TOPEKA — Two Kansas legislators prefiled a bill that would deliver millions in voter-approved school bonds that were blocked earlier this year because of a strict ruling from the Kansas attorney general.

Voters in the Greeley County school district approved in May a $4.6 million school bond that was to be used for upgrades and renovations, but because the county — the smallest in Kansas with a population of just less than 1,200 — doesn’t have an elections website, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office refused to release the funds.

The Attorney General’s Office, which is responsible for validating every bond election in the state, decided the bond election didn’t meet legal standards. County officials didn’t adhere to a recent law requiring them to publish notice of a bond election three weeks in advance on a county elections website, in addition to a traditional newspaper notice, the office said.

A nonprofit, Greeley County Community Development, operates a website containing general government-related updates and news for the county, but it isn’t government-run. The school district’s website contained answers to frequently asked questions and in-depth information about the bond didn’t fit the bill either.

The bill prefiled Wednesday, ahead of the Legislature’s Jan. 13 start, would uphold the results of the May election and give the school district carte blanche to proceed with the improvements outlined in the bond measure.

“We should’ve already had bids and been building important facilities in Greeley County, so times a-wastin’,” said Sen.-elect William Clifford, a Garden City Republican. 

Clifford and Sen.-elect Tory Marie Blew, a Great Bend Republican, are co-sponsoring the bill. Clifford’s district-to-be encompasses Greeley County, and Blew’s district borders it. Both were members of the House before winning Senate seats in November.

Clifford said he respects the attorney general’s decision. But he is motivated to ensure the will of the people is fulfilled.

The Kansas State Wildcats dropped their third consecutive game in a blowout loss to the Houston Cougars Saturday night.

Here are a few takeaways from their fourth Big 12 matchup:

1. Kansas State was dominated on the offensive boards.

Kansas State’s rebounding issues were temporarily improving despite their losses. That issue returned Saturday, as the Wildcats were outdone 44 to 20 on the boards. Cougars forwards Joseph Tuglar and Ja’Vier Francis combined for 11 offensive rebounds, leading to Houston’s 20 second-chance points and halting Kansas State from getting in transition.

2. The slow starts are killing Kansas State.

To state the obvious, getting in early holes is not the key to victory. The one-half performances illustrate the Wildcats’ slow start to the season, which continued against Houston. Kansas State went into the half down 22, with Brendan Hausen being the only Wildcat who produced early. The only difference is this game felt like an avalanche all night; the Wildcats didn’t even have a comeback to reciprocate their sloppy first half.

3. Brendan Hausen woke up the 3-point shooting.

If Kansas State can walk away with one positive on the night, it’s the improvement in the 3-point shooting. The Wildcats went cold from the arc for nearly the last month, with the exception of the Cincinnati victory. Hausen scored 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting from 3-point range, as the team shot 40 percent on the night. Had they defended the paint better, they could’ve reduced the deficit and kept the game close.

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.

The Washington Commanders face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth matchup of the opening round. A star season for Pro Football Focus (PFF) Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels put the Commanders back in the postseason for the first time since 2021.

Former Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott is among those traveling to Tampa Bay, hoping for an opportunity to shine bright on the NFL’s brightest stage.

Sinnott played three seasons in Manhattan, KS, compiling 82 receptions for 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns. Washington selected him in the second round with the 53rd overall pick.

Sinnott didn’t see much action this season, recording just five receptions for 28 yards and one touchdown.

But the uncertainty of the NFL could lead to an unpredictable result. Four years ago, quarterback Taylor Heinicke took the Buccaneers down to the wire in just his second game in Washington. It was a remarkable performance that gave the eventual Super Bowl champions the most trouble that postseason.

Tampa Bay hosts the Commanders Sunday night, opening up as 3-point favorites. Commanders coach Dan Quinn spoke about the week of preparation leading up to Wild Card weekend.

“It was a good week of prep for us. Tampa provides a hell of a challenge in all three phases, a lot of winning time moments for us to prepare for,” Quinn said Friday. “We’ll play our best complimentary football this weekend, this opponent and this game calls for that. So our guys are ready for that, a lot of matchups. We’re ready to get rocking.”

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.