Midwest Energy's Hays, Kan., office is hiring a Manager of Distribution Engineering. The position oversees Midwest Energy electric distribution system planning and engineering functions for electric line and substation facilities 34.5kV and below. This position plans, organizes, directs and supervises assigned engineering staff, providing strategic support, project management, technical support and career developmental assistance. 

A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited school of engineering is required. A minimum of seven years of increasingly responsible experience in the engineering and/or planning services in the electric utility industry is preferred. A successful candidate must also be licensed as a Professional Engineer in Kansas, or it is required to be obtained within two years of hire date. 

Midwest Energy is a great company to work for. We offer excellent pay and benefits, like family coverage through Blue Cross &amp; Blue Shield of Kansas, Delta dental, a vision/wellness plan, 401K with generous match PLUS a company-funded pension plan! Find more information on our website under www.mwenergy.com/careers. If you’re ready to apply, visit https://mwenergy.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/8a762b10-1375-45e3-c58c-113dcd7b5534/apply?source=2919761-CS-43286 before Feb. 23. Midwest Energy is an EOE.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706641912800.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Midwest Energy's Hays, Kan., office is hiring a Manager of Distribution Engineering. The position oversees Midwest Energy electric distribution system planning and engineering functions for electric line and substation facilities 34.5kV and below. This position plans, organizes, directs and supervises assigned engineering staff, providing strategic support, project management, technical support and career developmental assistance. A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited school of engineering is required. A minimum of seven years of increasingly responsible experience in the engineering and/or planning services in the electric utility industry is preferred. A successful candidate must also be licensed as a Professional Engineer in Kansas, or it is required to be obtained within two years of hire date. Midwest Energy is a great company to work for. We offer excellent pay and benefits, like family coverage through Blue Cross &amp; Blue Shield of Kansas, Delta dental, a vision/wellness plan, 401K with generous match PLUS a company-funded pension plan! Find more information on our website under www.mwenergy.com/careers. If you’re ready to apply, visit https://mwenergy.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/8a762b10-1375-45e3-c58c-113dcd7b5534/apply?source=2919761-CS-43286 before Feb. 23. Midwest Energy is an EOE.

Roosevelt locked down as Hays police pursued suspect

Scott City at Hays High Tuesday, Jan. 30 Hays, Kan. - Hays High School

Radio: KFIX (96.9) <a href="https://kfix.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network <a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/938338">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

The Hays High Indians step out of WAC play Tuesday for a matchup witht the Scott City Beavers.

Both Indian boys and girls basketball teams are coming off wins over Great Bend on Fridy night. Both teams are 7-5 on the season.

The Scott City girls are 9-3 and the boys are 8-5.

The girls game is set to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with the boys
game at follow at Hays City High School.

Live coverage includes The Hays High Sports Network and
Eagle Radio.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699014932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Scott City at Hays High Tuesday, Jan. 30 Hays, Kan. - Hays High SchoolRadio: KFIX (96.9) <a href="https://kfix.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video: Hays High Sports Network <a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/938338">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>The Hays High Indians step out of WAC play Tuesday for a matchup witht the Scott City Beavers.Both Indian boys and girls basketball teams are coming off wins over Great Bend on Fridy night. Both teams are 7-5 on the season.The Scott City girls are 9-3 and the boys are 8-5.The girls game is set to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with the boys
game at follow at Hays City High School.Live coverage includes The Hays High Sports Network and
Eagle Radio.

🏀🎥 Indians step out of league play for meeting with Scott City

TMP-Marian at WaKeeney-Trego Community Tuesday, Jan. 30 – 6 p.m. WaKeeney, Kan. - Trego Community High School gym

Radio: KHAZ (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN </a>Video: TMP-Marian Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/938374">CLICK HERE TO WATCH
($)</a>

The TMP-Marian Monarchs return to Mid-Continent League play Tuesday in WaKeeney against the Trego Colden Eagles.&nbsp;

The TMP girls are coming off a win over Abilene while the boys came up short against the Cowboys.&nbsp;

The Trego girls are 9-3 while the boys are 3-9.

Tipoff of the girls game is set for 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow from Trego Community High School on the Monarchs Sports Network.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575411582384.jpeg" alt="TMP YouTube Slate.jpg" />
 <figcaption>TMP YouTube Slate.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>TMP-Marian at WaKeeney-Trego Community Tuesday, Jan. 30 – 6 p.m. WaKeeney, Kan. - Trego Community High School gymRadio: KHAZ (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN </a>Video: TMP-Marian Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/938374">CLICK HERE TO WATCH
($)</a>The TMP-Marian Monarchs return to Mid-Continent League play Tuesday in WaKeeney against the Trego Colden Eagles.&nbsp;The TMP girls are coming off a win over Abilene while the boys came up short against the Cowboys.&nbsp;The Trego girls are 9-3 while the boys are 3-9.Tipoff of the girls game is set for 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow from Trego Community High School on the Monarchs Sports Network.

🏀🎥 TMP return to league play at Trego

Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation’s I-70 asphalt improvement project in Gove County received the 2023 Sheldon G. Hayes Award – the top paving award from the National Asphalt Pavement Association.

The award was presented this week to the project’s contractor, APAC Kansas, Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson, at the NAPA annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

“This award acknowledges what we Kansans have always known; Kansas contractors are second to none,” said Calvin Reed, Secretary of Transportation.&nbsp; “It is the result of exceptional collaboration between Kansas-based industry partners and KDOT who completed the I-70 project with a high degree of skill and attention to detail.”

The Gove County project covered just over 9 miles of I-70 starting 4 miles east of Park and ending at the Trego County line. Nearly 76,000 tons of asphalt was used on the driving lanes and shoulders.

The winner and finalists are determined through a two-year evaluation process. To be eligible, projects must use more than 50,000 tons of asphalt and be selected for a NAPA Quality in Construction Award the previous year. Qualifying projects are then evaluated for smoothness and inspected in person by an independent pavement consultant.

This award is named for a founder of NAPA and the association’s first chairman. It has been presented annually since 1971.

Kansas Department of TransportationTOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation’s I-70 asphalt improvement project in Gove County received the 2023 Sheldon G. Hayes Award – the top paving award from the National Asphalt Pavement Association.The award was presented this week to the project’s contractor, APAC Kansas, Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson, at the NAPA annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.“This award acknowledges what we Kansans have always known; Kansas contractors are second to none,” said Calvin Reed, Secretary of Transportation.&nbsp; “It is the result of exceptional collaboration between Kansas-based industry partners and KDOT who completed the I-70 project with a high degree of skill and attention to detail.”The Gove County project covered just over 9 miles of I-70 starting 4 miles east of Park and ending at the Trego County line. Nearly 76,000 tons of asphalt was used on the driving lanes and shoulders.The winner and finalists are determined through a two-year evaluation process. To be eligible, projects must use more than 50,000 tons of asphalt and be selected for a NAPA Quality in Construction Award the previous year. Qualifying projects are then evaluated for smoothness and inspected in person by an independent pavement consultant.This award is named for a founder of NAPA and the association’s first chairman. It has been presented annually since 1971.

APAC Kansas Shears Division wins national paving award

As the Ogallala Aquifer dwindles, rural towns try to keep their sole water source

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/kevinhardy/">KEVIN HARDY</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

This story, the first in an occasional series about water challenges facing the American heartland, is a partnership between Stateline and the Kansas Reflector.

MOSCOW, Kan. — Brownie Wilson pulls off a remote dirt road right through a steep ditch and onto a farmer’s field.

He hops out of his white Silverado pickup, mud covering nearly all of it except the Kansas Geological Survey logo stuck on the side with electrical tape. Dry cornstalks crunch under his work boots as he makes his way to a decommissioned irrigation well.

He unspools a steel highway tape measure a few feet at a time and feeds it into the well until gravity takes over. He keeps a thumb on it to control the speed.

How much of the tape comes out wet lets him calculate how much water has been lost here.

Wilson crisscrosses western Kansas every January to measure wells and track the rapid decline of the Ogallala Aquifer,&nbsp;which contains&nbsp;the nation’s largest underground store of fresh water.

Last year, some wells had dropped 10 feet or more because of the severe 2022 drought. But this year, they stayed about the same or dropped a couple feet. Some of these wells have dropped more than 100 feet since Wilson started working for the agency in 2001, he said.

“Some of our issues looking forward look gargantuan,” Wilson said. “But I do think we can peck away at it and make some headway.”

The Ogallala Aquifer,&nbsp;the underground rock and sediment formation that&nbsp;spans eight states from South Dakota to the Texas panhandle, is the only reliable water source for some parts of the region. But for decades, states have allowed farmers to overpump groundwater to irrigate corn and other crops that would otherwise struggle on the arid High Plains.

Now, the disappearing water is threatening more than just agriculture. Rural communities are facing dire futures where water is no longer a certainty. Across the Ogallala, small towns and cities built around agriculture are facing a twisted threat: The very industry that made their communities might just eradicate them.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly acknowledges some communities are just a generation away from running out of water. But she said there’s still time to act.

“If they do nothing, I think they’re going to suffer the consequences,” Kelly said in an interview.

Today, the aquifer supports 20 percent of the nation’s wheat, corn, cotton and cattle production and represents 30 percent of all water used for irrigation&nbsp;in the United States.

Depletion is forcing aquifer-dependent communities across the region to dig deeper wells, purchase expensive water rights from farmers, build pipelines and recycle their water supplies in new ways to save every drop possible.

Since the mid-20th century, when large-scale irrigation began,&nbsp;water&nbsp;levels in the stretches of the Ogallala&nbsp;underlying Kansas have dropped an average 28.2 feet farther below the surface, far worse than the eight-state average of 16.8 feet.

Water levels in&nbsp;Texas,&nbsp;where the Ogallala&nbsp;runs under the state’s panhandle, have&nbsp;dropped 44 feet.&nbsp;New Mexico has seen a 19.1-foot decline.

In&nbsp;Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming, the&nbsp;water level has declined less than&nbsp;the eight-state average, while&nbsp;in&nbsp;South Dakota it has risen.

While the Ogallala Aquifer presents distinct circumstances, tensions over groundwater are growing across the country, said climate scientist and author Peter Gleick, who founded the Pacific Institute, a global water think tank.

“You’re not alone,” Gleick told Kansas irrigators and policymakers at the Governor’s Conference on Water, held in November in Manhattan, Kan.&nbsp;“A lot of the issues that you’re dealing with in Kansas, they’re dealing with in Arizona, and the Colorado [River] basin.”

Without drastic measures, some communities may not survive.

“I think, without a doubt, we will see some communities dry up,” Gleick said in an interview. “We’ve seen that historically, where communities outgrow a natural resource or lose a natural resource and people have to move to abandon their homes.”

When Micheal Shannon got his start in local government over 40 years ago, water supplies were not top of mind.

“We’re running out of water,” said Shannon, the interim city manager in Guymon, Okla. “We’re pumping our maximum. And the water levels keep coming down.”

The largest city in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Guymon relies on 18 wells to draw water from the Ogallala. But dropping water levels have forced the city of about 13,000 to explore new wells outside of town.

The city has already committed some $4.5 million to study and drill new wells, but there’s no guarantee the wells will produce a reliable water supply.

“There’s always that what if,” he said. “There could not be any water.”

The city’s largest water user and employer is a massive pork plant that slaughters and processes more than 20,000 hogs per day. The plant has voluntarily reduced water usage by nearly half during times of shortened supply.

Shannon said the city, industry and agricultural producers must work together.

“We all still want to be here the next 35, 40 years,” he said. “We know farmers are going to have to produce ag products. And the citizens of Guymon are going to have to have water.”

More than 200 miles away, several New Mexico communities are banking on more drastic measures.

A new pipeline, expected to cost more than $800 million, will bring water from the Canadian River’s Ute Reservoir to four municipalities and Cannon Air Force Base.

“This is our future, no doubt about it,” said Orlando Ortega, administrator of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority. “Without this project, none of these communities could exist for very long.”

The pipeline is being funded largely by the federal government, though four participating communities have been paying dues to the water authority for years. Officials aim to have the pipeline operational by the end of the decade.

Even so, communities will still need to get more aggressive about conserving water, said Michael Morris, who leads the water authority board and is mayor of Clovis, one of its member communities.

Morris is active in agricultural efforts to decrease pumping — such as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ogalwc.org/">conservation programs</a>&nbsp;in the region that pay producers to stop pumping. And the city is working to expand water recycling efforts.

But he said the situation is even more dire than locals realize. Few know how close Clovis has come to seeing its water demand outpace the underground supply.

“So is there another option?” he said. “No.”

In Kansas, the Ogallala Aquifer supplies 70 percent to 80 percent of the water residents use each day. But for decades, the state’s regulation of water benefited its largest user and its largest industry: agriculture.

The once-abundant water allowed farmers to grow cheap cattle feed, attracting the feedlots, and increasingly, dairy farms, that dot southwest Kansas.

But that feed is cheap, partly because — aside from the fuel costs associated with running a well — the water is free.

A report commissioned by the Kansas Legislature in 1955 warned of a future without it.

“Ground-water mining is a serious problem,” the report says.

After the grave 1955 warning, however, the state legislature only made it easier to pump the water, according to Burke Griggs, a water law professor at Washburn University in Topeka.

Griggs, formerly a water lawyer for the state, criticized Kansas lawmakers’ decadeslong posture that depletion would best be solved locally. He said it is a stance held by every governor since the 1980s.

“They want it to be voluntary. And they want it to be cooperative. They want to have local-based solutions,” Griggs said. “These are the catchwords you hear. None of them have achieved much.”

Kelly follows the same line. The second-term governor recently signed a law mandating more reporting and planning from groundwater management districts and created a new subcabinet to coordinate water issues across agencies. But she hasn’t wavered from her position that water conservation efforts are most effective when they are voluntary.

“Things are more likely to work out in the long run and succeed if there is local buy-in, and local commitment and the idea is generated locally — rather than the state wielding that heavy hammer,” Kelly said.

But even some farmers want the state to step in, water policy watchers say.

“Many families who are trying to make a living from farming, and who would like to keep farming on their own land, are just waiting for the state to step in and help them fix this. Most people agree that we need fair, enforceable and transparent rules to get this turned around,” said&nbsp;Lucas&nbsp;Bessire, a professor of anthropology at the University of Oklahoma who grew up in southwest Kansas.

For the first time since their father dug an irrigation well in the dusty sandhills of southwest Kansas more than 50 years ago, Gina and Marc Gigot’s farm isn’t growing corn.

The sibling farmers are trying to preserve the precious water below their land outside Garden City.

For decades,&nbsp;the Gigot family has benefited from drawing groundwater to the surface to grow bright green circles of crops where the sandy soil is otherwise so dusty it might blow away.

As Marc’s pickup bumps along the farm’s private roads, he and Gina point to the electric systems and water pipes laid by their father. Some of the massive center pivot systems use the same parts he installed 50 years ago.

To extend the life of the aquifer, the siblings are opting for&nbsp;fewer water-intensive crops and grazing cattle. The farm has historically been among Kansas’ largest water users, irrigating 9,000 acres, but they’ve cut their usage in recent years and committed to another 10 years of voluntary water conservation.

In exchange, they get more flexibility in how they use the water. As long as they hit their five-year goal, they can pump more water in drought years.

Beyond that, they’re partnering with Garden City, the largest city in southwest Kansas and a major agricultural hub. Garden City’s municipal water wells sit right next door to the Gigot farm, which can directly impact the city’s ability to supply drinking water.

To keep more water underground, Garden City will soon divert treated wastewater to the Gigot farm — rather than continuing to dump it into the bone-dry bed of the Arkansas River. That will allow the farm to turn off some wells.

“It’s not really a situation where either the city gets what they need or the irrigators get what they need. It is way more symbiotic,” said Fred Jones, who oversees Garden City’s water.

In northwest Kansas, a group of farmers voluntarily cut their water usage by 20 percent through a five-year conservation program with the state. They switched from corn to wheat or grain sorghum and used irrigation more strategically. Farmers in the area exceeded their goal and cut use, on average, 23.1 percent over the initial five-year period and slowed the decline of the aquifer from 2 feet per year to less than half a foot.

Still, the Gigots said the state must force other producers to cut back.

Even Kansas Farm Bureau President Joe Newland said he’s fearful that voluntary efforts aren’t enough.

Newland, a former Kansas Republican legislator, offered an amendment in 2022 that effectively sank a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/01/shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-committee-guts-kansas-bill-to-protect-water/">massive bill</a>&nbsp;designed to make the aquifer a higher priority in state government, impose more requirements on local groundwater officials, and give communities a greater voice in decisions over water.

In Kansas, the agricultural industry, led in part by Newland,&nbsp;has largely pushed back against aggressive water restrictions, instead calling for voluntary conservation measures. But Newland worries that those voluntary measures haven’t saved enough water, which could&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;push the state to hand down strict mandates.

“I’m always hopeful and prayerful that people realize just how important it is that we’re doing this on a voluntary basis and not ever have to go through a mandatory situation,” he said. “But that’s going to be determined in the near future how this works, because, as I said, we don’t have decades to fix this problem.”

Few places evoke the Old West like Dodge City, where Wyatt Earp patrolled the lawless streets rife with gambling, saloons and shootouts.

Today, the city proudly displays remnants of those days at the Boot Hill Museum, which contains a reproduction of the legendary Long Branch Saloon and an Old West photo booth for visitors.

But the former frontier outpost has embraced some of the state’s most progressive water strategies.

“We were recycling before recycling was cool,” said City Manager Nick Hernandez, who highlighted water reuse efforts that began in the 1980s.

Effluent from one of the city’s wastewater treatment plants keeps a golf course green. Another plant sends about 1.8 billion gallons of treated wastewater to irrigate 3,000 acres of crops at a nearby farm, reducing the need for aquifer pumping.

Another project aims to directly recharge the aquifer with treated wastewater. That will not only help protect the city’s quantity of water, but also prevent contamination from agricultural runoff like nitrates by keeping the hydraulic pressure up in city wells, he said.

That project is expected to cost $60 million. Dodge City, home to about 28,000 people,&nbsp;is seeking federal and state assistance for the effort. But even without grants, Hernandez said that would prove cheaper than buying water rights and digging new wells.

All those projects are building toward treating the city’s sewage directly into drinkable water — still&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://stateline.org/2023/12/12/from-flush-to-faucet-more-places-look-to-turn-sewage-into-tap-water/">an emerging idea in most parts of the country.</a>&nbsp;That would allow the city to decrease demand on groundwater by continually reusing its water.

“We all have a concern about the stability of the aquifer because that’s our lifeline,” said Ray Slattery, the city’s director of engineering services. “But I feel very good about where the city is, and what we’ve done in the past to conserve. We knew it was important and so we took steps way before it became a problem.”

Communities such as Dodge City offer a glimpse into the future of municipal water supplies in the region, said state Rep. Jim Minnix, a Republican who represents part of western Kansas and leads the House Water Committee.

Minnix,&nbsp;who raises cattle and farms both dryland and irrigated crops, said cities and farms alike must adapt. Cities need to continue embracing water recycling efforts, reduce lawn watering and encourage more efficient appliances. Farmers, he said, should embrace new technologies such as more efficient irrigation systems and drought-resistant crops.

“You’d be amazed at the water quantity that’s actually being saved out there from what had been done 40, 50 years ago,” he said. “As a farmer myself, I know a lot of little things add up to something that’s really worthwhile. And to maintain our aquifer and our economy out here is absolutely worthwhile.”

But the way Connie Owen, director of the Kansas Water Office, sees it, change is coming to both agricultural and municipal water users one way or another.

“If we don’t adapt to different behaviors, it will run dry,” she said.&nbsp;“And that will cause the economic devastation that everyone fears with restrictions.”

<h2>As the Ogallala Aquifer dwindles, rural towns try to keep their sole water source</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706560795592.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Brownie Wilson kneels next to a decommissioned irrigation well outside Moscow, Kan., as part of the Kansas Geological Survey’s efforts to measure the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer. Groundwater has been declining for decades because of irrigation in the eight states that rely on the aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Brownie Wilson kneels next to a decommissioned irrigation well outside Moscow, Kan., as part of the Kansas Geological Survey’s efforts to measure the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer. Groundwater has been declining for decades because of irrigation in the eight states that rely on the aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/kevinhardy/">KEVIN HARDY</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>This story, the first in an occasional series about water challenges facing the American heartland, is a partnership between Stateline and the Kansas Reflector.MOSCOW, Kan. — Brownie Wilson pulls off a remote dirt road right through a steep ditch and onto a farmer’s field.He hops out of his white Silverado pickup, mud covering nearly all of it except the Kansas Geological Survey logo stuck on the side with electrical tape. Dry cornstalks crunch under his work boots as he makes his way to a decommissioned irrigation well.He unspools a steel highway tape measure a few feet at a time and feeds it into the well until gravity takes over. He keeps a thumb on it to control the speed.How much of the tape comes out wet lets him calculate how much water has been lost here.Wilson crisscrosses western Kansas every January to measure wells and track the rapid decline of the Ogallala Aquifer,&nbsp;which contains&nbsp;the nation’s largest underground store of fresh water.Last year, some wells had dropped 10 feet or more because of the severe 2022 drought. But this year, they stayed about the same or dropped a couple feet. Some of these wells have dropped more than 100 feet since Wilson started working for the agency in 2001, he said.“Some of our issues looking forward look gargantuan,” Wilson said. “But I do think we can peck away at it and make some headway.”The Ogallala Aquifer,&nbsp;the underground rock and sediment formation that&nbsp;spans eight states from South Dakota to the Texas panhandle, is the only reliable water source for some parts of the region. But for decades, states have allowed farmers to overpump groundwater to irrigate corn and other crops that would otherwise struggle on the arid High Plains.Now, the disappearing water is threatening more than just agriculture. Rural communities are facing dire futures where water is no longer a certainty. Across the Ogallala, small towns and cities built around agriculture are facing a twisted threat: The very industry that made their communities might just eradicate them.Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly acknowledges some communities are just a generation away from running out of water. But she said there’s still time to act.“If they do nothing, I think they’re going to suffer the consequences,” Kelly said in an interview.Today, the aquifer supports 20 percent of the nation’s wheat, corn, cotton and cattle production and represents 30 percent of all water used for irrigation&nbsp;in the United States.Depletion is forcing aquifer-dependent communities across the region to dig deeper wells, purchase expensive water rights from farmers, build pipelines and recycle their water supplies in new ways to save every drop possible.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706560868265.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Since the mid-20th century, when large-scale irrigation began,&nbsp;water&nbsp;levels in the stretches of the Ogallala&nbsp;underlying Kansas have dropped an average 28.2 feet farther below the surface, far worse than the eight-state average of 16.8 feet.Water levels in&nbsp;Texas,&nbsp;where the Ogallala&nbsp;runs under the state’s panhandle, have&nbsp;dropped 44 feet.&nbsp;New Mexico has seen a 19.1-foot decline.In&nbsp;Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming, the&nbsp;water level has declined less than&nbsp;the eight-state average, while&nbsp;in&nbsp;South Dakota it has risen.While the Ogallala Aquifer presents distinct circumstances, tensions over groundwater are growing across the country, said climate scientist and author Peter Gleick, who founded the Pacific Institute, a global water think tank.“You’re not alone,” Gleick told Kansas irrigators and policymakers at the Governor’s Conference on Water, held in November in Manhattan, Kan.&nbsp;“A lot of the issues that you’re dealing with in Kansas, they’re dealing with in Arizona, and the Colorado [River] basin.”Without drastic measures, some communities may not survive.“I think, without a doubt, we will see some communities dry up,” Gleick said in an interview. “We’ve seen that historically, where communities outgrow a natural resource or lose a natural resource and people have to move to abandon their homes.”<h2>‘We’re running out of water’</h2>When Micheal Shannon got his start in local government over 40 years ago, water supplies were not top of mind.Those days are gone.“We’re running out of water,” said Shannon, the interim city manager in Guymon, Okla. “We’re pumping our maximum. And the water levels keep coming down.”The largest city in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Guymon relies on 18 wells to draw water from the Ogallala. But dropping water levels have forced the city of about 13,000 to explore new wells outside of town.The city has already committed some $4.5 million to study and drill new wells, but there’s no guarantee the wells will produce a reliable water supply.“There’s always that what if,” he said. “There could not be any water.”The city’s largest water user and employer is a massive pork plant that slaughters and processes more than 20,000 hogs per day. The plant has voluntarily reduced water usage by nearly half during times of shortened supply.Shannon said the city, industry and agricultural producers must work together.“We all still want to be here the next 35, 40 years,” he said. “We know farmers are going to have to produce ag products. And the citizens of Guymon are going to have to have water.”More than 200 miles away, several New Mexico communities are banking on more drastic measures.A new pipeline, expected to cost more than $800 million, will bring water from the Canadian River’s Ute Reservoir to four municipalities and Cannon Air Force Base.“This is our future, no doubt about it,” said Orlando Ortega, administrator of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority. “Without this project, none of these communities could exist for very long.”The pipeline is being funded largely by the federal government, though four participating communities have been paying dues to the water authority for years. Officials aim to have the pipeline operational by the end of the decade.Even so, communities will still need to get more aggressive about conserving water, said Michael Morris, who leads the water authority board and is mayor of Clovis, one of its member communities.Morris is active in agricultural efforts to decrease pumping — such as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ogalwc.org/">conservation programs</a>&nbsp;in the region that pay producers to stop pumping. And the city is working to expand water recycling efforts.But he said the situation is even more dire than locals realize. Few know how close Clovis has come to seeing its water demand outpace the underground supply.“So is there another option?” he said. “No.”<h2>Decades of state inaction</h2>In Kansas, the Ogallala Aquifer supplies 70 percent to 80 percent of the water residents use each day. But for decades, the state’s regulation of water benefited its largest user and its largest industry: agriculture.The once-abundant water allowed farmers to grow cheap cattle feed, attracting the feedlots, and increasingly, dairy farms, that dot southwest Kansas.But that feed is cheap, partly because — aside from the fuel costs associated with running a well — the water is free.A report commissioned by the Kansas Legislature in 1955 warned of a future without it.“Ground-water mining is a serious problem,” the report says.After the grave 1955 warning, however, the state legislature only made it easier to pump the water, according to Burke Griggs, a water law professor at Washburn University in Topeka.Griggs, formerly a water lawyer for the state, criticized Kansas lawmakers’ decadeslong posture that depletion would best be solved locally. He said it is a stance held by every governor since the 1980s.“They want it to be voluntary. And they want it to be cooperative. They want to have local-based solutions,” Griggs said. “These are the catchwords you hear. None of them have achieved much.”Kelly follows the same line. The second-term governor recently signed a law mandating more reporting and planning from groundwater management districts and created a new subcabinet to coordinate water issues across agencies. But she hasn’t wavered from her position that water conservation efforts are most effective when they are voluntary.“Things are more likely to work out in the long run and succeed if there is local buy-in, and local commitment and the idea is generated locally — rather than the state wielding that heavy hammer,” Kelly said.But even some farmers want the state to step in, water policy watchers say.“Many families who are trying to make a living from farming, and who would like to keep farming on their own land, are just waiting for the state to step in and help them fix this. Most people agree that we need fair, enforceable and transparent rules to get this turned around,” said&nbsp;Lucas&nbsp;Bessire, a professor of anthropology at the University of Oklahoma who grew up in southwest Kansas.<h2>Voluntary efforts in action</h2>For the first time since their father dug an irrigation well in the dusty sandhills of southwest Kansas more than 50 years ago, Gina and Marc Gigot’s farm isn’t growing corn.The sibling farmers are trying to preserve the precious water below their land outside Garden City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706560914560.jpeg" alt="Gina and Marc Gigot stand in front of a center pivot irrigation system on their farm outside of Garden City, Kansas. The farm has historically been among the largest water users in Kansas, but it has cut usage in recent years as part of voluntary conservation measures aimed at slowing the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)" />
 <figcaption>Gina and Marc Gigot stand in front of a center pivot irrigation system on their farm outside of Garden City, Kansas. The farm has historically been among the largest water users in Kansas, but it has cut usage in recent years as part of voluntary conservation measures aimed at slowing the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)</figcaption>
 </figure>For decades,&nbsp;the Gigot family has benefited from drawing groundwater to the surface to grow bright green circles of crops where the sandy soil is otherwise so dusty it might blow away.As Marc’s pickup bumps along the farm’s private roads, he and Gina point to the electric systems and water pipes laid by their father. Some of the massive center pivot systems use the same parts he installed 50 years ago.To extend the life of the aquifer, the siblings are opting for&nbsp;fewer water-intensive crops and grazing cattle. The farm has historically been among Kansas’ largest water users, irrigating 9,000 acres, but they’ve cut their usage in recent years and committed to another 10 years of voluntary water conservation.In exchange, they get more flexibility in how they use the water. As long as they hit their five-year goal, they can pump more water in drought years.Beyond that, they’re partnering with Garden City, the largest city in southwest Kansas and a major agricultural hub. Garden City’s municipal water wells sit right next door to the Gigot farm, which can directly impact the city’s ability to supply drinking water.To keep more water underground, Garden City will soon divert treated wastewater to the Gigot farm — rather than continuing to dump it into the bone-dry bed of the Arkansas River. That will allow the farm to turn off some wells.“It’s not really a situation where either the city gets what they need or the irrigators get what they need. It is way more symbiotic,” said Fred Jones, who oversees Garden City’s water.In northwest Kansas, a group of farmers voluntarily cut their water usage by 20 percent through a five-year conservation program with the state. They switched from corn to wheat or grain sorghum and used irrigation more strategically. Farmers in the area exceeded their goal and cut use, on average, 23.1 percent over the initial five-year period and slowed the decline of the aquifer from 2 feet per year to less than half a foot.Still, the Gigots said the state must force other producers to cut back.Even Kansas Farm Bureau President Joe Newland said he’s fearful that voluntary efforts aren’t enough.Newland, a former Kansas Republican legislator, offered an amendment in 2022 that effectively sank a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/01/shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-committee-guts-kansas-bill-to-protect-water/">massive bill</a>&nbsp;designed to make the aquifer a higher priority in state government, impose more requirements on local groundwater officials, and give communities a greater voice in decisions over water.In Kansas, the agricultural industry, led in part by Newland,&nbsp;has largely pushed back against aggressive water restrictions, instead calling for voluntary conservation measures. But Newland worries that those voluntary measures haven’t saved enough water, which could&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;push the state to hand down strict mandates.“I’m always hopeful and prayerful that people realize just how important it is that we’re doing this on a voluntary basis and not ever have to go through a mandatory situation,” he said. “But that’s going to be determined in the near future how this works, because, as I said, we don’t have decades to fix this problem.”<h2>Kansas towns take the lead</h2>Few places evoke the Old West like Dodge City, where Wyatt Earp patrolled the lawless streets rife with gambling, saloons and shootouts.Today, the city proudly displays remnants of those days at the Boot Hill Museum, which contains a reproduction of the legendary Long Branch Saloon and an Old West photo booth for visitors.But the former frontier outpost has embraced some of the state’s most progressive water strategies.“We were recycling before recycling was cool,” said City Manager Nick Hernandez, who highlighted water reuse efforts that began in the 1980s.Effluent from one of the city’s wastewater treatment plants keeps a golf course green. Another plant sends about 1.8 billion gallons of treated wastewater to irrigate 3,000 acres of crops at a nearby farm, reducing the need for aquifer pumping.Another project aims to directly recharge the aquifer with treated wastewater. That will not only help protect the city’s quantity of water, but also prevent contamination from agricultural runoff like nitrates by keeping the hydraulic pressure up in city wells, he said.That project is expected to cost $60 million. Dodge City, home to about 28,000 people,&nbsp;is seeking federal and state assistance for the effort. But even without grants, Hernandez said that would prove cheaper than buying water rights and digging new wells.All those projects are building toward treating the city’s sewage directly into drinkable water — still&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://stateline.org/2023/12/12/from-flush-to-faucet-more-places-look-to-turn-sewage-into-tap-water/">an emerging idea in most parts of the country.</a>&nbsp;That would allow the city to decrease demand on groundwater by continually reusing its water.“We all have a concern about the stability of the aquifer because that’s our lifeline,” said Ray Slattery, the city’s director of engineering services. “But I feel very good about where the city is, and what we’ve done in the past to conserve. We knew it was important and so we took steps way before it became a problem.”Communities such as Dodge City offer a glimpse into the future of municipal water supplies in the region, said state Rep. Jim Minnix, a Republican who represents part of western Kansas and leads the House Water Committee.Minnix,&nbsp;who raises cattle and farms both dryland and irrigated crops, said cities and farms alike must adapt. Cities need to continue embracing water recycling efforts, reduce lawn watering and encourage more efficient appliances. Farmers, he said, should embrace new technologies such as more efficient irrigation systems and drought-resistant crops.“You’d be amazed at the water quantity that’s actually being saved out there from what had been done 40, 50 years ago,” he said. “As a farmer myself, I know a lot of little things add up to something that’s really worthwhile. And to maintain our aquifer and our economy out here is absolutely worthwhile.”But the way Connie Owen, director of the Kansas Water Office, sees it, change is coming to both agricultural and municipal water users one way or another.“If we don’t adapt to different behaviors, it will run dry,” she said.&nbsp;“And that will cause the economic devastation that everyone fears with restrictions.”

Agriculture built these High Plains towns. Now, it might run them dry

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Fort Hays State University's Science Cafe presentation on Monday was about psychedelic drugs and their effectiveness on depression.

Assistant Professor of Psychology Stephanie Weigel spoke on Monday, briefly highlighting the history and safety of "magic mushrooms."

The initial studies on psilocybin mushrooms, commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, were conducted in the 1950s to 1960s but were subsequently halted.

"It was being looked at as a positive treatment for problems," Weigel said. "However, in the 1970s, it was reclassified as a schedule one drug and could not legally be researched."

Weigel said interest in the drug has increased, corresponding with changes in state laws regarding the legal status of certain drugs, particularly when used under supervision.

"It's also been decriminalized or pending in several other states, meaning that even though it's still illegal in those states, the prosecution has downgraded," she said.

Psilocybin has been designated as a breakthrough therapy by the FDA, allowing researchers to incorporate it into clinical trials without violating legal restrictions.

Weigel presents six methods of safety for drugs like the evaluation for benefit-risk analysis, potential for abuse, side effects, and physical and psychological dependence.

Weigel outlines six safety evaluation methods for drugs, including benefit-risk analysis, potential for abuse, side effects, and both physical and psychological dependence.

"Psychological addiction means that it's important to us and if we didn't have it, we would miss it and seek it out," she said.

Weigel concludes on the safety of magic mushrooms, highlighting concerns about unsupervised injuries, referencing a meta-analysis with no observed long-term adverse effects, and the potential lethality of 1,000 doses.

Two studies Weigel references, conducted by Griffiths and Carhart-Harris, explored the effectiveness of magic mushrooms in treating patients with depression.

The Griffiths study, which employed a double-blind design, reported notable mood improvement and symptom reduction both initially and at the six-month follow-up.

The Carhart-Harris study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial that observed no significant difference between SSRIs, a class of antidepressant drugs, and psilocybin.

"If the SSRIs are helping and there's no difference, that means the magic mushrooms are helping as well," Weigel said, later clarifying that magic mushrooms aren't necessarily more helpful than SSRIs.

Weigel proposes recommendations for future experiments, emphasizing the need for proper supervision and safety measures, given the unknown effectiveness of the drug after controversial and unethical studies from the past.

"The more we know about this, the more we learn about the brain and depression," she said.

Questions Weigel proposes for enhancing the quality of studies include how often doses can be taken and whether it is better or safer than existing medication.

She cautions that even if magic mushrooms are approved for treatment, this doesn't imply their safety for recreational use.

Weigel references the American Psychological Association for the possible use of magic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes.

"There's not adequate evidence at this time for the APA to support it being a treatment but encourages continued research because it has potential," she said.

The next session of the Science Cafe, titled "Ozempic and Wegovy: How the new diabetes and weight-loss drugs function," is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at The Venue at Thirsty's, 2704 Vine St.

The presentation will provide an overview of the new drugs and will include information on their effectiveness, off-label uses and potential side effects.

You can follow FHSU Science Cafe on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FHSUScienceCafe\">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706580533344.jpeg" alt="Stephanie Weigel speaking at the Science Cafe. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Stephanie Weigel speaking at the Science Cafe. Photo By Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostFort Hays State University's Science Cafe presentation on Monday was about psychedelic drugs and their effectiveness on depression.Assistant Professor of Psychology Stephanie Weigel spoke on Monday, briefly highlighting the history and safety of "magic mushrooms."The initial studies on psilocybin mushrooms, commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, were conducted in the 1950s to 1960s but were subsequently halted."It was being looked at as a positive treatment for problems," Weigel said. "However, in the 1970s, it was reclassified as a schedule one drug and could not legally be researched."Weigel said interest in the drug has increased, corresponding with changes in state laws regarding the legal status of certain drugs, particularly when used under supervision."It's also been decriminalized or pending in several other states, meaning that even though it's still illegal in those states, the prosecution has downgraded," she said.Psilocybin has been designated as a breakthrough therapy by the FDA, allowing researchers to incorporate it into clinical trials without violating legal restrictions.Weigel presents six methods of safety for drugs like the evaluation for benefit-risk analysis, potential for abuse, side effects, and physical and psychological dependence.Weigel outlines six safety evaluation methods for drugs, including benefit-risk analysis, potential for abuse, side effects, and both physical and psychological dependence."Psychological addiction means that it's important to us and if we didn't have it, we would miss it and seek it out," she said.Weigel concludes on the safety of magic mushrooms, highlighting concerns about unsupervised injuries, referencing a meta-analysis with no observed long-term adverse effects, and the potential lethality of 1,000 doses.Two studies Weigel references, conducted by Griffiths and Carhart-Harris, explored the effectiveness of magic mushrooms in treating patients with depression.The Griffiths study, which employed a double-blind design, reported notable mood improvement and symptom reduction both initially and at the six-month follow-up.The Carhart-Harris study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial that observed no significant difference between SSRIs, a class of antidepressant drugs, and psilocybin."If the SSRIs are helping and there's no difference, that means the magic mushrooms are helping as well," Weigel said, later clarifying that magic mushrooms aren't necessarily more helpful than SSRIs.Weigel proposes recommendations for future experiments, emphasizing the need for proper supervision and safety measures, given the unknown effectiveness of the drug after controversial and unethical studies from the past."The more we know about this, the more we learn about the brain and depression," she said.Questions Weigel proposes for enhancing the quality of studies include how often doses can be taken and whether it is better or safer than existing medication.She cautions that even if magic mushrooms are approved for treatment, this doesn't imply their safety for recreational use.Weigel references the American Psychological Association for the possible use of magic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes."There's not adequate evidence at this time for the APA to support it being a treatment but encourages continued research because it has potential," she said.The next session of the Science Cafe, titled "Ozempic and Wegovy: How the new diabetes and weight-loss drugs function," is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at The Venue at Thirsty's, 2704 Vine St.The presentation will provide an overview of the new drugs and will include information on their effectiveness, off-label uses and potential side effects.You can follow FHSU Science Cafe on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FHSUScienceCafe\">Facebook</a>.

FHSU hosts presentation on psychedelic drugs for mental health treatment

The United Way of Ellis County is thrilled to announce an exciting and entertaining fundraising event – "Dueling Pianos – a 70-year anniversary celebration” on Saturday, February 10th, 2024 in the Schenk Building at the Ellis County Fairgrounds. This unique and lively event promises to captivate audiences while raising funds to support our partner agencies. 

Dueling Pianos is not just a concert; it's an experience! Attendees will be treated to an exhilarating performance by professional dueling pianists who will engage the audience with a mix of music, comedy, and interactive fun. 

The event's dynamic atmosphere is perfect for a night out with friends, family, or colleagues. Dinner is also included with your purchase of a ticket. 

All proceeds from this event will go towards our fundraising campaign that benefits our partner agencies. By attending, you are not only enjoying a fantastic evening but also contributing to a meaningful cause that help those in need in our community. 

Tickets for this event are available at https://liveunited.harnessgiving.org/events/1253 or at our United Way office at 1200 Main St. Suite 102. Tickets are priced at $60, or you have an option of getting a table of 12. Don't miss out on the chance to secure your spot for an unforgettable night! Cash Bar will also be available. 21 and over only.

SubmittedThe United Way of Ellis County is thrilled to announce an exciting and entertaining fundraising event – "Dueling Pianos – a 70-year anniversary celebration” on Saturday, February 10th, 2024 in the Schenk Building at the Ellis County Fairgrounds. This unique and lively event promises to captivate audiences while raising funds to support our partner agencies. Dueling Pianos is not just a concert; it's an experience! Attendees will be treated to an exhilarating performance by professional dueling pianists who will engage the audience with a mix of music, comedy, and interactive fun. The event's dynamic atmosphere is perfect for a night out with friends, family, or colleagues. Dinner is also included with your purchase of a ticket. All proceeds from this event will go towards our fundraising campaign that benefits our partner agencies. By attending, you are not only enjoying a fantastic evening but also contributing to a meaningful cause that help those in need in our community. Tickets for this event are available at https://liveunited.harnessgiving.org/events/1253 or at our United Way office at 1200 Main St. Suite 102. Tickets are priced at $60, or you have an option of getting a table of 12. Don't miss out on the chance to secure your spot for an unforgettable night! Cash Bar will also be available. 21 and over only.

United Way of Ellis County to host Dueling Pianos

Thank you to the people from the 40th Senate District for attending the annual March for Life held on the south steps of the state capitol. Remarks were made celebrating the success of the last session. These remarks included Born Alive Protection Act, Women’s Right to Know Act, Alternatives to Abortion Program and Safe Haven Baby Boxes. This session the Kansas legislature will continue to work on the dignity of life and supporting mothers and babies.

As expected, Governor Kelly vetoed the single rate tax plan that included reduction in property tax, sales tax, and income tax on social security. In Governor Kelly’s veto message, she claimed this would wreck the budget. She claims this tax was an experiment. However, when we check income taxes in other states there are already eleven states with a similar flat rate tax policy, including two of our neighboring states Nebraska, and Colorado. Colorado’s Democratic governor has endorsed a bill in the Colorado legislature that will drop their current flat rate of 4.4% to 4%.

Our budget committee continues to work on subcommittee budgets and has had numerous report outs to the full committee last Wednesday and Friday.

A meeting was held with retired U.S. Senator Pat Roberts regarding the opioid and fentanyl additions in the United States. Senator Roberts reported that 200 Americans die from fentanyl and opioid drugs every day. Kansas currently ranks second in the nation per capita in deaths from these deadly drugs. Senator Roberts' group is looking for funding to provide four beds for fentanyl and opioid detoxification. These beds will be located at the Valley Hope facility located in Atchison, Kansas. We will be working to find additional funding to pay for this important program. Any schools interested in having a program presented to your students can contact the KBI director Tony Mattivi or his staff to set up a presentation informing our students of these deadly drugs.

The legislature continues to encourage and ask Governor Kelly to be proactive in trying to stop the drugs and human trafficking from entering the United States and the state of Kansas illegally.

My office has several dates available for 6th graders through high school to serve as a page. Working as a page in the Kansas Legislature is an excellent way to learn more about the legislative process. If your child is interested in being a page for my office the following dates are available: February 12th, February 19th, and March 11th. You may contact my office: 785-296-7399.

It has been an honor to represent the 40th Senate District of Kansas. I have been asked if I plan to run for reelection. Yes, I do plan to file for reelection for the 40th Senate district. I feel there are many issues I can still work on to make a better Kansas.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns. My email is: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or you may call me, my office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka, you are welcome to stop by my office, room 545-S.

Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is senator of the 40th District which includes:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675701343257.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. File photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. File photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Thank you to the people from the 40th Senate District for attending the annual March for Life held on the south steps of the state capitol. Remarks were made celebrating the success of the last session. These remarks included Born Alive Protection Act, Women’s Right to Know Act, Alternatives to Abortion Program and Safe Haven Baby Boxes. This session the Kansas legislature will continue to work on the dignity of life and supporting mothers and babies.As expected, Governor Kelly vetoed the single rate tax plan that included reduction in property tax, sales tax, and income tax on social security. In Governor Kelly’s veto message, she claimed this would wreck the budget. She claims this tax was an experiment. However, when we check income taxes in other states there are already eleven states with a similar flat rate tax policy, including two of our neighboring states Nebraska, and Colorado. Colorado’s Democratic governor has endorsed a bill in the Colorado legislature that will drop their current flat rate of 4.4% to 4%.Our budget committee continues to work on subcommittee budgets and has had numerous report outs to the full committee last Wednesday and Friday.A meeting was held with retired U.S. Senator Pat Roberts regarding the opioid and fentanyl additions in the United States. Senator Roberts reported that 200 Americans die from fentanyl and opioid drugs every day. Kansas currently ranks second in the nation per capita in deaths from these deadly drugs. Senator Roberts' group is looking for funding to provide four beds for fentanyl and opioid detoxification. These beds will be located at the Valley Hope facility located in Atchison, Kansas. We will be working to find additional funding to pay for this important program. Any schools interested in having a program presented to your students can contact the KBI director Tony Mattivi or his staff to set up a presentation informing our students of these deadly drugs.The legislature continues to encourage and ask Governor Kelly to be proactive in trying to stop the drugs and human trafficking from entering the United States and the state of Kansas illegally.My office has several dates available for 6th graders through high school to serve as a page. Working as a page in the Kansas Legislature is an excellent way to learn more about the legislative process. If your child is interested in being a page for my office the following dates are available: February 12th, February 19th, and March 11th. You may contact my office: 785-296-7399.It has been an honor to represent the 40th Senate District of Kansas. I have been asked if I plan to run for reelection. Yes, I do plan to file for reelection for the 40th Senate district. I feel there are many issues I can still work on to make a better Kansas.Do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns. My email is: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or you may call me, my office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka, you are welcome to stop by my office, room 545-S.Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is senator of the 40th District which includes:

BILLINGER: Senate Update, Jan. 29

2024 Senate Scene Week 3&nbsp; Topeka

This week, the Senate standing committees continued to hold hearings and bring forward legislation. The Ways and Means Committee is starting to work the budget bill with subcommittee meetings to report to the full committee in a few weeks. Hearings on bills in committees are continuing with the Senate returning to General Orders where we will see the first committee bills to have a vote from the entire Senate.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, hundreds of Kansans came out on a cold day for the annual March and Rally for Life at the Statehouse. On January 22, 1974, the first MARCH FOR LIFE was held on the West Steps of the U.S. Capitol. An estimated 20,000 committed prolife Americans rallied this day with attendance numbers rising every year. In addition to the March and Rally, events include workshops, pro-life educational booths, capitol tours, visiting legislators, and attending general legislative sessions and committees.&nbsp;

In off-legislative session during the summer, the Senate Confirmation Committee holds hearings for individuals brought forward by the governor for appointments to agency heads and other positions in state government. On Thursday, the Senate confirmed the following appointments:&nbsp;

Nicholas Jaskolski Brigadier General, Kansas National Guard Col.&nbsp;

Annie Kuether, Kansas Corporation Commission&nbsp;

Dawn McClure, Employment Security Board of Review&nbsp;

Pam Pierce, Employment Security Board of Review&nbsp;

Alan Deines, Kansas Development Finance Authority&nbsp;

Jon Small, Kansas Development Finance Authority&nbsp;

Catherine Moyer, Kansas Lottery Commission&nbsp;

Vicki Ryan, Kansas Lottery Commission&nbsp;

Kenneth (Ed) Trimmer, Kansas Lottery Commission&nbsp;

Mike Fleming, Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission

Larry Turnquist, Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission&nbsp;

Emily Bowersock-Hill, KPERS Board of Trustee&nbsp;

Brad Stratton, KPERS Board of Trustee&nbsp;

Patty Becker, Pooled Money Investment Board&nbsp;

Craig Heideman, Pooled Money Investment Board&nbsp;

Joni Franklin, Public Employee Relations Board&nbsp;

Keely Schneider, Public Employee Relations Board&nbsp;

Justin Nichols, State Banking Board&nbsp;

Michelle Ewert, State Board of Indigents' Defense Services&nbsp;

Romano Delcore, University of Kansas Hospital Authority&nbsp;

Elizabeth Henderson King, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

 Kevin Lockett, University of Kansas Hospital Authority

 Robba Moran, University of Kansas Hospital Authority&nbsp;

Alysia Johnston, Kansas Board of Regents&nbsp;

Neelima Parasker, Kansas Board of Regents&nbsp;

Calvin Reed Secretary, Kansas Department of Transportation&nbsp;

Erik Smith Superintendent, Kansas Highway Patrol&nbsp;

KANSAS DAY and Senate District #36&nbsp;

January 29th of 2024 marked the 163rd anniversary of President James Buchanan signing a bill to make Kansas the 34th state of the United States of America. Kansas is named for the Kansa, the Algonquian word for the Kaw. Kansas is full of rich history, beautiful scenes of nature, and notable landmarks. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644853578448.jpeg" alt="Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>2024 Senate Scene Week 3&nbsp; TopekaSENATE HAPPENINGS&nbsp;This week, the Senate standing committees continued to hold hearings and bring forward legislation. The Ways and Means Committee is starting to work the budget bill with subcommittee meetings to report to the full committee in a few weeks. Hearings on bills in committees are continuing with the Senate returning to General Orders where we will see the first committee bills to have a vote from the entire Senate.&nbsp;MARCH AND RALLY FOR LIFE Earlier this week, hundreds of Kansans came out on a cold day for the annual March and Rally for Life at the Statehouse. On January 22, 1974, the first MARCH FOR LIFE was held on the West Steps of the U.S. Capitol. An estimated 20,000 committed prolife Americans rallied this day with attendance numbers rising every year. In addition to the March and Rally, events include workshops, pro-life educational booths, capitol tours, visiting legislators, and attending general legislative sessions and committees.&nbsp;CONFIRMATIONS BY THE SENATE&nbsp;In off-legislative session during the summer, the Senate Confirmation Committee holds hearings for individuals brought forward by the governor for appointments to agency heads and other positions in state government. On Thursday, the Senate confirmed the following appointments:&nbsp;Appointment Position&nbsp;Nicholas Jaskolski Brigadier General, Kansas National Guard Col.&nbsp;Annie Kuether, Kansas Corporation Commission&nbsp;Dawn McClure, Employment Security Board of Review&nbsp;Pam Pierce, Employment Security Board of Review&nbsp;Alan Deines, Kansas Development Finance Authority&nbsp;Jon Small, Kansas Development Finance Authority&nbsp;Catherine Moyer, Kansas Lottery Commission&nbsp;Vicki Ryan, Kansas Lottery Commission&nbsp;Kenneth (Ed) Trimmer, Kansas Lottery Commission&nbsp;Mike Fleming, Kansas Racing and Gaming CommissionLarry Turnquist, Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission&nbsp;Emily Bowersock-Hill, KPERS Board of Trustee&nbsp;Brad Stratton, KPERS Board of Trustee&nbsp;Patty Becker, Pooled Money Investment Board&nbsp;Craig Heideman, Pooled Money Investment Board&nbsp;Joni Franklin, Public Employee Relations Board&nbsp;Keely Schneider, Public Employee Relations Board&nbsp;Justin Nichols, State Banking Board&nbsp;Michelle Ewert, State Board of Indigents' Defense Services&nbsp;Romano Delcore, University of Kansas Hospital Authority&nbsp;Elizabeth Henderson King, University of Kansas Hospital Authority Kevin Lockett, University of Kansas Hospital Authority Robba Moran, University of Kansas Hospital Authority&nbsp;Alysia Johnston, Kansas Board of Regents&nbsp;Neelima Parasker, Kansas Board of Regents&nbsp;Calvin Reed Secretary, Kansas Department of Transportation&nbsp;Erik Smith Superintendent, Kansas Highway Patrol&nbsp;KANSAS DAY and Senate District #36&nbsp;January 29th of 2024 marked the 163rd anniversary of President James Buchanan signing a bill to make Kansas the 34th state of the United States of America. Kansas is named for the Kansa, the Algonquian word for the Kaw. Kansas is full of rich history, beautiful scenes of nature, and notable landmarks. In Kansas Senate District 36, we have remarkable landmarks such as memorial to Pony Express Riders in Marshall County, the Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, Rock City outside of Minneapolis, and the “Home on the Range Cabin” in Smith County, birthplace of our state song. “Home on the Range” was adopted by the Kansas State Legislature as the official state song on June 30, 1947. Along with our state song, Kansas has not one, but TWO official state marches, “The Kansas March” and “Here’s Kansas.” But while the marches are grand, nothing brings as much pride into the hearts of the residents of the Sunflower State as that of seeing our great flag dancing in the breeze. The flag was designed by Hazel Avery of Lincoln County in 1925. Directly in the center on the field of blue is the Great Seal of the State of Kansas with our motto arching near the top: “Ad Astra Per Aspera” to the stars through difficulties. The flag was modified in 1961 by a bill introduced by Senator Ross Doyen of Concordia to add the word “KANSAS.”&nbsp;VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF KANSAS - <a href="http://www.kansas.gov/" target="_blank">www.kansas.gov</a>&nbsp;You can find a wealth of information at this well-designed website which focuses on Kansas with topics of business, education, government, residents, and services with links to agencies and staff to help answer any question you might have. Webfile will take you directly to the Department of Revenue to file your taxes; Form finder will take you to the Secretary of State’s office for all types of forms for businesses; Learning Quest will direct you to the State Treasurer’s Office; the three branches of government; and Plan your Trip to Kansas will open to the Department of Wildlife and Parks.&nbsp;TOLL-FREE LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE&nbsp;Kansas residents can access information on legislation, legislative procedure, state government, public policy issues, and more by calling 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents. Questions can also be left at <a href="mailto:infodesk@ks.gov" target="_blank">infodesk@ks.gov</a> on weekends and evenings. Kansans can now chat with a librarian in real-time through the library’s Ask A Librarian service found at kslib.info/ask . You will have the option of installing a mobile app connecting users to all the State Library’s services, including chat, texting, and email. Text questions to 785-256-0733. The State Library is located on the 3rd floor, north wing of the Capitol.&nbsp;Thank you for the honor of serving you!Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300 SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov 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>&nbsp;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

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