A Salina native is looking to be featured on the country's most prominent magazine for fitness.

Thirty-one year old, Matthew (Matt) Cookson a licensed and certified personal trainer, performance enhancement specialist and powerlifter is currently in the <a href="https://mrhealthandfit.com/2026/matt-cookson">Mr. Health &amp; Fitness competition</a> for a chance to get a spot on the nationwide magazine for&nbsp;bodybuilding, strength training, nutrition and fitness advice, <a href="https://www.muscleandfitness.com/">Muscle &amp; Fitness</a>.

This competition is nationwide and Cookson is currently in the top 10 in his designated grouping. Each time the group narrows down from the top 20, 15, 10, 5 and then the top 2 with a double elimination round.

The voting to see who advances to the top 5 ends&nbsp;Thursday, February 26 at 9:00 pm CT.

<a href="https://mrhealthandfit.com/2026/matt-cookson">Click here to cast in your vote.</a>

"Muscle &amp; Fitness is the who's who of the health and fitness industry," said Cookson.

Notable names such as Chris Bumstead, Triple H, John Cena,&nbsp;Lou Ferrigno,&nbsp;Arnold Schwarzenegger and Muhammad Ali have all been featured on the magazine.

Moreover, the winner of the competition receives a cash prize of $20,000.

Cookson currently owns Champion Performance, which serves people as an online training incorporation. He provides services that range from sports training, powerlifting, physical therapy and much more with ages ranging from youth to adults. He has also been certified three times through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) to train professional athletes, as he has been licensed for 9 years as a generalized trainer.

Additionally, Cookson has been powerlifting since he was a child with his first competition being at 11.

"It is interesting because it is like second nature to me and the cool thing is since I have been around it my whole life, it's like a playground to me," said Cookson.&nbsp;

In the past, Cookson has won five national championships and one junior championship for powerlifting.

His inspiration comes from his father, Chuck who has also competed in various powerlifting competitions.

Cookson stated he would use the cash prize to invest in his business and expand it towards having a brick &amp; mortar building.

He competed in the magazine competition last year and finished in the top 2 of his group.

You can also make donation for your votes, as the proceeds will go towards the<a href="https://www.bepositive.org/"> Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation</a>.

- Financial assistance to families of children with cancer.

-&nbsp;Fund research to find cures for childhood cancers and advancements in treatment protocols.

-&nbsp;Increase awareness of childhood cancer and advocate for increased research funds.

- Psychosocial support to kids and families of children with cancer.&nbsp;

"Raising money for childhood cancer is the most important thing in this competition," said Cookson.

You can follow Matt Cookson on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/matt.cookson.543">Facebook here</a>.

For his personal instagram: Matthew.a.Cookson&nbsp;

Champion Performance instagram: Chmpn.performance

Salina native seeking to be featured in country's most prominent magazine for fitness

Law enforcement has recently located card skimmers on pumps at a gas station in north Salina.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to Flying J gas station (2250 N. Ohio) for the report of a card skimmer found on one of the diesel pumps.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SPD stated on February 13, a business in town reported they used the diesel pump and noticed fraudulent charges on their credit card.&nbsp;

Officers confirmed of finding the skimmer on the diesel pump. SPD is warning the public if they have used any of the pumps within the last month to be aware of any fraudulent charges.

Skimmers are an illegal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=covert+device&amp;rlz=1C5GCEA_enUS1174US1174&amp;oq=what+are+skimmers&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyDwgAEEUYORiRAhiABBiKBTINCAEQABiRAhiABBiKBTIMCAIQABgUGIcCGIAEMg0IAxAAGJECGIAEGIoFMg0IBBAAGJECGIAEGIoFMgwIBRAAGBQYhwIYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQk0MTgyajBqMTWoAgywAgHxBbxQeFLqQdoj&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiRs6zdjvWSAxWaL0QIHfgMD5IQgK4QegYIAQgAEAY">covert device</a>&nbsp;installed over, or inside, genuine card readers at ATMs, fuel pumps and point-of-sale terminals to steal credit/debit card data.

Police: Card skimmers located at gas station in north Salina

The suspect connected to stabbing a woman multiple times has been arrested.

Original: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/33229afe-906f-4e11-a7e2-2a79ce1c224c">Police: Woman suffers multiple stab wounds during home invasion</a>

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Tuesday at around 10 am, officers arrested the suspect who is allegedly connected to the home invasion stabbing.

Booked into the Saline County Jail was 42-year old, Alesha Martinez-Reavis. She was booked from the requested charges of:

Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Burglary, Criminal Threat, Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness, Battery and Criminal Damage to Property.

SPD stated,&nbsp;Martinez-Reavis was charged with&nbsp;Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness because she reportedly threatened to kill the victim if she called police.

The victim has been treated and was released Tuesday morning from the hospital.

UPDATE: Woman connected to home invasion stabbing arrested

Following is recent booking activity for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/Sheriff-Office/Online-search/Booking-Activities">Saline County Jail</a>, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;DWS; 1st conviction; Speeding; maximum limits

NAME:&nbsp;Coble,Matthew James Wayne

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Devor,Jami Colleen-Deva

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;DWS; 1st conviction

NAME:&nbsp;Martinez Reavis,Alesha Valentina

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Agg battery; Knowingly use deadly weapon; Aggravated burglary; Locked dwelling for felony, theft, domestic violence, sexually motivated; Agg intimidation of witness/victim; Threat; Battery; Crim damage to prop;w/o consent &lt;$1K; Criminal threat; Unknown circumstance

NAME:&nbsp;Martinez,Pedro Emmanuel Angel

REQUESTED CHARGES: Failure to appear; Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Criminal threat; Cause terror, evacuation or disruption

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 25

The Salina Family YMCA is expanding its commitment to community safety this spring with a full lineup of American Red Cross–certified aquatic training courses, all taking place in March. 

These programs include new lifeguard certification, lifeguard recertification, and Water Safety Instructor (WSI) training, offering opportunities for teens, adults, and current lifeguards to build life-saving skills and advance their qualifications.

Registration for all courses runs now through March 11, with limited space available.

The YMCA is offering three different courses:

March 16–18 | Monday–Wednesday | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

The Lifeguard Training course is designed for new lifeguard candidates ages 15 and older. Participants must attend all sessions and complete roughly 10 hours of online coursework before the first day. A pre-course swim test will be administered on March 16 to ensure candidates meet Red Cross swimming requirements.

· Cost: $180 for Members, $225 for Non-Members

Red Cross Lifeguard Recertification Course

This course is for current lifeguards needing to renew their credentials may enroll in this one-day review session. Participants must attend the full day. Early sign-up is encouraged, as class capacity is limited.

· Cost: $115 for Members, $150 for Non-Members

This course trains individuals to become certified swim instructors. Participants must be 16 or older, attend all four days of sessions, and complete required online coursework prior to March 18.

· Cost: $225 for Members, $250 for Non-Members

Registration is available online or at the YMCA Membership Desk. For questions or additional details, contact Ellen Hogeland at 785-825-2151 or ehogeland@salinaymca.org.

The Salina Family YMCA encourages anyone interested in aquatic safety, summer employment, or teaching swim lessons to take advantage of these training opportunities.

Salina YMCA announces March lifeguard & water safety training opportunities

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 25 - February 27

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Salina Post understands the importance of honoring the deceased and welcomes all submissions of obituaries with a full summary of their life, survivors, services, website of the funeral home and a photo.

You can email all obituaries:&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

If you have an issue outside of business hours, if your obituary has not been published within 24 business hours, or if have any questions, please email:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

Recent obituaries and service times, how to submit an obituary

According to the Saline County Election office, the unofficial votes for "not" repealing the&nbsp;Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) pitbull ban have been favored.

The total number of "no" votes were&nbsp;5,329 (56.4%)&nbsp;and "yes" were&nbsp;4,123 (43.6 %).&nbsp;

This means the BSL ban in Salina will still be in place.

There were approximately 27,112 mail-in ballots that were sent to registered voters within the city limits of Salina. A total of 9,452 were tallied for the unofficial results.

Approximately there are 31,770 registered voters in Salina and those who may have not received a ballot was due to home address issues and other reasons.

Now, the provisional ballots will be tallied up on Monday, March 2 at 9:00 am and&nbsp;there are 270.&nbsp;

Part of the provisional ballots include voters who may have forgotten to sign the ballot. Saline County Clerk, Jamie Doss stated she encourages those who are apart of that to come to the Saline County Election office (300 W. Ash) before March 2nd.

Around noon or 1:00 pm will be the final results of the provisional ballots.

After the final results, this issue cannot be revisited until 2036.

<a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/election#docaccess-0307ff30186567622f426012b26185dcd6279143301dfa281fb9b890607ce444">Click here to see the results from the Saline County Election Office and select the "Unofficial Results" option.</a>

Results are in: Breed Specific Legislation special election

A 3-2 vote from Salina Commissioners, denied a sales tax abatement for a nonprofit company.

During Monday's meeting, <a href="https://kmea.com/mid-states-about-us/">Kansas Municipal Energy Agency-Mid States&nbsp;(KMEA)</a> were seeking a possible sales tax exemption for an expansion project consisting of three new buildings.

The proposal was for a share of the City, Saline County and the State to take portions of a sales tax abatement, which totaled $250,000.

Commissioner Doug Rempp was one of three who denied as he stated, KMEA has enough income already since the average salary for an employee is $110,000.

He further stated this is triple the amount of the average annual income for a taxpayer in Salina.

Commissioner Mike Hoppock voted to deny as well, and he stated his reason was that he would feel the City would have a disadvantage.

"The reason I voted nay, because it seems like we are giving other municipalities a break but yet cutting ourselves out of the loop," he said.&nbsp;

Salina Community Economic Development Organization Executive Director, Mitch Robinson stated the City has done abatements over the past 10 years for existing companies. Some include Schwan's, GeoProbe, Great Plains/Kubota and Superior&nbsp;Plumbing &amp; Heating. The newest company was for Beck's Hybrids.

Those abatements were done if there was a projected revenue increase from the company.&nbsp;

KMEA purchased Mid States Energy Works in 2020, becoming KMEA-Mid States.&nbsp;

KMEA-Mid States currently employs 20 employees and are currently located in north Salina. KMEA provides a range of services consisting of <a href="https://kmea.com/mid-states-about-us/">electricity, natural gas supply, engineering support and more.</a>

City Commission: 3-2 vote denies sales tax abatement for nonprofit company 

Kansas Department of Transportation

The new 2026-28 Official State Bicycle Map of Kansas is now available from the Kansas Department of Transportation. 

Whether riding a few miles or cycling across the state, this edition offers a variety of information to help active transportation users plan a short trip or a long ride.

State bicycle maps and educational flyers with bicycle safety tips are free and can be ordered on KDOT’s website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.ksdot.gov%2FKSBikeMap%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019c905a8d54-bd897f15-5be6-4b6b-a147-79936c3ce9b7-000000/snB9tF1vNXXat8kX6P-utpLRlocVbcwyYYVW_VTDztg=445">http://www.ksdot.gov/KSBikeMap</a>.

“Rail-Trails and the U.S. Bicycle Route System maps are included in the publication and showcase historic and unique places to visit along these routes,” said KDOT’s Active Transportation Manager Jenny Kramer. “We want residents and visitors alike to experience a few of the many venues and sights Kansas offers by bike while participating in active lifestyles.”

The map features color-coded highways to help riders distinguish traffic levels and varying route widths to show where shoulders are paved and wider than 3 feet. For those wanting to avoid highways, county roads are also shown using the same color coding for traffic ranges and denote whether they are paved or unpaved.

- Hospitals with 24-hour emergency care. 

In addition, details and contact information on the new Kansas Trails Inc. organization are available. According to the group, its mission is to provide the resources, support and community connections needed to make trails across the state accessible and sustainable for everyone.

For more information or to order maps, send an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KATE@ks.gov">KATE@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call Kramer at 785-296-5186.

KDOT provides new bicycle maps and safety tips for 2026-2028

Law enforcement are investigating a home invasion, where a female victim was stabbed multiple times.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) at 3:00 am Tuesday morning, a 28-year old female arrived to Salina Regional Health Center with stab wounds on her leg.

Reportedly, the victim was at her home in north Salina when a known associate forced their way into the residence through a door and stabbed her multiple times.

SPD stated they have a suspect identified, but are not releasing any more information throughout this investigation.

Police: Woman suffers multiple stab wounds during home invasion

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 23 - February 25

According to the US National Weather Service, light snow will impact much of the central Kansas area Friday evening.&nbsp;Between 1-2 inches of snow is expected across central Kansas, with locally higher amounts possible.&nbsp;

Salina is in the area where it could receive 1 - 2 inches of snow. 

Use extra caution if traveling tonight as slick spots are possible, especially on elevated surfaces.

Additionally, wind chills are are expected to be in the single digits across central Kansas. 

Salina's chills could get as low as 5, with a 23 degree low temperature.

Stay updated with local weather on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita">US National Weather Service Wichita Kansas</a>&nbsp;Facebook page.

Single digit wind chills, light snow across central Kansas Friday evening 

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 20 - February 22

Thursday's cold front is expected to cause flurries and wintry mix for Friday across Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service, light snow or flurries will impact central Kansas Friday night with a rain/snow mix further south. 

Snow accumulations up to a dusting are possible as well.

Furthermore, the cold front that moved across the region Thursday will lead to much cooler temperatures and even a chance for some light snow. Friday's highs will generally be in the 40s and lows in the upper teens and 20s.

Weather: Cold front expected to cause flurries and wintry mix across Kansas 

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 18 - February 20

Gusty winds and dry conditions throughout central Kansas resulting in extreme grassland fire danger on Tuesday

According to the US National Weather Service, these gusty southwest winds will result in extreme grassland fire danger in the afternoon and evening throughout central Kansas.

Salina is in the area of the extreme grassland fire danger.

West winds are expected to increase late in the day gusting to around 45 mph at times in the region. 

However, clouds may limit fire weather concerns further east in south central and southeast Kansas although a very high grassland fire danger is still expected.

Gusty winds and dry conditions causing extreme grassland fire danger in central Kansas

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 16 - February 18

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 13 - February 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 11 - February 13

WASHINGTON (AP) — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger offered a sharp contrast to President Donald Trump’s depiction of the nation as being in a “golden age” during his State of the Union, arguing in her Democratic rebuttal that costs remain high for many Americans more than a year into his second term.

Her message, that families are still struggling under Trump’s policies, is one Democrats plan to carry nationwide ahead of the midterm elections. Party leaders point to Spanberger’s double-digit victory in Virginia last November as validation of a disciplined, cost-focused campaign they now hope to replicate across the country.

“Democrats across the country are laser-focused on affordability in our nation’s capital and in state capitals and communities across America,” said Spanberger. “In the most innovative and exceptional nation in the history of the world, Americans deserve to know that their leaders are focused on addressing the problems that keep them up at night.”

Spanberger asks Americans whether life is better under Trump

Spanberger was flanked by American flags as she delivered the speech from Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum with restored 18th-century buildings, invoking the site’s role at the heart of Virginia’s early opposition to British rule.

“As we celebrate 250 years since America declared our independence from tyranny, I can think of no better place to speak to you,” Spanberger said.

Spanberger said she wanted to “plainly and honestly” speak to people watching at home. She structured her speech around a series of direct questions: “Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?”

She contrasted those questions with what she described as the reality under Trump, saying he “has sent poorly trained federal agents into our cities, where they have arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans.” She added that Trump seeks to “pit us against one another” while “enriching himself, his family, his friends.”

“This is not what our founders envisioned. Not by a long shot,” said Spanberger. “So I’ll ask again: Is the president working for you? We all know the answer is no.”

Spanberger had a fraction of Trump’s record-breaking time

Spanberger had far less time than the Republican president to make her case, speaking for around 13 minutes. Trump’s address to Congress stretched for just over an hour and 48 minutes, the longest in history, and ran late into the night.

In his speech, Trump described a nation with lower costs than when he took office, declaring, “This is the golden age of America.”

He also goaded the Democratic side of the House chambers throughout the speech for not standing, increasing his insults throughout the speech and calling his opponents “crazy.” But Democrats inside the chamber largely didn’t react, sitting silently. Texas Rep. Al Green was removed from the chamber barely two minutes into the president’s address after holding a protest sign reading “Black People Aren’t Apes!”

Outside the chamber, Democrats who had skipped the speech responded at counterprogramming events, including a “People’s State of the Union” featuring Democratic lawmakers alongside state and local leaders and celebrities.

“We know our state of the union. We know it is under attack,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said at the event.'

Democrats look toward November’s midterms

Democrats believe the political environment is shifting in their favor. Spanberger’s win in Virginia was followed by other high-profile Democratic victories, including a special election this month in Texas, where a Democrat flipped a reliably Republican state Senate district that Trump carried by 17 percentage points in 2024.

In California Sen. Alex Padilla’s Spanish-language response to Trump’s address, he described the nation as “living a nightmare that divides and destroys our communities” and urged viewers to “prepare, starting today, for your voice to reverberate this November.”

Padilla, who was forcefully removed from a Homeland Security news conference in Los Angeles last year while questioning immigration raids, referenced the moment in his remarks.

“They may have knocked me down for a moment, but I got right back up,” he said. “As our parents taught us: If you fall seven times, get up eight. I am still here. Standing. Still fighting.”

Spanberger, meanwhile, sought to tie Republicans in Congress closely to Trump as Democrats aim to flip the House and Senate in November. She warned that additional tariffs would raise costs “and Republicans in Congress, they remain unwilling to assert their constitutional authority to stop him.”

“They’re making your life harder. They’re making your life more expensive,” she said.

🎥Democrat lawmakers respond to Trump's State of the Union

MCPHERSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Tuesday in McPherson County.

The McPherson County Sheriff's office reported a UTV was northbound on 12th Avenue at Moccasin Road. The UTV struck a westbound Suzuki SUV in the intersection and overturned. After impact the UTV driver was ejected and he was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

The female driver of the SUV was transported to the hospital in McPherson for treatment.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release names of the drivers.

Kansas man dies after UTV, SUV crash

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Tuesday spoke on the Senate floor to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and emphasize the importance of continued support for Ukraine from the United States and its allies as Russia’s ongoing aggression reaches its fifth year.

“Vladimir Putin believed his so-called military operation would be over in two weeks, but as the fifth year of the war begins, Russian forces have fought Ukraine longer than they fought the Germans in World War II,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;

“Because of the bravery and innovation of the Ukrainians, aided by American and European support, Vladimir Putin’s objective to conquer and control the Ukrainian government remains unobtainable. His war is a strategic failure.”“Ukrainians are coming out of the most difficult winter yet, with temperatures at the most frigid of the war, and the Russian bombing campaigns aimed at energy infrastructure have taken a toll. Instead of being convinced to sue for peace on Putin’s terms, Ukrainians remain unwavering in their commitment to remain an independent and sovereign nation,”&nbsp;continued Sen. Moran.

&nbsp;“We must commit to share in their resolve. I say that again: we must commit to share in their resolve and support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.”Sen. Moran today joined Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution to mark the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Full text of the resolution can be found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/DAV26310.pdf">here</a>.

🎥Kan. U.S. Senator marks 4th anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A suspect accused in a deadly Labor Day weekend robbery, killing is due back in court Wednesday.

Lafayette J. Washington, 21, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in&nbsp;Judge Jeffrey Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The judge will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward.

In September, Washington was charged with First degree murder, theft of property and criminal possession of a firearm in the shooting death of 23-year-old D’Andre Rubio of Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police.

The shooting occurred&nbsp; just after 1:30 a.m. September 1, in the 100 block of Rock Island in Wichita. Officers arrived and found Rubio suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives have learned that a disturbance took place before the shooting.&nbsp;

Washinton is being held on bond of over $1 million dollars.

Preliminary Hearing for Kansas Labor Day robbery, killing

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids said ahead of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday she was concerned about his promises of lower costs, stability and support for American families.

“Instead we are seeing the opposite of that,” the Kansas Democrat said during a virtual press conference. “We’re seeing rising grocery bills. We’re seeing tariffs that have forced small businesses to close. We’re seeing cuts to health care that are, frankly, going to devastate families.”

Davids said her State of the Union guest, Nick Levendofsky, will bring Kansas voices to the forefront. Levendofsky,&nbsp; the executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union and secretary of the Minneapolis-based research nonprofit Institute for Agriculture &amp; Trade Policy, has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s tariff policies and advocate for broader protections for Kansas farmers.

Davids said she is hoping for solutions from Trump rather than partisan rhetoric.

“I have to be honest here. I am not necessarily holding my breath for that,” she said.

The State of the Union address follows Friday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/20/repub/us-supreme-court-rules-against-trumps-tariffs-in-6-3-opinion-dealing-blow-to-trade-agenda/">U.S. Supreme Court decision</a>, which deemed certain tariffs illegal.

Trump’s tariffs have been detrimental to Kansas farmers, according to Levendofsky.

He said farmers across the country have lost tens of billions of dollars because of tariffs, and crop markets have become stressed or entirely lost. When farmers aren’t making money, they aren’t spending money, he said.

“I hate to say it, but we’ve become less reliable when it comes to trade and what we can offer to the world,” Levendofsky said.

He believes that Congress should address tariffs by exerting its checks and balances authority and intervening in the ongoing trade war.

Also top of mind for Davids and Levendofsky while in D.C. this week is a farm bill that will govern agriculture and food issues for the next several years.

Davids wants to see amendments to the bill that end current trade war policy, protect food assistance programs and address adequate staffing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan.

She said she will not support a final product that ignores what Kansans need to stay competitive.

Levendofsky favors updates to the legislation that address climate change issues, attracting new farmers to the profession, supporting underserved farmers, boosting research, promoting rural mental health services and establishing food assistance programs.

“If you eat, you are involved in agriculture,” Levendofsky said.

Kansas is the country’s eighth-largest agriculture producer, exporting more than $7 billion in beef, wheat, soybeans and other grains.

The state lost 700 farms in 2025, according to a USDA study, and 11 Kansas farms filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The White House has promoted Trump’s first year in his second term in office as a major success. In a statement released Tuesday gouging Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who is set to deliver Democrats’ rebuttal following Trump’s address, the White House said, “Americans deserve better than the Radical Left’s vision of higher taxes, weaker borders, and divisive ideology.”

“Tonight, while President Trump highlights the successes of his America First agenda in slashing costs, revitalizing manufacturing, securing our borders, and delivering real relief — Spanberger’s response will only underscore her party’s commitment to the failed lunacy Americans rejected,” the statement said.

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said while appearing Monday on Newsmax said Trump has made American families safer, borders more secure, the military more successful and the economy more prosperous. He said record-low murder rates, missions in Iran and Venezuela and lower utility costs are worth celebrating.

Marshall called the U.S. Supreme Court’s tariff decision disappointing. Trump’s tariffs have served as a leverage tool to be used for diplomacy, national security and forceful trade deals, he said. He also said manufacturing jobs have moved back to Kansas from overseas as a result of tariff policy.

“This big ship we call America is now moving in the right direction,” he said, “so there’s lots to celebrate.”

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