Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation

DICKINSON COUNTY - Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC) is launching The Morning Drive, a county-wide, drop-in networking event held on the first Tuesday of every month from 8:00–9:00 a.m.

The series is designed to spark community connection over coffee—bringing together business owners, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and anyone curious about what’s happening across Dickinson County.

DKEDC will bring the coffee and “yummy” breakfast pastries to a different host business each month, creating a casual space to share updates, swap ideas, and build relationships that move the county forward.

“The Morning Drive is simple on purpose—show up, grab a cup, make a connection,” said Natalie Muruato, CEO of DKEDC. “When people talk, collaborate, and encourage one another, good things follow for our businesses and our communities.”

· Tuesday, December 2, 2025 — Abilene &amp; Smoky Valley Railroad 200 SE 5th St, Abilene | 8:00–9:00 a.m.

· Tuesday, January 6, 2026 — Almost Home Realty 109 S Buckeye, Abilene | 8:00–9:00 a.m.

· Tuesday, February 3, 2026 — TCT Telecommunications 120 NE 14th Street, Abilene | 8:00–9:00 a.m.

Business owners and managers, non-profit leaders, entrepreneurs, remote workers, community champions, and anyone interested in learning more about local opportunities. No RSVP required—bring a colleague and a stack of business cards.

DKEDC is scheduling locations across Dickisnon County. Businesses interested in hosting can contact DKEDC to be added to the rotating lineup.

About Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC) 

DKEDC connects people, ideas, and resources to Drive Dickinson County Forward—supporting business retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, workforce solutions, and community vitality through county-wide collab

Dickinson Co. organization launching networking events for business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders 

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Klinkerman, Shealynn Jane

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Viol protection order; Abuse order; Viol protection order; Pre-trial order

NAME:&nbsp;Lawson,Eric Christopher

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor

NAME:&nbsp;Marfise, Morgan Elizabeth

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Driving while habitual violator

Saline County jail bookings, November 15

CLOUD COUNTY - Farm Country Ford recently presented a $6,000 check to the Cloud County Community College Athletics Department for August’s Drive 4 UR Community event.

For every valid test during the event, Ford Motor Company donated $30 to the Athletics Department, up to a maximum of $6,000.

“We are grateful to Farm Country Ford and Ford Motor Company for choosing to support our athletics department through the Drive 4UR Community event,” said Matt Bechard, Cloud County Athletics Director. “Their partnership helps strengthen our programs and makes a meaningful impact on our student athletes.”

Since its launch in 2007, Ford’s Drive 4 UR Community program has helped schools across the nation raise more than $35 million for local education initiatives.

“We’re thrilled to be part of this program that directly benefits Cloud,” said Darell Gallegos, owner of Farm Country Ford. “It’s a fun, easy way for community members to make a real difference – just by getting behind the wheel of a new Ford.”

Farm Country Ford presents Drive 4UR community check at Cloud Co. Community College

Teaching literacy skills to children in their earliest years does far more than prepare them to read — it helps build the very foundation of their brain development, say two Kansas State University Extension agents.

“We’re really laying the foundation from ages zero to 3 with all of the opportunities for kids to learn,” said Monique Koerner, family and consumer wellness agent for K-State Extension’s Cottonwood District. “We know that brain development is huge in those early years, and literacy is a piece of that puzzle.”

According to the K-State Extension fact sheet,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/early-literacy-building-the-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-fact-sheet_MF3691">Early Literacy: Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning,</a>&nbsp;brain growth is rapid in a child’s first three years, and language and literacy activities help form lasting neural connections.

From birth to 12 months, babies are already busy wiring their brains for communication. Lisa Newman, family and consumer wellness agent in the Central Kansas District, said that even newborns recognize familiar voices.

“You can take a newborn, and they already recognize Mom and Dad’s voices, even siblings,” Newman said. “You can see evidence of that when they turn their heads toward those voices shortly after birth.”

Newman added that talking to infants throughout the day — whether during diaper changes, in the car, or at bedtime — helps strengthen those language pathways.

“Reading to your child every day, even from the get-go, is important because what’s really happening during that time is language development and making those brain connections even stronger,” she said.

It’s also well known that babies are much more able to process and learn various languages than adults are able to do.

“If you take a baby that’s born in Kansas, and take them somewhere to a foreign land, those connections can be strengthened by hearing the language that’s around them,” Newman said. “That’s why it’s easier to learn an additional language when you’re young — those brain connections are there and can be strengthened.”

Koerner added that “the plasticity of the brain is greater when we’re younger,” making early exposure to multiple languages especially beneficial.

Between 12 and 24 months, children begin to use expressive language. “By 18 months or so, children pretty much understand everything that’s being said to them,” Koerner said, “but they may not be able to speak it yet.”

Words like ‘Mama,’ ‘Dada,’ and ‘ball’ often appear first, followed by simple two-word phrases around age 2.

“Oftentimes you’ll see that language explosion around 18 months,” Newman said. “That expressive piece really starts to blossom during that time.”

From ages 2 to 3, children’s vocabularies expand rapidly, fueled by everyday conversations and shared reading. “Books can expose children to new topics and new words that might not be part of their everyday experiences,” Koerner said.

Koerner encourages parents to use “parallel talk” — describing what a child is doing — and “self-talk,” or narrating their own actions throughout the day. “Just really enriching their vocabulary by talking about what they’re doing,” she said.

Repetition also helps build connections. “There may be a treasured book they want to read over and over again, and that’s perfectly normal,” Newman said. “Repetition is part of their literacy and language skill.”

Exploring new places and experiences adds another layer of learning. “It’s so important for parents to get children out and explore new things,” Koerner said. “That will expose them to new opportunities, new vocabulary, and new experiences that help the brain develop.”

Both agents emphasized that parents are their children’s first teachers. Trusted programs such as Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, and Infant-Toddler Services can guide families who have questions about developmental milestones.

Simple routines also matter. The American Academy of Pediatrics promotes the “Brush, Book, Bed” approach — brushing teeth, reading, and then going to bed. “It sets parents up for a good bedtime routine and supports brain health,” Koerner said.

Newman noted that any reading time counts. “You see a lot of initiatives suggesting 15 minutes a day, but I believe any reading — whenever it fits into your day — is wonderful,” she said.

Koerner added, “Every family is different, and every child is different. Do what works best for your family.”

For more information, download&nbsp;Early Literacy: Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/early-literacy-building-the-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-fact-sheet_MF3691">https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/early-literacy-building-the-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-fact-sheet_MF3691</a>.

More information also is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local extension offices in Kansas</a>.

KSU provides tips for Parents: Teaching literacy early builds strong brains

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

South and Central have shared Salina since 1863, but the city has never felt big enough for the two of them.

For over 150 years, fierce battles between the Mustangs and the Cougars have delighted Salina on the gridiron, the court, and the diamond, and tonight, the next chapter in this storied rivalry will be written.

In week one of the high school football season, Central defeated South 31-21 to claim the Mayor’s Cup for a fifth-straight year.

When the Cougars finished the regular season 1-7, few around the 5A world could have fathomed that the two would meet in the state quarterfinals, but despite the odds, that’s exactly where we stand.

Central’s path to this moment has been one of triumph.&nbsp;

On the heels of a disappointing 4-5 campaign, the Mustangs rallied behind junior quarterback Griffin Hall and bruising tailback Cooper Reves to right the ship and post a 7-1 record in the regular season against an identical schedule.

The Mustangs picked up right where they left off in the first two rounds of the playoffs, dominating Topeka West 68-22 and doing the same to Goddard 62-32 to reach the sectional round.

For South, this run has been rightfully defined as one of destiny.

The Cougars had won just four games in the five seasons leading up to this one, and won just one contest, a lopsided affair against a hapless Campus team, to finish the 2025 regular season at 1-7.

Then, the pieces that had spent the entire season floating around their intended targets began to snap into place.

South needed to play their best football to survive against an Andover team that just three weeks prior rolled over the Mustangs 48-21.

They did just that, holding the Trojans well under their averages in a stunning 24-20 upset.

The Cougars would have to play another nearly-perfect game of football on the road at Liberal the following week, and yet they found a way, handing the Redskins their third loss of the season in a thrilling 22-16 victory.

Those four wins for two schools have led us here, to the first postseason meeting between South and Central football since 2005.

Anyone who has lived in Salina for long knows the story, but there was an era where the road to a 5A state title ran through Salina.

From 1999-2005 the Mustangs and Cougars met in six-straight playoffs with the winner appearing in the state championship game every year, and a champion from Salina being crowned in five of those six seasons.

Now, for the first time in 20 years, that road will be re-paved in Salina’s quest for a return to immortality.

Central’s stars will be on full display today, led by quarterback Griffin Hall and tailback Cooper Reves, who combined have accounted for over 4,300 yards of total offense, 53 touchdowns, and just three turnovers.

That tandem will need to outpace a South passing attack anchored by sophomore standout Izzy Telles, who has over 2,000 yards passing and 22 touchdowns, thanks in large part to a combination of star wideouts Jaxon Myers and Jae Curtis.

This game has everything, from a made-for-Hollywood script with primetime-level stars to a title-starved community eager to show out and support their teams at the top of their game.

Tonight’s game will be streamed live on Salina Post and on the Salina Post YouTube page 100% free to the public. This game will also be available to watch back on-demand any time.

You can tune in tonight in the window below.

🏈 South and Central square off in quarterfinal clash for the first time in 20 years 

NAME:&nbsp;Briscoe, Haiden Geraldine

NAME:&nbsp;Desmornes, Medjine Amanie

REQUESTED CHARGES: Agg assault; w/ deadly weapon; Agg battery; Knowingly cause angry phys contact; Criminal threat; Cause terror, evacuation or disruption; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd warrant

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Return for court testimony

NAME:&nbsp;Shinn, Jonathan Steven

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose felony warrant; Aggravated burglary; Vehicle; to commit felony, theft, domestic violence or sexually motivated crime; Crim damage to prop;w/o consent &lt;$1K; Theft of prop/services:Value less than $1,500

NAME:&nbsp;Williams,Katie Angel Lee

Saline County Jail Bookings, November 14

OCCK Inc. Transportation invites the public to upcoming Public Forums to discuss the approaching 81 Connection route changes, officially launching on December 1st, 2025.

Salina Public Forum&nbsp;- November 20, 11:00 am, OCCK Inc. Transportation Building, 340 N. Santa Fe, Salina

Concordia Public Forum -&nbsp;November 21, 11:00 am, OCCK Inc. Building, 1502 Lincoln St., Concordia

During these sessions, OCCK Transportation staff will outline the upcoming route changes, answer questions, and provide resources including travel training information and updated ride guides.

“These forums are an important opportunity for riders and community members to learn what’s changing and share feedback before the new route goes into effect,” said Trell Grinter, OCCK Transportation Director.&nbsp; “Everyone is welcome – bring your questions.”

For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.occk.com/">www.occk.com</a>.&nbsp;

For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.salinacitygo.com/">www.salinacitygo.com</a>&nbsp;Or contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

OCCK inviting community to public forums discussing 81 Connection route changes

The&nbsp;Salina Fire Department (SFD) has announced they be hosting their Holiday Open House and Honor Guard Fundraiser.

On Saturday&nbsp;November 22, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Fire Station 1 (222 W Elm St.), SFD will be holding their open house and fundraiser.

The open house and fundraiser is meant for the community to view their&nbsp;new fire apparatus, a chance to meet the fire crews and accepting donations for new uniforms and equipment.

Coffee, hot chocolate and snacks will be provided as well.

Salina FD to host community holiday open house and fundraiser

The Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Salina (BGCS) has announced they are officially hiring Vision Leaders and accepting AmeriCorps applicants for their brand new site at Oakdale Elementary in Salina.

According to BGCS Vision Leaders will work approximately 15 hours per week, helping guide and mentor youth through engaging, meaningful programs focused on Academic Success, Character &amp; Leadership, Health &amp; Well-Being, and Life &amp; Workforce Readiness.

AmeriCorps members will serve approximately 25 hours per week supporting programs in the priority areas of education and youth development and mentoring.

“This is an incredible opportunity for anyone passionate about working with youth,” shared Site Director Heather Neuhofel-Tracy. “It’s a great way to begin a journey in youth development or education—and a fun, rewarding second job for those already in the field.”

Both positions offer a rewarding opportunity to help shape the future of young people in Salina while gaining valuable professional experience.

To learn more or apply, visit <a href="http://bgchutch.com/s/careers">bgchutch.com/s/careers</a>.

Newly Boys & Girls Club of Salina seeking for Vision Leaders  

<a target="_blank" href="http://salina.ksu.edu/">Kansas State University Salina</a>&nbsp;student pilots recently took to the skies in St. Louis, MO, to demonstrate their aviation skills, and thanks to a valiant team effort, they'll soon be competing for a national title.

The K-State Salina Flight Team's success at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association, or NIFA, Region 6/7 competition has qualified them for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nifa.aero/safecon">NIFA SAFECON</a>&nbsp;national competition in May 2026 — the K-State team's 12th national qualification in the last 15 years.

For the regional competition, the team flew against eight other colleges. With outstanding individual and team performances in the flying events that tested the preparation and skills of the collegiate pilots, K-State's team finished in third place.

"We had an internal goal as a team to improve from our fourth-place finish in regionals from last year, so to finish third and be so close to the top two teams was very exciting," said Michael Einwich, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Bel Aire, and team captain. "There is a lot of studying and preparation that goes into being able to perform well in these events, and the team really put in a lot of work to compete well. We also appreciated the support from the K-State Salina campus; the aviation administration really helped get us the resources we needed to be successful in competition."

On top of the excellent team performance, many K-State Salina student pilots had fantastic individual performances.

Isaac Smith, senior in professional pilot, Salina, took home the Top Pilot award — the competition's top individual award — and won the Short Field award; Einwich finished in third place for the Top Pilot award, fifth in the Short Field competition and second in the SCAN event; Daniel Novovesky, sophomore in professional pilot,&nbsp;Overland Park, placed fifth for the Top Pilot award; and Mary Barbour, junior in aviation maintenance management,&nbsp;Quakertown, Pennsylvania, won the AMT Test award.Other notable performances included strong finishes in the Unlimited NAV event: Novovesky and Gavin Bowman, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Wichita, teamed up to place third; and a team of Einwich and Claire Trapp, junior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Green Lake, Wisconsin, finished in fourth place.

"I am proud of the efforts of our student pilots at the Region VI event," said Tysen Pina, K-State Salina aviation department head. "These students showcased the whole range of skills that go into being an excellent pilot, including the flight, planning and safety skills that we teach every day at K-State. Like with any challenge or competition, there comes adversity, but as is an emphasis in our program, the students were able to overcome it like the professionals they are."

Competitions like NIFA SAFECON allow K-State Salina pilot students to showcase their skills, experience instruction outside of a traditional classroom or daily flight instruction, and pilot and experience different flying conditions from what is typical in Kansas. Students also have the opportunity to network with fellow aviation students from around the country.

Fourteen K-State Salina students competed on Flight Team at the regional competition:

Michael Einwich, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Bel Aire; Daniel Novovesky, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Overland Park; Alex Mercy, sophomore in professional pilot, and Isaac Smith, senior in professional pilot, both from&nbsp;Salina; Luke Dufort, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Shawnee; and Gavin Bowman, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Wichita.From out of state: Logan Dobransky, freshman in professional pilot,&nbsp;Goodyear, Arizona; Timothy Mallari, freshman in professional pilot,&nbsp;Denver, Colorado; Mac Doser, sophomore in professional pilot,&nbsp;Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Matthew Tirella, senior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Littleton, Colorado; Nathan Wallace, junior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Omaha, Nebraska; Mary Barbour, junior in aviation maintenance management,&nbsp;Quakertown, Pennsylvania; Claire Trapp, junior in professional pilot,&nbsp;Green Lake, Wisconsin; and Lauren LaFountain, freshman dual majoring in aviation management and professional pilot,&nbsp;New Berlin, Wisconsin.

KSU Salina pilot students set to compete for national title  

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 14 - November 17

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 12 - November 14

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 10 - November 12

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 7 - November 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 5 - November 7

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 3 - November 5

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 31 - November 2

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 29 - October 31

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 27 - October 29

Four day weather forecast Salina, October 24 - October 27

OSAGE COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation continues investigating an officer-involved shooting that left one suspect deceased and four officers injured.

Just before 10:30 a.m. Saturday, the Osage County Sheriff's Office and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at 11222 S. Topeka Ave. in Osage County after a female resident called 911, according to a media release from the KBI.

Law enforcement encountered a male suspect, identified as Stephen M. McMillan, 22, outside the residence. During the encounter, gunfire was exchanged. Three deputies and two KHP troopers fired during the incident. In the shooting, three deputies, one trooper, the suspect and a male resident were struck. The male resident was identified as the suspect's 77-year-old grandfather.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, cleared the residence, and rendered aid to the injured. All law enforcement officers were transported to Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center. The trooper was later transferred to KU Medical Center. The suspect's grandfather, 77, was also injured and taken to the hospital. McMillan was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

As of this update, two deputies from the Osage County Sheriff's Office underwent surgery and are in good condition, and the other was discharged from the hospital. The KHP trooper and McMillan's grandfather are expected to recover.

This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.

When this investigation concludes case findings will be presented to the prosecutor for determination of charges. The investigation is ongoing.

Update on Kansas deputies,Trooper injured in gunfight 

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a building fire In Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;

Just before noon Saturday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported building fire in the 11300 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard, according to Kansas Fire Department Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

 On arrival crews reported smoke showing and found a fire in the basement of the building. KCFD quickly got the fire under control and checked for extension.&nbsp;Searches of the building came back all clear. KCFD transported 3 civilian patients from the scene by ambulance to a local hospital.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

3 hospitalized after  building fire in Kansas City

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — A Texas trooper who had an altercation with South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor after his touchdown on Saturday was sent home from the game, according to the state Department of Public Safety.

Harbor scored on an 80-yard reception in the second quarter and ran into the tunnel limping following the score. As he and three other players were walking back to the field, the trooper walked in between Harbor and another player and bumped into them as they passed each other.

The trooper and Harbor turned around and the trooper pointed at Harbor with both hands and said something to him. Harbor was quickly pushed away by his teammate and they continued to the field.

The public safety department issued a statement saying the trooper was sent home.

“Our Office of Inspector General (OIG) is also aware of the incident and will be further looking into the matter. No additional information will be released at this time,” the statement reads.

The video was widely shared on social media with many commenting on it, including Lakers star LeBron James.

🎥Texas trooper who had run-in with player was sent home from game

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>

WASHINGTON — Congress has roughly two months to find bipartisan agreement to curb rising health insurance costs if lawmakers want to avoid another government shutdown.

That herculean task would be difficult in the best circumstances, but is much more challenging after lawmakers spent the last 43 days criticizing each other instead of building the types of trust that are usually needed for large deals. Democrats maintained they wanted to address skyrocketing premiums for individual health care plans, while Republicans insisted those talks had to occur when the government was open.

At the same time, congressional leaders will try to wrap up work on the nine full-year government funding bills that were supposed to become law before Oct. 1 and weren’t included in the package that reopened the government.&nbsp;

Congress must pass all of those bills or another stopgap measure before the new Jan. 30 deadline, regardless of how well or disastrous talks on a health care bill turn out.&nbsp;

The two-track negotiations will push party leaders to compromise on issues they’d rather not, especially as next year’s November midterm elections inch closer.&nbsp;

House Speaker Mike Johnson said during a Wednesday night press conference the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at the end of the year are a “boondoggle” and that “Republicans would demand a lot of reforms” before agreeing to extend those in any way.&nbsp;

“We currently have 433 members of the House of Representatives. There’s a lot of opinions in this building. And on our side, certainly, a lot of opinions on how to fix health care and make it more affordable. I have to allow that process to play out,” Johnson, R-La., said.&nbsp;

While Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., made a commitment to hold a vote on a health care bill before the end of December to conclude the shutdown, Johnson has avoided giving a timeline for when he would bring any similar legislation to the floor.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump, aside from throwing insults at Democrats, largely stayed on the sidelines of the shutdown fight, though he suggested the funds used for the tax credits should in some way go directly to individuals instead of large insurance companies.

The shutdown highlighted the stark differences Republicans and Democrats hold on health care as prices for insurance continue to spike, forcing millions of Americans to choose between taking care of themselves and breaking their budgets, States Newsroom found in interviews with members of Congress.&nbsp;

GOP leaders held together throughout the funding lapse and didn’t negotiate on the expiring ACA marketplace tax credits, or anything else.&nbsp;

Now that it’s over, Republicans will need to put something forward.

Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said her sense is that Congress will “probably be in the same place on January 30th that we are now.”

“We have two parties here, two sides,” DeLauro said. “In the past … we’ve had serious negotiation back and forth, and that’s what we need to do, and that’s not happening.”

While Republicans have unified control of government, major legislation needs the support of at least 60 senators to advance in that chamber. Republicans hold 53 seats at the moment, meaning at least some Democrats must support a bill for it to pass.&nbsp;

DeLauro did not rule out another shutdown, saying Democrats plan to take the next few months “one day at a time,” while closely watching what Republicans are willing to do on the nine full-year appropriations bills and health care costs.&nbsp;

Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, former House majority leader and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, said Republican leaders keeping that chamber in recess for nearly two months leading up to and during the shutdown significantly delayed work on the full-year government funding bills.&nbsp;

Hoyer said that scheduling decision was a clear “indication they’re not interested in solving the problem.”

“If they were, they would have had members here working on appropriation bills,” Hoyer said. “And the only way you’re going to ultimately solve this problem is to pass appropriation bills.”

Hoyer said the real question facing Congress now isn’t whether there is time to work out agreement on the remaining nine government spending bills, but whether there’s a will to make the types of compromises needed.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/government-reopens-after-43-days-trump-signs-bill-ending-record-shutdown" target="_blank">spending package that reopened the government</a>&nbsp;included three of the dozen full-year bills, funding the Agriculture Department, Food and Drug Administration, Legislative Branch, military construction projects and Department of Veterans Affairs.

The remaining appropriations bills will be considerably tougher to resolve, especially because the House and Senate have yet to agree on how much they want to spend across the thousands of programs. Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-asks-congress-cut-163b-non-defense-spending-ax-dozens-programs" target="_blank">proposed major cutbacks</a>&nbsp;in multiple programs in his budget request earlier this year that Democrats have strongly resisted.

The Defense, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education and State-Foreign Operations bills will be some of the more difficult to settle.&nbsp;

Congress could always lean on another stopgap spending bill to keep funding relatively flat for the departments and agencies not covered by a full-year bill before Jan. 30. But lawmakers will need bipartisan support to advance in the Senate.

Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said Republicans don’t seem to grasp how much Americans are struggling with the cost of living, including for health insurance and health care.&nbsp;

“My constituents are already telling me that they’re making that choice between having health insurance or having a house to live in, and they’re going to choose the house,” Jayapal said.&nbsp;

Whether or not a partial government shutdown begins in early 2026 will likely depend on whether Republican lawmakers from swing districts force bipartisanship on a health care bill.&nbsp;

“I really don’t know,” Jayapal said. “I think it depends on these vulnerable House Republicans, who are not going to be able to go back to their constituents without telling them that they’ve done something on health care.”

Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico said she wouldn’t be surprised if Congress is unable to strike a deal on government funding and winds up in a partial shutdown by February.&nbsp;

“Do I think that the Republicans have the political juice to get … the rest of their appropriation bills across the finish line and a health care deal? No,” Stansbury said.&nbsp;

She added that she hopes a handful of Republicans decide to join Democrats on the discharge petition bill that would force a floor vote on a bill to extend the ACA marketplace subsidies for three years.&nbsp;

“We gotta find a few brave Republicans who still have a backbone and some guts to stand up to this administration and actually care for their constituents,” Stansbury said.&nbsp;

But any bipartisan deal to extend those health care tax credits seems fraught, as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed Republicans as having “zero credibility on this issue.”

He pointed to Republicans trying several times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, including their last attempt in 2017, when GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and the late John McCain of Arizona crossed party lines to vote against repealing the 2010 law.

“There’s no evidence that they’re serious about extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits,” Jeffries, of New York, said. “Republicans have zero interest in fixing the health care crisis that they’ve created.”

When Democrats controlled both chambers, temporary health care subsidies were originally passed as part of the COVID-19-era American Rescue Plan in 2021 for two years.&nbsp;

With Democrats still controlling both chambers, lawmakers approved the Inflation Reduction Act, the 2022 signature climate policy bill from the Biden administration, that extended those health care subsidies for three years, expiring at the end of December 2025.

The outcome of the just concluded shutdown is shaping some House Democrats’ views.

Virginia Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott said if there is a new shutdown come February, Senate Democrats will have to decide whether they’re going to “cave again, or at least engage in negotiations.”&nbsp;

“When the (Senate) Democrats say: ‘Our strategy wasn’t working,’ it wasn’t working because they assume you’re going to cave, which you just proved,” Scott told States Newsroom. “Their strategy worked — trying to get them to negotiate and talk to you doesn’t because they know you’re going to cave.”

Scott said “there’s no point in taking 41 days to cave,” pointing to the eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus who broke ranks&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-advances-bill-end-record-breaking-government-shutdown" target="_blank">to advance</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-bipartisan-vote-passes-bill-end-record-breaking-shutdown-house-next" target="_blank">later approve</a>&nbsp;the package to reopen the government.&nbsp;

“Why don’t you just cave right at the beginning, on February 2nd?” he said. “If the Republican strategy is: ‘We’re not going to negotiate at all because you’re going to cave,’ you have to show them that you’re not going to cave, then you can have a discussion.”

Scott said the same health care issues will still exist if nothing happens between now and the package’s Jan. 30 government funding deadline.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“By then, we’ll know that several million people don’t have health insurance, we’ll know that rural hospitals are beginning to suffer,” Scott said.&nbsp;

Delaware Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride said that “from today through November (2026) and after, we will continue to be talking about health care, to be fighting for health care.”

“I think what you’ve seen over the last several months, you will continue to see from us through November and then, God willing, once we’re in a majority, we’ll do all that we can to reverse these cuts and restore care and expand access to it,” she said.&nbsp;

As health costs spike, a sour and divided Congress escapes one shutdown to face another

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 7p.m. Friday in Kansas City, Missouri.

A medium-sized SUV was northbound from Raytown and struck a pedestrian at 46th and Blue Ridge Cut Off, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. The pedestrian was either walking along the roadway or attempting to cross it.

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