Moran announces $49 million investment for Phillips County

WASHINGTON—U. S. Senator Jerry Moran, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, announced a $49.5 million investment from the Department of Transportation for the Kyle Railroad's east/west corridor in Phillips County. This funding was administered through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program. (Hays Post)

Christie Brungardt receives national recognition as 2026 L'Oreal Woman of Worth honoree

HAYS—Christie Brungardt, a Hays educator who co-founded Jana’s Campaign after her daughter, Jana, was tragically killed by an ex-boyfriend in 2008, was nominated as one of ten L’Oreal Women of Worth honorees for 2026. Jana's Campaign is a nonprofit that works to prevent relationship violence by teaching young people about healthy relationships and how to recognize warning signs of abuse. The annual Women of Worth program recognizes nonprofit leaders for their community work, giving each honoree a $25,000.00 grant, mentorship, and a national platform to share her cause. Brungardt said that while she is honored, she'd rather have something else. "I would give all of it away if I could just have my daughter back," Brungardt said. “Since I know that can't happen, it means so much that people have recognized the work we've all been doing. We didn't start out doing it for an award, but we have worked extremely hard at it." (Hays Post)

Schmidt Foundation pledges $1 million match for Save Sternberg Campaign

HAYS—Fort Hays State University announced that the Bob and Pat Schmidt Foundation has pledged to match contributions up to $1 million for the Save Sternberg Campaign. In late September, FHSU announced that, due to state funding cuts, the Sternberg Museum of Natural History would close its public operations in December. University President Tisa Mason said the closure resulted from a multi-million-dollar budget gap. Since the announcement, alumni, community members, and friends of the Museum have raised more than $237,000.00 through the Save Sternberg Campaign, hoping to keep the western Kansas museum open. The Campaign aims to raise $1 million. (KWCH)

Pilot injured after small plane makes emergency landing in Kansas field

HAMILTON COUNTY—One person was injured in a small plane accident just after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13th, in Hamilton County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that a 2011 Pietenpol Aircamper, piloted by Luke T. Gerard, 68, of Mentor, Kansas, experienced a mechanical failure while airborne. The pilot made an emergency landing in a field near Kansas 27, just south of River Road, about two miles south of U.S. 50. The airplane was damaged, and Gerard had minor injuries, according to the KHP. The KHP did not report that he was transported for treatment. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. (Hays Post)