<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/2024/7/1721676613813.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

&nbsp;By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Communications

Statewide crude production in Kansas rebounded in February, but dropped in March. 

The Kansas Geological Survey reports average crude production dropped statewide in January, joining a national decline attributed largely to severe winter weather. Output rebounded the following month, but dropped again in March, the latest numbers available from KGS. 

Statewide production dipped to just under 73,000 daily barrels in March. The quarterly average, January through March, is 69,746 barrels per day, compared to 76,756 barrels per day in Q1 2023.

County production figures followed the statewide lead, dropping in January, ramping up dramatically in February, then falling back in March.

Ellis County dips to 5,524 barrels per day on production of 502,000 barrels for the first quarter. That's down from 543,000 barrels at 6,040 barrels per day during the first quarter of last year.

Barton County drops from 4,100 barrels per day last year to 3,700 through March this year, and drops to fourth in the county rankings behind Haskell and Finney counties.

Russell County pumped 3,400 barrels per day, compared to 3,666 barrels per day in the first three months of last year.

Stafford County weighs in with 2,200 barrels per day, down from 2,466 barrels per day a year ago.

The Energy Information Administration reports crude production last week increased 38,000 barrels a day in Alaska, and held steady in the lower 48 states, for a total of 13,322,000 barrels per day. EIA says cumulative production so far this year is up more than seven percent from a year ago.

EIA reports a big drawdown in U.S. commercial crude supplies. Inventories dropped by nearly five million barrels to just over 440 million. Commercial stockpiles are down nearly four percent from a year ago and five percent below the five-year average for this time of year.

Weekly inventory reporting shows the government added another 700,000 barrels to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Price markdowns in refilling the SPR have saved the U.S. Treasury $132 million since April.

Rig counts are dropping despite steady production. The latest Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes shows 586 active rigs nationwide.&nbsp; The tally has steadily declined each week since reaching the high point for the year of 629 active rigs on March 15. 

Crude production in the United States has held steady for six weeks at just over 13.2 million barrels per day, despite the rig count declining 12 rigs over the same six weeks.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service was down 13% from last week, dropping two rigs to eleven in eastern Kansas, and down two rigs west of Wichita to 15 active rigs. The tally is down seven percent from a month ago and 32% lower than last year at this time. 

Drilling continued this week on a lease in Barton County.

Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 19 newly-completed wells in the week through July 18. That's 713 new well-completions this year, compared to 959 a year ago. Operators completed 11 new wells in western Kansas, including one in Ellis County.

Kansas regulators okayed 18 permits for drilling at new locations, with seven in western Kansas including one in Barton County. That's 537 new drilling locations approved so far this year, compared to 720 by this time last year.

Crude oil imports outpaced crude exports by more than three million barrels a day last week. Petroleum product exports exceeded imports by more than four million barrels a day. At nearly four million barrels a day, crude exports were down 35,000 barrels a day from a week earlier, but are up from a year ago, and up from two years ago. Four-week average exports are up seven percent from a year ago.&nbsp;

 U.S. crude imports increased to seven million barrels per day, up 277,000&nbsp; barrels per day. Average imports over the last four weeks are up just over one percent from the same four weeks last year.

Government regulators are asking for more information about ConocoPhillips' pursuit of Marathon Oil. Company officials were hoping to close the $22 billion deal by the end of this year, but this request could push that back. 

The merger would increase production to 2.26 million barrels per day and raise ConocoPhillips' proved reserves to 6.8 billion barrels.&nbsp; Reuters reports both companies received the requests on July 11 and are collaborating with the FTC to review the merger.

Dozens of wildfires continued to plague the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada. The Alberta-Wildfire web site shows 161 active wildfires in the province Monday, including eight listed as out of control encircling Fort McMurray in northeastern Alberta in what is roughly the center of Canada's oil sands operations. Firefighters have already put out 764 wildfires across Alberta so far this year.&nbsp; 

An industry analyst suggests that just one of those fires is already curtailing production of nearly 200,000 barrels per day at a Suncor operation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684775008059.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle CommunicationsStatewide crude production in Kansas rebounded in February, but dropped in March. The Kansas Geological Survey reports average crude production dropped statewide in January, joining a national decline attributed largely to severe winter weather. Output rebounded the following month, but dropped again in March, the latest numbers available from KGS. County breakouts also show declines. Statewide production dipped to just under 73,000 daily barrels in March. The quarterly average, January through March, is 69,746 barrels per day, compared to 76,756 barrels per day in Q1 2023.County production figures followed the statewide lead, dropping in January, ramping up dramatically in February, then falling back in March.Ellis County dips to 5,524 barrels per day on production of 502,000 barrels for the first quarter. That's down from 543,000 barrels at 6,040 barrels per day during the first quarter of last year.Barton County drops from 4,100 barrels per day last year to 3,700 through March this year, and drops to fourth in the county rankings behind Haskell and Finney counties.Russell County pumped 3,400 barrels per day, compared to 3,666 barrels per day in the first three months of last year.Stafford County weighs in with 2,200 barrels per day, down from 2,466 barrels per day a year ago.The Energy Information Administration reports crude production last week increased 38,000 barrels a day in Alaska, and held steady in the lower 48 states, for a total of 13,322,000 barrels per day. EIA says cumulative production so far this year is up more than seven percent from a year ago.EIA reports a big drawdown in U.S. commercial crude supplies. Inventories dropped by nearly five million barrels to just over 440 million. Commercial stockpiles are down nearly four percent from a year ago and five percent below the five-year average for this time of year.Weekly inventory reporting shows the government added another 700,000 barrels to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Price markdowns in refilling the SPR have saved the U.S. Treasury $132 million since April.Rig counts are dropping despite steady production. The latest Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes shows 586 active rigs nationwide.&nbsp; The tally has steadily declined each week since reaching the high point for the year of 629 active rigs on March 15. Crude production in the United States has held steady for six weeks at just over 13.2 million barrels per day, despite the rig count declining 12 rigs over the same six weeks.The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service was down 13% from last week, dropping two rigs to eleven in eastern Kansas, and down two rigs west of Wichita to 15 active rigs. The tally is down seven percent from a month ago and 32% lower than last year at this time. Drilling continued this week on a lease in Barton County.Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 19 newly-completed wells in the week through July 18. That's 713 new well-completions this year, compared to 959 a year ago. Operators completed 11 new wells in western Kansas, including one in Ellis County.Kansas regulators okayed 18 permits for drilling at new locations, with seven in western Kansas including one in Barton County. That's 537 new drilling locations approved so far this year, compared to 720 by this time last year.Crude oil imports outpaced crude exports by more than three million barrels a day last week. Petroleum product exports exceeded imports by more than four million barrels a day. At nearly four million barrels a day, crude exports were down 35,000 barrels a day from a week earlier, but are up from a year ago, and up from two years ago. Four-week average exports are up seven percent from a year ago.&nbsp; U.S. crude imports increased to seven million barrels per day, up 277,000&nbsp; barrels per day. Average imports over the last four weeks are up just over one percent from the same four weeks last year.Government regulators are asking for more information about ConocoPhillips' pursuit of Marathon Oil. Company officials were hoping to close the $22 billion deal by the end of this year, but this request could push that back. The merger would increase production to 2.26 million barrels per day and raise ConocoPhillips' proved reserves to 6.8 billion barrels.&nbsp; Reuters reports both companies received the requests on July 11 and are collaborating with the FTC to review the merger.Dozens of wildfires continued to plague the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada. The Alberta-Wildfire web site shows 161 active wildfires in the province Monday, including eight listed as out of control encircling Fort McMurray in northeastern Alberta in what is roughly the center of Canada's oil sands operations. Firefighters have already put out 764 wildfires across Alberta so far this year.&nbsp; An industry analyst suggests that just one of those fires is already curtailing production of nearly 200,000 barrels per day at a Suncor operation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: Kansas Q1 production lags behind last year

Ellis County Fair barrel racing results

SMITH COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30a.m. Monday in Smith County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Fiesta driven by Miranda&nbsp;Stovall, 49, Scandia, was northbound on U.S. 281 nine miles north of U.S. 36.

The car struck car deer in the road. EMS transported Stovall to the Smith County Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

SMITH COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30a.m. Monday in Smith County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Fiesta driven by Miranda&nbsp;Stovall, 49, Scandia, was northbound on U.S. 281 nine miles north of U.S. 36.The car struck car deer in the road. EMS transported Stovall to the Smith County Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman hospitalized after car strikes a deer

The Plainville community continues to respond to the death of a fifth-grader in Plainville last week.

How the youth, Aiden Sherraden, died has not been released.

Crisis counselors met with youth and caregivers during the weekend.

Multiple fundraisers for the family have been set.

<a href="https://facebook.com/events/s/ride-for-aiden/1129820271456830/">https://facebook.com/events/s/ride-for-aiden/1129820271456830/</a>

Hays PostThe Plainville community continues to respond to the death of a fifth-grader in Plainville last week.How the youth, Aiden Sherraden, died has not been released.Crisis counselors met with youth and caregivers during the weekend.Multiple fundraisers for the family have been set.See below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721659896766.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721659923078.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://facebook.com/events/s/ride-for-aiden/1129820271456830/">https://facebook.com/events/s/ride-for-aiden/1129820271456830/</a>

Fundraisers set for family of fifth-grader who died in Plainville

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Two groups of Hays Boy Scouts scaled mountains and tromped through the desert during more than 50-mile hiking excursions in <a href="https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/">Philmont Scout Ranch High Adventure</a>&nbsp;in Cimarron, New Mexico, June 9-18.

Groups of boys from Troop 101 and girls from Troop 1o1G made the trip. However, the boys and girls went on different routes.

The Scouts were selected for a hike at Philmont through a lottery system. For all the teens who participated, this was their first such hike and first trip to Philmont.

The Scouts trained for about 10 months before their hikes. They learned how to pack their backpacks and adjust the harnesses so they wouldn't rub. They also took practice hikes.

Other skills in their years of Scouting helped them during their journey, including camping, knots, using a camp stove, first aid, navigating and leadership.

To pay their way, the Scouts sold tickets for a gun raffle and sold lots of popcorn.

Asher Haag, 15, Ellis, said the Scouts saw many beautiful views along their hike.

Each day, a navigator from the groups was designated. That Scout had to read topographical maps, set the pace and guide the group through the area.

The girls said it was important to work together and keep each other's spirits up. That camaraderie was their favorite part of the trip.

"The day we got a little lost was my favorite," Rebekah Schroeder, 19, Paradise, said. "Everyone stepped up. We rearranged weight to help people out. We worked together to keep up morale. It was fun. This is the adventure I came here for."

On the day the girls thought they were lost, they were taking a shortcut, but it ended up being a switchback. They were only about 500 feet off the main trail, but it was impossible to tell from the map.

Alexis Bigge, 14, Plainville, said she enjoyed hanging out with her crew of people.&nbsp;

"I didn't have to worry about talking to other people much. They knew exactly what I was thinking," she said.

Delilah Meyers, 16, said by the fifth day, everyone was so comfortable with each other that they were all cracking jokes. The girls also played games. They competed to see who could spot the most animals or wildflowers.

They created fun twists to their calls and responses on the trail. Instead of saying, "Is everyone ready?" they would say, "Party on Wayne," "Party on Garth," or "Punch it Chewy."

Rowan Neeley, 13, of Hays  was dubbed Siren because she liked to sing on the trail.

The Scouts carried their food with them. They ate dehydrated meals and a lot of peanuts. There were boxes at staff camps where other hikers would leave unwanted food that Scouts could be swapped.

The girls said they were surprised they could receive so much energy on so little food.

After the second day on the trail, Bigge said everything hurt, and they were tired.

"One of the biggest challenges was everything hurt, and you're tired and done and hungry, and you just want to sit down and not get back up, and you have to get back up and keep going," she said.

Eli Dreiling, 15, Hays, said his favorite day was the ascent of Mount Baldy. He said the group played music, making the hiking more fun.

"We got to see a nice view, and it was just fun to be up there," he said.

The boys' group worked on a conservation project on the mountain, which involved building a trail. The girls' conservation project was similar but rained out.

However, they had to book it down the mountain when a thunderstorm rolled in.

"The 14- and 15-year-olds tracked the weather and were asking the adult in charge—the rangers. It was all good. It was all good. Then boom! It was not all good," a Scout's mother said.

The boys were among the first groups to be allowed to hike through Ute Park, an area that had been scorched by wildfire six years ago.

Earlier in the hike, the boys' group had been hiking through forested areas and had shade.

"Once we reached the burn area, you had the sun beating down on you, so it was really hot, so it wasn't the funnest."

Finding the trail was also difficult in this desolate landscape.

"There were no live trees," Dreiling said. "The whole area just didn't look right. There were spots that were supposed to have water, but there was none of that. It didn't look very alive like the rest of the park. ... It looked kind of dead and open."

Dreiling said he was surprised that much devastation remained years after the fire.

"It was just some grasses and dead trees," he said.

The day the boys hiked the burn area, temperatures were in the 90s. 

Because certain areas had no water sources, the Scouts had to carry two-and-a-half gallon jugs of water suspended between poles. They also had to purify their water with chlorine tablets or boil it for cooking.

Along the hike, the Scouts stopped at various staff camps. There, they could participate in activities such as blacksmithing, pole climbing, gold panning, trap shooting, and a campfire and learn about logging, which is part of Philmont's history.

Cayden Eaton and Neeley both said they enjoyed the Clark's Fork Ranch, where they had a campfire, learned to lasso and rode horses.

Camden Luck said he enjoyed the blacksmithing experience, where the boys helped make a butter scraper. The blacksmith offered cookies for every bucket of water the boys hauled from the stream up the 30 stairs to the blacksmith at the main lodge.

Camden hauled six buckets of water in about 45 minutes.

Haag said his favorite part of the trip was their hike to the peak of Mount Baldy.&nbsp;

In one day, the Scouts ascended about 3,600 feet to the top of Mount Baldy, which is 12,441 feet above sea level. The peak is the second-highest point in New Mexico. From the summit, the group could see Colorado.

The girls also gained about 3,000 feet in their ascent of Phillip's Peak, 11,700 feet above sea level. Some of the boys' group along the trail made their ascents of the peak with 10-pound day packs, while the girls carried their full 40-pound packs the entire climb.

Bryson Dumler said his favorite day of the trip was their longest hike—15 miles.&nbsp;

"We saw a lot more things," he said. "We went under a bridge and over a river.&nbsp;

The Scouts struggled with blisters and had to adjust their packs on the trail. Ill-fitting packs resulted in sore shoulders, the Scouts said.

Over the almost 60 miles the boys hiked, the Scouts had to learn to set a pace. They hiked too fast the first day, and the excursion required them to take more breaks. This resulted in them arriving at camp late.

The hikers saw many deer, and one of the boys' chaperones called in a wild turkey one night. Bears had been sighted in the area. The boys did not encounter any bears, but the girls did.

Neeley said she was excited when she saw the bear.

Rebekah Schroeder, 19, of Paradise, said she was so shocked the bear seemed out of place, and Delilah Meyers, 16, of Ellis, said she thought it was so cute she just wanted to cuddle the animal.

The girls said one of their chaperones also almost stepped on a snake.

They had to take bear precautions, including tying a line to their food and hoisting it about 10 feet off the ground.

"I think we smelled bad enough they knew we were there," Matt Dumler, volunteer, said.

The boys had no access to showers for the entirety of their trip, just an occasional stream bath.

The girls took a very brief shower at one of the staff camps.

Meyers said after nine days with no showers, "I wanted to die."

Members of both groups said they learned and grew during their trip.&nbsp;

Schroeder, who is now in college, said the trip marked her transition from being a girl to an adult.

Neeley said," I learned that you don't have to do things alone. You have people who can help you. If you put in the work and the time to help others, they also can help you. You need to have that support system."

Meyers said, "We would not have survived without each other."

The boys and girls both earned a 50-miler badge for their hikes.

"I think it is important to hit on this," Dumler, boys volunteer, said. "The boys led all of this. The adults were there to just make sure they all came back home. We were told to step back and make sure the boys make all of the decisions, and they did."

The Scouts had the compass and maps for navigating. They decided their schedule and what they ate.

"They are the ones that got us through this," he said.

Gordon Schroeder, girls volunteer, said he admired the girls for finishing the hike, as there were boys' troops who did not.

"I admire the girls for not stopping and giving up," he said. "They are remarkable."

Meyers said, "It's the hardest thing a Scout can do."

Although the boys don't have any big trips planned in the near future, many of them are beginning to work on their Eagle Scout projects.

Bryson Dumler plans to install obstacles at the Hays dog park.

Dreiling is considering helping make stand for the law enforcement shooting range.

Some of the girls are eager to try backcountry hiking again. Rebekah Schroeder has completed her Eagle Scout award and is looking forward to being an adult leader when she turns 21.

Three of the other four girls have their sights set on Eagle Awards. Meyers is planning a project with Bethesda Place.

Chaperones Hillary Newell and Chris Neeley, scout Maurine Waudley, 17, of Topeka, and her father, Dan Waudley, also accompanied the girls' group.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720561032132.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostTwo groups of Hays Boy Scouts scaled mountains and tromped through the desert during more than 50-mile hiking excursions in <a href="https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/">Philmont Scout Ranch High Adventure</a>&nbsp;in Cimarron, New Mexico, June 9-18.Groups of boys from Troop 101 and girls from Troop 1o1G made the trip. However, the boys and girls went on different routes.The Scouts were selected for a hike at Philmont through a lottery system. For all the teens who participated, this was their first such hike and first trip to Philmont.The Scouts trained for about 10 months before their hikes. They learned how to pack their backpacks and adjust the harnesses so they wouldn't rub. They also took practice hikes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721417972736.jpeg" alt="Scout Troop 101G in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/">Philmont</a>, including Rebekah Schroeder, Alexis Bigge, Delilah Meyers, Rowan Neeley, Cayden Eaton, chaperones Gordon Schroeder, Hillary Newell and Chris Neeley and Topeka Scout Maurine Waudley and her dad, Dan. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Scout Troop 101G in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/">Philmont</a>, including Rebekah Schroeder, Alexis Bigge, Delilah Meyers, Rowan Neeley, Cayden Eaton, chaperones Gordon Schroeder, Hillary Newell and Chris Neeley and Topeka Scout Maurine Waudley and her dad, Dan. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Other skills in their years of Scouting helped them during their journey, including camping, knots, using a camp stove, first aid, navigating and leadership.To pay their way, the Scouts sold tickets for a gun raffle and sold lots of popcorn.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720561391371.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Asher Haag, 15, Ellis, said the Scouts saw many beautiful views along their hike.Each day, a navigator from the groups was designated. That Scout had to read topographical maps, set the pace and guide the group through the area.The girls said it was important to work together and keep each other's spirits up. That camaraderie was their favorite part of the trip."The day we got a little lost was my favorite," Rebekah Schroeder, 19, Paradise, said. "Everyone stepped up. We rearranged weight to help people out. We worked together to keep up morale. It was fun. This is the adventure I came here for."On the day the girls thought they were lost, they were taking a shortcut, but it ended up being a switchback. They were only about 500 feet off the main trail, but it was impossible to tell from the map.Alexis Bigge, 14, Plainville, said she enjoyed hanging out with her crew of people.&nbsp;"I didn't have to worry about talking to other people much. They knew exactly what I was thinking," she said.Delilah Meyers, 16, said by the fifth day, everyone was so comfortable with each other that they were all cracking jokes. The girls also played games. They competed to see who could spot the most animals or wildflowers.They created fun twists to their calls and responses on the trail. Instead of saying, "Is everyone ready?" they would say, "Party on Wayne," "Party on Garth," or "Punch it Chewy."Rowan Neeley, 13, of Hays was dubbed Siren because she liked to sing on the trail.The Scouts carried their food with them. They ate dehydrated meals and a lot of peanuts. There were boxes at staff camps where other hikers would leave unwanted food that Scouts could be swapped.The girls said they were surprised they could receive so much energy on so little food.After the second day on the trail, Bigge said everything hurt, and they were tired."One of the biggest challenges was everything hurt, and you're tired and done and hungry, and you just want to sit down and not get back up, and you have to get back up and keep going," she said.Eli Dreiling, 15, Hays, said his favorite day was the ascent of Mount Baldy. He said the group played music, making the hiking more fun."We got to see a nice view, and it was just fun to be up there," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720561421938.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The boys' group worked on a conservation project on the mountain, which involved building a trail. The girls' conservation project was similar but rained out.However, they had to book it down the mountain when a thunderstorm rolled in."The 14- and 15-year-olds tracked the weather and were asking the adult in charge—the rangers. It was all good. It was all good. Then boom! It was not all good," a Scout's mother said.The boys were among the first groups to be allowed to hike through Ute Park, an area that had been scorched by wildfire six years ago.Earlier in the hike, the boys' group had been hiking through forested areas and had shade."Once we reached the burn area, you had the sun beating down on you, so it was really hot, so it wasn't the funnest."Finding the trail was also difficult in this desolate landscape."There were no live trees," Dreiling said. "The whole area just didn't look right. There were spots that were supposed to have water, but there was none of that. It didn't look very alive like the rest of the park. ... It looked kind of dead and open."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720561517856.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Dreiling said he was surprised that much devastation remained years after the fire."It was just some grasses and dead trees," he said.The day the boys hiked the burn area, temperatures were in the 90s. Because certain areas had no water sources, the Scouts had to carry two-and-a-half gallon jugs of water suspended between poles. They also had to purify their water with chlorine tablets or boil it for cooking.Along the hike, the Scouts stopped at various staff camps. There, they could participate in activities such as blacksmithing, pole climbing, gold panning, trap shooting, and a campfire and learn about logging, which is part of Philmont's history.Cayden Eaton and Neeley both said they enjoyed the Clark's Fork Ranch, where they had a campfire, learned to lasso and rode horses.Camden Luck said he enjoyed the blacksmithing experience, where the boys helped make a butter scraper. The blacksmith offered cookies for every bucket of water the boys hauled from the stream up the 30 stairs to the blacksmith at the main lodge.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720561545890.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Camden hauled six buckets of water in about 45 minutes.Haag said his favorite part of the trip was their hike to the peak of Mount Baldy.&nbsp;In one day, the Scouts ascended about 3,600 feet to the top of Mount Baldy, which is 12,441 feet above sea level. The peak is the second-highest point in New Mexico. From the summit, the group could see Colorado.The girls also gained about 3,000 feet in their ascent of Phillip's Peak, 11,700 feet above sea level. Some of the boys' group along the trail made their ascents of the peak with 10-pound day packs, while the girls carried their full 40-pound packs the entire climb.Bryson Dumler said his favorite day of the trip was their longest hike—15 miles.&nbsp;"We saw a lot more things," he said. "We went under a bridge and over a river.&nbsp;The Scouts struggled with blisters and had to adjust their packs on the trail. Ill-fitting packs resulted in sore shoulders, the Scouts said.Over the almost 60 miles the boys hiked, the Scouts had to learn to set a pace. They hiked too fast the first day, and the excursion required them to take more breaks. This resulted in them arriving at camp late.The hikers saw many deer, and one of the boys' chaperones called in a wild turkey one night. Bears had been sighted in the area. The boys did not encounter any bears, but the girls did.Neeley said she was excited when she saw the bear.Rebekah Schroeder, 19, of Paradise, said she was so shocked the bear seemed out of place, and Delilah Meyers, 16, of Ellis, said she thought it was so cute she just wanted to cuddle the animal.The girls said one of their chaperones also almost stepped on a snake.They had to take bear precautions, including tying a line to their food and hoisting it about 10 feet off the ground."I think we smelled bad enough they knew we were there," Matt Dumler, volunteer, said.The boys had no access to showers for the entirety of their trip, just an occasional stream bath.The girls took a very brief shower at one of the staff camps.Meyers said after nine days with no showers, "I wanted to die."Members of both groups said they learned and grew during their trip.&nbsp;Schroeder, who is now in college, said the trip marked her transition from being a girl to an adult.Neeley said," I learned that you don't have to do things alone. You have people who can help you. If you put in the work and the time to help others, they also can help you. You need to have that support system."Meyers said, "We would not have survived without each other."The boys and girls both earned a 50-miler badge for their hikes."I think it is important to hit on this," Dumler, boys volunteer, said. "The boys led all of this. The adults were there to just make sure they all came back home. We were told to step back and make sure the boys make all of the decisions, and they did."The Scouts had the compass and maps for navigating. They decided their schedule and what they ate."They are the ones that got us through this," he said.Gordon Schroeder, girls volunteer, said he admired the girls for finishing the hike, as there were boys' troops who did not."I admire the girls for not stopping and giving up," he said. "They are remarkable."Meyers said, "It's the hardest thing a Scout can do."Although the boys don't have any big trips planned in the near future, many of them are beginning to work on their Eagle Scout projects.Bryson Dumler plans to install obstacles at the Hays dog park.Dreiling is considering helping make stand for the law enforcement shooting range.Some of the girls are eager to try backcountry hiking again. Rebekah Schroeder has completed her Eagle Scout award and is looking forward to being an adult leader when she turns 21.Three of the other four girls have their sights set on Eagle Awards. Meyers is planning a project with Bethesda Place.Chaperones Hillary Newell and Chris Neeley, scout Maurine Waudley, 17, of Topeka, and her father, Dan Waudley, also accompanied the girls' group.&nbsp;

Hays Scouts hike 50 miles in New Mexico mountains

Beginning Monday, July 22 at approximately 8 a.m., the west part of the 15th and Walnut intersection in Hays will be closed to through traffic for water line replacements. 

Any residents affected by this project will be notified by the contractor for any interruption of services.

The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the contractor, J Corp, at 785-650-3995 or the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686234332975.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysBeginning Monday, July 22 at approximately 8 a.m., the west part of the 15th and Walnut intersection in Hays will be closed to through traffic for water line replacements. Any residents affected by this project will be notified by the contractor for any interruption of services.The City of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the contractor, J Corp, at 785-650-3995 or the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350.

Water line replacement to close portion of 15th, Walnut intersection in Hays 

Ryan Vavricka from the Kansas General Office of New York Life has been listed on the 2024 Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals Best-in-State list. The individuals named to this list of distinguished professionals were chosen based on many criteria considered by an independent research firm.

A New York Life agent for 17 years, Vavricka received this recognition for helping his clients in a world in which wealth preservation and protection matter more than ever.

“We are honored that Ryan appears on this prestigious list,” said Kevin Carano, managing partner of the Kansas General Office. “New York Life has known for quite sometime what a valuable asset Ryan has been to our family and to many families and businesses in our community.”

Ryan has two B.B.A degrees from Fort Hays State University and double majored in Accounting and Finance, with a concentration in Financial Planning. He has multiple designations, including the CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, and CAP®. His office is in Ness City, Kansas and he and his family are residents of Manhattan, Kansas.

SubmittedRyan Vavricka from the Kansas General Office of New York Life has been listed on the 2024 Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals Best-in-State list. The individuals named to this list of distinguished professionals were chosen based on many criteria considered by an independent research firm.A New York Life agent for 17 years, Vavricka received this recognition for helping his clients in a world in which wealth preservation and protection matter more than ever.“We are honored that Ryan appears on this prestigious list,” said Kevin Carano, managing partner of the Kansas General Office. “New York Life has known for quite sometime what a valuable asset Ryan has been to our family and to many families and businesses in our community.”Ryan has two B.B.A degrees from Fort Hays State University and double majored in Accounting and Finance, with a concentration in Financial Planning. He has multiple designations, including the CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, and CAP®. His office is in Ness City, Kansas and he and his family are residents of Manhattan, Kansas.

FHSU grad listed on Forbes Best-in-State list

First-generation Fort Hays State University graduate Jeff Kesler always hoped to pay it forward to FHSU students but was unsure where to begin. His experience at FHSU provided the opportunities and mentors to make his decades-long career in banking possible. 

With a newly established scholarship, Jeff hopes to show Fort Hays State students that banking is more than a financial institution; it is a powerful platform to serve the communities they call home.

Jeff grew up in Quinter and had never considered a career in banking. He vividly remembers the phone call that changed his perspective and life.

 The call was from former FHSU Director of Career Services, Dan Rice, sharing he’d found the perfect post-graduate job for Jeff. Taking a banking position in Texas hadn’t crossed his mind, as he was dead set on becoming a chief financial officer, but the opportunity was too good to turn down.

Jeff took a chance, packed up his Toyota 4Runner, and moved to Texas. He had a misconception that banking only provided loans and services. However, he quickly learned how central the relationships built around banks can be to a community, especially for those looking to start a business or purchase a home.

Today, he serves as Veritex Community Bank president of the Dallas-Fort Worth market. Every day, he wakes up looking forward to making connections and leading his team with compassion and confidence. 

During a recent conversation with the FHSU Foundation, an area of campus immediately caught Jeff’s attention. 

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/efa/Robbins-Banking-Institute/">Robbins Banking Institute</a>, which prepares students to pursue careers in the banking industry, perfectly aligned with how he wanted to give back. His plan became clear. He and his wife would start the Jeff and Tara Kesler Banking Scholarship to support aspiring bankers at FHSU.

Jeff has valued his work over the past several decades and is excited to help students at Fort Hays State enter the field he’s grown to love.

Want to start a FHSU scholarship of your own? You can do so for as little as $1,000. 

If you are unsure where to start, the Fort Hays State Foundation team is more than happy to set up a no-obligation visit to explore how you, too, can make a difference. 

There are endless areas across campus to support, and their team can help you find the perfect fit, just like they did with Jeff and Tara. Visit <a href="https://foundation.fhsu.edu/">foundation.fhsu.edu</a> or call 785-628-5620 to see how you can impact students at FHSU.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721315749489.png" alt="Jeff Kesler graduating from FHSU in 2000. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Kesler graduating from FHSU in 2000. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU FoundationFirst-generation Fort Hays State University graduate Jeff Kesler always hoped to pay it forward to FHSU students but was unsure where to begin. His experience at FHSU provided the opportunities and mentors to make his decades-long career in banking possible. With a newly established scholarship, Jeff hopes to show Fort Hays State students that banking is more than a financial institution; it is a powerful platform to serve the communities they call home.Jeff grew up in Quinter and had never considered a career in banking. He vividly remembers the phone call that changed his perspective and life. The call was from former FHSU Director of Career Services, Dan Rice, sharing he’d found the perfect post-graduate job for Jeff. Taking a banking position in Texas hadn’t crossed his mind, as he was dead set on becoming a chief financial officer, but the opportunity was too good to turn down.Jeff took a chance, packed up his Toyota 4Runner, and moved to Texas. He had a misconception that banking only provided loans and services. However, he quickly learned how central the relationships built around banks can be to a community, especially for those looking to start a business or purchase a home.Today, he serves as Veritex Community Bank president of the Dallas-Fort Worth market. Every day, he wakes up looking forward to making connections and leading his team with compassion and confidence. During a recent conversation with the FHSU Foundation, an area of campus immediately caught Jeff’s attention. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/efa/Robbins-Banking-Institute/">Robbins Banking Institute</a>, which prepares students to pursue careers in the banking industry, perfectly aligned with how he wanted to give back. His plan became clear. He and his wife would start the Jeff and Tara Kesler Banking Scholarship to support aspiring bankers at FHSU.Jeff has valued his work over the past several decades and is excited to help students at Fort Hays State enter the field he’s grown to love.Want to start a FHSU scholarship of your own? You can do so for as little as $1,000. If you are unsure where to start, the Fort Hays State Foundation team is more than happy to set up a no-obligation visit to explore how you, too, can make a difference. There are endless areas across campus to support, and their team can help you find the perfect fit, just like they did with Jeff and Tara. Visit <a href="https://foundation.fhsu.edu/">foundation.fhsu.edu</a> or call 785-628-5620 to see how you can impact students at FHSU.

Kesler family supporting aspiring bankers at FHSU

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721594057698.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>

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

For as poor a fisherman as I have become in adulthood, I have a whole library of fishing memories from childhood; from fishing in the overgrown lake at the city park near my grandparent’s house with doughballs from the town bakery, to annual fishing trips to Canada with my high school FFA chapter.

The first week after school was out each spring, our FFA chapter loaded a couple dozen of us farm boys onto an old, tired FFA bus and headed from northcentral Ohio to Canada where we rented a small group of cabins on a lake. The prerequisite for going on the trip was collecting fallen apples and helping sell apple cider in the fall, selling oranges and grapefruit all winter, and not burning the FFA shop to the ground during the school year. As I remember it, the lake sporting the cabins was as tired and worn-out as the FFA bus, and very few fish were ever caught. We found out over the years that a short boat trip across the lake and through a tiny, narrow creek took us into another lake that teemed with bullheads about the length of hotdogs. The road leading to the cabins crossed a wide waterway that connected two lakes. One morning, in an attempt to catch anything resembling a fish, a few of us got up early and walked to that bridge to fish. An hour or so later a boat came up the stream heading for the second lake. As the boat neared the bridge, one of the passengers held up a stringer full of 12 or 14-inch northern pike and asked if we wanted them. When we got back to camp, the cabins literally emptied as the rest of the group headed for our “honey-hole” at the bridge.

Though I was not involved, another favorite fishing story involves the salvage of fish from Inman Lake in the mid 1950’s when it went dry for the first time ever. Although not a fishing hotspot in recent times, Inman Lake once held a decent population of both channel and flathead catfish. The bottom of the lake is black, oozy, sticky mire that remains nearly unnavigable for days and possibly weeks, even after being fully exposed to the sun. As the lake dried-up back then, all fish were forced into a few remaining pools of water in the middle of the lake. Norman Schmidt remembers helping his dad and several other guys harvest many of those remaining fish. They collected enough planks to make a plank sidewalk across the oozy mire by placing planks in front of them and slowly working their way to the remaining pool of water that teemed with fish. Norman says one poor

fellow fell off the planks into the muck and became nearly hysterical before being rescued. Two flat bottom boats were also pulled along with them, and once they reached the middle, just enough water was poured into each boat to keep fish alive. “Gunny sacks” were filled with fish caught from the puddle and dumped into the boats, then the loaded boats were arduously dragged back toward the lakes edge and the plank sidewalk collected on the way. Norman remembers 75 or so people showing up to get some of the rescued fish.

Despite all the political nonsense and hysteria seemingly overtaking our world right now, the Kansas Outdoors and specifically fishing remain as uncomplicated as ever. So, gather the grandkids, the neighbor kids, the guy or gal living on the corner that you’ve never met, and heck, anybody that will fit in your pick up and take them fishing. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsFor as poor a fisherman as I have become in adulthood, I have a whole library of fishing memories from childhood; from fishing in the overgrown lake at the city park near my grandparent’s house with doughballs from the town bakery, to annual fishing trips to Canada with my high school FFA chapter.The first week after school was out each spring, our FFA chapter loaded a couple dozen of us farm boys onto an old, tired FFA bus and headed from northcentral Ohio to Canada where we rented a small group of cabins on a lake. The prerequisite for going on the trip was collecting fallen apples and helping sell apple cider in the fall, selling oranges and grapefruit all winter, and not burning the FFA shop to the ground during the school year. As I remember it, the lake sporting the cabins was as tired and worn-out as the FFA bus, and very few fish were ever caught. We found out over the years that a short boat trip across the lake and through a tiny, narrow creek took us into another lake that teemed with bullheads about the length of hotdogs. The road leading to the cabins crossed a wide waterway that connected two lakes. One morning, in an attempt to catch anything resembling a fish, a few of us got up early and walked to that bridge to fish. An hour or so later a boat came up the stream heading for the second lake. As the boat neared the bridge, one of the passengers held up a stringer full of 12 or 14-inch northern pike and asked if we wanted them. When we got back to camp, the cabins literally emptied as the rest of the group headed for our “honey-hole” at the bridge.Though I was not involved, another favorite fishing story involves the salvage of fish from Inman Lake in the mid 1950’s when it went dry for the first time ever. Although not a fishing hotspot in recent times, Inman Lake once held a decent population of both channel and flathead catfish. The bottom of the lake is black, oozy, sticky mire that remains nearly unnavigable for days and possibly weeks, even after being fully exposed to the sun. As the lake dried-up back then, all fish were forced into a few remaining pools of water in the middle of the lake. Norman Schmidt remembers helping his dad and several other guys harvest many of those remaining fish. They collected enough planks to make a plank sidewalk across the oozy mire by placing planks in front of them and slowly working their way to the remaining pool of water that teemed with fish. Norman says one poorfellow fell off the planks into the muck and became nearly hysterical before being rescued. Two flat bottom boats were also pulled along with them, and once they reached the middle, just enough water was poured into each boat to keep fish alive. “Gunny sacks” were filled with fish caught from the puddle and dumped into the boats, then the loaded boats were arduously dragged back toward the lakes edge and the plank sidewalk collected on the way. Norman remembers 75 or so people showing up to get some of the rescued fish.Despite all the political nonsense and hysteria seemingly overtaking our world right now, the Kansas Outdoors and specifically fishing remain as uncomplicated as ever. So, gather the grandkids, the neighbor kids, the guy or gal living on the corner that you’ve never met, and heck, anybody that will fit in your pick up and take them fishing. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Fishing Memories

Recently Fort Hays Tech | North Central students from our Beloit welding program represented Kansas and Fort Hays Tech | North Central in stellar fashion, bringing home the BRONZE medal from the national welding competition at SkillsUSA in Atlanta!

Aiden Wiens from Wichita, KS; Trystan Stambaugh from Lindsborg, KS; and Tony Brogan from Burden, KS; dedicated significant time and effort to prepare for this event, and it paid off! Their outstanding performance earned a BRONZE medal as well as showcased their skills and commitment to excellence in the welding field.

SkillsUSA is a nationwide partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The annual competition highlights the best career and technical education students in the nation, with participants competing in various trades.

For more information about Fort Hays Tech | North Central’s welding program and other technical education opportunities, please visit www.ncktc.edu or contact admissions@ncktc.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721239312384.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedRecently Fort Hays Tech | North Central students from our Beloit welding program represented Kansas and Fort Hays Tech | North Central in stellar fashion, bringing home the BRONZE medal from the national welding competition at SkillsUSA in Atlanta!Aiden Wiens from Wichita, KS; Trystan Stambaugh from Lindsborg, KS; and Tony Brogan from Burden, KS; dedicated significant time and effort to prepare for this event, and it paid off! Their outstanding performance earned a BRONZE medal as well as showcased their skills and commitment to excellence in the welding field.SkillsUSA is a nationwide partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The annual competition highlights the best career and technical education students in the nation, with participants competing in various trades.For more information about Fort Hays Tech | North Central’s welding program and other technical education opportunities, please visit www.ncktc.edu or contact admissions@ncktc.edu.

Fort Hays Tech | North Central welders shine at SkillsUSA National Competition

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that a combined $26 million is being awarded to 33 projects to improve intersections and roads in cities across the state that have been selected for funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP).

CCLIP funds improvements to state highways that extend through cities. The cities will receive a combined total of approximately $26 million, which includes $5.5 million in state fiscal year 2026 and $20.5 million in state fiscal year 2027.

“This popular program makes it possible to improve the safety and accessibility of our local highways that are local centers of community life,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to our increasingly solid financial footing at the state and federal levels, Kansas is finding ways to solve problems and bring resources to various regions of the state.”

Under the CCLIP, a city must contribute up to 25% of the project cost based on its population, though some cities contribute significantly more. Cities with a population under 2,500 aren’t required to provide a match. Projects in this program may fall into one of three categories: Surface Preservation (SP), Pavement Restoration (PR), or Geometric Improvement (GI).

“By investing with our local partners in our infrastructure framework, we are delivering economic opportunities across rural and urban parts of the state,” said Secretary Calvin Reed. “These projects will address problems, so Kansans have more local transportation choices.”

SP projects involve maintenance work such as resurfacing and are funded up to $400,000 per project. PR projects typically involve full-depth pavement replacement without changes to the overall geometric characteristics and may also address drainage issues. GI projects address geometric issues such as adding turn lanes, improving intersections, or modifying the lane configuration to address capacity. The PR and GI categories are funded up to $1.5 million per project.

For state fiscal year 2026, the city, category, and amount awarded include:

For fiscal year 2027, the city, category, and amount awarded include:

Horton&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wamego&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Madison&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

SubmittedGovernor Laura Kelly announced today that a combined $26 million is being awarded to 33 projects to improve intersections and roads in cities across the state that have been selected for funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP).CCLIP funds improvements to state highways that extend through cities. The cities will receive a combined total of approximately $26 million, which includes $5.5 million in state fiscal year 2026 and $20.5 million in state fiscal year 2027.“This popular program makes it possible to improve the safety and accessibility of our local highways that are local centers of community life,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to our increasingly solid financial footing at the state and federal levels, Kansas is finding ways to solve problems and bring resources to various regions of the state.”Under the CCLIP, a city must contribute up to 25% of the project cost based on its population, though some cities contribute significantly more. Cities with a population under 2,500 aren’t required to provide a match. Projects in this program may fall into one of three categories: Surface Preservation (SP), Pavement Restoration (PR), or Geometric Improvement (GI).“By investing with our local partners in our infrastructure framework, we are delivering economic opportunities across rural and urban parts of the state,” said Secretary Calvin Reed. “These projects will address problems, so Kansans have more local transportation choices.”SP projects involve maintenance work such as resurfacing and are funded up to $400,000 per project. PR projects typically involve full-depth pavement replacement without changes to the overall geometric characteristics and may also address drainage issues. GI projects address geometric issues such as adding turn lanes, improving intersections, or modifying the lane configuration to address capacity. The PR and GI categories are funded up to $1.5 million per project.For state fiscal year 2026, the city, category, and amount awarded include:AtchisonSurface Preservation$400,000ConcordiaSurface Preservation$400,000AbileneSurface Preservation$400,000CliftonSurface Preservation$215,000White CityPavement Restoration$900,000PittsburgSurface Preservation$400,000Arkansas CitySurface Preservation$400,000HutchinsonSurface Preservation$400,000El DoradoSurface Preservation$400,000LyonsSurface Preservation$400,000PrattSurface Preservation$400,000Dodge CitySurface Preservation&nbsp;$400,000Scott CitySurface Preservation$400,000For fiscal year 2027, the city, category, and amount awarded include:Horton&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pavement Restoration$1,500,000EmporiaGeometric Improvement$400,000Wamego&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Surface Preservation$400,000Alma&nbsp;Pavement Restoration&nbsp;$1,500,000Council GroveSurface Preservation$400,000HillsboroGeometric Improvement$500,000MoundridgeSurface Preservation$400,000RussellPavement Restoration$1,500,000DownsPavement Restoration$1,500,000NortonPavement Restoration$1,500,000Madison&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Geometric Improvement$1,400,000Yates CenterPavement Restoration$1,500,000IndependenceGeometric Improvement$1,500,000Coffeyville&nbsp;Pavement Restoration$1,200,000WichitaSurface Preservation$250,000Winfield&nbsp;Surface Preservation$400,000NewtonPavement Restoration$1,200,000Dodge CityGeometric Improvement$1,500,000JetmorePavement Restoration$1,500,000Scott CitySurface Preservation$400,000

Governor announces $26M for road improvements in NW Kansas

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

Last
month during the state legislature’s special budget session, one contentious
issue in the budget bill was doubling the state’s childcare tax credit.

Rep.
Mark Steffen (R-Hutchinson) made comments saying the tax credit served as an
“incentive” for mothers to enter the workforce and weaken “traditional
families”.

Justifiably,
he was blasted by colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Taking
such an opposition to the childcare tax credit is not only “offensive”(as
stated by Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover)), it ignores the hard
reality that&nbsp; Kansas families face.

According
to the <a href="https://www.epi.org/child-care-costs-in-the-united-states/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwkdO0BhDxARIsANkNcrd6TdwaTG7RtofHvPSZ26rRaH2PYt-1AMc3NMuuLbpF0MP1RmGspV0aAp5nEALw_wcB#/KS">Economic Policy
Institute</a>, the cost of daycare is unaffordable for 92% of families in the state.

A
shortage of childcare has continued to drive up costs. 104 of the state’s 105
counties have a higher demand than availability. The supply and demand issue
raises childcare costs and prices families — especially mothers as women often
make lower wages than men — out of the workforce.

Infant care costs are 28.4% higher than full-time college tuition at an
in-state public university, and childcare costs for kids under the age of four
are about equal to full-time public university tuition costs. 

Infant care is approximately 12.3% higher than Kansas’ average rent
costs. 

Kansas’ childcare costs as a percentage of workers’ salary is one of
the highest in the country.

According to MIT’s <a href="https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/20">Living Wage Calculator</a>, an average single adult Kansan with one child would
need to make $34.03 per hour to earn a living wage.

A living wage is defined as the amount a worker needs to make to meet
their basic needs — food, childcare, healthcare, housing, transportation,
taxes, and other essential items like clothing, personal care items, and
broadband.

A household with two working adults and one child would need both
adults to make at least $19.29/hour to meet their basic needs.

Steffen’s ideal two adult, one child household where only one adult
earns an income would need to earn $33.72/hour, even while spending $0 on
childcare. 

According to the Kansas Department of Labor’s <a href="https://www.klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/analyzer/resultsNew.aspx?enc=dTkmvkgGEL2blQpjB3ZCAerz8ejCpEVgtZZJ82GDP5c=">Occupational Employment and Wage
Statistics</a> (OEWS)
report from 2023, the median wage of Kansas workers (both hourly and salaried)
across all industries was $21.76 per hour.

75% of all workers made less than $31.09/hour, per OEWS. 

In other words, more than three-quarters of Kansas workers don’t make
enough income to afford their basic needs in a two-adult single-income
household with one child.

The data is clear: a vast majority of Kansas families do not make
enough money to meet their basic needs, with or without having to pay for
childcare.

Childcare is not a luxury for Kansas families. It’s a necessity.

Steffen’s remarks highlight a troubling disconnect from the economic
realities facing Kansans. 

By dismissing childcare tax credits as an incentive that could
supposedly undermine “traditional families”, he not only ignored the
overwhelming financial strain that childcare costs impose on households across
the state but also neglected the critical role that affordable childcare plays
in enabling parents — especially mothers — to participate fully in the
workforce and public life.

Thankfully for Kansas families, the proposal to double the childcare
tax credit ultimately passed with bipartisan support as part of the larger tax
bill.

The state childcare credit is now 50% of the comparable federal credit,
adding some relief for many families across the state.

______________________________________________________________________

Alexandra
Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State
University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699489540.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight KansasLast
month during the state legislature’s special budget session, one contentious
issue in the budget bill was doubling the state’s childcare tax credit.Rep.
Mark Steffen (R-Hutchinson) made comments saying the tax credit served as an
“incentive” for mothers to enter the workforce and weaken “traditional
families”.Justifiably,
he was blasted by colleagues on both sides of the aisle.Taking
such an opposition to the childcare tax credit is not only “offensive”(as
stated by Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover)), it ignores the hard
reality that&nbsp; Kansas families face.According
to the <a href="https://www.epi.org/child-care-costs-in-the-united-states/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwkdO0BhDxARIsANkNcrd6TdwaTG7RtofHvPSZ26rRaH2PYt-1AMc3NMuuLbpF0MP1RmGspV0aAp5nEALw_wcB#/KS">Economic Policy
Institute</a>, the cost of daycare is unaffordable for 92% of families in the state. A
shortage of childcare has continued to drive up costs. 104 of the state’s 105
counties have a higher demand than availability. The supply and demand issue
raises childcare costs and prices families — especially mothers as women often
make lower wages than men — out of the workforce.Infant care costs are 28.4% higher than full-time college tuition at an
in-state public university, and childcare costs for kids under the age of four
are about equal to full-time public university tuition costs. Infant care is approximately 12.3% higher than Kansas’ average rent
costs. Kansas’ childcare costs as a percentage of workers’ salary is one of
the highest in the country.According to MIT’s <a href="https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/20">Living Wage Calculator</a>, an average single adult Kansan with one child would
need to make $34.03 per hour to earn a living wage. A living wage is defined as the amount a worker needs to make to meet
their basic needs — food, childcare, healthcare, housing, transportation,
taxes, and other essential items like clothing, personal care items, and
broadband.A household with two working adults and one child would need both
adults to make at least $19.29/hour to meet their basic needs.Steffen’s ideal two adult, one child household where only one adult
earns an income would need to earn $33.72/hour, even while spending $0 on
childcare. According to the Kansas Department of Labor’s <a href="https://www.klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/analyzer/resultsNew.aspx?enc=dTkmvkgGEL2blQpjB3ZCAerz8ejCpEVgtZZJ82GDP5c=">Occupational Employment and Wage
Statistics</a> (OEWS)
report from 2023, the median wage of Kansas workers (both hourly and salaried)
across all industries was $21.76 per hour. 75% of all workers made less than $31.09/hour, per OEWS. In other words, more than three-quarters of Kansas workers don’t make
enough income to afford their basic needs in a two-adult single-income
household with one child.The data is clear: a vast majority of Kansas families do not make
enough money to meet their basic needs, with or without having to pay for
childcare.Childcare is not a luxury for Kansas families. It’s a necessity.Steffen’s remarks highlight a troubling disconnect from the economic
realities facing Kansans. By dismissing childcare tax credits as an incentive that could
supposedly undermine “traditional families”, he not only ignored the
overwhelming financial strain that childcare costs impose on households across
the state but also neglected the critical role that affordable childcare plays
in enabling parents — especially mothers — to participate fully in the
workforce and public life.Thankfully for Kansas families, the proposal to double the childcare
tax credit ultimately passed with bipartisan support as part of the larger tax
bill.The state childcare credit is now 50% of the comparable federal credit,
adding some relief for many families across the state.______________________________________________________________________Alexandra
Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State
University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Kansas childcare is unaffordable for most families

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