LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — The pastor of the largest United Methodist Church in the U.S. launched a campaign Thursday for the Democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Kansas, upending the race in a normally Republican state as the GOP’s small majority seems less secure than it was a year ago.

The Rev. Adam Hamilton enters the race as a potentially formidable candidate, though it wasn’t immediately clear how many of the eight other, lesser-known Democrats who’ve announced for the Aug. 4 primary would drop out. The winner will face incumbent Republican Roger Marshall, who aligned himself closely with President Donald Trump in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-senate-elections-kansas-city-kansas-296d4a1a116c6d64de8f0914dfa31eab">first run for the Senate in 2020.</a>

Hamilton, 61, has a national following among mainline Protestants, and he’s built his Church of the Resurrection over the past 35 years in the Kansas City-area with about 22,000 members — giving him a base from which to tap volunteers and donors.

Hamilton weighed an independent run first

He had considered running as an independent candidate, telling his congregation that he could bridge partisan divides in a highly polarized political climate, but many Democrats believed an independent candidacy would simply split the anti-Marshall vote, making it easier for Marshall to win a second term.

“Every week, it seemed there was another news story in the last year where I would find myself shaking my head and thinking, we have to do better,” the self-described fifth-generation Kansan said.

While Democrats and Republicans have traded off the Kansas governor’s office for the past 60 years, Republicans haven’t lost a U.S. Senate race in the state since 1932. Democrats gave Marshall a vigorous challenge in 2020, but he still prevailed by more than 11 percentage points, even as Democrat Joe Biden ousted Trump and his party won control of both houses of Congress.

In some ways, Hamilton’s candidacy would be similar to that of the Democratic nominee in Texas, state Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-election-senate-crockett-talarico-cornyn-paxton-hunt-4d2fa601c0dab451c2cbd7c6f1483547">James Talarico,</a>&nbsp;a Presbyterian minister in training who speaks often of his faith and how it guides his positions, though Hamilton, is a generation older.

The Kansas Republican Party quickly signaled that it plans to portray Hamilton as liberal and out of step with the state, however he identifies himself.

“His so-called ‘independent’ exploration was little more than a political marketing strategy to mask a radical left agenda,” its executive director, Rob Fillion, said in a statement.

Hamilton started massive church from nothing

Hamilton, who lives in the town of Stillwell on the edge of the Kansas City metro, has never had trouble attracting followers. After graduating from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa and then Southern Methodist University in Dallas, his denomination tapped him at age 25 to start a church in suburban Kansas City for nonchurchgoers.

Worshippers initially met in the small chapel of a local funeral home and now gather at nine campuses. The main one, on 76 acres in an affluent suburb, resembles a small college. The Christmas Eve offering — devoted to mission work — sometimes tops&nbsp;<a href="https://resurrection.church/cceofferingupdates/six-months-of-impact-thanks-to-your-christmas-eve-gift/">$2 million.</a>

“I’ve raised a lot money over the years and I’m not afraid to do that,” Hamilton said on the eve of his announcement.

He’s written and published dozens of books and his video-based lessons are popular for Sunday school classes in churches across the country. In 2013, he preached at the National Prayer Service.

His entry comes during what promises to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-republicans-2026-midterms-iran-florida-loss-0354c2f58e7c75759aaafa8cca2cff5e">challenging midterm</a>&nbsp;election year for Republicans.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-iran-trump-war-oil-gas-prices-2abd1ea4a81f3339cebadd5480fb863b">Polling</a>&nbsp;shows most Americans believe the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">U.S. military action against Iran</a>&nbsp;has gone too far and voters are more and more worried about Trump’s failure to address affordability issues.

Hamilton’s home of Johnson County is the state’s most populous, with 643,000 people, more than one in every five Kansas residents. Once overwhelming Republican, it has grown increasingly blue, voting against Trump in the last two presidential elections.

The county is a key reason why a state with an overwhelmingly GOP Legislature has a Democratic governor.

Hamilton's views shaped through decades as a pastor

How voters view Hamilton’s politics is a key question, because he’ll need to win over disaffected Republicans as well as unaffiliated voters — the formula for Democrat Laura Kelly’s successful bid for governor in 2018 and narrow reelection win in 2022.

Hamilton’s congregation is a nearly equal mix of Republicans, Democrats and Independents, and he describes himself as “a liberal conservative and a conservative liberal.”

Although Hamilton hasn’t run for public office before, he isn’t a blank slate, with decades of sermons, and more recently podcasts and Facebook videos.

Following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-metro-surge-ice-8af150975b0a552e1ed19a7276c39870">surge of federal law enforcement</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis, for instance, Hamilton&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/religion-and-politics-the-dangerous-myth-that/id1777842974?i=1000746282109">cited</a>&nbsp;an Old Testament verse that commands Israelites to treat foreigners with love and fairness.

On abortion, the father of two married to his high school sweetheart said during the final stop of a listening tour earlier this month that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">voted against</a>&nbsp;a state constitutional amendment that would have cleared the way for tougher abortion restrictions or a ban in Kansas.

“I didn’t think that our state legislators should be the ethicists and the spiritual guides for all of the women of the state of Kansas,” he said while tearfully describing that while he has counseled rape victims, his mother considered an abortion when she got pregnant with him as a teenager. “I feel both of these things at the same time.”

His church also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a27e12225c09493d911c8675a8eb5110">applied financial pressure</a>&nbsp;before the United Methodist Church conference&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">struck down</a>&nbsp;longstanding anti-LGBTQ policies. “We’ve lost a thousand people over the years because this was our commitment, and so I want to say that I will take that commitment with me to Washington D.C.," he said during his listening tour.

Hamilton said that if he wins, he would remain pastor but would scale back his preaching to around 12 to 18 times a year.

“Can you imagine a future,” he asked, “where Republicans and Democrats and Independents work together to actually solve problems?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1777575849047.png" alt="Rev. Adam Hamilton from his official announcement on Thursday -courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Rev. Adam Hamilton from his official announcement on Thursday -courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and JOHN HANNALENEXA, Kan. (AP) — The pastor of the largest United Methodist Church in the U.S. launched a campaign Thursday for the Democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Kansas, upending the race in a normally Republican state as the GOP’s small majority seems less secure than it was a year ago.The Rev. Adam Hamilton enters the race as a potentially formidable candidate, though it wasn’t immediately clear how many of the eight other, lesser-known Democrats who’ve announced for the Aug. 4 primary would drop out. The winner will face incumbent Republican Roger Marshall, who aligned himself closely with President Donald Trump in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-senate-elections-kansas-city-kansas-296d4a1a116c6d64de8f0914dfa31eab">first run for the Senate in 2020.</a>Hamilton, 61, has a national following among mainline Protestants, and he’s built his Church of the Resurrection over the past 35 years in the Kansas City-area with about 22,000 members — giving him a base from which to tap volunteers and donors.<h2>Hamilton weighed an independent run first</h2>He had considered running as an independent candidate, telling his congregation that he could bridge partisan divides in a highly polarized political climate, but many Democrats believed an independent candidacy would simply split the anti-Marshall vote, making it easier for Marshall to win a second term.“Every week, it seemed there was another news story in the last year where I would find myself shaking my head and thinking, we have to do better,” the self-described fifth-generation Kansan said.While Democrats and Republicans have traded off the Kansas governor’s office for the past 60 years, Republicans haven’t lost a U.S. Senate race in the state since 1932. Democrats gave Marshall a vigorous challenge in 2020, but he still prevailed by more than 11 percentage points, even as Democrat Joe Biden ousted Trump and his party won control of both houses of Congress.In some ways, Hamilton’s candidacy would be similar to that of the Democratic nominee in Texas, state Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-election-senate-crockett-talarico-cornyn-paxton-hunt-4d2fa601c0dab451c2cbd7c6f1483547">James Talarico,</a>&nbsp;a Presbyterian minister in training who speaks often of his faith and how it guides his positions, though Hamilton, is a generation older.The Kansas Republican Party quickly signaled that it plans to portray Hamilton as liberal and out of step with the state, however he identifies himself.“His so-called ‘independent’ exploration was little more than a political marketing strategy to mask a radical left agenda,” its executive director, Rob Fillion, said in a statement.<h2>Hamilton started massive church from nothing</h2>Hamilton, who lives in the town of Stillwell on the edge of the Kansas City metro, has never had trouble attracting followers. After graduating from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa and then Southern Methodist University in Dallas, his denomination tapped him at age 25 to start a church in suburban Kansas City for nonchurchgoers.Worshippers initially met in the small chapel of a local funeral home and now gather at nine campuses. The main one, on 76 acres in an affluent suburb, resembles a small college. The Christmas Eve offering — devoted to mission work — sometimes tops&nbsp;<a href="https://resurrection.church/cceofferingupdates/six-months-of-impact-thanks-to-your-christmas-eve-gift/">$2 million.</a>“I’ve raised a lot money over the years and I’m not afraid to do that,” Hamilton said on the eve of his announcement.He’s written and published dozens of books and his video-based lessons are popular for Sunday school classes in churches across the country. In 2013, he preached at the National Prayer Service.His entry comes during what promises to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-republicans-2026-midterms-iran-florida-loss-0354c2f58e7c75759aaafa8cca2cff5e">challenging midterm</a>&nbsp;election year for Republicans.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-iran-trump-war-oil-gas-prices-2abd1ea4a81f3339cebadd5480fb863b">Polling</a>&nbsp;shows most Americans believe the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">U.S. military action against Iran</a>&nbsp;has gone too far and voters are more and more worried about Trump’s failure to address affordability issues.Hamilton’s home of Johnson County is the state’s most populous, with 643,000 people, more than one in every five Kansas residents. Once overwhelming Republican, it has grown increasingly blue, voting against Trump in the last two presidential elections.The county is a key reason why a state with an overwhelmingly GOP Legislature has a Democratic governor.<h2>Hamilton's views shaped through decades as a pastor</h2>How voters view Hamilton’s politics is a key question, because he’ll need to win over disaffected Republicans as well as unaffiliated voters — the formula for Democrat Laura Kelly’s successful bid for governor in 2018 and narrow reelection win in 2022.Hamilton’s congregation is a nearly equal mix of Republicans, Democrats and Independents, and he describes himself as “a liberal conservative and a conservative liberal.”Although Hamilton hasn’t run for public office before, he isn’t a blank slate, with decades of sermons, and more recently podcasts and Facebook videos.Following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-metro-surge-ice-8af150975b0a552e1ed19a7276c39870">surge of federal law enforcement</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis, for instance, Hamilton&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/religion-and-politics-the-dangerous-myth-that/id1777842974?i=1000746282109">cited</a>&nbsp;an Old Testament verse that commands Israelites to treat foreigners with love and fairness.On abortion, the father of two married to his high school sweetheart said during the final stop of a listening tour earlier this month that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">voted against</a>&nbsp;a state constitutional amendment that would have cleared the way for tougher abortion restrictions or a ban in Kansas.“I didn’t think that our state legislators should be the ethicists and the spiritual guides for all of the women of the state of Kansas,” he said while tearfully describing that while he has counseled rape victims, his mother considered an abortion when she got pregnant with him as a teenager. “I feel both of these things at the same time.”His church also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a27e12225c09493d911c8675a8eb5110">applied financial pressure</a>&nbsp;before the United Methodist Church conference&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">struck down</a>&nbsp;longstanding anti-LGBTQ policies. “We’ve lost a thousand people over the years because this was our commitment, and so I want to say that I will take that commitment with me to Washington D.C.," he said during his listening tour.Hamilton said that if he wins, he would remain pastor but would scale back his preaching to around 12 to 18 times a year.“Can you imagine a future,” he asked, “where Republicans and Democrats and Independents work together to actually solve problems?”

Methodist pastor launches bid for Kansas US Senate as a Democrat

Here is the lineup for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor &amp; Nicolas Fierro.

Listen live on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA&nbsp;from&nbsp;9:00 am&nbsp;to&nbsp;11:00 am,&nbsp;May 2,&nbsp;2026:

Katie Hund &amp; General Michael Fleming: Grand opening of&nbsp;<a href="https://centerstone.org/cohen-military-family-clinic/manhattan/">Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone</a>&nbsp;in Manhattan, Kan.

Zach Gilig:&nbsp;Salina Family YMCA; Summer outlook, specific-sports training and vision

Matt Stiles: Saline County Administrator; Background &amp; plans for the county

Ryan Shull: Advice for hiring a roofing contractor; don't get taken advantage of amin recent hail storm damage

All episodes are recorded and uploaded on the&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?CFID=05fb1ecb-7d68-4542-adb3-9b7c11d9b5e5&amp;CFTOKEN=0&amp;stationCallSign=KINA&amp;onDemandAutoStart=true&amp;p92136680=true&amp;relocateURL=true">910 AM and 107.5 FM KINA website</a>, under the 'KINA Saturday Mornings'&nbsp;tab.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625885773462.jpeg" alt="KINA Salina 910 AM/107.5 FM" />
 <figcaption>KINA Salina 910 AM/107.5 FM</figcaption>
 </figure>Here is the lineup for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor &amp; Nicolas Fierro.Listen live on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA&nbsp;from&nbsp;9:00 am&nbsp;to&nbsp;11:00 am,&nbsp;May 2,&nbsp;2026:<h2>9:00 AM</h2>Katie Hund &amp; General Michael Fleming: Grand opening of&nbsp;<a href="https://centerstone.org/cohen-military-family-clinic/manhattan/">Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone</a>&nbsp;in Manhattan, Kan.<h2>9:30 AM</h2>Zach Gilig:&nbsp;Salina Family YMCA; Summer outlook, specific-sports training and vision<h2>10:00 AM</h2>Matt Stiles: Saline County Administrator; Background &amp; plans for the county<h2>10:30 AM</h2>Ryan Shull: Advice for hiring a roofing contractor; don't get taken advantage of amin recent hail storm damageAll episodes are recorded and uploaded on the&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?CFID=05fb1ecb-7d68-4542-adb3-9b7c11d9b5e5&amp;CFTOKEN=0&amp;stationCallSign=KINA&amp;onDemandAutoStart=true&amp;p92136680=true&amp;relocateURL=true">910 AM and 107.5 FM KINA website</a>, under the 'KINA Saturday Mornings'&nbsp;tab.

Saturday Morning Show lineup with Dave Foor & Nicolas Fierro: May 2, 2026

Listen to the full interview below Salina Post had with the following:

- Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist

- Clinic&nbsp;Director,&nbsp;The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic&nbsp;at&nbsp;Centerstone, Manhattan, Kan.

- Senior Manager, Community Relations for Cohen Veterans Network.

- Thirty years of U.S. military service including 9 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and 27 years in the Army National Guard.

A new mental health clinic for U.S. veterans and their families just celebrated its grand opening in Manhattan, KS, bringing essential services for our country's military servicemen and women.

The <a href="https://centerstone.org/cohen-military-family-clinic/manhattan/">Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone</a> in Manhattan opened April 23, 2026 and is now providing&nbsp;accessible, high-quality care for U.S. veterans, service members and their families.

Centerstone,&nbsp;operates numerous clinics, while providing comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder treatments. The clinic partnered with <a href="https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/">Cohen Veterans Network</a>&nbsp;(CVN), a&nbsp;global not-for-profit integrated network of mental health clinics for post 9/11 vets, service members and families, to open the new clinic at Centerstone.

CVN currently operates other clinics that included Clarksville, Tenn., Fayetteville, N.C., Jacksonville, Fla., and Hinesville, Ga. The Manhattan clinic marks an expansion of CVN’s partnership with Centerstone, as it expands the network to 24 CVN clinics, serving clients across 21 states and even internationally. Since its inception in 2016, the network has provided care to more than 100,000. clients in over 898,000 clinical sessions.

This new clinic at Centerstone, is principally funded by the <a href="https://www.mccormickfoundation.org/">Robert R. McCormick Foundation</a> and philanthropist, <a href="https://point72.com/leader/steven-a-cohen/">Steven A. Cohen</a>.&nbsp;

Care at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone in Manhattan is as so:

- Treats range of mental health concerns such as: depression, anxiety, military transition challenges, adjustment issues, PTSD, anger, grief, and loss, family issues, relationship challenges, and children’s behavioral problems.

- Comprehensive case management services to support clients with employment, finances housing and more.

According to Centerstone, more than 181,000 U.S. veterans, service members and military family members in Kansas, are eligible for care at the clinic.&nbsp;

For more information about the&nbsp;Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone&nbsp;in Manhattan, Kan. - click <a href="https://centerstone.org/cohen-military-family-clinic/manhattan/">here</a>.

For more information about Cohen Veterans Network - click <a href="https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/">here</a>.

For more information about the Robert R. McCormick Foundation - click <a href="https://www.mccormickfoundation.org/">here</a>.

Listen to the full interview below Salina Post had with the following:<h2>Katie Hund </h2>- Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist- Clinic&nbsp;Director,&nbsp;The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic&nbsp;at&nbsp;Centerstone, Manhattan, Kan.<h2>General Michael Fleming</h2>- Senior Manager, Community Relations for Cohen Veterans Network.- Thirty years of U.S. military service including 9 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and 27 years in the Army National Guard. - Retired as Brigadier General.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ionvCVGVW54?si=QyqwR5qJ4s2eqEmv" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>By: NICOLAS FIERROSalina PostA new mental health clinic for U.S. veterans and their families just celebrated its grand opening in Manhattan, KS, bringing essential services for our country's military servicemen and women.The <a href="https://centerstone.org/cohen-military-family-clinic/manhattan/">Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone</a> in Manhattan opened April 23, 2026 and is now providing&nbsp;accessible, high-quality care for U.S. veterans, service members and their families.Centerstone,&nbsp;operates numerous clinics, while providing comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder treatments. The clinic partnered with <a href="https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/">Cohen Veterans Network</a>&nbsp;(CVN), a&nbsp;global not-for-profit integrated network of mental health clinics for post 9/11 vets, service members and families, to open the new clinic at Centerstone.CVN currently operates other clinics that included Clarksville, Tenn., Fayetteville, N.C., Jacksonville, Fla., and Hinesville, Ga. The Manhattan clinic marks an expansion of CVN’s partnership with Centerstone, as it expands the network to 24 CVN clinics, serving clients across 21 states and even internationally. Since its inception in 2016, the network has provided care to more than 100,000. clients in over 898,000 clinical sessions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1777564431052.jpeg" alt="Crowd gathers on April 23, 2026 to celebrate the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic grand opening in Manhattan, Kan. - Photo provided by the Cohen Veterans Network" />
 <figcaption>Crowd gathers on April 23, 2026 to celebrate the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic grand opening in Manhattan, Kan. - Photo provided by the Cohen Veterans Network</figcaption>
 </figure>This new clinic at Centerstone, is principally funded by the <a href="https://www.mccormickfoundation.org/">Robert R. McCormick Foundation</a> and philanthropist, <a href="https://point72.com/leader/steven-a-cohen/">Steven A. Cohen</a>.&nbsp;Care at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone in Manhattan is as so:- In person treatment and Telehealth.- Treats range of mental health concerns such as: depression, anxiety, military transition challenges, adjustment issues, PTSD, anger, grief, and loss, family issues, relationship challenges, and children’s behavioral problems.- Comprehensive case management services to support clients with employment, finances housing and more.According to Centerstone, more than 181,000 U.S. veterans, service members and military family members in Kansas, are eligible for care at the clinic.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1777564714552.jpeg" alt="Photo provided by the Cohen Veterans Network" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by the Cohen Veterans Network</figcaption>
 </figure>For more information about the&nbsp;Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone&nbsp;in Manhattan, Kan. - click <a href="https://centerstone.org/cohen-military-family-clinic/manhattan/">here</a>.For more information about Cohen Veterans Network - click <a href="https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/">here</a>.For more information about the Robert R. McCormick Foundation - click <a href="https://www.mccormickfoundation.org/">here</a>.

🎧 Cohen Veterans Network opens first military family clinic in Kansas, fulfilling essential needs

WASHINGTON (AP) —The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;has weakened a key tool of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-voting-rights-congressional-redistricting-louisiana-aa5d7dbde7c13654f341d152c2ad5229">the Voting Rights Act</a>&nbsp;that has helped root out racial discrimination in voting for more than half a century in a case concerning a Black majority congressional district in Louisiana.

The court’s conservative majority found that the district, represented by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrat-cleo-fields-louisiana-congressional-district-01cbab22601bef1cd8f4463a1ad395ef">Democrat Cleo Fields</a>, relied too heavily on race. Chief Justice John Roberts had described the district as a “snake” that stretches more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) to link parts of the Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Baton Rouge areas.

The Rev. Al Sharpton said the Supreme Court “has humiliated and dismantled the life’s work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and every man and woman who marched, bled, and died for Black Americans to have an equal voice at the ballot box.”

The plaintiffs argued that Louisiana’s second Black-majority congressional district, drawn to correct a previously discriminatory map, has an unconstitutional racial basis and did not follow the standards for drawing a district, including compactness.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-act-takeaways-discrimination-suppression-412ddad8fa10633392bd5d8f0d4973c8">The 1965 Voting Rights Act</a>, the centerpiece legislation of the Civil Rights Movement, succeeded in opening the ballot box to Black Americans and reducing persistent discrimination in voting. Nearly 70 of the 435 congressional districts are protected by Section 2, election law experts estimate.

It’s unclear how much is left of Section 2, but the ruling could open the door for Republican-led states to eliminate Black and Latino electoral districts that tend to favor Democrats and affect the balance of power in Congress. President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has already touched off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-house-congress-gerrymandering-trump-0642de409664d1689bef1fc7225f05f7">a nationwide redistricting battle</a>&nbsp;to boost Republican chances.

Congressional Black Caucus members vow to fight back

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus pledged to fight back after the Supreme Court decision and called for the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

Rep. Yvette Clarke, a New York Democrat who chairs the caucus, told reporters that the decision allows politicians to “choose their voters instead of the other way around.”

“The Supreme Court has opened the door to a coordinated attack on Black voters across the country,” Clarke said. “This is an outright power grab.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also of New York, said the decision came from “the Trump court” in “an effort to suppress the vote and rig the midterm elections and beyond.”

“At this moment in time, we’re urging everyone to summon the courage, the character, and the conviction of those heroes like John Lewis and Rosa Parks and so many others upon whose shoulders we stand,” Jeffries said.

The top Republican in Tennessee’s Senate warns of ‘logistical challenges’ to immediate redistricting

Tennessee lawmakers need to discuss whether it’s feasible to redistrict in light of the new court ruling, Senate Speaker Randy McNally said, since deadlines to file paperwork to run for office have passed, and candidates have already entered their races. The primary elections are Aug. 6.

The state’s current map is “strong, fair and legal” and has survived court challenges, McNally said in a statement.

Kentucky Gov. Beshear says the court decision underscores the importance of having Democratic governors

While much of the attention in Washington this year is on the battle for control of Congress, there are 36 governors races on the ballot in November.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the Supreme Court’s decision is a reminder of the significance of those races, since so many voting laws are crafted at the state level.

“One of the best ways to fight back is to elect more Democratic governors – who are on the frontlines of protecting and expanding fundamental freedoms and democracy in our states,” Beshear said in a statement. “We have 36 opportunities to do that this year and rulings like this show that the stakes have never been higher.”

Beshear is the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, a group focused on electing Democrats as state leaders.

Alabama Democrat whose district was created by a court order slams the decision

Rep. Shomari Figures, whose district was court-ordered after judges found Black voting power was diluted, said the ruling makes future discrimination claims harder to prove.

He warned it could prompt Southern states to redraw maps in ways that weaken Black voters’ influence. Alabama’s current map remains in place under a court order through 2030, although the state is appealing.

House GOP campaign chairman says redrawing maps is up to the states

Rep. Richard Hudson welcomed the court’s decision. “I was glad to see it come down,” he told reporters at the U.S. Capitol.

But the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee stopped short of saying he would encourage states to reconsider congressional district maps before the November election.

“I don’t know what the implications are going be for the fall,” the North Carolina congressman said.

“It’s pretty late,” he said. “We’ll see. It’s up to governors and legislators.”

Louisiana governor says the state is weighing its next steps

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said the state attorney general and legislative leadership are discussing “what our options are.” He said it could take at least a day to fully assess the high court’s decision.

In a post on the social platform X, the governor — who has close ties to Trump — said the ruling affirms that states can draw districts “for political reasons.” He said federal courts cannot require “race-based redistricting” or treat what he called partisan disputes as violations of the Voting Rights Act.

Obama says the ruling ‘effectively guts a key pillar of the Voting Rights Act’

The nation’s first Black president issued a statement decrying the ruling as “just one more example of how a majority of the current Court seems intent on abandoning its vital role in ensuring equal participation in our democracy and protecting the rights of minority groups against majority overreach.”

“The good news is that such setbacks can be overcome,” Obama, a Democrat, continued. “But that will only happen if citizens across the country who cherish our democratic ideals continue to mobilize and vote in record numbers.”

Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn says the ruling will fuel redistricting fights and weaken Black representation

The South Carolina congressional district held by 85-year-old Clyburn, who for a time was the highest-ranking Black member of Congress, has been a focus for Republicans angling to pick up an additional seat.

Clyburn said in a statement that the Supreme Court had taken “a giant step backward,” one that “threatens to send our country deeper into the thicket of never-ending redistricting fights, with repeated aggressive map redraws, protracted legal battles, and relentless partisan tugs-of-war.”

South Carolina’s 2022 map, which packs Democrats into Clyburn’s district, was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2024. Republicans have since tried to redraw the seat to flip it.

Trump says more districts should be redrawn after Wednesday’s ruling

The president said the decision, which could pave the way for other districts to be redrawn in the Republicans’ favor, is the “kind of ruling I like.”

“Some states don’t need to redraw, and some do,” Trump said, while noting that generally, he would want Republican state officials to revise the congressional maps.

Still, he wasn’t initially aware of what had happened. When asked by a reporter for his reaction to the decision, Trump asked when the ruling had come out.

“I’ve been with the astronauts,” he rationalized. “I’ve been with contractors because we’re trying to get the ballroom built.”

Georgia senator calls the decision a ‘huge step backwards’

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, who is Black, says he would not be in Congress without the Voting Rights Act and slammed the Supreme Court’s decision as a blow for racial justice.

“Make no mistake, this ruling harkens back to the darkest days of the Jim Crow era,” he told reporters.

Americans, he said, are being “further squeezed out of their democracy.”

Tennessee Republicans consider their options

Asked about the prospect of trying to redistrict the state’s Memphis-centered Democratic seat, Tennessee’s Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton said in a written statement, “We are reviewing the recent opinion as I have conversations with the White House and other individuals.”

Alabama attorney general wants to apply the Supreme Court ruling to his state’s redistricting

Attorney General Steve Marshall said he wants to ensure Alabama’s congressional maps reflect voters’ will, not what he called an unconstitutional racial quota system.

The state is appealing a federal order requiring the state to continue using a court-drawn map with an additional district where Black voters are a majority or near it.

Marshall called Wednesday’s decision a “watershed moment” that means states “cannot be forced to gerrymander by race.”

He added that the high court recognized progress in the South and said laws from an earlier era no longer reflect current conditions.

A Black voter from New Orleans says he’s upset by the ruling

Thomas Johnson, a Black man from New Orleans who was visiting Louisiana’s Capitol on Wednesday, said he specifically feared the possibility that Republicans could redraw the state’s congressional map in a way that dismantles predominately Black districts.

“I feel like this is an embarrassing attack upon the minorities, particularly the Black community,” who he feels have little say in Washington.

Johnson is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, one of two Black Democrats from Louisiana in Congress.

“We are going to do all we can and continue fighting so our voices are heard,” Johnson said. “That’s all we want, to be heard.”

Louisiana’s other Democratic congressman says his seat isn’t safe either

While the Supreme Court ruled on the district represented by Rep. Cleo Fields, the other Democratic member of Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation is concerned about the fate of his seat, too.

“The reality is our maps were drawn together,” said Rep. Troy Carter, whose district includes New Orleans. “So that means if they’re all thrown out as unconstitutional, then the likelihood that new maps would be drawn that would in fact not only impact Congressman Fields but also impact me as well.”

Rights groups aren’t mincing words about the Supreme Court decision

Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said the decision is a blow to American democracy and one that will further erode trust in the Supreme Court among diverse populations.

“It’s a day of loss of any remnant or modicum of credibility of this Supreme Court to rise above partisan politics,” Nelson said. “It has elevated the principle of partisanship and politics over the right to vote.”

Wednesday’s decision is a “profound betrayal of the civil rights movement,” said Sophia Lin Lakin, deputy director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project. Minority communities won’t just potentially lose a seat in Congress, she said, they’ll lose a voice on issues like healthcare, education and infrastructure.

“States can now point to partisan objectives to justify maps that strip voters of color of representation, and federal courts will have little basis to intervene,” she said.

A voting rights advocate doesn’t know if the ruling will spur redistricting this year

David Becker, the founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, said the ruling will allow lawmakers to reduce the power of minority voters — at least eventually.

“How it will affect 2026, I don’t know,” Becker said Wednesday on a call with reporters. “It could be open season now, but we’re also running out of time.”

Obama’s attorney general says this Supreme Court has earned an infamous place in history

Eric Holder, the former Obama-era U.S. attorney general whose administration lost a crucial voting rights battle in 2013, said Wednesday’s ruling amounted to “Supreme Court sanctioned racial and partisan gerrymandering.”

“The Court today ensures that it will be remembered as one of the most destructive and deeply irresponsible Courts in the history of our nation,” Holder said in a statement.

“It should not be lost on anyone,” he added, “that the Roberts court makes this decision at a time when Republican leaders across the country are foaming at the mouth to draw the American people out of a meaningful say in our elections.”

After leaving public service, Holder formed the National Redistricting Foundation to protect voting rights and challenge gerrymandered congressional and state legislative districts.

Candidate for Tennessee governor calls for redistricting after Supreme Court decision

Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is running for governor this year, called on social media for the GOP-supermajority state Legislature to reconvene and draw Tennessee’s only Democratic congressional seat to favor a pickup for Republicans.

The district centers on the majority-Black city of Memphis.

One top Georgia Republican calls for immediate redistricting, even with voting underway

Redrawing Georgia’s maps for the 2026 elections would be difficult because early voting is already underway for the May 19 party primaries, in advance of the November election.

A spokesperson for Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and state Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon didn’t immediately respond Wednesday to queries about immediate redistricting. State Senate Minority Harold Jones II, an Augusta Democrat, said he’s unsure of the prospects of quick action.

But one leading GOP candidate to replace Kemp urged the governor to act immediately, which could protect Republican power even if Georgia Democrats make gains this fall.

“Democrats nationally are trying to redistrict their way back to power, and what happened in Virginia is just the tip of the spear,” businessman Rick Jackson said in a statement. “There is no time to waste. Georgia must act now to ensure secure elections in Georgia and counter the Democrats’ national assault on our elections.”

Hakeem Jeffries slams the Supreme Court decision as ‘far right extremists’ thinking

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries accused the Supreme Court of being “far right extremists” and of voter suppression being “a way of life” for Trump and Republicans, in a strongly worded statement on social media.

“Republicans know they cannot win a free and fair election in November and so they are desperate to rig it. We will never let them succeed,” the Democrat wrote.

Jeffries has previously claimed Trump makes power grabs when it comes to voting.

When Trump signed an executive order in March to create a nationwide list of verified eligible voters and to restrict mail-in voting, Jeffries said it would make voting unnecessarily difficult of communities of color, people with disabilities and other key demographics.

King family ‘deeply troubled’ by Supreme Court decision

Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and his wife Arndrea Waters King said in a statement that the Supreme Court decision “further weakened the Voting Rights Act.”

“This decision silences the voices of millions of voters of color by undermining the purpose of the VRA – securing and protecting the political rights of Black and Brown communities across the country,” they said. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood that voting rights are the foundation of our entire democratic system. Without them, we are a democracy in name only. “

The couple are the founders of a civil rights organization called the Drum Major Institute.

Congressional Black Caucus says the Supreme Court has ‘signed the death certificate of the Voting Rights Act’

The 60 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, which is currently made up of all Democrats, said the ruling erased “decades of Black progress.”

“Republicans now have the ability to move forward with a nationwide scheme to rig congressional maps in their favor — to manufacture more districts for themselves by eliminating majority-Black districts, while stripping away the ability to challenge those racist, anti-Black maps in court,” the group said.

The caucus added this could open the door for huge redistricting changes in the South and vowed to initiate “any measure necessary” to find a legislative remedy, and called for a vote on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

Inside the Supreme Court as the decision was announced

The already quiet courtroom went silent when Chief Justice John Roberts said Justice Samuel Alito would be reading the majority opinion.

Reaction far and wide on Supreme's historic decision on voting rights

<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&nbsp;the&nbsp;National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1777418663115.png" alt="Three day weather forecast Salina, April 29 - May 1 - US National Weather Service" />
 <figcaption>Three day weather forecast Salina, April 29 - May 1 - US National Weather Service</figcaption>
 </figure><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&nbsp;the&nbsp;National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, April 29 - May 1

Listen to the radio bit below from the&nbsp;<a href="https://910kina.com/">910 AM/107.5 FM KINA</a>&nbsp;Saturday Morning Show with hosts, Nicolas Fierro &amp; Dave Foor:

"Back to the Track," an event to celebrate Salina's rich history of drag racing is set to occur on Sunday, May 3 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The event is NOT a racing nor burnout event, but a photo event.

Salinans are encouraged to bring their classic cars to former airport runway on&nbsp;Markley Road, near Dean Evans Stadium and take photos.

Content creators, videographers, photographers and influencers are most certainly welcome to partake in this event.

Curator of the event, Shawn Jennings visited the former drag racing strip on Markley and thought to restore the history of it, with a photo event.

Apart of this event, the VFW color guard, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts will raise the American flag. 

Moreover, taps will be played in honor of U.S. veterans, followed by a national anthem performance by a group of saxophone players.

Volunteers from the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank will also make an appearance to collect non-perishable food donations from event goers, according to Jennings. 

They will be collecting from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the Salina Raceway Drag Racing Facebook page by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057123503218">here</a>.

Located on former airport runway on&nbsp;Markley Road, near Dean Evans Stadium

Listen to the radio bit below from the&nbsp;<a href="https://910kina.com/">910 AM/107.5 FM KINA</a>&nbsp;Saturday Morning Show with hosts, Nicolas Fierro &amp; Dave Foor:<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d5ENMXTbZSQ?si=ko2U5gHglrBPEFlV" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Salina Post"Back to the Track," an event to celebrate Salina's rich history of drag racing is set to occur on Sunday, May 3 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.The event is NOT a racing nor burnout event, but a photo event.Salinans are encouraged to bring their classic cars to former airport runway on&nbsp;Markley Road, near Dean Evans Stadium and take photos.Content creators, videographers, photographers and influencers are most certainly welcome to partake in this event.Curator of the event, Shawn Jennings visited the former drag racing strip on Markley and thought to restore the history of it, with a photo event.Apart of this event, the VFW color guard, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts will raise the American flag. Moreover, taps will be played in honor of U.S. veterans, followed by a national anthem performance by a group of saxophone players.Volunteers from the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank will also make an appearance to collect non-perishable food donations from event goers, according to Jennings. They will be collecting from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.The event is free and open to the public.For more information, visit the Salina Raceway Drag Racing Facebook page by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057123503218">here</a>.<h2>Event Details:</h2>Sunday, May 311:00 am&nbsp;to&nbsp;5:00 pmLocated on former airport runway on&nbsp;Markley Road, near Dean Evans Stadium

🎧 First time event to occur celebrating Salina's rich history of drag racing

<a href="https://www.dvack.org/">Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas</a> (DVACK) will be holding "In Her Shoes Fun Run/Walk"&nbsp;on Saturday,&nbsp;May 30 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The phrase&nbsp;“In Her Shoes”&nbsp;has long been used to encourage others to step into the experiences of survivors. The&nbsp;concept is often connected to awareness events where men wear red high heels to symbolize standing against sexual violence and gender-based violence.

One of the most recognized examples is the&nbsp;Walk a Mile in Her Shoes&nbsp;movement, which began in the early 2000s as a public awareness campaign encouraging men to literally walk in women’s shoes to spark conversation about sexual assault, domestic violence, and victim blaming. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

For DVACK’s&nbsp;In Her Shoes Fun Run/Walk, while participants will not be wearing heels, the event name still honors that history by focusing on awareness, support, and standing beside survivors.

The fun run/walk has now been added into the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/676098ac-c896-4ce8-baf6-ddf6f0404085">Run Salina Series</a>.

Saturday, May 30 is the date and will start at 10:00 am

Volunteers and sponsors are needed and welcomed as well.

For more information and to register, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dvack.org/events">https://www.dvack.org/events</a>

You can also contact DVACK and ask for Aries, Tori, or Jackie L. at 785-827-5862.

Listen to the radio bit below from the&nbsp;<a href="https://910kina.com/">910 AM/107.5 FM KINA</a>&nbsp;Saturday Morning Show with hosts, Nicolas Fierro &amp; Dave Foor:<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rGqlxov7BFs?si=85GeOxsyapTmQE9C" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Salina Post<a href="https://www.dvack.org/">Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas</a> (DVACK) will be holding "In Her Shoes Fun Run/Walk"&nbsp;on Saturday,&nbsp;May 30 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.The phrase&nbsp;“In Her Shoes”&nbsp;has long been used to encourage others to step into the experiences of survivors. The&nbsp;concept is often connected to awareness events where men wear red high heels to symbolize standing against sexual violence and gender-based violence. One of the most recognized examples is the&nbsp;Walk a Mile in Her Shoes&nbsp;movement, which began in the early 2000s as a public awareness campaign encouraging men to literally walk in women’s shoes to spark conversation about sexual assault, domestic violence, and victim blaming. Walk a Mile in Her ShoesFor DVACK’s&nbsp;In Her Shoes Fun Run/Walk, while participants will not be wearing heels, the event name still honors that history by focusing on awareness, support, and standing beside survivors.The fun run/walk has now been added into the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/676098ac-c896-4ce8-baf6-ddf6f0404085">Run Salina Series</a>.Saturday, May 30 is the date and will start at 10:00 amVolunteers and sponsors are needed and welcomed as well.For more information and to register, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dvack.org/events">https://www.dvack.org/events</a>You can also contact DVACK and ask for Aries, Tori, or Jackie L. at 785-827-5862.

🎧 In Her Shoes Fun Run/Walk: DVACK hosting event to raise awareness on sexual violence

Two executive sessions over the legal counsel of the Salina Animal Shelter manager's Animal Cruelty requested charges, convened on Monday's public meeting.

No action was made at the end of the meeting, but Salina Commissioners expressed their comments about their perspectives on the animal shelter beforehand.

During the "other business" portion of the meeting, (which is period where Commissioners make personal comments about a certain topic) Dr. Trent Davis expressed his thoughts about the shelter.

"Anybody can become angry that is easy, but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody's power and is not easy."&nbsp;

Dr. Davis then continued, "their are a few of you who are angry with the city commission, who has not jumped and acted impulsively to do something or anything. What may seem like inactivity or lack of responsiveness is far from that, we are listening and we are very concerned. Before we apply a fix, we need to identify the target. Open discussion such as facilitated dialogue, akin to our strategic planning sessions is strongly urged before we try to fix some things that might not be as broken, as whisperers may claim."

Commissioner Doug Rempp responded to Dr. Davis' comment, by wanting to look at other options for the shelter. He stated the shelter is having a "hard time keeping the lights on and keeping the doors open."

"I would like to see a sense of urgency from the City and thus far, I think we have had very little besides looking at a consultant to come in."

Mayor Michael Hoppock responded to Rempp as so:

"Your urgency is not maybe my urgency. I am looking for a long term solution, I am not looking for knee-jerk reaction."

He further stated about his frustration that the public is "pushing" the Commission to do something, "instead of taking time to do the right thing."

When it was time for the "citizens forum" (public comment period) to occur, Hoppock addressed those in attendance about <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6ed987f3-4ab0-4e5b-a605-2d81691fa1e7">last meeting's 5-minute recess.</a>

Afterwards, he ordered a member of the public to be escorted out by a Salina Police Department officer, due to comments that were made in response to Hoppock.&nbsp;

Watch below, to see the full citizens forum period:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720630901372.jpeg" alt="Salina Animal Services on 329 N .2nd Street in Salina, Kan." />
 <figcaption>Salina Animal Services on 329 N .2nd Street in Salina, Kan.</figcaption>
 </figure>By: NICOLAS FIERROSalina PostTwo executive sessions over the legal counsel of the Salina Animal Shelter manager's Animal Cruelty requested charges, convened on Monday's public meeting.No action was made at the end of the meeting, but Salina Commissioners expressed their comments about their perspectives on the animal shelter beforehand.During the "other business" portion of the meeting, (which is period where Commissioners make personal comments about a certain topic) Dr. Trent Davis expressed his thoughts about the shelter.He started off by quoting Aristotle."Anybody can become angry that is easy, but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody's power and is not easy."&nbsp;Dr. Davis then continued, "their are a few of you who are angry with the city commission, who has not jumped and acted impulsively to do something or anything. What may seem like inactivity or lack of responsiveness is far from that, we are listening and we are very concerned. Before we apply a fix, we need to identify the target. Open discussion such as facilitated dialogue, akin to our strategic planning sessions is strongly urged before we try to fix some things that might not be as broken, as whisperers may claim."Commissioner Doug Rempp responded to Dr. Davis' comment, by wanting to look at other options for the shelter. He stated the shelter is having a "hard time keeping the lights on and keeping the doors open.""I would like to see a sense of urgency from the City and thus far, I think we have had very little besides looking at a consultant to come in."Mayor Michael Hoppock responded to Rempp as so:"Your urgency is not maybe my urgency. I am looking for a long term solution, I am not looking for knee-jerk reaction."He further stated about his frustration that the public is "pushing" the Commission to do something, "instead of taking time to do the right thing."When it was time for the "citizens forum" (public comment period) to occur, Hoppock addressed those in attendance about <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6ed987f3-4ab0-4e5b-a605-2d81691fa1e7">last meeting's 5-minute recess.</a>Afterwards, he ordered a member of the public to be escorted out by a Salina Police Department officer, due to comments that were made in response to Hoppock.&nbsp;Watch below, to see the full citizens forum period:<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KbzN0bbJv-A?si=V1Zd6896_mpcr3tL&amp;start=11410" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Salina Post questioned Hoppock after the meeting, if the Commissioners have the best interest of the public. His was response was, "of course, that is why we are willing to spend money to bring in a third party."According to City Manager Jacob Wood, City staff will have a meeting with the consultant they are interested with on April 28. Due to Animal Shelter managers, <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/037aca30-9eaa-47e8-a11e-b5bd229ed9b2">Andrea Murphy and Monique Hawley facing three requested charges of Animal Cruelty</a>, Wood said they will have a discussion with the consultant of interest on the steps moving forward.According to Kansas Court Records, Hawley and Murphy appeared in the Saline County District courtroom on Monday.Both are due back in court for an arraignment on June 1, 2026.