By NATE KING&nbsp; JC Post

Freedom Fest JC is back and bigger than ever before. Earlier this month I spoke with Junction City City Commissioner, Bob Story and State Representative Nate Butler to hear what makes this year's five day Fourth of July celebration a must attend event, the whole family will enjoy.&nbsp;

The festival will take place at Heritage Park, 101-199 W. 6th Street,&nbsp; in Junction City. Butler said WEEE Entertainment Carnival will set up their rides and attractions on Thursday.

"The carnival will line up on Jefferson Street and on Sixth Street, all of that area for about two, maybe three blocks," Butler said. "They have a large carnival this year. They've told us they're going to increase the number of rides by one. So we're excited about that."

The Freedom Fest event started two years ago replacing the Sundown Salute that had been held in the city for a number of years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event had to moved out of town.

"The downtown businesses and Junction City Main Street, wanted something back in downtown Junction City like we've had in the past. So we brought it back to life," Story said. "This is our second year for Freedom Fest JC and it's just a huge five day festival, carnival downtown crafters, vendors, great food and something new this year, there's going to be trapeze performers on Washington Street."

In addition to the carnival rides, trapeze performers, and craft vendors, Freedom Fest organizers told JC Post that the line up of musicians and bands will provide all event attendees with a wide variety of music to listen to, dance to and enjoy.

Friday, June 30 8:00 p.m.- The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 p.m.-Paramount (80’s rock tribute band)

Saturday, July 1 6:30 p.m.- The Shaky Ground Band (Classic Rock) 7:30 p.m.- The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 p.m.- The Frontmen (Country)

Sunday, July 2 8:00 p.m.-Consumed by Fire (Christian)

Monday, July 3 5:30 p.m.-Platinum Express (Motown, Soul, Funk, and Classic Rock) 7:30 p.m.-Foreigner Experience (Double Vision) Foreigner Tribute Band 9:00 p.m.-The Flying Pages trapeze Act 9:30 PM-Shooting Star&nbsp;(Nationally recognized Rock Band)

Tuesday, July 4 5:00 PM- Jay Hill Road Band (local musician) 6:30 PM-Burning Pianos&nbsp;(A Tribute to Keyboard Legends) 7:30 PM-The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 PM-Hotel California&nbsp;(Eagles Tribute Band)

Butler said there will be many returning food trucks and vendors, with one notable new food option.&nbsp;

"We have a new vendor who's going to bring alligator on the stick to Freedom Fest 2023, which we are really excited about," Butler said. "We've got some of the them [food vendors] coming back from last year. The boba tea guy, the slushy guy, we've got the chicken and rice guy, we've got the lemon lady. So we've got a large variety of food vendors that they can come through and enjoy."

How can you have a Fourth of July celebration without fireworks? The Freedom Fest Fireworks Extravaganza will take place on Tuesday evening at 10 p.m. Story said due to the construction on the E. Sixth Street viaduct, the fireworks will be set off from near where the bridge is missing.&nbsp;

"We're gonna have to move that back a little bit. A little bit off of East Sixth Street, just where the bridge is missing from," Story said. "But we're going to shoot a little bit bigger shells. So they should go higher and be bigger."

Story, former Junction City Police Chief, said event organizers have been, and continue to work with local law enforcement to ensure a safe environment for the approximately 50,ooo+ event attendees.&nbsp;

"We coordinate with the police department, sheriff's office and we have spoken to the Kansas Highway Patrol and the fire department, all these people we deal with, they know everything that we're doing," Story said. "We block off the streets the best we can to where you don't have something accidentally happen, let alone on purpose. As always we keep a close eye on who's in the park, what's going on. In today's world, you got to do that."&nbsp;

🎙King in the Community: 2023 Freedom Fest, Bob Story and Nate Butler

by BECKY GOFF&nbsp; JC Post

JUNCTION CITY - The Geary Community Farmers Market is held on the first Thursday of the month from May through October from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

The Farmers Market is located in the JC Naz Church parking lot at 1025 South Washington Street.

Thursday, June 1st is Kids Day at the Geary Community Farmers Market, community members are invited to visit the information booth for family friendly games, educational activities, prizes and fresh foods from local farmers.

More details on the Geary Community Farmers Market <a href="https://www.livewellgearycounty.org/farmers-market">can be found here</a>.

Geary Community Farmers Market open on 1st Thursdays

Representative Jake LaTurner’s office Washington, D.C.&nbsp;– Today, Congressman Jake LaTurner (KS-02) voted in favor of H.R. 3746,&nbsp;the<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001CPdLgJd6Kp8BLrJjPK2elZSrnbtAfNBbGGpt_hFGJtDRojUm2F6W8fu8SoqpchT9lk8amcoW7a0OCqm9jaS2513nPdcaJbhWS2EP9sWLVYjaUFtoRXWqG--lUT3Uw0DJWzbtAFavByVh_g1xtHKn4ns2CRrEzDzqLHOAkUZzBS25gWqF5vmkHNOWbxoU-mc3yxub6v78NUPP1FpB_xZFX0JeHc1_gVoRe5ucvGvk0Dk=&amp;c=D3g8R78XWQJgEduUgn3Eg61U8eFhVr4ZK00pYnO5fLFXf70Dvr3YvA==&amp;ch=iyxKmgrVKhQ7zdlPDf3B__Xkz2MdiF7hxm-YF0AziZ3FMo44PlkWjw==" target="_blank">&nbsp;Fiscal Responsibility Act</a>—the Biden-McCarthy debt limit "Defaulting on our nation's debt would result in a global financial crisis—crippling 401ks and triggering disastrous implications for families across Kansas,"LaTurner said. "This debt limit package cuts wasteful federal spending by $2.1 trillion, unleashes the American economy, and blocks President Biden's demands for higher taxes—all while protecting seniors and veterans. I don't agree with everything in this bill, but in divided government, we can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."

In addition to raising the debt limit to responsibly avoid default, the Fiscal Responsibility Act:

Reduces&nbsp;the deficit by $2.1 trillion.

Claws back unspent COVID slush funds.&nbsp; Strengthens&nbsp;work requirements for welfare.&nbsp; Reforms&nbsp;NEPA so America can build better than ever.&nbsp; Blocks $5 trillion in new tax proposals from President Biden.&nbsp; Eliminates $1.8 billion that would be wasted on hiring Biden's new army of IRS agents&nbsp;

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001CPdLgJd6Kp8BLrJjPK2elZSrnbtAfNBbGGpt_hFGJtDRojUm2F6W8fu8SoqpchT957lJ4bC3LFbfLEGGgNuTa6W4aQKbu28Ewz8DF1FKSzPLYOr7SOcdXQvql3a7HymNRjqXXIIVP_YqCXsZqm023O2KEh2j1QbTOeZrq9C7_R42rXuabTjDgbnwvg70_mLqofCj1FCLTJZzi4znTAwVqD8I6bHuEYt4&amp;c=D3g8R78XWQJgEduUgn3Eg61U8eFhVr4ZK00pYnO5fLFXf70Dvr3YvA==&amp;ch=iyxKmgrVKhQ7zdlPDf3B__Xkz2MdiF7hxm-YF0AziZ3FMo44PlkWjw==" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;for more information on the Fiscal Responsibility Act.&nbsp;

LaTurner votes in favor of debt limit deal

DICKINSON COUNTY —After over a one month investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit has made two arrests, according to Sheriff Jerry Davis.

Just after 3a.m. May 26, deputies assigned to the Drug Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop with a Buick Le Sabre in the 3400 Block of Kansas 15 Highway to execute a search warrant on the vehicle. Jordan Daniel Greene, 37, and Justyne Marie Hanson, 40, both of Abilene were taken into custody.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Abilene Police Department, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 400 Block of NW 3rd Street in Abilene.&nbsp; Officers seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia during the search of the vehicle and the residence.

Greene was booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute opioid, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and no drug tax stamp.

Hanson was booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute opioid, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.

2 accused of selling fentanyl, meth in Dickinson County

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos May 31

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post/JC Post

MANHATTAN - On Monday, the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office held Memorial Day services at four state Veterans cemeteries across the state.

Governor Laura Kelly and Cpt Luke Admire with IACH each spoke about the importance of remembering those who died while serving the country.

The Vietnam Vets and Legacy Vets Motorcycle clubs presented a check for $3,000 to the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery.

In 1999, the Kansas Senate Bill 19 was signed into law, authorizing the construction of four state-owned Veterans cemeteries.&nbsp;

These cemeteries were funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Cemetery Grants Program.

In 2002, Fort Dodge become the first state-owned Veterans cemetery and in 2009, the Fort Riley/Manhattan cemetery was the final Veterans cemetery to open. The other two cemeteries are located in WaKeeney and Winfield.&nbsp;

More than 4,500 eligible Veterans and their family members have been interred in the four Veterans cemeteries since they opened.

🎥: Fallen soldiers honored at Kansas Veterans cemetery on Memorial Day

By&nbsp;Beth Grimmett, Meritrust Creative Brand Manager

Meritrust Credit Union is pleased to announce four recipients of the 2023 Meritrust Member Scholarship Program. The winners include both part-time and full-time students of the 2023-2024 school year. One winner was selected from each of the following schools: Wichita State University, University of Kansas and Kansas State University. The fourth scholarship was open to any other Kansas-accredited university or college student.

Meritrust believes in the power of education. “The experience gained through these post-secondary college programs serves as a foundation for the years of learning ahead once these students begin their career,” says James Nastars, President/CEO of Meritrust. “We are pleased to support these members’ education goals and wish them all the best in their future studies.”

Kaitlyn Scott-Welch currently is a sophomore studying psychology and pre-nursing. Meritrust asked Scott-Welch to explain what receiving this scholarship means to her and she said, "I would like to say thank you for granting me this scholarship that I am very appreciative for. With the help of this scholarship, I can continue to work on my future plans of becoming a nurse practitioner and helping those in my community."&nbsp;

Grayson Anderson is an incoming freshman that plans on studying Business Finance. He was asked by Meritrust for feedback on how this scholarship will benefit him and he said, "Thank you very much! This scholarship will be used towards my education at the University of Kansas where I will be studying finance. This scholarship means a lot to me for two reasons. One, I have banked at Meritrust for about six years now and have been treated with the utmost customer service, and two, I plan on getting a degree that allows me to help people achieve their financial goals the same way Meritrust does."

Hazrat Azghary is currently a Junior studying health science. Azghary told Meritrust, "Being awarded this scholarship would offer me financial assistance for my education, alleviating the stress of student loans. The recognition of my academic accomplishments and potential that comes with this scholarship would provide a sense of encouragement and inspire me to work even harder toward my goals. Additionally, it would give me the opportunity to better serve my community in the future. Thank you Meritrust for always supporting and focusing on improving the lives of the Wichita community."&nbsp;

Joseph Dewey is a Junior looking to get his associates in IT help desk and cybersecurity. Dewey said, "Thanks for this scholarship it will help me complete my studies a WSU Tech. I’m studying for an associate’s in IT help desk and cybersecurity. Once I graduate I’ll be able to work with a cybersecurity firm. I’ve always loved working with computers since I was younger and wanted to have an IT job when I grew up, being able to work in Cybersecurity is my dream. Thanks for making it possible!"

Meritrust Credit Union has been helping its members do more with their money since 1935. Meritrust is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, with branches also located in Andover, Derby, Lawrence and Manhattan, Kansas. It’s easy to join Meritrust, and membership is open to almost anyone. With a mission of improving the lives of members and the communities it serves, Meritrust offers consumers and businesses the products, services, tools and education they need to achieve their financial well-being goals with confidence. The Metritrust Credit Union branch location in Manhattan, KS is located at&nbsp; 104 McCall Rd. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.meritrustcu.org/home/home">meritrustcu.org</a>. Federally insured by NCUA.

Photos:&nbsp; Compliments of Meritrust Credit Union

Meritrust announces four recipients for the 2023 Meritrust Member Scholarship

Doug Vogelsang shared some of his experiences working with bees at the JC Breakfast Optimist Club’s “Celebration of Optimism” on May 31 at the Hampton Inn in Junction City.

He stated that there are “three types of bees. They include the Queen, drones, and worker bees. Within the worker bees there are scouts, nurses, morticians, and others. Bees have three simple eyes, four wings and one stinger. After a bee uses its stinger to protect the Queen, the hive or itself, the bee dies. Queen bees live for three to five years and do not have stingers. A typical hive will have 40,000 to 60,000 bees in a mature hive.

Mr. Vogelsang also told club members that “one-third of our food comes from pollination, which is a major function of bees. A worker bee will make a fraction of a teaspoon of honey during its lifetime.

One gallon of honey weighs about eleven pounds. Honey is usually harvested at the end of July or in August. Bees communicate through odors, so when a beekeeper wants to interrupt their communication, the beekeeper uses smoke or sprays a light mist of sugar syrup at or near the bees todistract them so the honey can be harvested. Raw honey, which is found locally, may be used to counterallergies. Honeybee soap can be used for some skin rashes or irritations.”

Doug has been a beekeeper for 40 years. When honey is available to him, he sells bottles of it at the Farmer’s Market in the JC Naz parking lot on Thursdays. However, he stated “ I may not have enough to sell this year.” 

Optimist Club guest speaker a Beekeeper

By PETER SMITH and HOLLY MEYER, Associated Press

The Rev. Bill Farmer reached the point where he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/global-methodist-church-breakaway-lgbt-f599979835addfd354856ff5b2024989">couldn’t stay in the United Methodist Church</a>&nbsp;anymore — but the congregation he attended was staying.

Michael Hahn always wanted to stay in the UMC — but his congregation was leaving it.

Each has found new church homes, and they’re not alone.

Thousands of United Methodist congregations have been voting on whether to stay or quit one of the nation’s largest denominations amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">intractable debates</a>&nbsp;over theology and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">role of LGBTQ people</a>. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-religion-marriage-b6a4ec4a28ce2674932573ba6c850f4a">stark differences</a>&nbsp;over recognizing same-sex marriage and ordaining LGBTQ clergy.

But the dividing line isn’t just running between congregations. It’s running right through the pews of individual churches, separating people who had long worshipped together.

Those who come up on the short end of a disaffiliation vote face the dilemma of whether to stay or go.

According to the Great Plains conference agenda packet, 103 churches' disassociation are set to be approved by resolution Wednesday.

Kansas churches that have voted to leave the denomination include:

Agra, Arnold, Bazine, Bellevue, Blue Mound, Brewster, Burdett, Burlington, Caney, Cawker City, Cherryvale, Copeland, Deerfield, Denton, Dwight, Elkhart, Ellsworth, Fulton, Glasco, Glen Elder, Grainfield, Green, Greensburg, Gypsum, Healy, Holcomb, Howard, Hugoton, Ionia, Iuka, Jetmore, Kanopolis, Kanorado, Kirwin, Kismet, Lancaster, Lenora, Leonardville, Liberty, Long Island, Lucas, Luray, Lydia, Madison, Marysville, Medicine Lodge, Miltonvale, Natoma, Ness City, Norwich, Offerle, Oketo, Oneida, Oxford, Peru, Plains, Quinter, Randolph, Ransom, Republic, Richfield, Rolla, Roeland Park, Satanta, Sawyer, Sharon Springs, Stockton, Utica, Virgil, Wakefield and Webber.

The splintering — often grievous and tense — has spurred new initiatives to provide havens for the unmoored. Some United Methodist regional conferences have begun designating “Lighthouse” congregations — ones that actively welcome people who wanted to stay United Methodist but whose former churches voted to leave. Other conferences use different names, such as “Beacon” or “Oasis,” but the idea is the same.

"The pain is real, and there is a lot of grief and a lot of heartache over the split in the United Methodist Church,” said the Rev. Lynda Ferguson, the great-grandchild of a circuit-riding Methodist pastor.

Her North Carolina church, First United Methodist Asheboro, became a Lighthouse congregation. That assures newcomers that it’s committed to staying United Methodist, so they won’t have to worry about another disaffiliation vote. More than 400 congregations have disaffiliated in North Carolina.

Ferguson said she can personally relate to those from departing congregations. Her childhood church — the one that shaped her faith and where at age 12 she felt the call to ministry — also voted to leave.

"Part of the Lighthouse mission is to let people know the United Methodist Church is still here and still welcoming,” said the Rev. Ed McKinney, pastor of Stokesdale United Methodist Church in Stokesdale, North Carolina, which also became a Lighthouse congregation.

Michael Hahn and his family are among a group of newcomers who have begun participating in Stokesdale after their previous congregations left the denomination.

Hahn, whose family has been Methodist for generations, said he couldn’t imagine leaving the denomination, which he values for blending faith and rationality: “It’s a place where I don’t have to check my logic and reason at the door and blindly accept things.”

Hahn said he, his wife and daughters have found “a very warm and welcoming environment” in the Stokesdale congregation, with people saying, "We’re glad to have you here, we want to walk through this period with you.”

Many of the departing churches are joining the conservative Global Methodist Church, created last year. Others are going independent or joining different denominations.

While the Global Methodist Church doesn’t have a program like the Lighthouse initiative, it has begun launching or adopting congregations that can become homes for those who want to leave the United Methodist Church but whose congregations are staying.

That was the case with the founders of Grace Methodist Church. They launched the church in January in Homosassa, Florida, after their previous congregation voted to stay in the UMC. The new church immediately affiliated with the Global Methodist Church.

Grace Methodist has been renting a former lodge hall for its services and has already started Bible studies and community outreaches, while also working to attract attendees from their neighborhood.

“We’re not there just to go to church on Sunday for an hour; we’re there to help the community," said member Neil Kline. The enthusiasm of participants is evident, he said: “They can’t wait to get to church, and they don’t want to leave.”

Farmer came out of retirement to serve as the church's pastor.

The group's previous congregation “was a good church,” Farmer said, and he wished it well. But “my struggle was with the United Methodist structure, what’s going on in the United States, particularly."

The ongoing schism has been long in the making.

The United Methodist Church — with about 6.5 million members in the United States and at least that many abroad — has long debated its bans on same-sex marriages and the ordination of openly LGBTQ clergy.

The denomination has repeatedly upheld the bans, largely through the voting strength of the growing, more conservative churches abroad. But conservatives chose to form a new denomination amid growing defiance of the bans in U.S. churches.

More than 3,500 U.S. congregations have received their local conferences’ permission to disaffiliate from the UMC, according to United Methodist News Service. With conference season underway, disaffiliations are closing in on 4,000 and could rise even more by the end of the year, said the Rev. Jay Therrell, president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, a conservative group advocating for departing congregations.

That’s a fraction of the United Methodists’ 30,000 U.S. churches, though several of the departing congregations are among the largest in their states.

Therrell said he had no problem with the Lighthouse concept but renewed his call to allow churches to disaffiliate on reasonable terms.

“I want everyone to be in the theological home that is the best fit,” Therrell said. “Certainly, the United Methodist Church is welcome to try to create churches to do that. I hope they would respect traditionalists and allow us to get to the place where we need to be.”

In the Arkansas Conference, more than 100 churches — out of roughly 600 total — have received permission to disaffiliate. That leaves parts of the state with few or no remaining United Methodist congregations, said the Rev. Michael Roberts, director of the conference’s new Restart Initiative, which is hoping to enlist congregations to be Beacon churches. Such churches would invite self-described “exiles, refugees, nomads” to worship services, help them start home groups or develop other ways to keep them connected.

“We’re just really simply inviting churches to consider how they can provide this kind of hospitality,” Roberts said. “I love the word ‘hospitality’ because the word ‘hospital’ comes from that word. It is about providing healing."

In the Western Pennsylvania Conference, 17 congregations officially became Lighthouse congregations as of May 1.

About a third of the estimated 800 churches in the Western Pennsylvania Conference — a sprawling 23-county region — are seeking to have their disaffiliations approved at the conference's June annual meeting, according to Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi.

“There have been very few votes where it was unanimous,” she said. For those on the short end of those votes — sometimes described as pilgrims — the Lighthouse congregations offer places where they can join or just find temporary harbor until they figure out next steps.

But Lighthouse churches aren’t places to settle into old routines, she said.

“This has been an opportunity to really think about folks who are unchurched, and how this nucleus of people looking for a church home might help us discern needs in the community and create faith communities” to reach people in new ways.

Added B.T. Gilligan, senior pastor at Nixon United Methodist Church, a Lighthouse congregation in Butler, Pennsylvania: “I really hope this extends and goes far beyond the disaffiliation, but allows for people who have been hurt by churches for all different kinds of reasons.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Kansas Methodist churches vote to split from denomination

HERRINGTON — On Tuesday, Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renaming of the Herington post office as the Captain Emil J. Kapaun Memorial Post Office Building. 

Mann sponsored the legislation to rename the Herington Post Office in honor of Father Kapaun.&nbsp;

On the day after Memorial Day,&nbsp; Rep. Mann gathered with Kansans to celebrate the life and legacy of Father Kapaun, a man of God who showed incredible bravery and selflessness in his service. My prayers are with the Kapaun family as we celebrate Father Kapaun’s life and sacrificial love. May the Captain Emil J. Kapaun Post Office Building in Herington serve as a reminder of that great love and as an inspiration to do likewise for generations to come.

Herington Post Office renamed in honor of Father Emil Kapaun

Prepared by Courtney Gilbert, Geary County Clerk

FILING DEADLINE IS JUNE 1ST, 2023 AT NOON USD 475 – SCHOOL BOARD

City Council – Grandview Plaza MARVIN EDISON

Junction City – City Commission PAT LANDES

Unofficial Geary County candidate list for 2023

MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a></a>Kickoff times and television selections for four of K-State’s first five football games of 2023 have been announced as the Big 12 Conference and its television partners have made selections for the first three weeks of the season and special weeknight contests.

The Wildcats will open their Big 12-defending season on Sept. 2 against SEMO at 6 p.m., in a game shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, and they stay at Bill Snyder Family Stadium the next Sept. 9, with an 11 a.m., tilt against Sun Belt Champion Troy that will be aired on FS1.

K-State hits the road for the first time in 2023 with an 11 a.m., contest at Missouri that will be broadcast by SEC Network. It is the Wildcats’ first trip to Columbia, Mo., since 2010 when the Tigers were members of the Big 12.

Kansas State will face Oklahoma State in a special Friday-night matchup on Oct. 6 that will kick at 6:30 p.m., and be shown on ESPN.

Season tickets are on sale now for the 2023 season and start at less than $30 per game. Single-game tickets will go on sale to Ahearn Fund members on June 12 and to the general public on June 15. Fans can order tickets online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.k-statesports.com/tickets</a>, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or at the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.

K-State, Big 12 announce four football game times

LAWRENCE –&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference released a portion of the early television broadcast assignments and kickoff times for the 2023 college football season on Wednesday. 

Times and TV designations are now set for Kansas’ games vs. Missouri State on Aug. 31 and at Nevada on Sept. 16. The season opener vs. Missouri State will kick off at 7 p.m. CT on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. It will be the third meeting all-time between the schools and the first since 2002. The Thursday night opener will mark the third-straight year Kansas has opened on a weeknight but is the first time opening on a Thursday after beginning the previous two seasons on Friday nights. The Jayhawks will kick off their road slate on Sept. 16 when they take on Nevada at 9:30 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network. It will be the first meeting between the two schools, while Kansas holds a 13-4 record against the Mountain West all-time. Kansas’ 2023 schedule also features home games against Illinois (Sept. 9), BYU (Sept. 23), UCF (Oct. 7), Oklahoma (Oct. 28), Texas Tech (No. 11) and Kansas State (Nov. 16). The Jayhawks away schedule features additional games at Texas (Sept. 30), Oklahoma State (Oct. 14), Iowa State (Nov. 4) and Cincinnati (Nov. 25). The remainder of the season’s television selections will be announced on a 12-day or six-day notice via Big12Sports.com and the Conference’s official digital platforms. Information on the Illinois game should be available in the coming weeks. The Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship will return to AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the ninth year. The game is slated for Dec. 2 with an 11 a.m. kickoff on ABC. The Big 12 had the second-highest attendance of last season’s conference title games with 69,335 spectators. The Championship delivered 9.4M viewers on ABC, the most-watched Big 12 Championship since 2018. It peaked at 12.7M viewers, the most of any conference championship across all networks. Big 12 Football Early Season and Special Date Television Selections (all times listed as Central) Aug. 31 Missouri State at Kansas (Big 12 Now on ESPN+), 7 p.m.&nbsp; Sept. 16 Kansas at Nevada (CBSSN), 9:30 p.m. Dec. 2 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship (ABC), 11 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KU football game times announced for Missouri State, Nevada games

MANHATTAN&nbsp;– Season tickets for the 2023-24 men’s and women’s basketball teams will go on-sale at 8:30 p.m., CT on Monday, athletic department officials announced on Wednesday.

Fans will once again want to make plans to be at Bramlage Coliseum in 2023-24, as excitement continues to grow for the men’s and women’s teams coming off outstanding seasons. The Wildcat men return several key components from a team that advanced to the Elite Eight and went 15-1 at Bramlage Coliseum under National Coach of the Year&nbsp;Jerome Tang. The women’s team is garnering preseason Top 25 mention for a squad that is expected to return consensus All-American&nbsp;Ayoka Lee, along with All-Big 12 selections&nbsp;Gabby Gregory&nbsp;and&nbsp;Serena Sundell, after winning 19 games and advancing to the WNIT Super 16.

The two teams attracted more than 200,000 fans to Bramlage Coliseum in 2022-23, including eight sellouts by the men’s team which were the most by the program in nearly a decade. The women’s team was once again one of the nation’s leaders in attendance, ranking 31st&nbsp;nationally.

Fans have a variety of ticket prices and locations from which to choose from, with men’s basketball bench season tickets starting at $345 each. With the Wildcat 4-Pack, fans can purchase four (4) season tickets in the bench or Cat Cushion areas starting at $900, which is less than $15 per game.

General admission women's basketball season tickets start at $50 for football and men’s basketball season ticket holders, $75 for public, or $200 for a 4-Pack. Wildcat 4-Packs are available for approximately $3 per game.

Fans who order season tickets by the Incentive Deadline of June 30 will have the $10 processing fee waived, and a 4-month payment plan option. Those who order before the Renewal Deadline of Aug. 1 will be able to retain their seat and parking locations as well as receive a 3-month payment plan option. Online seat and parking upgrades will begin on Aug. 22.

New full season-ticket requests will be able to select their seat during the ordering process from any seat location available from the 2022-23 season.&nbsp;An Ahearn Fund contribution is required for all premium, chairback and cushioned seating. Specific required giving levels by section are listed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ahearnfund.com/" target="_blank">www.AhearnFund.com</a>.

There are a number of premium seating options at Bramlage Coliseum, including 19 new courtside seats along the southeast baseline of the arena. For more information on premium seating opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ahearnfund.com/sports/2023/3/21/premium-seating-update.aspx" target="_blank">ahearnfund.com/premiumseating</a>&nbsp;or contact the Ahearn Fund at (888) 232-9074.

The men’s 2023-24 home schedule will include premier matchups with Villanova on Dec. 5 in the Big 12/BIG EAST Battle and Nebraska on Dec. 17, along with nine high-caliber conference games in the new-look Big 12, which welcomes BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF as new members.

In addition, season-ticket holders will have the first opportunity to pre-order tickets at a discounted rate for the Wildcat Classic against in-state foe Wichita State at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Thursday, Dec. 21.

In addition to nine Big 12 home games, the women's 2023-24 home schedule includes a return visit from Big Ten foe Wisconsin.

Fans can purchase season tickets in a variety of ways, including toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287) and online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.

K-State basketball 2023-24 season tickets on sale Monday

LAWRENCE –&nbsp;For the second straight semester, Kansas student-athletes established a new non-COVID era record, recording a combined department grade point average of 3.40.

Eleven programs established new program records with their grade point averages, while 89 student-athletes earned a 4.0 term GPA and 79 percent of all student-athletes earned AD Honor Roll status.

For the second straight semester, all 16 programs had a team GPA over 3.0 for the semester.

“This was another incredibly successful semester in the classroom, and I am especially proud that this is becoming the standard here because of the impressive work from our student-athletes and academic staff,” Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. “It is also an exceptional achievement to have 11 programs establish new records and continue to raise the bar each and every semester.”

So far this year, Kansas has had 106 student-athletes earn Academic All-Conference honors from the Big 12, including 74 in the fall and 32 in the winter. The spring sports teams will be announced in June.

KU student-athletes have record-breaking semester in classroom

By WARREN MAYES Associated Press

ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas pitched eight shutout innings, Nolan Arenado hit an RBI double and Nolan Gorman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Tuesday night to split the two-game set between the I-70 rivals.

Mikolas (4-1) matched a career high with 10 strikeouts and allowed three hits. The strikeout total matched the 34-year-old right-hander's effort against Milwaukee in 2019.

The Cardinals needed a defensive gem in the fourth inning to keep the game scoreless. With two outs and MJ Melendez on second, Michael Massey singled to right. Brendan Donovan threw a strike to the plate and Willson Contreras applied the tag to Melendez.

Gionvanny Gallegos replaced Mikolas in the ninth and gave up a double and single to start the inning. Vinnie Pasquantino scored on a fielder's choice by Bobby Witt Jr., cutting the deficit to a run. Gallegos went on to retire the next two hitters and record his seventh save.

The Cardinals got a run in the sixth with two outs against Carlos Hernández (0-2). Paul Goldschmidt reached first on an infield single. Arenado hit a run-scoring double to left-center. Arenado has a team-high 18 RBIs in interleague play this season.

St. Louis extended its lead to 2-0 in the eighth Gorman's sac fly off Aroldis Chapman, scoring Tommy Edman.

Zack Greinke started for the Royals but didn't figure in the decision. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk with six strikeouts. He ranks first in starts (526) and innings pitched (3,309 1/3), second in wins (224) and third in strikeouts (2,929) among active pitchers.

After off days Wednesday and Thursday, the Cardinals return Friday, continuing a stretch of 13 of 15 games on the road between May 22-June 7.

Tommy Edman made his first career start and third overall appearance in center field in the regular season, previously appearing as a defensive replacement on July 12, 2019 verus Arizona (one inning) and May 21, 2022 at Pittsburgh (five innings). The 28-year-old Edman also appeared in center in Game 4 of the NLCS at Washington (one inning). This season, the former Gold Glove second baseman has appeared at shortstop (27 games), second base (21 games), and right field (seven games).

With a win, the Cardinals (15-13) achieved a winning month of May for the 16th time since 2000.

Royals: OF Kyle Isbel (left hamstring strain) still undergoing a rehab process after getting hurt running out a bunt earlier this month against Baltimore. He is doing more baseball activity, but a rehab assignment is not in the immediate future.

Cardinals: OF Lars Nootbar (back spasms) is getting treatment and listed as day to day. He left Monday's game in third inning under his own power while walking with trainers. … RHP Jake Woodford (right shoulder inflammation) began an injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday night, starting for the Redbirds at the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Royals' affiliate. Woodford has missed the last 24 games.

Royals: The club has off Wednesday and Thursday before before hosting Colorado on Friday. No starter for either club has been named.

Cardinals: The team has Wednesday and Thursday off before playing Friday at Pittsburgh. No starter has been determined.

Mikolas works 8 shutout innings, leads Cardinals to win over Royals

ST. LOUIS — Josh Staumont and Mike Mayers came within six outs of the first combined perfect game in major league history before Nolan Arenado lined a leadoff single in the eighth inning of the Kansas City Royals' 7-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Staumont, a 29-year-old right-hander, served as the opener in a planned bullpen game for the Royals. He made his first major league start in his 167th appearance and struck out two in a 1-2-3 inning, throwing 14 pitches.

Mayers, a 31-year-old left-hander who pitched for the Cardinals from 2016-19, made his third appearance for the Royals this season after eight starts at Triple-A Omaha. He retired 18 consecutive batters before Arenado lined a 1-0 slider to left on his 72nd pitch. Willson Contreras followed with a single to center that stopped an 0 for 27 slide.

Taylor Clarke relieved and retired Brendan Donovan, Paul DeJong and Alex Burleson in order. Amir Garrett pitched a perfect ninth to finish a two-hitter and Kansas City's second shutout this year.

St. Louis was shut out for the sixth time and has scored 13 runs in its last six games.

There have been 23 perfect games, the last by Seattle's Félix Hernández against Tampa Bay on Aug. 15, 2012. All perfect games have been complete games.

Kansas City had not shut out the Cardinals since May 22, 2015, and had not blanked them in St. Louis since June 2, 2014.

In the opener of a two-game series, the Royals tied their season high with 16 hits and stranded 14 runners, one shy of their high.

Nicky Lopez matched his career high with four hits, and Nick Pratto and Vinnie Pasquantino had three each. Mike Massey hit a two-run homer and Bobby Witt Jr. added a solo homer.

Adam Wainwright (2-1) allowed three runs and nine hits in five innings for the Cardinals, playing their 18th game in a stretch of 19 days in a row. The Cardinals and the Royals have back-to-back days off Wednesday and Thursday.

Pasquantino hit an RBI double in the third. MJ Melendez hit a run-scoring triple in the fifth and scored on Freddy Fermin's bunt down the first-base line for a 3-0 lead.

Pasquantino had an RBI single off Steven Matz in the eighth, and Witt and Massey homered in the ninth against Drew VerHagen.

CF Lars Nootbar left after Pratto doubled leading off the third inning, appearing to pull up near the wall. Nootbar has slammed into the wall catching a Massey drive in the second. The Cardinals said Nootbar had back spasms.

Royals: RHP Brad Keller (right shoulder impingement syndrome) is progressing well after throwing a recent bullpen.

Cardinals: OF Dylan Carlson (left ankle sprain) has been taking swings from the right side. On Monday, he took swings left-handed. Once he is comfortable, he will have short rehab stint in the minors.

RHP Zack Greinke (1-5, 4.55) starts Tuesday for the Royals and RHP Miles Mikolas (3-1, 4.23) for the Cardinals. Grienke is 13-7 with a 3.48 ERA against St. Louis. Mikolas pitched a four-hit shutout in his only game against the Royals on May 21, 2018.

Royals' Staumont, Mayers within 6 outs of perfect game in win over Cards

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis 500 is the one race Josef Newgarden desperately wanted to win.

It's basically the only race that matters to his boss.

Coming up empty for 11 consecutive years had become personal for the two-time IndyCar champion.

Newgarden finally broke through Sunday, though, winning the Indy 500 to extend team owner Roger Penske's record to 19 victories — and the first since he bought Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Newgarden did it with an audacious pass of defending race winner Marcus Ericsson during a frantic, controversial 2.5-mile sprint to the finish.

"We've had a tough go here the last three, four years, and we've had a lot of questions to answer every day, after every qualifying weekend. We've had to come out and put on a brave face," Newgarden said. "It's just not an easy place to succeed at. I don't necessarily subscribe to the fact that if you don't win the 500, your career is a failure.

"But I think a lot of people view this race and this championship with that lens," Newgarden continued. "The 500 stands alone and if you are not able to capture one, the career really is a failure."

After the race was red-flagged for the third time in the final 16 laps, Newgarden was moved from fourth to second by race control following a review of the running order at the time the yellow flag waved.

He took advantage of his improved position to slingshot around Ericsson on the restart and hold him off from there.

Newgarden brought his Chevrolet-powered car to a stop on the front stretch, jumped out and found a hole in the fence, diving into part of a crowd estimated at more than 300,000 to celebrate. Then, Newgarden climbed the fence to mimic longtime Team Penske driver and four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves.

The 32-year-old from Nashville is the first American to win the Indy 500 since Alexander Rossi in 2016. He led five of the 200 laps and beat Ericsson in the fourth-closest finish in 107 years with a margin of victory of .0974 seconds.

"I'm just so thankful to be here. I started out as a fan in the crowd, and this place is amazing, regardless of where you're sitting," Newgarden said after pouring a bottle of whole milk over his head. "Everyone kept asking why I hadn't won this race, and they look at you like you're a failure if you haven't won it. I knew I was capable. I knew I could."

Ericsson finished second in a Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, and he immediately criticized IndyCar's decision to hold a one-lap shootout to the checkered flag. The Swede believed the race should have ended under caution, with him the winner, rather than having the green flag fly on the first lap out of the pits.

"I think it wasn't enough laps to go to do what we did. I don't think it's safe to go out of the pits on cold tires for a restart when half the field is sort of still trying to get out on track when we go green," Ericsson said. "I can't agree with that."

Newgarden and Ericsson were followed by Santino Ferrucci, who gave 88-year-old A.J. Foyt his team's best finish in the iconic race that Super Tex won four times since Kenny Bräck reached victory lane in 1999.

Alex Palou, the pole sitter and race favorite for Chip Ganassi Racing, finished fourth after recovering from a crash on pit road, and Rossi was fifth on what was an otherwise disappointing day for Arrow McLaren.

What was on pace to be the fastest Indy 500 in history ended with three red flags in the final 16 laps.

The first came for a crash involving Felix Rosenqvist and Kyle Kirkwood, who were near the front of the lead pack. Kirkwood went upside down into the catch fence, beginning a terrifying, spark-filled ride through the short chute.

One of Kirkwood's wheels sailed over the fencing and narrowly cleared the packed grandstand. Nobody was injured. His tire smashed the hood of a Chevrolet in a parking lot next to the grandstand.

"All I know is I was up in the fence, which is never a good thing in IndyCar. Thank God these cars are so safe," Kirkwood said. "I saw sparks flying everywhere. That's the scary part. You're upside-down and you're kind of stuck at that point."

On the restart, Pato O'Ward — who already had a restart called off for setting too slow of a pace — was shuffled from first to third as Newgarden shot to the lead. O'Ward and Ericsson were then side by side entering Turn 3 and touched wheels, and O'Ward slid into the wall and out of the race in another disappointment for Arrow McLaren.

Agustin Canapino did a 360-spin behind him, snapping a break line. He was unable to stop and collided with O'Ward's car.

"I was a little too nice there," O'Ward said. "I just feel so bummed for the team. ... I got onto the apron to give (Ericsson) room. I got squeezed. Yeah, I won't forget that."

Suddenly, the race had its second red flag with six laps to go.

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