By MICHAEL FREELAND Re-Imagining our Library Steering Committee Member

Growing up in the Salina community, the Salina Public Library has always been a solid constant in my life. I have always LOVED reading. From checking out Early Readers as a child to borrowing my favorite Stephen King book in high school to listening to a business audiobook in order to strengthen my professional skill set, SPL has had a life-long impact on me. In fact, I now own almost every book Stephen King has ever written!

The Salina Public Library is much more than a place to borrow books; it’s a cornerstone of the community that shapes the lives of children and families in the Salina area. By fostering literacy, providing educational tools, and nurturing creativity, the library helps prepare children for a bright future and strengthens the fabric of our community in the process.

Personally, I have attended family-centered community events at the Library, conducted business meetings in the annex across the street, perused local art featured in the entrance hallway, listened to audiobooks and watched movies online through my SPL account. By providing levels of both traditional and interactive learning, the Library provides something for everyone.

As I now have children of my own and run my own small business, the library continues to be a place where I can go to strengthen my business skills, find the perfect book to help my 1st&nbsp;grader expand his reading ability, or try out a new Xbox game to play with my boys. I have a personal goal to read/listen to one professional development book a month throughout the year. I never want to stop learning, both in my professional and personal development. If we stop reading, we stop growing as leaders, community members, husbands, and fathers.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapubliclibrary.org/support/re-imagining-our-library/">Re-Imagining Our Library: Youth Services</a>&nbsp;project is an exciting project to see moving forward. The Youth Area has some things that haven’t changed much since I checked out my very first Early Reader. An upgrade like this is quite overdue and I am eager to bring my kids to a newly renovated space that meets some of the technology, education, and family-focused needs of our community.

The Salina Public Library has met the needs of countless people in our community. Through its welcoming environment, the Salina Public Library helps children from all walks of life feel included and connected. The library is a safe and inclusive space where children can gather, make friends, and engage in meaningful activities.

Now, we should, in turn, provide our support to the Library and help them re-imagine the Youth Services department in hopes of impacting even more children, students, and families in Salina.

Off the Shelf is a blog post series organized by the Salina Public Library. To learn more about the new youth services center <a href="https://salinapubliclibrary.org/support/re-imagining-our-library/#1715807533339-3e0e300c-de90">click here</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728327294948.png" alt="Michael Freeland, pictured left, alongside a rendering of the future re-imagined library youth services center. Image Courtesy Salina Public Library" />
 <figcaption>Michael Freeland, pictured left, alongside a rendering of the future re-imagined library youth services center. Image Courtesy Salina Public Library</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHAEL FREELAND Re-Imagining our Library Steering Committee MemberGrowing up in the Salina community, the Salina Public Library has always been a solid constant in my life. I have always LOVED reading. From checking out Early Readers as a child to borrowing my favorite Stephen King book in high school to listening to a business audiobook in order to strengthen my professional skill set, SPL has had a life-long impact on me. In fact, I now own almost every book Stephen King has ever written!The Salina Public Library is much more than a place to borrow books; it’s a cornerstone of the community that shapes the lives of children and families in the Salina area. By fostering literacy, providing educational tools, and nurturing creativity, the library helps prepare children for a bright future and strengthens the fabric of our community in the process.Personally, I have attended family-centered community events at the Library, conducted business meetings in the annex across the street, perused local art featured in the entrance hallway, listened to audiobooks and watched movies online through my SPL account. By providing levels of both traditional and interactive learning, the Library provides something for everyone.Never Stop Learning… TogetherAs I now have children of my own and run my own small business, the library continues to be a place where I can go to strengthen my business skills, find the perfect book to help my 1st&nbsp;grader expand his reading ability, or try out a new Xbox game to play with my boys. I have a personal goal to read/listen to one professional development book a month throughout the year. I never want to stop learning, both in my professional and personal development. If we stop reading, we stop growing as leaders, community members, husbands, and fathers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728327389418.png" alt="Re-Imagining our Library floor plan for the youth services area on the main floor of the Salina Public Library. Image Courtesy Salina Public Library" />
 <figcaption>Re-Imagining our Library floor plan for the youth services area on the main floor of the Salina Public Library. Image Courtesy Salina Public Library</figcaption>
 </figure>Focused and Forward-ThinkingThe&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapubliclibrary.org/support/re-imagining-our-library/">Re-Imagining Our Library: Youth Services</a>&nbsp;project is an exciting project to see moving forward. The Youth Area has some things that haven’t changed much since I checked out my very first Early Reader. An upgrade like this is quite overdue and I am eager to bring my kids to a newly renovated space that meets some of the technology, education, and family-focused needs of our community.The Salina Public Library has met the needs of countless people in our community. Through its welcoming environment, the Salina Public Library helps children from all walks of life feel included and connected. The library is a safe and inclusive space where children can gather, make friends, and engage in meaningful activities.Now, we should, in turn, provide our support to the Library and help them re-imagine the Youth Services department in hopes of impacting even more children, students, and families in Salina.Off the Shelf is a blog post series organized by the Salina Public Library. To learn more about the new youth services center <a href="https://salinapubliclibrary.org/support/re-imagining-our-library/#1715807533339-3e0e300c-de90">click here</a>.&nbsp;

OFF THE SHELF: Lifelong learning at my local library

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris opened a media blitz by the Democratic ticket on Sunday by appearing on the popular “Call Her Daddy” podcast about abortion, sexual abuse and other issues that resonate with women, working in some digs at her GOP opponent along the way.

In the roughly 40-minute interview, taped last week, the Democratic presidential nominee spoke about the grit it takes to be a woman seeking public office, the toughness her mother instilled in her and the importance of reproductive rights in this election.

The program is the most-listened-to podcast for women and it has millions of fans tuning in for talk about relationships, sex, mental health and women’s empowerment. The discussion with Harris was on the tame side for the show, with the vice president keeping her message focused, in part, on the value of ignoring people who have doubted her.

“I don’t hear no. I urge all the ‘Daddy Gang,’ don’t hear no, just don’t hear it,” she said. “I think it’s really important not to let other people define you.”

The interview was part of a broader media outreach effort by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Harris</a>&nbsp;and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as the Democrats seek to boost their support in the final 30 days of the campaign against Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>.

Harris has been criticized for not doing more media interviews.

On the podcast, the Democratic nominee largely stuck to her usual messaging on abortion, and said that in her travels she's seen that even people who have strong opposition to abortion tell her they “are now seeing what’s happening and saying ‘Hmm, I didn’t intend for all this to happen' ” when they see the health problems arising since Roe v. Wade was repealed.

Harris dinged Trump as she has in recent speeches, leaning in on his integrity and saying “this guy is full of lies” when he talks about abortion and other issues. She dismissed Vance’s comments about “childless cat ladies” as “mean, and mean-spirited.”

Trump has continued to stress that abortion policy should be left to the states and that doctors have a duty to provide emergency care to women whose lives are in danger. Vance, for his part, has said his remark about childless women were misinterpreted and that he wants to support families.

There's much more to come from Harris and Walz.

Harris has taped an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that will air Monday night. She is booked Tuesday on Howard Stern’s satellite radio show, ABC’s “The View” and “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert on CBS. Walz will be on Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC show on Monday.

In a “60 Minutes” excerpt released Sunday, Harris navigated around a question about whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “a real close ally,” saying that “The better question is: Do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people? And the answer to that question is yes.”

And nearly a week after his verbal stumbles in the only&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-takeaways-vance-walz-harris-trump-5b6f219b555416ff579764048ac238a1">vice presidential debate</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tim-walz">Walz</a>&nbsp;used his debut campaign appearance on a Sunday news show to try to fend off criticism of his stand on abortion rights and to “own up” to past misstatements.

Walz's Fox appearance also touched on the turmoil in the Middle East, with anchor Shannon Bream pressing the Minnesota governor on whether Israel has a right to preemptively attack&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-iran-hezbollah-nuclear-sites-846c8779b2b95a3bebcf955c4e69cf6c">Iran's nuclear and oil facilities</a>&nbsp;in response to Tehran's firing of missiles against Israel. It was a question that Walz did not fully answer during his debate this past week with Vance, an Ohio senator.

Walz said Sunday that “specific operations will be dealt with at the time” and he spoke of ”consequences for what they do."

He said Israel has a right to defend itself and that Harris worked with Israel this past week to repel the Iranian attack.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;said last week he would not support an Israeli strike on sites related to Tehran’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-natanz-uranium-enrichment-underground-project-04dae673fc937af04e62b65dd78db2e0">nuclear program.</a>

Walz defended a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-minnesota-state-government-timothy-walz-11c3b1d5269c929e442b979ff1bac73b">law that he signed as governor</a>&nbsp;to ensure abortion protections, saying it "puts the decision with the woman and her health care providers.”

Trump has said he would not sign a national abortion ban into law, and during the interview Sunday, Walz was asked whether he was calling that “a flat-out lie.”

Walz also faced questions in the interview about misstatements related to his military service, drunken driving arrest, infertility treatment for his family and claims to have been in Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in China.

“I will own up when I misspeak,” Walz said. “I will own up when I make a mistake.”

He said he believes voters are more concerned by the fact that Vance could not acknowledge during their debate that Trump lost the 2020 election to Biden and that there could be restrictions on the infertility treatments, like the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-walz-ivf-fertility-jd-vance-fc5ebf8f37adb28cf45d0af51224a938">intrauterine insemination</a>&nbsp;that his wife, Gwen, received.

“I think they’re probably far more concerned with that than my wife and I used IUI to have our child and that Donald Trump would restrict that," Walz said. "So I think folks know who I am.”

Bream noted that Trump has come out in support of fertility treatments, even as he has said that abortion questions should be decided by states.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728267494913.png" alt="Image courtesy Harris campaign" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Harris campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris opened a media blitz by the Democratic ticket on Sunday by appearing on the popular “Call Her Daddy” podcast about abortion, sexual abuse and other issues that resonate with women, working in some digs at her GOP opponent along the way.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">You don’t have to abandon your faith or deeply-held beliefs to agree that the government or Donald Trump shouldn’t be telling women what to do with their bodies. Watch my full conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/alexandracooper?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alexandracooper</a> on Spotify: <a href="https://t.co/MDI9za7S8i">https://t.co/MDI9za7S8i</a> <a href="https://t.co/yVP6ULM3KX">pic.twitter.com/yVP6ULM3KX</a>&mdash; Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1843077659925860488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In the roughly 40-minute interview, taped last week, the Democratic presidential nominee spoke about the grit it takes to be a woman seeking public office, the toughness her mother instilled in her and the importance of reproductive rights in this election.The program is the most-listened-to podcast for women and it has millions of fans tuning in for talk about relationships, sex, mental health and women’s empowerment. The discussion with Harris was on the tame side for the show, with the vice president keeping her message focused, in part, on the value of ignoring people who have doubted her.“I don’t hear no. I urge all the ‘Daddy Gang,’ don’t hear no, just don’t hear it,” she said. “I think it’s really important not to let other people define you.”The interview was part of a broader media outreach effort by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Harris</a>&nbsp;and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as the Democrats seek to boost their support in the final 30 days of the campaign against Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>.Harris has been criticized for not doing more media interviews.On the podcast, the Democratic nominee largely stuck to her usual messaging on abortion, and said that in her travels she's seen that even people who have strong opposition to abortion tell her they “are now seeing what’s happening and saying ‘Hmm, I didn’t intend for all this to happen' ” when they see the health problems arising since Roe v. Wade was repealed.Harris dinged Trump as she has in recent speeches, leaning in on his integrity and saying “this guy is full of lies” when he talks about abortion and other issues. She dismissed Vance’s comments about “childless cat ladies” as “mean, and mean-spirited.”Trump has continued to stress that abortion policy should be left to the states and that doctors have a duty to provide emergency care to women whose lives are in danger. Vance, for his part, has said his remark about childless women were misinterpreted and that he wants to support families.There's much more to come from Harris and Walz.Harris has taped an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that will air Monday night. She is booked Tuesday on Howard Stern’s satellite radio show, ABC’s “The View” and “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert on CBS. Walz will be on Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC show on Monday.In a “60 Minutes” excerpt released Sunday, Harris navigated around a question about whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “a real close ally,” saying that “The better question is: Do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people? And the answer to that question is yes.”And nearly a week after his verbal stumbles in the only&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-takeaways-vance-walz-harris-trump-5b6f219b555416ff579764048ac238a1">vice presidential debate</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tim-walz">Walz</a>&nbsp;used his debut campaign appearance on a Sunday news show to try to fend off criticism of his stand on abortion rights and to “own up” to past misstatements.Walz's Fox appearance also touched on the turmoil in the Middle East, with anchor Shannon Bream pressing the Minnesota governor on whether Israel has a right to preemptively attack&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-iran-hezbollah-nuclear-sites-846c8779b2b95a3bebcf955c4e69cf6c">Iran's nuclear and oil facilities</a>&nbsp;in response to Tehran's firing of missiles against Israel. It was a question that Walz did not fully answer during his debate this past week with Vance, an Ohio senator.Walz said Sunday that “specific operations will be dealt with at the time” and he spoke of ”consequences for what they do."He said Israel has a right to defend itself and that Harris worked with Israel this past week to repel the Iranian attack.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;said last week he would not support an Israeli strike on sites related to Tehran’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-natanz-uranium-enrichment-underground-project-04dae673fc937af04e62b65dd78db2e0">nuclear program.</a>Walz defended a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-minnesota-state-government-timothy-walz-11c3b1d5269c929e442b979ff1bac73b">law that he signed as governor</a>&nbsp;to ensure abortion protections, saying it "puts the decision with the woman and her health care providers.”Trump has said he would not sign a national abortion ban into law, and during the interview Sunday, Walz was asked whether he was calling that “a flat-out lie.”“Yes ... of course,” Walz said.Walz also faced questions in the interview about misstatements related to his military service, drunken driving arrest, infertility treatment for his family and claims to have been in Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in China.“I will own up when I misspeak,” Walz said. “I will own up when I make a mistake.”He said he believes voters are more concerned by the fact that Vance could not acknowledge during their debate that Trump lost the 2020 election to Biden and that there could be restrictions on the infertility treatments, like the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-walz-ivf-fertility-jd-vance-fc5ebf8f37adb28cf45d0af51224a938">intrauterine insemination</a>&nbsp;that his wife, Gwen, received.“I think they’re probably far more concerned with that than my wife and I used IUI to have our child and that Donald Trump would restrict that," Walz said. "So I think folks know who I am.”Bream noted that Trump has come out in support of fertility treatments, even as he has said that abortion questions should be decided by states.

🎥Harris begins media blitz in final sprint to election day

By NATE KING Salina Post

Artists with experience creating murals and street art in places all over the world are in Salina this week for the third <a href="https://www.boomsalina.art/">BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival</a>. In total four different walls in Salina will be transformed into public works of art.&nbsp;

"Our community is in for another amazing treat of art and culture,” said Eric Montoy, the festival's chief organizer.&nbsp;

Curated by Joe Iurato, The BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival artists are selected based on their unique style, portfolio, and influence in the contemporary mural scene.

"The first year I was billed as an artist as well, but now when I come back, I can't sit still. I've got to paint. So I do stuff all over town. We have fun with it," Iurato said. "First and foremost, when I'm looking for artwork for Salina, I'm looking for art that I think will resonate within the community. I'm looking for diversity, professionalism, and then there's the other aspect of personality."

Iurato is a multi-disciplined artist from New Jersey who primarily works with stencils and spray paint, rooted in street art. He creates murals and wooden woodcuts that play with perspective, often incorporating stories.

"The idea really is to find a story for the woodcut. What I really love doing is sort of creating these characters that may have more to the story than just what you see, and then taking them outside and trying to find that story," Iurato said. "It's not just the art. It's the whole experience for both the artist and for the community. Oftentimes, there are artists that I've been following that I really enjoy their work, that I just feel like it has a sense of place here. And sometimes you can see the kind of person they are through their art, like Lidia."&nbsp;

Lidia Cao is a Spanish artist from the small town of Ordes located in the northwest part of the country. The BOOM! Salina Mural Festival not only marks Cao's first visit to Kansas but also her first visit to the United States.

"Well, it's not the first festival I've participated in, I've participated in more festivals, especially in Europe, Africa, and in Asia," Cao said. "It's the first time here [USA], and from the moment I've been here, no joke, I think it's the best festival I’ve ever been to."

Her inspiration for the mural's subject originated from the location of the mural's wall at&nbsp;121 North Seventh Street in Salina.&nbsp;

"The idea of the concept I want to convey is always like a more poetic narrative. And in the case of this mural,&nbsp;I've been told by the owner of the mural wall that she has a therapy clinic and thanks to that, I remembered a little that I wanted to treat the issue of overcoming oneself, as a bit of therapy," Cao said. "The idea of this mural is like resurfacing or reviving again, that's why the butterflies are also going to appear. A bit of the metaphor of a larva transforming into a butterfly, that change of life."

For Iurato, making the pitch for artists to come to Salina gets easier and easier as word continues to spread about the festival. With the help of legendary photographer, Martha Cooper, artists from all corners of the globe are finding out what it means to go to the "Crossroads of America."

"A lot of these artists, when I first invite them and I say, 'I want to invite you to do this thing in Kansas' and the first thing, usually it's a question like 'Kansas?'" Iurato said. "Martha Cooper is obviously Martha Cooper, and she's a good friend of mine and she's been a part of this for years. Martha absolutely adores this place."&nbsp;

Martha Cooper, a documentary photographer who has specialized in shooting urban vernacular art and architecture for more than forty years, grew up surrounded by cameras. Her father and uncle were camera store owners. Cooper remembers her first exposure to photography was when she would accompany her father on weekend "Camera Runs" taking pictures around town.&nbsp;

In 1977, Martha moved from Rhode Island to New York City and worked as a staff photographer at the NY Post for three years. During that time, she began to document graffiti subjects which led to her extensive coverage of early Hip Hop as it emerged from the Bronx.

"Most of the street art festivals that I've gone to have been either east coast or west coast," Cooper said. "I think this is the only one that I've gone to that's been kind of in the middle of America. We also call it urban art, but, you know, Salina isn't that urban."

Cooper said the emphasis and intention behind making architecture and artwork the focus of the downtown really makes the town one of a kind.&nbsp;

"Salina's Main Street- somebody did a great job with designing Salina," Cooper said. "It really feels like you're in a different place. It's not like cookie-cutter America at all. I think it's a special place."

On the day she arrived in town, Cooper said she was greeted multiple times by residents. BOOM! 2024 marks the third Salina street art and mural festival Cooper has been to.&nbsp;

"A very warm welcome and they recognize you as somebody that's been here before," Cooper said. "They say 'Welcome back!' and I must have heard that half a dozen times when I got here."&nbsp;

Throughout the festival Cooper will be all over downtown Salina capturing the process.

“When I get to see the artist actually painting on the wall it's a really special moment. I see the whole process. I get the picture of the finished wall," Cooper said. "The photographs are really important because thousands of people are seeing them online, on Instagram, way more people see the photographs than are ever going to see the actual wall."

Another artist making his debut on the walls of Salina is&nbsp;Sandro Figueroa Garcia, artistically known as Sen2. Figueroa was born in 1969. He grew up in Canteras, a neighborhood of Santurce, Puerto Rico. In the 1980's his fascination with graffiti, color and letter forms took a hold of Sen2's dreams.&nbsp;

"In 1986 I moved to New York City And when I see walls, I see the train, I see graffiti. I say, 'Hold on one second. I like it,'" Figueroa said. "It's like inside my blood. Yeah, people look at me like I'm crazy. And I say listen, 'You want to see?' I'm working, working, working."

Figueroa said he describes his style, not as abstract, but as mechanical.&nbsp;

"I started doing the mechanical style. That's like, you see one painting before and you blew it up, like bigger, and you grab half of the pieces of that. I call it mechanical because it is more like a technique. The colors, bring happiness. People see colors as something different. It's love,” Figueroa said.

You can see SEN2's mural at&nbsp;210 South Fifth Street in Salina.&nbsp;

Curtis Hylton is a UK-based muralist skilled at creating large-scale murals using spray paint. His trademark style of fusing flora and fauna can be seen across the UK, Europe and the world.

"I was fortunate to spend my childhood before the digital era in an area with copious amounts of woodland and other ecosystems," Hylton said. "Growing up in these surroundings and having family and friends around me with a shared love of this environment grounded my love of nature. This love, wonder and curiosity would become the inspiration that fuels my work today."

At the artist discussion held at the Salina Art Center on Oct. 4, Hylton said he was really happy to get the chance to explore the Salina area art scene and get some "American BBQ."

"I also had the pleasure of having a meatball sub from Martinelli's. It was amazing," Hylton said.

Hylton will be painting on the southernmost wall of Martinelli's for the next few days.&nbsp; "I'm here til Wednesday. I want to take my time with it," Hylton said. "I could do it in like, two days but where's the fun in that? I want to give something really special to Salina."

Hylton's mural depicts Kansas' state bird, the meadowlark, and the state's flower, the sunflower.

After BOOM! 2024 Hylton heads to Australia to paint in Perth for three weeks. 

"After that, I'll go to Italy and then to Ireland, and then normally, in winter, I stay horizontal for like three months and just to sleep," Hylton said.&nbsp;

Boom! Salina is an annual mural festival in the heart of downtown Salina, KS. The larger vision is to bring in street artists and muralists from around the world to enhance the visual landscape of our city. The festival is funded through private and crowd sourced donors that share a creative hunger to be bold and inspiring. Boom! Salina is a backed by the Salina Kanvas Project.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728158229764.jpeg" alt="Leon Keer is a world leading artist in the anamorphic street art. He has executed commissions in Europe, The United States, Mexico, The United Arabic Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Russia, New Zealand, Australia and several Asian countries. A message seems to be present in his work. Current issues are reviewed, such as environmental concerns and the livability of this world. Leon Keer is constantly aware of the playfulness and beauty versus the degradation around him, a contrast that he expresses and amplifies in his work and which he uses as a metaphor for life. Photo by NATE KING" />
 <figcaption>Leon Keer is a world leading artist in the anamorphic street art. He has executed commissions in Europe, The United States, Mexico, The United Arabic Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Russia, New Zealand, Australia and several Asian countries. A message seems to be present in his work. Current issues are reviewed, such as environmental concerns and the livability of this world. Leon Keer is constantly aware of the playfulness and beauty versus the degradation around him, a contrast that he expresses and amplifies in his work and which he uses as a metaphor for life. Photo by NATE KING</figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostArtists with experience creating murals and street art in places all over the world are in Salina this week for the third <a href="https://www.boomsalina.art/">BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival</a>. In total four different walls in Salina will be transformed into public works of art.&nbsp;"Our community is in for another amazing treat of art and culture,” said Eric Montoy, the festival's chief organizer.&nbsp;<h2>Mural Locations</h2><div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1TgpXS6a68Om_ZiFpNBugAPG3XRks6Lo&ehbc=2E312F" width="640" height="480"></iframe></div>Curated by Joe Iurato, The BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival artists are selected based on their unique style, portfolio, and influence in the contemporary mural scene."The first year I was billed as an artist as well, but now when I come back, I can't sit still. I've got to paint. So I do stuff all over town. We have fun with it," Iurato said. "First and foremost, when I'm looking for artwork for Salina, I'm looking for art that I think will resonate within the community. I'm looking for diversity, professionalism, and then there's the other aspect of personality."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728056409395.jpeg" alt="Curated by Joe Iurato, seen above, The BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival artists are selected based on their unique style, portfolio, and influence in the contemporary mural scene. Photo Courtesy Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>Curated by Joe Iurato, seen above, The BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival artists are selected based on their unique style, portfolio, and influence in the contemporary mural scene. Photo Courtesy Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>Iurato is a multi-disciplined artist from New Jersey who primarily works with stencils and spray paint, rooted in street art. He creates murals and wooden woodcuts that play with perspective, often incorporating stories."The idea really is to find a story for the woodcut. What I really love doing is sort of creating these characters that may have more to the story than just what you see, and then taking them outside and trying to find that story," Iurato said. "It's not just the art. It's the whole experience for both the artist and for the community. Oftentimes, there are artists that I've been following that I really enjoy their work, that I just feel like it has a sense of place here. And sometimes you can see the kind of person they are through their art, like Lidia."&nbsp;Lidia Cao is a Spanish artist from the small town of Ordes located in the northwest part of the country. The BOOM! Salina Mural Festival not only marks Cao's first visit to Kansas but also her first visit to the United States.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728050727615.jpeg" alt="BOOM! Salina muralist Lidia Cao comes to Salina from Spain, more specifically a small town called Ordes located in the northern part of the country. Boom! Salina not only marks Cao's first visit to Kansas but her first visit to the United States.&nbsp; The lotus flower, pictured without paint on it, shows the grid of squiggle symbols and shapes muralists use&nbsp;to transfer complex designs onto larger walls fast.&nbsp;Photo by NATE KING" />
 <figcaption>BOOM! Salina muralist Lidia Cao comes to Salina from Spain, more specifically a small town called Ordes located in the northern part of the country. Boom! Salina not only marks Cao's first visit to Kansas but her first visit to the United States.&nbsp; The lotus flower, pictured without paint on it, shows the grid of squiggle symbols and shapes muralists use&nbsp;to transfer complex designs onto larger walls fast.&nbsp;Photo by NATE KING</figcaption>
 </figure>"Well, it's not the first festival I've participated in, I've participated in more festivals, especially in Europe, Africa, and in Asia," Cao said. "It's the first time here [USA], and from the moment I've been here, no joke, I think it's the best festival I’ve ever been to."Her inspiration for the mural's subject originated from the location of the mural's wall at&nbsp;121 North Seventh Street in Salina.&nbsp;"The idea of the concept I want to convey is always like a more poetic narrative. And in the case of this mural,&nbsp;I've been told by the owner of the mural wall that she has a therapy clinic and thanks to that, I remembered a little that I wanted to treat the issue of overcoming oneself, as a bit of therapy," Cao said. "The idea of this mural is like resurfacing or reviving again, that's why the butterflies are also going to appear. A bit of the metaphor of a larva transforming into a butterfly, that change of life."<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E5y_KfzfGlI?si=RZSBq2S61pURNaaX" 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>For Iurato, making the pitch for artists to come to Salina gets easier and easier as word continues to spread about the festival. With the help of legendary photographer, Martha Cooper, artists from all corners of the globe are finding out what it means to go to the "Crossroads of America.""A lot of these artists, when I first invite them and I say, 'I want to invite you to do this thing in Kansas' and the first thing, usually it's a question like 'Kansas?'" Iurato said. "Martha Cooper is obviously Martha Cooper, and she's a good friend of mine and she's been a part of this for years. Martha absolutely adores this place."&nbsp;Martha Cooper, a documentary photographer who has specialized in shooting urban vernacular art and architecture for more than forty years, grew up surrounded by cameras. Her father and uncle were camera store owners. Cooper remembers her first exposure to photography was when she would accompany her father on weekend "Camera Runs" taking pictures around town.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728054374738.jpeg" alt="Martha Cooper shows Salina Post News Director Nate King a photo of herself as a small girl taking photos with her "Baby Brownie" camera. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>Martha Cooper shows Salina Post News Director Nate King a photo of herself as a small girl taking photos with her "Baby Brownie" camera. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>In 1977, Martha moved from Rhode Island to New York City and worked as a staff photographer at the NY Post for three years. During that time, she began to document graffiti subjects which led to her extensive coverage of early Hip Hop as it emerged from the Bronx."Most of the street art festivals that I've gone to have been either east coast or west coast," Cooper said. "I think this is the only one that I've gone to that's been kind of in the middle of America. We also call it urban art, but, you know, Salina isn't that urban."Cooper said the emphasis and intention behind making architecture and artwork the focus of the downtown really makes the town one of a kind.&nbsp;"Salina's Main Street- somebody did a great job with designing Salina," Cooper said. "It really feels like you're in a different place. It's not like cookie-cutter America at all. I think it's a special place."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728058517592.jpeg" alt="Martha Cooper poses for a photo with K-State Salina aviation students in front of the Amelia Earhart mural in downtown Salina. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>Martha Cooper poses for a photo with K-State Salina aviation students in front of the Amelia Earhart mural in downtown Salina. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>On the day she arrived in town, Cooper said she was greeted multiple times by residents. BOOM! 2024 marks the third Salina street art and mural festival Cooper has been to.&nbsp;"A very warm welcome and they recognize you as somebody that's been here before," Cooper said. "They say 'Welcome back!' and I must have heard that half a dozen times when I got here."&nbsp;Throughout the festival Cooper will be all over downtown Salina capturing the process.“When I get to see the artist actually painting on the wall it's a really special moment. I see the whole process. I get the picture of the finished wall," Cooper said. "The photographs are really important because thousands of people are seeing them online, on Instagram, way more people see the photographs than are ever going to see the actual wall."Another artist making his debut on the walls of Salina is&nbsp;Sandro Figueroa Garcia, artistically known as Sen2. Figueroa was born in 1969. He grew up in Canteras, a neighborhood of Santurce, Puerto Rico. In the 1980's his fascination with graffiti, color and letter forms took a hold of Sen2's dreams.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728055980908.jpeg" alt="Figueroa shades himself with a rainbow umbrella while he paints at his mural located at 210 South Fifth Street. The temperature during the festival went into the low 90s on Thursday. Photo by Tanner Colvin" />
 <figcaption>Figueroa shades himself with a rainbow umbrella while he paints at his mural located at 210 South Fifth Street. The temperature during the festival went into the low 90s on Thursday. Photo by Tanner Colvin</figcaption>
 </figure>"In 1986 I moved to New York City And when I see walls, I see the train, I see graffiti. I say, 'Hold on one second. I like it,'" Figueroa said. "It's like inside my blood. Yeah, people look at me like I'm crazy. And I say listen, 'You want to see?' I'm working, working, working."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728055191089.jpeg" alt="SEN2 found himself creating art for music videos, working with high-profile artists Jennifer Lopez, Nas, Missy Elliot. He was even commissioned by Robert DeNiro. Sen2 evolved from spray painting wild-style pieces to developing mixed media works on canvases. BOOM! Salina Mural Festival sought his talents in street mural art. The photo shows the mural nearly complete on Oct. 3. Learn more about SEN2's story at the artists discussion on Oct. 4 at 6:30 at the Salina Art Center. Photo By Nate King" />
 <figcaption>SEN2 found himself creating art for music videos, working with high-profile artists Jennifer Lopez, Nas, Missy Elliot. He was even commissioned by Robert DeNiro. Sen2 evolved from spray painting wild-style pieces to developing mixed media works on canvases. BOOM! Salina Mural Festival sought his talents in street mural art. The photo shows the mural nearly complete on Oct. 3. Learn more about SEN2's story at the artists discussion on Oct. 4 at 6:30 at the Salina Art Center. Photo By Nate King</figcaption>
 </figure>Figueroa said he describes his style, not as abstract, but as mechanical.&nbsp;"I started doing the mechanical style. That's like, you see one painting before and you blew it up, like bigger, and you grab half of the pieces of that. I call it mechanical because it is more like a technique. The colors, bring happiness. People see colors as something different. It's love,” Figueroa said.You can see SEN2's mural at&nbsp;210 South Fifth Street in Salina.&nbsp;Curtis Hylton is a UK-based muralist skilled at creating large-scale murals using spray paint. His trademark style of fusing flora and fauna can be seen across the UK, Europe and the world.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728158817890.jpeg" alt="Curtis Hylton is an artist based in the UK. His BOOM! Salina mural, seen above, is on the southern wall of&nbsp;Martinelli’s Little Italy,&nbsp;158 South Santa Fe Avenue. Photo by NATE KING" />
 <figcaption>Curtis Hylton is an artist based in the UK. His BOOM! Salina mural, seen above, is on the southern wall of&nbsp;Martinelli’s Little Italy,&nbsp;158 South Santa Fe Avenue. Photo by NATE KING</figcaption>
 </figure>"I was fortunate to spend my childhood before the digital era in an area with copious amounts of woodland and other ecosystems," Hylton said. "Growing up in these surroundings and having family and friends around me with a shared love of this environment grounded my love of nature. This love, wonder and curiosity would become the inspiration that fuels my work today."At the artist discussion held at the Salina Art Center on Oct. 4, Hylton said he was really happy to get the chance to explore the Salina area art scene and get some "American BBQ."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728160193136.jpeg" alt="Muralists with BOOM! Salina visit with members of the public about their murals at an event held at the Salina Art Center on Oct. 4. Photo by NATE KING" />
 <figcaption>Muralists with BOOM! Salina visit with members of the public about their murals at an event held at the Salina Art Center on Oct. 4. Photo by NATE KING</figcaption>
 </figure>"I also had the pleasure of having a meatball sub from Martinelli's. It was amazing," Hylton said.Hylton will be painting on the southernmost wall of Martinelli's for the next few days.&nbsp; "I'm here til Wednesday. I want to take my time with it," Hylton said. "I could do it in like, two days but where's the fun in that? I want to give something really special to Salina."Hylton's mural depicts Kansas' state bird, the meadowlark, and the state's flower, the sunflower.After BOOM! 2024 Hylton heads to Australia to paint in Perth for three weeks. "After that, I'll go to Italy and then to Ireland, and then normally, in winter, I stay horizontal for like three months and just to sleep," Hylton said.&nbsp;Boom! Salina is an annual mural festival in the heart of downtown Salina, KS. The larger vision is to bring in street artists and muralists from around the world to enhance the visual landscape of our city. The festival is funded through private and crowd sourced donors that share a creative hunger to be bold and inspiring. Boom! Salina is a backed by the Salina Kanvas Project.

🎥World-renowned muralists gather at the 'Crossroads of America' for 2024 BOOM! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUB

Q: What do the Saints bring in the return game?

TOUB: “The Saints are very good across the board. They have great personnel, they fly around, (and they’re) very well coached. (Saints Special Teams Coordinator) Darren Rizzi does a heck of a job; he has those guys flying around. When you watch the tape, it’s really impressive. On the return game, (Saints WR/RS Rashid) Shaheed is very good. I mean kick return (and) punt return, so smooth, he can hit north to south, he can get around you, got great speed, good decision-maker. He obviously had a muff last week but that’s an outlier for him really, we know – we have a lot of respect for him, he’s a very dangerous returner. They’re good across the board.”

Q: On Matt Araiza’s importance last game.

TOUB: “Yeah, he (Matt Araiza) had a great game, he had four punts – four inside the 20 (yard line), 50.0 gross (yards) and 50.0 net (yards). I mean, that’s pretty darn good numbers, I thought he was definitely a contender for AFC Player of the Week, I thought, on special teams. Obviously, I think – I can’t remember who got it – oh, Tennessee kid, the kicker got it at Tennessee (Titans K Nick Folk) it was well deserved, too. He (Matt Araiza) had a great game, he was important in that game for us, he flipped the field. We made him go the distance there, we got the ball back and then we scored with (Xavier) Worthy’s touchdown right after that so we had a big hand in that. Matt played an important part in the guys going down and downing the ball, so it was big.”

Q: On Harrison Butker’s missed kick.

TOUB: “I knew it was a hard (kick) – it’s going to be good if he (Harrison Butker) got it. I thought he had a real good shot at it, it was just half a yard short when you go down and look at actually where it landed. It was so deep that the returner couldn’t even get to it. We knew a returner was in there (and that) we had to cover that kick if it was short but the chance that we had – I mean, it was a perfect setup. They weren’t going to get the ball, they weren't going to get the ball with the field position, the time was going to run out. Pat (Patrick Mahomes) did a good job there, getting us in a situation, he’s so smart (laughter), he gets us in – he knows exactly what to do there, when we want to try a long one there so it’s perfect.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Q: How difficult is it to lose a piece like Rashee Rice, hit the reset button and pull off what you were able to in that situation?

NAGY:&nbsp;“Well, there’s emotions that go into it, number one, that’s the human element. Then, there’s the coaching part and then the players aspect of being able to understand personnel-wise. He (Rashee Rice) was obviously a big part of that gameplan, and he always is. That’s why throughout the week it’s important to make sure that guys are – even if it’s not in practice, (they’re) somewhere at practice getting reps in certain positions. There’s a little bit of juggling that goes on in a short period of time – personnel-wise – and then understanding who’s going to run the next route that was in Rashee’s spot and if you take that person from a route, then you’ve got to replace him. It’s kind of a domino effect so I thought that (Wide Receivers) Coach (Connor) Embree and the wide receivers, tight ends (and) (Tight Ends) Coach Mel (Tom Melvin) – I thought everybody did a great job of getting back into the swing of things that a lot of people don’t see but guys have got to always be ready.”

Q: Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen offers a lot of unscouted looks. How do you go about preparing for something like that?

NAGY:&nbsp;“You want to make sure you – 30,000-foot view-wise – have a ‘good versus all’ concept. When teams and coordinators have different looks, you don’t want to get caught with something that you think they’re going to give you and then it’s something opposite. I think we’ve done a pretty good job with that this year of making sure the guys feel comfortable and then when a play is called, they can go out and execute in a quick manner.”

Q: As a former quarterback, how do you get a quarterback back into rhythm when things aren’t going as planned?

NAGY:&nbsp;“Staying calm and going back the basics. We’ve had a lot of great things happen in this offense because of him (Patrick Mahomes). There’s a lot of things that happen within one play, whether it’s a protection, whether it's a throw or whether it’s a wrong route that happens on an interception. So, just understanding that part of it and then resetting and using that next play mentality. Pat’s – there’s no one better than him because he’s so competitive and he wants to be great, so he puts a lot of pressure on himself in a good way. It’s a healthy pressure because he wants to do great, so we just want to make sure that we balance that, keep it contained and then go out there and cut it loose.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLO

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“I just got done talking to (ESPN’s Play-By-Play announcer) Joe Buck and (PFHOF QB) Troy Aikman. (It) brought me back to the days when I was in the NFC. (I) used to see those guys all the time in New York. With that, I’ll open it up because it’s time to talk to you guys (the media).”

Q:&nbsp;In what ways do you still see the effects of Saints S Tyrann Mathieu in your locker room?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Listen, I’ve got a special place in my heart for (Saints S) Tyrann (Mathieu), right? He’s a special guy. It’ll be great to see him. I think the last time – I think we saw him when we went down there (to New Orleans) (for the) preseason game. Yeah, that’s the last time we got the chance to give him a big hug but (I) love Tyrann. You know, I see it every day, it’s a little thing but our DBs, before we – you guys aren’t out there until we get to stretch, right? Usually about 10 minutes before that, all of the DBs are out on the field and they’re doing footwork and (Defensive Backs Coach) Dave’s (Merritt) with them and (Safeties Coach) Donald’s (D’Alesio) with them but that was really established with Tyrann all the way back (in 2019). He was pulling those guys out of the locker room 10 minutes early and so that’s a leadership thing. I think he laid a foundation here, especially in the secondary, of some of the things that we do quite frankly and the way (that) they operate. I know those years, looking back when he was first here, (Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed) LJ was young at the time, and I remember him learning from Tyrann. Then, Tyrann left, and LJ was teaching Trent (McDuffie) so there’s been a trickle down and I think we owe Tyrann a lot for what he did when he was here.”

Q:&nbsp;What is the main reason that you’ve been able to be so successful against running back production this year?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Every game’s different, right? So, you hope that continues. I think the guys are playing like that (locks fingers), I think the chemistry and being lock and step is really important. I just got asked a similar question by (Defensive Line Coach) Joe (Cullen) and I do think the fact that our linebackers play aggressively downhill helps us, too. I think it helps the (defensive) lineman in front of them. If we can keep doing that and making sure we don’t give up – you know, the thing that’s kind of bit us a little bit is a couple of explosive passes here and there and that would kind of get the offense going. We were doing pretty good and then (Chargers QB) Justin (Herbert) hit that slant to the slot there and Chamarri (Conner) was trying to – thank God Bryan Cook ran him down but if we can eliminate those plays and keep playing run defense like that then we can get them in longer third downs and try to have some success.”

Q:&nbsp;The Saints rank second in the NFL on third down. What do you see from them?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Well, I think they’re really good because they mix it up. It’s not just pass and it’s not just trying to chuck it down deep. I mean, they’ll run the football and they have some really good people to do that so that’ll kind of get you on your heels a little bit. (Saints QB) Derek (Carr) knows exactly what to – I’ve always had respect for Derek Carr and how he gets them in and out – or out of a bad play and into a good one. I think that has a lot to do with it and he’s a very accurate quarterback. When you’re talking about a third-and-three or four or five, or whatever, he’s smart enough to say, ‘Hey, I’m just going to get the first down here.’ I think that’s why they’re really good.”

Q:&nbsp;What sort of improvements are you looking to make on the defense?

JONES:&nbsp;“Tackling. I think we missed a couple tackles last week. (In the) early start of the game, giving up big plays, eliminating our opponent from scoring at the beginning of the game. I think that’s haunted for the last two games – first drive, starting (as) fast as we finish.”

Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from Saints QB Derek Carr and the Saints as you’ve been studying film this week?

JONES:&nbsp;“They’re playing really good football. It’s a playoff caliber team (that) we’re facing. (They have a) heck of a defense and the offense is relying heavy on (Saints QB) Derek Carr and (Saints RB) Alvin Kamara.”

Q:&nbsp;It seems like there are a lot of ex-Chiefs on this Saints team, do you expect to catch up with some old friends before the game?

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUBQ: What do the Saints bring in the return game?TOUB: “The Saints are very good across the board. They have great personnel, they fly around, (and they’re) very well coached. (Saints Special Teams Coordinator) Darren Rizzi does a heck of a job; he has those guys flying around. When you watch the tape, it’s really impressive. On the return game, (Saints WR/RS Rashid) Shaheed is very good. I mean kick return (and) punt return, so smooth, he can hit north to south, he can get around you, got great speed, good decision-maker. He obviously had a muff last week but that’s an outlier for him really, we know – we have a lot of respect for him, he’s a very dangerous returner. They’re good across the board.”Q: On Matt Araiza’s importance last game.TOUB: “Yeah, he (Matt Araiza) had a great game, he had four punts – four inside the 20 (yard line), 50.0 gross (yards) and 50.0 net (yards). I mean, that’s pretty darn good numbers, I thought he was definitely a contender for AFC Player of the Week, I thought, on special teams. Obviously, I think – I can’t remember who got it – oh, Tennessee kid, the kicker got it at Tennessee (Titans K Nick Folk) it was well deserved, too. He (Matt Araiza) had a great game, he was important in that game for us, he flipped the field. We made him go the distance there, we got the ball back and then we scored with (Xavier) Worthy’s touchdown right after that so we had a big hand in that. Matt played an important part in the guys going down and downing the ball, so it was big.”Q: On Harrison Butker’s missed kick.TOUB: “I knew it was a hard (kick) – it’s going to be good if he (Harrison Butker) got it. I thought he had a real good shot at it, it was just half a yard short when you go down and look at actually where it landed. It was so deep that the returner couldn’t even get to it. We knew a returner was in there (and that) we had to cover that kick if it was short but the chance that we had – I mean, it was a perfect setup. They weren’t going to get the ball, they weren't going to get the ball with the field position, the time was going to run out. Pat (Patrick Mahomes) did a good job there, getting us in a situation, he’s so smart (laughter), he gets us in – he knows exactly what to do there, when we want to try a long one there so it’s perfect.”&nbsp;&nbsp;OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MATT NAGYQ: How difficult is it to lose a piece like Rashee Rice, hit the reset button and pull off what you were able to in that situation?NAGY:&nbsp;“Well, there’s emotions that go into it, number one, that’s the human element. Then, there’s the coaching part and then the players aspect of being able to understand personnel-wise. He (Rashee Rice) was obviously a big part of that gameplan, and he always is. That’s why throughout the week it’s important to make sure that guys are – even if it’s not in practice, (they’re) somewhere at practice getting reps in certain positions. There’s a little bit of juggling that goes on in a short period of time – personnel-wise – and then understanding who’s going to run the next route that was in Rashee’s spot and if you take that person from a route, then you’ve got to replace him. It’s kind of a domino effect so I thought that (Wide Receivers) Coach (Connor) Embree and the wide receivers, tight ends (and) (Tight Ends) Coach Mel (Tom Melvin) – I thought everybody did a great job of getting back into the swing of things that a lot of people don’t see but guys have got to always be ready.”Q: Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen offers a lot of unscouted looks. How do you go about preparing for something like that?NAGY:&nbsp;“You want to make sure you – 30,000-foot view-wise – have a ‘good versus all’ concept. When teams and coordinators have different looks, you don’t want to get caught with something that you think they’re going to give you and then it’s something opposite. I think we’ve done a pretty good job with that this year of making sure the guys feel comfortable and then when a play is called, they can go out and execute in a quick manner.”Q: As a former quarterback, how do you get a quarterback back into rhythm when things aren’t going as planned?NAGY:&nbsp;“Staying calm and going back the basics. We’ve had a lot of great things happen in this offense because of him (Patrick Mahomes). There’s a lot of things that happen within one play, whether it’s a protection, whether it's a throw or whether it’s a wrong route that happens on an interception. So, just understanding that part of it and then resetting and using that next play mentality. Pat’s – there’s no one better than him because he’s so competitive and he wants to be great, so he puts a lot of pressure on himself in a good way. It’s a healthy pressure because he wants to do great, so we just want to make sure that we balance that, keep it contained and then go out there and cut it loose.”DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLOOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“I just got done talking to (ESPN’s Play-By-Play announcer) Joe Buck and (PFHOF QB) Troy Aikman. (It) brought me back to the days when I was in the NFC. (I) used to see those guys all the time in New York. With that, I’ll open it up because it’s time to talk to you guys (the media).”Q:&nbsp;In what ways do you still see the effects of Saints S Tyrann Mathieu in your locker room?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Listen, I’ve got a special place in my heart for (Saints S) Tyrann (Mathieu), right? He’s a special guy. It’ll be great to see him. I think the last time – I think we saw him when we went down there (to New Orleans) (for the) preseason game. Yeah, that’s the last time we got the chance to give him a big hug but (I) love Tyrann. You know, I see it every day, it’s a little thing but our DBs, before we – you guys aren’t out there until we get to stretch, right? Usually about 10 minutes before that, all of the DBs are out on the field and they’re doing footwork and (Defensive Backs Coach) Dave’s (Merritt) with them and (Safeties Coach) Donald’s (D’Alesio) with them but that was really established with Tyrann all the way back (in 2019). He was pulling those guys out of the locker room 10 minutes early and so that’s a leadership thing. I think he laid a foundation here, especially in the secondary, of some of the things that we do quite frankly and the way (that) they operate. I know those years, looking back when he was first here, (Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed) LJ was young at the time, and I remember him learning from Tyrann. Then, Tyrann left, and LJ was teaching Trent (McDuffie) so there’s been a trickle down and I think we owe Tyrann a lot for what he did when he was here.”Q:&nbsp;What is the main reason that you’ve been able to be so successful against running back production this year?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Every game’s different, right? So, you hope that continues. I think the guys are playing like that (locks fingers), I think the chemistry and being lock and step is really important. I just got asked a similar question by (Defensive Line Coach) Joe (Cullen) and I do think the fact that our linebackers play aggressively downhill helps us, too. I think it helps the (defensive) lineman in front of them. If we can keep doing that and making sure we don’t give up – you know, the thing that’s kind of bit us a little bit is a couple of explosive passes here and there and that would kind of get the offense going. We were doing pretty good and then (Chargers QB) Justin (Herbert) hit that slant to the slot there and Chamarri (Conner) was trying to – thank God Bryan Cook ran him down but if we can eliminate those plays and keep playing run defense like that then we can get them in longer third downs and try to have some success.”Q:&nbsp;The Saints rank second in the NFL on third down. What do you see from them?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Well, I think they’re really good because they mix it up. It’s not just pass and it’s not just trying to chuck it down deep. I mean, they’ll run the football and they have some really good people to do that so that’ll kind of get you on your heels a little bit. (Saints QB) Derek (Carr) knows exactly what to – I’ve always had respect for Derek Carr and how he gets them in and out – or out of a bad play and into a good one. I think that has a lot to do with it and he’s a very accurate quarterback. When you’re talking about a third-and-three or four or five, or whatever, he’s smart enough to say, ‘Hey, I’m just going to get the first down here.’ I think that’s why they’re really good.”Chiefs Player QuotesOctober 4, 2024DT CHRIS JONESQ:&nbsp;What sort of improvements are you looking to make on the defense?JONES:&nbsp;“Tackling. I think we missed a couple tackles last week. (In the) early start of the game, giving up big plays, eliminating our opponent from scoring at the beginning of the game. I think that’s haunted for the last two games – first drive, starting (as) fast as we finish.”Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from Saints QB Derek Carr and the Saints as you’ve been studying film this week?JONES:&nbsp;“They’re playing really good football. It’s a playoff caliber team (that) we’re facing. (They have a) heck of a defense and the offense is relying heavy on (Saints QB) Derek Carr and (Saints RB) Alvin Kamara.”Q:&nbsp;It seems like there are a lot of ex-Chiefs on this Saints team, do you expect to catch up with some old friends before the game?

Chiefs Quotes: 10-4-24

Obituaries are hard. Not just for the obvious fact of having to write about the loss of a loved one. No, the most challenging part is trying to determine how one can truly summarize a life on paper. 

From a high-level view, Tamara Lyn (McCall) Strange passed away peacefully at the age of 56 in the early morning of October 1, 2024. She was the wife of 29 years to Stoney Strange, had three sons, Dakota, Ty and Walker Strange and a daughter-in-law, Samantha Strange, who is due with their first child in November. She was a sister to Gina (Preston) Stewart and Tracy Fox (Jon) Weninger. She was a daughter to her father and beloved stepmother, Tom and Patty McCall, as well as her late mother Cathy Thompson who passed in 2011. She was fortunate enough to experience a large family with many cousins, nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. And she was a friend to even more. She was loved by many, and she loved back.

However, this high-level view does not paint the full picture. It does not show that during Tamara’s final days in the hospital, there were rarely less than 10 people at a time there to see her, sit by her, hold her hand and tell her they love her. It does not show how, even in a time of sadness, she had a special ability to bring everybody together.

This high-level view does not show you that Tam was a woman of simple pleasures. Tam loved her quiet house in Inman, Kansas where you could see the stars clearly at night and would fall asleep to the mooing of the neighbor’s cattle only to be awoken in the morning by her sons yelling as they zoomed through the yard on go-carts. Tam’s love of the simple things also extended to fuzzy socks and pajama pants as she had overflowing drawers with each. Though this was often her outfit of choice at home, she would not be caught dead outside the house wearing these (no offense to those who do wear pajama pants out and about).

This high-level view does not show you that Tam was naturally skilled in many traits and qualities that several of us lack. She was a strong listener and though she was often quiet, you never forgot that she was there. Tam had an innate ability to make you feel seen when speaking to her. And she rarely spoke out of turn, unless, of course, she was arguing the ruling of a board game. Because another thing about Tam that the high-level view does not show you is that she was secretly very competitive.

The high-level view does not show you that Tam was also a successful business owner of a local fruit stand, Tam’s Country Fresh, and Kansas State Fair restaurant, The Fruit Bowl. There, she taught her three young sons the value of an early morning and hard day’s work. She taught them how to properly count change back to customers without using a calculator. But most importantly, she continued to let them be kids and made sure they knew that it was okay, and even encouraged, to taste the product. You see, it’s hard NOT to buy the fresh fruit when you see three happy boys with juices dripping down their chins. You could say she knew a bit about marketing and sales too.

Tam was one of the good ones. She cared deeply for her friends and family. She loved her husband, Stoney, as they were always having fun together, pulling pranks on their friends, creating memorable moments for their kids and enjoying the life they had built together. And though Stoney would often repeat long, detailed stories almost daily, Tam would (most of the time) let him tell them, though rarely doing so without a hidden eye roll. Tam had a soft smile and incredibly expressive eyebrows that could tell a story without saying a word.

Tam passed peacefully after a long battle with cancer. She was a fighter even during her final days. In typical Tam fashion, she waited until the room cleared, just momentarily, as she hated being the center of attention. From there, she entered eternal rest. And she did so wearing her favorite fuzzy socks.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Countryside Covenant Church, 940 E. Northview Ave., McPherson, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Xi lota Epsilon for their Red Hat Event, where proceeds will be gifted to families fighting cancer in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.

Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728049758957.jpeg" alt="Strange, Tamara" />
 <figcaption>Strange, Tamara</figcaption>
 </figure>Obituaries are hard. Not just for the obvious fact of having to write about the loss of a loved one. No, the most challenging part is trying to determine how one can truly summarize a life on paper. Truth be told, you can’t.From a high-level view, Tamara Lyn (McCall) Strange passed away peacefully at the age of 56 in the early morning of October 1, 2024. She was the wife of 29 years to Stoney Strange, had three sons, Dakota, Ty and Walker Strange and a daughter-in-law, Samantha Strange, who is due with their first child in November. She was a sister to Gina (Preston) Stewart and Tracy Fox (Jon) Weninger. She was a daughter to her father and beloved stepmother, Tom and Patty McCall, as well as her late mother Cathy Thompson who passed in 2011. She was fortunate enough to experience a large family with many cousins, nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. And she was a friend to even more. She was loved by many, and she loved back.However, this high-level view does not paint the full picture. It does not show that during Tamara’s final days in the hospital, there were rarely less than 10 people at a time there to see her, sit by her, hold her hand and tell her they love her. It does not show how, even in a time of sadness, she had a special ability to bring everybody together.This high-level view does not show you that Tam was a woman of simple pleasures. Tam loved her quiet house in Inman, Kansas where you could see the stars clearly at night and would fall asleep to the mooing of the neighbor’s cattle only to be awoken in the morning by her sons yelling as they zoomed through the yard on go-carts. Tam’s love of the simple things also extended to fuzzy socks and pajama pants as she had overflowing drawers with each. Though this was often her outfit of choice at home, she would not be caught dead outside the house wearing these (no offense to those who do wear pajama pants out and about).This high-level view does not show you that Tam was naturally skilled in many traits and qualities that several of us lack. She was a strong listener and though she was often quiet, you never forgot that she was there. Tam had an innate ability to make you feel seen when speaking to her. And she rarely spoke out of turn, unless, of course, she was arguing the ruling of a board game. Because another thing about Tam that the high-level view does not show you is that she was secretly very competitive.The high-level view does not show you that Tam was also a successful business owner of a local fruit stand, Tam’s Country Fresh, and Kansas State Fair restaurant, The Fruit Bowl. There, she taught her three young sons the value of an early morning and hard day’s work. She taught them how to properly count change back to customers without using a calculator. But most importantly, she continued to let them be kids and made sure they knew that it was okay, and even encouraged, to taste the product. You see, it’s hard NOT to buy the fresh fruit when you see three happy boys with juices dripping down their chins. You could say she knew a bit about marketing and sales too.Tam was one of the good ones. She cared deeply for her friends and family. She loved her husband, Stoney, as they were always having fun together, pulling pranks on their friends, creating memorable moments for their kids and enjoying the life they had built together. And though Stoney would often repeat long, detailed stories almost daily, Tam would (most of the time) let him tell them, though rarely doing so without a hidden eye roll. Tam had a soft smile and incredibly expressive eyebrows that could tell a story without saying a word.Tam passed peacefully after a long battle with cancer. She was a fighter even during her final days. In typical Tam fashion, she waited until the room cleared, just momentarily, as she hated being the center of attention. From there, she entered eternal rest. And she did so wearing her favorite fuzzy socks.A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Countryside Covenant Church, 940 E. Northview Ave., McPherson, KS.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Xi lota Epsilon for their Red Hat Event, where proceeds will be gifted to families fighting cancer in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.

Tamara Lyn (McCall) Strange

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“As far as the guys not practicing today, Rashee’s (Rice) really the only one. Rashee’s situation is (that) we’re getting the swelling out of his knee and then he’s going to have further tests next week, so (I) really don’t have anything to tell you from there. We’ll see how these tests go next week and once the swelling’s out of there. Congratulations to the Royals, first. What a great job they’ve done to this point, and I know they’re fired up to keep on going. I know we’re all glad to have them coming back here and having another chance to see them play. With that, we look forward to the challenge of playing the Saints. (They’re) a good football team (and they’re) well coached. I mean, (Saints Head Coach) Dennis (Allen) does a nice job with that group. Their coordinators – all three of them do a nice job with their phases and we’ve just got to make sure that we have a good week of preparation here going forward. Then, just on the business side of it, Clyde (Edwards-Helaire), you saw was elevated. He’s got a 21-day window. We’ll just get him back into the swing of things here and see how he does going forward here (in) the next couple of days. Anyways, with that, the time’s yours.”

Q: Is there any more of a sense of optimism with Rashee Rice than there was a few days ago?

REID:&nbsp;“I think it’s just ‘wait and see,’ is where we’re at. For his (Rashee Rice) sake, we’re really hoping that things work out for the best. Let’s just see where it goes and leave it up to the doctors to see. I’m definitely not a doctor.”

Q: What are the plans for Clyde Edwards-Helaire going forward?

REID:&nbsp;“We’ll practice him (Clyde Edwards-Helaire) today, with the scout team (and) give him some reps there and let him just kind of get back into the swing of things. He’s in good shape. He’s been working out so just get him back in the football part.”

Q: Are you close to getting Charles Omenihu back to practice?

REID:&nbsp;“I think that’ll be a little bit here.”

Q: What sorts of things are you seeing offensively when you say that you’re close?

REID:&nbsp;“Just getting rid of the penalties and those self-inflicted wounds – turnovers, penalties. Those hurt you at this level. You’ve got to take care of that, and I’ve got to make sure that I’m putting the guys in the right position to do the right things. I think the coaches would tell you the same thing with that and that’s where we’re at but it’s close. We’ve just got to keep rolling.”

Q: How much does not having Rashee Rice change things schematically for Monday night’s game?

REID:&nbsp;“Listen, Rashee’s (Rice) had a phenomenal year. Unfortunately, in this league, injuries happen, and life goes on. We’ve always expected the next guys to step up and roll and it’s no different now. There’s not another Rashee (but) there’s other guys though that are very, very good, so we’ll be fine.”

Q:&nbsp;Regarding all of the injuries, have you experienced this before to start a season?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I’m sure I have. I’ve been doing this a long time, there’s been injuries that have taken place. I don’t really dwell on them Nate (Taylor), I just kind of move on and go and wish the best of the kids most of all. We’ll take care of business, (General Manager Brett) Veach has done a good job of bringing people in here and depth and that, so (we) just have to take care of business.”

Q: How is Saints QB Derek Carr doing and how is he fitting into the offense?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Saints QB Derek Carr) doing a very nice job. He’s always been a good player and that’s not a question from our standpoint on that part. They’re doing a good job of protecting him and he’s doing a good job of delivering it to their receivers and they’ve got good skill players there and (a) good running back who’s also involved in the pass game and the run game. He’s done a very nice job.”

Q: What did Saints S Tyrann Mathieu mean to the Chiefs when he was here and what have you seen from him in these past three years?

REID:&nbsp;“Phenomenal player (Saints S Tyrann Mathieu). I’ll vote for him for the Hall of Fame going forward – I don’t have a vote but I would vote for him. He’s a tremendous leader, he actually makes this his home here so I think when he’s done, he’ll probably come back here. Great kid, great player, brings a lot of energy.”

REID:&nbsp;“Again, the doctors are monitoring him (Clyde Edwards-Helaire). He’s doing good, yeah, to answer your question, he’s doing good. He’s in all the meetings and that, he’s heading in the right direction. We just have to see on that, I think time is a big part of that, we’ll see how that goes.”

Q: On Jawaan Taylor’s penalties.

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Jawaan Taylor) got to fix those, I mean he’s got to fix those, that’s the bottom line. He’s very quick off of the ball and he takes a lot of pride in that, but you can’t be – you have to make sure that you’re not offsides. He’s got to take care of that part, he will.”

Q:&nbsp;On the play that Rashee Rice got hurt, did you notice how hard you got hit?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“No, I didn’t notice it in the moment. I was more worried about trying to get the ball. Obviously, I was just trying to make a play, and it happens whenever you’re trying to make tackles.”

Q:&nbsp;What did you think when you saw the replay?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“When I saw the replay I felt (bad) that I hit Rashee (Rice). I think that’s pretty much all – I wasn’t really worried about myself. I was worried about his injury and hopefully that it wasn’t as bad as it looked because I was the one that hit him.”

Q:&nbsp;What did Saints S Tyrann Mathieu mean to you guys in the locker room when he was here?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just – me being a young player, especially when he (Saints S Tyrann Mathieu) got here, just seeing that type of leader I think was something that I will forever remember. The way he inspired guys, the energy that he played with – obviously he is a great football player everybody can see that, but he is truly a great leader, one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around. He pushed to get the best out of everybody every single day, he treated practice like games, he tried to get better every single day and that’s something that has helped me become who I am. A great football player, man. I’m hoping that he gets out there, not for me and my sake because he’s a great football player and always around the ball, but I think Kansas City getting to see him come back and be on that field again would be special for the city.”

Q:&nbsp;Were there some traits from him that you could pick up early in your career?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, you sit there and watch those guys – I watched him (Saints S Tyrann Mathieu) when he was in college and he dominated college football and then getting into the NFL and all the great plays that he had made and then being able to see him on a day-to-day basis – you want to see those guys that are the top of the top and how they prepare every single day, and he was one of those guys that you knew why he was great when you saw him practice and how he went about his business.”

Q:&nbsp;You talked about how you guys will have to rely on Travis Kelce more without Rashee Rice on Monday, just curious about JuJu Smith-Schuster and Justin Watson and your rapport with them and how big they now become?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Those guys are always the guys that do it the right way. They are always in the right position, they do what they are supposed to do – get guys lined up – and I think having those guys is a luxury because you know that they’re going to be there, they’re going to get open and they’re going to make plays when their numbers are called. I think (General Manager) Brett Veach did a great job of continuing to build within that receiver room. Obviously, not expecting to have these two kind of big injuries early in the year in that receiving room but having the support of the guys to come in and step up and make plays whenever those guys aren’t in there.”

Q:&nbsp;Speaking of JuJu Smith-Schuster, when the Chiefs bring back a player who had been here previously, how much are they able to hit the ground running?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“They always have a good feel for our main stuff, our base concept stuff. Every year in the offseason (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid adds new stuff and the offensive coaches look around at what we can do better, so they have to learn some of that type of stuff, but I think you’ve seen with the guys that we’ve brought back is its guys that are very intelligent, they’re able to pick up the offense quickly. When stuff like this last game happens, you can throw JuJu (Smith-Schuster) in there and he can run some of those routes that Rashee (Rice) has, and he can even be in different positions maybe that he didn’t practice all week because he prepares the right way and he’s ready for his moment.”

Q:&nbsp;Injuries are part of the game, but you guys have been hit pretty hard so far this year offensively. What’s the difficulty for you and adjusting to a lineup that is seemingly different every week?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Once the week goes on and you go through your gameplan, it’s usually pretty smooth because you have an understanding of the guys and what we’re trying to do in the concepts of the plays. During the games sometimes, especially how it happened this last game early where, obviously, Rashee’s (Rice) a huge part of the game plan, you have to kind of throw guys in there and make that timing up. (Head) Coach (Andy Reid) tries to get that done in practice. He tries to throw guys in certain situations, but obviously, there’s limited reps. I thought the guys did a great job of accepting the challenge and being in there in those moments. Coach Reid does a great job of getting guys prepared and ready to go throughout a week of gameplan, and we had an extra day this week, so, I’m sure guys will be ready to go out there and play some great football.”

Q:&nbsp;On facing Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen’s defense.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just – (Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen is) a very intelligent coach. I mean, (he’s) someone that does a lot of different things. He’s a gameplan specific coach. Someone that – it’s not all about his defense. He looks at the offenses and what they do best (and) he tries to take those away and he’s really good at it. He’ll throw changeups in there (that) you might have not seen the entire season or in his past because he thinks this might work this week. It’ll be a great challenge for us. They’re a physical team, they play extremely fast and they have a lot of great players and veteran players so they can kind of get away with stuff because they know what they can and can’t get away with, so you’ve got to make sure that you’re really on top of every single check at the line of scrimmage and prepared for everything whenever you step to the football.”

Q:&nbsp;What did that big play to Xavier Worthy on Sunday do for the receiver’s confidence and the whole offense?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I mean, whenever you hit those deep passes, it kind of opens everything up because defenses have to have more and more respect for any ability to score on one play. It was big in that game. I mean they were starting to get more and more downhill because we were running the ball, and we weren’t moving it and throwing it vertically. When we were able to hit that deep one, it kind of opened up the offense at least a little bit and our goal is to continue to show that we can do that on a week-to-week basis and even more than one time a game. There were more opportunities in that game to go downfield, so I have to continue to push the ball down the field so that it opens up everyone else underneath.”

Q:&nbsp;How long does it normally take for you to build chemistry with a new guy?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It depends on every receiver. I think we have a lot of intelligent receivers in this receiving room right now, so I feel like we’re all seeing the field the same way. Now, it’s about me just having that trust and giving them the shots to make plays in traffic and stuff like that. Like I did with Xavier (Worthy) on that deep one, there were more opportunities to throw even to him later on in that game. Just continuing, for myself, to give him those chances to go out there and make plays and be the receiver that he is and that goes throughout the entire receiving room, the tight end room and the running back room.”

Q:&nbsp;What’s your excitement level for the Kansas City Royals playoff success and them coming back in town to play?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s awesome. I mean, it’s great for the city. I’ve heard all the stories of how awesome the environment was the last time they were in the playoffs and they’re going to go up against a great baseball team in the (New York) Yankees – historic baseball team. I’m excited for these guys. They’re hungry, they’re playing great baseball right now and then to be at the K (Kauffman Stadium) – a sold-out crowd hopefully and I get to see that October baseball there is going to be special.”

Q:&nbsp;Known New York Yankees fan and former Chiefs receiver Gehrig Dieter may be sniffing around you for tickets, is that appropriate for someone like that?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, I’ll let him (former receiver Gehrig Dieter) be there because then when we hopefully win, I’ll get to talk trash. No, it’s a – he’s a big (New York) Yankees fan. I think if the Yankees lost this series, he might have to move cities so let’s see if we can do that for him (laughter).”

Q:&nbsp;Have you ever been to a postseason baseball game?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I’ve been to a postseason baseball game. Back when I was in high school, the (Texas) Rangers made the World Series a couple of times and so I got to see them lose I think Game 5 against the (San Francisco) Giants one year and then I watched them lose – or maybe win the game that I was at, when they went up against the (Philadelphia) Phillies and they ended up losing Game 6 and that ball on the warning track. I’ve had some close heartbreaks there with the Rangers, but the (Kansas City) Royals are going to turn it around for me.”

Q: Can you talk about the defense this year? You guys seem to be off to a great start.

KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“We’d (the defense) like to start games just a little better than we have. Just those first couple drives and whatnot but you know, (I’m) just proud of us sticking together and finishing it out when we need to.”

Q: With the way that the Saints are executing on first and second down, how important is it to get them to third and long?

KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“(Laughs) It’s critical, you know. It’s going to be a huge task for us. That’ll be one of the keys to the game, if you will. You have to try to stop them on first and second down to get them into those passing situations.”

Q: What kind of season is Chris Jones having?

KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“He’s (Chris Jones) having a great season. He’s doing everything. He’s playing the run; he’s getting after it in the pass rush. He makes my job a lot easier when I play next to him, too. He’s off to a great start. I’ve never been shy to say I think he’s the best defensive lineman (and) interior defensive lineman in the game. He’s off to a great start again.”

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesOctober 3, 2024HEAD COACH ANDY REIDOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“As far as the guys not practicing today, Rashee’s (Rice) really the only one. Rashee’s situation is (that) we’re getting the swelling out of his knee and then he’s going to have further tests next week, so (I) really don’t have anything to tell you from there. We’ll see how these tests go next week and once the swelling’s out of there. Congratulations to the Royals, first. What a great job they’ve done to this point, and I know they’re fired up to keep on going. I know we’re all glad to have them coming back here and having another chance to see them play. With that, we look forward to the challenge of playing the Saints. (They’re) a good football team (and they’re) well coached. I mean, (Saints Head Coach) Dennis (Allen) does a nice job with that group. Their coordinators – all three of them do a nice job with their phases and we’ve just got to make sure that we have a good week of preparation here going forward. Then, just on the business side of it, Clyde (Edwards-Helaire), you saw was elevated. He’s got a 21-day window. We’ll just get him back into the swing of things here and see how he does going forward here (in) the next couple of days. Anyways, with that, the time’s yours.”Q: Is there any more of a sense of optimism with Rashee Rice than there was a few days ago?REID:&nbsp;“I think it’s just ‘wait and see,’ is where we’re at. For his (Rashee Rice) sake, we’re really hoping that things work out for the best. Let’s just see where it goes and leave it up to the doctors to see. I’m definitely not a doctor.”Q: What are the plans for Clyde Edwards-Helaire going forward?REID:&nbsp;“We’ll practice him (Clyde Edwards-Helaire) today, with the scout team (and) give him some reps there and let him just kind of get back into the swing of things. He’s in good shape. He’s been working out so just get him back in the football part.”Q: Are you close to getting Charles Omenihu back to practice?REID:&nbsp;“I think that’ll be a little bit here.”Q: What sorts of things are you seeing offensively when you say that you’re close?REID:&nbsp;“Just getting rid of the penalties and those self-inflicted wounds – turnovers, penalties. Those hurt you at this level. You’ve got to take care of that, and I’ve got to make sure that I’m putting the guys in the right position to do the right things. I think the coaches would tell you the same thing with that and that’s where we’re at but it’s close. We’ve just got to keep rolling.”Q: How much does not having Rashee Rice change things schematically for Monday night’s game?REID:&nbsp;“Listen, Rashee’s (Rice) had a phenomenal year. Unfortunately, in this league, injuries happen, and life goes on. We’ve always expected the next guys to step up and roll and it’s no different now. There’s not another Rashee (but) there’s other guys though that are very, very good, so we’ll be fine.”Q:&nbsp;Regarding all of the injuries, have you experienced this before to start a season?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I’m sure I have. I’ve been doing this a long time, there’s been injuries that have taken place. I don’t really dwell on them Nate (Taylor), I just kind of move on and go and wish the best of the kids most of all. We’ll take care of business, (General Manager Brett) Veach has done a good job of bringing people in here and depth and that, so (we) just have to take care of business.”Q: How is Saints QB Derek Carr doing and how is he fitting into the offense?REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Saints QB Derek Carr) doing a very nice job. He’s always been a good player and that’s not a question from our standpoint on that part. They’re doing a good job of protecting him and he’s doing a good job of delivering it to their receivers and they’ve got good skill players there and (a) good running back who’s also involved in the pass game and the run game. He’s done a very nice job.”Q: What did Saints S Tyrann Mathieu mean to the Chiefs when he was here and what have you seen from him in these past three years?REID:&nbsp;“Phenomenal player (Saints S Tyrann Mathieu). I’ll vote for him for the Hall of Fame going forward – I don’t have a vote but I would vote for him. He’s a tremendous leader, he actually makes this his home here so I think when he’s done, he’ll probably come back here. Great kid, great player, brings a lot of energy.”Q: On Clyde Edwards-Helaire.REID:&nbsp;“Again, the doctors are monitoring him (Clyde Edwards-Helaire). He’s doing good, yeah, to answer your question, he’s doing good. He’s in all the meetings and that, he’s heading in the right direction. We just have to see on that, I think time is a big part of that, we’ll see how that goes.”Q: On Jawaan Taylor’s penalties.REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Jawaan Taylor) got to fix those, I mean he’s got to fix those, that’s the bottom line. He’s very quick off of the ball and he takes a lot of pride in that, but you can’t be – you have to make sure that you’re not offsides. He’s got to take care of that part, he will.”Chiefs Player QuotesQB PATRICK MAHOMESQ:&nbsp;On the play that Rashee Rice got hurt, did you notice how hard you got hit?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“No, I didn’t notice it in the moment. I was more worried about trying to get the ball. Obviously, I was just trying to make a play, and it happens whenever you’re trying to make tackles.”Q:&nbsp;What did you think when you saw the replay?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“When I saw the replay I felt (bad) that I hit Rashee (Rice). I think that’s pretty much all – I wasn’t really worried about myself. I was worried about his injury and hopefully that it wasn’t as bad as it looked because I was the one that hit him.”Q:&nbsp;What did Saints S Tyrann Mathieu mean to you guys in the locker room when he was here?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just – me being a young player, especially when he (Saints S Tyrann Mathieu) got here, just seeing that type of leader I think was something that I will forever remember. The way he inspired guys, the energy that he played with – obviously he is a great football player everybody can see that, but he is truly a great leader, one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around. He pushed to get the best out of everybody every single day, he treated practice like games, he tried to get better every single day and that’s something that has helped me become who I am. A great football player, man. I’m hoping that he gets out there, not for me and my sake because he’s a great football player and always around the ball, but I think Kansas City getting to see him come back and be on that field again would be special for the city.”Q:&nbsp;Were there some traits from him that you could pick up early in your career?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, you sit there and watch those guys – I watched him (Saints S Tyrann Mathieu) when he was in college and he dominated college football and then getting into the NFL and all the great plays that he had made and then being able to see him on a day-to-day basis – you want to see those guys that are the top of the top and how they prepare every single day, and he was one of those guys that you knew why he was great when you saw him practice and how he went about his business.”Q:&nbsp;You talked about how you guys will have to rely on Travis Kelce more without Rashee Rice on Monday, just curious about JuJu Smith-Schuster and Justin Watson and your rapport with them and how big they now become?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Those guys are always the guys that do it the right way. They are always in the right position, they do what they are supposed to do – get guys lined up – and I think having those guys is a luxury because you know that they’re going to be there, they’re going to get open and they’re going to make plays when their numbers are called. I think (General Manager) Brett Veach did a great job of continuing to build within that receiver room. Obviously, not expecting to have these two kind of big injuries early in the year in that receiving room but having the support of the guys to come in and step up and make plays whenever those guys aren’t in there.”Q:&nbsp;Speaking of JuJu Smith-Schuster, when the Chiefs bring back a player who had been here previously, how much are they able to hit the ground running?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“They always have a good feel for our main stuff, our base concept stuff. Every year in the offseason (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid adds new stuff and the offensive coaches look around at what we can do better, so they have to learn some of that type of stuff, but I think you’ve seen with the guys that we’ve brought back is its guys that are very intelligent, they’re able to pick up the offense quickly. When stuff like this last game happens, you can throw JuJu (Smith-Schuster) in there and he can run some of those routes that Rashee (Rice) has, and he can even be in different positions maybe that he didn’t practice all week because he prepares the right way and he’s ready for his moment.”Q:&nbsp;Injuries are part of the game, but you guys have been hit pretty hard so far this year offensively. What’s the difficulty for you and adjusting to a lineup that is seemingly different every week?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Once the week goes on and you go through your gameplan, it’s usually pretty smooth because you have an understanding of the guys and what we’re trying to do in the concepts of the plays. During the games sometimes, especially how it happened this last game early where, obviously, Rashee’s (Rice) a huge part of the game plan, you have to kind of throw guys in there and make that timing up. (Head) Coach (Andy Reid) tries to get that done in practice. He tries to throw guys in certain situations, but obviously, there’s limited reps. I thought the guys did a great job of accepting the challenge and being in there in those moments. Coach Reid does a great job of getting guys prepared and ready to go throughout a week of gameplan, and we had an extra day this week, so, I’m sure guys will be ready to go out there and play some great football.”Q:&nbsp;On facing Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen’s defense.MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think just – (Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen is) a very intelligent coach. I mean, (he’s) someone that does a lot of different things. He’s a gameplan specific coach. Someone that – it’s not all about his defense. He looks at the offenses and what they do best (and) he tries to take those away and he’s really good at it. He’ll throw changeups in there (that) you might have not seen the entire season or in his past because he thinks this might work this week. It’ll be a great challenge for us. They’re a physical team, they play extremely fast and they have a lot of great players and veteran players so they can kind of get away with stuff because they know what they can and can’t get away with, so you’ve got to make sure that you’re really on top of every single check at the line of scrimmage and prepared for everything whenever you step to the football.”Q:&nbsp;What did that big play to Xavier Worthy on Sunday do for the receiver’s confidence and the whole offense?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I mean, whenever you hit those deep passes, it kind of opens everything up because defenses have to have more and more respect for any ability to score on one play. It was big in that game. I mean they were starting to get more and more downhill because we were running the ball, and we weren’t moving it and throwing it vertically. When we were able to hit that deep one, it kind of opened up the offense at least a little bit and our goal is to continue to show that we can do that on a week-to-week basis and even more than one time a game. There were more opportunities in that game to go downfield, so I have to continue to push the ball down the field so that it opens up everyone else underneath.”Q:&nbsp;How long does it normally take for you to build chemistry with a new guy?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It depends on every receiver. I think we have a lot of intelligent receivers in this receiving room right now, so I feel like we’re all seeing the field the same way. Now, it’s about me just having that trust and giving them the shots to make plays in traffic and stuff like that. Like I did with Xavier (Worthy) on that deep one, there were more opportunities to throw even to him later on in that game. Just continuing, for myself, to give him those chances to go out there and make plays and be the receiver that he is and that goes throughout the entire receiving room, the tight end room and the running back room.”Q:&nbsp;What’s your excitement level for the Kansas City Royals playoff success and them coming back in town to play?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It’s awesome. I mean, it’s great for the city. I’ve heard all the stories of how awesome the environment was the last time they were in the playoffs and they’re going to go up against a great baseball team in the (New York) Yankees – historic baseball team. I’m excited for these guys. They’re hungry, they’re playing great baseball right now and then to be at the K (Kauffman Stadium) – a sold-out crowd hopefully and I get to see that October baseball there is going to be special.”Q:&nbsp;Known New York Yankees fan and former Chiefs receiver Gehrig Dieter may be sniffing around you for tickets, is that appropriate for someone like that?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, I’ll let him (former receiver Gehrig Dieter) be there because then when we hopefully win, I’ll get to talk trash. No, it’s a – he’s a big (New York) Yankees fan. I think if the Yankees lost this series, he might have to move cities so let’s see if we can do that for him (laughter).”Q:&nbsp;Have you ever been to a postseason baseball game?MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I’ve been to a postseason baseball game. Back when I was in high school, the (Texas) Rangers made the World Series a couple of times and so I got to see them lose I think Game 5 against the (San Francisco) Giants one year and then I watched them lose – or maybe win the game that I was at, when they went up against the (Philadelphia) Phillies and they ended up losing Game 6 and that ball on the warning track. I’ve had some close heartbreaks there with the Rangers, but the (Kansas City) Royals are going to turn it around for me.”DE GEORGE KARLAFTISQ: Can you talk about the defense this year? You guys seem to be off to a great start.KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“We’d (the defense) like to start games just a little better than we have. Just those first couple drives and whatnot but you know, (I’m) just proud of us sticking together and finishing it out when we need to.”Q: With the way that the Saints are executing on first and second down, how important is it to get them to third and long?KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“(Laughs) It’s critical, you know. It’s going to be a huge task for us. That’ll be one of the keys to the game, if you will. You have to try to stop them on first and second down to get them into those passing situations.”Q: What kind of season is Chris Jones having?KARLAFTIS:&nbsp;“He’s (Chris Jones) having a great season. He’s doing everything. He’s playing the run; he’s getting after it in the pass rush. He makes my job a lot easier when I play next to him, too. He’s off to a great start. I’ve never been shy to say I think he’s the best defensive lineman (and) interior defensive lineman in the game. He’s off to a great start again.”

Chiefs Quotes: 10-3-24

JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel on Tuesday, the latest in a series of escalating attacks in a yearslong conflict between Israel and Iran and its Arab allies that threatens to push the Middle East closer toward a regionwide war.

The orange glow of missiles streaked across Israel's night sky as air raid sirens sounded and millions of residents scrambled into bomb shelters. Israel vowed retaliation for Iran’s missile barrage, which it said had caused only a few injuries.

Before Iran's attack, Israel had landed a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-airstrikes-suburb-617575d9c5d7c711bc02e7b81d2ba4ad">devastating blows</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks against the leadership of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. It then ratcheted up the pressure on the militant group — which has been firing rockets into Israel since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began — by launching what it said is a limited ground incursion in southern Lebanon.

Israel has said it will continue to strike Hezbollah until it is safe for citizens displaced from homes near the Lebanon border to return. Hezbollah has vowed to keep firing rockets into Israel until there is a cease-fire in Gaza with Hamas, which is also supported by Iran.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the country’s air defenses intercepted many of the incoming missiles, though some landed in central and southern Israel.

“This strike will have consequences,” he said. He said the attack had caused only “very few” injuries, but did not elaborate.

Israel and Iran have fought a shadow war for years, but rarely have they come into direct conflict.

Israel considers Iran to be its greatest foe -- citing Iran’s repeated calls for Israel’s destruction, its support for Arab militant groups and its nuclear program. Iran denies Israeli accusations that it is developing a nuclear weapon.

Moments before Iran launched its missiles, a shooting attack in Tel Aviv left six people dead, police said, adding that the two suspects who had opened fire on a boulevard in the Jaffa neighborhood had also been killed.

In the U.S., White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan called Iran’s missile attack a “significant escalation,” although he said it was ultimately “defeated and ineffective,” in part because of assistance from the U.S. military in shooting down some of the inbound missiles.

Iran launched another direct attack on Israel in April, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-ballistic-missiles-israel-retaliation-gaza-war-edccddf7a871b78cd5528e265e1e7317">few of its projectiles reached their targets</a>. Many were shot down by a U.S.-led coalition, while others apparently failed at launch or crashed in flight.

Iran said it fired the missiles into Israel as retaliation for attacks that killed leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Iranian military. It referenced Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan, both killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut. It also mentioned Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader in Hamas who was assassinated in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israel said it had begun limited ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire pounded southern Lebanese villages, and Hezbollah responded with a barrage of rockets into Israel. There was no immediate word on casualties.

While Hezbollah denied Israeli troops had entered Lebanon, the Israeli army announced it had also carried out dozens of ground raids into southern Lebanon going back nearly a year.

If true, it would be another humiliating blow for Hezbollah, the most powerful armed group in the Middle East. Hezbollah has been reeling from weeks of targeted strikes that killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obituary-nasrallah-lebanon-israel-2da3789a02fd4e2e88511a7f59174d19">Nasrallah</a>&nbsp;and several of his top commanders.

On Tuesday morning, Israel warned people in southern Lebanon to evacuate to the north of the Awali River, some 60 kilometers (36 miles) from the border and much farther than the Litani River, which marks the northern edge of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unsc-resolution-1701-lebanon-israel-hezbollah-addf018ee9da719329e1726f7156d456">a U.N.-declared zone</a>&nbsp;intended to serve as a buffer between Israel and Hezbollah after their 2006 war.

The border region has largely emptied out over the past year as the two sides have traded fire. But the scope of the evacuation warning raised questions as to how deep Israel plans to send its forces into Lebanon.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran said it fired dozens of missiles into Israel on Tuesday, a sharp escalation of the monthslong conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militias Hezbollah and Hamas. There were no immediate reports of casualties as Israel ordered residents to head to bomb shelters and as air raid sirens sounded across the country.

A series of window-shaking explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem, though it was not immediately clear whether the sounds were from missiles landing or being intercepted by Israeli defenses, or both.

Israel and the United States have warned there would be severe consequences in the event of an attack on Israel from Iran, which backs the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris monitored the attack on Israel from the White House Situation Room.

Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the country's air defense system was fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats. “However, the defense is not hermetic,” he said.

Orders to shelter in place were sent to Israelis’ mobile phones and announced on national television.

Iran took responsibility for launching dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel. The claim was made in a statement read aloud on state television.

In its statement, Iran referenced Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan, both killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut. It also mentioned Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader in Hamas who was assassinated in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July. It warned this attack represented only a “first wave,” without elaborating.

The air raid alerts in Israel came a day after Israel said it had begun limited ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire pounded southern Lebanese villages where people were ordered to evacuate, and Hezbollah militants responded by firing a barrage of rockets into Israel. There was no immediate word on casualties as fighting intensified and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-ceasefire-talks-challenges-71b59e0db03f0014ce06d4aa21bc2907">concerns of a wider regional war</a>&nbsp;grew.

A senior White House official warned of “severe consequences” should Iran launch a ballistic missile against Israel. U.S. ships and aircraft are positioned in the region to assist Israel in the event of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-mideast-tensions-hezbollah-lebanon-analysis-5020aeed3c88790d5483fdf40c9ba392">an attack from Iran</a>. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence.

Hagari also warned of consequences if Iran fired missiles into Israel.

He urged the public to stay close to sheltered areas. “The Iranian strike could be widespread,” he said.

Iranian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel on Tuesday, the latest in a series of escalating attacks in a yearslong conflict between Israel and Iran and its Arab allies that threatens to push the Middle East closer toward a regionwide war.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PentagonPresSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PentagonPresSec</a>: The U.S. military coordinated closely with Israeli Defense Forces to help defend Israel. U.S. Navy destroyers deployed to the Middle East region supported the defense of Israel by firing approximately a dozen interceptors against the incoming Iranian missiles. <a href="https://t.co/hbE36qVR1H">pic.twitter.com/hbE36qVR1H</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1841202874954440848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The orange glow of missiles streaked across Israel's night sky as air raid sirens sounded and millions of residents scrambled into bomb shelters. Israel vowed retaliation for Iran’s missile barrage, which it said had caused only a few injuries.Before Iran's attack, Israel had landed a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-airstrikes-suburb-617575d9c5d7c711bc02e7b81d2ba4ad">devastating blows</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks against the leadership of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. It then ratcheted up the pressure on the militant group — which has been firing rockets into Israel since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began — by launching what it said is a limited ground incursion in southern Lebanon.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">White House National Security Adviser <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeSullivan46?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JakeSullivan46</a>: &quot;Today Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards targets in Israel...at this time we do not know of any deaths in Israel...We do not know of any damage to aircraft or strategic military assets in Israel.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/tGhw87QvNp">pic.twitter.com/tGhw87QvNp</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1841191582583619877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Israel has said it will continue to strike Hezbollah until it is safe for citizens displaced from homes near the Lebanon border to return. Hezbollah has vowed to keep firing rockets into Israel until there is a cease-fire in Gaza with Hamas, which is also supported by Iran.Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the country’s air defenses intercepted many of the incoming missiles, though some landed in central and southern Israel.“This strike will have consequences,” he said. He said the attack had caused only “very few” injuries, but did not elaborate.Israel and Iran have fought a shadow war for years, but rarely have they come into direct conflict.Israel considers Iran to be its greatest foe -- citing Iran’s repeated calls for Israel’s destruction, its support for Arab militant groups and its nuclear program. Iran denies Israeli accusations that it is developing a nuclear weapon.Moments before Iran launched its missiles, a shooting attack in Tel Aviv left six people dead, police said, adding that the two suspects who had opened fire on a boulevard in the Jaffa neighborhood had also been killed.In the U.S., White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan called Iran’s missile attack a “significant escalation,” although he said it was ultimately “defeated and ineffective,” in part because of assistance from the U.S. military in shooting down some of the inbound missiles.Iran launched another direct attack on Israel in April, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-ballistic-missiles-israel-retaliation-gaza-war-edccddf7a871b78cd5528e265e1e7317">few of its projectiles reached their targets</a>. Many were shot down by a U.S.-led coalition, while others apparently failed at launch or crashed in flight.Iran said it fired the missiles into Israel as retaliation for attacks that killed leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Iranian military. It referenced Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan, both killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut. It also mentioned Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader in Hamas who was assassinated in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July.Earlier on Tuesday, Israel said it had begun limited ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire pounded southern Lebanese villages, and Hezbollah responded with a barrage of rockets into Israel. There was no immediate word on casualties.While Hezbollah denied Israeli troops had entered Lebanon, the Israeli army announced it had also carried out dozens of ground raids into southern Lebanon going back nearly a year.If true, it would be another humiliating blow for Hezbollah, the most powerful armed group in the Middle East. Hezbollah has been reeling from weeks of targeted strikes that killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obituary-nasrallah-lebanon-israel-2da3789a02fd4e2e88511a7f59174d19">Nasrallah</a>&nbsp;and several of his top commanders.On Tuesday morning, Israel warned people in southern Lebanon to evacuate to the north of the Awali River, some 60 kilometers (36 miles) from the border and much farther than the Litani River, which marks the northern edge of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unsc-resolution-1701-lebanon-israel-hezbollah-addf018ee9da719329e1726f7156d456">a U.N.-declared zone</a>&nbsp;intended to serve as a buffer between Israel and Hezbollah after their 2006 war.The border region has largely emptied out over the past year as the two sides have traded fire. But the scope of the evacuation warning raised questions as to how deep Israel plans to send its forces into Lebanon.-------------JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran said it fired dozens of missiles into Israel on Tuesday, a sharp escalation of the monthslong conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militias Hezbollah and Hamas. There were no immediate reports of casualties as Israel ordered residents to head to bomb shelters and as air raid sirens sounded across the country.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">RAW FOOTAGE: Watch as Iranian missiles rain over the Old City in Jerusalem, a holy site for Muslims, Christians and Jews. This is the target of the Iranian regime: everyone. <a href="https://t.co/rIqUZWN3zy">pic.twitter.com/rIqUZWN3zy</a>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1841167289984397726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A series of window-shaking explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem, though it was not immediately clear whether the sounds were from missiles landing or being intercepted by Israeli defenses, or both.Israel and the United States have warned there would be severe consequences in the event of an attack on Israel from Iran, which backs the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris monitored the attack on Israel from the White House Situation Room.Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the country's air defense system was fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats. “However, the defense is not hermetic,” he said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Approx. 10 million civilians are the targets of Iranian projectiles. <a href="https://t.co/680uDJm3CJ">pic.twitter.com/680uDJm3CJ</a>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1841159354914898024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Orders to shelter in place were sent to Israelis’ mobile phones and announced on national television.Iran took responsibility for launching dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel. The claim was made in a statement read aloud on state television.In its statement, Iran referenced Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan, both killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut. It also mentioned Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader in Hamas who was assassinated in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July. It warned this attack represented only a “first wave,” without elaborating.The air raid alerts in Israel came a day after Israel said it had begun limited ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire pounded southern Lebanese villages where people were ordered to evacuate, and Hezbollah militants responded by firing a barrage of rockets into Israel. There was no immediate word on casualties as fighting intensified and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-ceasefire-talks-challenges-71b59e0db03f0014ce06d4aa21bc2907">concerns of a wider regional war</a>&nbsp;grew.A senior White House official warned of “severe consequences” should Iran launch a ballistic missile against Israel. U.S. ships and aircraft are positioned in the region to assist Israel in the event of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-mideast-tensions-hezbollah-lebanon-analysis-5020aeed3c88790d5483fdf40c9ba392">an attack from Iran</a>. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence.Hagari also warned of consequences if Iran fired missiles into Israel.He urged the public to stay close to sheltered areas. “The Iranian strike could be widespread,” he said.Iranian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.Iran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel in April, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-ballistic-missiles-israel-retaliation-gaza-war-edccddf7a871b78cd5528e265e1e7317">few of its projectiles reached their targets</a>. Many were shot down by a U.S.-led coalition, while others apparently failed at launch or crashed in flight.While Hezbollah denied Israeli troops had entered Lebanon, the Israeli army announced it had also carried out dozens of ground raids into southern Lebanon going back nearly a year. Israel released video footage purporting to show its soldiers operating in homes and tunnels where Hezbollah kept weapons.If true, it would be another humiliating blow for Iran-backed Hezbollah, the most powerful armed group in the Middle East. Hezbollah has been reeling from weeks of targeted strikes that killed its leader,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obituary-nasrallah-lebanon-israel-2da3789a02fd4e2e88511a7f59174d19">Hassan Nasrallah,</a>&nbsp;and several of his top commanders.On Tuesday morning, Israel warned people to evacuate to the north of the Awali River, some 60 kilometers (36 miles) from the border and much farther than the Litani River, which marks the northern edge of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unsc-resolution-1701-lebanon-israel-hezbollah-addf018ee9da719329e1726f7156d456">a U.N.-declared zone</a>&nbsp;intended to serve as a buffer between Israel and Hezbollah after their 2006 war.The border region has largely emptied out over the past year as the two sides have traded fire. But the scope of the evacuation warning raised questions as to how deep Israel plans to send its forces into Lebanon.An Israeli airstrike hit a residential building near Beirut Tuesday, causing damage but with no immediate reports of casualties. The strike appeared to hit an apartment about 100 meters from the Iranian Embassy.Anticipating more rocket attacks from Hezbollah, the Israeli army announced new restrictions on public gatherings and closed beaches in northern and central Israel. The military also said it was calling up thousands more reserve soldiers to serve on the northern border.--------------JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel warned Lebanese people to evacuate border communities Tuesday to avoid harm from limited ground operations it said were launched against Hezbollah, and said it would retaliate if Hezbollah ally Iran launched a missile attack on Israel that a senior U.S. official said could come “imminently.”Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire pounded southern Lebanese villages where people were ordered to evacuate, and Hezbollah militants responded by firing a barrage of rockets into Israel. There was no immediate word on casualties as fighting intensified and concerns of a wider regional war grew.A U.S. official warned of “severe consequences” should Iran launch a ballistic missile against Israel. U.S. ships and aircraft are positioned in the region to assist Israel in the event of an attack from Iran, which a second official said could happen tonight. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence.Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari also warned of consequences if Iran fired missiles into Israel. Iran’s state media has not suggested an attack is imminent, and Iranian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.White House officials did not immediately offer any evidence backing the intelligence finding.Iran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel in April, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-ballistic-missiles-israel-retaliation-gaza-war-edccddf7a871b78cd5528e265e1e7317">few of its projectiles reached their targets</a>. Many were shot down by a U.S.-led coalition, while others apparently failed at launch or crashed in flight.While Hezbollah denied Israeli troops had entered Lebanon, the Israeli army announced it had also carried out dozens of ground raids into southern Lebanon going back nearly a year. Israel released video footage purporting to show its soldiers operating in homes and tunnels where Hezbollah kept weapons.If true, it would be another humiliating blow for Iran-backed Hezbollah, the most powerful armed group in the Middle East. Hezbollah has been reeling from weeks of targeted strikes that killed its leader,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obituary-nasrallah-lebanon-israel-2da3789a02fd4e2e88511a7f59174d19">Hassan Nasrallah,</a>&nbsp;and several of his top commanders.On Tuesday morning, Israel warned people to evacuate to the north of the Awali River, some 60 kilometers (36 miles) from the border and much farther than the Litani River, which marks the northern edge of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unsc-resolution-1701-lebanon-israel-hezbollah-addf018ee9da719329e1726f7156d456">a U.N.-declared zone</a>&nbsp;intended to serve as a buffer between Israel and Hezbollah after their 2006 war.The border region has largely emptied out over the past year as the two sides have traded fire. But the scope of the evacuation warning raised questions as to how deep Israel plans to send its forces into Lebanon.An Israeli airstrike hit a residential building near Beirut Wednesday, causing damage and blowing out windows in the area. The strike appeared to hit an apartment about 100 meters from the Iranian Embassy. There was no immediate word on casualties.Anticipating more rocket attacks from Hezbollah, the Israeli army announced new restrictions on public gatherings and closed beaches in northern and central Israel. The military also said it was calling up thousands more reserve soldiers to serve on the northern border.----------------JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran is preparing to “imminently” launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel, according to a senior U.S. administration official, who warned Tuesday of “severe consequences” should it take place.The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the intelligence, said the U.S. is actively supporting Israeli defensive preparations. This comes after the Israeli military on Tuesday warned people to evacuate nearly two dozen Lebanese border communities hours after announcing what it said were limited ground operations against Hezbollah.White House officials did not immediately offer any evidence backing its intelligence finding. The official added that the administration was confident in the determination.Iran’s state media has not suggested any attack is imminent. Iranian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.Iran already launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel in April, but few of the Iranian projectiles reached their targets. Many were shot down by a U.S.-led coalition, while others apparently failed at launch or crashed while in flight. Even those that reached Israel appeared to miss their marks, experts and an AP analysis in September showed.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a Tuesday statement that Israel is facing “large challenges” as it fights an Iranian axis. In the videotaped statement, he urges the public to listen to public safety guidelines from the army’s Home Front Command. He made no direct mention of a missile threat.Hezbollah denied Israeli troops had entered Lebanon, but hours later the Israeli army announced it had also carried out dozens of ground raids into southern Lebanon going back nearly a year. Israel released video footage purporting to show its soldiers operating in homes and tunnels where Hezbollah kept weapons.If true, it would be another humiliating blow for Iran-backed Hezbollah, the most powerful armed group in the Middle East. Hezbollah has been reeling from weeks of targeted strikes that killed its leader,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obituary-nasrallah-lebanon-israel-2da3789a02fd4e2e88511a7f59174d19">Hassan Nasrallah,</a>&nbsp;and several of his top commanders.U.S. ships and aircraft are already positioned in the region to assist Israel in the event of an attack from Iran. There are three U.S. Navy destroyers in the Mediterranean Sea, an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Oman and fighter jets arrayed throughout the region. All have the abilities to shoot down incoming missiles.Israel advised people to evacuate to the north of the Awali River, some 60 kilometers (36 miles) from the border and much farther than the Litani River, which marks the northern edge of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unsc-resolution-1701-lebanon-israel-hezbollah-addf018ee9da719329e1726f7156d456">a U.N.-declared zone</a>&nbsp;that was intended to serve as a buffer between Israel and Hezbollah after their 2006 war.“You must immediately head north of the Awali River to save yourselves, and leave your houses immediately,” said the statement posted by the Israeli military on the platform X. The warning applied to communities south of the Litani.The border region has largely emptied out over the past year as the two sides have traded fire. But the scope of the evacuation warning raised questions as to how deep Israel plans to send its forces into Lebanon as it presses ahead with a rapidly escalating campaign against Hezbollah.