Barton Community College’s Dance Department invites dance students aged 12-18 to be a college dancer for a day at the fifth annual “Barton Cougar Dance Day” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 6 in Studio 34 on the south side of the Barton Campus.

Participants will enjoy a full day of free dance classes, lunch, and clinics with Barton Dance Theatre and the Barton Dance Team while experiencing what it is like to dance in college.

Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator and Dance Instructor Danika Bielek said the day has been a great stepping stone for dance students interested in pursuing dance in college, as well as helping recreational dance students learn new dance styles.

“We have held this event for some years now, and I have been fortunate enough to remain in contact with many of our attendees, and most have indicated that the Barton Cougar Dance Day helped them discover what direction they wanted to take in dance,” she said. “Some went on to major in dance at Barton or other institutions. Other attendees have a love for types of dance they never had access to in the past. I think all attendees, regardless of their dance goals, will have a great time.”

The event will conclude with dance scholarship auditions from 3–4 p.m. for high school seniors interested in performing with Barton Dance Theatre or receiving a dance scholarship.

To register, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://shows.bartonccc.edu/" target="_blank">shows.bartonccc.edu</a>. For more information, contact Bielek at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bielekd@bartonccc.edu">bielekd@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9253.

Barton Dance Department to host 'Barton Cougar Dance Day' on March 6

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 73. South southwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Saturday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 34. East northeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. East northeast wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Sunday Night A slight chance of rain showers before 9pm, then a slight chance of freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. East northeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday A slight chance of freezing rain before 9am, then a slight chance of rain showers between 9am and noon. Cloudy, with a high near 49. East northeast wind 7 to 11 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Monday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 37.

Tuesday A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday's weather

The steady rhythm of wheat harvest defined much of Lee Musil’s life. Now, that lifelong commitment to agriculture will continue strengthening Kansas wheat research for generations to come.

Long-time supporters of wheat research, Lee and Carolyn Musil have made the first legacy gift realized by the Kansas Wheat Research Foundation since its creation in 2011. Through their estate plans, the Musils directed a major gift totaling nearly $1 million to support wheat research and innovation in Kansas.

“The Musil gift is the first estate gift received by the foundation. Not only is the gift significant to helping support wheat research, but hopefully it inspires others to consider the KWC Research Foundation in their estates.”&nbsp;said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat Vice President of Research and Operations.&nbsp;“Deferred gifts help provide long-term stability to essential wheat research programs.”

Born in Marysville and raised near Burdett, Lee Musil earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in agricultural journalism from Kansas State University. While a student, he was active in Delta Upsilon and served in ROTC. He later worked as an agricultural journalist and editor before serving as agricultural assistant to First District Congressman Keith Sebelius in Washington, D.C.

Lee returned to the family farm near Burdett and married Carolyn Reich on May 3, 1980. Together, they were strongly rooted in production agriculture and community service. On the farm, Lee assisted with farming, irrigation, certified seed wheat and beef cattle operations. In Great Bend, he was active in the Rotary Club of Great Bend and Trinity United Methodist Church.

Carolyn Reich Musil was born in Beloit and graduated from Downs High School in 1965, receiving recognition as a Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow. She worked at Kansas State University and the Osborne County Extension Service before becoming a full-time farm wife and homemaker. She also served on the Pawnee County Extension Council and represented southwest Kansas on the State Extension Advisory Council.

Their legacy gift establishes the Musil Center for Sustainable Wheat Production, headquartered at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center. The Center represents a coordinated, high-return public–private investment designed to strengthen wheat research across Kansas and the Great Plains. Established through the Musil’s nearly $1 million estate gift,&nbsp; the first legacy gift realized by the Kansas Wheat Research Foundation, the Center proposes to provide strategic oversight, facilitate collaboration with researchers and industry partners, and represent Kansas wheat research nationally and internationally.

By creating centralized research leadership, the Center intends to reduce duplication, align priorities and accelerate delivery of practical, science-based solutions to producers. Continued state investment will be essential to leverage private dollars, attract competitive federal and industry grants and ensure Kansas remains a national leader in wheat production.

Through this investment, the Musil family’s pledge to wheat will continue far beyond their own fields, strengthening research, supporting producers and molding the future of Kansas agriculture.&nbsp;

Legacy in the Field: Musil family gift advances Kansas wheat research

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Kylee Graves of the Family Crisis Center in Great Bend.

🎥 Forward Ever: Family Crisis Center in Great Bend

Heartland Farm and Heartland Center for Spirituality will host the free program, Tahtonka: Buffalo and the Plains Indians on March 8 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Great Bend Motherhouse, 3600 Broadway. Dr. Leo Oliva, Professor Emeritus, Fort Hays State University, will explore the Plains Indians and historical buffalo culture, how technology changed it and how the hide hunters destroyed it.

In 1840, it was estimated there were 40 million buffalo on the Great Plains. Buffalo were the Plains Indians' supermarket, providing food, shelter, clothing, and tools. The robe trade with Euro-Americans provided manufactured items.

The railroads made possible widespread hunting for hides for the leather industry by 1870. Encouraged by the government and the military, who wanted the Indians placed on reservations, the hunters destroyed the buffalo and the Indians' way of life. The great slaughter of the buffalo on the Southern Plains in the 1870s and the Northern Plains in the 1880s forced the Indigenous nations to move to the reservations to survive. Warfare killed many who refused to go to the reservations, and many more died on the reservations from diseases, malnutrition, and hunger.

With a&nbsp;screening of the film,&nbsp;Tahtonka, and with context by and discussion and Q&amp;A with Dr. Oliva, attendees will examine how after the great slaughter of the buffalo, the traditional lives and culture of the Indians could not survive. The final conquest, part of the colonization inspired by the Doctrine of Discovery, came quickly when the buffalo were gone.

A freewill offering will be taken but is not required.

Heartland Farm and Heartland Center to host Tahtonka: Buffalo and the Plains Indians

Eagle Media is celebrating National FFA Week by highlighting the impact of agricultural education and recognizing the businesses that help support the next generation of leaders in rural Kansas.

National FFA Week honors students involved in the organization formerly known as Future Farmers of America and showcases the role agriculture plays in local communities. Eagle Media is partnering with area businesses to spotlight FFA members and their dedication to leadership, service and career development.

“FFA represents hard work, responsibility and the future of agriculture in our region,” Eagle Media General Manager Dakota Tucker said. “As a locally owned media company, we are committed to celebrating the students, families and businesses that keep our rural communities strong.”

This year’s FFA Week recognition is made possible by the support of local and regional businesses, including Kan Equip Great Bend; Linsner Farms; CropWorks Agent Jerry Ney; High Plains Farm Credit; Ag Systems Inc.; H&amp;B Communications; American Plains Coop; Larned Veterinary Clinic; Schreiber Angus; Ricker Seeds; Innovative Livestock Services; Mayo Money Management; Magna Dry Cleaning Services; Warren Brothers; Jacob’s Golf Carts; Nex-Tech Wireless; Rosencrantz Bemis Water Well Service; Francis Financial Services; Auto Body Repair Shop; Great Bend Industries; G&amp;H Insurance; Big Bend Custom Engraving; Sunflower Electric Supply; GB Car Care; Equity Bank; C&amp;E Doors; Clara Barton Medical Center; Keller Insurance and Real Estate; Windshields for Less; Heavy Duty Diesel &amp; Auto; Protective Equipment Testing Laboratory; Brentwood Builders; Jimlo Glass; Delgado’s Mexican Restaurant; Murphy Mini Storage; Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management; Barton County Health Department; Allstaff Chartered; Fuller Industries; Miller Plastics; and Freedom Claims Management.

National FFA Week runs through Saturday and is observed annually to promote agricultural education and leadership development across the country.

Celebrating National FFA Week

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Good food, live music, and oh, the big awards. Those are some of the planned highlights for Saturday's 104th Annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Banquet at the Great Bend Events Center. Chamber CEO Megan Barfield said everything will begin with a social hour.

"The doors open at 6 p.m., and we will have a cocktail hour sponsored by our friends at Equity Bank," she said. "That first hour, as people are coming in and connecting with friends and other businesses, we'll have that cocktail hour. Dry Lake has our bar open this year. We'll have a couple of grazing tables thanks to Paxton (Rein) at Proper Boards &amp; Picnics."

Eagle Media's Shannon Towns will emcee the event, which will feature a live jazz quartet and food made on site by Alan and Gail Moeder with A &amp; G Catering. The banquet, which will culminate with several awards presentations, is presented by Spectrum Partners LLC and The University of Kansas Health System.

"We are celebrating a bunch of amazing individuals," Barfield said. "It feels like our Chamber awards, but our community awards at the same time because these are people and businesses who don't just show up for their chamber family, but they show up for the entire community."

The main program will begin around 8 p.m. The Chamber will recognize the NextGen Leader of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, and a Legacy Award winner.

Great Bend Chamber to hand out four awards at Saturday's 104th annual banquet

Released Pierce, Robin M on Great Bend Municipal Court Warrant 202600069 for Failure to Appear.by posting a $25O.0O cash bond.

Booked Ramien-Villatoro, Moises on Great Bend N4unicipal Court case 26-280 for No Drivers License, and Improper turn. Bond set at $500.00 cash or Surety or 48 hour O.R. bond.

Booked Finnigan, Swen on Barton County District Court Warrant #BT2021CR0471 for Serve Sentence, with No Bond.

Released Hutchins-Hernandez, Christopher M. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2026CR0019 for Unlawful Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, and No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp after being granted a $100,000.00 O.R. bond through the Barton County District Court; and Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202600028 for Failure to Appear by posting a $1,000.00 surety bond through Above and Beyond Bail Bonds, and Reno County District Court warrant #RN2025CR0843 for Contempt of Court; Indirect by posting a $30,000.00 surety bond through Above and Beyond Bail Bonds.

Booked in Kramer, Jason on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2023CR300062 for Serve Sentence, bond set at NO BOND.

Booked Pekarek, Kevin A. Jr. on Barton County District Court warrants #BT2023CR0001 for Probation Violation, #BT2023CR0002 for Probation Violation, and #BT2025CR0273 for Probation Violation; Bonds set at NO BOND.

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (2/26)

Cross country, track and field, and most recently, volleyball. Ellinwood High School has seen its share of success in high school athletics over the years, but the Eagle boys' basketball team have never claimed a state title. Three times, however, Ellinwood came close with runner-up finishes in 1970 and 1984, and a fourth-place finish in 1976. Last Friday, members of the 1975-76 team were present during the regular-season finale at EHS to celebrate the 50-year anniversary their fourth-place state finish. 

“We had great team scoring and team play,” said Rich Meyer,
the starting center for that team. “The starters all averaged about 10-13
points, right in that range, so nobody could really count on stopping any one
guy.”

Fifty years later, members of the team are now in their
mid-60s, scattered around the state and country, or in various states of
health. Present Friday were Meyer, Wayne DeWerff, Mike McCarty, and Frank
Feemster, who served as manager for the 1975-76 season. Meyer, who stands 6-5,
included a bit of memorabilia by wearing the blue Converse sneakers he wore in
his final prep season.

Starters that year included Meyer, who grabbed a team-high 240 rebounds and averaged 8.7 points a game. Mark Koch led the team at 13.4 points per game with 209 rebounds. Chris Urban averaged nearly 12 points a night, the late Greg Downing scored 10 points a game, and Ted Petz averaged nearly nine points a contest. Senior David Riffel averaged five points and was fourth on the team in rebounds as one of the first players off the bench. Junior Hartig, who went on to a successful football career at Fort Hays State University, averaged three points as a junior.

“In track practice, we would do a one-lap warm-up,” Meyer
recalled. “For the fun of it, I’d tell Junior I was tired that day and to carry
me. He’d put me on his shoulder and run a lap, and I was 195 pounds. It was
nothing for him.”

The Eagles were coached by Francis Flax. Just three years
later, he moved on to the junior college level as the head men’s basketball
coach and softball coach at Highland Community College from 1979-1988. After
piling up an impressive win total, he moved on to Salina, where he began the
athletic department at Brown Mackie College. Serving as athletic director from
1990-2017, he also coached men’s basketball from 1992-2016, winning six Region
VI titles in the process. In those six years at the national tournament, Flax’s
teams won two titles, and also finished third, fourth, and fifth. Francis’ son,
Bryson, stepped down at Southeast of Saline High School in 2024, after six
successful years with that program. Francis stepped in to take the reigns and
continues to coach the Trojans.

The 1975-76 Ellinwood team was not without some local inspiration. Six years earlier, the Eagles advanced all the way to the state championship game before falling to Hill City 71-58. The Ringnecks finished with just one loss that year.

“We were kids then, and that got us motivated to do the same
thing,” said Meyer, who now resides in Wichita.

The Eagles were successful from start to finish that season,
winning their first 19 games. Ellinwood won the Sterling Mid-Season Tournament even though reaching just half of their average scoring total for the season. The team suffered
its first loss of the season in a 61-54 battle against Lindsborg in the Central
Prairie League championship game. The Eagles won their first two regional
contests, then took down second-ranked Ellis in the finals. At sub-state,
Ellinwood defeated Oberlin and Greensburg to secure a spot at the Class 2A
State Tournament at Emporia’s White Auditorium.

As the No. 2 seed, Ellinwood handled Rose Hill 68-50 in
round one. The Eagles ran into Oakley in the state semifinals, falling 79-57.

“They shot 63 percent, I think, for the game, and 76 percent
in the second half,” said Meyer. “I remember balls just looking like they were
going to come off and they would fall in the hole. It was miserable.”

The Plainsmen also made 13 of their 15 free throw attempts
that night. Oakley went on to defeat Osborne 62-52 in the state championship
game, finishing the season at 25-4 overall after losses to Class 4A Topeka
Highland Park and Class 5A Kansas City Wyandotte in the Grand State Tournament
featuring teams from all classes.

Even with the loss, the Eagles had the opportunity to play
in one of the most famous venues in the state. The showcase paid off for Meyer
in ways he did not expect.

“I thought it was awesome,” he said. “All I remember is after
the game, the tight end coach for Emporia State stopped and talked to me and
recruited me to go to Emporia State. That’s where I ended up going on a
scholarship for football.”

Ellinwood could not rebound from the Oakley loss, falling to
Erie 72-65 in the 2A state consolation finals. The Eagles finished fourth at
state with a 24-3 record. Those 24 wins in a season are still the most for any
boys’ team at EHS.

The Eagles (11-12) have their work cut out for them tonight
as the No. 11 seed at No. 6 Plainville (16-7). The Lady Eagles will look to
carry the torch as the No. 1 seed with a 22-1 record.

50 years later: Ellinwood celebrates 1975-76 team during regular-season finale

Friday Sunny, with a high near 74. West southwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east in the evening.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 68. West southwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Sunday A chance of freezing rain before noon, then a chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 21.

Monday A chance of freezing rain before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday's weather

Eagle Media in Great Bend produces the Great Bend Post Podcast, available wherever you consume your podcasts. Hear past shows, interviews and meetings from local guests in the Barton County area. Make sure to follow the Post Podcast to receive notifications of new episodes.

View Great Bend Post Podcast on Apple Podcasts&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/great-bend-post-podcast/id1693657426">HERE</a>. View Great Bend Post Podcast on Spotify&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4E0Vv03Pfyf9n37kFV4n5b">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙Follow the Great Bend Post Podcast - New Episodes

Now is the time to recognize those who go above and beyond! You can nominate a School Hero! On the fourth Tuesday of each month, Eagle Media will select a Hero to recognize! The winner will also receive $500! Nominate a School Hero is presented by: <a href="https://opikan.com/">OPI</a> (Office Products Incorporated) &amp; Golden Belt Printing.&nbsp;

Any adult who works at a school in Barton County is eligible to be nominated. Admin, Teachers, Para's, Coaches, Maintenance, Cafeteria, etc.

Nominate a School Hero! Presented by: OPI & Golden Belt Printing

Big Bend Custom Engraving, Freedom Claims Management, Great Bend Redi Mix, Francis Financial, Medial Park Pharmacy, R&amp;R Roofing, Allstaff Chartered, Miller Plastics, Rosencrants Bemis Water Well Service, Great Bend Rec, Jimlo Glass Center, Haz Mat Response

Make a Difference Contest 

Boys Sub-State Class 3A Boys Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Thursday, February 26 #1 Beloit 79,&nbsp;#16 Nickerson 37 #8 Phillipsburg 61,&nbsp;#9 Russell 47 #4 Hoisington 40,&nbsp;#13 Ellsworth 34 #5 Scott City 56,&nbsp;#12 Lyons 48 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Phillipsburg @ Beloit 6:00 Scott City @ Hoisington Friday, March 6 @ Larned TBA - Championship Class 3A Boys Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Thursday, February 26 #2 Holcomb 73, #15 Cimarron 31 #7 Colby 67,&nbsp;#10 Norton 54 #3 Lakin 88,&nbsp;#14 Larned 33 #6 Southwestern Heights 79,&nbsp;#11 Goodland 68 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Colby @ Holcomb 6:00 Southwestern Heights @ Lakin Friday, March 6 @ Larned TBA - Championship&nbsp;&nbsp; Class 2A Boys Smith Center Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Friday, February 27 #2 Stanton County 46,&nbsp;#15 Hutch-Trinity 43 #7 Medicine Lodge 40,&nbsp;#10 Syracuse 37 #3 TMP 60,&nbsp;#14 Smith Center 46 #6 Plainville 61,&nbsp;#11 Ellinwood 45 Wednesday, March 4 (Higher seed hosts) TBA Medicine Lodge @ Stanton County TBA Plainville @ TMP Saturday, March 7 @ Smith Center TBA - Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; -------------------------------------------------------------- Girls Sub-State Class 3A Girls Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Friday, February 27 #1 Holcomb 74,&nbsp;#16 Nickerson 23 #9 Colby 45, #8 Hoisington 23 #4 Southwestern Heights 52,&nbsp;#13 Russell 36 #5 Goodland 40, Norton 25 Wednesday, March 4(Higher seed hosts) TBA Colby @ Holcomb TBA Goodland @ Southwestern Heights Saturday, March 7 @ Larned TBA - Championship&nbsp;&nbsp; Class 3A Girls Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Friday, February 27 #2 Lakin 68,&nbsp;#15 Lyons 23 #7 Ellsworth 49,&nbsp;#10 Phillipsburg 36 #3 Beloit 67,&nbsp;#14 Cimarron 18 Larned 45, Scott City 40 Wednesday, March 4(Higher seed hosts) TBA Ellsworth @ Lakin TBA Larned @ Beloit Saturday, March 7 @ Larned TBA - Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 2A Girls Smith Center Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Thursday, February 26 #1 Ellinwood 64,&nbsp;#16 Hutch-Trinity 25 #8 Smith Center 45,&nbsp;#9 Rawlins County 28 #4 Medicine Lodge 55,&nbsp;#13 Plainville 17 #5 TMP 56,&nbsp;#12 Sterling 33 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Smith Center @ Ellinwood 6:00 TMP @ Medicine Lodge Friday, March 6 @ Smith Center TBA - Championship&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Area 3A/2A Sub-State basketball Scores and Schedule

The No. 25 Barton Community College baseball team opened its three-game road set Friday afternoon with a 10-7 victory over Kansas City Kansas Community College at the KCKCC Baseball Complex in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Cougars used a three-run seventh and a five-run eighth inning to flip a one-run deficit into breathing room, collecting 12 hits and drawing six walks in the process. Barton scored in five different innings, with&nbsp;Jaxon Case&nbsp;driving in four runs and&nbsp;Carter Helm&nbsp;adding three RBIs.

With the victory, the Cougars improve to 12-2 on the season for its third straight win, while the Blue Devils fall to 5-7. Barton will look for a series victory Saturday afternoon as the teams conclude the three-game set with a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader.

Kyle Walker&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kyler Horsman&nbsp;each recorded two hit performances, while Horsman scored three times. Case delivered the biggest swing late, ripping a two-run double as part of the five-run eighth that gifted the Cougars the needed separation.

On the mound,&nbsp;Landon Ritchey&nbsp;(1-0) earned the victory after working the seventh inning, allowing two hits and two unearned runs. Making his first start of the season,&nbsp;Antonio Mendez&nbsp;gave Barton four strong innings, permitting two runs on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts. The bullpen combined to cover the final five frame with&nbsp;Trey Mackwood&nbsp;recording the final four outs to secure the victory.

No. 25 Barton Baseball claims series opener with late inning rally at KCK

BOYS SUB-STATE PAIRINGS&nbsp; 1A DI Osborne Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23) #1 Central Plains Bye #9 Ellis 58, #8 Hill City 53 #4 Sylvan Lucas 67,&nbsp;#13 Stockton&nbsp; 39 &nbsp;#5 Decatur Community 66, #12 St. Francis 44 Semi-Finals Saturday 2/28&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) 2:00 Ellis @ Central Plains 2:00 Decatur Community @ Sylvan-Lucas Championship Friday March 6 @ Osborne TBA 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #1 Meade Bye #8 Hodgeman County 54, #9 LaCrosse 46 #4 South Gray 94,&nbsp;#13 Macksville 32 #5 Kiowa County 64,&nbsp;#12 Elkhart 29 Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) 2:00 Hodgeman County @ Meade 2:00 Kiowa County @ South Gray Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville TBA 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #2 Spearville Bye #7 Greeley County 65,&nbsp;#10 Ness City 63 #6 St. John 62,&nbsp;#11 Kinsley 36 #3 South Central Bye Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) 2:00 Greeley County @ Spearville 2:00 St. John @ South Central Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville TBA 1A DII Colby Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #1 Wallace County Bye #8 Cheylin 38,&nbsp;#9 Golden Plains 32 #13 #4 Victoria 64,&nbsp;Winona-Tri-plains 34 #5 Otis-Bison 57,&nbsp;#12 Pawnee Heights 23 Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) 2:00 Cheylin @ Wallace County 2:00 Otis-Bison @ Victoria&nbsp; Championship Friday March 6 @ Colby TBA 1A DII Wakefield Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #2 Hanover Bye #10 Stafford 52, #7 Centre 47 #6 Blue Valley Randolph 62,&nbsp;#11 Chase 15 #3 Tescott Bye Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) 2:00 Stafford @ Hanover 2:00 Blue Valley Randolph @ Tescott Championship Friday March 6 @ Wakefield TBA ------------------------------------------------------------- GIRLS SUB-STATE PAIRINGS&nbsp; 1A DI Osborne Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/14) #1 Quinter Bye #9 Victoria 36, #8 Lincoln 28 #4 Decatur Community 61,&nbsp;#13 Ellis 27 #5 Osborne 63,&nbsp;#12 Lakeside 13 Semi-Finals Monday 3/2&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Victoria @ Quinter 6:00 Osborne @ Decatur Community Championship Saturday March 7 @ Osborne TBA 1A DI Osborne Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Rock Hills Bye #7 Sylvan-Lucas 51,&nbsp;#10 Hill City 26 #6 Central Plains 58,&nbsp;#11 St. Francis 14 #3 St. John's Beloit Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Sylvan-Lucas @ Rock Hills 6:00 Central Plains @ St. John's Beloit Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville TBA 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/14) #1 South Gray Bye #8 Meade 50,&nbsp;#9 Kinsley 16 #4 South Central 67,&nbsp;#13 Ness City 16 #5 St. John 61,&nbsp;#12 Elkhart 36 Semi-Finals Monday 3/2&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Meade @ South Gray 6:00 St. John @ South Central&nbsp; Championship Saturday March 7 @ Spearville TBA 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Hodgeman County Bye #7 Greeley County 54,&nbsp;#10 Kiowa County 34 #6 LaCrosse 45,&nbsp;#11 Macksville 26 #3 Spearville Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Greeley County @ Hodgeman County 6:00 LaCrosse @ Spearville Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville TBA 1A DII Colby Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/14) #1 Dighton Bye #9 Pawnee Heights 58, #8 Weskan 51 #5 Golden Plains 57,&nbsp;#13 Winona/Tri-Plains 20 #4 Grainfield-Wheatland Bye Semi-Finals Monday 3/2&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Pawnee Heights @ Dighton 6:00 Golden Plains @ Grainfield Wheatland Championship Saturday March 7 @ Colby TBA 1A DII Colby Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Western Plains Bye #7 Wallace County 77,&nbsp;#10 Otis-Bison 29 #6 Northern Valley 46,&nbsp;#11 Logan-Palco 40 #3 Cheylin Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Wallace County @ Western Plains 6:00 Northern Valley @ Cheylin Championship Friday March 6 @ Colby TBA 1A DII Wakefield Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Linn Bye #7 Tescott 39,&nbsp;#10 Thunder Ridge 34 #6 Stafford 52,&nbsp;#11 Wakefield 14 #3 Blue Valley-Randolph Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) 6:00 Tescott @ Linn 6:00 Stafford @ Blue Valley Championship Friday March 6 @ Wakefield TBA

Area Sub-State 1A DI/1A DII Scores and Schedule

Western Athletic Conference Boys Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Conf.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;All Hays&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;8-0&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;18-4 Great Bend&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6-2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 13-9 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4-4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;11-12 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2-6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;11-12 Liberal&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;0-8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2-20 Thursday, February 26 Dodge City 56, Liberal 49 Friday, February 27 Hays 67, Great Bend 52 Wichita Southeast 66,&nbsp;Garden City 64 END OF REGULAR SEASON

Final WAC Boys Scores and Standings

The United States swept both Olympic hockey gold medals only to see the celebrations turn into a political flashpoint. The men took a locker room call from President Donald Trump, who joked he would need to also invite the women's team to the White House. Later, a doctored White House TikTok upset American player Brady Tkachuk. Both teams stressed that they back each other's runs to gold.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have dismissed assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis, just hours before he was named as a suspect in a sexual assault case. The dismissal came shortly after the Falcons said Friday they were looking into allegations that recently surfaced on social media. A direct message seeking comment was sent to Lewis on social media. The allegations date to Lewis’ time at the University of Michigan, where he served as a graduate assistant for the 2022 season before being promoted to assistant defensive line coach for the next two seasons.

The Dallas Cowboys have placed the franchise tag on George Pickens, a move that would guarantee the receiver $27.3 million in 2026 while the sides work on a long-term contract. The Cowboys had been expected to use the tag on Pickens since last fall when he began to flourish in his breakout 2025 season. He was coming off a trade from Pittsburgh, where his career got off to a rocky start. The money is guaranteed if Pickens signs the one-year tender. The deadline for a long-term contract is July 15. It would replace the one-year deal.

Athletes and college sports administrators continue to end up in court less than a year after the House vs. NCAA class-action lawsuit was settled. Legal experts see no end in sight without federal legislation codifying rules on NIL and eligibility or a a totally new structure for the enterprise. Duke and Cincinnati sued quarterbacks who entered the transfer portal alleging breach of contract. More athletes are suing the NCAA to gain extra eligibility years. Attorney Mit Winter says federal law, a Supreme Court ruling or collective bargaining will stop the chaos.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Brooks Koepka and alternate Ben Silverman rebound at the Cognizant Classic and reach the weekend at PGA National. On Friday, Koepka fired a 5-under 66 and jumped inside the cut at 2 under. He says he does not come to tournaments just to make cuts. He hit few fairways but sank more putts and made six birdies. Silverman shot 67 after getting in when Will Zalatoris withdrew hurt. Silverman says he feels the home energy near Jupiter. A.J. Ewart and Mackenzie Hughes also made big moves.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Fernando Mendoza possesses all the traits NFL teams covet in a franchise quarterback. He’s smart, mobile, makes fast reads and quick releases. He has a strong arm and prototypical size. He has three years of starting experience and a national championship, too. But the once lightly recruited Mendoza learned long ago not to take anything for granted. So if the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in April ’s draft fulfills those expectations, he’ll eagerly embrace the pressure to succeed. And if the quarterback-needy Las Vegas Raiders do the unthinkable and bypass Mendoza, the former Indiana star won’t fret. Instead, the Boston-born Mendoza hopes to steal a page from Tom Brady's playbook.

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics have been one of the NBA’s hottest teams since returning from the All-Star break. They can add one of the best offensive performances in league history to their list of accomplishments as they await a possible return of star Jayson Tatum to action. Boston shot a season-high 66.7% from the field in their 148-111 win over the Brooklyn Nets. It was the second-best field goal percentage in team history, falling just short of the 67.9% they shot against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 21, 1984. The Celtics also shot 64.7% from the 3-point line Friday, which equated to an 80.8% effective field goal percentage – the highest in NBA history.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Tempers flared in the fourth quarter between Oklahoma City and the Denver Nuggets and resulted in the ejection of the Thunder’s Lu Dort. Dort fouled Denver’s Nikola Jokic in the midst of a tight game and Jokic got in Dort’s face. A scrum ensued, and Jokic and Oklahoma City’s Jaylin Williams were called for offsetting technical fouls. Dort was issued a Flagrant 2 and ejected. Oklahoma City won 127-121 in overtime.

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA players’ union sent a counterproposal to the league Friday night for a new collective bargaining agreement that included some concessions on revenue sharing and housing — two key areas on which the sides differ — according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Friday night on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. The union’s proposal came a week after it received one from the league. The WNBA told the union Monday that it needs to get a deal in place by March 10 to start the season on time, another person familiar with the discussions told the AP. That person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico has reassured FIFA that it can safely host the World Cup after deadly cartel violence this week. President Claudia Sheinbaum says on Friday that FIFA representatives plan to visit Mexico soon. She says they will review security and transport mobility in the host cities. Sheinbaum says transport projects remain urgent in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. Recent violence follows an army operation against a major cartel leader. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has told Sheinbaum he has full confidence in Mexico as a World Cup host.

Saturday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Western Athletic Conference Girls Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Conf.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;All *Hays&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8-0&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;21-1 Liberal&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6-2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 17-3 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4-4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;13-10 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8-15 Great Bend&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4-18 * Conference Champion Thursday, February 26 Liberal 63, Dodge City 33 Friday, February 27 Hays 68, Great Bend 29 Wichita Southeast 51, Garden City 40 END OF REGULAR SEASON

Final WAC Girls Scores and Standings

Saturday, February 28 3:00PM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Arizona 7:00PM&nbsp;1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - LA Lakers @ Golden State Sunday, March 1 2:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Minnesota @ Denver Monday,&nbsp;March 2 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Tuesday,&nbsp;March 3 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104- 5A Boys Sub-State Semi's - Great Bend vs TBA 6:00PM KHOK - 3A Boys Sub-State Semi's - Scott City @ Hoisington 7:30 PM Hits 106.9-&nbsp;Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Arizona State Wednesday,&nbsp;March 4 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:15PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Barton W&amp;M @ Cowley TBA KHOK - 3A Girls Sub-State Semi's - Hoisington vs TBA TBA Hits 106.9- 3A Girls Sub-State Semi's - Larned vs TBA&nbsp;&nbsp; Thursday, March 5 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Friday, March 6 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104- 5A Boys Sub-State Championship - Great Bend vs TBA Saturday, March 7 12:30 PM Hits 106.9- Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas St. @ Kansas TBA KHOK - 3A Girls Sub-State Championship - Hoisington vs TBA TBA Hits 106.9- 3A Girls Sub-State Championship - Larned vs TBA&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA @ Barton Women&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA @ Barton Men 7:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Golden State @ Oklahoma City Sunday, March 8 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City vs Chicago White Sox Monday, March 9 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City vs Cleveland Tuesday, March 10 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA vs Barton Women&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA vs Barton Men&nbsp; &nbsp; Wednesday, March 11 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day &nbsp;

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

Hays Boys 67 Great Bend 52; Hays Girls 68 Great Bend 29

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Scott City Girls 45 Hoisington 23

&nbsp;The U.S. and Israel have launched a major attack on Iran. As of 12 noon CST Saturday, several members of the Kansas Congressional delegation used their social media accounts to comment on the military action.

Kansas lawmakers comment on U.S. military attack on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump said in an 8-minute video posted on his Truth Social that the U.S. has begun “major combat operations in Iran.” He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S. and appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government.”

A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. A vicious group of very hard, terrible people. Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.

For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted Death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries. Among the regime’s very first acts was to back a violent takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In 1983, Iran’s proxies carried out the marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel.

In 2000, they knew and were probably involved with the attack on the USS Cole. Many died. Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime’s proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as U.S. naval and commercial vessels and international shipping lines. It’s been mass terror, and we’re not going to put up with it any longer.

From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. And it was Iran’s proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before.

Iran is the world’s number one state sponsor of terror, and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon. That is why in Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime’s nuclear program at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn’t want to do it. Again they wanted to do it. They didn’t want to do it. They didn’t know what was happening. They just wanted to practice evil. But Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades.

They’ve rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing the long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland. Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had, and actually were armed with nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message.

For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We’re going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally again obliterated. We’re going to annihilate their navy. We’re going to ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs, or roadside bombs as they are sometimes called, to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It’s a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon.

This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces. I built and rebuilt our military in my first administration and there is no military on earth even close to its power, strength or sophistication. My administration is taking every possible step to minimize the risk to U.S. personnel in the region. Even so, and I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we’re doing this not for now. We’re doing this for the future. And it is a noble mission. We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and our children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harm’s way. And we trust that with his help, the men and women of the armed forces will prevail. We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail.

To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity. Or in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death. Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.

For many years, you have asked for America’s help. But you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. So let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny, and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.

May God bless the brave men and women of America’s armed forces. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless you all. Thank you.

Read President Trump’s statement on Iran in full

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on&nbsp;<a href="https://israel's%20defense%20minister%20says%20his%20country%20has%20attacked%20iran%20and%20declares%20a%20state%20of%20emergency/">Iran</a>&nbsp;on Saturday, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;urged the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.

Some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/live-updates-israel-iran-february-28-2026">the first strikes</a>&nbsp;on Iran appeared to hit near the offices of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ali-khamenei">Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>. Smoke rose from the capital as part of strikes that Iranian media said occurred nationwide. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was in his offices when the attack occurred.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive “as far as I know,” and called the attack “unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate.”

In a video announcing the “major combat operations," Trump told Iranians that “when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that goal, called for “the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands."

The strikes during the holy fasting month of Ramadan opened a stunning new chapter in U.S. intervention in Iran, and marked the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has attacked the Islamic Republic during talks over its nuclear program. Weeks earlier, a U.S. military operation captured Venezuela’s president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">Nicolás Maduro</a>.

The targets included members of Iran's leadership, according to a U.S. official and another person briefed on the attacks who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation. There was no immediate information on whether top officials were killed.

Even if Iran's top leaders are killed, regime change is not guaranteed. Neither the U.S. nor Israel have articulated a vision for what new leadership might look like.

Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance of the attack.

The U.N. Security Council said it would meet Saturday afternoon. In a letter to the council, Araghchi said “all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile forces in the region shall be regarded as legitimate military objectives.”

Iran also requested an urgent session of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors about “these threats to safeguarded nuclear facilities,” according to a letter posted by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency.

The U.N.’s nuclear watchdog said on X it was closely monitoring developments and had seen “no evidence of radiological impact.”

Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region. Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program at a moment when the country is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-economy-prices-aa1c14906b39f79b88cdf47616a4a755">struggling at home</a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-protests-students-nuclear-khamenei-096e7ede9bc9c1e7b889878af9d6e750">growing dissent</a>&nbsp;following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-memorials-chehelom-71e5db503a287126a2d31cb32a2809eb">nationwide protests</a>.

The immediate trigger for Saturday’s strikes appeared to be the unsuccessful latest round of nuclear talks. But they also reflected dramatic changes that have left Iran’s leadership in its weakest position since the Islamic Revolution nearly half a century ago.

Israeli and American strikes last June greatly weakened Iran’s air defenses, military leadership and nuclear program. A regionwide war, sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has left Iran’s network of proxies across the Middle East greatly weakened. U.S. sanctions and global isolation, meanwhile, have decimated Iran’s economy.

Iran responded to the latest strikes by launching missiles and drones targeting Israel and strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

Israel’s military said Iran fired “dozens” of missiles at Israel, with many intercepted and no serious injuries reported. Barrages continued after sundown.

In southern Iran, at least 57 people were reported killed after a girls’ school was struck, and dozens more were wounded, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. The White House and Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Flights across the Middle East were disrupted and air defense fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates' commercial capital. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said.

Attack was coordinated between Israel and US

The U.S. military has for weeks amassed forces in the region, even as U.S. and Iranian envoys held talks in Switzerland and Oman.

“Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined,” Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, key mediator, said on X. “Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this," he said.

Israel said the operation has been planned for months with the U.S. “Air Force pilots are striking hundreds of targets across Iran, at significant personal risk and in coordination with U.S. strikes,” Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement.

Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack.

Trump, in seeking to justify the military action, claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program, despite asserting last year the program had been “obliterated” by an earlier round of strikes. He acknowledged Saturday that there could be American casualties, saying “that often happens in war.”

It was a notable call from a U.S. leader who swept into office on an “America First” platform and vowed to keep out of “forever wars.”

Trump’s statement listed grievances beyond the nuclear program, stretching back to the beginning of the Islamic Republic, following a revolution in 1979 that turned Iran from an American ally into a fierce foe.

The U.S. president said he was aiming to “annihilate” the Iranian navy and destroy regional proxies supported by Tehran. He called on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down arms, pledging members would be given immunity, while warning they would face “certain death” if they didn’t.

Trump had threatened military action, but held off, following Iran's recent crackdown on protests spurred by economic grievances that evolved into a nationwide, anti-government push against the ruling clerics.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-campus-protests-crackdown-54149e9d49fe022d840f71eb5f5be106">more than 7,000 deaths</a>&nbsp;in the crackdown and is investigating thousands more. The government has acknowledged more than 3,000 killed.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-enrichment-c0079c38746a896e2967a9a9cc2799d5">Iran has said it hasn’t enriched uranium since June</a>, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-nuclear-enrichment-satellite-d5c78b5fe974ec2fc338b8ad6d6a7d68">shown new activity at two of those sites</a>, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there.

Iran said it hoped to avert a war, but maintained its right to enrich uranium. Its leaders did not want to discuss other issues, such as its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

The strikes could rattle global markets, particularly if Iran is able to make the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for commercial traffic. A third of total worldwide oil exports transported by sea passed through the strait in 2025.

Saudi Arabia said in an announcement on state-run media that Iran had targeted its capital and its eastern region in an attack that was repelled.

Kuwait’s civil aviation authority said a drone targeted the main international airport, injuring several employees. Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar. Jordan said it “dealt with” 49 drones and ballistic missiles.

The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel, according to two senior Houthi officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement.

U.S. embassies or consulates in Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Israel said staffers were told to shelter in place and recommended all Americans “do the same until further notice.”

Toropin and Madhani reported from Washington and Boak from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Samy Magdy in Cairo, and Farnoush Amiri in New York contributed to this report.

US and Israel launch major attack on Iran; Tehran hits American bases

KANSAS CITY —Four people including a police officer were injured in a drive-by shooting into a church during a funeral in Kansas City on Friday.

Just after 11a.m. officers were working in an off-duty capacity at New Beginning Apostolic Church  in the 200 block of North Bales, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.&nbsp; Officers were inside the church when shots were fired from the outside.&nbsp; Those gun shots came inside of the church.

As a result of the shots being fired an officer was injured. Late Friday it was unknown if the wound is a result of shattered glass, or a bullet graze.&nbsp; The officer was treated and released at the scene.

During the incident members of the congregation were gathered for a funeral.&nbsp; Two additional victims were struck by gunfire.&nbsp; An adult female and an adult male victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and responded to local hospitals for treatment.&nbsp; A third adult male victim was injured by unknown means with what are also considered non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

This is being investigated as an aggravated assault, according to DiMartino. Police have not reported an arrest.

KCPD: 4 injured including police officer after shooting at funeral

COWLEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Friday in Cowley County.

The Cowley County Sheriff reported a 2008 Volvo XC70 driven by Candice Bergeson, 43, Winfield was involved in a rollover accident in the 2000 block of US 160 Highway.&nbsp;The driver was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.

Witnesses who observed the accident immediately stopped and rendered aid until emergency personnel arrived.&nbsp;

EMS transported Candice Bergeson to William Newton Memorial Hospital for treatment and she was pronounced deceased.

Kansas woman dies after ejected in rollover accident

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;told members of Congress on Friday that he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saw no signs of Epstein's sexual abuse as he faced hours of grilling from lawmakers over his connections to the disgraced financier from more than two decades ago.

“I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” the former Democratic president said in an opening statement he shared on social media. The closed-door deposition ended after more than six hours of questioning from lawmakers who said he answered every question posed to him.

The deposition in the Clintons’ hometown of Chappaqua, New York, marked the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress. It came a day after Clinton's wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-hillary-bill-clinton-deposition-house-investigation-299d82e8549f4d994dcb081c3876585c">sat with lawmakers</a>&nbsp;for her own deposition.

Bill Clinton has also not been accused of any wrongdoing, and Republican members of the House Oversight Committee did not immediately level any accusations against the Clintons as they departed Chappaqua. They planned to review the depositions but said their attention was mostly shifting to other individuals.

Lawmakers are grappling with what accountability in the United States looks like at a time when men around the world have been toppled from their high-powered posts for maintaining their connections with Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

“We have questions about anyone who spent time with Epstein post-conviction,” said Republican Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee. “Once you knew Jeffrey Epstein was a sex offender, why did you continue a relationship?”

Bill Clinton, in his opening statement, said that he had long stopped associating with Epstein by the time of his 2008 guilty plea. He also said it would be difficult to recall the specifics of events from more than 20 years ago, but expressed certainty that he had not witnessed signs of Epstein’s abuse.

Republican Rep. John McGuire accused Bill Clinton of having “selective memory” during the questioning, but other GOP members departed acknowledging that he had handled the deposition with skill and candor. Comer called Bill Clinton “charming” during the questioning.

“Clinton was quite candid, perhaps more candid than his attorneys were comfortable,” said Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy.

Republicans finally get a chance to question Bill Clinton

Republicans have wanted to question Bill Clinton about Epstein for years, especially as conspiracy theories arose following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">Epstein's 2019 suicide</a>&nbsp;in a New York jail cell while he faced sex trafficking charges.

Those calls reached a fever pitch late last year when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-justice-department-jeffrey-epstein-4a55e83b62b5a037c431e36cfa87f0dc">several photos of the former president</a>&nbsp;surfaced in the Department of Justice's first release of case files on Epstein and Maxwell,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-ghislaine-maxwell-fa2c504a6dfe30ce1686b857a4123b7b">a British socialite</a>&nbsp;who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-convicted-jeffrey-epstein-trial-verdict-63a71a2825eab41184a79e37bb967e90">convicted of sex trafficking</a>&nbsp;in December 2021 but maintains she's innocent. Bill Clinton was photographed on a plane seated alongside a woman, whose face is redacted, with his arm around her. Another photo showed Clinton and Maxwell in a pool with another person whose face was redacted.

Epstein also visited the White House several times during Clinton's presidency, and the pair later made several international trips together for their humanitarian work. Comer claimed the committee has collected evidence that Epstein visited the White House 17 times and that Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's airplane 27 times.

Democratic lawmakers said they also posed tough questions to Bill Clinton about his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.

“We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long,” Bill Clinton said in his opening statement. “And by the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with him.”

Bill Clinton also went after Comer for calling his wife before the committee, telling him that “including her was simply not right.”

Comer said the committee was working to quickly publish a transcript and video recording of both days of depositions.

Democrats, who have supported the push to get answers from Bill Clinton, are arguing that it sets a precedent that should also apply to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, a Republican who had his own relationship with Epstein.

“I think that President Trump needs to man up, get in front of this committee and answer the questions and stop calling this investigation a hoax,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, on Friday.

Comer has pushed back on that idea, saying that Trump has answered questions on Epstein from the press. Republicans also said they have not come across any evidence that Trump did anything wrong in his relationship with Epstein.

Trump on Friday expressed remorse at Bill Clinton being forced to testify. “I like Bill Clinton, and I don’t like seeing him deposed,” he told reporters as he departed the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-texas-cornyn-paxton-hunt-gop-primary-cd31dbec10c54ce230ae915e51cbccf0">en route to Corpus Christi, Texas</a>.

Democrats are also calling for the resignation of Trump's Commerce Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-howard-lutnick-2ead9f281ba2491e0581aced50a0533d">Howard Lutnick</a>. Lutnick was a longtime neighbor of Epstein in New York City but said on a podcast that he severed ties with Epstein following a 2005 tour of Epstein’s home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife.

The public release of case files showed that Lutnick actually had two engagements with Epstein years later. He attended a 2011 event at Epstein's home, and in 2012 his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island.

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