FHSU is hiring multiple Skilled Trades Technician positions in the Energy Division

Training available for the right responsible and reliable individual(s)

These positions perform operation, maintenance and repair of industrial equipment as in boilers, generators, pumps and valves. Work involves all aspects of boiler operation and steam distribution to include general maintenance and repair of related Energy Division/Power Plant equipment. Follow written and oral procedures, reading and recording gauges and water testing.

Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED equivalency. One year of experience in a skilled craft area. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the university.

Required Application Documents: Applicants must submit resume and names and contact information for three professional references. Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.

Find more details and application instructions at: https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686580236255.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fort Hays State UniversityFHSU is hiring multiple Skilled Trades Technician positions in the Energy DivisionTraining available for the right responsible and reliable individual(s)These positions perform operation, maintenance and repair of industrial equipment as in boilers, generators, pumps and valves. Work involves all aspects of boiler operation and steam distribution to include general maintenance and repair of related Energy Division/Power Plant equipment. Follow written and oral procedures, reading and recording gauges and water testing.Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED equivalency. One year of experience in a skilled craft area. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the university.Many perks and excellent benefits!Required Application Documents: Applicants must submit resume and names and contact information for three professional references. Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.Find more details and application instructions at: https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS

⚾🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High takes on Buhler and Salina South

THOMAS COUNTY—The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office received a new Grappler Police Bumper tool thanks to the Thomas County Attorney’s office. 

According to a social media report, the Grappler is installed on the front of patrol trucks and helps stop vehicles during vehicle pursuits. 

The sheriff's office thanked the public for their patience while the road was temporarily shut down for training. They also thanked the Thomas County Attorney’s Office for the purchase of the Grappler, Northwest Fire Extinguisher for the use of a vehicle for training, Thomas County Highway department for blocking off a safe roadway for practice using the new tool, Thomas County Emergency Management for the drone footage and Kansas Highway Patrol for coming out and training with us.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715276887064.png" alt="Photo Thomas County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Thomas County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>THOMAS COUNTY—The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office received a new Grappler Police Bumper tool thanks to the Thomas County Attorney’s office. According to a social media report, the Grappler is installed on the front of patrol trucks and helps stop vehicles during vehicle pursuits. The sheriff's office thanked the public for their patience while the road was temporarily shut down for training. They also thanked the Thomas County Attorney’s Office for the purchase of the Grappler, Northwest Fire Extinguisher for the use of a vehicle for training, Thomas County Highway department for blocking off a safe roadway for practice using the new tool, Thomas County Emergency Management for the drone footage and Kansas Highway Patrol for coming out and training with us.

New tool will help deputies in NW Kansas vehicle pursuits

K<a>ANSAS LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS SINE DIE ON APRIL 30TH.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

On April 30, the Kansas Legislature wrapped up the 2024 regular session.&nbsp;&nbsp;Known in the legislature as Sine Die, it officially marks the final adjournment for the 2024 Legislative Session and ended on Day 88.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate sent 53 bills to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;There were 233 Senate bills introduced in 2024 for a total during this last two-year cycle of 559. Barring a special session, the full legislature will return on January 13, 2025.

On Tuesday night, the Kansas House and Senate passed&nbsp;<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb37/" target="_blank">SB 37</a>, a bi-partisan compromise plan that reduces taxes for every Kansan.&nbsp;&nbsp;It fully repeals the state income tax on Social Security benefits, cuts property taxes, eliminates the state sales tax on food on July 1st, and simplifies and lowers income taxes.&nbsp;&nbsp;The passage of SB 37 comes closely on the heels of the Senate coming within one vote of overriding the governor’s veto of HB 2036.&nbsp;&nbsp;This latest compromise plan is nearly identical to HB 2036, with tweaks to reduce the fiscal note to address the governor’s stated reason for vetoing the bi-partisan bill.&nbsp;&nbsp;Specifically, the bill would:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Restructure and simplify individual income tax brackets from three to two;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lower the two brackets from their current levels;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exempt Social Security income from the individual income tax;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dramatically increase the personal exemption while also increasing the standard deduction;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reduce privilege tax rates;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Abolish the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exempt $100,000 of appraised value of residential property exempt from the statewide property tax and reduces the statewide mill levy to 19.5 mills; and&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Accelerate the elimination of the state sales tax on food to July 1st.

Current law provides for three income tax brackets:

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.1%:&nbsp;&nbsp;$0 - $15K ($30K joint)

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.25%: $15K - $30K ($30K-60K joint)

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.7%:&nbsp;&nbsp;$30K+ ($60K-joint)

SB 37 simplifies the tax code into two lower brackets:

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.2%:&nbsp;&nbsp;$0-$23K ($0 - $46K joint)&nbsp;

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.57%:&nbsp;&nbsp;$23K+ ($46K+ joint)&nbsp;

SB 37 passed the House 108-11 with a bi-partisan super majority as well as the Senate 25-9 with a bi-partisan majority.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2096/" target="_blank">HB 2096</a>&nbsp;would enact the Veterans’ Valor Property Tax Relief Act, make changes to the Homeowners’ Property Tax Freeze Program, create property tax exemptions for certain businesses subject to government competition and certain personal property, limit transactions that can be considered valid sales for property tax purposes, and modify law related to property valuation notices and appeals.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2096 passed the Senate 23-11. Having also passed the House 91-26.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a>OMNIBUS APPROPRIATION BILL</a><a></a><a></a>

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2551/" target="_blank">HB 2551</a>&nbsp;as recommended&nbsp;by the Conference Committee on House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means, contains funding for selected adjustments in FY 2024 through FY 2027.&nbsp;&nbsp;Expenditures for the Kansas State Department of Education reflect expenditures in the Conference Committee Report on SB 387.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, total expenditures reflected throughout this report include both SB 28, the mega appropriation bill, and SB 438, relating to the Kansas blueprint for literacy. For the purposes of this report, expenditures related to the Kansas State Schools for the Blind and Deaf, State Historical Society, and State Library are included within the higher education function of government.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2551 passed the Senate 22-12 and also passed the House 71-49.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and the bill is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb387/" target="_blank">SB 387</a>&nbsp;would make appropriations for the Kansas State Department of Education for FY 2024, FY 2025, and FY 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a>SB 387 passed the Senate 35-2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having passed the House 115-2.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a><a>I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.</a>

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2097/" target="_blank">HB 2097</a>&nbsp;would enact the Kansas Film and Digital Media Production Development Act, which would create nonrefundable income tax credits and a sales tax exemption for qualifying film production activities to incentivize and promote the growth of film and digital media production and industry in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2097 passed the Senate 32-5.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 102-22.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2784/" target="_blank">HB 2784</a>&nbsp;would transfer authority for certification of continuing care retirement communities from the Kansas Insurance Department to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).&nbsp;&nbsp;It also would amend law regarding the certification of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) and would prohibit the State Fire Marshal and the Marshal’s representatives from wearing or operating an audio or video recording device during an on-site inspection in certain facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed HB 2784 39-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 122-0. I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb500/" target="_blank">SB 500</a>&nbsp;would amend law pertaining to restricted driving privileges for certain individuals who violate the misdemeanor offense of failure to comply with a traffic citation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would take effect on January 1, 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 500 passed the Senate 36-1.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 120-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb287/" target="_blank">SB 287</a>&nbsp;contains several bills related to improving health care law in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;It would require parental consent to health care services for a minor child provided in a school facility. It would also establish the No Patient Left Alone Act, which would specify that when providing end-of-life care, a patient care facility would not be able to act to prevent a patient from receiving in-person visitation from any person designated by the patient if the patient has the capacity to make such designation.&nbsp;&nbsp;If the patient does not have the capacity for such designation, the patient’s agent for health care decisions established by a durable power of attorney would be allowed to designate visitors.&nbsp;&nbsp;It would amend law regarding the licensure of rural emergency hospitals and amend law concerning emergency medical services (EMS) to add provisions allowing distribution of nonprescription, over-the-counter medications, as approved by the EMS medical director, to the list of interventions that emergency medical responders may provide.&nbsp;SB 287 passed the Senate 26-10. Having also passed the House 111-10.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.<a></a>

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb414/" target="_blank">SB 414</a>&nbsp;would&nbsp;amend the elements of the crime of aggravated endangering a child by adding fentanyl to the list of drugs for which causing or permitting a child to be in an environment where the person knows or reasonably should know the drug is present would constitute the crime.&nbsp;&nbsp;It removes a loophole in the law concerning breaches of privacy to ensure people cannot be recorded in their private state without their knowledge, whether or not the breach is done secretly or not.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill also amends law in the Kansas Code of Procedure for Municipal Courts governing fingerprinting for municipal convictions; amend provisions in sentencing law regarding computation of time served; and update terms and conditions of supervision for certain offenders.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed the bill 36-0. Having passed the House 114-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb419/" target="_blank">SB 419</a>&nbsp;would provide immunity from prosecution for possession of a controlled substance or certain drug paraphernalia if the person seeks medical assistance while under the influence of a controlled substance or provides medical assistance to a person who is under the influence of a controlled substance and needs medical assistance.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed SB 419 36-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having passed the House 114-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb420/" target="_blank">SB 420</a>&nbsp;would establish criteria to permit juvenile offenders in the custody of the Secretary of Corrections to leave the juvenile facility for certain programming.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would authorize the Secretary to establish work release and educational release programs for juveniles and would specify a juvenile may attend such release programs outside the facility without a staff member or designated adult when the juvenile meets appropriate classification as defined KDOC policies and procedures. The Senate passed SB 420 36-0. Having also passed the House 113-1.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb291/" target="_blank">SB 291</a>&nbsp;would create and amend law concerning the administration and organization of information technology (IT) and cybersecurity services within each branch of state government.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed SB 291 27-9 and passed the House 113-1. I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2176/" target="_blank">HB 2176</a>&nbsp;would create the Arkansas City Area Public Library District Act and the Udall Area Public Library District Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2176 passed the Senate 32-3 and passed the House 120-0. I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2531/" target="_blank">HB 2531</a>&nbsp;would establish the Kansas Purple Alert Plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Purple Alert Plan would be established and implemented by the Office of the Attorney General, in collaboration with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol, local law enforcement agencies, and other public and private agencies and organizations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Under the Purple Alert Plan, public notice of a missing individual could be promptly broadcast, and a search could be timely undertaken with the cooperation of local law enforcement, news media, and the general public in order to locate the individual.&nbsp;&nbsp;Citizens included are 18 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability and are believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death because of their disability and unable to return to safety without assistance.&nbsp;HB 2531 passed the Senate 36-0 and passed the House 120-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2047/" target="_blank">HB 2047</a>&nbsp;would make clarifying amendments to the Farm Animal and Field Crop and Research Facilities Protection Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2047 passed the Senate 34-2 and passed the House 108-12.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2392/" target="_blank">HB 2392</a>&nbsp;would modify the definition of “veteran” and “disabled veteran” to clarify the discharge status (or characterization of service) a member of the Armed Forces must receive to be eligible for certain benefits in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would also authorize issuance of a 1st Infantry Division and an Armed Service Occupation Medal distinctive license plates.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2392 passed the Senate 36-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having passed the House 120-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb339/" target="_blank">SB 339</a>&nbsp;would prohibit the distribution of State Foundation Aid moneys within the budget of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to a school district that has no students enrolled in and attending a school of such district.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would also provide that, if students who are residents of such school district are enrolled in and attending any other school district, such students shall be counted as regularly enrolled in and attending school in such other school district and not counted in the school district of residence.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 339 passed the Senate 34-3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having passed the House 117-2.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2530/" target="_blank">HB 2530</a>&nbsp;would make changes to how the members of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission are appointed to provide for differing perspectives on a commission that regulates hunting and fishing.&nbsp;The Senate passed the bill 21-18.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted no.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 78-45, it is now headed to the governor.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb318/" target="_blank">SB 318</a>&nbsp;would amend the Code of Evidence to specify how a statutory or common law presumption or inference against a criminal defendant is to be construed and to establish a permissive inference when a person is found to possess certain quantities of a controlled substance.&nbsp;&nbsp;The House voted 122-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed the bill 39-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb232/" target="_blank">SB 232</a>&nbsp;which would amend law regarding child support guidelines to require the courts to adopt rules that consider the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses for the mother of an unborn child and the unborn child.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would specify the maximum amount of ordered child support of an unborn child is not to exceed the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother of the unborn child, excluding any costs related to an elective abortion.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 232 passed the Senate 25-12. Having also passed the House 82-38.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb172/" target="_blank">SB 172</a>&nbsp;would create the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would prohibit foreign principals from countries of concern from acquiring any interest in non-residential real property located within 100 miles of the boundary of any military installation located in Kansas or an adjacent state. The Act would not apply to a de minimis interest in such real property; transactions approved by the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS); and foreign principals who hold a national security agreement with CFIUS or the U.S. Department of Defense.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed SB 172 24-14, having also passed the House 86-39.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It now heads to the governor.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2098/" target="_blank">HB 2098</a>&nbsp;would create a sales tax deduction for certain motor vehicle transactions, provide for manufacturer’s coupons to be excluded from sales price for sales tax purposes, and create several sales tax exemptions.&nbsp;&nbsp;On the override vote, HB 2098 passed the Senate 37-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 99-20, the veto was overridden.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2436/" target="_blank">HB 2436</a>&nbsp;would make it a crime to unlawfully coerce a woman to obtain an abortion, engaging in coercion with both the knowledge a woman is pregnant and the intent to compel such woman to obtain an abortion when such woman has expressed her desire to not obtain an abortion.&nbsp;The veto was overridden in the Senate by a vote of 28-10.&nbsp;&nbsp;With the House also having overridden the veto by a vote of 85-40, he bill will now become law. &nbsp;I voted yes to override. &nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2465/" target="_blank">HB 2465</a>&nbsp;would provide a tax credit for certain contributions to certain pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities and enact a sales tax exemption for pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;It also&nbsp;enacts the Adoption Savings Account Act&nbsp;that would establish adoption savings accounts and dramatically expand the adoption tax credit.&nbsp;&nbsp;By a vote of&nbsp;29-7 in the Senate, the legislature overrode the governor’s veto of this bill.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 85-40, it will become law.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/" target="_blank">HB 2583</a>&nbsp;increases the criminal penalty for harming or killing certain dogs and horses and requires restitution for such crime - including veterinary medical treatment, funeral and burial expenses and replacement of such animal.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate overrode the veto by a vote of 29-10.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 105-20. I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill will now become law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2648/" target="_blank">HB 2648</a>&nbsp;would generally prohibit the adoption of any rule or regulation that the economic impact statement indicates $1.0 million or more in implementation or compliance costs are reasonably expected to be incurred by or passed along to businesses, local governments, or individuals during the initial five-year period following the adoption of the rule or regulation, unless the rule or regulation has been ratified by the legislature by the enactment of a bill authorizing such rule or regulation.&nbsp;&nbsp;It would also require the Director of the Budget, in reviewing the economic impact statements for proposed rules and regulations, to conduct an independent analysis to determine the agency has complied with the requirements for economic impact statements and review the agency’s determination of the amount of implementation and compliance costs reasonably expected to be incurred by or passed along to businesses, local governments, and individuals over the initial five-year period following adoption of the rule or regulation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate voted to override the veto 27-12.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 87-38, it now becomes law.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb473/" target="_blank">SB 473</a>&nbsp;contains a number of provisions concerning crimes, punishment, and criminal procedure.&nbsp;&nbsp;This includes a notice to appear that meets certain requirements to serve as a lawful complaint, requiring a minimum appearance bond premium in district court, providing reasons for suspending or terminating authorization of a compensated surety, and authorizing the chief judge of a judicial district to require a compensated surety to submit to a state and national criminal history record check.&nbsp;&nbsp;The override of the veto on SB 473 passed the Senate 27-12.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a>Having also passed the House 87-38, it now becomes law.&nbsp;</a>

H<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2749/" target="_blank">B 2749</a>&nbsp;would provide for the written report of pregnancies lawfully terminated to be submitted by medical care facilities and persons licensed to practice medicine and surgery to the Secretary of Health and Environment, and also requires abortion providers to ask patients for the primary reason for obtaining the abortion.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is strictly voluntary and confidential.&nbsp;The Senate overrode the veto by a vote of 27-10.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 84-41, it now becomes law.

The legislature successfully overrode the line-item veto of the Pregnancy Compassion Awareness Program in the budget, which provides funding to pregnancy resource centers to help women in crisis pregnancies.&nbsp;&nbsp;This line-item veto was overridden by the Senate 28-11. Having also been overridden in the House 86-39.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill will now become law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;legislature overrode the governor’s line-item veto of a provision in the budget capping the number of individuals on the state’s Intellectual and Development Disability and Physical Disability wait lists to receive services.&nbsp;&nbsp;By a vote of 28-12 in the Senate and a vote of 116-9 in the House, this line-item veto was overridden.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill will now become law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kansas Senate overrode the governor’s line-item veto of funding to send the Kansas National Guard to Texas to help Governor Abbott secure the border.&nbsp;&nbsp;This line-item veto was overridden by the Senate 28-12.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also been overridden in the House 84-41, the provision is now law. I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The legislature overrode the governor’s veto of a one-time $2.2 million appropriation for an osteopathic service scholarship and $750,000 for the KUMC Wichita residency program.&nbsp;&nbsp;The veto was overridden by a vote of 27-13 in the Senate and 97-28 in the House.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a>FAILED VETO OVERRIDES&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb233/" target="_blank">SB 233</a>&nbsp;would enact the Forbidding Abusive Child Transitions Act, or the Help Not Harm Act, which would have prohibited “gender” surgeries and procedures on minors, including puberty blockers and chemical castration.&nbsp;&nbsp;While the Senate overrode the governor on SB 233 27-13, it failed in the House by a vote of 82-43, so the veto is sustained.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb271/" target="_blank">SB 271</a>&nbsp;would prohibit government agencies from purchasing or acquiring drones whose critical components were produced in a country of concern, or whose critical components were produced or owned by a foreign principal.<a>&nbsp;The bill would also&nbsp;</a>prohibit state agencies from entering into a contract or agreement to procure final or finished goods or services from certain foreign principal.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 271 failed in the Senate 21-16, the veto is sustained. I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2618/" target="_blank">HB 2618</a>&nbsp;was the bill requiring legislative oversight of “Bidenbucks” by amending provisions of election law regarding the Transparency in Revenues Underwriting Elections Act to ensure legislative approval and direction of any funds received by the federal government in elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill also contained other fixes to election-related law.&nbsp;&nbsp;The House overrode the governor’s veto 84-41, but failed in the Senate 26-11 and the veto is sustained.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WATCH RE-RUNS OF LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER AND COMMITTEE ACTION

If you would like to review the past session - Senate and House floor activity or watch committee hearings from each Chamber – you are able to find many choices at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_0NO-Pb96CFABvxDwXAq8A?view_as=subscriber" target="_blank">Kansas Legislature YouTube</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/" target="_blank">Kansas Legislature Audio</a>.

The 2025 Kansas Legislative Session will begin January 13th at 2:00 p.m. when we will be back in our offices at the Capitol in Topeka.&nbsp;&nbsp;Over the summer and fall, I may be reached at my legislative email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or my work email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:elaine@concordiaautomart.com">elaine@concordiaautomart.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;My work address in Concordia is 212 E. 6th&nbsp;St., Concordia, KS&nbsp;&nbsp;66901 and if you are in Concordia, drop by.&nbsp; My daytime work number is 785 243-3325x2 or email me questions, concerns, or ideas for legislative bills for the next session.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Visit the&nbsp;Kansas Legislature website in the off session at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>&nbsp;which has extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, past sessions, historical data, internships, and pages for next year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It is an honor to serve you in the 36th&nbsp;Kansas Senate District and please feel free to contact me anytime.

Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov <a href="mailto:elaine@concordiaautomart.com">elaine@concordiaautomart.com</a> <a href="http://www.elainebowers.com/" target="_blank">www.elainebowers.com</a> 785-243-3325x 2 or 785-296-7389 <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a><a href="http://www.elainebowers.com/" target="_blank">www.elainebowers.com</a>

Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is senator of the 36th District in Kansas, which includes:

* Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington Counties * Marshall County: Cities: Blue Rapids, Marysville, Oketo and Waterville; Townships: Blue Rapids, Blue Rapids City, Cottage Hill, Elm Creek, Herkimer, Logan, Marysville, Oketo, Walnut and Waterville * Phillips County: Cities: Agra, Glade, Kirwin and Phillipsburg; Townships: Arcade, Bow Creek, Crystal Deer Creek, Freedom, Glenwood, Greenwood, Kirwin, Phillipsburg, Plum, Rushville, Solomon(part), Sumner, Valley and Walnut

BOWERS: Senate Scene, 2024 legislative wrap 

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Fort Hays State University is seeking to revamp its services for English as a Second Language students, as it has seen some struggle in the last year.

"This last year, there were a couple of students who really struggled who did come from our partner location. They met our admission requirements, but when they got here, their language learning was not as high as it needed to be for them to succeed," said Jeni McRay, assistant provost of internationalization and strategic initiatives

"So we provided a lot of wrap-around services for those individuals," she said.

The university had an in-house ESL program but decided to suspend it after the 2020-21 academic year due to low enrollment.

FHSU outsourced ESL services with The Language Company in 2022. However, the company asked to withdraw from the contract in March 2023 due to low enrollment. Services were offered online only.

McRay said the university had hoped The Language Company's broader services could be used as a recruiting tool. However, that recruiting effort was not successful.

About 4,000 international students are enrolled at FHSU through either Pathways or Cross-border programs. Pathway students start their studies overseas, usually transfer to Hays and study on campus after completing their sophomore year.

Cross-border students&nbsp;study on-site at partner campuses&nbsp;or&nbsp;through FHSU Online.

Because the on-campus ESL contract with The Language Company was terminated in March 2023, during the 2023-24 academic year, the university relied on services from the college's Writing Center, the Academic Success Program and the International Seminar class.

"We do not have enough students studying on campus at Hays to support an intensive ESL program on campus, but generally speaking, there are a variety of options to supplement the plethora of services and models that currently exist," McRay said.

Although both the Writing Center and the Academic Success Program offer assistance and tutoring to all students, McRay said she did not think the extra help they are being called to offer ESL students is a burden.

She expressed some concern for faculty members.

"When we had four students who were struggling last year, it is frustrating for the faculty members who have those students enrolled in their classes," McRay said. "It does create a little bit of extra stress in those classes, especially if they don't understand how to help them."

McRay said the university is taking extra steps to ensure faculty members do not experience stress.

McRay said most of the students who need ESL services are in FHSU's Chinese programs. Students from the university's partnerships with African and Cambodian institutions have been exposed to enough English before FHSU admission that ESL is unnecessary.

Those students who have been struggling were told they should attempt to cut their class loads, and FHSU had a Chinese-speaking visiting scholar meet with them.

She said the Chinese students seem to have more exposure to written English but struggle with speaking and understanding spoken English, and that is not necessarily being identified in the admissions process.

"We have identified some issues. That is why we have that long list of things we are going to be able to do, and we took a much more comprehensive view of it," McRay said.

"It's not just students who might need an ESL class or two in order to meet admission requirements or transition in their first semester or two. Sometimes we have students who have needs that go beyond that immediate couple of semesters."

In the summer 2023, Shenyang Normal University in China began conducting oral interview screening for applicants to FHSU.

Under the leadership of Brett Whitaker and Kaley Klaus, FHSU faculty and staff were trained and organized to conduct more than 1,000 online interviews in July and August. Of these initial candidates, 99 were eventually admitted.&nbsp;

"It is hoped that this opportunity can be leveraged to both better select students in the first place, as well as to diagnose and prescribe individual developmental plans for them right from the outset of their academic program," McRay said.

Moving forward, the university will continue to offer interventions that are customized to their partnership students either at the “home” location and/or supplemented with The Language Company online services, McRay said.&nbsp;

This will include reviews of admissions standards.

"We went back to the partner location and said something happened here," McRay said. "These students were not prepared enough to come and transfer and have classes.

"How did that happen? How can we prevent it from happening again, and what do we need to do to better support the [students]?"

The university has hired&nbsp;Sharon Graham, English professor, as a cross-border education specialist. She is at Sias University in China, teaching orientation courses and assessing students' English listening and speaking skills. She is also working with Chinese instructors who are teaching English to incoming students.

FHSU also plans to: • Hire ESL-trained tutors to work with international students • Outsource to a new ESL provider • Ensure that the Writing Center has&nbsp;ESL-trained staff • Increase entrance requirements to admit only those whose ESL skills are advanced enough to not need additional support • Further train FHSU faculty&nbsp;in understanding cultural differences • Increase opportunities for practicing listening/speaking oral English through activities outside the classroom

"Our No. 1 concern is to make sure whoever does end up in classes on campus in Hays is able to be successful," McRay said. "We are going to do everything we can to identify who those students are and what kind of interventions they need, and then provide them with whatever services they need to be successful."

Although much of the focus will be shifting to preparing students for taking classes in English before they arrive in Hays, McRay said there are still issues with the courses being taught in China.

McRay acknowledges that studying English with a Chinese instructor who has a Chinese accent while immersed in Chinese culture is different from studying English with an American instructor immersed in American culture.

"Our relationship with those partners is to ensure that whatever the academic preparation or English preparation is on their end is there before they come into FHSU classes," McRay said.

"It doesn't mean there aren't challenges. There are challenges," McRay said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692359617414.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostFort Hays State University is seeking to revamp its services for English as a Second Language students, as it has seen some struggle in the last year."This last year, there were a couple of students who really struggled who did come from our partner location. They met our admission requirements, but when they got here, their language learning was not as high as it needed to be for them to succeed," said Jeni McRay, assistant provost of internationalization and strategic initiatives"So we provided a lot of wrap-around services for those individuals," she said.<h2>No on-campus ESL</h2>The university had an in-house ESL program but decided to suspend it after the 2020-21 academic year due to low enrollment.FHSU outsourced ESL services with The Language Company in 2022. However, the company asked to withdraw from the contract in March 2023 due to low enrollment. Services were offered online only.McRay said the university had hoped The Language Company's broader services could be used as a recruiting tool. However, that recruiting effort was not successful.About 4,000 international students are enrolled at FHSU through either Pathways or Cross-border programs. Pathway students start their studies overseas, usually transfer to Hays and study on campus after completing their sophomore year.Cross-border students&nbsp;study on-site at partner campuses&nbsp;or&nbsp;through FHSU Online.Because the on-campus ESL contract with The Language Company was terminated in March 2023, during the 2023-24 academic year, the university relied on services from the college's Writing Center, the Academic Success Program and the International Seminar class."We do not have enough students studying on campus at Hays to support an intensive ESL program on campus, but generally speaking, there are a variety of options to supplement the plethora of services and models that currently exist," McRay said.Although both the Writing Center and the Academic Success Program offer assistance and tutoring to all students, McRay said she did not think the extra help they are being called to offer ESL students is a burden.She expressed some concern for faculty members."When we had four students who were struggling last year, it is frustrating for the faculty members who have those students enrolled in their classes," McRay said. "It does create a little bit of extra stress in those classes, especially if they don't understand how to help them."McRay said the university is taking extra steps to ensure faculty members do not experience stress.<h2>Chinese students struggle</h2>McRay said most of the students who need ESL services are in FHSU's Chinese programs. Students from the university's partnerships with African and Cambodian institutions have been exposed to enough English before FHSU admission that ESL is unnecessary.Those students who have been struggling were told they should attempt to cut their class loads, and FHSU had a Chinese-speaking visiting scholar meet with them.She said the Chinese students seem to have more exposure to written English but struggle with speaking and understanding spoken English, and that is not necessarily being identified in the admissions process."We have identified some issues. That is why we have that long list of things we are going to be able to do, and we took a much more comprehensive view of it," McRay said."It's not just students who might need an ESL class or two in order to meet admission requirements or transition in their first semester or two. Sometimes we have students who have needs that go beyond that immediate couple of semesters."<h2>Moving forward</h2>In the summer 2023, Shenyang Normal University in China began conducting oral interview screening for applicants to FHSU.Under the leadership of Brett Whitaker and Kaley Klaus, FHSU faculty and staff were trained and organized to conduct more than 1,000 online interviews in July and August. Of these initial candidates, 99 were eventually admitted.&nbsp;"It is hoped that this opportunity can be leveraged to both better select students in the first place, as well as to diagnose and prescribe individual developmental plans for them right from the outset of their academic program," McRay said.Moving forward, the university will continue to offer interventions that are customized to their partnership students either at the “home” location and/or supplemented with The Language Company online services, McRay said.&nbsp;This will include reviews of admissions standards."We went back to the partner location and said something happened here," McRay said. "These students were not prepared enough to come and transfer and have classes."How did that happen? How can we prevent it from happening again, and what do we need to do to better support the [students]?"The university has hired&nbsp;Sharon Graham, English professor, as a cross-border education specialist. She is at Sias University in China, teaching orientation courses and assessing students' English listening and speaking skills. She is also working with Chinese instructors who are teaching English to incoming students.FHSU also plans to: • Hire ESL-trained tutors to work with international students • Outsource to a new ESL provider • Ensure that the Writing Center has&nbsp;ESL-trained staff • Increase entrance requirements to admit only those whose ESL skills are advanced enough to not need additional support • Further train FHSU faculty&nbsp;in understanding cultural differences • Increase opportunities for practicing listening/speaking oral English through activities outside the classroom"Our No. 1 concern is to make sure whoever does end up in classes on campus in Hays is able to be successful," McRay said. "We are going to do everything we can to identify who those students are and what kind of interventions they need, and then provide them with whatever services they need to be successful."Although much of the focus will be shifting to preparing students for taking classes in English before they arrive in Hays, McRay said there are still issues with the courses being taught in China.McRay acknowledges that studying English with a Chinese instructor who has a Chinese accent while immersed in Chinese culture is different from studying English with an American instructor immersed in American culture."Our relationship with those partners is to ensure that whatever the academic preparation or English preparation is on their end is there before they come into FHSU classes," McRay said."It doesn't mean there aren't challenges. There are challenges," McRay said.

FHSU takes new direction with English programs as some international students struggle

When Terry Crull, FHSU Director of Choral Activities, traveled to Austria with the Fort Hays Singers to perform in the Salzburg Cathedral in 2018, there’s no way he could have known that he would return six years later as artistic director for the Salzburg Choral Festival.

Crull, Pam McGowne, FHSU accompanist, and the Fort Hays Singers performed with four other U.S. choirs during the 2018 festival. Fast forward six years, when the selection process for a 2024 Salzburg Choral Festival director was underway, organizers wrote to Crull and McGowne inviting them to be the festival’s musical team.

Crull will be co-directing the Jubilate Mozart with Janos Czifra, who served as musical director during Crull and the Fort Hays Singers' previous trip to Austria.

Throughout his career, Crull has garnered many accolades. Directing the choirs in Austria ranks high on his list.

“This is a big highlight,” Crull said. “To come at this point in my career. It could be the last great thing I’ll get to do musically as far as conducting.”

The Austria trip will be the first international excursion for the Smoky Hill Chorale, an adult choir directed by Crull. Previously known as the Hays Community Choir, the Smoky Hill Chorale began more than twenty years ago. The group performs twice per semester, joining other FHSU musical ensembles at the annual Cathedral Christmas Concert at the Basilica of St. Fidelis and the FHSU Masterworks concert.&nbsp;

For Glenna Alm, who has sung with Smoky Hill Chorale since its Hays Community Choir days, being a group member has been a way to continue singing after her college days.

“It keeps us young,” Alm said. “To be able to share this opportunity with my fellow choir members and meet new friends with the same mindset when it comes to singing the Masterworks is a wonderful feeling.”

“Mozart is one of my favorite composers. To think we will be where he was is so awesome.”

Fifty people will be traveling to Austria, including members of the Smoky Hill Chorale, 12 members of the Fort Hays Singers, alumni, spouses, and friends. Thirty-one of those travelers will be singing with the ensemble. In addition to the Salzburg Choral Festival, the group will perform at Wieskirche, a pilgrimage church, and Melk Abbey, located near the Danube River.

The Salzburg Choral Festival will be held in the Salzburger Dom (cathedral), the seventeenth-century Baroque cathedral in Salzburg, Austria. The cathedral contains the baptismal font in which composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized.

The group will sightsee at many historic places, including Hapsburg Palace.

“Singing and the festival is the highlight of the trip,” Crull said. “We will have sung all our pieces at our spring concerts. We will be well-prepared.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715009427550.png" alt="Terry Crull. Photo courtesy FHSU" />
 <figcaption>Terry Crull. Photo courtesy FHSU</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University CommunicationsWhen Terry Crull, FHSU Director of Choral Activities, traveled to Austria with the Fort Hays Singers to perform in the Salzburg Cathedral in 2018, there’s no way he could have known that he would return six years later as artistic director for the Salzburg Choral Festival.Crull, Pam McGowne, FHSU accompanist, and the Fort Hays Singers performed with four other U.S. choirs during the 2018 festival. Fast forward six years, when the selection process for a 2024 Salzburg Choral Festival director was underway, organizers wrote to Crull and McGowne inviting them to be the festival’s musical team.Crull will be co-directing the Jubilate Mozart with Janos Czifra, who served as musical director during Crull and the Fort Hays Singers' previous trip to Austria.Throughout his career, Crull has garnered many accolades. Directing the choirs in Austria ranks high on his list.“This is a big highlight,” Crull said. “To come at this point in my career. It could be the last great thing I’ll get to do musically as far as conducting.”The Austria trip will be the first international excursion for the Smoky Hill Chorale, an adult choir directed by Crull. Previously known as the Hays Community Choir, the Smoky Hill Chorale began more than twenty years ago. The group performs twice per semester, joining other FHSU musical ensembles at the annual Cathedral Christmas Concert at the Basilica of St. Fidelis and the FHSU Masterworks concert.&nbsp;For Glenna Alm, who has sung with Smoky Hill Chorale since its Hays Community Choir days, being a group member has been a way to continue singing after her college days.“It keeps us young,” Alm said. “To be able to share this opportunity with my fellow choir members and meet new friends with the same mindset when it comes to singing the Masterworks is a wonderful feeling.”“Mozart is one of my favorite composers. To think we will be where he was is so awesome.”Fifty people will be traveling to Austria, including members of the Smoky Hill Chorale, 12 members of the Fort Hays Singers, alumni, spouses, and friends. Thirty-one of those travelers will be singing with the ensemble. In addition to the Salzburg Choral Festival, the group will perform at Wieskirche, a pilgrimage church, and Melk Abbey, located near the Danube River.The Salzburg Choral Festival will be held in the Salzburger Dom (cathedral), the seventeenth-century Baroque cathedral in Salzburg, Austria. The cathedral contains the baptismal font in which composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized.The group will sightsee at many historic places, including Hapsburg Palace.“Singing and the festival is the highlight of the trip,” Crull said. “We will have sung all our pieces at our spring concerts. We will be well-prepared.”

FHSU Director of Choral Activities to direct prestigious Salzburg Choral Festival

&nbsp;Seven seniors from the Fort Hays State University’s Department of Applied Business Studies were recently honored as outstanding students for 2024.

The Outstanding Student Award recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership, and overall excellence in their respective program at FHSU. The student is a role model who positively characterizes the core values of the awarding program. The awards are given annually to both on-campus and online students. Two international students, including one student from an FHSU Global Partner campus in Africa, were among the awardees.

Business Education Outstanding Student Award Winners

Marketing Outstanding Student Award Winners

Tourism and Hospitality Management Outstanding Student Award Winners

Tourism and Hospitality Management Outstanding International Student Award Winner

Diminga Safietou (Safie) Salane Senghor, Dakar, Senegal

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715010392625.png" alt="applied business student awards fhsu.png" />
 <figcaption>applied business student awards fhsu.png</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University Communications&nbsp;Seven seniors from the Fort Hays State University’s Department of Applied Business Studies were recently honored as outstanding students for 2024.The Outstanding Student Award recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership, and overall excellence in their respective program at FHSU. The student is a role model who positively characterizes the core values of the awarding program. The awards are given annually to both on-campus and online students. Two international students, including one student from an FHSU Global Partner campus in Africa, were among the awardees.Business Education Outstanding Student Award WinnersNoelle Hall, DeBary, FLMadelyn Koelsch, Smith Center, KSMarketing Outstanding Student Award WinnersElizabeth Stoeck, Olathe, KSDiana Angarita, San Felipa, VenezuelaTourism and Hospitality Management Outstanding Student Award WinnersCally Anderson, Topeka, KSJaycee Cunningham, Salina, KSTourism and Hospitality Management Outstanding International Student Award WinnerDiminga Safietou (Safie) Salane Senghor, Dakar, Senegal

Smith Center student among FHSU Department of Applied Business Studies annual student awards

I’ve heard some folks refer to cattle as hamburger on the hoof. With this reference in mind, the past few weeks had me salivating to think of potential, luscious jellies still on the bush. Yes, each of those fragrant bee-attracting blooms is a bit of jelly on the plant, and I can’t wait to harvest the fruits and heat up the kitchen.

This year’s currant bushes sport fragrant yellow blooms that promise tasty toast toppings, while hundreds of chokecherry bushes blossom out, hinting of savory, rose-red bliss. Unfortunately, some sand hill plums flowered so early that frost nipped blooms. Despite potential damage, I hope to harvest some for the jelly pot.

I’ve kept an eye on the wild grape vines nearby, but I can’t tell whether to develop a hankering for wild grape jelly or not. Grapes are difficult to predict because the plant can set little clusters, but dry conditions can shrivel them before they ever make actual fruit. Complicating matters, birds love wild grapes so it’s a contest to see whether I can pluck these from the vine before my feathered neighbors eat them first.

Years ago, our country currants produced in overdrive, but our free-range chickens dashed hopes of beating them to the harvest. I’d eyeball the deepening color of the round fruits each day, and by the time they reached picking perfection, 30+ walking egg factories gobbled til the little stems hung bare. I felt fortunate to toss a few in salads by the time the chickens finished their dinners. This year, our chickens live a confined life and we have to ask permission to pick wild currants. Based on the bloom, perhaps I’ll collect enough for jelly making.

Because a combination of an early bloom and a late frost wiped out most hopes of summer jelly making last summer, I’ve watched this year’s plants with an eagle eye. Barring insect or hail damage, this year’s jelly making prospects look good.

Currently, no pun intended, scores of empty jelly jars occupy a basement corner. Each empty vessel testifies to my failure to harvest a single chokecherry or sand hill plum over past summers. If there were wild grapes, I never found enough to amount to a pot of simmering purple brew.

This summer’s goal is to harvest bowls of currants, buckets of chokecherries and hopefully grapes, with a pan of sand hill plums added as each fruit ripens. I’ll simmer these in a kettle on the stove to create a little magic with simple ingredients such as Sure Gel and sugar added to fruit juices. Once the cooked mixture drips ever so slowly off a mixing spoon, I’ll pour the ambrosia into empty fruit jars, seal them, and let them jell. For dramatic effect, I’ll stack the results in front of my kitchen window and let the rising sun shine through until it looks like stained glass.

Once I savor those pretty colors, I’ll share with family and friends throughout the winter as reminders of summer on toast and biscuits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714675862915.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINI’ve heard some folks refer to cattle as hamburger on the hoof. With this reference in mind, the past few weeks had me salivating to think of potential, luscious jellies still on the bush. Yes, each of those fragrant bee-attracting blooms is a bit of jelly on the plant, and I can’t wait to harvest the fruits and heat up the kitchen.This year’s currant bushes sport fragrant yellow blooms that promise tasty toast toppings, while hundreds of chokecherry bushes blossom out, hinting of savory, rose-red bliss. Unfortunately, some sand hill plums flowered so early that frost nipped blooms. Despite potential damage, I hope to harvest some for the jelly pot.I’ve kept an eye on the wild grape vines nearby, but I can’t tell whether to develop a hankering for wild grape jelly or not. Grapes are difficult to predict because the plant can set little clusters, but dry conditions can shrivel them before they ever make actual fruit. Complicating matters, birds love wild grapes so it’s a contest to see whether I can pluck these from the vine before my feathered neighbors eat them first.Years ago, our country currants produced in overdrive, but our free-range chickens dashed hopes of beating them to the harvest. I’d eyeball the deepening color of the round fruits each day, and by the time they reached picking perfection, 30+ walking egg factories gobbled til the little stems hung bare. I felt fortunate to toss a few in salads by the time the chickens finished their dinners. This year, our chickens live a confined life and we have to ask permission to pick wild currants. Based on the bloom, perhaps I’ll collect enough for jelly making.Because a combination of an early bloom and a late frost wiped out most hopes of summer jelly making last summer, I’ve watched this year’s plants with an eagle eye. Barring insect or hail damage, this year’s jelly making prospects look good.Currently, no pun intended, scores of empty jelly jars occupy a basement corner. Each empty vessel testifies to my failure to harvest a single chokecherry or sand hill plum over past summers. If there were wild grapes, I never found enough to amount to a pot of simmering purple brew.This summer’s goal is to harvest bowls of currants, buckets of chokecherries and hopefully grapes, with a pan of sand hill plums added as each fruit ripens. I’ll simmer these in a kettle on the stove to create a little magic with simple ingredients such as Sure Gel and sugar added to fruit juices. Once the cooked mixture drips ever so slowly off a mixing spoon, I’ll pour the ambrosia into empty fruit jars, seal them, and let them jell. For dramatic effect, I’ll stack the results in front of my kitchen window and let the rising sun shine through until it looks like stained glass.Once I savor those pretty colors, I’ll share with family and friends throughout the winter as reminders of summer on toast and biscuits.

MADORIN: Jelly on the Bush

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715198146104.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

As Fort Hays State University wraps up the academic year, they are pleased to recognize the following recipients of tenure and promotions:

As Fort Hays State University wraps up the academic year, they are pleased to recognize the following recipients of tenure and promotions:<figure>
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 </figure>

Norton County approves sales tax to support health care

The Hays Arts Council is excited to be back with more fun this summer. "Sizzlin' Summer 2024" classes for young people are being offered in the visual and performing arts, including classes such as painting, acting and theatre, guitar lessons, and lots of other mixed-media arts and craft workshops and classes.

Get your special kiddos registered for some of the fun and exciting things planned for this summer.

The Midwest Energy Community Fund provided grant support benefiting the 2024 "Sizzlin' Summer" youth program.

Learn more at <a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/summer-classes">haysartscouncil.org/summer-classes</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715196095129.png" alt="Photo courtesy of the Hays Arts Council" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the Hays Arts Council</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Arts CouncilThe Hays Arts Council is excited to be back with more fun this summer. "Sizzlin' Summer 2024" classes for young people are being offered in the visual and performing arts, including classes such as painting, acting and theatre, guitar lessons, and lots of other mixed-media arts and craft workshops and classes.Get your special kiddos registered for some of the fun and exciting things planned for this summer.The Midwest Energy Community Fund provided grant support benefiting the 2024 "Sizzlin' Summer" youth program.Learn more at <a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/summer-classes">haysartscouncil.org/summer-classes</a>.<figure>
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 </figure>

Hays Arts Council announces youth summer art classes

As of October 1, 2024, Hays Post will begin charging $55 per obituary for posting obituaries. This cost will include an unlimited word count and posting of a photo of the deceased.&nbsp;

We understand that obituaries are an important way to honor the memory of loved ones and share their life stories with the community. We remain committed to providing this service. The fees collected will help us continue to offer high-quality obituaries while maintaining the overall sustainability of the Hays Post.&nbsp;

Funeral homes will be able to establish billing with a credit card with Eagle Media, the parent company of the Hays Post.&nbsp;

Please return a credit card form so we can set up billing. Please email the form to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:haysobits@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">haysobits@eaglemedia.com</a>, send it by mail to Eagle Media, 2300 Hall, Hays, KS 67601. You can also call Scarlett Deutscher at 785-301-2211.

A summary of your charges will be sent to you monthly.&nbsp;

Individuals will still be able to submit obituaries to the Hays Post. They will need to prepay by credit card.&nbsp;

Both the photo and copy of the obituary need to be submitted in digital form to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:haysobits@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">haysobits@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;in the body of an email or as a MicrosoftWord file. Photos should be emailed in a separate attachment as .jpg files if possible.&nbsp;

PLEASE NOTE: We will no longer go directly to funeral home websites to obtain obituaries They MUST be emailed to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:haysobits@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">haysobits@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;to be published.&nbsp;

Please allow up to 24 hours from the submission of the obituary for it to be posted on the Hays Post.&nbsp;

If you have questions, please contact Scarlett Deutscher at 785-301-2211.&nbsp;

If you have an issue outside of business hours or your obit has not been published within 24 hours, please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hayspost@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">hayspost@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;or call Cristina Janney, Hays Post editor, at 785-301-2077.&nbsp;

As of October 1, 2024, Hays Post will begin charging $55 per obituary for posting obituaries. This cost will include an unlimited word count and posting of a photo of the deceased.&nbsp;We understand that obituaries are an important way to honor the memory of loved ones and share their life stories with the community. We remain committed to providing this service. The fees collected will help us continue to offer high-quality obituaries while maintaining the overall sustainability of the Hays Post.&nbsp;Funeral homes will be able to establish billing with a credit card with Eagle Media, the parent company of the Hays Post.&nbsp;Please return a credit card form so we can set up billing. Please email the form to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:haysobits@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">haysobits@eaglemedia.com</a>, send it by mail to Eagle Media, 2300 Hall, Hays, KS 67601. You can also call Scarlett Deutscher at 785-301-2211.A summary of your charges will be sent to you monthly.&nbsp;Individuals will still be able to submit obituaries to the Hays Post. They will need to prepay by credit card.&nbsp;Both the photo and copy of the obituary need to be submitted in digital form to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:haysobits@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">haysobits@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;in the body of an email or as a MicrosoftWord file. Photos should be emailed in a separate attachment as .jpg files if possible.&nbsp;PLEASE NOTE: We will no longer go directly to funeral home websites to obtain obituaries They MUST be emailed to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:haysobits@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">haysobits@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;to be published.&nbsp;Please allow up to 24 hours from the submission of the obituary for it to be posted on the Hays Post.&nbsp;If you have questions, please contact Scarlett Deutscher at 785-301-2211.&nbsp;If you have an issue outside of business hours or your obit has not been published within 24 hours, please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hayspost@eaglemedia.com" target="_blank">hayspost@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;or call Cristina Janney, Hays Post editor, at 785-301-2077.&nbsp;

Hays Post obituary policy

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Tiger Book Shop gives its final roar to the Hays community by selling its remaining inventory, a result of years of declining business.

For about 19 years, the local bookstore served Fort Hays State University students and faculty, providing course materials and tiger-themed apparel.

Jerome Conner, the store manager, has led the shop for 17 years and said the bookstore tried to adapt to the evolving landscape of school textbooks.

"A lot of the industry went to textbook rentals," Conner said. "We went along with that and gave cheaper options to students so they didn't have to pay as much upfront."

The store, 509 W. Seventh St., will close on May 15. It will host a "final liquidation" sale, during which customers can save 50 to 70% on clothing, merchandise, books and more.

The remaining textbooks on sale for $5 or less are older editions. Students may still find course materials that are beneficial for current classes.

After the store's closure, textbooks will no longer be purchasable through the bookshop website.

Conner said the decline in business was ongoing due to a shift in buying habits, further amplified during the pandemic.

"When COVID hit, everything went online with the campus," he said. "it made it more tricky to let students know we were here, and we never really bounced back since then."

The bookstore's student workforce decreased over time, reflecting a decline in business activity and long lines it once experienced.

Following the closure, Conner said students seeking books will need to turn to online resources or purchase from other students instead of relying on the local shop.

"We may be one of the last off-campus bookstores in the state of Kansas," he said.

FHSU operates an official <a href="https://fhsu.textbookx.com/institutional/index.php">online bookstore</a> that provides price matching, free shipping and digital books. Additionally, within the Memorial Union, the <a href="https://victoreapparelandgiftco.myresero.com/">Victor E. Apparel &amp; Gift Co.</a>&nbsp;offers similar apparel and school supplies.

The shop maintained strong ties with FHSU departments and organizations, allowing quick and easy textbook access.

"Thanks for the many years of supporting our business," Conner said.

The bookstore served more than a dozen generations of Tigers, but the building's roots date back as far as 40 years under different ownership.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715012152835.jpeg" alt="The Tiger Book Shop with a sign reading "going out of business" on its window. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Tiger Book Shop with a sign reading "going out of business" on its window. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Tiger Book Shop gives its final roar to the Hays community by selling its remaining inventory, a result of years of declining business.For about 19 years, the local bookstore served Fort Hays State University students and faculty, providing course materials and tiger-themed apparel.Jerome Conner, the store manager, has led the shop for 17 years and said the bookstore tried to adapt to the evolving landscape of school textbooks."A lot of the industry went to textbook rentals," Conner said. "We went along with that and gave cheaper options to students so they didn't have to pay as much upfront."The store, 509 W. Seventh St., will close on May 15. It will host a "final liquidation" sale, during which customers can save 50 to 70% on clothing, merchandise, books and more.The remaining textbooks on sale for $5 or less are older editions. Students may still find course materials that are beneficial for current classes.After the store's closure, textbooks will no longer be purchasable through the bookshop website.Conner said the decline in business was ongoing due to a shift in buying habits, further amplified during the pandemic."When COVID hit, everything went online with the campus," he said. "it made it more tricky to let students know we were here, and we never really bounced back since then."The bookstore's student workforce decreased over time, reflecting a decline in business activity and long lines it once experienced.Following the closure, Conner said students seeking books will need to turn to online resources or purchase from other students instead of relying on the local shop."We may be one of the last off-campus bookstores in the state of Kansas," he said.FHSU operates an official <a href="https://fhsu.textbookx.com/institutional/index.php">online bookstore</a> that provides price matching, free shipping and digital books. Additionally, within the Memorial Union, the <a href="https://victoreapparelandgiftco.myresero.com/">Victor E. Apparel &amp; Gift Co.</a>&nbsp;offers similar apparel and school supplies.The shop maintained strong ties with FHSU departments and organizations, allowing quick and easy textbook access."Thanks for the many years of supporting our business," Conner said.The bookstore served more than a dozen generations of Tigers, but the building's roots date back as far as 40 years under different ownership.The <a href="https://www.tigerbookshop.com/default.asp?">Tiger Book Shop</a> is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.The bookstore made its announcement in a Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1054574966118334&amp;set=a.278801510362354">Post</a>.