Students from Barton’s chapter of HOSA (Future Health Professionals) joined about 13,000 students in Nashville, Tennessee earlier this summer at the 2025 International Leadership Conference (ILC), where they competed against students from the U.S. as well as students from Canada, Japan, China, Korea, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

The results from the competition were as follows:Hannah Dapogny, Clinical Nursing, third placeHaley McCormick, Phlebotomy, fifth placeKaden Baird, Respiratory Therapy, second placeValeria Gallardo, Biotechnology, third placeAaron Deason, Sports Medicine, seventh placeKaren Gunther, Barton Advisor and International Competitive Event Committee Four-year, ILC - CE Service Award of ExcellenceGreat Bend High School HOSA, The team of Murphy and Murphy placed top 10 in Medical Innovations

HOSA is a global, student-led organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. The group’s mission is to empower members to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience. HOSA actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry and aims to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people.

To learn more, please contact Barton HOSA Advisor Karen Gunther at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:guntherka@bartonccc.edu">guntherka@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 786-1133.

Barton healthcare students place in international competition

100.7 Eagle Country, B104.3 The Point, Hits 106.9, 1590 KVGB AM/95.5 FM and Eldridge Fencing present the Eldridge Fencing Jingle Showdown!

Each week, listeners will hear two different Eldridge Fencing commercials—one featuring Billy and one featuring Wally—each trying to sing the best jingle.

The goal? Bragging rights.
The winner? That’s up to YOU.

The grand prize winner will be announced Monday, July 28th at 7 PM

So who’s got your vote—Wally or Billy?
Cast your vote in-store!&nbsp;

Eldridge Fencing - 80 E. 10th St., Great Bend

Eldridge Fencing Jingle Showdown 

Daily Registration Locations:&nbsp; - Ehler Chevrolet - INA Alert - Equity Bank - Kelly's Garden Sense - Reborn Renovations &amp; Disaster Services - Jimlo Glass - Center for Counseling - T&amp;L Fireworks - GB Tires - Fireworks for Less (Windshields for Less)&nbsp; - Boone's Maytag - Eldridge Fencing - Westside Market/ UPS Store - Nex-Tech Wireless - Cornerstone Automotive - Straub's Powersports - Great Bend Appliance Furniture and Sleep Source - Nex-Tech - Hoisington Veterinary Hospital - Z's Liquormart - Odin Store - Memorial Art Company - Big Bend Custom Engraving (Inside Magna Dry)&nbsp; - GB Car Care - Farley Machine Works - Barton County Health Department

LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER DAY PER SPONSOR LOCATION

1. Complete entry in full. Please Print. Must Be Present To Enter.

2. The “Reef Blue Summer” promotion is open to all Kansas residents at least 21 years of age except employees of Eagle Communication, Hull Broadcasting, I.N.A. Alert, Equity Bank, Kelly's Garden Sense, and Ehler Chevrolet and their spouse/companion. Employees of other participating businesses and their families may enter; however, they may not register at their place of employment.

3. Listen to Eagle Radio Stations KVGB FM - “B104.3 The Point”...KHOK FM “100.7 Eagle Country”...KVGB “1590 AM/95.5FM”...and Hull Broadcasting Station KBGL FM “Hits 106.9” for details. Find the latest contest information and appearance calendar at GreatBendPost.com

4. Finalists for this promotion will be qualified from in-store registrations...and during special “Reef Blue Summer” Instant Finalist Days. Only one finalist per household may qualify. No purchase necessary to win.

5. Prize in non-transferable. Winner is responsible for all applicable taxes.

6. Signing this entry form allows Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting to use your name, likeness, image, character or voice for promotional purposes.

7. No sponsor or their affiliates assume any liability in connection with this giveaway.

8. Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting reserve the right to disqualify any entry for violation of contest rules. The decision of Eagle Radio of Great Bend and Hull Broadcasting is final.

Reef Blue Summer

Medical Park Pharmacy, Mayo Money Management, Hazmat Response, Protective Equipment Testing Lab, R&amp;R Roofing, Freedom Claims Management, Inc., Rosencrantz-Bemis Water Well Company, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Miller Plastics/Miller Warehouse, Nex-Tech Wireless, USD #431 Hoisington, Great Bend Redi Mix, Heavy Duty Diesel &amp; Auto, USD #428 Great Bend

Make a Difference Contest 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued a public health advisory due to blue-green algae.

The water recreation season in Kansas officially runs from April 1 to Oct. 31, as do the Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB) response program's active operations. Kansans should remain vigilant while engaging in activities taking place in or on the water, such as swimming, boating, and fishing.

A HAB may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep dogs away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g., direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache.

If you, or your pets, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported as soon as possible at<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F1163%2FReport-an-Illness%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000197fadcb7a8-7c0b4682-21a0-4261-8c30-ddd5c8d06882-000000/Vb7lUSRYoeTSYCMXo0WpHrF324LZQ5Q4JrMk_TEFR6w=413">&nbsp;kdhe.ks.gov/1163</a>.

A&nbsp;Hazard status&nbsp;indicates that a HAB is present, and extreme conditions exist.

When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

A&nbsp;Warning status&nbsp;indicates that a HAB is expected or present.

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

A&nbsp;Watch status&nbsp;means that a HAB is possible and may be present.

&nbsp;When a watch is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

Advisories are&nbsp;Lifted&nbsp;when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.

KDHE investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.&nbsp;

If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

Public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae

It’s a two-minute recap of the headlines that broke this past week in the Golden Belt. For the full stories, click the links below.

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/4f65b438-54d1-4449-8240-8016be3cc7a1">"Extensive" damage to school in Olmitz</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/edfc37e1-a171-458b-aae7-a82ea6ec32d3">USD 428 moving PTRC to Great Bend's Front Door facility</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/89ab8957-edfd-4a6d-a97f-0fb07bb6f43b">Grand opening for new thrift store in Great Bend</a>

Eagle Media's News Week in Review

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the most recent obituaries and service times from Eagle Media's funeral home partners.

﻿Funeral homes and families can send notices to <a href="mailto:obitsgb@eaglemedia.com">obitsgb@eaglemedia.com</a>.

Obituary listings are a paid service. Contact Eagle Media for more details.

Recent obituaries 

PRATT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 9a.m. Friday in Pratt County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Buick Encore driven by&nbsp;Prosser, Riley Cheyenne&nbsp;Prosser, 21, Pratt, was Eastbound on SW 50th Street.&nbsp; A 1962 Chevy Truck driven by Christopher Michael&nbsp; Sanders, 35, Pratt, was northbound on SW 20th Avenue. Both vehicles entered the intersection at the same time and collided.&nbsp;

Prosser was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Larrison's Mortuary. EMS transported Sanders to&nbsp;Ascension via Christi St. Francis and a passenger in the truck identified as Jorden Samuel&nbsp;House, 18, Pratt, to Pratt Regional Medical Center. All three were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dead, 2 injured after pickup, SUV crash

On Tuesday morning, Barton County Commissioners approved a three-party agreement with Kirkham Michael &amp; Associates and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for inspection services on the High-Risk Rural Roads Signing Project covering the southwest quadrant of the county.

Under the agreement, the Ellsworth-based engineering firm will provide an on-site inspector to monitor and document the installation of no-passing pennants (triangular yellow road signs) by the construction contractor. KDOT will cover 100% of participating costs up to an upper compensation limit of $57,116.93, meaning no direct cost to Barton County unless expenses exceed this limit or for non-participating costs, County Engineer Barry McManaman said.

This marks the third and final phase of this project, which also included design previously conducted by Kirkham Michael and the construction, which was green-lighted last week. The total cost was around $160,000, under the $171,000 maximum allowed by KDOT.

The state is covering the entire cost of the work, McManaman said.

The HRRR project taps Federal Highway Administration funds in an effort aimed at enhancing safety and reducing crash rates.

No-passing signs installation in Barton Co. inspection approved

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman continues a series on leadership and entrepreneurship. Kris Munsch discusses 'Getting Bank Ready"

🎤 Forward Ever: Part 4: Kris Munsch: Getting bank ready

It doesn’t matter if an 8-person team is all boys, all girls or coed for the upcoming Kick the Habit Kickball Tournament sponsored by Barton County Youth Crew.

Participants must be in grades 6-12; those who graduated from high school in May also are eligible. Each team, which can be a mix of ages, is encouraged to select a team captain and an appropriate name.

The tournament is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8 at the Great Bend Sports Complex, 41 McKinley. There is no entry fee but registration is required; there is no charge for spectators.

“We have started handing out cards with this basic information to individuals, churches, businesses and other entities,” said Tyler Morton, Juvenile Services prevention advocate. “There also will be posts on social media but those with traditional bulletin boards are asked to participate too.”

The kickball tournament originated in 2022 with Youth Crew members teaming up with the Barton County Health Department.

“The goal was to host an event to raise awareness about the dangers of using tobacco and encourage tobacco cessation,” Morton said. “The health department is graciously donating funds for water bottles, along with stickers that share positive affirmations that personalize the bottles.”

Rise Up, a Central Kansas Partnership task force, is supplying the referees; County Attorney J. Colin Reynolds is sponsoring the T-shirts; and BJ Wooding, Barton County cartographer, made the banners.

Shane Sandberg, Great Bend Rec sports director, also is playing a big role, Morton said.

“Shane helped us with all the logistics of finding the right time and place for the tournament,” he explained. “He also will help with the team brackets. We can’t thank everyone enough for all their efforts in supporting this popular event.

“Our Youth Crew planning committee members, who meet weekly, are working hard to make this an educational and fun event. But they know this tournament cannot be a success without the support of the community.”

Youth Crew hosted Kick the Habit tournaments in 2022 and 2023. “These were our largest events in those years, attracting more than 200 attendees,” Morton said.

The logistics didn’t gel in 2024 when organizers decided to change from a spring tournament to one in the summer to attract more participants.

For more information and/or to register, contact Morton by calling 620-786-4033 or emailing tmorton@bartoncounty.org.

20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake &amp; Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.

Kick the Habit Kickball Tournament set for Aug. 8 in Great Bend

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced the Department of Commerce has awarded $4.1 million through the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP) to support significant fundraising efforts for 30 non-profit organizations across the state.

“Strong, vibrant communities are what draw new businesses, visitors and potential residents to Kansas,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“CSP allows locally led initiatives to attract additional capital support – and further expand the economic opportunities in their communities.”

The Community Service Tax Credit Program provides an opportunity for non-profit organizations and public healthcare entities to improve their ability to undertake major capital campaigns involving community service, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and technical training, and healthcare services.

Under the program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors that make contributions towards approved projects. Organizations in rural areas with populations less than 15,000 can receive a 70% credit, while communities with more than 15,000 population can receive a 50% credit.

“We know that thriving communities are the foundation of a strong economy, and these awards empower organizations to take on bold investments in the future of Kansas,”&nbsp;Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “From early childhood education to mental health services, these projects will be transformative for our Kansas communities.”

A few highlights from the latest round of awardees include:

Tax credits through this program have been issued in Kansas since 1994. Program funds are one of the many tools provided by Commerce that supports nonprofits. To view the complete list of 2025 awardees and their projects, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fprogram%2Fcommunity-programs%2Fcsp%2F/1/01010197efbe5aad-493e1759-044f-4a87-8351-9d656cf2be78-000000/kYeEu_q1YBOtYI1PLup36DiTp0n67rnWlGwNoqM-Xpg=413">here</a>.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:&nbsp;

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses, and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.5TWXrJO3b3qLJa9ieHzydq1eJNWfc7-AJ-GW80r08s8/s/1303135913/br/109392404636-l">Area Development Magazine’s</a>&nbsp;prestigious&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.K9Y9Tb0NsjacA1MsAu_7H-njrBFCuqNGN6ODZXi3nmY/s/1303135913/br/109392404636-l">Gold Shovel award</a>&nbsp;in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.dNNQWTpQT0szY4qD2n2LvtDSg1A0HrY6qDhbvmHjyjk/s/1303135913/br/109392404636-l">Site Selection Magazine</a>.

Established in 2024, the Quality Places Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce exists to improve quality of life in communities across the state through various programs and services. The Kansas Department of Commerce understands the immense role played by strong communities in economic development and prioritizes investments in people and communities as major contributors to the overall strength of the Kansas economy. To learn more, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fcommunity-development%2F/1/01010197efbe5aad-493e1759-044f-4a87-8351-9d656cf2be78-000000/rrKzF6Ccdk9w9R8tKXf87PWPf1sjHsECf2LhOizZiMQ=413">here</a>.

Commerce awards $4.1 million in tax credits to spur revitalization

On Thursday, July 10, at about 9 a.m. Barton County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an injury accident at the intersection of K-96 highway and 30 Avenue, just northwest of the city of Great Bend. Upon arrival, deputies located a two-vehicle accident involving a truck tractor / trailer combination loaded with hay and a pickup truck.

Investigation at the scene indicates that the 2007 Freightliner truck operated by Heinrich Roets, age 23 of Ellinwood, was slowing to make a right hand turn onto 30 Avenue when a 2000 Dodge pickup truck operated by Gavin Gisick, age 20 of Great Bend, struck the rear of the trailer at a high rate of speed.

Due to the heavy front-end damage on the pickup, Gisick was pinned in the vehicle for a short period of time and extricated by the Great Bend Fire Department and EMS Service. He was transported to The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus with serious injuries. He was later flown to a Wichita area hospital. The driver of the truck was not injured. 

K-96 was closed for about one hour while Sheriff's Office personnel investigated the accident.

Driver pinned in vehicle after crash on K-96 in Barton County

Hear this month's Sunflower Show with Eagle Media's Dakota Tucker and Sunflower Diversified Services' Director of Planned Giving and Community Support Cody Harris. The show aired July 9, 2025.

The Sunflower Show airs the second Wednesday each month at 8:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.

🎙Post Podcast: Sunflower Diversified Services' Cody Harris

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mark Vientos and Francisco Lindor lead the Mets past the Royals, 8-3

Saturday, July 12 2:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - NY Mets @ Kansas City Sunday, July 13 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - NY Mets @ Kansas City Monday, July 14 7:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Major League Baseball Home Run Derby Tuesday, July 15 6:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Major League Baseball All Star Game Friday, July 18 5:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Miami

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

KUAthletics.com&nbsp; LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– Former Kansas men's basketball coach Ted Owens will receive the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in a black-tie banquet to be held Monday, August 4, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Formerly called the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award, Owens will be just the 11th recipient of the prestigious award since the hall originated in 1989. The Lifetime Achievement Award&nbsp;is the highest award presented by the association and recognizes a lifetime of achievement by people who set examples that influence others to strive for the highest goals and who blaze the trails which leave behind the pathways for others to follow.&nbsp;The award is not an annual honor and past lifetime achievement award recipients include Johnny Bench, Lynne Draper, Abe Lemons, George Nigh, Samuel Lloyd Noble, Tom Osborne, Steve Owens, Allie Reynolds, Chris Schenkel, and Barry Switzer. A native of Hollis, Oklahoma, Owens was a Class of 2009 inductee into the Oklahoma Sport Hall of Fame.

Owens was a three-year basketball letterman at the University of Oklahoma (1949-51). He honed his coaching skills as head coach at Cameron State Junior College, now Cameron University, in Lawton, Oklahoma. In four seasons, his teams never won fewer than 20 games, and Cameron advanced to the national junior college tournament semifinals three times. At Cameron, Owens amassed a 93-24 record and boasted four junior college All-Americans. In 1958, he coached the Cameron baseball team to the NJCAA national championship.

Owens then accepted an assistant coach position under Kansas head coach Dick Harp in 1960 and was promoted to head coach when Harp resigned following the 1963-64 season.

Kansas basketball is rich in tradition, having only eight head coaches in its 126 seasons. Owens roamed the KU sidelines as head coach for 19 seasons from 1964-65 through 1982-83, where he compiled a 348-182 (65.7%) record. Coach Owens' 348 wins rank as the fourth-winningest coach in Kansas basketball history behind&nbsp;Bill Self, Phog Allen and Roy Williams.

Under Owens, Kansas won six Big Eight Conference regular-season titles, eight Big Eight Holiday Tournaments and one Big Eight postseason tournament. Under Owens, KU advanced to NCAA postseason play seven times. His 1971 and 1974 teams made it to the Final Four, and in 1968 the Jayhawks made the finals of the National Invitation Tournament.

Owens was named Big Eight Coach of the Year five times and was National Coach of the Year in 1978 by Basketball Weekly. He coached five All-Americans: Jo Jo White, Darnell Valentine, Dave Robisch, Bud Stallworth and Walter Wesley, all of whom have had their jerseys retired at Kansas.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Ted Owens to Receive Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in his Home State

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson entered the 2024 season with just one start under his belt.

As a true sophomore, the former four-star recruit navigated a season full of ups and downs. With 10 interceptions, Johnson undeniably had his&nbsp;forgettable&nbsp;moments. On the flip side, Johnson added numerous plays to his highlight reel, throwing for 25 touchdowns and also scoring seven times on the ground.

After&nbsp;a full year of starting experience, Johnson is ready to take the next step and is setting the bar high in 2025.

"Winning the Big 12 Championship,&nbsp;I wanna go undefeated and win a national championship," Johnson said at Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday when asked what his goals are for 2025. "Those are the goals we talk about inside Vanier, inside our walls, all the time. Those are the goals we are going to shoot for."

In 2024, it was fair to cut Johnson some slack for his mistakes, as it was essentially his first year on the job in Manhattan. To fully grow and get better, a quarterback has to learn, digest and absorb the adversity. Aside from his on-field performance, though, Johnson&nbsp;has fine-tuned his leadership skills and is prepared to guide his team.

"It's really no different than last year as far as being the signal caller and a guy that people can turn to and see as a leader, but I'm kind of just spending this offseason growing more into my leadership role," Johnson said. "Being more vocal. Being that guy that people can come to in adverse times. Really just growing as a player and as a person so that when hard times do strike on that field, guys know that they can count on me to settle down and get things rolling."

No. 2 has all the charisma needed to be the face of a collegiate football program. Johnson isn't a rah-rah guy, but he sets the standard on and off the field for the Wildcats.

Johnson isn't out of the woods yet on the gridiron. As a passer, he needs to make smart decisions and play with decisiveness. Do things look promising? Absolutely, but he has to prove it.

Avery Johnson embracing leadership role ahead of 2025

KANSAS CITY (AP) - New York Mets (53-41, second in the NL East) vs. Kansas City Royals (46-48, second in the AL Central)

Kansas City, Missouri; Friday, 8:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Kodai Senga (0-0); Royals: Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.83 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 79 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE:&nbsp;Mets -141, Royals +118; over/under is 9 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Kansas City Royals host the New York Mets on Friday to begin a three-game series.

Kansas City has a 46-48 record overall and a 23-24 record at home. The Royals have a 27-9 record in games when they did not allow a home run.

New York has gone 20-27 on the road and 53-41 overall. The Mets are 25-13 in games when they did not allow a home run.

The matchup Friday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bobby Witt Jr. has 31 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs and 52 RBIs for the Royals. Salvador Perez is 13 for 39 with four doubles, four home runs and 11 RBIs over the last 10 games.

Juan Soto has 21 home runs, 75 walks and 53 RBIs while hitting .264 for the Mets. Brandon Nimmo is 12 for 40 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Royals: 7-3, .244 batting average, 3.41 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runs

Mets: 5-5, .235 batting average, 5.63 ERA, outscored by 11 runs

INJURIES: Royals: Cole Ragans: 60-Day IL (rotator cuff), Mark Canha: 10-Day IL (elbow), Daniel Lynch: 15-Day IL (elbow), Michael Massey: 10-Day IL (ankle), Hunter Harvey: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder), James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Mets: Jesse Winker: day-to-day (back), Starling Marte: 10-Day IL (knee), Tylor Megill: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Butto: 15-Day IL (illness), Dedniel Nunez: 15-Day IL (elbow), Paul Blackburn: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Griffin Canning: 60-Day IL (achilles), Jose Siri: 60-Day IL (shin), Max Kranick: 15-Day IL (elbow), Kodai Senga: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Brooks Raley: 60-Day IL (elbow), Danny Young: 60-Day IL (elbow), A.J. Minter: 60-Day IL (lat), Sean Manaea: 60-Day IL (oblique), Nick Madrigal: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Drew Smith: 60-Day IL (elbow), Christian Scott: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Mets visit the Royals to start 3-game series

Thursday, July 10 - Bat Cats 1 Hutchinson 11 Friday, July 11 - @ Kansas Cannons&nbsp;7:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12 - @&nbsp;Kansas Cannons 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 13 - Kansas Cannons 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 14 - @ Haysville&nbsp;7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 - Haysville&nbsp;7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 17 - @ Kingman&nbsp;7:00 p.m. Friday, July 18 - Kingman&nbsp;7:00 p.m. Saturday, July 19 - Jayhawk League All-Star Game (Hutchinson TBA) 7/24-8/2 NBC World Series @ Eck Stadium, Wichita

Great Bend Bat Cats scores and schedule

LONDON (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz takes on Taylor Fritz, and Jannik Sinner faces Novak Djokovic in the men’s semifinals at Wimbledon. Both matchups are scheduled to be played Friday at Centre Court, with No. 2 seed Alcaraz vs. No. 5 Fritz leading things off at about 1:30 p.m. local time, followed by No. 1 Sinner vs. No. 6 Djokovic. The two winners will meet Sunday to decide the champion. Alcaraz has won the last two trophies at the All England Club, beating Djokovic in the final each time. Djokovic is trying to tie Roger Federer's men's mark of eight Wimbledon trophies and become the first tennis player in history with 25 major singles titles.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg made his professional debut Thursday night in the NBA Summer League and celebrated an 87-85 win over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Flagg finished with 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, including 0 for 5 from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Though Flagg struggled at times to find his groove, there were flashes as to why he was chosen No. 1 overall last month, doing plenty of little things that helped the Mavericks seal the win, including a key block. Flagg swatted DJ Steward’s attempt with 1:10 left in the game, and Ryan Nembhard made a 3-pointer at the other end to give Dallas the 87-85 lead.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Brent Rooker and Jazz Chisholm Jr. have joined the lineup for Monday night's All-Star Home Run Derby in Atlanta. Rooker, representing the Athletics, says he won’t change his usual approach at the plate. This marks the first time an A’s player has participated since 2021. Rooker has hit 58 home runs since 2024, third among American League players. His former youth coach, Joe Caruso, will pitch to him during the event. Chisholm, a Yankees infielder, is making his Derby debut. Other participants include Ronald Acuña Jr., Byron Buxton, Junior Caminero, Oneil Cruz, Cal Raleigh and James Wood.

LONDON (AP) — Either Amanda Anisimova or Iga Swiatek will leave the All England Club’s grass courts as Wimbledon’s eighth consecutive first-time women’s champion. They will play in the final on Saturday. Swiatek has won five Grand Slam titles but never been to the final at Wimbledon before. Anisimova is making her debut in a major title match. Swiatek is a 24-year-old from Poland who spent most of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons ranked No. 1. Anisimova is a 23-year-old from the United States who is climbing her way to the top of the game after leaving the tour in 2023 because of burnout.

NEW YORK (AP) — Anthony Volpe scored the winning run with an acrobatic slide on Aaron Judge’s shallow sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the New York Yankees rallied past Seattle 6-5 after Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo took a no-hitter into the eighth. Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled leading off the eighth for New York’s first hit. Woo quickly allowed another single and was lifted after Austin Wells’ sacrifice fly shaved Seattle’s lead to 5-1. Pinch-hitter Giancarlo Stanton made it 5-3 with a two-run homer off Matt Brash, and the Yankees were down to their final strike multiple times before tying it on Wells’ two-run single off All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz in the ninth.

NEW YORK (AP) — Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh thinks All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz was tipping pitches when he squandered a two-run lead in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees. Muñoz was handed his sixth blown save in 27 opportunities this season after starter Bryan Woo held the Yankees hitless into the eighth. With the Mariners holding a 5-3 lead, Muñoz entered in the ninth and loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a two-out walk. Standing at second base while Austin Wells batted, Cody Bellinger waved his arms when Muñoz threw his slider. Wells worked the count full and lined a fastball into right field for a two-run single that tied it. New York then scored in the 10th to win 6-5.

A new college sports agency has rejected certain NIL deals involving donor-backed collectives. These collectives, formed to funnel money to athletes or schools, fail to meet NCAA rules requiring deals to serve a valid business purpose. A letter sent to Division I athletic directors explained that deals solely raising funds for athletes, like selling merchandise or hosting events, do not qualify. Since July, schools can now pay players directly under the $2.8 billion House settlement. Meanwhile, collectives tied to schools like Georgia and Alabama are shutting down. Over 1,500 deals have been approved through NIL Go, a clearinghouse launched in June.

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland (AP) — Jake Knapp is loving his taste of links golf. Now he'd like to make sure he stays for more than one week. He opened with a 64 in the Scottish Open to share the lead with Sepp Straka, Nico Echavarria and Victor Perez. Scottie Scheffler was at 67 while Rory McIlroy finished with three straight birdies to salvage a 68. Knapp is not yet in the British Open at Royal Portrush next week. The leading three players from the Scottish Open not already in the field will earn exemptions. Knapp says he'd love nothing more than to delay his trip home.

GENEVA (AP) — Two-time Olympic champion runner Caster Semenya has won a partial victory at the European Court of Human Rights in her seven-year legal fight against track and field’s sex eligibility rules. The court’s 17-judge highest chamber says Semenya had her rights to a fair hearing violated at Switzerland’s Supreme Court where she had appealed against a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in favor of track and field’s World Athletics. Her case should now go back to the Swiss federal court in Lausanne. Europe’s top human rights court in Strasbourg, France, dismissed other aspects of Semenya’s appeal.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — English golfer Charley Hull withdrew from the first round of the Evian Championship on Thursday after collapsing to the ground twice because of a virus. Organizers say Hull felt unwell on the fourth tee and received medical attention after collapsing. She then got up and hit her tee shot before going to the ground again. Organizers said Hull underwent medical checks that showed she had a virus but was otherwise OK. Hull had started on the back nine and was 1-under par after 12 holes. She was taken off on a stretcher by a golf buggy at Evian Resort Golf Club, which is hosting the fourth women's major of the year. Finals

INTERLEAGUE Final Baltimore 3 N.Y. Mets 1 Final Chicago Cubs 8 Minnesota 1 Final Baltimore 7 N.Y. Mets 3 Final Athletics 5 Atlanta 4

AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland at Chi White Sox 3:10 p.m. (Postponed) Final Boston 4 Tampa Bay 3 Final N.Y. Yankees 6 Seattle 5 Final Texas 11 L.A. Angels 4

NATIONAL LEAGUE Final Cincinnati 6 Miami 0 Final St. Louis 8 Washington 1 Final San Diego 4 Arizona 3

Friday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

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

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

But the most impressive homer of the game belonged to Caglianone —&nbsp;a 466-foot, two-run drive&nbsp;to center in the fourth against Bailey Falter. It was the longest homer by a Royals rookie since Statcast started tracking in 2015 and the fourth-longest by any Kansas City player at Kauffman Stadium.

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

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

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

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

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

Perez sent the first pitch of the eighth&nbsp;to the walkway just short of the fountains in right-center.

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

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

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

Perez and Caglianone power Royals to 4-3 win over Pirates for 3-game sweep

PHOENIX (AP) — Two people with knowledge of the contract say the Phoenix Suns have signed star guard Devin Booker to a two-year, $145 max contract extension. The 28-year-old Booker has been one of the NBA’s best shooting guards, earning four All-Star appearances in 10 NBA seasons. The two-time all-NBA player has averaged 24.4 points since Phoenix took him out of Kentucky with the 13th overall pick of the 2015 draft. Booker averaged 25.6 points, 7.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 46% from the floor during a disappointing 2024-25 season for the Suns. Phoenix has revamped its front office and roster since a disappointing 2024-25 season, including a seven-team trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston.

The Detroit Tigers now have five All-Stars, tying them with the Dodgers for the most in the majors. Zach McKinstry was added Wednesday, replacing injured Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña. McKinstry joins teammates Gleyber Torres, Javier Báez, Riley Greene, and pitcher Tarik Skubal. Meanwhile, Houston third baseman Isaac Paredes was chosen for the AL team in place of the Guardians' José Ramírez, who wants to spend the week recovering from an Achilles injury. Twins right-hander Joe Ryan was picked to replace Astros pitcher Hunter Brown and Brewers closer Trevor Megill to replace teammate Freddy Peralta.

LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic is more than a decade older than any other man in the Wimbledon semifinals. He says it motivates him to see if he can keep going toe-to-toe against the younger players at the top of tennis these days. The 38-year-old Djokovic is trying to win his eighth Wimbledon title to tie one record and his 25th Grand Slam trophy overall to break another. He will face No. 1 Jannik Sinner on Friday for a berth in the final. The other semifinal at the All England Club is No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz against No. 5 Taylor Fritz. Two-time defending champion Alcaraz is 22, Sinner is 23 and Fritz is 27.

NEW YORK (AP) — One game into his major league career, Cam Schlittler is the hardest-throwing member of the New York Yankees’ rotation. Schlittler used his 100 mph fastball to shut down Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners during an eye-opening debut Wednesday night, pitching the Yankees to a 9-6 victory before a throng of friends and family members in the crowd. One of the team’s top-rated prospects, the 6-foot-6 Schlittler struck out seven over 5 1/3 innings to earn the win. He threw New York’s seven fastest pitches this season and his average fastball velocity of 97.9 mph was the highest for a Yankees pitcher this year. But it was his poise and improved secondary pitches that really impressed manager Aaron Boone.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain routed Real Madrid 4-0 in a Club World Cup semifinal, moving closer to a historic quadruple. Having won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Champions League, PSG plays Chelsea on Sunday in the Club World Cup final. PSG’s blue, red and white jerseys don’t have glamorous names pressed across the back, and they may not be as ubiquitous as the the red shirts of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, Manchester City’s light blue or Chelsea’s royal blue. But the team is filling up the trophy display at its cramped, outdated stadium, Parc des Princes.

LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic has reached the Wimbledon semifinals for a men’s-record 14th time as he pursues his unprecedented 25th title from all Grand Slam tournaments. Djokovic beat Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 on Wednesday to set up a showdown against No. 1 Jannik Sinner for a berth in the final. Sinner eliminated Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 and didn’t play like someone dealing with an injured right elbow. He used terrific serving and his usual booming forehand to win against Shelton for the sixth consecutive time. Sinner hurt his elbow in a fall during his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov on Monday night.

Tampa Bay Rays slugger Junior Caminero announced he will compete in the Home Run Derby on Monday in Atlanta. Hours later, he learned he will start at third base for the American League in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. All that came after Caminero belted his 22nd homer in a 7-3 win over Detroit. The 22-year-old leads AL third basemen in home runs during his breakout season and is batting .254 with 58 RBIs. Caminero joins five others in the Derby lineup, with two spots still open. Rays manager Kevin Cash calls it a "coming-out party" for Caminero, showcasing his talent to fans nationwide.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bryce Harper broke out of a slump with a career-best four extra-base hits — and then issued a reminder about his place in the game. After the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 13-0, Harper said, “I'm really good. I mean, I really am.” Harper hasn’t been himself much of the season. The two-time NL MVP and eight-time All-Star missed most of June with inflammation in his right wrist. He had gone 1 for 14 in four games before Wednesday, when he hit a homer and three doubles, all to the opposite field.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Lionel Messi became the first player in Major League Soccer history with four consecutive multi-goal games, scoring twice to lead Inter Miami past the New England Revolution 2-1. Miami has won four straight and is unbeaten in its last five. Defender Tanner Beason misplayed a header and Messi capitalized, scoring on a half-volley to open the scoring in the 27th minute. Messi made it 2-0 in the 38th. Messi has at least one goal in five straight games. He has 14 goals and seven assists in 15 regular-season matches. Nashville's Sam Surridge with 16 is the only player with more MLS goals than Messi.

Finals INTERLEAGUE N-Y Mets at Baltimore 5:05 p.m.(Postponed) Final Boston 10 Colorado 2 Final Minnesota 4 Chicago Cubs 2 Final Kansas City 4 Pittsburgh 3 Final Atlanta 9 Athletics 2

AMERICAN LEAGUE Final Chicago White Sox 2 Toronto 1 Final Tampa Bay 7 Detroit 3 Final N.Y. Yankees 9 Seattle 6 Final Cleveland 4 Houston 2 Final L.A. Angels 11 Texas 8

NATIONAL LEAGUE Final Milwaukee 3 L.A. Dodgers 2 Final Philadelphia 13 San Francisco 0 Final Cincinnati 7 Miami 2 Final Washington 8 St. Louis 2 Final Arizona 8 San Diego 2

Thursday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Jackson Roberts Sports Illustrated The Kansas City Royals' primary issue is offense, but that's not stopping them from trying to upgrade the pitching staff.

With All-Star lefty Cole Ragans on the 60-day injured list, the Royals are one more starting pitching injury away from having to dip into the minor leagues to fill out a rotation.

On Wednesday, the Royals signed 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract,&nbsp;per a report&nbsp;from ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"Keuchel, 37, held a workout last week and was up to 92 mph. He’ll start at AAA and if he gets to the big leagues would make $2 million prorated," Passan wrote.

That $2 million salary is already more than half-gone, as the Royals have played 93 games, Realistically, Keuchel could wind up making around $750 thousand at most.

Keuchel's career to this point has been a story of highs and lows. In addition to the Cy Young Award, he was a two-time All-Star and World Series champion with the Houston Astros. He also won five Gold Gloves, the most recent of which came in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox.

However, Keuchel also owns a career ERA of 4.04, due in large part to the 6.24 mark he's put up in 60 appearances since the start of 2021. He's pitched for five teams in that time frame, and accrued -2.6 bWAR.

Keuchel last pitched in the majors in 2024 for the Milwaukee Brewers. He had a 5.40 ERA and 5.63 FIP in 16 2/3 innings.

Whether Keuchel will make it to the active roster for the Royals remains a mystery, but this is clearly a team unafraid to take gambles on veteran pitching. They signed 45-year-old Rich Hill, who owns a 6.17 ERA in Triple-A Omaha, back in May.

Perhaps Keuchel will have better luck working his way through the minors in the Kansas City organization.

Royals Acquire 37-Year-Old Cy Young Winner In Out-Of-Nowhere Minor League Signing

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039"></a>TOPEKA — Kansas brought in more than $10 billion in tax revenue in the most recent fiscal year, which is about the same as the previous year’s totals but better than state analysts predicted.

Tax revenues in fiscal year 2025 were about $249 million, or 2.5%, above what state analysts predicted when they revised their forecast in April. In weighing all of the state general fund’s revenues, expenditures and transfers from the past year, total receipts to the state general fund were about $10.02 billion, exceeding estimates by about $132 million, or 1.3%, but dwarfing the previous year’s total by about 1.2%.

Around $124 million was transferred out of the general fund into the state’s rainy day fund, a move that is required under law but was an unexpected transfer to state analysts.

The receipts were a glimpse at the end of the first full year of tax cuts passed during a special session last year, which promised $1.2 billion in tax relief over three years. The 2025 Legislature similarly passed tax relief measures that promised to lower individual and corporate income taxes, but only if the state exceeds revenue estimates and maintains its rainy day fund. The Legislature also passed legislation that will modestly reduce property taxes by eliminating statewide tax levies. Those recent cuts have yet to go into effect.

Gov. Laura Kelly attempted to veto the income tax cut legislation in April, but both chambers overrode the veto almost along party lines.

Kelly warned at the time of a serious “financial predicament ahead,” referring to “bizarre and irresponsible budget gimmicks” from the Republican-led Legislature. When combining the Legislature’s 2025 spending plan with income tax cuts and 2024 relief efforts, the state is expected to be $461 million in the red by fiscal year 2028.

“Ultimately, this will lead to a historically large budget deficit, rivaling the worst of the Brownback years,” she said in an April 18 statement following the release of updated revenue estimates.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican running for state insurance commissioner in 2026, pushed back against Kelly’s warnings.

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