Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information (LMI) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.8% in March. This is unchanged from 3.8% in February and an increase from 3.3% in March 2024. The labor force participation rate for Kansas decreased to 67.1% in March, according to a media release from the KDOL.

The unemployment rate in Saline County is down from 3.6 percent in February to 3.5 percent in March.&nbsp; The rate in Dickinson remains steady at 3.9 percent.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 900 from February. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 600 over the month, while government increased by 300. The largest job gains in the private sector were in leisure and hospitality (+1,100 jobs) and financial activities (+400 jobs). The largest decrease was in trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,000 jobs).

Since March 2024 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 2,700. This change is due to a decrease of 700 private sector jobs and an increase of 3,400 government jobs.

Jobless rate steady in Saline County, across the region

Delivered to your virtual porch during the noon hour every Monday through Friday — on time and free :-)

📨 Sign up today for Salina Post's Noon News Update!

Looking for a new podcast to keep you informed and connected within your local community? Look no further than Eagle Media's latest podcast, "King in the Community."&nbsp;

Join Eagle Media Salina News Director Nate King as he talks with local and regional government officials, first responders, non-profit leaders and unique individuals with fascinating stories from north central Kansas and beyond. Learn about how organizations in your neighborhood leverage their partnerships to create a more interconnected community.

Available on all your favorite platforms, including&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/king-in-the-community/id1687185014">Apple podcasts,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kinginthecommunity.podbean.com/">Podbean</a>,<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZeCj4TK3kaOZEvgQaDlio">&nbsp;Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c78f2e2e-c714-4aaf-ad4c-4864a4038889">Amazon Audible</a>, TuneIn + Alexa,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/king-in-the-community-5324914">Podchaser,</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/62430">Boomplay</a>.&nbsp;

No matter what streaming service you use, we've got you covered with engaging discussions and insightful interviews that will help you understand the issues that matter most to you.&nbsp; So why wait? Tune in to the "King in the Community" podcast today and discover a new way to stay connected.

For a full list of episodes<a href="https://kinginthecommunity.podbean.com/page/2/">&nbsp;click here</a>. Thanks for listening!

🎙The latest from 'King in the Community' with Nate King

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our news tip email address. Have a breaking news story, a community event, or a feel-good story that deserves to be shared? 

Submit your news tips via email to <a href="http://newstips@salinapost.com">newstips@salinapost.com</a>

Whether you're a Salina local, a native Kansan, or have moved out of state, we want to hear from you. Your contributions help us keep our community informed and engaged. 

So, if you have a story to tell or a photo of breaking news we should know about, send it to newstips@salinapost.com.

Salina Post news tip email address

Salina Post is thrilled to announce an exciting update - we are now accepting letters to the editor from our readers. We believe that our community's voices deserve to be heard, and providing a platform for open dialogue and constructive discussions is essential to a strong free press.&nbsp;

With the new letters to the editor offering, we aim to create a space where readers can express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas on a wide range of local topics that impact their daily lives.&nbsp;

Submitting a letter to the editor is simple. Just email your letter to <a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>

Ensure that your letter is concise and respectful. We value thoughtful and constructive discussions, so please make sure to present your arguments in a clear and coherent manner.

While we appreciate and encourage diverse perspectives, we also have certain guidelines in place. Letters should be free from hate speech, name-calling or any form of discrimination. We believe in promoting a respectful and inclusive environment for all readers.

Our editorial team will review all submissions and select letters that align with our guidelines and contribute positively to the conversation. We may edit letters for clarity, grammar, and length, but we will strive to maintain the essence of your message.

We are excited about this new opportunity to amplify your voice and encourage you to take advantage of this platform.

So, whether you have a burning issue or an important message to share, we invite you to submit a letter to the editor. Let's come together, learn from each other, and build a stronger community through the power of words.

All letters must include the author's name. No anonymous letters to the editor will be published, but if you have a news tip or an issue you would like us to know about still reach out via email at newstips@salinapost.com

<a href="https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-editor/main">Information Courtesy University of Kansas Community Toolbox</a>

You feel strongly about an issue, and you want to let people know what you think. You believe you can even influence people to take some action if you speak your mind. But, you want to reach an audience larger than just your friends or your group membership. Letters to the editor can be an effective way to get the word out.

A letter to the editor is a written way of talking to a newspaper, magazine, or other regularly printed publication. Letters to the editor are generally found in the first section of the newspaper, or towards the beginning of a magazine, or in the editorial page. They can take a position for or against an issue, or simply inform, or both. They can convince readers by using emotions, or facts, or emotions and facts combined. 

Letters to the editor are usually short and tight, rarely longer than 300 words.

Using a few carefully placed letters, you can generate plenty of community discussion. You can also keep an issue going by preventing it from disappearing from the public eye. You can stimulate the interest of the news media and create more coverage for the matters you're working on. You can also send a "good news" letter to bring recognition to people who deserve it or acknowledge the success of an effort.

Salina Post accepting letters to the editor

The Salina League of Women Voters held its 2024 General Election Forum on Oct. 20 at 1:30 in the Watson Room at the Stiefel Theatre in Salina. 

Click the link above to watch the candidates answer questions from the media and the public. Candidates present at the forum included Senate District 24-John Baker, House District 69-Lori Blake, and Clarke Sanders; Saline County Commission District 2-Annie Grevas and Kathleen Malone Crouch.

Noticeably absent from the forum was State Senator J.R. Claeys, whose empty chair and name card can be seen on the far left of the table of candidates.&nbsp;

Check Salina Post for an article about the candidate's responses on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

2024 League of Women Voters General Election Candidate Forum

Due to damages from Sunday's severe weather, the bridge and road south of Wilson, Kansas will NOT be open by Memorial Day, May 27.&nbsp;

According to the Ellsworth County Highway Department, a date has not been set for the road/bridge to reopen.&nbsp;

Plan an alternate route if you plan to travel in the area.&nbsp;

READ MORE<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3969fc82-b07d-4d4e-885d-fe75a7799560">:&nbsp;🎥UPDATED: Severe weather coverage May 19 — Salina Airport reports 100 mph winds</a>

River bridge, road project south of Wilson closed indefinetly 

Cope Notes is a text message-based service that provides individuals with randomly timed messages that contain anything from psychology facts to exercises and journaling prompts. Every subscriber’s text sequence is unique so that no two users ever receive the same message at the same time. 

Each <a href="https://copenotes.com/">Cope Notes</a> text must first undergo a thorough review process by a panel of peer-support advocates and mental health professionals, in order to ensure that the messages will have a positive effect on the subscriber’s health. The ultimate goal of the service is to train the brain to disrupt negative thoughts and promote a more positive pattern of thinking.

"We believe in the importance of mental health. We want to ensure our residents have access to the resources they need to stay healthy and thriving," said Saline County Health Officer Jason Tiller. "In my own personal experience with Cope Notes, I have found that the right messages seem to come at exactly the right time. It was been an uplifting experience for me, and I am thrilled we get to continue this service to our residents."

In 2022, Saline County initially offered the service for free to 300 residents. Because of the overwhelming response and in an effort to provide the service to more Saline County residents, the program is being offered at a 50 percent discount, according to information from the county.

To sign up for Cope Notes, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001scLNLAEK27GI7j38iOkmbBLY7glKLN0Wy6uF_d-8TLam2TPUzrfQlc9LS5oNICbDRUIbIxFeAe9F9t_3cBzqfldl0v4T9wLfMfxV5qLVYcHiyw0WBSsZFYJWzG17ByUTXv2fd3MbRsZWmxNokDZI85TAvv_DybpQ8u3RGpTS-VoOBpVKw3mIuQf0KEWbdEz2&amp;c=e8h8gccDrdCcdY1GLzjAyWQ83iic1YREdFKlJQ0cHZXKLBBGRtWzSA==&amp;ch=qH131SvBWUOQqWkIzjrjNennoWrg5mcmyLAePutxO-lGfSWshstgHw==" target="_blank">this link&nbsp;</a>and enter code&nbsp;SACOHALF&nbsp;and your credit or debit card information.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Saline County continues to offer Cope Notes at 50-percent discount

Not seeing precipitation totals from your area after a rain or snow event? Consider becoming a CoCoRaHS volunteer.

"CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive website, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications," the organization noted on its website.

After rain, hail, or snow storms, CoCoRaHS volunteers take precipitation measurements. Those totals are then recorded on the CoCoRaHS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/ViewData/StateDailyPrecipReports.aspx?state=KS">website</a>&nbsp;(Kansas reporting).

The precipitation totals are used by various organizations and individuals, including the National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, insurance adjusters, farmers and ranchers, and, of course, Salina Post.

For more information about CoCoRaHS and its March recruiting efforts or to sign up as a CoCoRaHS volunteer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/marchmadness.aspx">click here</a>.

Precipitation reporting organization seeks local, area volunteers

By ROSARIO MENDEZ Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

What’s worse than a bogus charity? A bogus charity with a dishonest fundraiser. The FTC has sued and stopped dishonest charity fundraisers that&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/09/spot-and-stop-dishonest-charity-fundraisers">called people</a>&nbsp;to get them to donate to fake charities. Some prey on your kindness and desire to help people impacted by weather emergencies or a disaster. But when you get a call from a charity fundraiser, how do you know the caller is telling you the truth?

Ask the caller specific questions.

What is the charity’s name, phone number, or address? Write these down so you can confirm them later. Keep in mind that many charity names sound alike, and that sham charities often use names that are sound and look like names of legitimate charities.

How much of your donation will go directly to the programs you want to support?

Will your donation be tax-deductible? Not every call seeking a donation is from a charity. Some calls might be from Political Action Committees or other groups where donations are not deductible. See more questions to ask here.

Resist the pressure to donate on the spot.

After you’ve listened to the caller, hang up the phone and think about what they said. Then, go online and do your own research:

Search for the organization’s name and phone number, plus the word “scam” or “complaint.” What you find might help you decide if you want to make that donation.

Look up the organization’s name and address. Does it show up? If it doesn’t, that could be a sign the caller was lying to you.

See what these rating organizations say about the charity: BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and Candid.

If you get a donation request in the mail, do some research online before you donate. And if you spot a charity scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you get a donation request in the mail,&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/charity">do some research online</a>&nbsp;before you donate. And if you spot a charity scam, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/09/www.reportfraud.ftc.gov">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

FTC: How to spot and stop dishonest charity fundraisers

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The start of a new school year is an expensive time for families. If you are struggling to pay for phone and internet services, there are programs to help you stay connected.

During Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week, the Kansas Corporation Commission joins utility regulators nationwide in encouraging those in need of assistance to apply for Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program.&nbsp; Both programs help low-income individuals and families stay connected so they can access health care, attend classes, find employment, and call for help in an emergency.

Lifeline provides federal and state discounts up to $17.02 per month on phone service (wireless or residential) and broadband. Seven million Americans currently benefit from the program, including approximately 30,000 Kansans.

The Federal Communication Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Plan&nbsp; provides a monthly internet service discount of up to $30 and a one-time device discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. According to FCC data, more than 20 million U.S. households are currently enrolled, including approximately 120,000 in Kansas.

Eligibility&nbsp;is based on income&nbsp;(at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for Lifeline and at or below 200% for Affordable Connectivity Plan)&nbsp;or participation in certain assistance programs&nbsp;such as:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) •&nbsp; Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) •&nbsp; Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA) •&nbsp; Veterans Pensions &amp; Survivors Pension Benefit •&nbsp; Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance •&nbsp; Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families •&nbsp; Head Start Tribal Programs (income based) •&nbsp; Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands&nbsp;&nbsp;

Anyone who qualifies for Lifeline is automatically eligible to participate in Affordable Connectivity Plan. Others may still qualify for the plan if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Are approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including the&nbsp;USDA Community Eligibility Provision.&nbsp; • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.&nbsp; • Meet the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income program.&nbsp;

Due to higher income maximums, Affordable Connectivity Plan  also has the potential to help families that may not qualify for other types of assistance. The maximum income for a family of four to qualify for the&nbsp; program is&nbsp;$60,000 per year compared to $40,500 for Lifeline. Both Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Plan offer additional discounts for subscribers living on tribal lands.

More information on income eligibility, participating providers, and the enrollment process is available on the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtjYy5rcy5nb3YvdGVsZWNvbW11bmljYXRpb25zL2xpZmVsaW5lP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA5MTEuODIzOTEwMjEifQ.SgutPMf7jc8B89ZmFqxVxA5ZBkjKYdszBMiWwbYC7oo/s/1510803030/br/225606126077-l" target="_blank">KCC’s website</a>.

Plans available to help Kansans unable to pay for phone, internet services stay connected

UPCOMING GAMES: Salina South Softball vs Salina Central - 4/18 at 4pm

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman discusses foster care with Monica Boyd of TFI Family Services.

🎤 Forward Ever: Monica Boyd of TFI Family Services on foster care

Salina Area Technical College inducted 15 new students into its chapter of the National Technical Honor Society during a ceremony on campus Friday, April 18th at 10:00 AM.

The National Technical Honor Society celebrates the academic and professional achievements of students in Career and Technical Education. To qualify for membership, students must be nominated by an instructor, GPA of 3.5 or higher, and submit an essay about their community service and why they should be inducted.

Students being inducted are (by program):

Salina Tech inducts students into National Technical Honor Society

Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. North wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Tonight Showers likely, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Northeast wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Saturday Night Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. East northeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Sunday Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 55. Northeast wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.&nbsp;&nbsp;

NWS Easter weekend holiday forecast

By NATE KING Salina Post

A semi-truck driver walked away without injury after a crash and fire along I-70 west of Salina on Thursday evening.

According to Rural Fire District #3 Chief Scott Abker, emergency crews were dispatched shortly after 7 p.m. to milepost 247, where a semi-truck had left the interstate and caught fire.

Abker said the driver managed to retrieve his luggage from the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. He was reportedly speaking with law enforcement on scene and showed no signs of injury.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined. Abker said the crash was severe enough that the semi's fuel tanks may have ruptured, and heat sources such as the engine or friction from the wreck likely ignited the blaze.

Firefighters stayed on scene until the fire was contained around 10:30 p.m. Chief Abker remained on site until midnight, monitoring and extinguishing hotspots in a nearby pasture.

“Given the wind conditions and proximity to homes north of the site, we didn’t want to leave until we were confident there was no risk of reignition,” Abker said.

In addition to RFD #3, firefighters from RFD #7 also responded to the scene.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is handling the investigation into the cause of the crash.

Salina Post will update this story as new information becomes available.&nbsp;

Driver escapes injury after semi crash and fire on I-70 near Salina

Salina Downtown Inc. is inviting residents and visitors alike to celebrate May’s First Friday on May 2 with a vibrant evening of live music, extended shopping hours, and a weekend full of community-centered events.

Seventeen downtown businesses will keep their doors open until 7 p.m., offering extended opportunities for shopping and browsing. Participating stores include Salina Selfie Station, Familia Toys, Salina Art Center, Poppy &amp; Vine, Red Fern Booksellers, Baron Mushmouse, Flipping Fabulous, Eccentricity, Sanity Boutique, The Bath Pub, Wallie Wax Co/Permanent Jewelry, On the Pot, Blushe Boutique, Kid’s Creative Corner, and Country Seasons.

Live entertainment will take center stage at Campbell Plaza from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562240876908">Ghost Town Revival</a>. The band is known for delivering a dynamic mix of classic rock and blues, bringing a nostalgic yet energizing sound to the downtown atmosphere.&nbsp;

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for a lively outdoor concert. The event is free and open to all ages.&nbsp;

Music lovers can also enjoy a special performance at Red Fern Booksellers, where jazz pianist, composer, and vocalist Jackie Myers will bring her distinctive style to Salina. Originally from Austin, Texas, and now based in Kansas City, Myers combines jazz standards with original compositions. Her unique voice has drawn comparisons to Michelle Shocked and Amy Winehouse.

The excitement carries into Saturday, May 3, with <a href="https://www.sculpturetoursalina.org/">SculptureTour Salina’s</a> annual UNwrap Party at the 67401 Plaza/City Lights Stage. Event organizers encourage the public to be among the first to see the 24 new sculptures installed throughout downtown. The event offers family-friendly fun and a hands-on way to celebrate Salina’s vibrant public art scene.

Salina’s First Friday events are held on the first Friday of every month from April through October.

For more information and updates on First Friday events, visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinadowntown">Salina Downtown Inc. on Facebook</a> or <a href="https://www.salinadowntown.com">salinadowntown.com</a>.

Downtown Salina welcomes live music, shopping during May’s First Friday events

The City of Salina is excited to announce Free Landfill Day, offering residents of Saline County the opportunity to dispose of residential trash for free. This event will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill located at 4292 S. Burma Rd.

Residents with a Saline County license plate on their vehicles will enjoy complimentary trash disposal. However, vehicles from other counties will be subject to normal tipping fees. Commercial waste haulers will receive priority access, with standard rates applying.

Customers are urged to exercise caution, adhere to staff instructions, obey signage, remain on approved roadways, and anticipate potential delays. Due to anticipated high turnout, a line may form, and access to the disposal site and convenience area will be limited. It's important to note that removal of any landfill property, including waste from other customers, is strictly prohibited.

Certain items will not be accepted at the landfill, such as automobiles, batteries, corrosive waste, explosives, flammable waste, hazardous waste, liquid waste (including paint), machinery, reactive waste, storage tanks, toxic waste, and vehicle or equipment wreckage.

The following items will be accepted, subject to applicable tipping fees for all commercial and residential customers: brick, concrete, rock, other aggregates, commercial loads (including waste from residents that is anything other than normal household trash), Freon-containing items (Freon removal certification required), roofing &amp; other construction materials, boats, sheds, trailers, tires, and waste requiring a Special Waste Permit from the KDHE. A comprehensive listing of fees may be found on the City’s website:&nbsp;salina-ks.gov/sw-landfill-fees.

The landfill will close&nbsp;promptly at 2 p.m., and customers will not be allowed entry after closing, even if a line remains. Normal business hours and fees will resume on Monday,&nbsp;April 28.

City of Salina announces ‘Free Landfill Day’ date 

SM Hanson Music is partnering with D’Addario and the Playback String Recycling Program, the world’s leading string recycling initiative, to host a special community event on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their store located at 335 S. Clark St. in Salina.

As part of the event, attendees can receive a free set of D’Addario XS Coated electric or acoustic guitar strings and have them restrung on-site — all at no cost. The offer is first-come, first-served, and restringing will be done while participants wait. In addition to the restring, guests will have the opportunity to learn more about the Playback program and D’Addario’s sustainability efforts.

The Playback String Recycling Program encourages musicians to recycle used strings, helping reduce landfill waste and conserve valuable materials. Strings collected through the program are separated by type, then melted or repurposed into new metal alloys or plastics through a partnership with TerraCycle, a global upcycling and recycling company.

SM Hanson Music has served Salina and the region since 1972, growing from a small guitar-focused shop into one of the Midwest’s leading full-line musical instrument retailers. Today, under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Hanson, the business continues to offer expert repair services, a wide variety of instruments, and an e-commerce platform for national sales.

For more information, visit <a href="http://www.smhansonmusic.com">www.smhansonmusic.com</a> or follow SM Hanson Music on Facebook at <a href="http://facebook.com/SMHansonMusic">facebook.com/SMHansonMusic</a>.

Free guitar restring and recycling event happening this Saturday at SM Hanson Music

Kansas Wesleyan will host a trio of events April 29–May 1 as part of Holocaust Remembrance Week, with an overarching theme of “The Holocaust in Hungary.” A Zoom presentation by Dr. Judy Jacobs, Holocaust survivor, will highlight and end the week on Thursday, May 1. The event will be held in Sams Chapel and admission is free. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Jacobs was born Judith Gondos in 1937 in Budapest, Hungary. She was 2 years old when the Nazis invaded Poland. Just months after Germany invaded Hungary in March 1944, she was taken with her family to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The family was kept there until December 1944, when they were taken to Switzerland. They immigrated to the United States in 1946.

Jacobs graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Education and from UMKC with an MBA in Finance and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dr. Mike Russell, KWU professor of history, will present on April 29 “The Holocaust in Hungary, 1944-1945.” A documentary “Surviving the Holocaust” will be shown the following night. Both of those events will be held in Pioneer Hall 325 at 7 p.m., and admission is free with no reservations required.

The week’s events are made possible in part by the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education. To learn more about this organization and its mission, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mchekc.org/">www.mchekc.org</a>.

KWU hosts three Holocaust Remembrance Week events

DETROIT (AP) — Tomás Nido and Andy Ibáñez hit solo homers and rookie Jackson Jobe pitched five strong innings to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Spencer Torkelson delivered a two-run double in the seventh for his AL-leading 13th extra-base hit for the Tigers.

Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr. doubled in the first to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, scoring on Vinnie Pasquantino's double for a 1-0 lead.

Nido, who went 3 for 4, homered for the first time with the Tigers to tie it in the second. Ibáñez's solo shot leading off the fourth put them ahead for good.

Riley Greene and Trey Sweeney had RBI singles in a three-run fifth to chase Royals starter Cole Ragans (1-1), whose team record-tying streak of three straight starts with 10-plus strikeouts ended. Ragans gave up five runs on six hits in four innings, striking out eight for a major league-best 39.

Witt singled and scored on Pasquantino's single in the ninth off Kenta Maeda. Tommy Kahnle got the final two outs for his fourth save.

The Royals have lost five straight and are 1-7 so far on a 10-game road trip.

The Royals sent the tying run to the plate with one out in the ninth, but Kahnle struck out Cavan Biggio before Drew Waters lined out to end it.

The Royals began the day averaging 2.95 runs — ahead of only the Rockies. They have scored four runs or less in 19 of 21 games and haven’t scored more than four since April 4 against Baltimore.

⚾ Nido and Ibáñez homer in Tigers victory over Royals

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

For those seeking entertaining baseball, Chapman was the place to be on Friday as the Trojans and Irish played to a split that saw two late come-from-behind wins.

Southeast of Saline rattled off seven runs in the sixth inning of game one to take a 12-1 victory while Chapman erased a go-ahead run in extras to walk off game two 12-11.

Game One: SE of Saline 12, Chapman 10

After conceding a run in the top of the first, the Irish bats exploded in the second, rattling off seven runs to take a commanding 7-1 lead.

SES would get two of those runs back in the third and fifth innings, but still trailed 9-5 going into the sixth.

Finally, the Trojans got their bats going and kept the line moving, capitalizing on opportunities and scoring seven runs of their own to take back the lead.

Chapman managed to plate two more runs but the damage was done as Southeast slammed the door shut in a 12-10 victory.

Grady Gebhardt was the epitome of a leadoff hitter in this game, scoring four of the 12 Trojan runs throughout a 4-4 day at the plate.

Ian Nickelson, Evan Watkins, Cole Gilpin, and Tysen Keller all recorded multi-RBI days, combining to drive in eight runs on the day.

Game Two: Chapman 12, SE of Saline 11

The nightcap of this two-game set was a back-and-forth affair, with three ties and eight different lead changes.

The Irish took a 4-1 lead into the third, where Southeast scored six runs to flip the advantage back to the purple and white.

Three more Chapman runs would give the Irish a small lead going into the fifth, where they would lose, and reclaim a one-run lead all in the fifth frame.

Down to their final three outs, SES scratched across the tying run in the seventh, and then the go-ahead run in the eighth, but as they had done all game Chapman battled back plating two runs in the bottom of the eighth to clinch a walk-off win in extras.

Both teams would finish the nightcap with 14 hits, combining to score 45 runs in an offense-heavy doubleheader.

With these results, Chapman improves to 6-6 while Southeast moves to 7-5.

The Trojans will be back at home on Thursday to host Beloit, while the Irish hit the road to Concordia on Tuesday.

⚾️ Walk-off win secures split for Chapman against SES

The Southeast of Saline and Chapman softball teams played to a split on Thursday in an incredibly competitive doubleheader that saw the Lady Irish win a 4-3 pitchers' duel, and the Lady Trojans win a 9-7 shootout.

Game One: Chapman 4, SE of Saline 3

With Madalynn Harold and Karlee Zurfluh in the circle, game one was destined to be low scoring, and the opener of this set lived up to the billing.

SES capitalized on an early miscue in left as Kimber Ogorzolka drove in Abby Wyatt to put the Lady Trojans up 1-0 in the top of the first.

That would be all Southeast could muster for a while, however, as Harold locked in from the circle, retiring 11 of the next 12 batters in a stretch that included seven strikeouts.

Chapman responded with unearned runs of their own in the third and fourth to take a 2-1 lead, but in the fifth, SES broke the spell, scoring Riley Donnelly on a Reese Heinrich RBI single.

The 2-2 tie would be short-lived, as Teagan Ellis drove in a pair of runs on an RBI single to left to put the Irish back on top.

Ashley Whelchel’s first career home run in the sixth cut the deficit to one, but that would be the final run of the game for Southeast as Harold cruised through the last five batters to secure the 4-3 win.

Harold finished her day surrendering just two earned runs on six hits, issuing no walks and striking out 11.

Game Two: SE of Saline 9, Chapman 7

With the aces out of the circle, fans braced for a higher scoring nightcap, but that didn’t appear to be the case through the first five innings.

Southeast’s Carlee Dye and Chapman’s Olivia Harold both limited the early damage, and the Lady Trojans held just a 3-2 lead heading into the sixth inning.

Of those three SES runs, just one was driven in, with the other two scoring from third on wild pitches.

In the sixth, the wheels came off for Chapman as three walks, three bunt singles, an infield single, four wild pitches, and a throwing error brought across five Southeast runs.

Not deterred by the 8-2 deficit, the Lady Irish got to work in their half of the sixth, and managed to score four runs on the strength of four singles.

Both teams added one run in the seventh but Karlee Zurfluh slammed the door shut to earn her first save of the season and secure the 9-7 win for SES.

Carlee Dye closed out her day with six strikeouts and no walks in the circle, while Reese Heinrich and Avery Kinkelaar led the charge on the basepaths, combining for four walks, a pair of hits, six stolen bases and four runs scored.&nbsp;

With this result, the Lady Trojans move to 7-2 overall while Chapman takes their first loss of the year at 11-1.

SES will return home next to host Clay Center while Chapman hits the road to battle Concordia.

🥎 Lady Trojans and Irish split tight doubleheader

Kansas Wesleyan's flag football team ended the regular season on a sky-high note.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3d1c848a-e9cf-4b5b-b172-c5f8343a8ca5?elinkdata=25033">Chihiro Iwata</a> had 209 yards passing and three touchdowns and the defense limited Midland to 130 total yards in a 20-13 non-conference and Senior Night victory on Wednesday at JRI Hospitality Stadium in the Graves Family Sports Complex.

KWU (12-4) is the No. 2 seed and plays No. 7 Cottey at 2:30 p.m. April 25 in its first game of the Kansas Conference Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. The championship game is scheduled for April 27.

The Coyotes led 20-0 after three quarters before Midland scored twice in the final period. It was their third victory over Midland this season.

"They hung together, played together, communicated together," coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/245f39b1-e04b-429d-b225-43cc3575ef87?elinkdata=25033">Melinda Nguyen</a> said. "We celebrated our seniors before the game, during and after and really just embraced each other and stuck together throughout the whole thing. This will gear us up and get the ball rolling."

Iwata completed 25 of 36 passes with one interception. She also had a team-best 28 yards rushing on five carries and ran for the conversion point following KWU's third touchdown.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8a90f654-1bb2-4d4e-ae38-68f8fb4f4f4f?elinkdata=25033">Angel Roman</a> caught five passes for 23 yards and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c716beb9-7234-483a-8907-42d6fe08ba82?elinkdata=25033">Soriah Tafua</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/01844ea8-bc8a-4349-a318-2d2ac5fdd4d6?elinkdata=25033">Ava Duerr</a> had four receptions each - Tafua's catches totaling 50 yards and Duerr 38.

"We kind of take what they give us, we try not to force things, make high probability throws," Nguyen said. "And they were making great catches."

Iwata threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Duerr with 3:17 left in the first quarter and connected with Roman for the conversion point to make it 7-0. The seven-play drive covered 34 yards.

The Coyotes increased their lead to 13-0 on Iwata's four-yard pass to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d42abfab-97ee-4ee9-9748-57e8f341fd77?elinkdata=25033">Aliyah Wood</a> with 4:07 left in the half capping an eight-play, 44-yard drive. The PAT attempt failed.

Wesleyan mounted a 66-yard, 11-play drive for its third touchdown, the final three yards on a pass from Iwata to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1b92804d-3ac4-4282-96b7-17ccbe0a33b1?elinkdata=25033">Yui Watanabe</a> with 2:08 remaining in the third quarter. Iwata's conversion run made it 20-0.

Midland (8-7) scored on Angel Ioane Kaio's three-yard run with 8:47 left in the game and her 41-yard pass to Emily Ferron with 46 seconds left.

Midland had one first down in the first half and four for the game. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9695b1a7-de94-424f-b26a-2fd0e7aa7768?elinkdata=25033">Alexa Mansur</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/88b1a361-c914-4a73-af74-b212a5e2ca9c?elinkdata=25033">Lexi Marquez</a> led way with three pulled flag each and Wood had an interception.

"Defense did great," Nguyen said. "(<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e51d7ad2-13d1-438b-b62c-67fcb423dbb4?elinkdata=25033">Ja'Daa Wilson</a>) did a great job calling the defense. They were all on the same page, they were all communicating and I felt like they really controlled the game."

Coyote flag stops Midland for 20-13 win to cap regular season, celebrate seniors

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Appreciate everyone logging on. I don’t know who’s on yet because I can’t see anybody but I’m sure that when you ask your questions, I’ll see you but (I’m) excited for next week and the kickoff of the 2025 NFL Draft. (It’s) a super exciting time for my staff, Chiefs Kingdom and again, (I) really look forward to the next few days. I want to start off by thanking my scouting staff, they do a tremendous job, our coaching staff – all the people in the building that help us through this process. There’s a ton of work that goes into this and again, we’re super excited and with that I’ll take your questions.”

Q: On signing Elijah Mitchell, Kristian Fulton and Jaylon Moore.

VEACH:&nbsp;“You know, Adam (Teicher), every free agency process, I think the goal and the objective is always the same yet how you go about it is always different. The goal and the objective is always to position yourself and your team so that when you get to the draft you can unlock the full potential of your board and not have to be stressed out and take the best player available. Now, how you go about that is different every year, right? I mean, depending on your cash, your cap (space) and what players are available and how many players you’re losing and what have you so it’s a unique challenge every year. I think though – over the years, one thing that we’ve shown is that we’re going to put a high priority on offensive line and defensive line and you start off with Jaylon Moore. I don’t think it’s a secret, (we) want to get some stability there at the left tackle position. He’s a guy that I think the only downside was just the lack of starts during his career. Now, when you consider the fact that he played behind a first ballot hall of fame player in (49ers LT) Trent Williams, you can see why but he’s athletic, he’s a smart kid and you know, we did a lot of work on him during the pre-draft process years ago. (We) always had taken a liking to the kid, (we) thought he had a game that translates and credit to him that when he had a chance to log six, seven starts last year, he did a really good job. Now, the next step is (to) maintain that level of play throughout the course and duration of a season but again, we’re super excited to add him and hopefully provide some stability to the left side of the line. I said over the last few months, I think that we’ve done a really good job, obviously, our interior has been strong the last few years. We did lose (Bears G) Joe (Thuney), and that late season move with Kingsley (Suamataia) late in the season. His start in Denver was promising so we think we have some flexibility there with those guys but again, I think the ongoing effort and pursuit to just get more consistent play on that left side was important to us and I don’t think that process will stop. We’ll continue in the draft to address the offensive line. Then on the defensive side, losing (Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed) LJ last year and Jaylen Watson was having a really good year, he got hurt. Nazeeh (Johnson) got hurt last year, we had some guys get banged up. The way (Defensive Coordinator) Steve (Spagnuolo) does things on that back end requires a lot of depth there, you can never have enough good corners. Kristian (Fulton) was a guy that we liked coming out as well. In fact, I think it was the Covid year, he was right there, and he went a few picks before. We ended up, I think, selecting (Dolphins LB) Willie Gay but a guy again, we did a lot of work on and liked him. Then, Elijah Mitchell – maybe listen, we’re going to the well again. We had a good experience a few years back when we had done a lot of work on (former RB) Jerick McKinnon and he was guy that had a great career in Minnesota, went to the Niners and just couldn’t get healthy, couldn’t get right, was always banged up. We we’re like, ‘You know, this kid’s still young and although he’s battled a lot of injuries, we’ve always like the tape, we’ve always like the person. (He’s) a great kid.’ Similar skillset in a sense, he’s explosive, he has great hands. I’m sure that you even heard (49ers Head Coach) Kyle Shanahan talk about when he’s healthy how good he is. I think it’s not a secret with him, he's got to stay healthy. Again, I think probably the success (that) we had with McKinnon gave us some confidence to try it again, and he’ll have to get through training camp and get through a season healthy. Our trainers like what they saw in regards to his rehab from his injury last season so hopefully we can get him on the field and keep him on the field because I think when he’s healthy he provides an explosive dynamic in both the run and pass game.”

Q: Where do you feel the roster is right now?

VEACH:&nbsp;“I think there’s always, of course, room for improvement. I think that just from a 1,000-foot view, I mean, it’s probably safe to say – you guys know I always give you probably too much information on these Zooms but o-line, d-line and corner, I think the draft has some numbers. The o-line numbers are probably down a tick, but I think everyone’s talked about the depth in the draft at the defensive line position, in particular defensive end. I think corner does have some sneaky depth there in the middle of the draft class. Maybe not as many high-end guys in years past, but I think there is some value there and the level of drop off holds from (round) two to three – to even into the early parts of four. I think that that would be a logical landing spot for us early in the draft, but I think we’re always in the mindset too to add players that we have graded as impact players and certainly wouldn’t shy away from continuing to add to our receiver room as well. I do think that – again, you can’t accomplish everything exactly you want to in free agency just because you don’t have an endless amount of resources but I do think we put ourselves in a position so that if we’re sitting there at (pick) 31, we certainly have a need for o-line, d-line, corner (and) receiver. So, all options are open, and I guess we’ll see how it all kind of shakes out.”

Q: Where’s your comfort level on getting a deal done with Trey Smith?

VEACH:&nbsp;“Hopefully we get that done. There’s no lack of interest or will or desire on our end and we did have Pete (Sweeney), a ton of talk with Tory (Dandy) and Jimmy (Sexton), his agent, heading into the combine. Those conversations continued on to the owner’s meetings and so now – also, CAA has a ton of draft prospects, and they have a ton going on, so we’ve exchanged multiple phone calls (and) multiple emails. My guess is once the draft’s over and our focus is back on taking care of the players that are here and trying to get those guys locked up. CAA, on their end, they are one of the leading agencies in regards to the players they produce every year, so I’m sure once things settle down on both ends, we’ll be in a position to continue this dialogue and hopefully make some progress there. There’s no secret there that we’d like to get Trey (Smith) locked up.”

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