Kansas Wesleyan’s DECA program has been on the rise for several years, and now, local groups are taking notice. The Schmidt Foundation, based in Hays, has made a $50,000 gift to KWU to establish the Schmidt Foundation Annual Scholarship. 

One of the qualifications will be participation in the DECA program.

“We are grateful to the Schmidt Foundation for its generosity,” said Ken Oliver, vice president of Advancement and university operations. “The foundation has shown a true commitment to the betterment of our students with this gift, as it will not only include financial support, but professional networking dinners and support in internships that can help these students reach the next level.”

Kansas Wesleyan’s DECA program has been one of the university’s many standouts during the past three years, dominating at the state level and achieving success at the international competition. This past season, two KWU students finished third in their respective events at the international meet, a competition that brings together more than 300 schools and in excess of 1,000 students.

“Our DECA program has had success at the national level, and we believe this gift will help drive further achievements from that team,” said Oliver. “Even more importantly, however, it will help further the educational ambitions of Marketing and Business students at KWU.”

To be eligible for selection, a prospective KWU student must plan to pursue a degree in either marketing or business and have at least a 3.25 grade point average, along with participating in KWU’s DECA program.

Kansas Wesleyan’s DECA program has been on the rise for several years, and now, local groups are taking notice. The Schmidt Foundation, based in Hays, has made a $50,000 gift to KWU to establish the Schmidt Foundation Annual Scholarship. One of the qualifications will be participation in the DECA program.“We are grateful to the Schmidt Foundation for its generosity,” said Ken Oliver, vice president of Advancement and university operations. “The foundation has shown a true commitment to the betterment of our students with this gift, as it will not only include financial support, but professional networking dinners and support in internships that can help these students reach the next level.”Kansas Wesleyan’s DECA program has been one of the university’s many standouts during the past three years, dominating at the state level and achieving success at the international competition. This past season, two KWU students finished third in their respective events at the international meet, a competition that brings together more than 300 schools and in excess of 1,000 students.“Our DECA program has had success at the national level, and we believe this gift will help drive further achievements from that team,” said Oliver. “Even more importantly, however, it will help further the educational ambitions of Marketing and Business students at KWU.”To be eligible for selection, a prospective KWU student must plan to pursue a degree in either marketing or business and have at least a 3.25 grade point average, along with participating in KWU’s DECA program.-<a href="http://kwu.edu">KWU</a>-

KWU announces Schmidt Foundation’s launch of scholarship fund

Here's what's new at the Salina Public Library. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinapubliclibrary">Salina Public Library</a> Facebook page:

Here's what's new at the Salina Public Library. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinapubliclibrary">Salina Public Library</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsalinapubliclibrary%2Fphotos%2Fa.435863323139%2F10159839111373140%2F&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="658" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Check out what's new at the Salina Public Library

UPDATE 7:22 a.m. Saturday: Due to the weather,&nbsp;

the annual remembrance at Memorial&nbsp;’70 — set for 9 a.m. today&nbsp; —&nbsp;has been moved to room 266 in the Rhatigan Student Center.&nbsp; &nbsp;

WICHITA - Wichita State University will remember those lost when a plane carrying members of the Shocker football team, university staff, and supporters crashed in 1970.

The annual remembrance at Memorial ’70 is set for 9 a.m. Saturday. The memorial sculpture is located at the university entrance at Alumni Drive and Hillside (18th and Hillside).

During the annual ceremony, a wreath is placed at Memorial ’70 each Oct. 2. The brief ceremony honors the Wichita State football players, administrators and supporters who died in a plane crash Oct. 2, 1970. 

Among them was Marvin Brown, a 19-year-old sophomore from Solomon. Brown was a running back who was one of the top sophomore prospects on the team, according to information on <a href="http://goshockers.com">goshockers.com</a>.

The WSU Gold plane, a Martin 404 carrying 36 passengers and a crew of four, crashed at approximately 3 p.m. on a mountain near Silver Plume, Colo., while en route to Logan, Utah, for a game with Utah State University. Twenty-nine people died at the scene, while two others died later after receiving medical attention for their injuries. The WSU Black plane landed safely in Utah.

UPDATE 7:22 a.m. Saturday: Due to the weather,&nbsp;

the annual remembrance at Memorial&nbsp;’70 — set for 9 a.m. today&nbsp; —&nbsp;has been moved to room 266 in the Rhatigan Student Center.&nbsp; &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601483651711.png" alt="Part of WSU's Memorial '70.&nbsp;Photo courtesy WSU&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Part of WSU's Memorial '70.&nbsp;Photo courtesy WSU&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTWICHITA - Wichita State University will remember those lost when a plane carrying members of the Shocker football team, university staff, and supporters crashed in 1970.The annual remembrance at Memorial ’70 is set for 9 a.m. Saturday. The memorial sculpture is located at the university entrance at Alumni Drive and Hillside (18th and Hillside).During the annual ceremony, a wreath is placed at Memorial ’70 each Oct. 2. The brief ceremony honors the Wichita State football players, administrators and supporters who died in a plane crash Oct. 2, 1970. Among them was Marvin Brown, a 19-year-old sophomore from Solomon. Brown was a running back who was one of the top sophomore prospects on the team, according to information on <a href="http://goshockers.com">goshockers.com</a>.The WSU Gold plane, a Martin 404 carrying 36 passengers and a crew of four, crashed at approximately 3 p.m. on a mountain near Silver Plume, Colo., while en route to Logan, Utah, for a game with Utah State University. Twenty-nine people died at the scene, while two others died later after receiving medical attention for their injuries. The WSU Black plane landed safely in Utah.

UPDATE: WSU Memorial ’70 remembrance ceremony moved

The Freedom Forum’s newly released “<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/" target="_blank">The First Amendment: Where America Stands</a>” survey gives a deep and detailed picture of Americans’ knowledge of and attitudes about the five freedoms the amendment protects. Their views are as diverse and divided as our country itself.

We asked a wide range of First Amendment advocates and experts what struck them most about our findings. Several trends emerged — so did a few surprises.

SURPRISING: PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THE FIRST AMENDMENT DOESN’T PROTECT YOU EVERYWHERE

The First Amendment can be confusing. While most people know it applies at all levels of government, most also expect it to protect freedoms in more aspects of society than it does. Only 26% of Americans know the First Amendment does not apply in private workplaces — nor does it protect free expression in many places we frequently interact.

“Several survey answers consistently showed that a large majority of Americans do not realize that the First Amendment offers no protection against censorship by powerful private sector entities, including social media companies … professional sports team owners … and employers,” says&nbsp;Nadine Strossen, professor at New York Law School and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Though many Americans mistakenly see the First Amendment protecting expression in ways it does not, attitudes about free speech also reflect contradictions and questions about just how far speech can go.

“Freedom Forum’s revealing survey, “<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/" target="_blank">The First Amendment: Where American Stands</a>,” highlights the startling contradictions in Americans’ understanding of free speech issues. … One result from this fascinating collection of opinions is clear: The need for free speech education, from outstanding organizations like Freedom Forum and from all of us, is more necessary and important than ever.” —&nbsp;Ian Rosenberg, author, “The Fight for Free Speech” (N.Y.U. Press) and “Free Speech Handbook” (Macmillan)&nbsp;&nbsp;

URPRISING: ATTITUDES ABOUT FREE SPEECH REFLECT CONTRADICTIONS

Some experts, like&nbsp;Strossen, noted being pleasantly surprised at generally strong support for free speech — even controversial speech. Others noted cause for concern.

“It’s a little unsettling when a full 94% of respondents embrace the vitality and importance of the First Amendment, yet a third are willing to write off what is arguably the most essential of its liberties to prevent unpalatable words,” said&nbsp;Ken Paulson, director, Free Speech Center, Middle Tennessee State University. “There’s a serious disconnect between ideals and practice there.”

Similarly,&nbsp;Karith Foster, speaker, comedian and diversity specialist, noted apparent contradictions between strong support for even controversial comedy (65% say it should be protected speech) and willingness to sacrifice free speech to get rid of hate speech (36% would support such a move). Support for free speech seems to stop at the margins of what respondents individually would find funny, offensive or agreeable.

“The obvious downside of this paradox is that comedians are having to choose between using their true voices or self-censoring,” says&nbsp;Foster, calling the findings “an incredibly accurate reflection of where we are right now as a society.”

“Presumably, people who take this position [that hate speech should be banned] think that no one would ever call their belief system ‘hate speech,’” says&nbsp;Bradley Smith, chairman of the Institute for Free Speech (IFS). “And yet, 45% admit that they sometimes do not speak for fear of ‘punishment.’”

Indeed, this finding, as&nbsp;Adam Goldstein, senior research counsel to the president, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) says, “mirrors what has been shown in other surveys.”

“The fact that so many Americans are afraid of expressing their ideas is deeply worrying. Today we take for granted that the government cannot tell us what to say. But a culture of self-censorship is just as dangerous to democracy as government censorship,” says&nbsp;Christopher Finan, National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) executive director.

READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/speech/" target="_blank">33% of Americans said speech is the most vital freedom, but some would limit it</a>

NOT SURPRISING: ACADEMIC FREEDOM IS INCREASINGLY CHALLENGED

Most people (58%) think college campuses should foster a free expression of ideas, even if those ideas are offensive to some. At the same time, more than a third (36%) think universities represent a threat to the First Amendment.

Experts from organizations like FIRE and the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) weren’t surprised at these findings, noting that the disconnect between the ideal and reality of campus speech is ripe for eroding trust.

“Faculty have faced steadily mounting threats to their speech rights in recent years, often in the form of student protests and administrative disciplinary proceedings over controversial speech,” says&nbsp;Keith E. Whittington, chair of the Academic Committee of the Academic Freedom Alliance.

“Universities have allowed students to shout down speakers to prevent disagreeable views from being heard,” agrees&nbsp;Peter Prichard, Freedom Forum trustee and former editor-in-chief of USA TODAY. “‘Cancel culture’ threatens free speech.”

“Our public education system does a very poor job of modeling respect for First Amendment values,” says&nbsp;Frank LoMonte, director, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, leaving the First Amendment a “damaged brand.”

While most Americans want the news media to be a watchdog on government, just 14% say they have strong trust in journalists. Many are troubled by so-called “fake news” in the form of mis- and disinformation online.

This “validates all we suspect and know about how Americans feel about freedom of the press,” says&nbsp;Wanda S. Lloyd, journalist and author of “Coming Full Circle: From Jim Crow to Journalism,” noting that “many national and local news organizations spend plenty of human and financial capital providing quality investigative and watchdog reporting. [But] many so-called news organizations are leaning more and more in one direction — either uber-liberal or uber-conservative.”

Similarly, the IFS’s&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;says, “Bias, agenda-based reporting and just plain sloppy journalism have led 74% of Americans to think ‘fake news’ is a problem and 72% favor banning it. Such overwhelming majorities suggest a rejection of mainstream news reporting, not just fringe publications.”

This growing distrust is troubling. “If we don’t support journalists of integrity — and there are many,” says&nbsp;Paulson, “we’ll lose our most potent weapons against government corruption and overreach.”

LoMonte&nbsp;put it even more starkly: “It’s not sustainable for a functioning democracy if a majority of voters actively avoid becoming informed.”

READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/press/" target="_blank">Most Americans think the press should be a watchdog on the powerful, but 41% say journalists are a threat to the First Amendment</a>

NOT SURPRISING: AWARENESS OF ASSEMBLY IS UP — BUT MOST PEOPLE STILL DON’T PROTEST

Awareness of the right to assembly is up, with 65% able to identify it from a list of options as a First Amendment freedom — not a surprise after a tumultuous year of protests peaking just before the survey was fielded in fall 2020. “The social justice protests were covered by the media and millions upon millions witnessed fellow Americans taking to the streets to galvanize for social change,” says Freedom Forum fellow&nbsp;David Hudson.

But still, most Americans — 69% — say they have never participated in a protest. “Activism always has been a cause for the committed few who are willing to put their principles into action and even their lives on the line,” says&nbsp;Hudson.

READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/assembly/" target="_blank">In an era of historic protest, 69% have never participated in a protest, rally or march</a>

SURPRISING: AMERICANS PETITION MORE THAN THEY REALIZE

The right to petition has sometimes been called “the forgotten freedom,” says&nbsp;Hudson, with few able to identify it as a freedom. Awareness of petition is up, though, with 14% able to name it offhand.

And many Americans have participated in petitioning the government. “Even more encouraging than public familiarity with and support for free speech rights is the fact that substantial percentages of the public have actually exercised these rights regarding issues of public concern,” says&nbsp;Strossen, “speech that is especially important in our democratic republic.”

Almost half of people (45%) can identify petition as a First Amendment freedom. Nearly as many have petitioned their elected officials in some way: “I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who had volunteered with a local organization [41%] or a political campaign [24%], contacted an elected official [40%], or spoken up at a school board or town hall meeting [35%],” says Freedom Forum Fellow&nbsp;Lata Nott. “These are all activities that take more time and energy, and have much more of an impact, than say, posting something on social media or signing an online petition. I’m impressed that so many people are civically engaged.”

READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/petition/" target="_blank">Few know petition is a First Amendment freedom, but most say they have petitioned</a>

SURPRISING: SUPPORT FOR CONSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION IS MIXED

The survey revealed some&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2021/09/22/survey-says-we-like-our-first-amendment-rights-whatever-they-are/" target="_blank">significant gaps in First Amendment knowledge</a>, but also showed that most Americans want future generations to better understand the Constitution. “Civics is as important to the health of our society as math and science are to economic prosperity,” says&nbsp;Finan, citing the 84% of respondents who support requiring public schools to educate students about the Constitution. “The future of our democracy demands that we educate students as citizens, not just workers.”

But Americans are unsure about some forms of First Amendment education: 39% say public schools should teach about religion from an academic and constitutional perspective; 32% disagreed and 29% weren’t sure. “These results may seem surprising given that the U.S. Supreme Court has made clear for more than 60 years that the academic study of religion is not only permissible under the First Amendment — it is necessary for a complete education,” says&nbsp;Charles Haynes,&nbsp;Freedom Forum senior fellow for religious liberty. “One explanation for public confusion about this issue may be our long and tortuous history of getting religion&nbsp;wrong&nbsp;in public schools.”

Following a series of Supreme Court cases in the 1960s,&nbsp;Haynes&nbsp;says, many either demanded all mention of religion be removed from curricula or decried that schools had banned God. “Both sides — intentionally or unintentionally — misrepresented what the Supreme Court actually ruled: Under the First Amendment, religion can neither be promoted nor denigrated by school officials but&nbsp;students&nbsp;are free to express their faith in schools, as long as such expression is not disruptive and does not interfere with the rights of others.”

READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/religion/" target="_blank">Religion is a much-valued freedom, but people are divided about its role in public life</a>

The “<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/" target="_blank">Where America Stands</a>” survey paints a complex picture of Americans’ First Amendment knowledge and attitudes, both concerning and hopeful.

<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2021/09/22/survey-says-we-like-our-first-amendment-rights-whatever-they-are/" target="_blank">Gaps in First Amendment knowledge</a>&nbsp;and willingness to compromise some of its core values are troubling. “In 55 years of involvement with these issues, I can’t recall a time when First Amendment freedoms were less secure,” says&nbsp;Prichard. “This landmark survey shows that most of today’s threats don’t come from government, but from ourselves.”

But broad support for the vitality of the First Amendment to democracy — and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDuBEP1KbWM" target="_blank">passion with which respondents spoke of its importance</a>&nbsp;— point to the possibility of reaffirming its foundations with ongoing education, advocacy and action.

“We now know we are building on a foundation where an overwhelming majority of Americans see the First Amendment as vital and valued, and that gives us hope for the future.” — Jan Neuharth, Freedom Forum chair and chief executive officer

Find the full survey results at&nbsp;<a href="https://whereamericastands.org/" target="_blank">WhereAmericaStands.org</a>.

Karen Hansen is the Freedom Forum content managing editor. You can reach Karen at<a href="mailto:khansen@freedomforum.org" target="_blank"> khansen@freedomforum.org</a>.

By KAREN HANSENThe Freedom Forum’s newly released “<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/" target="_blank">The First Amendment: Where America Stands</a>” survey gives a deep and detailed picture of Americans’ knowledge of and attitudes about the five freedoms the amendment protects. Their views are as diverse and divided as our country itself.We asked a wide range of First Amendment advocates and experts what struck them most about our findings. Several trends emerged — so did a few surprises.<h2>SURPRISING: PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THE FIRST AMENDMENT DOESN’T PROTECT YOU EVERYWHERE</h2>The First Amendment can be confusing. While most people know it applies at all levels of government, most also expect it to protect freedoms in more aspects of society than it does. Only 26% of Americans know the First Amendment does not apply in private workplaces — nor does it protect free expression in many places we frequently interact.“Several survey answers consistently showed that a large majority of Americans do not realize that the First Amendment offers no protection against censorship by powerful private sector entities, including social media companies … professional sports team owners … and employers,” says&nbsp;Nadine Strossen, professor at New York Law School and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union.Though many Americans mistakenly see the First Amendment protecting expression in ways it does not, attitudes about free speech also reflect contradictions and questions about just how far speech can go.“Freedom Forum’s revealing survey, “<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/" target="_blank">The First Amendment: Where American Stands</a>,” highlights the startling contradictions in Americans’ understanding of free speech issues. … One result from this fascinating collection of opinions is clear: The need for free speech education, from outstanding organizations like Freedom Forum and from all of us, is more necessary and important than ever.” —&nbsp;Ian Rosenberg, author, “The Fight for Free Speech” (N.Y.U. Press) and “Free Speech Handbook” (Macmillan)&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>URPRISING: ATTITUDES ABOUT FREE SPEECH REFLECT CONTRADICTIONS</h2>Some experts, like&nbsp;Strossen, noted being pleasantly surprised at generally strong support for free speech — even controversial speech. Others noted cause for concern.“It’s a little unsettling when a full 94% of respondents embrace the vitality and importance of the First Amendment, yet a third are willing to write off what is arguably the most essential of its liberties to prevent unpalatable words,” said&nbsp;Ken Paulson, director, Free Speech Center, Middle Tennessee State University. “There’s a serious disconnect between ideals and practice there.”Similarly,&nbsp;Karith Foster, speaker, comedian and diversity specialist, noted apparent contradictions between strong support for even controversial comedy (65% say it should be protected speech) and willingness to sacrifice free speech to get rid of hate speech (36% would support such a move). Support for free speech seems to stop at the margins of what respondents individually would find funny, offensive or agreeable.“The obvious downside of this paradox is that comedians are having to choose between using their true voices or self-censoring,” says&nbsp;Foster, calling the findings “an incredibly accurate reflection of where we are right now as a society.”“Presumably, people who take this position [that hate speech should be banned] think that no one would ever call their belief system ‘hate speech,’” says&nbsp;Bradley Smith, chairman of the Institute for Free Speech (IFS). “And yet, 45% admit that they sometimes do not speak for fear of ‘punishment.’”Indeed, this finding, as&nbsp;Adam Goldstein, senior research counsel to the president, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) says, “mirrors what has been shown in other surveys.”“The fact that so many Americans are afraid of expressing their ideas is deeply worrying. Today we take for granted that the government cannot tell us what to say. But a culture of self-censorship is just as dangerous to democracy as government censorship,” says&nbsp;Christopher Finan, National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) executive director.READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/speech/" target="_blank">33% of Americans said speech is the most vital freedom, but some would limit it</a><h2>NOT SURPRISING: ACADEMIC FREEDOM IS INCREASINGLY CHALLENGED</h2>Most people (58%) think college campuses should foster a free expression of ideas, even if those ideas are offensive to some. At the same time, more than a third (36%) think universities represent a threat to the First Amendment.Experts from organizations like FIRE and the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) weren’t surprised at these findings, noting that the disconnect between the ideal and reality of campus speech is ripe for eroding trust.“Faculty have faced steadily mounting threats to their speech rights in recent years, often in the form of student protests and administrative disciplinary proceedings over controversial speech,” says&nbsp;Keith E. Whittington, chair of the Academic Committee of the Academic Freedom Alliance.“Universities have allowed students to shout down speakers to prevent disagreeable views from being heard,” agrees&nbsp;Peter Prichard, Freedom Forum trustee and former editor-in-chief of USA TODAY. “‘Cancel culture’ threatens free speech.”“Our public education system does a very poor job of modeling respect for First Amendment values,” says&nbsp;Frank LoMonte, director, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, leaving the First Amendment a “damaged brand.”<h2>NOT SURPRISING: PRESS DISTRUST IS HIGH</h2>While most Americans want the news media to be a watchdog on government, just 14% say they have strong trust in journalists. Many are troubled by so-called “fake news” in the form of mis- and disinformation online.This “validates all we suspect and know about how Americans feel about freedom of the press,” says&nbsp;Wanda S. Lloyd, journalist and author of “Coming Full Circle: From Jim Crow to Journalism,” noting that “many national and local news organizations spend plenty of human and financial capital providing quality investigative and watchdog reporting. [But] many so-called news organizations are leaning more and more in one direction — either uber-liberal or uber-conservative.”Similarly, the IFS’s&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;says, “Bias, agenda-based reporting and just plain sloppy journalism have led 74% of Americans to think ‘fake news’ is a problem and 72% favor banning it. Such overwhelming majorities suggest a rejection of mainstream news reporting, not just fringe publications.”This growing distrust is troubling. “If we don’t support journalists of integrity — and there are many,” says&nbsp;Paulson, “we’ll lose our most potent weapons against government corruption and overreach.”LoMonte&nbsp;put it even more starkly: “It’s not sustainable for a functioning democracy if a majority of voters actively avoid becoming informed.”READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/press/" target="_blank">Most Americans think the press should be a watchdog on the powerful, but 41% say journalists are a threat to the First Amendment</a><h2>NOT SURPRISING: AWARENESS OF ASSEMBLY IS UP — BUT MOST PEOPLE STILL DON’T PROTEST</h2>Awareness of the right to assembly is up, with 65% able to identify it from a list of options as a First Amendment freedom — not a surprise after a tumultuous year of protests peaking just before the survey was fielded in fall 2020. “The social justice protests were covered by the media and millions upon millions witnessed fellow Americans taking to the streets to galvanize for social change,” says Freedom Forum fellow&nbsp;David Hudson.But still, most Americans — 69% — say they have never participated in a protest. “Activism always has been a cause for the committed few who are willing to put their principles into action and even their lives on the line,” says&nbsp;Hudson.READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/assembly/" target="_blank">In an era of historic protest, 69% have never participated in a protest, rally or march</a><h2>SURPRISING: AMERICANS PETITION MORE THAN THEY REALIZE</h2>The right to petition has sometimes been called “the forgotten freedom,” says&nbsp;Hudson, with few able to identify it as a freedom. Awareness of petition is up, though, with 14% able to name it offhand.And many Americans have participated in petitioning the government. “Even more encouraging than public familiarity with and support for free speech rights is the fact that substantial percentages of the public have actually exercised these rights regarding issues of public concern,” says&nbsp;Strossen, “speech that is especially important in our democratic republic.”Almost half of people (45%) can identify petition as a First Amendment freedom. Nearly as many have petitioned their elected officials in some way: “I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who had volunteered with a local organization [41%] or a political campaign [24%], contacted an elected official [40%], or spoken up at a school board or town hall meeting [35%],” says Freedom Forum Fellow&nbsp;Lata Nott. “These are all activities that take more time and energy, and have much more of an impact, than say, posting something on social media or signing an online petition. I’m impressed that so many people are civically engaged.”READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/petition/" target="_blank">Few know petition is a First Amendment freedom, but most say they have petitioned</a><h2>SURPRISING: SUPPORT FOR CONSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION IS MIXED</h2>The survey revealed some&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2021/09/22/survey-says-we-like-our-first-amendment-rights-whatever-they-are/" target="_blank">significant gaps in First Amendment knowledge</a>, but also showed that most Americans want future generations to better understand the Constitution. “Civics is as important to the health of our society as math and science are to economic prosperity,” says&nbsp;Finan, citing the 84% of respondents who support requiring public schools to educate students about the Constitution. “The future of our democracy demands that we educate students as citizens, not just workers.”But Americans are unsure about some forms of First Amendment education: 39% say public schools should teach about religion from an academic and constitutional perspective; 32% disagreed and 29% weren’t sure. “These results may seem surprising given that the U.S. Supreme Court has made clear for more than 60 years that the academic study of religion is not only permissible under the First Amendment — it is necessary for a complete education,” says&nbsp;Charles Haynes,&nbsp;Freedom Forum senior fellow for religious liberty. “One explanation for public confusion about this issue may be our long and tortuous history of getting religion&nbsp;wrong&nbsp;in public schools.”Following a series of Supreme Court cases in the 1960s,&nbsp;Haynes&nbsp;says, many either demanded all mention of religion be removed from curricula or decried that schools had banned God. “Both sides — intentionally or unintentionally — misrepresented what the Supreme Court actually ruled: Under the First Amendment, religion can neither be promoted nor denigrated by school officials but&nbsp;students&nbsp;are free to express their faith in schools, as long as such expression is not disruptive and does not interfere with the rights of others.”READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/religion/" target="_blank">Religion is a much-valued freedom, but people are divided about its role in public life</a>The “<a href="https://survey.freedomforum.org/" target="_blank">Where America Stands</a>” survey paints a complex picture of Americans’ First Amendment knowledge and attitudes, both concerning and hopeful.<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2021/09/22/survey-says-we-like-our-first-amendment-rights-whatever-they-are/" target="_blank">Gaps in First Amendment knowledge</a>&nbsp;and willingness to compromise some of its core values are troubling. “In 55 years of involvement with these issues, I can’t recall a time when First Amendment freedoms were less secure,” says&nbsp;Prichard. “This landmark survey shows that most of today’s threats don’t come from government, but from ourselves.”But broad support for the vitality of the First Amendment to democracy — and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDuBEP1KbWM" target="_blank">passion with which respondents spoke of its importance</a>&nbsp;— point to the possibility of reaffirming its foundations with ongoing education, advocacy and action.“We now know we are building on a foundation where an overwhelming majority of Americans see the First Amendment as vital and valued, and that gives us hope for the future.” — Jan Neuharth, Freedom Forum chair and chief executive officerFind the full survey results at&nbsp;<a href="https://whereamericastands.org/" target="_blank">WhereAmericaStands.org</a>.Karen Hansen is the Freedom Forum content managing editor. You can reach Karen at<a href="mailto:khansen@freedomforum.org" target="_blank"> khansen@freedomforum.org</a>.

4 First Amendment 'Where America Stands' findings that surprised experts

Today is Saturday, Oct. 2, the 275th day of 2021. There are 90 days left in the year. 

On Oct. 2, 1869, political and spiritual leader Mohandas K. Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India. 

In 1890, comedian Groucho Marx was born Julius Marx in New York. 

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a serious stroke at the White House that left him paralyzed on his left side. 

In 1941, during World War II, German armies launched an all-out drive against Moscow; Soviet forces succeeded in holding onto their capital. 

In 1944, German troops crushed the two-month-old Warsaw Uprising, during which a quarter of a million people had been killed.

In 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court as the court opened its new term. 

In 1970, one of two chartered twin-engine planes flying the Wichita State University football team to Utah crashed into a mountain near Silver Plume, Colorado, killing 31 of the 40 people on board. 

In 1984, Richard W. Miller became the first FBI agent to be arrested and charged with espionage. (Miller was tried three times; he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but was released after nine years.) 

In 1986, the Senate joined the House in voting to override President Reagan's veto of stiff economic sanctions against South Africa.

In 2002, the Washington, D.C.-area sniper attacks began, setting off a frantic manhunt lasting three weeks. (John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo were finally arrested for killing 10 people and wounding three others; Muhammad was executed in 2009; Malvo was sentenced to life in prison.) 

In 2005, a tour boat, the Ethan Allen, capsized on New York's Lake George, killing 20 elderly passengers. Playwright August Wilson died in Seattle at age 60. Actor-comedian Nipsey Russell died in New York at age 87. 

In 2017, rock superstar Tom Petty died at a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 66, a day after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu, California. 

In 2019, House Democrats threatened to make White House defiance of a congressional request for testimony and documents potential grounds for an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged for the first time that he had been on the phone call in which Trump pressed Ukraine's president to investigate Democrat Joe Biden.

Ten years ago: Syrian dissidents formally established a broad-based national council designed to overthrow President Bashar Assad's regime, which they accused of pushing the country to the brink of civil war.

Five years ago: Colombians rejected a peace deal with leftist rebels by a razor-thin margin in a national referendum, scuttling years of painstaking negotiations and delivering a stunning setback to President Juan Manuel Santos. Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully signed off for the last time, ending 67 years behind the mic for the Dodgers, as he called the team's 7-1 loss to the Giants in San Francisco.

One year ago: Stricken by COVID-19, President Donald Trump was injected with an experimental drug combination at the White House before being flown to a military hospital, where he was given Remdesivir, an antiviral drug. Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien also tested positive for the coronavirus. Two Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Mike Lee of Utah, said they had tested positive for the coronavirus, as the Senate prepared for confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, the dominating St. Louis Cardinals pitcher who won seven consecutive World Series starts, died of cancer in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska; he was 84.

Today's Birthdays: Retired MLB All-Star Maury Wills is 89. Movie critic Rex Reed is 83. Singer-songwriter Don McLean is 76. Cajun/country singer Jo-el Sonnier is 75. Actor Avery Brooks is 73. Fashion designer Donna Karan is 73. Photographer Annie Leibovitz is 72. Rock musician Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike &amp; the Mechanics) is 71. Singer-actor Sting is 70. Actor Robin Riker is 69. Actor Lorraine Bracco is 67. Country musician Greg Jennings (Restless Heart) is 67. Rock singer Phil Oakey (The Human League) is 66. R&amp;B singer Freddie Jackson is 65. Singer-producer Robbie Nevil is 63. Retro-soul singer James Hunter is 59. Rock musician Bud Gaugh (Sublime, Eyes Adrift) is 54. Folk-country singer Gillian Welch is 54. Country singer Kelly Willis is 53. Actor Joey Slotnick is 53. R&amp;B singer Dion Allen (Az Yet) is 51. Actor-talk show host Kelly Ripa (TV: "Live with Kelly and Ryan") is 51. Rock musician Jim Root (AKA #4 Slipknot) is 50. Singer Tiffany is 50. Rock singer Lene Nystrom is 48. Actor Efren Ramirez is 48. R&amp;B singer LaTocha Scott (Xscape) is 49 Gospel singer Mandisa (TV: "American Idol") is 45. Actor Brianna Brown is 42. Rock musician Mike Rodden (Hinder) is 39. Former tennis player Marion Bartoli is 37. Actor Christopher Larkin is 34. Rock singer Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) is 33. Actor Samantha Barks is 31. Actor Elizabeth McLaughlin is 28.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Saturday, Oct. 2, the 275th day of 2021. There are 90 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Oct. 2, 1869, political and spiritual leader Mohandas K. Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India. On this date: In 1890, comedian Groucho Marx was born Julius Marx in New York. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a serious stroke at the White House that left him paralyzed on his left side. In 1941, during World War II, German armies launched an all-out drive against Moscow; Soviet forces succeeded in holding onto their capital. In 1944, German troops crushed the two-month-old Warsaw Uprising, during which a quarter of a million people had been killed.In 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court as the court opened its new term. In 1970, one of two chartered twin-engine planes flying the Wichita State University football team to Utah crashed into a mountain near Silver Plume, Colorado, killing 31 of the 40 people on board. In 1984, Richard W. Miller became the first FBI agent to be arrested and charged with espionage. (Miller was tried three times; he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but was released after nine years.) In 1986, the Senate joined the House in voting to override President Reagan's veto of stiff economic sanctions against South Africa.In 2002, the Washington, D.C.-area sniper attacks began, setting off a frantic manhunt lasting three weeks. (John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo were finally arrested for killing 10 people and wounding three others; Muhammad was executed in 2009; Malvo was sentenced to life in prison.) In 2005, a tour boat, the Ethan Allen, capsized on New York's Lake George, killing 20 elderly passengers. Playwright August Wilson died in Seattle at age 60. Actor-comedian Nipsey Russell died in New York at age 87. In 2017, rock superstar Tom Petty died at a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 66, a day after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu, California. In 2019, House Democrats threatened to make White House defiance of a congressional request for testimony and documents potential grounds for an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged for the first time that he had been on the phone call in which Trump pressed Ukraine's president to investigate Democrat Joe Biden.Ten years ago: Syrian dissidents formally established a broad-based national council designed to overthrow President Bashar Assad's regime, which they accused of pushing the country to the brink of civil war.Five years ago: Colombians rejected a peace deal with leftist rebels by a razor-thin margin in a national referendum, scuttling years of painstaking negotiations and delivering a stunning setback to President Juan Manuel Santos. Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully signed off for the last time, ending 67 years behind the mic for the Dodgers, as he called the team's 7-1 loss to the Giants in San Francisco.One year ago: Stricken by COVID-19, President Donald Trump was injected with an experimental drug combination at the White House before being flown to a military hospital, where he was given Remdesivir, an antiviral drug. Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien also tested positive for the coronavirus. Two Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Mike Lee of Utah, said they had tested positive for the coronavirus, as the Senate prepared for confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, the dominating St. Louis Cardinals pitcher who won seven consecutive World Series starts, died of cancer in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska; he was 84.Today's Birthdays: Retired MLB All-Star Maury Wills is 89. Movie critic Rex Reed is 83. Singer-songwriter Don McLean is 76. Cajun/country singer Jo-el Sonnier is 75. Actor Avery Brooks is 73. Fashion designer Donna Karan is 73. Photographer Annie Leibovitz is 72. Rock musician Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike &amp; the Mechanics) is 71. Singer-actor Sting is 70. Actor Robin Riker is 69. Actor Lorraine Bracco is 67. Country musician Greg Jennings (Restless Heart) is 67. Rock singer Phil Oakey (The Human League) is 66. R&amp;B singer Freddie Jackson is 65. Singer-producer Robbie Nevil is 63. Retro-soul singer James Hunter is 59. Rock musician Bud Gaugh (Sublime, Eyes Adrift) is 54. Folk-country singer Gillian Welch is 54. Country singer Kelly Willis is 53. Actor Joey Slotnick is 53. R&amp;B singer Dion Allen (Az Yet) is 51. Actor-talk show host Kelly Ripa (TV: "Live with Kelly and Ryan") is 51. Rock musician Jim Root (AKA #4 Slipknot) is 50. Singer Tiffany is 50. Rock singer Lene Nystrom is 48. Actor Efren Ramirez is 48. R&amp;B singer LaTocha Scott (Xscape) is 49 Gospel singer Mandisa (TV: "American Idol") is 45. Actor Brianna Brown is 42. Rock musician Mike Rodden (Hinder) is 39. Former tennis player Marion Bartoli is 37. Actor Christopher Larkin is 34. Rock singer Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) is 33. Actor Samantha Barks is 31. Actor Elizabeth McLaughlin is 28.

Today in History - Oct. 2

Gary Shorman, chairman of and chief development officer of Eagle Communications, has been named the winner of the 2021 Independent Lifetime Achievement award from Cablefax, a broadband trade organization.

“It is an honor to be selected for this national recognition, but the real credit goes to Eagle’s employee owners who have made great things happen for our customers and our company," Shorman said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eagle is the parent company of the Post News Network.

Whether at Eagle or through various philanthropy work, Gary Shorman is a consummate leader

By THERESA MAHER <a href="https://www.cablefax.com/">Cablefax</a> If you thought Gary Shorman would slow his pace after stepping down as president and CEO of Eagle Communications following its purchase by GTCR and Mega Broadband in 2019, guess again. Even on a normal weekday in August when we sat down to talk to him, Shorman was getting ready to put on one of his many hats.

“It seems like summer is at an end and I have a fundraiser tonight that most people never have an opportunity to participate in — a duck derby where plastic ducks race around a water park area, and give away $10,000,” Shorman says.

The event was to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters, just one of the many ways the jack-of-all-trades is dividing his time these days.

While his first love and his gateway into Eagle Communications was radio, the company shifted him toward cable early on. He took his position at Eagle as radio manager in 1985 and then moved into a leadership role after a few years that included oversight of the cable television side of its business.&nbsp;<a href="https://eagleradio.net/">The Kansas-based media company still operates 28 radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri,</a>&nbsp;with Shorman serving as chief development officer and board chair.

He also serves on the board of Mega Broadband and is president of the Schmidt Foundation, which focuses on environmental efforts and education. He’s still a part of the NCTC board and helped the co-op in its recent search for a new CEO. If all that’s not enough, he hosts a radio show and podcast called “Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times,” where he’s interviewed a slate of Kansans, including former senator Roger Marshall and the director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.

Shorman brings dedication, energy and enthusiasm with him everywhere in every role. It’s driven him through his career at Eagle, which is employee-owned and operated and thrives on employees’ passion for their work and their community.

“If a call comes in on Saturday, we have the 100-zero rule, whether or not you’re at home with family or have something going on. You’re 100% responsible for what you do and taking care of your line of business, with zero excuses. If something went wrong in the company, that is not an excuse. You just go on your way and get it fixed,” he says.

Don’t take that to mean Shorman is all work and no play. Anyone who has met or worked with the man will agree that it’s his personality that makes him stand out among the industry greats.

“During his tenure on the NCTA Board of Directors, Gary was a tremendous contributor who always looked for solutions and was widely respected for bringing his own ideas to the table. My fondest memories of Gary, though, aren’t about public policy discussions, but sitting around the dinner table and having great conversations about life, family and those things away from work that really matter. Those moments are when you can truly tell the character of a person and Gary is one of the best,” says NCTA president and CEO Michael Powell.

Shorman’s resourcefulness comes in handy at work and at play, as anyone who was on a bus full of NCTC members years ago can attest. The bus stopped for “adult refreshments,” as Shorman phrased it, which the group had forgotten to retrieve before the trip. In addition, no one had a bottle opener, but he produced a pair of pliers to open everyone’s bottles. “So I sort of became the hero of the bus,” Shorman quips.

It’s a humorous anecdote, but it’s also a fitting example of a man who is never afraid to step up. “I’ve always believed that if you’re in any group, you should be willing to lead,” Shorman says.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633101245839.png" alt="Gary Shorman" />
 <figcaption>Gary Shorman</figcaption>
 </figure>Gary Shorman, chairman of and chief development officer of Eagle Communications, has been named the winner of the 2021 Independent Lifetime Achievement award from Cablefax, a broadband trade organization.“It is an honor to be selected for this national recognition, but the real credit goes to Eagle’s employee owners who have made great things happen for our customers and our company," Shorman said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Eagle is the parent company of the Post News Network.<h2>Whether at Eagle or through various philanthropy work, Gary Shorman is a consummate leader</h2>By THERESA MAHER <a href="https://www.cablefax.com/">Cablefax</a> If you thought Gary Shorman would slow his pace after stepping down as president and CEO of Eagle Communications following its purchase by GTCR and Mega Broadband in 2019, guess again. Even on a normal weekday in August when we sat down to talk to him, Shorman was getting ready to put on one of his many hats.“It seems like summer is at an end and I have a fundraiser tonight that most people never have an opportunity to participate in — a duck derby where plastic ducks race around a water park area, and give away $10,000,” Shorman says.The event was to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters, just one of the many ways the jack-of-all-trades is dividing his time these days.While his first love and his gateway into Eagle Communications was radio, the company shifted him toward cable early on. He took his position at Eagle as radio manager in 1985 and then moved into a leadership role after a few years that included oversight of the cable television side of its business.&nbsp;<a href="https://eagleradio.net/">The Kansas-based media company still operates 28 radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri,</a>&nbsp;with Shorman serving as chief development officer and board chair.He also serves on the board of Mega Broadband and is president of the Schmidt Foundation, which focuses on environmental efforts and education. He’s still a part of the NCTC board and helped the co-op in its recent search for a new CEO. If all that’s not enough, he hosts a radio show and podcast called “Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times,” where he’s interviewed a slate of Kansans, including former senator Roger Marshall and the director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633101176587.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Shorman brings dedication, energy and enthusiasm with him everywhere in every role. It’s driven him through his career at Eagle, which is employee-owned and operated and thrives on employees’ passion for their work and their community.“If a call comes in on Saturday, we have the 100-zero rule, whether or not you’re at home with family or have something going on. You’re 100% responsible for what you do and taking care of your line of business, with zero excuses. If something went wrong in the company, that is not an excuse. You just go on your way and get it fixed,” he says.Don’t take that to mean Shorman is all work and no play. Anyone who has met or worked with the man will agree that it’s his personality that makes him stand out among the industry greats.“During his tenure on the NCTA Board of Directors, Gary was a tremendous contributor who always looked for solutions and was widely respected for bringing his own ideas to the table. My fondest memories of Gary, though, aren’t about public policy discussions, but sitting around the dinner table and having great conversations about life, family and those things away from work that really matter. Those moments are when you can truly tell the character of a person and Gary is one of the best,” says NCTA president and CEO Michael Powell.Shorman’s resourcefulness comes in handy at work and at play, as anyone who was on a bus full of NCTC members years ago can attest. The bus stopped for “adult refreshments,” as Shorman phrased it, which the group had forgotten to retrieve before the trip. In addition, no one had a bottle opener, but he produced a pair of pliers to open everyone’s bottles. “So I sort of became the hero of the bus,” Shorman quips.It’s a humorous anecdote, but it’s also a fitting example of a man who is never afraid to step up. “I’ve always believed that if you’re in any group, you should be willing to lead,” Shorman says.Republished with permission

Broadband group honors Shorman with lifetime achievement award

●Must have the ability to work well with a group as well as with minimal supervision

●Assist with phones, records management, and various clerical duties

●Process Donations, manage PPE inventory and distribution

●Complete special projects as assigned for various managers within the organization

●Assist with training setups and data entry

●Must have very strong computer skills, and excellent verbal and written skills

Full time position with a great benefits package! For more information or to apply –&nbsp;<a href="https://occkinc.appone.com/erp/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=3902186">click here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592535783410.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Is seeking an<h2>Administrative Support Specialist</h2>●Must have the ability to work well with a group as well as with minimal supervision●Assist with phones, records management, and various clerical duties●Process Donations, manage PPE inventory and distribution●Complete special projects as assigned for various managers within the organization●Assist with training setups and data entry●Must have very strong computer skills, and excellent verbal and written skillsFull time position with a great benefits package! For more information or to apply –&nbsp;<a href="https://occkinc.appone.com/erp/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=3902186">click here</a>.

NWS: Showers, storms to spread across area Saturday

DICKINSON COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Friday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Honda Accord driven by&nbsp;Fuentes, Javier Jose Fuentes, 18, Junction City, was southbound on U.S. 56 three miles south of Herington.

The Honda drifted to the left, crossed the centerline and traveled off the roadway and into the east ditch. 

The driver swerved back to the right into the northbound lanes and struck a 2011 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Jason L. Cooper, 48, Grandin, Missouri, almost head-on.

Fuentes was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported Yazel-Megli Funeral Home. Cooper was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633275115873.png" alt="First responders near the crash scene Friday-photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>First responders near the crash scene Friday-photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Friday in Dickinson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Honda Accord driven by&nbsp;Fuentes, Javier Jose Fuentes, 18, Junction City, was southbound on U.S. 56 three miles south of Herington.The Honda drifted to the left, crossed the centerline and traveled off the roadway and into the east ditch. The driver swerved back to the right into the northbound lanes and struck a 2011 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Jason L. Cooper, 48, Grandin, Missouri, almost head-on.Fuentes was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported Yazel-Megli Funeral Home. Cooper was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas teen dies after crash with a semi

TOPEKA – The winners in the X Multiplier Bonus second-chance drawing have been announced! To enter the promotion, players scanned their non-winning “X the Cash” tickets into PlayOn®&nbsp;before Sept. 26, 2021.

●10X the Cash - $1,000: Karen Brumbaugh of Ada

●20X the Cash - $2,000: Fairrah Haberman of Seward

●50X the Cash - $5,000: Tim Wagner of Great Bend

●100X the Cash - $10,000: Paula Givens of Wichita

●200X the Cash - $12,500: Leigh Montoy of Salina

●Multiplier Super Ticket - $15,000: Stephanie Jones of Carbondale

Players would receive one entry into a drawing per non-winning X the Cash ticket. For example, scanning a non-winning $1 10X the Cash ticket would earn a player one entry into the $1,000 10X the Cash drawing.

There were 326,261 entries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=190" target="_blank">10X the Cash</a>&nbsp;second-chance drawing.

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There were 92,541 entries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=194" target="_blank">200X the Cash</a>&nbsp;second-chance drawing.

Finally, there were 68,379 entries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=195" target="_blank">Multiplier Super Ticket</a>&nbsp;second-chance drawing.

To see details on other second-chance drawings, such as the Super Chiefs Suite Experience, the Rivalry Getaway promotion, and the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year promotion, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/marketingpromotionslist" target="_blank">promotions page</a>&nbsp;of the Kansas Lottery website.

TOPEKA – The winners in the X Multiplier Bonus second-chance drawing have been announced! To enter the promotion, players scanned their non-winning “X the Cash” tickets into PlayOn®&nbsp;before Sept. 26, 2021.The winners are:●10X the Cash - $1,000: Karen Brumbaugh of Ada●20X the Cash - $2,000: Fairrah Haberman of Seward●50X the Cash - $5,000: Tim Wagner of Great Bend●100X the Cash - $10,000: Paula Givens of Wichita●200X the Cash - $12,500: Leigh Montoy of Salina●Multiplier Super Ticket - $15,000: Stephanie Jones of CarbondalePlayers would receive one entry into a drawing per non-winning X the Cash ticket. For example, scanning a non-winning $1 10X the Cash ticket would earn a player one entry into the $1,000 10X the Cash drawing.There were 326,261 entries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=190" target="_blank">10X the Cash</a>&nbsp;second-chance drawing. There were 294,134 entries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=191" target="_blank">20X the Cash</a>&nbsp;second-chance drawing. There were 236,668 entries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=192" target="_blank">50X the Cash</a>&nbsp;second-chance drawing. There were 156,612 entries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=193" target="_blank">100X the Cash</a>&nbsp;second-chance drawing. There were 92,541 entries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=194" target="_blank">200X the Cash</a>&nbsp;second-chance drawing. Finally, there were 68,379 entries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/games/instants/?gameid=195" target="_blank">Multiplier Super Ticket</a>&nbsp;second-chance drawing.To see details on other second-chance drawings, such as the Super Chiefs Suite Experience, the Rivalry Getaway promotion, and the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year promotion, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://kslottery.com/marketingpromotionslist" target="_blank">promotions page</a>&nbsp;of the Kansas Lottery website.

Lottery: Salina, Ada residents win X Multiplier Bonus

Twenty-six new law enforcement officers graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) on Friday at a ceremony held in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.&nbsp;

Deputy Justin Hawks of the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office was the graduating class president. The speaker for the ceremony was Bill Carr, Sheriff for Ford County. Rob McClarty, KLETC Senior Instructor of Police, was the Class Coordinator for the 283rd Basic Training Class.

Officer Atticus Patterson of the Salina Police Department was awarded the Welch Academic Award and Officer Trisha Huelsmann of the Garden Plain Police Department was honored with KLETC’s Fitness Award. Officer Cutter Brazle from the Winfield Police Department was also recognized during the ceremony for his firearms proficiency as the class’ “Top Shot”.

Graduates receive certificates of course completion from KLETC and Kansas law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority. The training course fulfills the state requirement for law enforcement training. Classroom lectures and hands-on applications help train officers to solve the increasingly complex problems they face in the line of duty.

Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, KLETC trains the majority of municipal, county, and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

About 300 officers enroll annually in KLETC 14-week basic training programs. KLETC offers continuing education and specialized training to over 10,000 Kansas officers each year. KLETC is located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder, near Hutchinson, and is a division of the University of Kansas Lifelong &amp; Professional Education. The graduates, who began their training in June 2021, represented 22 municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies from across Kansas. Graduates are listed below by county and agency:

Barton County Nicholas Reed - Great Bend Police Department

Cherokee County Aaron Cockerel - Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

Cowley County Cutter Brazle - Winfield Police Department

Crawford County Alexandria Tippie - Pittsburg Police Department

Dickinson County Justin Hawks - Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Jimmy Wallace - Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office

Douglas County Kaden Hammer - University of Kansas Police Department Blair Whaley - University of Kansas Police Department

Ellis County Collin Rose - Hays Police Department

Ellsworth County Sean Hanson - Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office

Ford County Luis Marquez - Ford County Sheriff’s Office

Franklin County Madison Garner - Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Grant Reinking - Ottawa Police Department

Gove County Darien Dilka - Gove County Sheriff’s Office

Harvey County Tyson Ridenour - Newton Police Department

Jackson County Erik Heape - Prairie Band Pottawatomi Tribal Police

Labette County Ashlynn Anderson - Parsons Police Department

Leavenworth County Courtney Hobbs - Leavenworth Police Department

Linn County Allison Fox - La Cygne Police Department

Logan County Cory Sager - Oakley Police Department

Miami County Christopher Perkins - Osawatomie Police Department

Riley County Stephen Zapata - Riley County Police Department

Saline County Izaiah Grogan - Salina Police Department Atticus Patterson - Salina Police Department

Sedgwick County Trisha Huelsmann - Garden Plain Police Department

Wyandotte County Corey Thomas - Bonner Springs Police Department

The above story is republished with permission from KLETC.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633131756704.jpeg" alt="Ford County Sheriff Bill Carr addresses the graduating members of KLETC's 283rd basic training class. Photos by Jason Levy" />
 <figcaption>Ford County Sheriff Bill Carr addresses the graduating members of KLETC's 283rd basic training class. Photos by Jason Levy</figcaption>
 </figure>Twenty-six new law enforcement officers graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) on Friday at a ceremony held in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633131874652.jpeg" alt="KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck recognizes the 283rd class president, Justin Hawks of the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office." />
 <figcaption>KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck recognizes the 283rd class president, Justin Hawks of the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputy Justin Hawks of the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office was the graduating class president. The speaker for the ceremony was Bill Carr, Sheriff for Ford County. Rob McClarty, KLETC Senior Instructor of Police, was the Class Coordinator for the 283rd Basic Training Class.Officer Atticus Patterson of the Salina Police Department was awarded the Welch Academic Award and Officer Trisha Huelsmann of the Garden Plain Police Department was honored with KLETC’s Fitness Award. Officer Cutter Brazle from the Winfield Police Department was also recognized during the ceremony for his firearms proficiency as the class’ “Top Shot”.Graduates receive certificates of course completion from KLETC and Kansas law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority. The training course fulfills the state requirement for law enforcement training. Classroom lectures and hands-on applications help train officers to solve the increasingly complex problems they face in the line of duty.Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, KLETC trains the majority of municipal, county, and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.About 300 officers enroll annually in KLETC 14-week basic training programs. KLETC offers continuing education and specialized training to over 10,000 Kansas officers each year. KLETC is located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder, near Hutchinson, and is a division of the University of Kansas Lifelong &amp; Professional Education. The graduates, who began their training in June 2021, represented 22 municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies from across Kansas. Graduates are listed below by county and agency:Barton County Nicholas Reed - Great Bend Police DepartmentCherokee County Aaron Cockerel - Cherokee County Sheriff’s OfficeCowley County Cutter Brazle - Winfield Police DepartmentCrawford County Alexandria Tippie - Pittsburg Police DepartmentDickinson County Justin Hawks - Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Jimmy Wallace - Dickinson County Sheriff’s OfficeDouglas County Kaden Hammer - University of Kansas Police Department Blair Whaley - University of Kansas Police DepartmentEllis County Collin Rose - Hays Police DepartmentEllsworth County Sean Hanson - Ellsworth County Sheriff’s OfficeFord County Luis Marquez - Ford County Sheriff’s OfficeFranklin County Madison Garner - Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Grant Reinking - Ottawa Police DepartmentGove County Darien Dilka - Gove County Sheriff’s OfficeHarvey County Tyson Ridenour - Newton Police DepartmentJackson County Erik Heape - Prairie Band Pottawatomi Tribal PoliceLabette County Ashlynn Anderson - Parsons Police DepartmentLeavenworth County Courtney Hobbs - Leavenworth Police DepartmentLinn County Allison Fox - La Cygne Police DepartmentLogan County Cory Sager - Oakley Police DepartmentMiami County Christopher Perkins - Osawatomie Police DepartmentRiley County Stephen Zapata - Riley County Police DepartmentSaline County Izaiah Grogan - Salina Police Department Atticus Patterson - Salina Police DepartmentSedgwick County Trisha Huelsmann - Garden Plain Police DepartmentWyandotte County Corey Thomas - Bonner Springs Police DepartmentThe above story is republished with permission from KLETC.

Local, area officers recognized, graduate from KLETC Friday

Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Friday.

●One additional member of our community has lost their life to COVID-19 since our last update on Wednesday.

●Salina Regional Health Center reports that they have 19 patients currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.

●There have been 36 new cases of COVID-19 reported since Wednesday.

●KDHE has identified 250 variants in the 374 samples sent from Saline County for sequencing.

●The staff at the Saline County Health Department is currently monitoring 506 cases of COVID-19.

More in-depth data and additional information can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001f_M444ezNhbtvfVRB53gHctWKlsBn7wbz4lwfcLO9r-MnSPgUgsVcH2EXa1LCGoKs1tp_FLb0cmwYnRa_OQxKbKPIIDNcsPoRgBjz_e9C1lxMsRzH1v-NyfKodNyT8OlHuWS3uySIXisvkZHXnTOBEj_17jLbhq_&amp;c=&amp;ch=" target="_blank">Saline County Coronavirus webpage</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001f_M444ezNhbtvfVRB53gHctWKlsBn7wbz4lwfcLO9r-MnSPgUgsVcLp9M2VHxiYy9LL53BFZeRdUHuNumVJJ98g601GHy20fUk_vWpPWR6GLIbXuRH4bBs-IXQ_NyH4yNERjzYMBWOPpQMYp99qzgWEZGu9mlabXqZ1ZUYfW58AGS6jsoQ8uXJP3ImCxvsSo&amp;c=&amp;ch=" target="_blank">KDHE COVID-19 Information Site</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001f_M444ezNhbtvfVRB53gHctWKlsBn7wbz4lwfcLO9r-MnSPgUgsVcDuj0KwWiPVorinaQV0KnQCFzu5i7IhiWyu7XdiwQ8Lu2FSpOyBqMo0Beo0aa_bQRNyAZffpgosKRuVe6duMqitwPKIZhuVG2JigpVYPe-0Fo6IIjeJ7IMVqlTL2ko1Q1Fc3zUwcyMXL&amp;c=&amp;ch=" target="_blank">CDC COVID-19 Tracker</a>.

Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Friday.●One additional member of our community has lost their life to COVID-19 since our last update on Wednesday.●Salina Regional Health Center reports that they have 19 patients currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.●There have been 36 new cases of COVID-19 reported since Wednesday. ●KDHE has identified 250 variants in the 374 samples sent from Saline County for sequencing.●The staff at the Saline County Health Department is currently monitoring 506 cases of COVID-19.More in-depth data and additional information can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001f_M444ezNhbtvfVRB53gHctWKlsBn7wbz4lwfcLO9r-MnSPgUgsVcH2EXa1LCGoKs1tp_FLb0cmwYnRa_OQxKbKPIIDNcsPoRgBjz_e9C1lxMsRzH1v-NyfKodNyT8OlHuWS3uySIXisvkZHXnTOBEj_17jLbhq_&amp;c=&amp;ch=" target="_blank">Saline County Coronavirus webpage</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001f_M444ezNhbtvfVRB53gHctWKlsBn7wbz4lwfcLO9r-MnSPgUgsVcLp9M2VHxiYy9LL53BFZeRdUHuNumVJJ98g601GHy20fUk_vWpPWR6GLIbXuRH4bBs-IXQ_NyH4yNERjzYMBWOPpQMYp99qzgWEZGu9mlabXqZ1ZUYfW58AGS6jsoQ8uXJP3ImCxvsSo&amp;c=&amp;ch=" target="_blank">KDHE COVID-19 Information Site</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001f_M444ezNhbtvfVRB53gHctWKlsBn7wbz4lwfcLO9r-MnSPgUgsVcDuj0KwWiPVorinaQV0KnQCFzu5i7IhiWyu7XdiwQ8Lu2FSpOyBqMo0Beo0aa_bQRNyAZffpgosKRuVe6duMqitwPKIZhuVG2JigpVYPe-0Fo6IIjeJ7IMVqlTL2ko1Q1Fc3zUwcyMXL&amp;c=&amp;ch=" target="_blank">CDC COVID-19 Tracker</a>.

Saline County: 1 additional death, 36 new COVID-19 cases

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus are partnering on a unique program to prepare students to serve as officers and pilots with the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.

"K-State is excited that this partnership will prepare graduates with the skills necessary for this type of national service. By participating in this program, students will receive specialized training and education during their undergraduate experience that will allow them to transition directly into their NOAA career upon graduation," Alysia Starkey, chief executive officer and dean of K-State Salina, told the crowd of K-State Salina students and employees, civic leaders, and others.

Officers in the NOAA Corps fly specialized aircraft and support a variety of missions, including hurricane research, reconnaissance and surveillance, marine mammal and snow surveys, coastal mapping, and emergency response. The NOAA Corps is one of the United States' eight uniformed services.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R.-Kan.), who was instrumental in helping the program become a reality, and Rear Admiral Nancy Hann, deputy director of the NOAA Corps and NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, were on the K-State Salina campus this afternoon to sign the program agreement with Starkey.

Moran, who is the ranking Republican on the committee that appropriates funds for NOAA, said it was fortunate for him that his path crossed with Hahn during a trip to Lakeland, Fla., to see where NOAA's aircraft operations are headquartered.

"During that conversation and others, we worked to see what is it that Kansans can do to be able to help NOAA in its very important mission of providing us with information, with research, with predictions, with responses so that we can better protect life and property," Moran said.

Because of legislation that Congress passed within the past year, NOAA can begin training its pilots on the K-State Salina campus, which also provides students the opportunity for experience and potential careers that they might not otherwise have had, Moran said. 

"What we come here to celebrate today is the opportunity to combine (what) an asset in Kansas - Kansas State Salina - and NOAA can do as a partner to make things better for both NOAA and Kansas State, its faculty, and its students," Moran said.

Under the agreement, NOAA and K-State Salina will develop an undergraduate program to equip students with the science, technology, engineering, and math skills required to join the NOAA Corps. The program, which will be housed at K-State Salina, will include dynamic flight training, according to information from K-State Salina.

Currently, most NOAA Corps officers begin their careers serving aboard a NOAA ship with the opportunity to pilot NOAA aircraft after their sea tour if they meet the appropriate requirements. Students who successfully complete the program at K-State Salina and the subsequent basic officer training at the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center in New London, Conn., will immediately begin supporting NOAA flight operations, according to information about the new program.

Hann said that K-State Salina is a great fit for what NOAA does.

"Looking at the students, this is such an exciting opportunity for you. I remember when I was in your position and thinking about the opportunities that I've had being a NOAA Commissioned Corps officer. Flying for NOAA is truly phenominal," Hann said.

The admiral spoke about the ever-increasing need for weather data.

"Sen. Moran mentioned that we fly the tornado research which is absolutely valuable to those forecasts. We fly research that informs the water forecast, so it determines when the reservoirs are opened and closed. We fly hurricane research," Hann said. "The demands that we've seen for the data with NOAA aircraft has never been higher. I never imagined that I would see anything like this in the course of my career. I think hurricanes alone had 100 percent increase in demand in five years."

Speaking to the student pilots in attendance, she added, "The senator kind of gave you a spoiler alert. We do all the things they're going to tell you in flight school not to do. We fly into tornadoes. We fly into hurricanes. We fly 500 feet off the water because that's where the data is needed to make really critical decisions and protect people."

According to information provided by NOAA and K-State Salina, a call for applications will be issed once the new program is fully developed. In the meantime, the NOAA Corps continues to accept applications from anyone who meets the service's basic eligibility requirements and is prepared to serve their country in uniform.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633129623177.jpeg" alt="Alysia Starkey, K-State Salina CEO and dean, left, and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, right, look on as&nbsp;Rear Admiral Nancy Hann signs the agreement for a new program between K-State Salina and NOAA. Salina Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Alysia Starkey, K-State Salina CEO and dean, left, and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, right, look on as&nbsp;Rear Admiral Nancy Hann signs the agreement for a new program between K-State Salina and NOAA. Salina Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus are partnering on a unique program to prepare students to serve as officers and pilots with the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps."K-State is excited that this partnership will prepare graduates with the skills necessary for this type of national service. By participating in this program, students will receive specialized training and education during their undergraduate experience that will allow them to transition directly into their NOAA career upon graduation," Alysia Starkey, chief executive officer and dean of K-State Salina, told the crowd of K-State Salina students and employees, civic leaders, and others.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633129970812.jpeg" alt="K-State Salina's Alysia Starkey. Salina Post photo" />
 <figcaption>K-State Salina's Alysia Starkey. Salina Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers in the NOAA Corps fly specialized aircraft and support a variety of missions, including hurricane research, reconnaissance and surveillance, marine mammal and snow surveys, coastal mapping, and emergency response. The NOAA Corps is one of the United States' eight uniformed services.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633132630338.jpeg" alt="Logan Ragsdale, a senior in the professional pilot program at K-State Salina, talked about the ability K-State Salina affords students to make professional connections. He said most of those connections would not be possible were K-State Salina not a highly reputable institution. Ragsdale also noted that the partnership with NOAA was a roadmap for a dream job for aspiring young aviators. Salina Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Logan Ragsdale, a senior in the professional pilot program at K-State Salina, talked about the ability K-State Salina affords students to make professional connections. He said most of those connections would not be possible were K-State Salina not a highly reputable institution. Ragsdale also noted that the partnership with NOAA was a roadmap for a dream job for aspiring young aviators. Salina Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R.-Kan.), who was instrumental in helping the program become a reality, and Rear Admiral Nancy Hann, deputy director of the NOAA Corps and NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, were on the K-State Salina campus this afternoon to sign the program agreement with Starkey.Moran, who is the ranking Republican on the committee that appropriates funds for NOAA, said it was fortunate for him that his path crossed with Hahn during a trip to Lakeland, Fla., to see where NOAA's aircraft operations are headquartered."During that conversation and others, we worked to see what is it that Kansans can do to be able to help NOAA in its very important mission of providing us with information, with research, with predictions, with responses so that we can better protect life and property," Moran said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633130068394.jpeg" alt="U.S. Senator Jerry Moran. Salina Post photo" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Senator Jerry Moran. Salina Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Because of legislation that Congress passed within the past year, NOAA can begin training its pilots on the K-State Salina campus, which also provides students the opportunity for experience and potential careers that they might not otherwise have had, Moran said. "What we come here to celebrate today is the opportunity to combine (what) an asset in Kansas - Kansas State Salina - and NOAA can do as a partner to make things better for both NOAA and Kansas State, its faculty, and its students," Moran said.Under the agreement, NOAA and K-State Salina will develop an undergraduate program to equip students with the science, technology, engineering, and math skills required to join the NOAA Corps. The program, which will be housed at K-State Salina, will include dynamic flight training, according to information from K-State Salina.Currently, most NOAA Corps officers begin their careers serving aboard a NOAA ship with the opportunity to pilot NOAA aircraft after their sea tour if they meet the appropriate requirements. Students who successfully complete the program at K-State Salina and the subsequent basic officer training at the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center in New London, Conn., will immediately begin supporting NOAA flight operations, according to information about the new program.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633130142288.jpeg" alt="Rear Admiral Nancy Hann. Salina Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Rear Admiral Nancy Hann. Salina Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Hann said that K-State Salina is a great fit for what NOAA does."Looking at the students, this is such an exciting opportunity for you. I remember when I was in your position and thinking about the opportunities that I've had being a NOAA Commissioned Corps officer. Flying for NOAA is truly phenominal," Hann said.The admiral spoke about the ever-increasing need for weather data."Sen. Moran mentioned that we fly the tornado research which is absolutely valuable to those forecasts. We fly research that informs the water forecast, so it determines when the reservoirs are opened and closed. We fly hurricane research," Hann said. "The demands that we've seen for the data with NOAA aircraft has never been higher. I never imagined that I would see anything like this in the course of my career. I think hurricanes alone had 100 percent increase in demand in five years."Speaking to the student pilots in attendance, she added, "The senator kind of gave you a spoiler alert. We do all the things they're going to tell you in flight school not to do. We fly into tornadoes. We fly into hurricanes. We fly 500 feet off the water because that's where the data is needed to make really critical decisions and protect people."According to information provided by NOAA and K-State Salina, a call for applications will be issed once the new program is fully developed. In the meantime, the NOAA Corps continues to accept applications from anyone who meets the service's basic eligibility requirements and is prepared to serve their country in uniform.