Despite the threat of inclement weather, hundreds of people turned out on the FHSU campus for the 19th annual John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days (SACAD) on May 1. The event was created in 2005 to allow university faculty, staff, and students to share their scholarly and creative work. Since the initial in-person event, SACAD has grown to include in-person and online presentations as well as presentations of creative works. Changes to this year’s venue included expanding the presentations to multiple campus locations to better display the impressive array of projects and posters.

One new addition this year, hosted within the Center for Applied Technology building, students and faculty demonstrated some of their latest innovations. While displaying creative works is not new, this year’s use of the Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design provided the space necessary to include over 200 submissions from Art and Design, more than double the previous year. &nbsp;

The traditional poster presentations also saw significant growth this year, with 110 in-person poster submissions and 31 online. Posters were available for viewing all day in the FHSU Memorial Union, which also housed a new Meet-the-Author event, with nine local authors discussing their latest works.

While weather may have been a factor in limiting yard games on the Quad, many enjoyed the addition of ten musical performances throughout the event.

This year included a People’s Choice Award for both scholarly and creative works. The two winners were:

• Rylie Hazelton:&nbsp;Growth through reflection&nbsp;(ceramics)—People’s Choice Award winner for the art and creative works display. Linda Ganstrom was the faculty mentor.

&nbsp;• Cally Anderson, Marisol Banda, &amp; Katie Hale:&nbsp;An exploratory study on the use of artificial intelligence for tourism marketing in the Midwest—People’s Choice Award winners for the academic poster display. Stacey Smith was the faculty mentor.

“These working behind the scenes of the 19th&nbsp;annual John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days (SACAD) believe we had a successful year, especially given the newly piloted open house format,” said Dr. April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice and Scholarship Environment Committee (SEC) Event Coordinator. “While we have received suggestions, I have personally received many positive emails/calls/in-person conversations, including feedback that this SACAD was our best showcase yet.”

Terry admits that the 20th&nbsp;annual SACAD is likely to look different as the event continues to evolve but believes this year provided innovative opportunities to showcase the work of FHSU faculty, staff, and students. So, mark your calendars for April 24, 2025, for the next SACAD.

The FHSU Scholarly and Creative Activities Day is named in honor of the late Dr. John F. Heinrichs (1957-2014). A popular Geosciences professor, an internationally renowned Arctic researcher, and an esteemed colleague, Dr. Heinrichs had a tremendous impact on Fort Hays State University. He was a key supporter of faculty and student research, and his efforts were largely responsible for launching Research and Creative Activities Week, now known as John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activities Day, in his honor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715285669835.png" alt="2024 FHSU John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days. Photo by FHSU&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>2024 FHSU John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days. Photo by FHSU&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsDespite the threat of inclement weather, hundreds of people turned out on the FHSU campus for the 19th annual John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days (SACAD) on May 1. The event was created in 2005 to allow university faculty, staff, and students to share their scholarly and creative work. Since the initial in-person event, SACAD has grown to include in-person and online presentations as well as presentations of creative works. Changes to this year’s venue included expanding the presentations to multiple campus locations to better display the impressive array of projects and posters.One new addition this year, hosted within the Center for Applied Technology building, students and faculty demonstrated some of their latest innovations. While displaying creative works is not new, this year’s use of the Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design provided the space necessary to include over 200 submissions from Art and Design, more than double the previous year. &nbsp;The traditional poster presentations also saw significant growth this year, with 110 in-person poster submissions and 31 online. Posters were available for viewing all day in the FHSU Memorial Union, which also housed a new Meet-the-Author event, with nine local authors discussing their latest works.While weather may have been a factor in limiting yard games on the Quad, many enjoyed the addition of ten musical performances throughout the event.This year included a People’s Choice Award for both scholarly and creative works. The two winners were:• Rylie Hazelton:&nbsp;Growth through reflection&nbsp;(ceramics)—People’s Choice Award winner for the art and creative works display. Linda Ganstrom was the faculty mentor.&nbsp;• Cally Anderson, Marisol Banda, &amp; Katie Hale:&nbsp;An exploratory study on the use of artificial intelligence for tourism marketing in the Midwest—People’s Choice Award winners for the academic poster display. Stacey Smith was the faculty mentor.“These working behind the scenes of the 19th&nbsp;annual John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days (SACAD) believe we had a successful year, especially given the newly piloted open house format,” said Dr. April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice and Scholarship Environment Committee (SEC) Event Coordinator. “While we have received suggestions, I have personally received many positive emails/calls/in-person conversations, including feedback that this SACAD was our best showcase yet.”Terry admits that the 20th&nbsp;annual SACAD is likely to look different as the event continues to evolve but believes this year provided innovative opportunities to showcase the work of FHSU faculty, staff, and students. So, mark your calendars for April 24, 2025, for the next SACAD.<h2>About John Heinrichs</h2>The FHSU Scholarly and Creative Activities Day is named in honor of the late Dr. John F. Heinrichs (1957-2014). A popular Geosciences professor, an internationally renowned Arctic researcher, and an esteemed colleague, Dr. Heinrichs had a tremendous impact on Fort Hays State University. He was a key supporter of faculty and student research, and his efforts were largely responsible for launching Research and Creative Activities Week, now known as John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activities Day, in his honor.

2024 scholar, creative day a resounding success at FHSU

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Shortly after the Hays City Commission approved a tweak in a city ordinance regarding the downtown common consumption area, the change became effective.

Hays was the first town in Kansas to institute a common consumption area after state law was changed a couple of years ago to make the process a little easier. City officials have worked closely with Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control to set up the program.

One rule of the common consumption area, which consists of 12 blocks, prohibits the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages purchased outside the area.

Union Pacific Park, 10th and Main, is part of the district; however, another city ordinance allows outside alcohol consumption in all city parks.&nbsp;

Commissioners unanimously approved a revision to allow alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages purchased outside of the district to be possessed and consumed in Union Pacific Park, including the pavilion, and in any other district areas as approved by the commission.

Immediately following Thursday's meeting, the new ordinance was signed by Mayor Shaun Musil and officially <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1344">published</a> on the city's website.&nbsp;

Six eligible businesses are now participating in the common consumption area.&nbsp;

Those establishments are Paisley Pear, Arcade 11, The Fort, The Fox,&nbsp; Golden Q, and The Strand.

In other business, two annexation requests were approved by the commission.

One was a simple housekeeping item for a 25-foot strip of property for Hays USD 489's new high school location at 2500 E. 13th that was inadvertently left out of the land survey.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The second annexation request, located north of Interstate 70 at 4885 General Hays Road, was for the Norene Unrein Trust for future development.&nbsp;

The lot is south of the former Hays&nbsp;Livestock Commission sale barn, which has been demolished.

The owner plans to relocate its business, Vernies's Trux-N-Equip from its present site on 41st Street.

The commission also approved a general nuisance abatement at 409 E. 13th.

At the end of the meeting, a 20-minute executive session was conducted to discuss the acquisition of real property. No action was taken.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715352182108.jpeg" alt="Hays city commissioners talk about the common consumption area in downtown Hays at the May 9 meeting. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays city commissioners talk about the common consumption area in downtown Hays at the May 9 meeting. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostShortly after the Hays City Commission approved a tweak in a city ordinance regarding the downtown common consumption area, the change became effective.Hays was the first town in Kansas to institute a common consumption area after state law was changed a couple of years ago to make the process a little easier. City officials have worked closely with Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control to set up the program.One rule of the common consumption area, which consists of 12 blocks, prohibits the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages purchased outside the area.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715351141343.png" alt="Downtown Hays Common Consumption Area. City of Hays image." />
 <figcaption>Downtown Hays Common Consumption Area. City of Hays image.</figcaption>
 </figure>Union Pacific Park, 10th and Main, is part of the district; however, another city ordinance allows outside alcohol consumption in all city parks.&nbsp;Commissioners unanimously approved a revision to allow alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages purchased outside of the district to be possessed and consumed in Union Pacific Park, including the pavilion, and in any other district areas as approved by the commission.Immediately following Thursday's meeting, the new ordinance was signed by Mayor Shaun Musil and officially <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1344">published</a> on the city's website.&nbsp;Six eligible businesses are now participating in the common consumption area.&nbsp;Those establishments are Paisley Pear, Arcade 11, The Fort, The Fox,&nbsp; Golden Q, and The Strand.In other business, two annexation requests were approved by the commission.One was a simple housekeeping item for a 25-foot strip of property for Hays USD 489's new high school location at 2500 E. 13th that was inadvertently left out of the land survey.&nbsp; &nbsp;The second annexation request, located north of Interstate 70 at 4885 General Hays Road, was for the Norene Unrein Trust for future development.&nbsp;The lot is south of the former Hays&nbsp;Livestock Commission sale barn, which has been demolished.The owner plans to relocate its business, Vernies's Trux-N-Equip from its present site on 41st Street.The commission also approved a general nuisance abatement at 409 E. 13th.At the end of the meeting, a 20-minute executive session was conducted to discuss the acquisition of real property. No action was taken.&nbsp;

Tweak to common consumption area allows outside beverages in Hays Union Pacific Park

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Rev up your engines for the 2024 Run for the Wall as a cross-country motorcycle ride passes through Kansas to honor veterans.

The non-profit raises awareness across multiple routes, not only for retired soldiers but also for prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Traveling through multiple states, including Kansas, State Coordinator Jarrod Gerbitz said he oversees the borders of the Sunflower state.

"It started in 1989. It was a small group back then, but every year it just gets bigger and bigger," Gerbitz said.

This year's convoy begins next week and the following week along four different routes.

You can find a more detailed map of the routes <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1v2j-Gw-4AJNsYa46XuERtc0JMQk&amp;ll=36.000363112249495%2C-85.91260508593751&amp;z=5">here</a>.

"I tell people to get on overpasses," Gerbitz said. "It's one of the greatest feelings in the world, and the riders absolutely love it because it gets to be a very grueling ride."

The central route along Interstate 70 will include several Kansas stops like Oakley, Bunker Hill, Junction City, and Topeka for lunch and refueling.

The motorcyclists will pass through Russell on May 19 en route to Bunker Hill, where <a href="https://hess-services.com/">Hess Services</a> will provide a patriotic display at Sunmart, 4115 193rd St.

"Hess is bringing a crane and a huge flag, and they're gonna set that up in the parking lot," Gerbitz said.

Arrival times and locations may change if weather conditions affect the route. Estimated arrival times are provided.

Participation in the ride is open to anyone, regardless of veteran or military status, but <a href="https://rftw.us/rftw-registration/">registration</a> is required. The fee now ranges from $25 to $75 per person.

Participants can register on the day of the ride at overnight stops like Junction City. Meals and fuel are provided by donors and supporters.

Led by a route coordinator, the front of the pack will feature a formation in remembrance of soldiers who are absent or missing.

"The empty spot is for the missing man. It's a tight formation that honors a veteran that's been lost," Gerbitz said.

Run for the Wall focuses on raising awareness and does not engage in political speeches or demonstrations. Individuals can still make donations <a href="https://rftw.us/donate/">here</a>.

About 35 years ago, Run for the Wall was started by Vietnam Veterans who rode motorcycles across America, engaging with local radio, television and newspapers to spotlight the thousands of people still unaccounted for from various wars.

"The mission is to promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends," Gerbitz said. "To honor the memory of those killed in action from all wars and to support our military personnel all over the world."

You can find more information on the Run for the Wall ride&nbsp;<a href="https://rftw.us/">website</a>.

You can also follow the event on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RunForTheWall/">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715184592023.png" alt="Riders traveling from Limon, Colorado, to Junction City in the 2023 Run for the Wall 2023. Courtesy Photo." />
 <figcaption>Riders traveling from Limon, Colorado, to Junction City in the 2023 Run for the Wall 2023. Courtesy Photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostRev up your engines for the 2024 Run for the Wall as a cross-country motorcycle ride passes through Kansas to honor veterans.The non-profit raises awareness across multiple routes, not only for retired soldiers but also for prisoners of war and those missing in action.Traveling through multiple states, including Kansas, State Coordinator Jarrod Gerbitz said he oversees the borders of the Sunflower state."It started in 1989. It was a small group back then, but every year it just gets bigger and bigger," Gerbitz said.This year's convoy begins next week and the following week along four different routes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715117781179.png" alt="A map of the four routes for the Run for the Wall 2024. Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>A map of the four routes for the Run for the Wall 2024. Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>The Midway Route, May 14 to May 25, from Ontario, California to Washington, D.C.</li><li>The Central Route, May 15 to May 25, from Ontario, California to Washington, D.C.</li><li>The Southern Route, May 15 to May 25, from Ontario, California to Washington, D.C.</li><li>The Sandbox Route, May 26 to May 28, from Washington D.C. to Marseilles, Illinois</li>
 </ol>You can find a more detailed map of the routes <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1v2j-Gw-4AJNsYa46XuERtc0JMQk&amp;ll=36.000363112249495%2C-85.91260508593751&amp;z=5">here</a>."I tell people to get on overpasses," Gerbitz said. "It's one of the greatest feelings in the world, and the riders absolutely love it because it gets to be a very grueling ride."The central route along Interstate 70 will include several Kansas stops like Oakley, Bunker Hill, Junction City, and Topeka for lunch and refueling.The motorcyclists will pass through Russell on May 19 en route to Bunker Hill, where <a href="https://hess-services.com/">Hess Services</a> will provide a patriotic display at Sunmart, 4115 193rd St."Hess is bringing a crane and a huge flag, and they're gonna set that up in the parking lot," Gerbitz said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715184364736.png" alt="Riders traveling under a flag from Junction City to Wentzville in the Run for the Wall 2023. Courtesy Photo." />
 <figcaption>Riders traveling under a flag from Junction City to Wentzville in the Run for the Wall 2023. Courtesy Photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>Arrival times and locations may change if weather conditions affect the route. Estimated arrival times are provided.<ol>
 <li>11:50 a.m. May 19, Oakley</li><li>2:20 to 2:40 p.m. May 19, Hays</li><li>3:20 p.m. May 19, Bunker Hill</li><li>5:45 p.m. May 19, Junction City</li><li>8:45 a.m. May 20, Topeka</li>
 </ol>Participation in the ride is open to anyone, regardless of veteran or military status, but <a href="https://rftw.us/rftw-registration/">registration</a> is required. The fee now ranges from $25 to $75 per person.Participants can register on the day of the ride at overnight stops like Junction City. Meals and fuel are provided by donors and supporters.Led by a route coordinator, the front of the pack will feature a formation in remembrance of soldiers who are absent or missing."The empty spot is for the missing man. It's a tight formation that honors a veteran that's been lost," Gerbitz said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715183142520.png" alt="Illustration of the missing man formation consisting of five riders forming a C. Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Illustration of the missing man formation consisting of five riders forming a C. Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Run for the Wall focuses on raising awareness and does not engage in political speeches or demonstrations. Individuals can still make donations <a href="https://rftw.us/donate/">here</a>.About 35 years ago, Run for the Wall was started by Vietnam Veterans who rode motorcycles across America, engaging with local radio, television and newspapers to spotlight the thousands of people still unaccounted for from various wars."The mission is to promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends," Gerbitz said. "To honor the memory of those killed in action from all wars and to support our military personnel all over the world."You can find more information on the Run for the Wall ride&nbsp;<a href="https://rftw.us/">website</a>.You can also follow the event on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RunForTheWall/">Facebook</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715276910785.png" alt="Riders traveling from Junction City to Wentzville in the 2023 Run for the Wall. Courtesy Photo." />
 <figcaption>Riders traveling from Junction City to Wentzville in the 2023 Run for the Wall. Courtesy Photo.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715276940334.png" alt="Attendee of the 2023 Run for the Wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Attendee of the 2023 Run for the Wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715276961927.png" alt="Participants of the 2024 Run for the Wall hugging at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Participants of the 2024 Run for the Wall hugging at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

Run for Wall to traverse several Kansas locations, Bunker Hill

Hays Arts Council Creative Writing Contest winners

By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University President

A subtle transformation is taking place in the halls of the Topeka Correctional Facility. A beacon of light is emerging from the dedication of a group committed to literacy and emotional support for incarcerated women and their children. What began as a shared concern over the school-to-prison pipeline has matured into a project that intersects correctional education and compassionate design, providing a ray of light for incarcerated mothers and their children.

April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice, recalls how a simple pinky promise with Sarah Broman Miller, associate professor of teacher education, formed a pact that would change lives. Their shared vision came to fruition when students from a criminal justice course, Women and Crime, and a teacher education course, Literacy Assessment and Interventions, joined to make the promise a reality.

The initiative involved guiding incarcerated mothers and grandmothers at the Topeka Correctional Facility in the art of reading to their kids, transforming a sterile visitation process into a moment of bonding. But the project’s scope soon grew beyond books. Recognizing the need for a tool that could alleviate the visiting children's anxieties, April reached out to Karrie Simpson Voth, program chair of art and design, who, along with her graduate student at the time, Thomas Giebler, conceived the cornerstones of comfort and familiarity in a coloring/activity book.

The pandemic introduced challenges, such as curtailing physical visits to the Topeka Correctional Facility. Yet, adaptation unfolded, and a virtual tour paved the way for Karrie and Thomas to thoughtfully create an illustrative echo of what children experience during visits. The embodiment of this experience came through ACE, a character designed to resonate with the "adverse childhood experiences" encountered by many of these kids. ACE, depicted as a comforting cloud, threads a journey of resilience throughout the pages of the activity book.

This project has many meanings for April. “Professionally, I know most incarcerated mothers and grandmothers are locked up due to non-violent offenses. Many times, they are in for drug-related charges as they used to deal with their traumatic pasts. Most are single mothers of multiple children, and their incarceration creates additional trauma to their (grand)children. I’ve been in that facility many times and have seen where these children visit their mothers. This process can be scary and traumatic.”

“While I can’t change our laws that allow these mothers to receive long sentences for non-violent offenses, and I can’t change many aspects of their incarceration, this project does help better prepare these kids to see their mother in a cold and sterile environment. The coloring/activity book gives them something to work on together and a means for bonding. I often think about how “easy” it is for someone to end up incarcerated in the U.S. I then imagine what it would be like for my four little kids to travel for a six-hour round trip to visit me for a few hours on the weekend, and only if/when someone would bring them,” April shared.

Karrie's dedication to socially responsible design harmonized with her mission to support children and embrace empathy. It mirrored the objective shared by April, Thomas, and Sarah: to mitigate the trauma created by maternal separation and the cold backdrop of incarceration.

“I'm passionate about socially responsible design,” Karrie shared. “This project provided an ideal chance to leverage my influence as a designer for positive and meaningful impact. I was also drawn to this project by my deep compassion for children and empathy for mothers, particularly those, as April noted, who are predominantly single mothers incarcerated for non-violent offenses.”

Karrie’s dad is a retired educator and administrator who taught horticulture classes to adult men at Norton Correctional Facility. He later became the principal at the Larned Juvenile Correction School District in Larned, KS, where he worked with incarcerated adolescents and teens. Karrie gained valuable insights from his experiences. Witnessing his challenges, especially the emotional toll of working with children, further fueled her commitment to this cause.

In rendering ACE and the world within the coloring book, Thomas aimed to translate a correctional facility's daunting elements into engaging, child-friendly imagery. He sought to offer kids a supportive, approachable, and stable friend in ACE as they navigate the emotional and physical labyrinth of visiting their mothers or grandmothers behind bars.

“I was thankful to have been included in this project. It brought to my attention an issue that I was unfamiliar with. It deepened my understanding that there is so much opportunity to use art as a means of service to your community. I always strive to use my abilities to bring more goodness into the world, and I am excited to think how this activity book might make a child’s experience a little brighter,” Thomas shared.

Sarah has always been deeply troubled by the harrowing levels of illiteracy among incarcerated people and the ripple effects on their children. With 70% of incarcerated individuals struggling below a fourth-grade reading level and a direct link to heightened incarceration rates, Sarah recognized the profound impact that improving literacy could have.

The ACE’s Adventure collaboration now stands at the brink of expansion, with aspirations to cater to the unseen needs of children visiting their incarcerated fathers and grandfathers. While ACE charms and comforts, behind it lies a stark reflection of academic neglect—a reflection April, Karrie, Thomas, and Sarah have chosen to confront head-on.

Each semester, the cycle of learning and giving continues. Once a year, the students enrolled in Sarah’s literacy assessment course volunteer to record themselves reading a children’s book aloud. “They send the recordings to our point of contact so she can arrange a time for the women to watch the video recordings in a group,” Sarah said. “Most of the incarcerated women who participate in our research do not know how to read with inflection and change their voices. Viewing the recordings gives them the confidence to read aloud to their children.”

Sarah’s students also offer free online tutoring for women at the Topeka Correctional Facility. The target population is women who read at a fourth-grade level and below. Other programs help women earn their GED, but nothing currently exists for women who are struggling readers.

Additionally, Sarah and her students offer free online reading tutoring for children ages three years and up. Their target population is (grand)children of incarcerated women. “We believe it is

important to educate both the (grand)mothers and their children to improve their quality of life and open the doors to better opportunities,” Sarah said. If you want to volunteer to tutor women or deliver books, please contact Dr. Sarah Broman Miller at sebmiller@fhsu.edu.

Sarah and her students collect gently used and new stuffed animals and children’s books for donation to the family room. When children visit their (grand)mothers, they can choose a stuffed animal and book to take home. The books and animals are delivered to the facility every six months or so.

Through this patchwork of impassioned efforts, via a pinky promise, the sometimes-dim corridors of the Topeka Correctional Facility find themselves illuminated by the hopeful colors of ACE's Adventure. And as children clutch their new stuffed animals and books tightly upon leaving, it's not just a stuffed toy they carry or a coloring page they hold—it's a message that they, too, have the heart of a tiger, braving the adventure of life with a newfound guide and companion

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575302014229.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University PresidentA subtle transformation is taking place in the halls of the Topeka Correctional Facility. A beacon of light is emerging from the dedication of a group committed to literacy and emotional support for incarcerated women and their children. What began as a shared concern over the school-to-prison pipeline has matured into a project that intersects correctional education and compassionate design, providing a ray of light for incarcerated mothers and their children.April Terry, associate professor of criminal justice, recalls how a simple pinky promise with Sarah Broman Miller, associate professor of teacher education, formed a pact that would change lives. Their shared vision came to fruition when students from a criminal justice course, Women and Crime, and a teacher education course, Literacy Assessment and Interventions, joined to make the promise a reality.The initiative involved guiding incarcerated mothers and grandmothers at the Topeka Correctional Facility in the art of reading to their kids, transforming a sterile visitation process into a moment of bonding. But the project’s scope soon grew beyond books. Recognizing the need for a tool that could alleviate the visiting children's anxieties, April reached out to Karrie Simpson Voth, program chair of art and design, who, along with her graduate student at the time, Thomas Giebler, conceived the cornerstones of comfort and familiarity in a coloring/activity book.The pandemic introduced challenges, such as curtailing physical visits to the Topeka Correctional Facility. Yet, adaptation unfolded, and a virtual tour paved the way for Karrie and Thomas to thoughtfully create an illustrative echo of what children experience during visits. The embodiment of this experience came through ACE, a character designed to resonate with the "adverse childhood experiences" encountered by many of these kids. ACE, depicted as a comforting cloud, threads a journey of resilience throughout the pages of the activity book.This project has many meanings for April. “Professionally, I know most incarcerated mothers and grandmothers are locked up due to non-violent offenses. Many times, they are in for drug-related charges as they used to deal with their traumatic pasts. Most are single mothers of multiple children, and their incarceration creates additional trauma to their (grand)children. I’ve been in that facility many times and have seen where these children visit their mothers. This process can be scary and traumatic.”“While I can’t change our laws that allow these mothers to receive long sentences for non-violent offenses, and I can’t change many aspects of their incarceration, this project does help better prepare these kids to see their mother in a cold and sterile environment. The coloring/activity book gives them something to work on together and a means for bonding. I often think about how “easy” it is for someone to end up incarcerated in the U.S. I then imagine what it would be like for my four little kids to travel for a six-hour round trip to visit me for a few hours on the weekend, and only if/when someone would bring them,” April shared.Karrie's dedication to socially responsible design harmonized with her mission to support children and embrace empathy. It mirrored the objective shared by April, Thomas, and Sarah: to mitigate the trauma created by maternal separation and the cold backdrop of incarceration.“I'm passionate about socially responsible design,” Karrie shared. “This project provided an ideal chance to leverage my influence as a designer for positive and meaningful impact. I was also drawn to this project by my deep compassion for children and empathy for mothers, particularly those, as April noted, who are predominantly single mothers incarcerated for non-violent offenses.”Karrie’s dad is a retired educator and administrator who taught horticulture classes to adult men at Norton Correctional Facility. He later became the principal at the Larned Juvenile Correction School District in Larned, KS, where he worked with incarcerated adolescents and teens. Karrie gained valuable insights from his experiences. Witnessing his challenges, especially the emotional toll of working with children, further fueled her commitment to this cause.In rendering ACE and the world within the coloring book, Thomas aimed to translate a correctional facility's daunting elements into engaging, child-friendly imagery. He sought to offer kids a supportive, approachable, and stable friend in ACE as they navigate the emotional and physical labyrinth of visiting their mothers or grandmothers behind bars.“I was thankful to have been included in this project. It brought to my attention an issue that I was unfamiliar with. It deepened my understanding that there is so much opportunity to use art as a means of service to your community. I always strive to use my abilities to bring more goodness into the world, and I am excited to think how this activity book might make a child’s experience a little brighter,” Thomas shared.Sarah has always been deeply troubled by the harrowing levels of illiteracy among incarcerated people and the ripple effects on their children. With 70% of incarcerated individuals struggling below a fourth-grade reading level and a direct link to heightened incarceration rates, Sarah recognized the profound impact that improving literacy could have.The ACE’s Adventure collaboration now stands at the brink of expansion, with aspirations to cater to the unseen needs of children visiting their incarcerated fathers and grandfathers. While ACE charms and comforts, behind it lies a stark reflection of academic neglect—a reflection April, Karrie, Thomas, and Sarah have chosen to confront head-on.Each semester, the cycle of learning and giving continues. Once a year, the students enrolled in Sarah’s literacy assessment course volunteer to record themselves reading a children’s book aloud. “They send the recordings to our point of contact so she can arrange a time for the women to watch the video recordings in a group,” Sarah said. “Most of the incarcerated women who participate in our research do not know how to read with inflection and change their voices. Viewing the recordings gives them the confidence to read aloud to their children.”Sarah’s students also offer free online tutoring for women at the Topeka Correctional Facility. The target population is women who read at a fourth-grade level and below. Other programs help women earn their GED, but nothing currently exists for women who are struggling readers.Additionally, Sarah and her students offer free online reading tutoring for children ages three years and up. Their target population is (grand)children of incarcerated women. “We believe it isimportant to educate both the (grand)mothers and their children to improve their quality of life and open the doors to better opportunities,” Sarah said. If you want to volunteer to tutor women or deliver books, please contact Dr. Sarah Broman Miller at sebmiller@fhsu.edu.Sarah and her students collect gently used and new stuffed animals and children’s books for donation to the family room. When children visit their (grand)mothers, they can choose a stuffed animal and book to take home. The books and animals are delivered to the facility every six months or so.Through this patchwork of impassioned efforts, via a pinky promise, the sometimes-dim corridors of the Topeka Correctional Facility find themselves illuminated by the hopeful colors of ACE's Adventure. And as children clutch their new stuffed animals and books tightly upon leaving, it's not just a stuffed toy they carry or a coloring page they hold—it's a message that they, too, have the heart of a tiger, braving the adventure of life with a newfound guide and companion

Heart of a Tiger: Promises kept and lives touched, local educators ignite hope through learning and literacy

HaysMed has been awarded a distinguished award and recognized by global science company 3M for achieving the highest standard of care in Sterile Processing. This accolade is in recognition of the hospital’s commitment to practicing Every Load Monitoring for steam sterilization, a critical process that ensures the safety and sterility of surgical instruments.

Every Load Monitoring is an advanced practice that involves meticulous checks on each sterilization cycle. This process guarantees that all medical instruments used in surgeries and procedures meet stringent sterility criteria, thereby providing the highest level of assurance that each cycle was successful before any surgical procedure takes place.

The recognition from 3M highlights HaysMed’s dedication to quality and safety in patient care. "We are incredibly proud to receive this plaque from 3M as it acknowledges our unwavering commitment to excellence," said Elise Williams, Manager of Central Sterile at HaysMed. "This practice not only enhances our ability to provide safe, effective care but also reflects our continual effort to improve processes and outcomes for our patients."

Williams, Kevin Myers, Director of Infection Prevention and Central Sterile, and the Central Sterile team at HaysMed has been instrumental in implementing and maintaining the standards that earned this esteemed recognition. Their hard work and dedication to improving patient care underscore the hospital’s reputation as a leader in health care services.

HaysMed remains committed to advancing its healthcare practices to provide the best possible outcomes for its patients and community. This recognition serves as a reminder of the hospital’s role at the forefront of medical excellence and patient safety.

SubmittedHaysMed has been awarded a distinguished award and recognized by global science company 3M for achieving the highest standard of care in Sterile Processing. This accolade is in recognition of the hospital’s commitment to practicing Every Load Monitoring for steam sterilization, a critical process that ensures the safety and sterility of surgical instruments.Every Load Monitoring is an advanced practice that involves meticulous checks on each sterilization cycle. This process guarantees that all medical instruments used in surgeries and procedures meet stringent sterility criteria, thereby providing the highest level of assurance that each cycle was successful before any surgical procedure takes place.The recognition from 3M highlights HaysMed’s dedication to quality and safety in patient care. "We are incredibly proud to receive this plaque from 3M as it acknowledges our unwavering commitment to excellence," said Elise Williams, Manager of Central Sterile at HaysMed. "This practice not only enhances our ability to provide safe, effective care but also reflects our continual effort to improve processes and outcomes for our patients."Williams, Kevin Myers, Director of Infection Prevention and Central Sterile, and the Central Sterile team at HaysMed has been instrumental in implementing and maintaining the standards that earned this esteemed recognition. Their hard work and dedication to improving patient care underscore the hospital’s reputation as a leader in health care services.HaysMed remains committed to advancing its healthcare practices to provide the best possible outcomes for its patients and community. This recognition serves as a reminder of the hospital’s role at the forefront of medical excellence and patient safety.

HaysMed Honored with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Sterile Processing by 3M

<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/2024/5/1715280571564.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

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."

<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.