By LISA NEWMAN K-State Research and Extension – Central Kansas District Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent&nbsp;

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, but finding the motivation and time can be challenging. If you’re looking for a fun and achievable way to increase your physical activity,&nbsp;Walk Kansas&nbsp;might be just what you need. This statewide program encourages team-based movement and provides the accountability and encouragement to help you meet national&nbsp;Physical Activity Guidelines&nbsp;and improve your well-being.

Understanding the Physical Activity Guidelines

The&nbsp;Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans&nbsp;from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, recommend that adults aim for&nbsp;150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Additionally, it’s important to include&nbsp;muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. Following these guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life. What Does Moderate-Intensity Look Like?

Moderate-intensity physical activity means getting your heart rate up and breaking a sweat, but still being able to carry on a conversation. Examples include:

• Active household chores, like vacuuming or mopping

If you’re not sure whether you’re reaching a moderate level, try the&nbsp;talk test—if you can talk but not sing while being active, you’re in the right range!

The Importance of Strength Training

In addition to aerobic activity, adults should engage in&nbsp;muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. Strength training is crucial for maintaining muscle mass, improving bone density, and reducing the risk of injury. Some effective options include:

• Bodyweight exercises (push-ups, squats, lunges)

• Lifting weights or using resistance bands

Walk Kansas provides an excellent opportunity to work toward these activity goals. This&nbsp;eight-week program&nbsp;encourages participants to team up and log physical activity while virtually traveling across the state of Kansas. The program is designed for all fitness levels and motivates participants to move more, sit less, and incorporate strength training into their routine.

•&nbsp;Team Accountability:&nbsp;Join friends, family, or co-workers to stay on track.

•&nbsp;Flexible Activities:&nbsp;Walk, bike, dance, or choose any movement you enjoy.

•&nbsp;Support &amp; Motivation:&nbsp;Weekly tips, recipes, and resources to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

Sticking to a fitness routine is much easier when you enjoy what you’re doing. The&nbsp;best physical activity is the one you’ll actually do—whether it’s walking with friends, gardening, or dancing in your living room. So, what’s your favorite way to move? If you’re looking for a great place to start, consider getting a team together, signing up for Walk Kansas and taking the first step toward a healthier, more active lifestyle!

Registration opens March 4 and the program runs from March 30-May 24. To learn more and register, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.walkkansas.org/">www.walkkansas.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729864143137.jpeg" alt="Lisa (1).jpg" />
 <figcaption>Lisa (1).jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By LISA NEWMAN K-State Research and Extension – Central Kansas District Family and Community Wellness Extension Agent&nbsp;Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, but finding the motivation and time can be challenging. If you’re looking for a fun and achievable way to increase your physical activity,&nbsp;Walk Kansas&nbsp;might be just what you need. This statewide program encourages team-based movement and provides the accountability and encouragement to help you meet national&nbsp;Physical Activity Guidelines&nbsp;and improve your well-being.Understanding the Physical Activity GuidelinesThe&nbsp;Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans&nbsp;from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, recommend that adults aim for&nbsp;150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Additionally, it’s important to include&nbsp;muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. Following these guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life. What Does Moderate-Intensity Look Like?Moderate-intensity physical activity means getting your heart rate up and breaking a sweat, but still being able to carry on a conversation. Examples include:• Brisk walking (about 2.5 to 4 mph)• Dancing• Gardening or yard work• Water aerobics• Recreational biking (under 10 mph)• Active household chores, like vacuuming or moppingIf you’re not sure whether you’re reaching a moderate level, try the&nbsp;talk test—if you can talk but not sing while being active, you’re in the right range!The Importance of Strength TrainingIn addition to aerobic activity, adults should engage in&nbsp;muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. Strength training is crucial for maintaining muscle mass, improving bone density, and reducing the risk of injury. Some effective options include:• Bodyweight exercises (push-ups, squats, lunges)• Lifting weights or using resistance bands• Yoga or Pilates• Heavy gardening (digging, shoveling)Making It Happen with Walk KansasWalk Kansas provides an excellent opportunity to work toward these activity goals. This&nbsp;eight-week program&nbsp;encourages participants to team up and log physical activity while virtually traveling across the state of Kansas. The program is designed for all fitness levels and motivates participants to move more, sit less, and incorporate strength training into their routine.With Walk Kansas, you’ll enjoy:•&nbsp;Team Accountability:&nbsp;Join friends, family, or co-workers to stay on track.•&nbsp;Flexible Activities:&nbsp;Walk, bike, dance, or choose any movement you enjoy.•&nbsp;Support &amp; Motivation:&nbsp;Weekly tips, recipes, and resources to encourage a healthier lifestyle.Find the Activity You EnjoySticking to a fitness routine is much easier when you enjoy what you’re doing. The&nbsp;best physical activity is the one you’ll actually do—whether it’s walking with friends, gardening, or dancing in your living room. So, what’s your favorite way to move? If you’re looking for a great place to start, consider getting a team together, signing up for Walk Kansas and taking the first step toward a healthier, more active lifestyle!Registration opens March 4 and the program runs from March 30-May 24. To learn more and register, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.walkkansas.org/">www.walkkansas.org</a>.

NEWMAN: Could Walk Kansas be your key to better health?

WASHINGTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 7p.m. Sunday in Washington County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford F350 driven by Dawson H.&nbsp; Flahaven, 20, Sundance, Washington, was northbound on Kansas 9 Highway one and one half miles north of Palmer.

The driver&nbsp;pulled to the east shoulder to look at the vehicle. While he was outside of pickup, an unknown vehicle struck the driver with the passenger side mirror.

&nbsp;EMS transported Flahaven to the Clay County Medical Center.&nbsp; A teen passenger was not injured.&nbsp;

WASHINGTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 7p.m. Sunday in Washington County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford F350 driven by Dawson H.&nbsp; Flahaven, 20, Sundance, Washington, was northbound on Kansas 9 Highway one and one half miles north of Palmer.The driver&nbsp;pulled to the east shoulder to look at the vehicle. While he was outside of pickup, an unknown vehicle struck the driver with the passenger side mirror.&nbsp;EMS transported Flahaven to the Clay County Medical Center.&nbsp; A teen passenger was not injured.&nbsp;

KHP investigating hit and run pedestrian incident

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 31, 2025 – Evergy, Inc. filed a request and supporting documentation with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to recover recent investments made to improve reliability and strengthen the power grid for customers in its Evergy Kansas Central service area (green shaded area on the map below). Today’s filing begins an eight-month process where the request will be evaluated before the KCC, with new prices becoming effective in late September 2025. Prices for Evergy Kansas Metro, which serves customers in Lyndon, Edgerton, Overland Park and other communities near the Kansas City metro area (the gray shaded area on the map below), will not be impacted.

“Evergy continues to focus on keeping rates as low as possible despite inflation and the need to invest in maintaining and improving our system to meet the needs of our customers,” said David Campbell, chairman and chief executive officer. “Investments supporting reliable service are at the core of our request. Since the formation of Evergy in 2018, our Kansas electricity rates have become more competitive against regional peers, and we will maintain that focus.”

From 2017 to October 2024, Evergy Kansas Central residential rates have increased 5.6%, while the average increase for other states in our region has been about 17% over the same time period. The consumer price index for the period, by comparison, increased by 25.7%.

In the request filed, Evergy asked to increase rates by $196 million for its Evergy Kansas Central service area, which includes approximately 735,000 customers in Topeka, Pittsburg, Wichita and other communities Evergy serves in the eastern third of Kansas. If the Commission approved the full amount requested, the average residential bill would increase about $13.05 (10.36%) per month (based on average residential household usage of about 900 kWh per month).

As part of this filing, Evergy also proposed a new program to help qualified income-eligible Kansas customers remain current on their account and avoid potential disconnection. The Evergy Stay Connected Pilot program is a three-year program that will offer monthly bill credits and help income-eligible Kansas residents remain current on their account. To enroll, customers must be current on their account or enrolled in a payment plan. Evergy’s Stay Connected program is modeled on Evergy’s&nbsp;successful Economic Relief Pilot&nbsp;Program in&nbsp;Missouri, which has provided assistance to low-income customers in that state for more than 15 years.

Since its last Kansas rate review in 2023, Evergy has invested nearly $1 billion in infrastructure that serves Evergy Kansas Central customers. These infrastructure investments include technology upgrades and grid improvements to replace aging equipment, creating a smarter, more resilient power grid that is more reliable and efficient for customers. Grid investments were focused on outage prevention and response, including automation and sensor technology used to better identify outages and isolate outages to fewer customers. In 2024, Evergy completed the installation of an advanced distribution management system, a new software platform that will allow Evergy to optimize its distribution network and increase automation of outage restoration. &nbsp;

Evergy is not seeking recovery of costs related to the Panasonic battery plant under construction in DeSoto, Kan.

Included in the nearly $1 billion invested in Kansas are projects at Evergy’s Jeffrey, La Cygne and Lawrence power plants that help ensure their availability to customers now and for years ahead. The $1 billion investment made over the past three years is benefiting established customers today. A reliable power grid with capacity to serve growing electricity needs is important to all communities.

“Our investments are making the power grid that serves today’s customers more resilient,” Campbell said. “Our rate request will position Evergy to continue to maintain our system, reliably serve existing and new customers and to support economic development in Kansas.”

Last year Evergy announced a proposal to build two new baseload natural gas power plants and additional solar energy in Kansas. The two new natural gas plants will be the first baseload 24/7 generation plants built since the Wolf Creek nuclear plant was commissioned in 1985. These new gas plants are needed to ensure Kansas has the energy necessary to reliably power its economy well into the future and to serve the needs of customers by increasing generation capacity in times of high demand.

These proposed new power plants are&nbsp;not&nbsp;part of this rate review. Evergy is currently seeking approval from the KCC to build these plants and expects a decision later this year.&nbsp;

Evergy partners with the state of Kansas and local municipalities to attract investment and economic development. Large new customers bring billions of dollars of investment and thousands of jobs to Kansas, benefiting communities across the state. Kansas is successfully attracting companies in advanced manufacturing, health sciences, and aerospace, as well as technology companies building data centers. To ensure that new and large customers pay their share of energy costs, Evergy will be asking the Commission to establish a new rate structure to serve prospective large new industrial customers in a separate proceeding that would establish rates that ensure new customers pay costs associated with serving them, including the use of the shared power grid, and credit them for grid benefits they may bring such as private generation or demand response capability, which can lower costs for all customers in the future.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631205607268.png" alt="evergy logo.png" />
 <figcaption>evergy logo.png</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738987818507.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 31, 2025 – Evergy, Inc. filed a request and supporting documentation with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to recover recent investments made to improve reliability and strengthen the power grid for customers in its Evergy Kansas Central service area (green shaded area on the map below). Today’s filing begins an eight-month process where the request will be evaluated before the KCC, with new prices becoming effective in late September 2025. Prices for Evergy Kansas Metro, which serves customers in Lyndon, Edgerton, Overland Park and other communities near the Kansas City metro area (the gray shaded area on the map below), will not be impacted.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738987818507.png" alt="Map of Evergy Kansas service areas&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Map of Evergy Kansas service areas&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>“Evergy continues to focus on keeping rates as low as possible despite inflation and the need to invest in maintaining and improving our system to meet the needs of our customers,” said David Campbell, chairman and chief executive officer. “Investments supporting reliable service are at the core of our request. Since the formation of Evergy in 2018, our Kansas electricity rates have become more competitive against regional peers, and we will maintain that focus.”From 2017 to October 2024, Evergy Kansas Central residential rates have increased 5.6%, while the average increase for other states in our region has been about 17% over the same time period. The consumer price index for the period, by comparison, increased by 25.7%.In the request filed, Evergy asked to increase rates by $196 million for its Evergy Kansas Central service area, which includes approximately 735,000 customers in Topeka, Pittsburg, Wichita and other communities Evergy serves in the eastern third of Kansas. If the Commission approved the full amount requested, the average residential bill would increase about $13.05 (10.36%) per month (based on average residential household usage of about 900 kWh per month).As part of this filing, Evergy also proposed a new program to help qualified income-eligible Kansas customers remain current on their account and avoid potential disconnection. The Evergy Stay Connected Pilot program is a three-year program that will offer monthly bill credits and help income-eligible Kansas residents remain current on their account. To enroll, customers must be current on their account or enrolled in a payment plan. Evergy’s Stay Connected program is modeled on Evergy’s&nbsp;successful Economic Relief Pilot&nbsp;Program in&nbsp;Missouri, which has provided assistance to low-income customers in that state for more than 15 years.Since its last Kansas rate review in 2023, Evergy has invested nearly $1 billion in infrastructure that serves Evergy Kansas Central customers. These infrastructure investments include technology upgrades and grid improvements to replace aging equipment, creating a smarter, more resilient power grid that is more reliable and efficient for customers. Grid investments were focused on outage prevention and response, including automation and sensor technology used to better identify outages and isolate outages to fewer customers. In 2024, Evergy completed the installation of an advanced distribution management system, a new software platform that will allow Evergy to optimize its distribution network and increase automation of outage restoration. &nbsp;Evergy is not seeking recovery of costs related to the Panasonic battery plant under construction in DeSoto, Kan.Included in the nearly $1 billion invested in Kansas are projects at Evergy’s Jeffrey, La Cygne and Lawrence power plants that help ensure their availability to customers now and for years ahead. The $1 billion investment made over the past three years is benefiting established customers today. A reliable power grid with capacity to serve growing electricity needs is important to all communities.“Our investments are making the power grid that serves today’s customers more resilient,” Campbell said. “Our rate request will position Evergy to continue to maintain our system, reliably serve existing and new customers and to support economic development in Kansas.”Last year Evergy announced a proposal to build two new baseload natural gas power plants and additional solar energy in Kansas. The two new natural gas plants will be the first baseload 24/7 generation plants built since the Wolf Creek nuclear plant was commissioned in 1985. These new gas plants are needed to ensure Kansas has the energy necessary to reliably power its economy well into the future and to serve the needs of customers by increasing generation capacity in times of high demand.These proposed new power plants are&nbsp;not&nbsp;part of this rate review. Evergy is currently seeking approval from the KCC to build these plants and expects a decision later this year.&nbsp;Evergy partners with the state of Kansas and local municipalities to attract investment and economic development. Large new customers bring billions of dollars of investment and thousands of jobs to Kansas, benefiting communities across the state. Kansas is successfully attracting companies in advanced manufacturing, health sciences, and aerospace, as well as technology companies building data centers. To ensure that new and large customers pay their share of energy costs, Evergy will be asking the Commission to establish a new rate structure to serve prospective large new industrial customers in a separate proceeding that would establish rates that ensure new customers pay costs associated with serving them, including the use of the shared power grid, and credit them for grid benefits they may bring such as private generation or demand response capability, which can lower costs for all customers in the future.

Evergy to seek rate hike

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, 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 CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; Failure to Appear, interference with LEO; knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle for misdemeanor case, Theft of prop/serv;&lt;$1500 3 business in 72 hrs and Theft of prop/services:Value less than $1,500

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Hess, Christopher Charles

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, 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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739140196500.png" alt="Camren, Ashlei Kay" />
 <figcaption>Camren, Ashlei Kay</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Camren, Ashlei KayREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Failure to appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739140281433.png" alt="Greer, Annie Laura Love" />
 <figcaption>Greer, Annie Laura Love</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Greer, Annie Laura LoveREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; Failure to Appear, interference with LEO; knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle for misdemeanor case, Theft of prop/serv;&lt;$1500 3 business in 72 hrs and Theft of prop/services:Value less than $1,500<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739140342716.png" alt="Hess, Christopher Charles" />
 <figcaption>Hess, Christopher Charles</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Hess, Christopher CharlesREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance

Saline County Jail Bookings, Feb. 9

By MARK R. JOSLYN Insight Kansas

For decades, there has been a general understanding of the coalitions that define the two parties. The wealthy and college educated leaned Republican, while the less educated, working class, and the disadvantaged supported Democrats.

We knew generally what to expect from both sides. No longer.&nbsp; 

The college educated and affluent are drifting leftward. The working class and those without a college degree are moving right. The so-called&nbsp; “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Polarized-Degrees-Transformed-American-Politics/dp/1316512010">diploma divide</a>” has arrived.

The divide first took shape in 2008, when Obama carried college educated voters and McCain won those without a college degree.

Since then, the split has expanded considerably.&nbsp;College educated whites now comprise a plurality of the Democrat coalition, reaching&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/MattGrossmann/status/1855439671138058673">nearly 40</a>&nbsp;percent of the total Democrat presidential vote. A majority of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/election/2024/exit-polls/national-results/general/president/0">college educated</a>,&nbsp;in fact, voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 while a majority without a college degree voted for Donald Trump.

And, for the first time since the advent of reliable&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2024/general-results/voter-analysis">exit polling</a>, the Republican candidate won the lowest income group – under $50,000 while the Democrat secured the highest income category – $100,000 plus.

This helps explain why Biden pushed so hard for student loan forgiveness and approved tax credits for electric vehicles. It also sheds light on Trump’s support for tariffs and a no tax on tips plan. 

As new coalition members join, they shape the parties’ cultures which are showcased every four years during party conventions.&nbsp;In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#Schedule">2020</a>, Democrats choose Pulitzer Prize winning author and presidential historian Jon Meacham and former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD to deliver remarks on the final evening of their convention.

By contrast,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Republican_National_Convention#Schedule">Republicans</a>&nbsp;featured Franklin Graham, son of Christian evangelist Billy Graham, and Dana White CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.&nbsp;White was spotlighted again in 2024, this time presenting Trump to convention delegates.&nbsp; Former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and Teamster president Sean O’ Brien also received coveted primetime slots.

The party transformations have impacted Kansans as well.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksdata.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/rankings/1rank2.pdf">Wealthy</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksdata.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/education/6ed15b.pdf">well educated Kansas counties</a>&nbsp;now represent opportunities for Democrats.

Johnson County, a historical stronghold of Republicans, is experiencing a noticeable shift toward Democrats.&nbsp;In 2008, Obama secured nearly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://uselectionatlas.org/">45 percent</a>&nbsp;of the county’s vote, reaching the highest percentage by a Democrat since FDR in 1932.&nbsp;Hillary Clinton nearly equaled that percentage in 2016 and Biden surpassed it with 52.7 percent in 2020, marking the first time a Democrat had won Johnson County in over 100 years.&nbsp;Kamala Harris then improved on Biden’s percentage and won Riley County as well.

Less affluent and less educated counties are moving rightward.&nbsp;Crawford County for example in the southeast quadrant voted for Carter in 1976, Dukakis in 1988, Clinton in 1992 and 1996. And then in 2008, Crawford joined Douglas and Wyandotte as the only counties to support Obama.&nbsp;But over the last four presidential contests, Crawford turned&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://uselectionatlas.org/">red</a>.&nbsp;Hillary Clinton’s 35 percent was the worst performance by a Democrat since 1924 – Biden and Harris managed only a modest uptick.&nbsp;&nbsp;

These changes can be confusing and frustrating for many long-time party loyalists. After all, the parties they had once aligned with and cast their votes for have effectively vanished.&nbsp; 

It’s time to reset our expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mark Joslyn is a professor of political science at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695215697316.png" alt="Dr. Mark Joslyn. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Mark Joslyn. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK R. JOSLYN Insight KansasFor decades, there has been a general understanding of the coalitions that define the two parties. The wealthy and college educated leaned Republican, while the less educated, working class, and the disadvantaged supported Democrats.We knew generally what to expect from both sides. No longer.&nbsp; The college educated and affluent are drifting leftward. The working class and those without a college degree are moving right. The so-called&nbsp; “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Polarized-Degrees-Transformed-American-Politics/dp/1316512010">diploma divide</a>” has arrived.The divide first took shape in 2008, when Obama carried college educated voters and McCain won those without a college degree.Since then, the split has expanded considerably.&nbsp;College educated whites now comprise a plurality of the Democrat coalition, reaching&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/MattGrossmann/status/1855439671138058673">nearly 40</a>&nbsp;percent of the total Democrat presidential vote. A majority of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/election/2024/exit-polls/national-results/general/president/0">college educated</a>,&nbsp;in fact, voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 while a majority without a college degree voted for Donald Trump.And, for the first time since the advent of reliable&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2024/general-results/voter-analysis">exit polling</a>, the Republican candidate won the lowest income group – under $50,000 while the Democrat secured the highest income category – $100,000 plus.This helps explain why Biden pushed so hard for student loan forgiveness and approved tax credits for electric vehicles. It also sheds light on Trump’s support for tariffs and a no tax on tips plan. As new coalition members join, they shape the parties’ cultures which are showcased every four years during party conventions.&nbsp;In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#Schedule">2020</a>, Democrats choose Pulitzer Prize winning author and presidential historian Jon Meacham and former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD to deliver remarks on the final evening of their convention.By contrast,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Republican_National_Convention#Schedule">Republicans</a>&nbsp;featured Franklin Graham, son of Christian evangelist Billy Graham, and Dana White CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.&nbsp;White was spotlighted again in 2024, this time presenting Trump to convention delegates.&nbsp; Former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and Teamster president Sean O’ Brien also received coveted primetime slots. The party transformations have impacted Kansans as well.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksdata.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/rankings/1rank2.pdf">Wealthy</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksdata.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/education/6ed15b.pdf">well educated Kansas counties</a>&nbsp;now represent opportunities for Democrats.Johnson County, a historical stronghold of Republicans, is experiencing a noticeable shift toward Democrats.&nbsp;In 2008, Obama secured nearly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://uselectionatlas.org/">45 percent</a>&nbsp;of the county’s vote, reaching the highest percentage by a Democrat since FDR in 1932.&nbsp;Hillary Clinton nearly equaled that percentage in 2016 and Biden surpassed it with 52.7 percent in 2020, marking the first time a Democrat had won Johnson County in over 100 years.&nbsp;Kamala Harris then improved on Biden’s percentage and won Riley County as well. Less affluent and less educated counties are moving rightward.&nbsp;Crawford County for example in the southeast quadrant voted for Carter in 1976, Dukakis in 1988, Clinton in 1992 and 1996. And then in 2008, Crawford joined Douglas and Wyandotte as the only counties to support Obama.&nbsp;But over the last four presidential contests, Crawford turned&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://uselectionatlas.org/">red</a>.&nbsp;Hillary Clinton’s 35 percent was the worst performance by a Democrat since 1924 – Biden and Harris managed only a modest uptick.&nbsp;&nbsp; These changes can be confusing and frustrating for many long-time party loyalists. After all, the parties they had once aligned with and cast their votes for have effectively vanished.&nbsp; It’s time to reset our expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark Joslyn is a professor of political science at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Adjusting to the new political reality

Winter is a “watch and see” season for Kansas wheat producers as their fall-planted stands wait in dormancy. Thanks to a combination of good stand establishment and moisture events, the coffee shop chatter remains optimistic thus far that this harvest will be better than the last, even as recent freezing temperatures threatened the crop with winterkill damage.&nbsp;

Richard Cott, who farms in north central Kansas, shared during the recent Kansas Wheat board meetings, that there is lots of hope, thanks to good stands established in the fall and more than a foot of snow that lay evenly on fields.&nbsp;

Still, it’s no secret to anyone who wandered outside, it got cold in Kansas from January 18 through January 21, with temperatures dropping as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit. According to an eUpdate from K-State Agronomy issued on January 23, air temperatures were low enough to cause leaf burn but soil temperatures at two inches down never dropped below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.&nbsp;

The crop was further protected from snow cover following winter storms on January 6. According to the eUpdate, just two to three inches of snow should be sufficient to insulate the wheat crop from the coldest temperatures.&nbsp;

John Hildebrand, near Stafford, reported receiving nearly a foot of snow that stuck around for days and had rain come on top. Stands look good in his area in central Kansas.&nbsp;

But even the crops left without a blanket of snow still had good stand establishment from moisture this fall, especially for fields planted early. In fact, some of these early-planted fields were considered “too big” going into dormancy. Armed with a large number of tillers and good root development, the crop was and is set up to withstand a Kansas winter.&nbsp;

Jason Ochs from Syracuse and Mike McClellan from Rooks County both shared that their early planted wheat, planted as early as September 15, might fall into that “too big” for winter category, but the stands are up across the board and look loads better than the past couple of years.&nbsp;

According to the eUpdate, “A well-developed crop with three to five tillers can handle air temperatures in the single digits fairly well. Over 60 percent of the Kansas wheat crop emerged by mid-October and likely falls in this category. However, soil temperatures in the single digits can cause significant damage and winterkill, especially to less developed crops, such as the fields that emerged after November (about 25 percent of the Kansas crop), which will be more sensitive to winterkill with higher temperature thresholds for damage.”

Late-planted fields without snow cover are the most susceptible to winterkill damage, and there are parts of the state that will need more moisture than anything else as the crop emerges from dormancy. Kyler Millershaski, who farms near Lakin in southwest Kansas, reported he had to redrill some wheat, but it doesn’t look “too terribly bad.” While the top layer of soil is still dry and rain totals are still counted in hundredths, the crop still looks better than the past couple of years.

In the monthly winter crop progress and condition report, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported winter wheat conditions with slight improvements from the month prior at 50 percent good to excellent, 36 percent fair and 14 percent poor to very poor, as of the week ending February 2.&nbsp;

The true impact of the combined winter weather will not be seen until the crop comes out of dormancy, which K-State estimates will be in another 50 to 60 days. Until then, producers will continue to monitor fields and count the drops or flakes that fall into the rain gauge.&nbsp;

Learn more about the potential for winterkill to the Kansas wheat crop and track the crop as it emerges at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001va2roFR0ZiTa6IWIBNcKzTMbnr5lUhu6tPVm-Ja5jkeul7Mdn7hOT_BmecZLtMEHS9nb1ogmyPTB0S15Gw1_4dH8VA0iZX9f9fYd7kHTGibbYv0IXPUDYAICKAPDyzAFJHFK0fE9bk2VMdMNAHv8CDJE3RlyyF7E&amp;c=3aSxtyU0b9Y1yDhpBrpdpQHP4mMhUz9cKxn1SMpESv8hH2KZfwaAXQ==&amp;ch=NsHZbvjMsopLPAMLL45qVc_GtWkmQ9sp5b6i3B5iXaUiZjU2DvZDBg==">https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/</a>.&nbsp;

Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738939014104.png" alt=" " />
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 </figure>Winter is a “watch and see” season for Kansas wheat producers as their fall-planted stands wait in dormancy. Thanks to a combination of good stand establishment and moisture events, the coffee shop chatter remains optimistic thus far that this harvest will be better than the last, even as recent freezing temperatures threatened the crop with winterkill damage.&nbsp;Richard Cott, who farms in north central Kansas, shared during the recent Kansas Wheat board meetings, that there is lots of hope, thanks to good stands established in the fall and more than a foot of snow that lay evenly on fields.&nbsp;Still, it’s no secret to anyone who wandered outside, it got cold in Kansas from January 18 through January 21, with temperatures dropping as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit. According to an eUpdate from K-State Agronomy issued on January 23, air temperatures were low enough to cause leaf burn but soil temperatures at two inches down never dropped below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.&nbsp;The crop was further protected from snow cover following winter storms on January 6. According to the eUpdate, just two to three inches of snow should be sufficient to insulate the wheat crop from the coldest temperatures.&nbsp;John Hildebrand, near Stafford, reported receiving nearly a foot of snow that stuck around for days and had rain come on top. Stands look good in his area in central Kansas.&nbsp;But even the crops left without a blanket of snow still had good stand establishment from moisture this fall, especially for fields planted early. In fact, some of these early-planted fields were considered “too big” going into dormancy. Armed with a large number of tillers and good root development, the crop was and is set up to withstand a Kansas winter.&nbsp;Jason Ochs from Syracuse and Mike McClellan from Rooks County both shared that their early planted wheat, planted as early as September 15, might fall into that “too big” for winter category, but the stands are up across the board and look loads better than the past couple of years.&nbsp;According to the eUpdate, “A well-developed crop with three to five tillers can handle air temperatures in the single digits fairly well. Over 60 percent of the Kansas wheat crop emerged by mid-October and likely falls in this category. However, soil temperatures in the single digits can cause significant damage and winterkill, especially to less developed crops, such as the fields that emerged after November (about 25 percent of the Kansas crop), which will be more sensitive to winterkill with higher temperature thresholds for damage.”Late-planted fields without snow cover are the most susceptible to winterkill damage, and there are parts of the state that will need more moisture than anything else as the crop emerges from dormancy. Kyler Millershaski, who farms near Lakin in southwest Kansas, reported he had to redrill some wheat, but it doesn’t look “too terribly bad.” While the top layer of soil is still dry and rain totals are still counted in hundredths, the crop still looks better than the past couple of years.In the monthly winter crop progress and condition report, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported winter wheat conditions with slight improvements from the month prior at 50 percent good to excellent, 36 percent fair and 14 percent poor to very poor, as of the week ending February 2.&nbsp;The true impact of the combined winter weather will not be seen until the crop comes out of dormancy, which K-State estimates will be in another 50 to 60 days. Until then, producers will continue to monitor fields and count the drops or flakes that fall into the rain gauge.&nbsp;Learn more about the potential for winterkill to the Kansas wheat crop and track the crop as it emerges at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001va2roFR0ZiTa6IWIBNcKzTMbnr5lUhu6tPVm-Ja5jkeul7Mdn7hOT_BmecZLtMEHS9nb1ogmyPTB0S15Gw1_4dH8VA0iZX9f9fYd7kHTGibbYv0IXPUDYAICKAPDyzAFJHFK0fE9bk2VMdMNAHv8CDJE3RlyyF7E&amp;c=3aSxtyU0b9Y1yDhpBrpdpQHP4mMhUz9cKxn1SMpESv8hH2KZfwaAXQ==&amp;ch=NsHZbvjMsopLPAMLL45qVc_GtWkmQ9sp5b6i3B5iXaUiZjU2DvZDBg==">https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/</a>.&nbsp;Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

Wheat Scoop: Kansas wheat farmers waiting to see impact from Jan. chilling temperatures

By CARLA K. JOHNSON &nbsp;AP Medical Writer

Most nurses, doctors and other staff caring for military veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs are not eligible for the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer, according to an email sent Friday by VA leadership to staff.

Nurses had been among those who received the original offer, but their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nurses-military-veterans-affairs-trump-deferred-resignation-c6b6969c49038bf1359d6980cd1cae0d">unions had discouraged them</a>&nbsp;from accepting, saying an exodus would directly and immediately affect the care of its 9.1 million enrolled veterans.

The new email, which was reviewed by The Associated Press, included an attached letter from VA's human resources department and a spreadsheet with a list of more than 130 occupations labeled “VA EXEMPTION REQUESTS.”

“It seems like it's almost everyone,” said Mary-Jean Burke, a physical therapist and American Federation of Government Employees leader. "We are trying to figure out who is eligible."

The occupations the VA deemed ineligible for the offer range from laundry workers and cooks to nurses, pharmacists and physicians. Those eligible, according to the VA's letter, include full-time probationary employees and possibly some employees who were going to retire in 2025. “The rules are changing day to day," said Irma Westmoreland, a registered nurse who heads the Veterans Affairs unit for National Nurses United. “What we do know is that the VA is already dealing with a serious shortage of nurses and we would never abandon our veterans.”

A VA spokesperson said the agency worked closely with the White House and the Office of Personnel Management to identify the occupations that aren't eligible for the resignation program. “Exempting these occupations from the program will ensure VA continues providing mission-critical health care, benefits and memorial services to our nation’s veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors,” the spokesperson said.

On Thursday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the deferred resignation program, which was orchestrated by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Trump adviser Elon Musk</a>. The judge ordered the Republican administration to extend the deadline until Monday.

Nurses for the VA — the federal government’s largest employer — comprise the biggest single group of federal workers, numbering more than 100,000 and accounting for 5% of all full-time permanent employees, according to an Associated Press analysis of personnel data.

Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.

By CARLA K. JOHNSON &nbsp;AP Medical WriterMost nurses, doctors and other staff caring for military veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs are not eligible for the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer, according to an email sent Friday by VA leadership to staff.Nurses had been among those who received the original offer, but their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nurses-military-veterans-affairs-trump-deferred-resignation-c6b6969c49038bf1359d6980cd1cae0d">unions had discouraged them</a>&nbsp;from accepting, saying an exodus would directly and immediately affect the care of its 9.1 million enrolled veterans.The new email, which was reviewed by The Associated Press, included an attached letter from VA's human resources department and a spreadsheet with a list of more than 130 occupations labeled “VA EXEMPTION REQUESTS.”“It seems like it's almost everyone,” said Mary-Jean Burke, a physical therapist and American Federation of Government Employees leader. "We are trying to figure out who is eligible."The occupations the VA deemed ineligible for the offer range from laundry workers and cooks to nurses, pharmacists and physicians. Those eligible, according to the VA's letter, include full-time probationary employees and possibly some employees who were going to retire in 2025. “The rules are changing day to day," said Irma Westmoreland, a registered nurse who heads the Veterans Affairs unit for National Nurses United. “What we do know is that the VA is already dealing with a serious shortage of nurses and we would never abandon our veterans.”A VA spokesperson said the agency worked closely with the White House and the Office of Personnel Management to identify the occupations that aren't eligible for the resignation program. “Exempting these occupations from the program will ensure VA continues providing mission-critical health care, benefits and memorial services to our nation’s veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors,” the spokesperson said.On Thursday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the deferred resignation program, which was orchestrated by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Trump adviser Elon Musk</a>. The judge ordered the Republican administration to extend the deadline until Monday.Nurses for the VA — the federal government’s largest employer — comprise the biggest single group of federal workers, numbering more than 100,000 and accounting for 5% of all full-time permanent employees, according to an Associated Press analysis of personnel data.___Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.

VA deems more than 130 occupations ineligible for Trump's deferred resignation plan

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of Labor Amber Shultz.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WxXDOzbab-k?si=QYKnNq2BuIBWxCjL" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of Labor Amber Shultz.

Forward Ever: Kansas Secretary of Labor Amber Shultz

Kansas Wesleyan’s strong music tradition will be on full display this spring with a wide range of&nbsp;musical events open to the public. Highlights include two full symphonic orchestra concerts, collaboration with Theatre Salina and performances featuring area high school students, and the usual ensemble concerts and recitals.

“It’s such a busy semester,” said Michelle Dolan, executive director of&nbsp;music at KWU. "We run the gamut from challenging classical to Broadway to jazz to percussion. We’re so excited for our first full semester in the newly renovated Sams Chapel! The space and the sound are outstanding for&nbsp;music.”&nbsp;

Instrumental concerts kick off with Salina Strings Day on Feb. 13. High school students from the region will come together for a day of workshops and rehearsal, culminating in a concert at 7 p.m. in Sams Chapel.

Two days later, on Feb.15, high school and college percussion students have their turn at the Kansas Day of Percussion, an afternoon of clinics and concerts with guest clinicians.

The KWU String Orchestra will join with members of the other ensembles to form a full symphonic orchestra to present a concert featuring pianist Gustavo do Carmo, KWU assistant professor of&nbsp;Music, at 4 p.m. March 2. Do Carmo will play&nbsp;Piano Concerto in A minor&nbsp;by Edvard Grieg.

The KWU Symphonic Orchestra will combine again for a concert at 7 p.m. May 6.

In April, KWU will present two instrumental concerts: the Jazz Ensemble at 7 p.m. on April 22 and the Percussion Ensemble at 7 p.m. on April 24, both in Sams Chapel.&nbsp;

The choral department will be busy, starting with Salina Choral Day on March 3, which is for regional high school students.&nbsp;

Then, from April 3–6, 10–13 and 17–19, Kansas Wesleyan will partner with Theatre Salina for the Broadway&nbsp;musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Members of the Wesleyan Chorale have roles in the cast, including several of the leads.

The KWU Philharmonic Choir will join the Salina Symphony Orchestra to perform Mozart’s “Requiem” on May 3 at Brown Grand Theatre in Concordia and May 4 in the Stiefel Theatre in Salina.

The semester will end with the spring choir concert at 7 p.m. on May 9 in Sams Chapel.

To see the complete Spring 2024 Fine Arts schedule, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kwu.edu/finearts">www.kwu.edu/finearts</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738943019668.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy KWU" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy KWU</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedKansas Wesleyan’s strong music tradition will be on full display this spring with a wide range of&nbsp;musical events open to the public. Highlights include two full symphonic orchestra concerts, collaboration with Theatre Salina and performances featuring area high school students, and the usual ensemble concerts and recitals.“It’s such a busy semester,” said Michelle Dolan, executive director of&nbsp;music at KWU. "We run the gamut from challenging classical to Broadway to jazz to percussion. We’re so excited for our first full semester in the newly renovated Sams Chapel! The space and the sound are outstanding for&nbsp;music.”&nbsp;Instrumental concerts kick off with Salina Strings Day on Feb. 13. High school students from the region will come together for a day of workshops and rehearsal, culminating in a concert at 7 p.m. in Sams Chapel.Two days later, on Feb.15, high school and college percussion students have their turn at the Kansas Day of Percussion, an afternoon of clinics and concerts with guest clinicians.The KWU String Orchestra will join with members of the other ensembles to form a full symphonic orchestra to present a concert featuring pianist Gustavo do Carmo, KWU assistant professor of&nbsp;Music, at 4 p.m. March 2. Do Carmo will play&nbsp;Piano Concerto in A minor&nbsp;by Edvard Grieg.The KWU Symphonic Orchestra will combine again for a concert at 7 p.m. May 6.In April, KWU will present two instrumental concerts: the Jazz Ensemble at 7 p.m. on April 22 and the Percussion Ensemble at 7 p.m. on April 24, both in Sams Chapel.&nbsp;The choral department will be busy, starting with Salina Choral Day on March 3, which is for regional high school students.&nbsp;Then, from April 3–6, 10–13 and 17–19, Kansas Wesleyan will partner with Theatre Salina for the Broadway&nbsp;musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Members of the Wesleyan Chorale have roles in the cast, including several of the leads.The KWU Philharmonic Choir will join the Salina Symphony Orchestra to perform Mozart’s “Requiem” on May 3 at Brown Grand Theatre in Concordia and May 4 in the Stiefel Theatre in Salina.The semester will end with the spring choir concert at 7 p.m. on May 9 in Sams Chapel.To see the complete Spring 2024 Fine Arts schedule, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kwu.edu/finearts">www.kwu.edu/finearts</a>.

KWU announces dynamic spring concert season

A police pursuit through Salina early Friday morning ended with the arrest of a 52-year-old man on multiple drug and traffic charges.

Capt. James Feldman of the Salina Police Department said an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2002 Honda Accord at approximately 1:30 a.m. near Santa Fe Avenue and Elm Street for a traffic violation. The driver, later identified as 52-year-old Lawrence Zugg of Salina, failed to stop, leading officers on a pursuit through the city.

Officers successfully deployed stop sticks near Lakewood Park, but the vehicle continued to the 1400 block of Prospect Avenue before stopping. Zugg was taken into custody without further incident.

During a search of the vehicle, officers reportedly located illegal drugs.

 Zugg was booked into the Saline County Jail on multiple charges, including felony flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, and failure to obtain a Kansas drug tax stamp. Additional traffic violations were also cited.

According to Feldman, the pursuit lasted approximately five minutes and reached speeds of up to 50 mph. No injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734530463457.jpeg" alt=" Zugg,Lawrence Robert" />
 <figcaption> Zugg,Lawrence Robert</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTA police pursuit through Salina early Friday morning ended with the arrest of a 52-year-old man on multiple drug and traffic charges.Capt. James Feldman of the Salina Police Department said an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2002 Honda Accord at approximately 1:30 a.m. near Santa Fe Avenue and Elm Street for a traffic violation. The driver, later identified as 52-year-old Lawrence Zugg of Salina, failed to stop, leading officers on a pursuit through the city.Officers successfully deployed stop sticks near Lakewood Park, but the vehicle continued to the 1400 block of Prospect Avenue before stopping. Zugg was taken into custody without further incident.During a search of the vehicle, officers reportedly located illegal drugs. Zugg was booked into the Saline County Jail on multiple charges, including felony flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, and failure to obtain a Kansas drug tax stamp. Additional traffic violations were also cited.According to Feldman, the pursuit lasted approximately five minutes and reached speeds of up to 50 mph. No injuries were reported.

Salina man arrested after police pursuit, drug charges requested

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, 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 CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hitOutside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Battery; Knowing/recklessly causing bodily harm

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Sexual exploit of child; poss media of child&lt;18

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, 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. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738937022458.jpeg" alt="Avise,Mark Lynn" />
 <figcaption>Avise,Mark Lynn</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Avise,Mark LynnREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738937111848.jpeg" alt="Frisbie,Curtis Lott" />
 <figcaption>Frisbie,Curtis Lott</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Frisbie,Curtis LottREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738937188152.jpeg" alt="Gard,Charlene Dawn" />
 <figcaption>Gard,Charlene Dawn</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Gard,Charlene DawnREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738937239877.jpeg" alt=" Gregg,Larry James" />
 <figcaption> Gregg,Larry James</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Gard,Charlene DawnREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Contempt of Court<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738937304448.jpeg" alt="Guardado-Avina,Juan Bernardo" />
 <figcaption>Guardado-Avina,Juan Bernardo</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Guardado-Avina,Juan BernardoREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hitOutside warrant/NCIC hit<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738937356437.jpeg" alt=" Lutz,Joel Laithen" />
 <figcaption> Lutz,Joel Laithen</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Lutz,Joel LaithenREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Battery; Knowing/recklessly causing bodily harm<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738937409472.jpeg" alt=" Serna,Victoriano" />
 <figcaption> Serna,Victoriano</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Serna,VictorianoREQUESTED CHARGE(S): In transit<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738937465828.jpeg" alt="Thompson,Jason Alan" />
 <figcaption>Thompson,Jason Alan</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Thompson,Jason AlanREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Sexual exploit of child; poss media of child&lt;18<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738937511369.jpeg" alt="Outside warrant/NCIC hit" />
 <figcaption>Outside warrant/NCIC hit</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Weeks,Steven GregoryREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

Saline County Jail Bookings, Feb. 7

Moving thousands of KPERS’ members from tier 3 to tier 2 may cost state $220M

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Blue Valley school district superintendent Tonya Merrigan could simply look to a group of classroom teachers for reasons the Kansas Legislature should transfer thousands of public school educators to a more financially advantageous retirement plan.

A proposal examined by a House committee would shift certified teachers — but not all school employees — from the modest tier 3 plan in the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System to the more robust tier 2 plan in KPERS.

The difference in terms of retiree benefits would be significant because a tier 3 member leaving the profession at age 60 with 30 years of teaching experience could receive $26,000 to $36,000 annually from KPERS. A teacher enrolled in KPERS’ tier 2 with the same combination of age and service would earn $45,000 per year in retirement.

Merrigan said reassigning teachers to the better retirement plan as envisioned in House Bill 2129 would have a positive influence on teacher retention and recruiting.

“As our local economy continues to grow, Blue Valley often finds itself competing with not only other local school districts for employees, but with districts in Missouri as well as the private sector,” she said. “If we want to remain competitive, we must continue to offer robust retirement plans as part of our compensation package.”

The House Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee didn’t attract opponents to the bill at Wednesday’s hearing. Direct endorsements came from superintendents of the Olathe, Topeka, Gardner Edgerton and Blue Valley districts as well as the Kansas Association of School Boards and Kansas PTA.

Conditional support was offered by the Kansas State Board of Education and Kansas-National Education Association, both of which urged lawmakers to relocate other district employees — rather than just certified teachers — from tier 3 to tier 2.

KPERS’ tier 3 was established with a bill signed in 2012 by then-Gov. Sam Brownback. Individuals hired after January 2015 could enroll in tier 3, which was designed to reduce monetary obligations of Kansas taxpayers by raising the mandatory employee contribution and offering newcomers a benefit more akin to a 401(k)-style account.

The resulting benefit gap within KPERS has proven such an irritation that state employees, including House and Senate members, have denounced tier 3 as deeply flawed.

Alan Conroy, executive director of KPERS, said the one-time cost for the state to absorb the unfunded liability of transitioning teachers from tier 3 to tier 2 would be about $220 million. If the state decided to cover that liability over a 20-year period, the cost would be $18 million annually.

Shannon Kimball, who lobbies for the Kansas Association of School Boards, said improving KPERS benefits was important to the future of the teaching profession in Kansas. Local school boards were eager for teachers to make the leap from tier 3 to tier 2, she said.

“An improved retirement benefit would not only attract young people to the profession, but also encourage experienced teachers to remain in the classroom,” she said.

In October 2024, the Kansas State Board of Education reported public school teaching vacancies in the state had risen from 1,600 in the fall of 2022 to 1,950 in fall 2024. The National Center for Education Statistics found Kansas ranked second in the nation in terms of teachers exiting the profession. And, in the past decade, the number of students entering teacher preparation programs nationwide has declined by as much as 45%.

State Board of Education member Cathy Hopkins said the board endorsed HB 2129. However, she requested the measure be amended to include all personnel “essential to the operation of our schools.”

Tim Graham, lobbyist with the state’s chapter of the NEA, said there was widespread agreement the state’s teacher shortage was significant and tier 3 of KPERS was an inadequate retirement option for public employees.

He concurred that school counselors, librarians, nurses, paraprofessionals and other staff ought to be included in the sweeping move away from tier 3.

“There is widespread agreement that something needs to be done, but this issue keeps getting pushed to the bottom,” Graham said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738933957730.png" alt=" Shannon Kimball, a lobbyist with the Kansas Association of School Boards, urged the Kansas House to support a bill that would transfer thousands of public school teachers from the lowly tier 3 to the robust tier 2 of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System to help with teacher recruitment and retention. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Shannon Kimball, a lobbyist with the Kansas Association of School Boards, urged the Kansas House to support a bill that would transfer thousands of public school teachers from the lowly tier 3 to the robust tier 2 of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System to help with teacher recruitment and retention. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Moving thousands of KPERS’ members from tier 3 to tier 2 may cost state $220M</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Blue Valley school district superintendent Tonya Merrigan could simply look to a group of classroom teachers for reasons the Kansas Legislature should transfer thousands of public school educators to a more financially advantageous retirement plan.A proposal examined by a House committee would shift certified teachers — but not all school employees — from the modest tier 3 plan in the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System to the more robust tier 2 plan in KPERS.The difference in terms of retiree benefits would be significant because a tier 3 member leaving the profession at age 60 with 30 years of teaching experience could receive $26,000 to $36,000 annually from KPERS. A teacher enrolled in KPERS’ tier 2 with the same combination of age and service would earn $45,000 per year in retirement.Merrigan said reassigning teachers to the better retirement plan as envisioned in House Bill 2129 would have a positive influence on teacher retention and recruiting.“As our local economy continues to grow, Blue Valley often finds itself competing with not only other local school districts for employees, but with districts in Missouri as well as the private sector,” she said. “If we want to remain competitive, we must continue to offer robust retirement plans as part of our compensation package.”The House Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee didn’t attract opponents to the bill at Wednesday’s hearing. Direct endorsements came from superintendents of the Olathe, Topeka, Gardner Edgerton and Blue Valley districts as well as the Kansas Association of School Boards and Kansas PTA.Conditional support was offered by the Kansas State Board of Education and Kansas-National Education Association, both of which urged lawmakers to relocate other district employees — rather than just certified teachers — from tier 3 to tier 2.KPERS’ tier 3 was established with a bill signed in 2012 by then-Gov. Sam Brownback. Individuals hired after January 2015 could enroll in tier 3, which was designed to reduce monetary obligations of Kansas taxpayers by raising the mandatory employee contribution and offering newcomers a benefit more akin to a 401(k)-style account.The resulting benefit gap within KPERS has proven such an irritation that state employees, including House and Senate members, have denounced tier 3 as deeply flawed.Alan Conroy, executive director of KPERS, said the one-time cost for the state to absorb the unfunded liability of transitioning teachers from tier 3 to tier 2 would be about $220 million. If the state decided to cover that liability over a 20-year period, the cost would be $18 million annually.Shannon Kimball, who lobbies for the Kansas Association of School Boards, said improving KPERS benefits was important to the future of the teaching profession in Kansas. Local school boards were eager for teachers to make the leap from tier 3 to tier 2, she said.“An improved retirement benefit would not only attract young people to the profession, but also encourage experienced teachers to remain in the classroom,” she said.In October 2024, the Kansas State Board of Education reported public school teaching vacancies in the state had risen from 1,600 in the fall of 2022 to 1,950 in fall 2024. The National Center for Education Statistics found Kansas ranked second in the nation in terms of teachers exiting the profession. And, in the past decade, the number of students entering teacher preparation programs nationwide has declined by as much as 45%.State Board of Education member Cathy Hopkins said the board endorsed HB 2129. However, she requested the measure be amended to include all personnel “essential to the operation of our schools.”Tim Graham, lobbyist with the state’s chapter of the NEA, said there was widespread agreement the state’s teacher shortage was significant and tier 3 of KPERS was an inadequate retirement option for public employees.He concurred that school counselors, librarians, nurses, paraprofessionals and other staff ought to be included in the sweeping move away from tier 3.“There is widespread agreement that something needs to be done, but this issue keeps getting pushed to the bottom,” Graham said.

Kansas legislation transfers certified school teachers to financially preferable retirement plan

City Manager Mike Schrage and Deputy City Manager Jacob Wood have announced the appointment of Shane Pearson as the new Fire Chief for the Salina Fire Department.

Pearson, who is in his 25th year with the department, has served as interim Fire Chief since November 2024. His previous roles include Deputy Fire Chief, EMS Chief, Firefighter/EMT, and Firefighter/Paramedic. He joined the Salina Fire Department with prior experience as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in another community.

In addition to his service in Salina, Pearson is the current Kansas State Firefighters Association President and serves on the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services.

Schrage noted that Pearson’s appointment follows a national search that drew 28 candidates from across the country.

“Chief Pearson has a blend of EMS expertise, fire operations experience, and vision for the department that elevated him above a very strong candidate pool,” Schrage said.

Deputy City Manager Wood added, “Chief Pearson’s vision and approach as he continues to lead at the Salina Fire Department will both contribute to the department’s continuity and move them to the next level. We have some exciting things on the horizon for the Salina Fire Department, and they will continue to provide excellent service and care for our citizens.”

SubmittedCity Manager Mike Schrage and Deputy City Manager Jacob Wood have announced the appointment of Shane Pearson as the new Fire Chief for the Salina Fire Department.Pearson, who is in his 25th year with the department, has served as interim Fire Chief since November 2024. His previous roles include Deputy Fire Chief, EMS Chief, Firefighter/EMT, and Firefighter/Paramedic. He joined the Salina Fire Department with prior experience as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in another community.In addition to his service in Salina, Pearson is the current Kansas State Firefighters Association President and serves on the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services.Schrage noted that Pearson’s appointment follows a national search that drew 28 candidates from across the country.“Chief Pearson has a blend of EMS expertise, fire operations experience, and vision for the department that elevated him above a very strong candidate pool,” Schrage said.Deputy City Manager Wood added, “Chief Pearson’s vision and approach as he continues to lead at the Salina Fire Department will both contribute to the department’s continuity and move them to the next level. We have some exciting things on the horizon for the Salina Fire Department, and they will continue to provide excellent service and care for our citizens.”

Shane Pearson named Salina Fire Chief

Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Southeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Tonight Patchy fog after 3 a.m. Otherwise, it is mostly cloudy, with a low of around 32. East southeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming north after midnight. Saturday Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. North northeast wind 5 to 13 mph. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738951894955.png" alt="Screenshot (21).png" />
 <figcaption>Screenshot (21).png</figcaption>
 </figure>Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Southeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Tonight Patchy fog after 3 a.m. Otherwise, it is mostly cloudy, with a low of around 32. East southeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming north after midnight. Saturday Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. North northeast wind 5 to 13 mph. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.&nbsp;&nbsp;

NWS weekend weather forecast

Students from Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School and St. Mary’s Grade School will bring 'A Year with Frog and Toad,' a musical adaptation of Arnold Lobel’s classic children’s books, to the stage next week.

The production will be performed at Salina Central’s Auditorium on February 7 and 8 at 7 p.m., with a matinee showing on February 9 at 2 p.m. The family-friendly musical follows the adventures of Frog and Toad, two friends who navigate the seasons together, highlighting themes of friendship, kindness, and embracing differences.

Director Matea Gregg said she is excited about the collaboration between students from both schools and noted the involvement of 11th-grade students in the cast.

“It has been such a joy working with students from both Sacred Heart High School and St. Mary’s Grade School," Gregg said. "The collaboration between our Salina Catholic schools has been inspiring, and I know the audience will feel the energy and enthusiasm from every student on stage."

Tickets for the show are available at the door or can be reserved in advance online at <a href="https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2025shspringmusicalayearwithfrogtoad/event/yearwithfrogandtoad/">Qgiv</a>. The performances will occur at Salina Central Auditorium, 650 E. Crawford St.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738168181175.png" alt="From left to right, Lili Bohm as Toad and Atticus Reynolds as Frog. Image Courtesy Mat" />
 <figcaption>From left to right, Lili Bohm as Toad and Atticus Reynolds as Frog. Image Courtesy Mat</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTStudents from Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School and St. Mary’s Grade School will bring 'A Year with Frog and Toad,' a musical adaptation of Arnold Lobel’s classic children’s books, to the stage next week.The production will be performed at Salina Central’s Auditorium on February 7 and 8 at 7 p.m., with a matinee showing on February 9 at 2 p.m. The family-friendly musical follows the adventures of Frog and Toad, two friends who navigate the seasons together, highlighting themes of friendship, kindness, and embracing differences.Director Matea Gregg said she is excited about the collaboration between students from both schools and noted the involvement of 11th-grade students in the cast.“It has been such a joy working with students from both Sacred Heart High School and St. Mary’s Grade School," Gregg said. "The collaboration between our Salina Catholic schools has been inspiring, and I know the audience will feel the energy and enthusiasm from every student on stage."Tickets for the show are available at the door or can be reserved in advance online at <a href="https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2025shspringmusicalayearwithfrogtoad/event/yearwithfrogandtoad/">Qgiv</a>. The performances will occur at Salina Central Auditorium, 650 E. Crawford St.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738168148544.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>

Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s students to perform 'A Year with Frog and Toad'

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-doug-collins-veterans-affairs-va-georgia-f9a14a486cb12fd5ac3f07b3068eb20a">Doug Collins</a>&nbsp;as secretary of veterans affairs, putting the former congressman and Iraq War veteran at the helm of a department that provides crucial care to America’s veterans.

Collins, a former Air Force chaplain, was confirmed on a 77-23 vote.

The Department of Veterans Affairs manages a more than $350 billion budget and oversees nearly 200 medical centers and hospitals nationwide. It also manages national cemeteries and works closely with the Defense Department on personnel matters.

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-doug-collins-veterans-affairs-va-georgia-f9a14a486cb12fd5ac3f07b3068eb20a">Doug Collins</a>&nbsp;as secretary of veterans affairs, putting the former congressman and Iraq War veteran at the helm of a department that provides crucial care to America’s veterans.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My day 1 message is simple. We will deliver nothing short of the highest quality care to Vets and elevate the VA to new heights. It’s a new day at the VA. Bring it on. <a href="https://t.co/7qje9bA1Ti">pic.twitter.com/7qje9bA1Ti</a>&mdash; Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDougCollins/status/1887278766109696234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Collins, a former Air Force chaplain, was confirmed on a 77-23 vote.The Department of Veterans Affairs manages a more than $350 billion budget and oversees nearly 200 medical centers and hospitals nationwide. It also manages national cemeteries and works closely with the Defense Department on personnel matters.

🎥New VA Secretary's day one message is simple

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, 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 CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear

NAME:&nbsp;Leduc,Ashlee Dawn REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hitDriving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severityNo Proof Of InsuranceOperate a MV w/o a valid licenseTransporting an open container

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;DUI; 2nd conv; drugs or combination of drugs

Pedestrians Under Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

REQUESTED CHARGE(S): Outside warrant/NCIC hit

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, 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. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738863142770.jpeg" alt=" Dillon,Eddie Jeremiah" />
 <figcaption> Dillon,Eddie Jeremiah</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Dillon,Eddie JeremiahREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738863281963.jpeg" alt="Houston,Robert Lee" />
 <figcaption>Houston,Robert Lee</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:Houston,Robert LeeREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738863373755.jpeg" alt="James,Benjamin Gerin" />
 <figcaption>James,Benjamin Gerin</figcaption>
 </figure> NAME:&nbsp;James,Benjamin GerinREQUESTED CHARGE(S): failure to appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738863454168.jpeg" alt=" Leduc,Ashlee Dawn" />
 <figcaption> Leduc,Ashlee Dawn</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Leduc,Ashlee Dawn REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738863508602.jpeg" alt=" Martinez Murillo,Idelfonso" />
 <figcaption> Martinez Murillo,Idelfonso</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Martinez Murillo,IdelfonsoREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hitDriving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severityNo Proof Of InsuranceOperate a MV w/o a valid licenseTransporting an open container<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738863652511.jpeg" alt="Miller,David Joseph" />
 <figcaption>Miller,David Joseph</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Miller,David JosephREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738863733241.jpeg" alt=" Waggoner,Mark Douglas" />
 <figcaption> Waggoner,Mark Douglas</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Waggoner,Mark DouglasREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;DUI; 2nd conv; drugs or combination of drugs<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738863782332.jpeg" alt=" Wallat,Zachary John" />
 <figcaption> Wallat,Zachary John</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Wallat,Zachary JohnREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Pedestrians Under Influence of Drugs or AlcoholCriminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738863834911.jpeg" alt=" Weeks,Steven Gregory" />
 <figcaption> Weeks,Steven Gregory</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Weeks,Steven GregoryREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Outside warrant/NCIC hit

Saline County Jail Bookings, Feb. 6

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $4.13 million in tax credits will be made available under the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP).

“Revitalizing our communities and state requires targeted investments that make people want to live and work in Kansas,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “CSP supports communities by substantially reducing the cost for donors to make contributions to charitable organizations that help fund important local projects.”

The Community Service Tax Credit Program provides an opportunity for private, non-profit organizations and public healthcare entities to improve their ability to undertake major capital campaigns involving community service, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and technical training, and healthcare services.

Under the program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors who contribute to approved projects. Organizations are chosen through a competitive selection process in which applications are thoroughly analyzed to determine award sizes and final awardees.

Proposed projects must be unique or one-time in nature while creating lasting value for charitable organizations. Projects could include a capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building and more.

Applications will be open from March 1 through April 30. Those applying may request up to $200,000 in tax credits. Applicants in rural communities with a population of less than 15,000 are eligible for a 70% credit. Those applicants not located in rural areas are eligible for a 50% credit.

If your organization is interested in applying for CSP, the Department of Commerce will host an introductory webinar at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27. For more information and to register for the webinar, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fprogram%2Fcommunity-programs%2Fcsp%2F/1/01010194d793142d-34520ddf-58b0-40f7-a827-1df2efee96da-000000/a5r9k3zfO7lnRyHPxqLWc-xpqcqTX1RfvMxdED6U8Ts=391">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575319731629.jpeg" alt="Kansas Department of Commerce sq.JPG" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Department of Commerce sq.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><h2></h2>SubmittedLieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $4.13 million in tax credits will be made available under the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP).“Revitalizing our communities and state requires targeted investments that make people want to live and work in Kansas,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “CSP supports communities by substantially reducing the cost for donors to make contributions to charitable organizations that help fund important local projects.”The Community Service Tax Credit Program provides an opportunity for private, non-profit organizations and public healthcare entities to improve their ability to undertake major capital campaigns involving community service, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and technical training, and healthcare services.Under the program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors who contribute to approved projects. Organizations are chosen through a competitive selection process in which applications are thoroughly analyzed to determine award sizes and final awardees.Proposed projects must be unique or one-time in nature while creating lasting value for charitable organizations. Projects could include a capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building and more.Applications will be open from March 1 through April 30. Those applying may request up to $200,000 in tax credits. Applicants in rural communities with a population of less than 15,000 are eligible for a 70% credit. Those applicants not located in rural areas are eligible for a 50% credit.If your organization is interested in applying for CSP, the Department of Commerce will host an introductory webinar at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27. For more information and to register for the webinar, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fprogram%2Fcommunity-programs%2Fcsp%2F/1/01010194d793142d-34520ddf-58b0-40f7-a827-1df2efee96da-000000/a5r9k3zfO7lnRyHPxqLWc-xpqcqTX1RfvMxdED6U8Ts=391">here</a>.

Lt. Gov. Toland announces more than $4M for Community Service Tax Credit Program

According to data from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, January 2025 brought bitter cold and significant snowfall to Salina, marking one of the coldest starts of the year in decades.

Salina recorded an average January temperature of 22.9°F, making it the 14th coldest January on record and tying temperatures from 1985. The extreme cold snap was most severe on January 21, when the temperature plummeted to -13°F, setting a new daily record low for that date.

While temperatures stayed well below normal, Salina also experienced above-normal precipitation, ranking as the 32nd wettest January since records began in 1900. The city received 1.07 inches of precipitation, which was 0.36 inches above average, making it the wettest January since 2023.

January also saw more than 12 inches of snow drop on Salina. Read more about the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/4a2ec79c-b258-4759-b618-aecc19844c16">January snowstorm here.</a>

Drought Conditions Persist Despite Precipitation

Despite increased precipitation, drought conditions in north-central Kansas, including Salina, remained unchanged. As of late January, the area continued to experience abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions.

Forecasters predict a weak La Niña will persist through early spring, bringing drier-than-normal conditions to Kansas. While February could bring a mix of temperatures, precipitation chances in western and central Kansas are expected to be slightly below normal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738780556033.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Information Courtesy NWSAccording to data from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, January 2025 brought bitter cold and significant snowfall to Salina, marking one of the coldest starts of the year in decades.<h2>Coldest January in Nearly 40 Years</h2>Salina recorded an average January temperature of 22.9°F, making it the 14th coldest January on record and tying temperatures from 1985. The extreme cold snap was most severe on January 21, when the temperature plummeted to -13°F, setting a new daily record low for that date.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738780772820.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Above-Average Snowfall</h2>While temperatures stayed well below normal, Salina also experienced above-normal precipitation, ranking as the 32nd wettest January since records began in 1900. The city received 1.07 inches of precipitation, which was 0.36 inches above average, making it the wettest January since 2023.January also saw more than 12 inches of snow drop on Salina. Read more about the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/4a2ec79c-b258-4759-b618-aecc19844c16">January snowstorm here.</a><h2>Drought Conditions Persist Despite Precipitation</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738780577104.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Despite increased precipitation, drought conditions in north-central Kansas, including Salina, remained unchanged. As of late January, the area continued to experience abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738780643204.png" alt="Screenshot (984).png" />
 <figcaption>Screenshot (984).png</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>What’s Ahead for Salina?</h2>Forecasters predict a weak La Niña will persist through early spring, bringing drier-than-normal conditions to Kansas. While February could bring a mix of temperatures, precipitation chances in western and central Kansas are expected to be slightly below normal.

Salina endures coldest January since 1985, record lows, heavy snowfall

Salina Regional Airport (SLN) is pleased to announce that a daily nonstop United Express service will launch to Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on May 2, 2025. The route will be operated by a Mitsubishi CRJ-200 regional jet configured for 50 passengers.

The new service will connect Salina with United Airlines' Houston hub, enhancing existing service to Denver International (DEN) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) airports.

"Salina is the closest commercial airport to the geodetic center of the North American continent, so it is fitting that thanks to this historic opportunity, we will be able to offer nonstop access to the length and breadth of the United States, with our Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), and Houston (IAH) flights," said Pieter Miller, Executive Director of the Salina Airport Authority.

"Our strategic location, combined with the presence of 1Vision Aviation—a premier maintenance repair organization located on-site—has created a unique opportunity to support SkyWest Airlines' United Express operations at Houston, Denver, and Chicago, and grow our airport capacity in turn."

Miller expressed gratitude to SkyWest Airlines and United Airlines for their confidence in the Salina marketplace and the broader North Central Kansas region. He noted that SLN achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by recording its highest annual passenger enplanements. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688741493174.png" alt="Salina Airport Authority" />
 <figcaption>Salina Airport Authority</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Airport AuthoritySalina Regional Airport (SLN) is pleased to announce that a daily nonstop United Express service will launch to Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on May 2, 2025. The route will be operated by a Mitsubishi CRJ-200 regional jet configured for 50 passengers.The new service will connect Salina with United Airlines' Houston hub, enhancing existing service to Denver International (DEN) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) airports."Salina is the closest commercial airport to the geodetic center of the North American continent, so it is fitting that thanks to this historic opportunity, we will be able to offer nonstop access to the length and breadth of the United States, with our Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), and Houston (IAH) flights," said Pieter Miller, Executive Director of the Salina Airport Authority."Our strategic location, combined with the presence of 1Vision Aviation—a premier maintenance repair organization located on-site—has created a unique opportunity to support SkyWest Airlines' United Express operations at Houston, Denver, and Chicago, and grow our airport capacity in turn."Miller expressed gratitude to SkyWest Airlines and United Airlines for their confidence in the Salina marketplace and the broader North Central Kansas region. He noted that SLN achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by recording its highest annual passenger enplanements. "With the enthusiastic support of our community, we are confident we will not only sustain this momentum but also surpass our previous passenger record this year," Miller stated. “I am certain we will repay the confidence placed in us.”“We’re excited to bring this new United Express route to the Central North Kansas region,” said Cody Thomas, Managing Director of Market Development at SkyWest Airlines. "Little is more important to a community than access to quality air service. With this additional flight to Houston, Salina-area passengers will be able to more easily connect to the hundreds of destinations worldwide on United’s global network.”Miller also expressed appreciation to Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Legislature for their pivotal role in supporting the Salina Regional Airport's efforts. "The Governor’s leadership and the state’s investment in our Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities have been instrumental to Salina," Miller said. "This partnership has not only supported the launch of this new route but also created high-paying jobs and advanced the economic vitality of Kansas. We are truly grateful for the Governor's unwavering commitment to aviation and economic development in our state."The schedule for the flights between the Salina Regional Airport and Houston Intercontinental is (all times local):<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738775814264.png" alt="Screenshot (980).png" />
 <figcaption>Screenshot (980).png</figcaption>
 </figure>