The Iola Register, Oct. 4, 2023

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Farm-City Days loses carnival

2023 festival calendar shortened

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

Iola’s Farm-City Days celebration will be without a carnival this year.

Jerad Larkey, Farm-City Days Committee chairman, said Fun Time Carnivals, which has brought rides to Iola the past several years, notified him that they would be unable to do so in 2023.

The last-minute notification makes it impossible to find a replacement, Larkey noted, with most carnivals booked 18 months to two years in advance.

“There are fewer and fewer options out there,” Larkey said. “The one we used before this company has gone out of business entirely.”

Fuel costs and an inability to find workers have meant fewer carnivals throughout the Midwest, Larkey noted.

“The few carnivals that do still exist have to shut down early and not do as many shows,” he added.

The cancellation means a truncated schedule as well.

The festivities will commence in downtown Iola the

See FC DAYS | Page A4

2021 Farm-City Days celebration. Carnival officials notified the FarmCity Days Committee it will be unable to provide rides for Iola’s upcoming fall festival.

County queries courthouse security plans

Tense exchange leads to man’s removal

By VICKIE MOSS The

A tense exchange during a discussion on courthouse security led to the removal of an audience member at Tuesday’s Allen County Commission meeting.

Arlyn Briggs, who has a history of tangling with government officials in both Allen and Anderson counties, was asked to leave the meeting during a discussion with Chief District Judge Dan Creitz.

Commissioners asked Creitz to clear up confusion about a new courthouse security plan. Voters will head to the polls Nov. 7 to decide on a nearly $10 million bond issue that would build a new courtroom and secured entry on the south side of the

courthouse, along with other improvements.

Commissioner Bruce Symes said he’s heard many questions about whether the west

Community to discuss upcoming bond election

By TIM STAUFFER The

Biblesta returns Saturday

HUMBOLDT — The 65th annual Biblesta celebration will fill the streets of Humboldt with songs of praise and the signature parade Saturday.

There’s plenty of fun on the calendar, beginning with youth activities at 10 a.m., at the same time a series of gospel singers will take the stage in Humboldt’s downtown square.

The Three Pastors will perform 10 a.m., followed by 7eventh Time Down at 11 and Lloyd Houk at 12:30 p.m.

The parade, which follows the story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, begins

at 1:30 p.m.

More music follows the parade, from Voice of Truth at 2:15 p.m. and Born to Worship at 3:45.

A free bean feed is set for 5 o’clock, with Biblesta After Dark games at 7. Biblesta’s roots extend to 1957 when Dr. Arthur Carlson, while attending a cottage prayer meeting, envisioned a parade to focus people on the Bible’s messages.

In late summer 1958, the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce accepted Carlson’s idea for a Bible-themed parade.

entrance will remain open to allow citizens to conduct routine county business. The

See SECURITY | Page A3

With the fate of a $9.95 million remodel of Allen County Courthouse just five weeks away, a community forum next Tuesday evening will offer the public an opportunity to speak with those leading the effort to pass the bond project.

The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Allen County Courthouse. The meet-

ing, sponsored by the Register, is open to the public at no cost. It will also be livestreamed.

The Oct. 10 event will begin with guided tours of the courthouse and presentations by the panelists. The second hour is dedicated to answering audience questions.

Have a burning question you want to make sure gets

See FORUM | Page A3

Loss of recycling irks Humboldt woman

By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register

A Humboldt woman took commissioners to task for not rescuing a volunteer recycling program.

When Diana Holmes moved to Kansas from California two years ago, she was surprised to discover recycling was not included as a city or county service.

Instead, an all-volunteer recycling program was offered by the Iola Rotary Club. When the club disbanded the service in late 2021, volunteers created Allen County Recycling, eventually located behind Pete’s convenience store on U.S. 54 on the east side of Iola. That program closed last week.

Holmes spoke to commissioners at their weekly meeting on Tuesday morning.

The recycling center was well-used, Holmes said, with cars often lined up to drop off cardboard, newspapers, plastic and glass.

“Do you ever go in there and see how much people were recycling?” Holmes asked commissioners.

“Every container was full, month after month. Do you not care that these things may all end up in the landfill again? It worked. We and lots and lots of people used it.”

Holmes said she has al-

ways recycled and does not want to throw her recyclables in the garbage, where it would be taken to the landfill. She also noted her daughter and son-in-law own a business that produces a lot of bottles and cardboard, and they also want to

See RECYCLING | Page A6

Workers with Fun Time Carnival set up a ride prior to the

REGISTER FILE PHOTO

Iola Register

Judge Daniel Creitz shows courthouse entrance plans during a discussion with Allen County commissioners Tuesday. REGISTER/ VICKIE MOSS

Humboldt and Iola high school marching band members stand at attention during the invocation at the 2022 Biblesta in Humboldt.

Diana Holmes of Humboldt speaks about recycling Tuesday to Allen County commissioners. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS

Iola Register

Police news

Accident reported

Jack C. Geisler was pulling onto U.S. 54 from the Casey’s General Store parking lot at the First Street intersection when his car collided with a westbound pickup driven by Grant J. Luedke Sept. 26.

Iola police officers said Luedke suffered possible injuries in the accident.

Vehicles collide

Jase T. Herrmann was northbound on South Street Sept. 21 when his pickup struck an eastbound vehicle driven by Luke C. Chenoweth,

who was traveling along Broadway Street. Neither driver was injured, Iola police officers said.

Parked vehicles hit

Iola police officers said Candace E. Elbrad-

er was eastbound in the 400 block of East Jackson Avenue the morning of Sept. 25 when she struck a parked pickup owned by Cameron E. Kern. The impact drove Kern’s pickup into the rear end of a car owned by Lyle D. Kern.

Elbrader and a passenger were unhurt, officers said.

Hospital mergers often increase patients’ costs

By SAMANTHA LISS KFF Health News

St. Louis’ largest health system, BJC HealthCare, plans to merge with Kansas City’s second-largest, Saint Luke’s Health System, uniting more than 28 hospitals, including Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola, on both sides of Missouri by the end of this year.

The merger, which would span markets 250 miles apart and include facilities in neighboring Kansas and Illinois, is just one of the latest in a quickly consolidating hospital industry. Cross-market deals accounted for more than half of all hospital mergers and acquisitions during the last decade, according to a paper from experts on antitrust law. Today, nearly 60% of health systems operate multiple hospitals in different geographic markets.

Not only are such deals more common, they can increase costs for patients. Merged hospitals in the same state but in different markets raised prices as much as 10% compared with other hospitals, researchers found after analyzing past deals. A separate study found stand-alone hospitals raised prices 17% after they were acquired by a hospital company in another market.

But for some 50 years, federal regulators have not stepped in to prevent hospitals from merging with systems in other markets, according to antitrust law experts. Without federal intervention, states that have seen such megamergers, such as Michigan and California, are often left to

WWII plane to visit

wrestle with the complex question of how to respond, given the likelihood of higher prices for their residents.

The Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department are reviewing public comments on draft merger guidelines designed to crack down on mergers in multiple sectors, including health care.

It’s not yet clear if or how cross-market hospital mergers within a state could be affected. Still, the draft says consolidation should not “entrench or extend a dominant position” by extending into “new markets.”

But such cross-market mergers aren’t quite a textbook case of a monopoly. When hospitals have bought up local rivals, knocking out their competition, federal regulators have intervened to block these traditional mergers to protect patients from the resulting loss of competition. In recent years, they helped stop proposed mergers in New Jersey, Utah, and Rhode Island. The thinking is that without local competition, prices increase and the quality of care decreases.

It’s harder to prove how cross-market mergers, like the one planned in Missouri, reduce competition if the hospitals do not operate within a single market, said Chris Garmon, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, who researches hospital mergers. Regulators would have to prove the mergers don’t just raise prices but also run afoul of the law by suppressing competition.

Newspaper raid: Marion police chief resigns

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)

— The police chief who led an August raid on a small weekly newspaper in central Kansas resigned Monday, just days after he was suspended from his post and following the release of body camera video of the raid showing an officer searching the desk of a reporter investigating the chief’s past.

Marion Police Chief

Gideon Cody’s resignation was confirmed to The Associated Press both by Mayor Dave Mayfield and City Council member Ruth Herbel, following an announcement by Mayfield at Monday’s council meeting. Mayfield had suspended Cody on Thursday for reasons that have not been made public. In a text message Monday night to the AP, he said he couldn’t answer questions about the chief’s resignation “as it is a personnel matter.”

Cody stepped down weeks after a local prosecutor said that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to justify the search of the Marion County Record or searches at the same time of the publisher’s home and Herbel’s home. The search of the newspaper put Marion, a town of 1,900 residents some 150 miles southwest of Kansas City, at the center of a fierce national debate over press freedoms and cast an international spotlight on Cody and his tactics.

Cody faces one federal lawsuit, and others are

expected.

Cody did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment about his resignation. His resignation initially was reported by the Marion County Record and the Wichita Eagle.

“It’s long overdue. You know, we had to wait more than six weeks to get him suspended,” said Eric Meyer, the Record’s editor and publisher. “It kind of leads you to believe that there’s some smoking gun somewhere that everybody knows about and we’re going to try to get ahead of it.”

Recently obtained body camera video from the search of the newspaper shows that after an officer rifled through a desk drawer of the reporter looking into Cody’s background, he beckoned Cody over to look at the documents he’d found. The AP obtained the body camera video Monday through an open records request.

Cody then says,

“Keep a personal file on me. I don’t care,” the video shows. He’s briefly seen bending over, apparently to look at the drawer, before the other officer’s clipboard blocks the view of what the chief is doing.

Cody obtained warrants for the three raids by telling a judge that he had evidence of possible identity theft and other potential crimes tied to the circulation of information about a local restaurant owner’s driving record. But the newspaper and its attorney have suggested he might have been trying to find out what it had learned about his past as a police captain in Kansas City, Missouri.

“This was all about finding out who our sources were,” Bernie Rhodes, the newspaper’s attorney, said Monday.

Some legal experts believe the raids on the Record’s office and Meyer’s home violated a federal privacy law

that protects journalists from having their newsrooms searched.

Some believe it violated a Kansas law that makes it more difficult to force reporters and editors to disclose their sources and unpublished material.

Herbel has called the search of her home illegal because of differences in the texts of the affidavit Cody used to get the warrant and the warrant itself. She said last month that she feared for her safety.

“I’m glad we’re rid of him,” Herbel said.

Meyer blames the stress of the raids for the death the next day of his 98-year-old mother, Joan Meyer, the paper’s co-owner.

While the newspaper has questioned Cody’s motives, the body camera video shows him repeatedly telling newspaper staffers that he is investigating how it and Herbel obtained information about the owner of two local restaurants, Kari Newell.

“It grew into a monster, and it’s got your name on it,” Cody told Record reporter Phyllis Zorn, who had verified information about Newell online, after reading Zorn her rights, one video shows.

The video was released to the AP through a Wichita law firm representing the city. The same firm has been representing Cody in the federal lawsuit against him, filed by Deb Gruver, the Record reporter who’d been looking into Cody’s past, who recently left the newspaper.

Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody LINKEDIN

Trio share Nobel

STOCKHOLM (AP) —

Three scientists won the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for giving us the first split-second glimpse into the superfast world of spinning electrons, a field that could one day lead to better electronics or disease diagnoses.

The award went to French-Swedish physicist Anne L’Huillier, French scientist Pierre Agostini and Hungarian-born Ferenc Krausz for their work with the tiny part of each atom that races around the center and is fundamental to virtually everything: chemistry, physics, our bodies and our gadgets. Electrons move so fast that they have been out of reach of human efforts to isolate them, but

Obituaries

by looking at the tiniest fraction of a second possible, scientists now have a “blurry” glimpse of them and that opens up whole new sciences, experts said.

“The electrons are very fast, and the electrons are really the workforce in everywhere,” Nobel Committee member Mats Larsson said. “Once you can control and understand electrons, you have taken a very big step forward.”

L’Huillier, of Lund University in Sweden, is the fifth woman to receive a Nobel in physics.

“For all the women, I say if you are interested, if you have a little bit of passion for this type of challenges, so just go for it,” she told The Associated Press.

Doris Church

Doris Church, 98, of Lone Elm, died Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Iola.

Doris Arlene Garver was born Jan. 5, 1925, in Lone Elm to Ray and Nora Grace (Hamilton) Garver.

On March 5, 1945, Doris was united in marriage to Joe Church. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years on Oct. 26, 2011. She also was preceded in death by a grandson, Dan Ramsey on June 27, 2019; three great-grandchildren, Megan and Regan Ramsey and Jaden Terry.

She is survived by her four children, Patty Jo (Deane) Ramsey of Lone Elm, Linda Ellis of La Cygne, Susan (Jerry) Luedke of Colony and Jody (Shayla) Church of Colony; seven grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, a brother and many nieces, nephews.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Garnett. Following the service, Doris will be laid to rest in the Lone Elm Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home in Garnett. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.

Security: Man ejected from meeting

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west entrance is most commonly used to access offices for the county clerk, treasurer and other departments. The south entrance is often used by those who attend court or conduct related business, and also serves as the handicapped entrance.

Creitz said the plan does not close the west entrance.

However, Creitz said the west entrance could be closed if there was a security concern, such as during a trial for a serious crime or when a suspect has a known history that could pose a threat to others in the building.

“This allows the courthouse to be totally secure,” Creitz said. “This doesn’t say the west entrance will be closed, but it allows that to happen if you need to. On certain occasions it may be closed.”

Commissioners asked if it might be possible to provide a partition at the stairwell that separates the court area from other offices.

Creitz said that was not included in the plan but could be considered.

“The (incidents) you worry about are the ones you don’t plan for,” Creitz said.

“If a security risk exists, is there still a risk to county employees?” Symes asked. “That’s the advantage of having a secure entrance. It’s a lot safer for all the employees in the building.”

BRIGGS, who spoke earlier in the meeting about other matters, chimed in on the discussion, saying he believed the project was too costly and unnecessary.

“I think you’re spending a ton of money for almost no benefit,” Briggs said.

“I realize everybody is concerned about safety. Maybe there’s a reason they should be concerned about safety.”

He then spoke directly to Creitz and referenced other, unrelated criminal investigations.

County attorney Bob Johnson asked Briggs

Forum: Tuesday

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addressed, or a point you feel needs to be made? Submit them to us at news@iolaregister.com or by calling the Register office at (620) 365-2111.

Questions fielded so far include:

∙ Would the new courthouse plan mean the west entrance to the courthouse would permanently close?

∙ Will all courthouse visitors have to pass through metal detectors?

∙ If this bond issue fails, are there other ways to finance the renovations?

∙ Would the renovated courthouse take up much green space?

The nearly $10 million proposal would build onto and renovate the Allen County Courthouse, adding a second courtroom nearly identical to the existing one and featuring numerous security improvements. It would also add new offices for court staff and judges, along with a new secure entry and lobby that would be

handicapped accessible.

Advance voting begins Oct. 18 until noon

Monday, Nov. 6. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The last day to register to vote is Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Panelists include Allen County Sheriff Bryan Murphy; Dina Morrison, chief clerk administrator; Kevin McGuffin, chief court services officer; Vince Haines, architect, Gravity Works Architecture; Tad Johnson, construction manager, Crossland Construction; Gregory Vahrenberg, managing director of Raymond James Public Finance; Bob Johnson, Johnson Schowengerdt, PA; and Dan Creitz, chief judge of the 31st Judicial District.

Two more forums are in the works. Creitz and Sheriff Bryan Murphy will conduct community conversations about the project from 6:30 to 7:30 tonight at the Humboldt Senior Center and on Oct. 11 at the Moran Senior Center.

to stick to the topic at hand.

“There’s a reason you need to be afraid,” Briggs continued.

“You’re not going to threaten anybody in this room,” Commissioner Jerry Daniels said. “You need to leave.”

Briggs said he was not threatening anyone. A deputy escorted Briggs from the room.

Briggs has a history of confronting government officials.

He was arrested in 2022 stemming from reported threats against Anderson County law enforcement officials while he was running for the GOP nomination for governor, and saw those cases settled in late August.

Briggs received a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to one count of criminal damage to property and entering no-contest pleas to one count of filing a false report to police report and one count of violating a protection order. In exchange, prosecutors dropped felony criminal threat charges against Briggs.

DURING THE security discussion, Symes said he also was concerned not enough was being done to educate the public about the bond issue.

Creitz and Sheriff Bryan Murphy will conduct community conversations about

the project from 6:30 to 7:30 tonight at the Humboldt Senior Center, and on Oct. 11 at the Moran Senior Center.

The Register will host a forum at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the courtroom. It will be live-streamed.

Crossland Construction, the company hired to oversee the project, is responsible for the public education campaign, Creitz said. They have sent out a mailer and posted information on social media, but he was unaware of any other efforts.

“I would encourage the public to look for these opportunities,” Symes said. “The vote is right around the corner. I believe this is something we need for the courthouse, and the bond will provide the least onerous method to provide funding for this.”

Daniels said the need for improved courthouse security has been discussed for years.

“Two things are important. One is the safety of court members and those who go to court, all the county employees and the patrons who visit this building,” Daniels said.

“This is not our decision. We are not spending this money. This is up to voters to decide.”

Brett Maloney Brett Lee Maloney, 52, of Victoria, Texas passed away on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, after a brave battle against cirrhosis and cancer.

Brett was born on March 9, 1971, to Leon and Sherry Maloney in Iola. The family moved to Texas in 1981 and Brett graduated from Victoria High School in 1989. He was self-employed for over 30 years, most recently in the oilfield industry. Brett enjoyed a lifelong love of fast cars and all other things mechanical. He enjoyed doing anything outdoors and Brett had a never-ending curiosity to learn about and experience new things.

Brett Maloney

Brett was preceded in death by his parents Albert Leon Maloney and Sherry Jean Hutton Maloney. He is survived by his son Quinton Lee Maloney; loved ones Katherine Norman, Carol Norman, Johnny Karm and extended family members. His loved ones would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of South Texas for the special care they provided Brett during his final months allowing him to remain at home as long as possible.

A celebration of Brett’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Brett asked that donations be made to The American Diabetes Association or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Donations to Hospice of South Texas in Brett’s memory would also be appreciated. Services have been entrusted to Victoria Mortuary and Cremation services, 1505 LaValliere St., Victoria, Texas 77901.

Financial Focus

Don’t Leave Your IRA To The IRS

If you’ve invested in an IRA for many decades, it may well turn into a key source of income for your retirement. Still, you might not deplete your IRA in your lifetime, especially if you also have a pension or a 401(k) and other investment income. So, if your IRA still has sizable assets after your passing, it would likely end up in your estate plan. If you leave your IRA to grown children or other family members, could they be hit with a big tax bill?

Here’s a little background: Up until the Secure Act of 2019, those who inherited traditional IRAs could extend their required withdrawals over their lifetimes, which stretched out the annual taxes due on these withdrawals. But the Secure Act changed the provisions for non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited an IRA after 2019, meaning that beneficiaries of inherited IRAs had only 10 years (beginning the year after death) to withdraw the entire balance. For some beneficiaries, this could potentially create a tax burden. (Inheritors of Roth IRAs are also required to follow the 10-year distribution rule but are not subject to income taxes on account earnings if the Roth IRA’s five-year holding period has been met).

However, not all beneficiaries were affected by the new rules. Spouses can stretch their inherited IRA distributions over their lifetimes and exceptions exist for certain non-spouse beneficiaries. Minor children of the IRA owner (until the age of majority), chronically ill or disabled individuals, and beneficiaries who are no more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner may opt to stretch their distributions.

The new 10-year requirement applies to IRAs inherited on or after Jan. 1, 2020. But due to confusion over changes to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for some beneficiaries of inherited IRAs, the IRS waived penalties for individuals who failed to take RMDs in 2021 and 2022 and extended the RMD penalty waiver for 2023.

Although these rulings give beneficiaries — those not eligible for the exemptions listed above — more time to plan, they will eventually need to start taking RMDs, which could affect their tax situations. To help protect your heirs, consider these suggestions:

• Using permanent life insurance. A properly structured permanent life insurance policy could help you replace theassets your family might lose to the taxes resulting from an inherited IRA. You might even consider naming a charity as the beneficiary of an IRA, rather than your family members. The charity would receive the IRA proceeds tax free, and the life insurance could then provide tax-free benefits to your heirs.

• Leaving taxable investment accounts to your heirs. Apart from your taxdeferred IRA, you may own other, fully taxable accounts containing investments such as stocks or bonds. Typically, these investments receive what’s known as a “step-up” in their cost basis once they are inherited. This means your heirs will essentially inherit all the gains your investments earned by the time of your passing — but they won’t be taxed on these gains if they sell the assets immediately. This type of sale could help offset the taxes your heirs will incur from the inherited IRA.

The tax and investment issues surrounding inherited IRAs can be complex, so consult with your tax and financial advisors before making any moves. And, as with many areas relating to inheritances, the sooner you start planning, the better.

McCarthy ousted as House Speaker in historic vote

WASHINGTON (AP)

— Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history. The 216-210 vote, forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives, throws the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.

McCarthy’s chief rival, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, brought forward the “motion to vacate” drawing together more than a handful of conservative Republican critics of the speaker and many Democrats who say he is unworthy of leadership. Next steps are uncertain, but there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority.

The vote marked a stunning moment for the battle-tested McCarthy, a punishment fu-

eled by growing grievances but sparked by his weekend decision to work with Democrats to keep the federal government open rather than risk a shutdown.

An earlier vote was 218-208 against tabling the motion, with 11 Republicans allowing it to advance.

The House then opened an extraordinary floor debate, unseen in modern times, ahead of the next round of voting on what could be an motion to “vacate the chair” — something that has not happened in Congress in a century.

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a letter to colleagues that he wants to work with Republicans, but he was unwilling to provide the votes needed to save McCarthy.

“It is now the re-

sponsibility of the GOP members to end the House Republican Civil War,” Jeffries said, announcing the Democratic leadership would vote for the motion to oust the speaker.

As the House fell silent, Gaetz, a top ally of Donald Trump, rose to offer his motion.

Gaetz is a leader of the hard-right Republicans who fought in January against McCarthy in his prolonged battle to gain the gavel.

“It’s a sad day,” Republican Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma said as debate got underway, urging his colleagues not to plunge the House Re-

FC Days: Losing carnival and Cobras

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evening of Friday, Oct. 20, with a community dinner sponsored by Allen County Farm Bureau.

Trevor Holman and the Haymakers, a regional music group that played at this year’s Cornstock in Garnett and at the Kincaid Free Fair, will provide the music for a street dance, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Larkey said that Chelsea Lea, of Miss Chelsea’s Dance Academy, is organizing several kids games to keep youngsters occupied through the evening, with such activities as sack races, balloon and egg tosses and the sort. With those added activities, Larkey said the committee may need

extra volunteers.

“Anybody willing to help out would be great,” he said.

Larkey also hopes to get additional inflatables for the square the next day to go with the ones already planned, including those geared to older children.

The Saturday activities will open with a Russell Stover “Fun Rover” race at 8 a.m.

The popular car show will return, and if the weather is as dry as it has been, the hot rods will be parked on the courthouse lawn. (Otherwise, they’ll be parked along Washington Avenue and West Street.)

Miss Chelsea’s Dance Academy and In Step Dance Academy will perform on the free

stage along Jefferson Avenue at 10:15 a.m. and noon, respectively.

The parade, with a “Travel Through Time” theme, commences at 11 a.m. An adult cornhole tournament begins at 2 p.m.

The Cannonball Run, a bike race sponsored by Southwind Cycle and Outdoors, caps Saturday’s fun.

The challenge begins at 7 p.m. Riders must make six stops around town — Iola High School, the Allen County Regional Hospital Clinic, Clocktower Mercantile, the dog park, skate park, Highland Cemetery and Twin Motors Ford — and return to the square in 45 minutes or less.

All participants must wear helmets and have functioning headlights and taillights for their bicycles.

THIS year’s festival will be without another staple of celebrations past.

The iconic KC Marching Cobras, a team of high school-aged percussionists from Kansas City, Mo., has shut down operations.

Willie Arthur Smith, who began the program in 1969, announced he is retiring and dissolving the program.

The troupe performed in 45 states, in front of three U.S. presidents and performed internationally as well. The group’s final performance was last week.

the Democratic leader Jeffries for help with votes to stay in the job, nor had they demanded anything in return.

During the hour-long meeting, McCarthy invoked the last Republican speaker, Joseph Cannon, who more than 100 years ago confronted his critics head on by calling their bluff and setting the vote himself on his ouster.

publican majority “into chaos.”

But Gaetz shot back during the debate, “Chaos is Speaker McCarthy.”

The fiery debate unfolded with much of the complaints against the speaker revolving around his truthfulness and his ability to keep the promises he has made since January to win the gavel.

But a long line of McCarthy supporters, including Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a founding leader of the conservative Freedom Caucus, stood up for him: “I think he has kept his word.” And some did so passionately, Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., waving his cell phone saying it was “disgusting” that hard-right colleagues were fundraising off the move in text messages seeking donations.

Behind closed doors, McCarthy told fellow Republicans: Let’s get on with it.

“If I counted how many times someone wanted to knock me out, I would have been gone a long time ago,” McCarthy said at the Capitol after the morning meeting.

McCarthy insisted he had not reached across the aisle to

Cannon survived that take-down attempt which, until now, was the first time the House had actually voted to consider removing its speaker. A more recent threat, in 2015, didn’t make it to a vote.

McCarthy received three standing ovations during the private meeting — one when he came to the microphone to speak, again during his remarks and lastly when he was done, according a Republican at the meeting and granted anonymity to discuss it.

At one point, there was a show of hands in support of McCarthy and it was “overwhelming,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the House Freedom Caucus.

ACROSS THE WAY in the Capitol, Democrats lined up for a long discussion and unified around one common point: McCarthy cannot be trusted, several lawmakers in the room said.

“I think it’s safe to say there’s not a lot of goodwill in that room for Kevin McCarthy,” said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass.

“At the end of the day, the country needs a speaker that can be relied upon,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. “We don’t trust him. Their members don’t trust him. And you need a certain degree of trust to be the speaker.”

The KC Marching Cobras, shown performing at the 2022 Farm-City Days parade. REGISTER/FILE PHOTO

Rep. Kevin McCarthy talks to reporters following a House Republican conference meeting in the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, shortly before being voted out as Speaker of the House. GETTY IMAGES/CHIP SOMODEVILLA/TNS

Opinion A5

The Iola Register

~ Journalism that makes a difference

Dysfunction descends on House Republicans

er members of the Freedom Caucus was McCarthy’s “capitulation” last weekend in seeking Democratic support for a spending bill that averted a government shutdown.

“Working with Democrats is a yellow brick road that has been paved by Speaker McCarthy,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz Monday afternoon, alleging that the House Speaker’s recent negotiations with Democrats to avert a government shutdown was akin to treason. Gaetz’s accusations set in motion a referendum on the Speaker’s ouster.

That the Florida firebrand’s extremist ideology continues to hold House Republicans hostage is a harbinger of more trouble to come.

Indeed, on Tuesday afternoon, Kevin McCarthy was ousted, leaving the House rudderless.

The most recent excuse/ objection by Gaetz and oth-

In a proverbial “11th hour” bipartisan deal, McCarthy agreed to drop Republican demands that included massive spending cuts, additional money for border security, and a commission on the growing federal debt.

At tally’s end, 209 Democrats and 126 Republicans supported the bill, while 90 Republicans and 1 Democrat voted no. From there, the Senate approved the measure.

As for the Kansas delegation, we’re thankful Reps. Jake LaTurner and Sharice Davids and Sen. Jerry Moran voted for the measure.

To their disgrace, Reps. Tracey Mann and Ron Estes and Sen. Roger Marshall voted to shut down government offices, stalling the work of more than 2 mil-

lion federal employees and another 4 million that depend on federal contracts such as construction firms that build roads and bridges. A shutdown would also have halted financial relief for farmers who depend on payments and loans as well as WIC, the Women, Infant and Children program.

THOUGH MOST Democrats voted for the bill, they regret its withholding of further aid to Ukraine at this critical juncture in its defense against the Russian invasion. To embolden Russia’s Vladimir Putin is an anathema to those who value democracy.

Democrats also deservedly cried foul when they were given scant time to review the 71-page bill.

That the legislation extends funding for only 45 days, meaning members of the House will be right back at it come November, speaks volumes of its lack of leadership.

By Tuesday, any sense of bipartisanship evaporated when McCarthy said he’d make no concessions to gain Democrats’ support to remain House Speaker.

Such swagger not only cost McCarthy his post but is short-sighted.

To pass Ukraine funding he’ll need Democrats’ support. Same with the farm bill. Ditto for defense.

McCarthy is playing right into the hands of Gaetz and others aligned with the House Freedom Caucus who favor paralyzing mayhem to actually legislating. We can only hope their names will be remembered come the next election.

— Susan Lynn

Young conservatives demand climate action

By SUSAN ATKINSON The Chicago Tribune/TNS

Benji Backer, a 25-year-old conservative from Wisconsin, was not pleased with a recent Republican presidential primary debate. The candidates either denied, ignored or downplayed the Fox moderator’s question on climate change.

Backer is not alone in his views. Founder of the American Conservation Coalition, Backer said of his peers: “Young people will never vote for a candidate that does not believe in climate change. We’re not going away; we are normalizing this as part of the Republican conversation. Republicans deserve to lose if they are climate deniers and don’t have a plan.”

Climate change is often seen as an intergenerational issue, with the younger generation expected to bear the brunt of the impacts. The GOP’s failure to articulate an adequate climate policy is alarming 18- to 38-yearold voters. The cost of inac-

tion will have far-reaching consequences. Some young conservatives are concerned that their party’s reluctance to address climate change represents a failure to consider the interests of future generations.

The older conservative generations have broad influence and power over the current climate change narrative, though the time for change is ripe. And the time for climate denial and inaction has passed. The younger conservative generation isn’t buying the old narrative.

Young or old, we can see the escalating impact of drought, crop failure, wildfires, sea level rise and storm damage that will devastate future economic prosperity. The younger generations are coming of age and using their votes, which they demonstrated in record numbers in last year’s midterm election. Their votes could be crucial in swing states in 2024. They know that the problem is real, that it needs to be addressed now and that conservative policy

solutions can make a difference.

GOP House Rep. John Curtis of Utah made a similar point to Backer’s. “I believe strongly that if Republicans don’t make (climate change) an issue, we will lose the upcoming generation of Republicans,” he said. “The upcoming generation will not be patient with us. This is a deal-breaker for them. They’ll leave the Republican Party over this one issue.”

Well-respected GOP pollster Frank Luntz said in 2019 that of all generations of current voters, “Three in four American voters want to see the government step in to limit carbon emissions — including a majority of Republicans (55%). Voters’ concerns simply aren’t being addressed.”

There are at least four reasons for young conservatives’ concern:

1. Scientific consensus: Older conservatives were educated in a time before climate science; younger generations learned climate science along with reading,

writing and arithmetic. Education is foundational to our worldview. Advancing policies based on evidence and scientific consensus is crucial for effective solutions.

2. National security: Climate change is increasingly seen as a national security threat due to its potential to exacerbate conflicts over resources, disrupt supply chains and create refugee crises. Addressing climate change is a matter of protecting national security and maintaining geopolitical stability.

3. Economic opportunities: Renewable energy and other climate-friendly technologies represent economic opportunities, including job creation and innovation. Supporting policies that promote clean energy fosters economic growth and reduces reliance on foreign energy sources.

4. Conservative values: Some conservatives may argue that addressing climate change aligns with traditional conservative values, such as responsible steward-

ship of resources, fiscal responsibility, and a desire to preserve natural beauty and landscapes. Solutions that are pro-market and involve limited government regulation exist — such as a carbon fee and dividend with a border tax adjustment. We need to keep American businesses competitive in global markets.

Republicans should develop a coherent and effective climate policy before they cease to be a politically viable party. The political will is mounting for serious solutions to climate change as public opinion shifts.

Increasing numbers of Americans — including Republicans — are expressing concern and support for action. We need all voices at the solutions table, especially ones that reflect long-standing conservative principles.

About the author: Susan Atkinson is a volunteer for the Citizens Climate Lobby, an organization that reaches across the political spectrum to find common ground for climate change action.

A home is left in ruins after it burned in the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest, California, on Aug. 1, 2022. Increasingly, today’s voters are demanding legislators recognize the dangers of global warming. (DAVID MCNEW/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/TNS)

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., introduced a motion Monday to vacate Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy following an agreement over the weekend to avert a partial shutdown of the federal government. (ANNA MONEYMAKER/GETTY IMAGES/ TNS)

McCarthy’s unwillingness to court Democrats costs him leadership post

Library notes Banned Books Week

By SHARON MORELAND Iola Public Library

“Let Freedom Read” is this year’s theme for Banned Books Week, which takes place Oct. 1-7. Banned Books Week is a time for the Iola Public Library and libraries across the country to champion everyone’s right to read under the First Amendment. This Saturday is “Let Freedom Read Day,” designed to create civic action to both celebrate libraries and combat censorship.

The Iola Public Library has titles from the top 13 most challenged books of 2022 on display, including “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky and “The Bluest Eye” by Toni

India evicts diplomats

by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.”

The Iola Public Library is recognizing Banned Booked Week which runs through Saturday.

Morrison. According to the American Library Association’s “State of America’s Libraries Report,” “Libraries in every state faced another year of unprecedented attempts to ban books.

In 2022, ALA tracked the highest number of censorship reports since

the association began compiling data about library censorship more than 20 years ago. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 2,571 unique titles targeted for censorship, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted in 2021. Most of the targeted books were written

Banned Books Week began in 1982, after a surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. Libraries, especially public libraries, value free and open access to information and strive to serve our entire community with a broad range of viewpoints and subject matter.

TORONTO (AP) — India has told Canada to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country, an official familiar with the matter said Tuesday, ramping up a confrontation between the two countries over Canadian accusations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver.

The official, who confirmed an earlier report from the Financial Times, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment, but ministry spokes-

person Arindam Bagchi had previously called for a reduction in Canadian diplomats in India, saying they outnumbered India’s staffing in Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last month that there were “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh leader who was killed by masked gunmen in June in Surrey, outside Vancouver. For years, India has said Nijjar, a Canadian citizen born in India, has links to terrorism, an allegation Nijjar denied.

Kansas gets $7M from $1.95B in legalized sports betting

By RACHEL MIPRO Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — The state’s first year of sports betting brought in $7 million in state revenue from $1.85 billion in wagers.

In a Thursday update to committee lawmakers, Kansas Lottery finance director Matt Schwartz said revenue projections were basically on track with expectations.

“Sports wagering revenues, we’re now a little more than 12 months in,” Schwartz said. “The state’s share of revenues for the first year, which was 10 months of operation, was a little more than $5.8 million.”

The fiscal year ended June 30. From the September 2022 introduction of sports betting through the end of August this year, the state has collected about $7 million in sports betting taxes, and sports bettors have staked about $1.85 billion.

Schwartz said the organization wasn’t expecting a “big change”

in revenue for the upcoming year, estimating the state’s share of revenue would likely be around $10 million in fiscal year 2024.

August numbers reported $94.4 million in settled wagers for the month, generating $484,366 in state sporting bet taxes.

The state’s gaming law, which followed years of legislative debate over the merits of sports betting, cleared the way for Kansas’ four state-owned casinos to participate in in-person sportsbooks and mobile sports betting.

The state’s share of sports gambling revenue was set at 10%, but the law is written to allow sports betting companies who partner with the casinos to deduct promotional subsidies from taxable revenue, leading to higher company profits and lower state returns.

The majority of the state’s sports betting revenue is placed in a fund dedicated to attracting professional sports franchises to Kansas — however unlikely the fund’s success

may be.

Another provision of the law allows casinos to partner with businesses, such as restaurants, and nonprofit organizations. Rep. Troy Waymaster, a Bunker Hill Republican, said the provision needed to be utilized more.

“That was one of the biggest provisions of sports betting, with the anticipation that it would broaden sports betting across the state of Kansas,” Waymaster said.

“There’s only four entities in the entire state, out of 105 counties, that have signed up,” Waymaster added. “That’s not a very good response rate, in my opinion.”

Overall, net casino gaming revenues were $407.1 million in fiscal year 2023, marking a $6.1 million increase from the previous year. Out of the revenue, the Kansas Lottery transferred $97.7 million into the Expanded Lottery Act Revenues Fund and the Problem Gambling and Addictions Grant Fund.

Recycling: Commissioners

Continued from A1

recycle. Now, they will be forced to choose between sending recyclable material to the landfill or transporting it themselves to a recycling center in another city, such as Lawrence or Kansas City.

“You can’t just keep kicking the landfill problem down the road. It’s not fair to dump this problem on future generations,” Holmes said.

She also criticized recent decisions by county and Iola leaders not to designate employee time for recycling. Allen County Recycling asked each entity to contribute one employee to work 20 hours a week to assist their efforts.

County commissioners said they would do so if the city did. Council members did not agree and instead suggested alternatives such as using jail inmates.

The City of Iola picks up trash twice a week. Holmes suggested Iola should

designate either one of those days for recycling pickup, a common refrain among local recycling enthusiasts.

She also criticized the county for recent efforts to contain trash, such as spending $82,700 for a portable fencing system to catch garbage that is blown by wind.

“When I see all the thousands of dollars you are spending on the landfill to mitigate the problem, it makes me angry you are thinking short term and not long term,” she said.

“Without the recy-

cling center, you are going to have a lot more problems to mitigate at the landfill. It is your job to find solutions. Please find a way to keep the recycle center open.”

PAUL ZIRJACKS, a citizen who regularly attends commission meetings, also spoke in support of recycling efforts.

“I would think it would be in the commissioners’ interest to come up with a program and for the city to help,” he said.

Commissioners did not discuss the matter.

Sports Daily B

Alouidor wins it for Allen

By QUINN BURKITT

Allen’s Patrick Alouidor delivered when his team needed it most in a 3-1 comeback win over Pratt Saturday. The Turks and Caicos native scored all three goals for Allen.

It was sweet revenge for the Red Devils (7-2-1; 4-2 KJCCC), who fell to Pratt earlier this season and suffered a shock 2-1 loss to the Beavers in last year’s playoffs to end Allen’s season.

“The win feels good,” said Alouidor. “Last year I didn’t get much playing time as a freshman, so they didn’t know I could score. It’s been great to help the team.”

Pratt’s Gregor Brown scored the opening goal only 11 minutes into the game to put Allen in an early 1-0 hole, but the second half was all Allen. Five minutes into the second half, Alouidor connected with a pass from Ayoup Bader to tie the game at 1-1.

Alouidor then drove alone for an unassisted goal only a few minutes later to put the Red Devils ahead, 2-1.

“We’ve started slow in the first half a lot, and we

have to work on finishing our chances,” said Alouidor.

“The second half was way better, and we brought a better attitude. We found our way to the goal, which is all that matters in the end.”

Alouidor stayed hot when he scored his third goal of the game and 11th goal of the season off a feed from Wisdom Nkwamba to take a 3-1 advantage late in the second half.

Allen’s Alouidor led the way offensively with a teamhigh four shots on goal and five shots total while Jose Haboud, Jeff Beljour, Calum

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Murphy and Bader each had two shots.

Guarav Sandhu, from Toronto, Canada, had a busy day in goal for Allen, going for nine saves out of Pratt’s 10 shots on goal.

“In the second half we got more organized and started talking more,” said Sandhu. “We calmed down and played our game in the second half, but in the first half we were playing a bit of their game.”

The Red Devils face another tough matchp this week,

See ALLEN | Page B3

Postseason baseball underway

PHOENIX (AP) — Ronald

Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and the hard-hitting Atlanta Braves have earned a couple days of rest and relaxation after Major League Baseball’s long 162-game regular season.

So have Jose Altuve, Justin Verlander and the defend-

ing World Series champion Houston Astros — who won the AL West on the season’s final day — along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and feel-good story Baltimore Orioles.

As for the other eight teams that qualified for Ma-

jor League Baseball’s 12-team October showcase?

The action comes in a hurry.

MLB’s postseason bracket is set, with the American League and National League

See MLB | Page B3

Iola’s Kyndal Bycroft goes for a hit in a home meet earlier this season. REGISTER/QUINN BURKITT

Mustangs take first place on court at Paola

By QUINN BURKITT The Iola Register

PAOLA — Iola’s tennis team won first place as a team at Paola Monday night.

The Mustangs came in first place with five total wins, while Baldwin took a second place finish with four wins. Paola finished in third place with three wins.

Mustang Keira Fawson earned a first place finish in singles play while Iola’s duo

of Kyndal Bycroft and Harper Desmarteau took first place in doubles play.

“They were all on their A game. Keira beat a player she has lost to before, and Harper and Kyndal were playing really well as a team,” Iola head coach Chris Belknap said. “They were making some really good shots. Everyone was on fire, and it was really fun to watch. They were playing

See IOLA | Page B3

Rodeo runs in the family

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

Rodeo success was all in the family for Karlee Boots and her cousins, Kodi and Kamdon Barnett.

All three were named All-Around Champions for their respective age divisions as part of the Top Hand Youth Rodeo Series, which wrapped up its 2023

season in September.

Boots took the top honors in the Senior Girls Division, ages 15-18. Boots was the top finisher overall in breakaway, got tying and pole races for 2023 as well. She’s the daughter of Karla Laver and Justin Boots. Kamdon Barnett, competing in the Junior Boys

See SADDLE | Page B3

Lady Red Devils surge in first half, get by Pratt

By QUINN BURKITT The Iola Register

In a game where Allen controlled possession the majority of the time, the Lady Red Devils made a close 2-1 victory feel like a much more comfortable win. The Lady Red Devils (8-2;

4-2 KJCCC) scored two goals early in the first half before holding Pratt scoreless until 10 minutes left in the game. Allen had four shots on goal early in the second half but couldn’t capitalize on any of them.

“They probably had two shots on goal and we have to make sure those shots on

goal don’t find the back of the net,” Allen head coach Jeremy McGinnis said. “We should be having more shutouts. We’ve just got to be more disciplined in the defensive third.”

Katherine Hammond netted Allen’s opening goal only 12 minutes into the game for the 1-0 lead. Emma

Hicklin was then good on a free kick for the 2-0 Allen advantage midway through the first half.

“We were trying to get more numbers forward, especially if they’re only attacking with two we need to bring somebody forward and then recover and that’s part of the game,” McGinnis

said. “It’s difficult to score goals in this game.”

Pratt’s Rosina Mastro scored her team’s lone goal of the match when she took a pass from Kaylane Lemos which she finished to cut Allen’s lead in half, 2-1. The Lady Red Devils totaled nine shots on goal.

See ACC | Page B3

Allen’s Patrick Alouidor keeps the ball away from a Pratt defender. REGISTER/QUINN BURKITT

The Iola Register

Allen’s Rosmith Messieur goes around a Pratt defender. REGISTER/QUINN BURKITT

Kodi Barnett, from left, Karlee Boots and Kamdon Barnett each earned overall championships this year at the Top Hand Youth Rodeo Series. COURTESY PHOTO

Kansas on track for $2.6 billion revenue surplus

By TIM CARPENTER Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Kansas budget director Adam Proffitt said Tuesday the state government was on track to meet revenue projections necessary to create a $2.6 billion ending balance in the current fiscal year and reinforce the state’s financial position with $1.6 billion in a rainyday emergency account.

He told participants at Washburn University’s economic outlook conference the state generated $2.2 billion in revenue during the initial three months of the fiscal year. That was a 0.5% or $10 million above the estimate issued in April. If all goes as assumed, he said, the state would spend only $9.4 billion of $10.3 billion in revenue flowing into the state general fund during the year ending June 30, 2024.

“So, what does that mean?” Proffitt said.

Body:

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“That means that as we head into our next revenue estimate meeting in about a month, we’re going to look this and say, ‘Ok, for fiscal ‘24 we’re tracking pretty close to what we thought we were going to see.’ Do we really need to make any changes to fiscal ‘24? Maybe some shifts between the buckets, but overall we seem to be on a relatively strong trajectory. We think we have the forecast right.”

Lack of volatility in state revenue, primarily drawn from sales and income taxes, would offer a clear view of the economic horizon as

state general fund and $1.6 billion in a state rainy-day fund at the end of the current fiscal year June 30. Spending by the 2024 Legislature could dramatically reduce that ending balance.

state economists updated the revenue forecast in November. Consistency would help Gov. Laura Kelly and the Kansas Legislature in January as they began collaboration on a new state budget. Lawmakers are certain to propose major tax cuts during the 2024 legislative session that would substantially draw down the projected $2.6 billion ending balance.

Kelly’s tax cut agenda

On Monday, the Democratic governor said she was heartened state tax collections in September totaled $991 million or $42 million more than predicted for the month. That September total was $30 million more than what the state received in September 2022.

“Because of my administration’s work to put our state on solid financial footing, we have been able to grow our economy and make historic investments in schools, roads and law enforcement,” Kelly said. “Now, it’s time to give money back to Kansans through responsible tax cuts.”

She urged the Republican-led Legislature to reduce property taxes, grocery sales taxes and drive down taxes on retirees.

GOP House and Senate leaders have said they would advance a plan to create a single state income tax rate for individuals, which would replace the state’s three-bracket system based on income level. Kelly said she remained opposed to the flat tax

model.

In addition, Kelly was poised to recommend additional spending on K-12 special education and to expand eligibility for Medicaid to working-poor families. Both ideas didn’t get sufficient traction in the 2023 session.

Proffitt, who also serves as secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration, said Kansas had recovered jobs lost when COVID-19 crippled the economy three years ago. In that health calamity, Kansas surrendered 158,000 jobs in the public and private sectors. In the past three years, he said, Kansas added 172,000 jobs. He said 112% of that post-COVID-19 expansion was within the private sector of the economy.

Adam Proffitt, budget director for Gov. Laura Kelly, said the state government was on pace to collect enough revenue to have $2.6 billion in the

TIM CARPENTER/KANSAS REFLECTOR

NBA stars have next summer’s Paris Olympics in mind

By TIM REYNOLDS The Associated Press

Kevin Durant just got done with his summer vacation. He’s planning to go to France for work next summer,

and plenty of other big NBA names hope to join him.

Stephen Curry is among them. Durant — along with many other top players, including Curry, the

all-time 3-point king — said Monday at media days being held around the league that he plans to play for his country at next summer’s Paris Olympics, when the Americans will try for

ACC: Lady Devils beat Pratt

Continued from B1

Head coach Jeremy McGinnis is one win shy of 100 career wins, currently sitting at 99. He was a former player and assistant coach at Allen before becoming head coach in 2012 and is the winningest coach in the history of the program.

Allen travels to Johnson County Community College on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

a fifth consecutive gold medal. If he plays and the U.S. wins, Durant would be the first men’s player with four basketball golds.

“I will play in the Olympics next year,”

Durant adamantly said at Phoenix’s media day.

Curry essentially said the same, because if he wants to play, it’s certain that USA Basketball will find him a spot.

“Definitely want to

be there,” Curry said at Golden State’s media day. “Definitely want to be on the team.”

Others expressed the same sentiment: Bam Adebayo has said he’s

See OLYMPICS | Page B4

MLB: Playoffs get underway this week

wild-card matchups beginning Tuesday. It’s the second year for the new October format, which includes an opening round, best-of-three series with all of the games at the higher seed’s ballpark.

In the AL, the No. 6 seed Toronto Blue Jays will face the No. 3 Minnesota Twins and the No. 5 Texas Rangers travel to the No. 4 Tampa Bay Rays. The NL features the No. 6 Arizona Diamondbacks against the No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers and the No. 5 Miami Marlins at the No. 4 Philadelphia Phillies.

The Braves, Astros, Dodgers and Orioles will get about a week off before the division series begin.

It’s a postseason bracket missing some of the sport’s marquee franchises. Slugger Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees will spend October at home. So will the big-spending New York Mets and San Diego Padres.

But for those who remain, the road to the World Series begins soon. Here’s a look at the qualifiers:

THE WILD CARD MATCHUPS NATIONAL LEAGUE No. 6 Diamondbacks at No. 3 Brewers

The season series: D-backs won 4-2.

The skinny: Arizona is back in the postseason for the first time since 2017 despite losing its final four games of the regular season. Rookie speedster Corbin Carroll leads a versatile lineup while right-hander Zac Gallen is among the top candidates for the NL Cy Young Award. The Brewers’ lineup is led by 2018 MVP Christian Yelich, while the pitching staff has a solid top three in Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta.

No. 5 Marlins at No. 4 Phillies

The season series: Marlins won 7-6.

The skinny: The Marlins have been an under-the-radar success story and dealt with a weather mess in New York during some of the most important games of the wild-card race. Luis

Arraez won the NL batting title with a .354 mark while Jesus Luzardo and Braxton Garrett are at the top of the rotation with ace Sandy Alcantara sidelined for the rest of the year by an elbow injury. The Phillies are trying to make it back to the World Series — they lost to the Astros last year — and have a deep lineup with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

No. 6 Blue Jays at No. 3 Twins

The season series: Tied 3-3.

The skinny: The Blue Jays are a tough No. 6 seed with one of the deepest lineups in baseball, including Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Matt Chapman, George Springer and Whit Merrifield. They’re also deep on the mound with Chris Bassitt, José Berríos, Kevin Gausman and Yusei Kikuchi. The Twins were easily the best team in a weak AL Central. They’re hoping that some of their best players — like shortstop Carlos Correa and third baseman Royce Lewis — will be healthy after fighting injuries in the season’s final weeks.

No. 5 Rangers at No. 4 Rays

The season series: Rangers won 4-2.

The skinny: The Rangers are led by the stellar middle infield combo of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, who could

Saddle: Rodeo champs

Continued from B1

Division, ages 7-10, also brought home the Steer Breakaway overall crown.

Kodi Barnett, in the PeeWee Girls Division, 6 and under, was named overall champion in dummy roping, goat untying, poles and barrels.

Kamdon and Ko-

di’s parents are Kristen and Barney Barnett.

All three earned an assortment of belt buckles and other prizes at individual rodeos across the state. The season opened in May. Each received a saddle for their overall championships.

Iola: First at Paola

Continued from B1

Atlanta Braves starting pitchers Ian Anderson (from left), Max Fried and Kyle Wright get a photo taken while they celebrate advancing to the NL Championship Series in 2020. CURTIS COMPTON/ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/TNS with a lot of confidence.”

both finish in the top 5 of AL MVP balloting. Outfielder Adolis Garcia also had a big year. The pitching staff doesn’t have a lot of big names who are healthy but has been steady with Dane Dunning, Andrew Heaney and Nathan Eovaldi. The Rays were the hottest team in baseball in the early weeks but got caught by the Orioles around midseason. Tampa Bay continues to thrive despite one of the lowest payrolls in the league. The balanced lineup includes Yandy Diaz, Isaac Paredes and Randy Arozarena. Zach Elfin and Tyler Glasnow lead the pitching staff.

THE TOP SEEDS

NATIONAL LEAGUE No. 1 Atlanta Braves. They’ve got the best lineup in baseball, led by Acuña’s speed-power combo. But their biggest strength is depth. Olson just wrapped up a 54-ho-

mer season while Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies ad Marcell Ozuna all have at least 30 homers. The pitching staff has struggled with injuries, but hard-throwing Spencer Strider led the majors with 281 strikeouts. They won the World Series in 2021. Acuña was hurt during that playoff run in 2021, and is eager to make his mark this fall.

Fawson began her play by defeating Paola’s Rachel Aistrup, 8-2 and then knocked down Baldwin’s Linnea Hagman, 8-3.

Rebekah Coltrane went 1-1 in singles play. She started out by beating Paola’s Bryn Sanders, 8-0, before losing to Baldwin’s Emily Howarter, 8-3.

Bycroft and Desmar-

teau defeated Paola’s Claire Foster and Anna Campa, 8-6, before taking down Baldwin’s Lillian Judy and Isabelle Searl, 8-4. Iola’s duo of Molly Riebel and Melanie Palmer lost to Paola’s Hayley Hines and Emma Bull, 8-3, before falling to Baldwin’s Ella Ward and Emma Searl, 8-3. The Mustangs will compete at regionals in Independence on Oct. 7.

Allen’s Rebecca Lord takes on a Pratt defender. REGISTER/QUINN BURKITT

ACC’s Hannah Vieria. REGISTER/QUINN BURKITT

Debate continues over controversial holding call in Chiefs-Jets game

By DENNIS WASZAK JR. The Associated Press

It’s the holding call heard ‘round the NFL. And the debate over whether it was even a penalty continues to rage. Jets cornerback Sauce

Olympics: On NBA stars’ minds

Continued from B3

Gardner was penalized for defensive holding on Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a third-and-20 play late in the fourth quarter Sunday night

— a decision by referee Frank Steratore that negated an interception

by Michael Carter II and gave the ball back to Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City worked the clock the rest of the way and held on for a 23-20 victory over New York.

A livid Jets coach

See PENALTY | Page B6

the same, because if he wants to play, it’s certain that USA Basketball will find him a spot.

“Definitely want to be there,” Curry said at Golden State’s media day. “Definitely want to be on the team.”

Others expressed the same sentiment: Bam Adebayo has said he’s committed to the team, while DeMar DeRozan, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Khris Middleton, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Fred VanVleet and Brook Lopez are among those who indicated they would play if asked. Kyrie Irving said the same at Dallas’ media day last week, and Draymond Green previously indicated that he wants another Olympic opportunity.

This much is clear: There are 12 roster spots and a lot more than 12 interested players. It’s a wonderful problem for USA Basketball to have.

“From the players that we have here off the top of my head that could fill that roster up, I don’t think it would be too much of a physical toll,” said Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader confirming that he’s interested in another shot at gold. “I wouldn’t have to do much. Rebound a little bit, pass a little bit, defend, block some shots, you know? But we’ll see. We’ll see

what happens.”

Also planning to play in the Olympics: Joel Embiid. The uniform he’d wear is still a mystery.

Embiid isn’t a man without a country, but rather a man who just hasn’t chosen a country yet. He would be eligible to play for France or the U.S. because he has dual citizenship — and his birth country, Cameroon, still has a shot at qualifying for the Paris Games as well.

“My goal is to play in the Olympics,” Embiid said. “I love all three options. Cameroon, I’m born there, I’m from there and I always want to represent my country. But the goal is also to play in the Olympics. If we had a chance, or if we would qualify for the Olympics, that will be an easy decision. But that’s still up in the air. And I really do want to play in the Olympics.”

When will Embiid decide? “Probably going to make that decision in the next few days,” he said.

Others who revealed they have interest in playing included Zion Williamson, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Kuzma. Among those who haven’t ruled it out: Jimmy Butler and Anthony Davis.

“Playing for USA Basketball, I think there’s no greater honor,” Brown said. “Playing for your country, coming from my community, coming from where

I come from, where the majority of our demographic comes from — having an opportunity to represent that, your community, your outer community the ones that support you is part of it as well. So being able to participate would be great.”

The U.S. finished fourth at this summer’s World Cup, yet did enough to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the FIBA world rankings and earn a berth in the Paris Olympics.

“I am proud of the World Cup Team and all they did to qualify USA Basketball for Paris 2024,” said USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill, who along with men’s national team director Sean Ford and coach Steve Kerr of Golden State will pick the team in the coming months. “We are thrilled there is interest and excitement going into next summer and are looking forward to going through the process of naming the 2024 Olympic Team.”

They will have tough decisions to make. Let the lobbying begin.

“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of experiencing since I was a little kid,” Milwaukee center Brook Lopez said. “I’m absolutely for it. I asked Steve Kerr while I was subbing into a game last year, I didn’t ask, I told him I was free this coming summer of ‘24. Hopefully this will help remind him.”

Allen: Come back against Pratt

Allen’s Ted Roberts goes for a header over a Pratt defender. REGISTER/QUINN BURKITT

Yes, you can avoid dad who was never there

Adapted from an online discussion.

Dear Carolyn: My mom never talked about my birth father much as I was growing up. She just said he had a lot of problems that made it hard for him to be a real father to me. My grandparents, though, always told me my father wasn’t a good man.

I took that as a challenge, and as soon as I was 18, I met him. But he was a big disappointment. He doesn’t work much, smokes pot, sits around complaining about everything and mainly mooches off his mother, who must be like 90. All his problems are someone else’s fault.

I really tried to make a connection with him, but when he contacts me, I always know it’s because he wants something — usually money. I help him out but then feel angry and used. I

Carolyn Hax

can’t seem to break away, though. I think I’m afraid that, if I abandon him, it will mean I turned out like him.

Recently, he went into this long rant about how I shouldn’t let my girlfriend trap me like my mom did him. He complained about her not aborting me. I finally got mad and asked how my mom trapped him when he was eight years older than she was, didn’t marry her and paid like a total of $1,000 in child support over my entire life, if that. I swore that was the final break. I haven’t been answering his texts. He’s getting more frantic, and I feel

guilty.

I shouldn’t respond, right? I have a great mom and a good stepdad, so I don’t need him. Right? — Walk Away?

Walk Away?: Right. But “need” isn’t really the standard here, is it?

Your choice to make a connection and decide about him for yourself was valid and fair and completely understandable.

Confirming your dad had a lot of problems that made it hard for him to be a real father to you was hard stuff. But you were brave, you absorbed hard information, you stood up for your mom, and you put a stake in the heart of any what-ifs. Good for you.

Deciding now that you’ve gotten as much from him as is healthy for you, then walking away, is not “abandon-

ment.”

Having a child makes a parent responsible for that child. But being born does not, does not, create an equivalent responsibility of child for parent. Your bio dad shirked his responsibility when he opted out of you unilaterally; if you opt out of him, that’s just exercising your prerogative not to interact with harmful people. There is no equivalency here.

That’s why the question isn’t, “Do I need him?,” or even, “Does he need me?” It’s: “Is there any purpose to being in touch?” Even if you didn’t have a good mom and stepdad, I can’t see your needing this dad. If/when you do opt out, then tell him clearly that you will not be remaining in touch.

I’m sorry it has been such a difficult experience.

Parenting plan might be difficult for young daughter

By JANN BLACKSTONE Tribune News Service

Q. My ex-boyfriend and I have been apart for six months. Our daughter is 14 months old. After we broke up, he moved in a new girlfriend a month later. I worry if that’s too soon for our daughter. My daughter is with her dad every other weekend Thursday-Sunday.

I have nicely asked this girl to stay away from my daughter, but she ignores me! She acts like her mother. Now my daughter cries when I pick her up because she doesn’t know who I am. What’s good ex-etiquette?

A. We all understand how tough it is to break up, especially if you have kids. Plus, if one of you moves on very quickly, that only adds to the other parent’s anxiety. Add grief and jealousy, anger and revenge — all those dreadful emotions that go along with splitting up, and you have a lot to

contend with while trying to put on a happy face for a little one.

Unfortunately, the parenting plan you mentioned might be a little difficult for your daughter at her place of development.

Toddlers experience separation anxiety in the first and second years of life, even in the safety of their own home. You probably have seen this when you walk out of the room. She gets fussy and cries to be soothed. That behavior is quite normal for a child that age.

You’ve established a primary home — yours — but every other weekend she leaves for four days.

The courts may support this sort of parenting plan, but it really doesn’t coincide with what the psychological community suggests in terms of child development.

One might expect to find extensive research

on alternative custody arrangements for very young children, but there is very little to reference. Plus family courts nationwide disagree with the how many nights a toddler should be away from their primary caregiver.

Add that both parents may work outside of the home and additional caregivers are present — all this can make it quite confusing for a little one.

Having said that, I’m sure your child knows you. I suspect that her crying when you pick her up has very little to do with her father’s girlfriend. That’s your own insecurity talking.

The best thing you can do at this juncture is look for ways to support all caregivers who offer a nurturing, protective environment so your child feels consistently safe and secure. I know you probably hate to hear that, but since your child must go back and forth,

the fact that she is loved and cared for at both homes is in her best interest.

ZITS by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

BEETLE BAILEY by Mort Walker

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE by Chris Browne

BLONDIE by Young and Drake

MARVIN by Tom Armstrong HI AND LOIS by Chance Browne

MUTTS by Patrick McDonell

Penalty: Decisive call against Jets still provokes debate

Continued from B4

Robert Saleh shouted at Steratore after the call, and again on the final play of the game. Gardner was also angry, saying he was stunned — and that he didn’t hold Valdes-Scantling. Chiefs coach Andy Reid agreed with the call, and so did Mahomes.

On Monday morning, the NFL had “Chiefs are 2-0 as Swifties” in its social media profiles. That, of

course, spun the conspiracy theorists into a tizzy since pop superstar Taylor Swift was at the game at MetLife Stadium to watch Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift was also at the Chiefs’ home win over the Chicago Bears last week at Arrowhead Stadium after Kelce invited her.

“Lmaoo maybe if I was a swiftie, the ref wouldn’t of threw the flag,” Gardner said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as

Twitter. Last season’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year then edited the post to say: “Lmaoo maybe if I was a swiftie then ...nvm.” The post was later deleted.

The NFL also removed the reference to Swift from its social media profiles.

Saleh was asked about his opinion on the call Monday after he had time to calm down and watch replays.

“I’m just going to leave that one alone

until I get a chance to get clarification (from the league),” Saleh said after pausing briefly.

The situation kicked off conversations about the call on sports radio in the New York area as well as on ESPN and NFL Network.

Mahomes supported the call in an interview with 610 AM Sports Radio in Kansas City on Monday.

“I mean, at the end of the day, you get your hands around the guy’s neck like 15 yards

downfield, they’re going to call something,” the Chiefs quarterback said. “If it’s going to be holding or illegal contact, it’s just not allowed. Once I saw him grab him, I threw it up there to give Marquez a chance, kind of knowing the flag was going to come. “You could see it from my position. I mean, I understand people want to let teams play and stuff like that, but you can’t get your hands around

guys’ necks like that.”

Dean Blandino, a rules analyst for Fox Sports who previously served as the NFL’s vice president of officiating, said officials made the correct call.

“Valdes-Scantling tries to break to the inside and Gardner reaches across his body and grabs the left shoulder and restricts his ability to get downfield,” Blandino said in a video posted on X by The 33rd Team. “It was properly called.”