and the last few outings I haven't done that so that was a lot of fun."

But Melendez homered off him in the seventh before Edward Olivares hit a 452-foot shot off Kuhl in the eighth to tie it.

The Nationals got on the board first with an RBI double by Ildemaro Vargas that bounced off the top of the left field wall to score Smith in the fourth inning. Vargas scored on the next at-bat when Michael Chavis hit a bloop single to center field to give Washington a 2-0 lead.

"We didn't have our late-inning guys available," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "That last play there is a do-or-die play and you can't let that ball bounce in front of you like that. You've got to try up and catch that and if it gets by you, it gets by you and the game is over anyway."

In his season debut, Daniel Lynch went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

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