Ellis County first responders appreciation BBQ is June 3

Kansas Reflector: Weeklong series to examine influence of religious beliefs on policy decisions at Statehouse

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

WICHITA — When Marquetta Atkins was 7 or 8 years old and the subject of slavery came up at school, she was the only Black child in the classroom.

Everyone would turn and look at her as though she were a slave.

“If I can be subjected to something like that, why can’t your kids know the truth?” Atkins said.

Atkins’ work as executive director for Progeny, a youth advocacy group in Wichita, often places her in conflict with lawmakers who refuse to acknowledge systemic racism.

For the past two years, Kansas Republicans have been more interested in shielding white children from the application of “critical race theory” — a political catchall they apply to grievances with history lessons and diversity training. The opposition is consistent with fringe Christian beliefs on race.

Kansas Reflector is examining the influence of religious beliefs on state government through a series of stories.

In an interview for this series, Atkins said political leaders were willing to ignore the truth about this country’s history and undo progress “just so white men can feel comfortable.”

“You know, my mother was a little girl when the civil rights movement was happening,” Atkins said. “She’s not that old. And it was some of these people that are in these offices right now who were young and anti-civil rights movement, and they’re holding seats right now. And when you look at some of those pictures of people spitting on people, and people doing violent things to people — these are people’s grandparents that are alive, right now.

“So imagine your grandchild looking at a history book and seeing you spitting on someone just because they were Black. Is that a story you want your grandchild to see?”

Reno County Republicans who met in March considered the topic of race from a Biblical perspective. A secret audio recording of their conversation, which included local and state GOP officials, two legislators and unidentified crowd members, was shared with Kansas Reflector. The meeting took place at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson.

A point of emphasis in the conversation: Everybody descended from Adam and Eve, and we are all children of Noah.

“We are all related,” an unidentified woman said. “We are one blood according to the Book of Acts. And so there is no such thing as race. And to make such a thing of this is just ridiculous.”

Adam Peters, GOP chairman for Ellis County, told her “that’s absolutely true.”

Where does “whiteness” come from, Peters asked? Not the devil, he assured the 50-75 people at the meeting. He explained that his ancestors simply didn’t get enough vitamin D in their diet.

“You need pale skin to collect the sun, right? That’s the answer to that,” Peters said. “It’s just a simple result of history and nature that made me look the way that I am. That doesn’t make me a disease. That doesn’t make me the cause of the world’s problems. It’s just the way that God saw fit to create.”

But Peters and others at the meeting embraced racist tropes. They reasoned that Black men are more likely to commit crime because of low marriage rates.

“The main reason why Black suspects are disproportionately killed by the police is they disproportionately tried to kill the police,” Peters said. “Now, you may hear that a disproportionate number of Black suspects are killed while unarmed. This is true, but unarmed does not equal not a threat.”

The comments were part of a larger discussion on critical race theory and protests that stemmed from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/06/25/derek-chauvin-sentenced-to-22-5-years-in-prison-for-murder-of-george-floyd/">a police officer’s murder</a>&nbsp;of George Floyd in 2020.

After Floyd’s death, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly formed a task force to study racial equity and justice. The panel&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/25/governors-task-force-outlines-more-than-120-ideas-for-improving-equity-justice/">outlined more than 100 ideas</a>&nbsp;for addressing education, health care and economic issues — but the Republican-controlled Legislature held&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/22/after-george-floyds-murder-a-racial-equity-panel-proposed-changes-the-kansas-legislature-ignored-them/">no hearings on any corresponding legislation</a>. The panel’s proposals were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/07/schmidt-blasts-kellys-justice-commission-despite-his-affirmation-of-racial-bias-by-kansas-police/">the basis for political attacks</a>&nbsp;on Kelly during last year’s governor’s race.

Instead, lawmakers focused on keeping critical race theory out of public schools.

Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and chairwoman of the K-12 Education Budget Committee, said during an October 2021 meeting that rising child suicide rates could be blamed on the way history is taught in public schools. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/18/kansas-child-death-report-looks-beyond-reps-claim-that-critical-race-theory-shames-white-girls/">review of child deaths</a>&nbsp;didn’t support her claims.

“If we go back to any race of people in any part of the world, you’re going to find things that you’re very proud of, and things that you would be very disturbed to know,” Williams said. “But to place that burden on a little white girl, compared to another person of another ethnic or racial background, is wrong. And she should not feel shame or guilt for something that she cannot control — one, her skin color; number two, the past that predated her.”

This year, the Legislature tried to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/19/kansas-senate-budget-bill-features-3-25-spending-cut-imposes-dei-ban-at-universities/">block state universities</a>&nbsp;from asking faculty members, students and contractors about diversity, equity and inclusion. Concerns about racial disparities surfaced in debates on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/24/its-set-up-to-fail-kansas-youth-justice-leaders-discuss-states-lack-of-progress/">juvenile justice</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/03/kansas-lawmakers-entertain-texas-groups-plan-to-penalize-homeless/">homelessness</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/08/house-republicans-explore-new-way-to-punish-low-income-aging-kansans-seeking-food/">restrictions on food assistance</a>.

In the closing days of the session, Rep. Ford Carr complained that legislation legalizing fentanyl test strips had been packaged with tougher penalties for fleeing and eluding police. Carr, who is Black, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/05/01/white-kansas-lawmaker-denies-racism-in-house-this-body-is-more-compassionate-and-loving/">the bill was an attempt to punish young Black men</a>&nbsp;who have good reason to fear police.

“People are scared, and when they’re scared they do things,” Carr said. “They try to evade and get away.”

Rep. Trevor Jacobs, a Fort Scott Republican, marched to the front of the House to offer a rebuttal. Jacobs said he was sick of hearing that “pretty near every single bill that we do up here involves race or bigotry.”

“It’s not about race or racism here,” Jacobs said. “And if it is, I believe that this body is more compassionate and loving to not embrace that. It gets old.”

Carr returned to the front of the House to respond.

“I would be a bitter fool to believe that there isn’t someone in here or some people within this body where race is an issue,” Carr said. “The fact that we want to wish it away is easy when it doesn’t affect you.”

Atkins, the Progeny leader, said systemic oppression has always existed in this country. After slavery, Jim Crow laws and the redlining of communities continued to oppress Black people, she said.

“And so now we’re at a point in this country where people want to say racism doesn’t exist,” Atkins said. “But a little boy knocked on somebody’s door in Kansas City, looking for his brother and sister, and had the wrong address. And that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/30/kansas-city-shooting-suggests-double-standard-for-arrest-between-black-and-white-people/">caused him to be shot two times</a>. Just ringing a doorbell.”

Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old white man, was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action for shooting Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old Black boy, twice in the head on April 13.

Atkins marveled at the idea that Black people would want to make up the idea of being oppressed.

“They’re literally telling a whole community of people that your stories are invalid,” Atkins said. “Like we would want to sit up here and make up racism. Like we want to make up being oppressed. And it’s the most foolish s*** — I’m sorry — that I’ve ever heard in my entire life, because you’re invalidating all that I am and all that I experienced in my life.”

<h2>Kansas Reflector: Weeklong series to examine influence of religious beliefs on policy decisions at Statehouse</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684967712375.jpeg" alt="Progeny executive director Marquetta Atkins answers questions during an April 17, 2023, interview at the Progeny office in Wichita. Her advocacy work often places her in conflict with lawmakers who refuse to acknowledge systemic racism. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Progeny executive director Marquetta Atkins answers questions during an April 17, 2023, interview at the Progeny office in Wichita. Her advocacy work often places her in conflict with lawmakers who refuse to acknowledge systemic racism. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA — When Marquetta Atkins was 7 or 8 years old and the subject of slavery came up at school, she was the only Black child in the classroom.Everyone would turn and look at her as though she were a slave.“If I can be subjected to something like that, why can’t your kids know the truth?” Atkins said.Atkins’ work as executive director for Progeny, a youth advocacy group in Wichita, often places her in conflict with lawmakers who refuse to acknowledge systemic racism.For the past two years, Kansas Republicans have been more interested in shielding white children from the application of “critical race theory” — a political catchall they apply to grievances with history lessons and diversity training. The opposition is consistent with fringe Christian beliefs on race.Kansas Reflector is examining the influence of religious beliefs on state government through a series of stories.In an interview for this series, Atkins said political leaders were willing to ignore the truth about this country’s history and undo progress “just so white men can feel comfortable.”“You know, my mother was a little girl when the civil rights movement was happening,” Atkins said. “She’s not that old. And it was some of these people that are in these offices right now who were young and anti-civil rights movement, and they’re holding seats right now. And when you look at some of those pictures of people spitting on people, and people doing violent things to people — these are people’s grandparents that are alive, right now.“So imagine your grandchild looking at a history book and seeing you spitting on someone just because they were Black. Is that a story you want your grandchild to see?”Reno County Republicans who met in March considered the topic of race from a Biblical perspective. A secret audio recording of their conversation, which included local and state GOP officials, two legislators and unidentified crowd members, was shared with Kansas Reflector. The meeting took place at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson.A point of emphasis in the conversation: Everybody descended from Adam and Eve, and we are all children of Noah.“We are all related,” an unidentified woman said. “We are one blood according to the Book of Acts. And so there is no such thing as race. And to make such a thing of this is just ridiculous.”Adam Peters, GOP chairman for Ellis County, told her “that’s absolutely true.”Where does “whiteness” come from, Peters asked? Not the devil, he assured the 50-75 people at the meeting. He explained that his ancestors simply didn’t get enough vitamin D in their diet.“You need pale skin to collect the sun, right? That’s the answer to that,” Peters said. “It’s just a simple result of history and nature that made me look the way that I am. That doesn’t make me a disease. That doesn’t make me the cause of the world’s problems. It’s just the way that God saw fit to create.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684967831436.jpeg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly established a task force in 2020 to study racial equity and justice. The Legislature ignored the panel’s recommendations, which then became the subject of an attack ad by Republican Derek Schmidt during last year’s campaign for governor. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly established a task force in 2020 to study racial equity and justice. The Legislature ignored the panel’s recommendations, which then became the subject of an attack ad by Republican Derek Schmidt during last year’s campaign for governor. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>But Peters and others at the meeting embraced racist tropes. They reasoned that Black men are more likely to commit crime because of low marriage rates.“The main reason why Black suspects are disproportionately killed by the police is they disproportionately tried to kill the police,” Peters said. “Now, you may hear that a disproportionate number of Black suspects are killed while unarmed. This is true, but unarmed does not equal not a threat.”The comments were part of a larger discussion on critical race theory and protests that stemmed from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/06/25/derek-chauvin-sentenced-to-22-5-years-in-prison-for-murder-of-george-floyd/">a police officer’s murder</a>&nbsp;of George Floyd in 2020.After Floyd’s death, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly formed a task force to study racial equity and justice. The panel&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/25/governors-task-force-outlines-more-than-120-ideas-for-improving-equity-justice/">outlined more than 100 ideas</a>&nbsp;for addressing education, health care and economic issues — but the Republican-controlled Legislature held&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/22/after-george-floyds-murder-a-racial-equity-panel-proposed-changes-the-kansas-legislature-ignored-them/">no hearings on any corresponding legislation</a>. The panel’s proposals were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/07/schmidt-blasts-kellys-justice-commission-despite-his-affirmation-of-racial-bias-by-kansas-police/">the basis for political attacks</a>&nbsp;on Kelly during last year’s governor’s race.Instead, lawmakers focused on keeping critical race theory out of public schools.Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and chairwoman of the K-12 Education Budget Committee, said during an October 2021 meeting that rising child suicide rates could be blamed on the way history is taught in public schools. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/11/18/kansas-child-death-report-looks-beyond-reps-claim-that-critical-race-theory-shames-white-girls/">review of child deaths</a>&nbsp;didn’t support her claims.“If we go back to any race of people in any part of the world, you’re going to find things that you’re very proud of, and things that you would be very disturbed to know,” Williams said. “But to place that burden on a little white girl, compared to another person of another ethnic or racial background, is wrong. And she should not feel shame or guilt for something that she cannot control — one, her skin color; number two, the past that predated her.”This year, the Legislature tried to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/19/kansas-senate-budget-bill-features-3-25-spending-cut-imposes-dei-ban-at-universities/">block state universities</a>&nbsp;from asking faculty members, students and contractors about diversity, equity and inclusion. Concerns about racial disparities surfaced in debates on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/24/its-set-up-to-fail-kansas-youth-justice-leaders-discuss-states-lack-of-progress/">juvenile justice</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/03/kansas-lawmakers-entertain-texas-groups-plan-to-penalize-homeless/">homelessness</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/08/house-republicans-explore-new-way-to-punish-low-income-aging-kansans-seeking-food/">restrictions on food assistance</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684967901304.jpeg" alt="Rep. Ford Carr speaks to colleagues during an April 27, 2023, debate about his concerns with legislation that increases penalties for people who flee police in fear. He said he would be “a bitter fool” to think race wasn’t an issue for anybody in the chamber. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Ford Carr speaks to colleagues during an April 27, 2023, debate about his concerns with legislation that increases penalties for people who flee police in fear. He said he would be “a bitter fool” to think race wasn’t an issue for anybody in the chamber. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In the closing days of the session, Rep. Ford Carr complained that legislation legalizing fentanyl test strips had been packaged with tougher penalties for fleeing and eluding police. Carr, who is Black, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/05/01/white-kansas-lawmaker-denies-racism-in-house-this-body-is-more-compassionate-and-loving/">the bill was an attempt to punish young Black men</a>&nbsp;who have good reason to fear police.“People are scared, and when they’re scared they do things,” Carr said. “They try to evade and get away.”Rep. Trevor Jacobs, a Fort Scott Republican, marched to the front of the House to offer a rebuttal. Jacobs said he was sick of hearing that “pretty near every single bill that we do up here involves race or bigotry.”“It’s not about race or racism here,” Jacobs said. “And if it is, I believe that this body is more compassionate and loving to not embrace that. It gets old.”Carr returned to the front of the House to respond.“I would be a bitter fool to believe that there isn’t someone in here or some people within this body where race is an issue,” Carr said. “The fact that we want to wish it away is easy when it doesn’t affect you.”Atkins, the Progeny leader, said systemic oppression has always existed in this country. After slavery, Jim Crow laws and the redlining of communities continued to oppress Black people, she said.“And so now we’re at a point in this country where people want to say racism doesn’t exist,” Atkins said. “But a little boy knocked on somebody’s door in Kansas City, looking for his brother and sister, and had the wrong address. And that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/30/kansas-city-shooting-suggests-double-standard-for-arrest-between-black-and-white-people/">caused him to be shot two times</a>. Just ringing a doorbell.”Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old white man, was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action for shooting Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old Black boy, twice in the head on April 13.Atkins marveled at the idea that Black people would want to make up the idea of being oppressed.“They’re literally telling a whole community of people that your stories are invalid,” Atkins said. “Like we would want to sit up here and make up racism. Like we want to make up being oppressed. And it’s the most foolish s*** — I’m sorry — that I’ve ever heard in my entire life, because you’re invalidating all that I am and all that I experienced in my life.”<h2>Church and State</h2>On Hays Post:<ul>
 <li>Thursday:&nbsp;Conservative sanctuary</li><li>Friday:&nbsp;LGBTQ targets</li><li>Saturday:&nbsp;Private education</li><li>Sunday:&nbsp;Abortion rights</li><li>Monday:&nbsp;Systemic racism</li><li>Tuesday:&nbsp;Statehouse spiritual</li>
 </ul>

Church and state: Kansas Republicans reject systemic racism while fighting critical race theory

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly has announced more than $8.8 million from the Kansas High-Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program will go to 19 rural counties, including Ellis County, to improve the safety and efficiency of roads and local roadways.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"These investments will keep roads in rural areas safe and easy to travel, something that’s essential to supporting local businesses and making life better for Kansas families,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.

The HRRR program is a federally funded initiative designed to improve safety on rural roads through state and local partnerships. This year’s 19 HRRR projects were selected from 50 applications seeking $30.3 million in federal funds. Kansas HRRR funds cover 90-100 percent of the total project cost, with the counties making up the difference if necessary.

“Local agencies often do not have the resources needed to adequately address safety problems on the roads they own and operate,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Acting Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed. “Working together provides opportunities for communities to strengthen their local road network to improve connections across the state.”&nbsp;

Projects in this program fall into one of two categories: Systemic (encompassing a local roadway network) or Site Specific. Projects in the Systemic category are 100% federally funded, and Site Specific projects are 90% federally funded.&nbsp;

The distribution of the $8,809,000 in HRRR funds is listed below. Funds are for Federal Fiscal Year 2025:

Barton, Systemic, $171,000 Upgrade signing on all major collectors in the SW quadrant of the county.

Cherokee, Systemic, $400,000 Upgrade signing on all major collectors in the west half of the county.

Cowley*, Site Specific, $601,000 Widen driving lanes, flatten ditch foreslopes, and install 6-inch white edge lines on 3 miles of paved major collectors.

Crawford, Site Specific, $682,000 Add SafetyEdgeTM, flatten ditch foreslopes, and install 6” white edge lines on S. 200th&nbsp;Street.

Ellis, Systemic, $595,000 Determine passing zones: add “No Passing” pennant signs and appropriate centerline pavement markings and install 6-inch white edge lines on 126 miles of paved major collectors throughout the county.

Ellsworth, Systemic, $345,000 Upgrade signing on all major collectors west of K-156 in the county.

Finney*, Site Specific, $546,000 Add 2-foot shoulders with SafetyEdgeTM, eliminate fixed obstacles, and install 6-inch white edge lines on Maple Street.

Graham, Systemic, $310,000 Upgrade signing on 101 miles of unpaved major collectors in the west half of the county.

Harper, Systemic, $362,000 Upgrade signing on 90 miles of major collectors west of K-14 in the county.

Kearny, Systemic, $236,000 Upgrade signing on 78 miles of major collectors north of U.S. 50 in the county.

Leavenworth*, Site Specific, $1,151,000 Add 6-foot shoulders with SafetyEdgeTM, install edge rumble strips, and extend culverts to improve the clear zone on Tonganoxie Drive between 189th&nbsp;and 187th&nbsp;streets.

Linn*, Site Specific, $351,000 Install hazard/curve signage and 6-inch white edge lines on Route 1095 between 1650 Road and K-152.

Marion*, Site Specific, $750,000 Install turf shoulders and extend culverts to improve the clear zone for 6 miles of 290th&nbsp;Road.

Morris, Systemic, $365,000 Upgrade signing on 97 miles of major and minor collectors throughout the county.

Pottawatomie, Site Specific, $300,000 Install 4-foot aggregate shoulders and flatten ditch foreslopes on Flush Road between Kanon Ridge Lane and Elizas Road.

Pratt, Systemic, $420,000 Install 6-inch white edge lines on 71 miles of major collectors and local roads east of U.S. 281.

Rawlins, Systemic, $548,000 Upgrade signing on 109 miles of major collectors west of K-25 in the county.

Rice, Systemic, $243,000 Upgrade signing on 59 miles of major collectors west of K-14 and south of U.S. 56 in the county.

Sheridan, Systemic, $433,000 Upgrade signing on 272 miles of major and minor collectors in the county.

*&nbsp;As identified in the county’s Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684955618513.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of GovernorTOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly has announced more than $8.8 million from the Kansas High-Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program will go to 19 rural counties, including Ellis County, to improve the safety and efficiency of roads and local roadways.&nbsp;&nbsp;"These investments will keep roads in rural areas safe and easy to travel, something that’s essential to supporting local businesses and making life better for Kansas families,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.The HRRR program is a federally funded initiative designed to improve safety on rural roads through state and local partnerships. This year’s 19 HRRR projects were selected from 50 applications seeking $30.3 million in federal funds. Kansas HRRR funds cover 90-100 percent of the total project cost, with the counties making up the difference if necessary.“Local agencies often do not have the resources needed to adequately address safety problems on the roads they own and operate,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Acting Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed. “Working together provides opportunities for communities to strengthen their local road network to improve connections across the state.”&nbsp;Projects in this program fall into one of two categories: Systemic (encompassing a local roadway network) or Site Specific. Projects in the Systemic category are 100% federally funded, and Site Specific projects are 90% federally funded.&nbsp;The distribution of the $8,809,000 in HRRR funds is listed below. Funds are for Federal Fiscal Year 2025:Barton, Systemic, $171,000 Upgrade signing on all major collectors in the SW quadrant of the county.Cherokee, Systemic, $400,000 Upgrade signing on all major collectors in the west half of the county.Cowley*, Site Specific, $601,000 Widen driving lanes, flatten ditch foreslopes, and install 6-inch white edge lines on 3 miles of paved major collectors.Crawford, Site Specific, $682,000 Add SafetyEdgeTM, flatten ditch foreslopes, and install 6” white edge lines on S. 200th&nbsp;Street.Ellis, Systemic, $595,000 Determine passing zones: add “No Passing” pennant signs and appropriate centerline pavement markings and install 6-inch white edge lines on 126 miles of paved major collectors throughout the county.Ellsworth, Systemic, $345,000 Upgrade signing on all major collectors west of K-156 in the county.Finney*, Site Specific, $546,000 Add 2-foot shoulders with SafetyEdgeTM, eliminate fixed obstacles, and install 6-inch white edge lines on Maple Street.Graham, Systemic, $310,000 Upgrade signing on 101 miles of unpaved major collectors in the west half of the county.Harper, Systemic, $362,000 Upgrade signing on 90 miles of major collectors west of K-14 in the county.Kearny, Systemic, $236,000 Upgrade signing on 78 miles of major collectors north of U.S. 50 in the county.Leavenworth*, Site Specific, $1,151,000 Add 6-foot shoulders with SafetyEdgeTM, install edge rumble strips, and extend culverts to improve the clear zone on Tonganoxie Drive between 189th&nbsp;and 187th&nbsp;streets.Linn*, Site Specific, $351,000 Install hazard/curve signage and 6-inch white edge lines on Route 1095 between 1650 Road and K-152.Marion*, Site Specific, $750,000 Install turf shoulders and extend culverts to improve the clear zone for 6 miles of 290th&nbsp;Road.Morris, Systemic, $365,000 Upgrade signing on 97 miles of major and minor collectors throughout the county.Pottawatomie, Site Specific, $300,000 Install 4-foot aggregate shoulders and flatten ditch foreslopes on Flush Road between Kanon Ridge Lane and Elizas Road.Pratt, Systemic, $420,000 Install 6-inch white edge lines on 71 miles of major collectors and local roads east of U.S. 281.Rawlins, Systemic, $548,000 Upgrade signing on 109 miles of major collectors west of K-25 in the county.Rice, Systemic, $243,000 Upgrade signing on 59 miles of major collectors west of K-14 and south of U.S. 56 in the county.Sheridan, Systemic, $433,000 Upgrade signing on 272 miles of major and minor collectors in the county.*&nbsp;As identified in the county’s Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP).

Ellis County among rural areas receiving state grants for road safety improvements

TOPEKA – The 2023 Kansas Livestock Association Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA) met in the Kansas City area May 8-10 for their second seminar of the year. Class members from across the state spent three days learning more about beef marketing and connecting with consumers.

Merck Animal Health, the exclusive sponsor of the program, hosted the class at their Lenexa, Lawrence and De Soto facilities. Staff provided an overview of the animal health industry, discussed up-and-coming technologies and gave a tour of their research farm and one of their labs.

Kansas Beef Council (KBC) Executive Director Scott Stebner spent time with YSA discussing consumer research and providing a beef checkoff update. KBC Director of Nutrition Abby Heidari visited with the class about connecting with consumers and health influencers over beef nutrition facts.

Bichelmeyer Meats, Kansas City Steak Company and Golden Belt Beef opened their doors to the group for tours and provided insight into how their respective businesses use direct-to-consumer beef marketing. Class members also spent time at two Hy-Vee grocery store locations preparing and serving Kansas City strip steak samples while engaging with consumers about preparing beef and how cattle are raised. Additionally, YSA members visited Whole Foods Market where they learned more about marketing beef to a niche audience.

The tour wrapped up with a stop at Smoke ‘n’ Fire, a retail store specializing in grills, barbeque accessories, fireplaces and more.

Members of the 2023 class are Jack Adams, Plains; Erica Auchard, Cimarron; Cole Baumgartner, Westmoreland; Tara Jo Bina, Halstead; Eric Blythe, White City; Allison Castilleja, Satanta; Emily Grund, Wamego; Logan Hoobler, Perry; Cody Howell, Chanute; Cooper Imthurn, Maple Hill; Kyler Jost, Spring Hill; Arlan Newby, Haven; Garret Otter, Almena; Cole Renner, Monument; Garret Smith, Great Bend; Leslie Smith, Ashland; Bubba Sullivan, Amarillo, TX; Brody Thayer, La Cygne; Jose Woolfolk, Hugoton; and Jay Ziegelmeier, Hays.

YSA will meet for their third gathering, a tour of central and western Kansas beef and dairy operations, in mid-September.

KLA is a trade organization representing the business interests of members at both the state and federal levels. Voluntary dues dollars paid by producers are used for programs that benefit KLA members in the areas of legislative representation, regulatory assistance, legal troubleshooting, communications and the advancement of youth.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684875084208.jpeg" alt="Pictured are (front row, L to R) Kyler Jost, Spring Hill; Garret Otter, Almena; Bubba Sullivan, Amarillo, TX; Brody Thayer, La Cygne; Cooper Imthurn, Maple Hill; Leslie Smith, Ashland; Jack Adams, Plains; Allison Castilleja, Satanta; Garret Smith, Great Bend; Emily Grund; Wamego; (back row, L to R) Jose Woolfolk, Hugoton; Cole Renner, Monument; Arlan Newby, Haven; Jay Ziegelmeier, Hays; Cole Baumgartner, Westmoreland; Cody Howell, Chanute; Eric Blythe, White City; Tara Jo Bina, Halstead; Erica Auchard, Cimarron; and Logan Hoobler, Perry. Photo by KLA" />
 <figcaption>Pictured are (front row, L to R) Kyler Jost, Spring Hill; Garret Otter, Almena; Bubba Sullivan, Amarillo, TX; Brody Thayer, La Cygne; Cooper Imthurn, Maple Hill; Leslie Smith, Ashland; Jack Adams, Plains; Allison Castilleja, Satanta; Garret Smith, Great Bend; Emily Grund; Wamego; (back row, L to R) Jose Woolfolk, Hugoton; Cole Renner, Monument; Arlan Newby, Haven; Jay Ziegelmeier, Hays; Cole Baumgartner, Westmoreland; Cody Howell, Chanute; Eric Blythe, White City; Tara Jo Bina, Halstead; Erica Auchard, Cimarron; and Logan Hoobler, Perry. Photo by KLA</figcaption>
 </figure>KLATOPEKA – The 2023 Kansas Livestock Association Young Stockmen’s Academy (YSA) met in the Kansas City area May 8-10 for their second seminar of the year. Class members from across the state spent three days learning more about beef marketing and connecting with consumers.Merck Animal Health, the exclusive sponsor of the program, hosted the class at their Lenexa, Lawrence and De Soto facilities. Staff provided an overview of the animal health industry, discussed up-and-coming technologies and gave a tour of their research farm and one of their labs.Kansas Beef Council (KBC) Executive Director Scott Stebner spent time with YSA discussing consumer research and providing a beef checkoff update. KBC Director of Nutrition Abby Heidari visited with the class about connecting with consumers and health influencers over beef nutrition facts.Bichelmeyer Meats, Kansas City Steak Company and Golden Belt Beef opened their doors to the group for tours and provided insight into how their respective businesses use direct-to-consumer beef marketing. Class members also spent time at two Hy-Vee grocery store locations preparing and serving Kansas City strip steak samples while engaging with consumers about preparing beef and how cattle are raised. Additionally, YSA members visited Whole Foods Market where they learned more about marketing beef to a niche audience.The tour wrapped up with a stop at Smoke ‘n’ Fire, a retail store specializing in grills, barbeque accessories, fireplaces and more.Members of the 2023 class are Jack Adams, Plains; Erica Auchard, Cimarron; Cole Baumgartner, Westmoreland; Tara Jo Bina, Halstead; Eric Blythe, White City; Allison Castilleja, Satanta; Emily Grund, Wamego; Logan Hoobler, Perry; Cody Howell, Chanute; Cooper Imthurn, Maple Hill; Kyler Jost, Spring Hill; Arlan Newby, Haven; Garret Otter, Almena; Cole Renner, Monument; Garret Smith, Great Bend; Leslie Smith, Ashland; Bubba Sullivan, Amarillo, TX; Brody Thayer, La Cygne; Jose Woolfolk, Hugoton; and Jay Ziegelmeier, Hays.YSA will meet for their third gathering, a tour of central and western Kansas beef and dairy operations, in mid-September.KLA is a trade organization representing the business interests of members at both the state and federal levels. Voluntary dues dollars paid by producers are used for programs that benefit KLA members in the areas of legislative representation, regulatory assistance, legal troubleshooting, communications and the advancement of youth.

Young stockmen from Hays, Great Bend visit beef marketers in Kansas City area

<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/2023/5/1685113691196.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

Icon Structures is partnering with GLMV Architects and Advancing Barton County Childcare (ABCC) on their new Childcare Facility located in Great Bend.

Icon Structures will be bidding on this project between May 31 and June 14.

Any and all interested bidders should reach out to Shawn Edwards with Icon Structures at 316-687-9960 for further questions. 

The project is anticipated to be completed in the early spring of 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685111809871.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Icon Structures is partnering with GLMV Architects and Advancing Barton County Childcare (ABCC) on their new Childcare Facility located in Great Bend.Icon Structures will be bidding on this project between May 31 and June 14.Any and all interested bidders should reach out to Shawn Edwards with Icon Structures at 316-687-9960 for further questions. The project is anticipated to be completed in the early spring of 2024.

🎙 Post Podcast: Grow Hays e-community programs helps entrepreneurs achieve goals

TOPEKA — Torn between his Catholic faith and commitment to public service, Rep. Henry Helgerson struggled to keep his composure as he spoke to colleagues from the House floor near the end of this year’s legislative session.

The Eastborough Democrat referenced an avalanche of anti-abortion legislation produced by Republicans in defiance of voters who rejected a constitutional amendment on abortion in August.

The Legislature was debating&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2060/">House Bill 2060</a>, which addresses the state’s shortage of gynecologists by offering tuition assistance to medical students. The program is not available to anyone who receives training to perform abortions.

Fighting back tears, Helgerson talked about his role three decades ago in helping pass legislation that bans abortion at state-funded facilities. But he couldn’t understand why the state would prohibit health care professionals from being trained to provide a legal service.

“That crosses a whole different line,” he said. “I believe that if the voters have made a decision to allow abortion in this state, I want the doctors to have the best training. To prohibit them from having that is not in anyone’s best health interests.

“I walk a real close line because I am torn on this issue. I am torn because, raised Catholic, go to church on a regular basis, but I still have everything that you all have, those feelings. But the state and our obligation is different than my religious obligation. And today, the last few days, we have crossed the line where my religious beliefs, or other people’s religious beliefs, suddenly takes over what the state policy is.”

Despite the 59-41 margin in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">a statewide vote on the constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;last year, Republican lawmakers passed new anti-abortion laws. Abortion providers will have to tell patients the abortion pill can be reversed,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-house-advances-state-mandated-deception-of-abortion-pill-reversal/">a dangerous proposition based on junk research</a>. Doctors will continue to provide medical care for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/14/kansas-governor-vetos-born-alive-bill-k-12-nra-gun-safety-training-program/">infants who are “born alive,”</a>&nbsp;thanks to legislation designed to promote a false narrative that “failed abortions” are performed on infants who are capable of surviving. And&nbsp; abortion providers would not have been able to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/26/kansas-house-overrides-governors-vetoes-of-three-anti-abortion-bills/">obtain liability insurance</a>&nbsp;through the state Health Care Stabilization Fund, even though they are required to contribute to it, but the Senate fell just short of the votes needed to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto.

Additionally, the Legislature allocated&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/08/kansas-lawmakers-propose-state-funding-of-anti-abortion-advocacy-programs/">tax dollars to support “pregnancy crisis centers,”</a>&nbsp;which actively discourage women from seeking abortions.

“We are moral people,” said Rep. Ron Bryce, a Republican physician from Coffeyville who claimed he personally provided aid to 27 babies who survived an abortion. “We provide care for those who are weak, for those who are disadvantaged, for those who are innocent and powerless.”

Abortion has dominated Kansas politics for decades, but attention to the issue was heightened last year by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and Kansas voters’ rejection of the proposed constitutional amendment.

In March, supporters of access to reproductive health care&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/06/as-kansas-lawmakers-target-abortion-rights-opposition-unites-at-statehouse/">gathered en masse</a>&nbsp;to celebrate bodily autonomy and protest anti-abortion legislation. At&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/11/kansas-supreme-court-chief-justice-points-to-attorney-shortage-specialty-courts-behavioral-health/">other times throughout the session</a>, Kevan Myers, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Clifton Boje, of Bonner Springs, picketed the third floor railing with large anti-abortion signs. They are leaders of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://aimks.org/whoweare/">an abortion abolitionist ministry</a>&nbsp;based in St. George.

One sign read: “We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ pleading from God a message of reconciliation.”

Another: “The laws against murder should be applied equally to all people.”

Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and senior minister at First Congregational Church, said in an interview for this series that he “talked to a Republican leader, who I shall leave unnamed, who said to me: ‘We don’t really care about all this stuff, Tobias. We just bring all these abortion bills because we need to let the people who support us know that we’re carrying water for them despite the referendum last summer.’ ”

The attack on abortion rights in Kansas preserves the status quo.

Since the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2018-09-24/my-fellow-kansans-the-summer-of-mercy">Summer of Mercy</a>&nbsp;in 1991, powerful faith-based lobbying forces have influenced elections and established barriers to reproductive health care. Under Kansas law, a woman who seeks an abortion will be given state-mandated propaganda designed to change her mind. She will then have to look at an ultrasound image, wait 24 hours and pay for the procedure out of her own pocket.

State law prohibits abortion after 22 weeks, except to save the life of a mother.

In 2009, Scott Roeder, a member of a militant Christian Patriot group,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article263790843.html">gunned down physician George Tiller</a>&nbsp;in his Wichita church. Tiller’s clinic had been bombed in 1986, and he had survived a 1993 shooting.

The Kansas Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in 2019 that determined the state constitution’s right to bodily autonomy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/state/2019/04/26/kansas-supreme-court-rules-state-constitution-guarantees-abortion-rights/5320550007/">extends to the decision to terminate a pregnancy</a>. The ruling, which was a response to state law that banned a procedure used in 95 percent of second-trimester abortions, ensured&nbsp;abortion rights would be preserved in Kansas after&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/24/u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/">the U.S. Supreme Court removed federal protections</a>&nbsp;last June.

The Catholic Church, Kansans for Life, Family Policy Alliance and others funneled millions of dollars into a campaign to overturn the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision through a constitutional amendment.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/15/kansas-abortion-ban-is-the-plan-officials-pushing-constitutional-amendment-tell-gop-crowd/">Secret audio obtained by Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;revealed that state lawmakers planned to ban abortion without exception if the amendment passed.

But six weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Kansas voters jolted the political establishment by rejecting the amendment in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">an unexpected landslide</a>.

In an email to supporters a day after the election, Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, said it was his “fervent hope” that more than a half-million Kansans who voted against the amendment were simply misled by campaign ads and “a complicit media.” The alternatives, he said, were “disturbing and unthinkable.”

Thompson wondered if Kansans were really OK with infants being torn apart, limb from limb, or the prospects of Kansas becoming “an even bigger destination site for abortion tourism.” He listed other possible explanations for the popular vote that involved false narratives about abortion clinics.

“I know that some are absolutely satisfied with the end result and are likely celebrating today,” Thompson wrote in his email blast. “I hope and pray that someday they realize the devastation they have left behind.

“May God have mercy on Kansas. We will need to reprove to Him, somehow, that we deserve His grace.”

Correction: This story has been updated to note the Senate failed to override the governor’s veto on a law banning access to liability insurance.

<h2>Kansas Reflector: Weeklong series to examine influence of religious beliefs on policy decisions at Statehouse</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684966589656.jpeg" alt="Kevan Myers, left, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Clifton Boje, of Bonner Springs, protest outside the House chamber ahead of the State of the Judiciary speech in January. The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 determined the Kansas Constitution’s right to bodily autonomy extends to the decision to terminate a pregnancy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kevan Myers, left, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Clifton Boje, of Bonner Springs, protest outside the House chamber ahead of the State of the Judiciary speech in January. The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 determined the Kansas Constitution’s right to bodily autonomy extends to the decision to terminate a pregnancy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Torn between his Catholic faith and commitment to public service, Rep. Henry Helgerson struggled to keep his composure as he spoke to colleagues from the House floor near the end of this year’s legislative session.The Eastborough Democrat referenced an avalanche of anti-abortion legislation produced by Republicans in defiance of voters who rejected a constitutional amendment on abortion in August.The Legislature was debating&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2060/">House Bill 2060</a>, which addresses the state’s shortage of gynecologists by offering tuition assistance to medical students. The program is not available to anyone who receives training to perform abortions.Fighting back tears, Helgerson talked about his role three decades ago in helping pass legislation that bans abortion at state-funded facilities. But he couldn’t understand why the state would prohibit health care professionals from being trained to provide a legal service.“That crosses a whole different line,” he said. “I believe that if the voters have made a decision to allow abortion in this state, I want the doctors to have the best training. To prohibit them from having that is not in anyone’s best health interests.“I walk a real close line because I am torn on this issue. I am torn because, raised Catholic, go to church on a regular basis, but I still have everything that you all have, those feelings. But the state and our obligation is different than my religious obligation. And today, the last few days, we have crossed the line where my religious beliefs, or other people’s religious beliefs, suddenly takes over what the state policy is.”Kansas Reflector is examining the influence of religious beliefs on state government through a series of stories.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684966683767.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Ashley All, spokeswoman for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, gives a speech Aug. 2, 2022, at a watch party in Overland Park after primary results verified Kansans voted to preserve abortion rights. (Lily O’Shea Becker/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Ashley All, spokeswoman for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, gives a speech Aug. 2, 2022, at a watch party in Overland Park after primary results verified Kansans voted to preserve abortion rights. (Lily O’Shea Becker/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Despite the 59-41 margin in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">a statewide vote on the constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;last year, Republican lawmakers passed new anti-abortion laws. Abortion providers will have to tell patients the abortion pill can be reversed,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-house-advances-state-mandated-deception-of-abortion-pill-reversal/">a dangerous proposition based on junk research</a>. Doctors will continue to provide medical care for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/14/kansas-governor-vetos-born-alive-bill-k-12-nra-gun-safety-training-program/">infants who are “born alive,”</a>&nbsp;thanks to legislation designed to promote a false narrative that “failed abortions” are performed on infants who are capable of surviving. And&nbsp; abortion providers would not have been able to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/26/kansas-house-overrides-governors-vetoes-of-three-anti-abortion-bills/">obtain liability insurance</a>&nbsp;through the state Health Care Stabilization Fund, even though they are required to contribute to it, but the Senate fell just short of the votes needed to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto.Additionally, the Legislature allocated&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/08/kansas-lawmakers-propose-state-funding-of-anti-abortion-advocacy-programs/">tax dollars to support “pregnancy crisis centers,”</a>&nbsp;which actively discourage women from seeking abortions.“We are moral people,” said Rep. Ron Bryce, a Republican physician from Coffeyville who claimed he personally provided aid to 27 babies who survived an abortion. “We provide care for those who are weak, for those who are disadvantaged, for those who are innocent and powerless.”Abortion has dominated Kansas politics for decades, but attention to the issue was heightened last year by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and Kansas voters’ rejection of the proposed constitutional amendment.In March, supporters of access to reproductive health care&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/06/as-kansas-lawmakers-target-abortion-rights-opposition-unites-at-statehouse/">gathered en masse</a>&nbsp;to celebrate bodily autonomy and protest anti-abortion legislation. At&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/11/kansas-supreme-court-chief-justice-points-to-attorney-shortage-specialty-courts-behavioral-health/">other times throughout the session</a>, Kevan Myers, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Clifton Boje, of Bonner Springs, picketed the third floor railing with large anti-abortion signs. They are leaders of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://aimks.org/whoweare/">an abortion abolitionist ministry</a>&nbsp;based in St. George.One sign read: “We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ pleading from God a message of reconciliation.”Another: “The laws against murder should be applied equally to all people.”Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and senior minister at First Congregational Church, said in an interview for this series that he “talked to a Republican leader, who I shall leave unnamed, who said to me: ‘We don’t really care about all this stuff, Tobias. We just bring all these abortion bills because we need to let the people who support us know that we’re carrying water for them despite the referendum last summer.’ ”The attack on abortion rights in Kansas preserves the status quo.Since the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2018-09-24/my-fellow-kansans-the-summer-of-mercy">Summer of Mercy</a>&nbsp;in 1991, powerful faith-based lobbying forces have influenced elections and established barriers to reproductive health care. Under Kansas law, a woman who seeks an abortion will be given state-mandated propaganda designed to change her mind. She will then have to look at an ultrasound image, wait 24 hours and pay for the procedure out of her own pocket.State law prohibits abortion after 22 weeks, except to save the life of a mother.In 2009, Scott Roeder, a member of a militant Christian Patriot group,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article263790843.html">gunned down physician George Tiller</a>&nbsp;in his Wichita church. Tiller’s clinic had been bombed in 1986, and he had survived a 1993 shooting.The Kansas Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in 2019 that determined the state constitution’s right to bodily autonomy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/state/2019/04/26/kansas-supreme-court-rules-state-constitution-guarantees-abortion-rights/5320550007/">extends to the decision to terminate a pregnancy</a>. The ruling, which was a response to state law that banned a procedure used in 95 percent of second-trimester abortions, ensured&nbsp;abortion rights would be preserved in Kansas after&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/24/u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/">the U.S. Supreme Court removed federal protections</a>&nbsp;last June.The Catholic Church, Kansans for Life, Family Policy Alliance and others funneled millions of dollars into a campaign to overturn the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision through a constitutional amendment.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/15/kansas-abortion-ban-is-the-plan-officials-pushing-constitutional-amendment-tell-gop-crowd/">Secret audio obtained by Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;revealed that state lawmakers planned to ban abortion without exception if the amendment passed.But six weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Kansas voters jolted the political establishment by rejecting the amendment in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">an unexpected landslide</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684966741116.jpeg" alt="Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, appears at a Jan. 10, 2023, news conference where Republicans outlined their priorities, including plans to fund anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers,” for this year’s legislative session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) " />
 <figcaption>Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, appears at a Jan. 10, 2023, news conference where Republicans outlined their priorities, including plans to fund anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers,” for this year’s legislative session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) </figcaption>
 </figure>In an email to supporters a day after the election, Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, said it was his “fervent hope” that more than a half-million Kansans who voted against the amendment were simply misled by campaign ads and “a complicit media.” The alternatives, he said, were “disturbing and unthinkable.”Thompson wondered if Kansans were really OK with infants being torn apart, limb from limb, or the prospects of Kansas becoming “an even bigger destination site for abortion tourism.” He listed other possible explanations for the popular vote that involved false narratives about abortion clinics.“I know that some are absolutely satisfied with the end result and are likely celebrating today,” Thompson wrote in his email blast. “I hope and pray that someday they realize the devastation they have left behind.“May God have mercy on Kansas. We will need to reprove to Him, somehow, that we deserve His grace.”Correction: This story has been updated to note the Senate failed to override the governor’s veto on a law banning access to liability insurance.<h2>Church and State</h2>On Hays Post:<ul>
 <li>Thursday:&nbsp;Conservative sanctuary</li><li>Friday:&nbsp;LGBTQ targets</li><li>Saturday:&nbsp;Private education</li><li>Sunday:&nbsp;Abortion rights</li><li>Monday:&nbsp;Systemic racism</li><li>Tuesday:&nbsp;Statehouse spiritual</li>
 </ul>

Church and state: Kansas Republicans ignore voters, pass new anti-abortion laws

Kalin LaBarge, BSN, RNC-OB, has recently achieved a significant professional milestone by earning her certification from the National Certification Corporation (NCC) in inpatient obstetric nursing. This esteemed credential recognizes her exemplary knowledge, skills, and expertise in providing exceptional care to expectant mothers and their newborns.

To obtain the inpatient obstetric nursing certification, LaBarge underwent a rigorous examination process administered by the NCC. The examination evaluated her proficiency across various essential areas of obstetric nursing practice, including fetal monitoring, maternal complications, intrapartum and postpartum care, high-risk obstetrics, and newborn assessment and care. 

This comprehensive assessment ensures that certified inpatient obstetric nurses possess the necessary knowledge and competence to deliver specialized care throughout the entire perinatal period.

The NCC credential signifies her dedication to staying updated with the latest evidence-based practices and the highest standards of care in the field. This achievement highlights her strong clinical expertise, critical thinking skills, and passion for providing optimal care to women and their infants during one of life's most pivotal moments.

In addition to their technical skills, certified inpatient obstetric nurses like LaBarge are skilled in fostering effective communication, empathy, and compassion to create a positive birthing experience. They work collaboratively with the healthcare team to identify and address any potential complications that may arise during labor and delivery. These nurses are also knowledgeable about breastfeeding support, postpartum care, and newborn care, ensuring a smooth transition into the postpartum period.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684876697451.jpeg" alt="Kalin LaBarge" />
 <figcaption>Kalin LaBarge</figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedKalin LaBarge, BSN, RNC-OB, has recently achieved a significant professional milestone by earning her certification from the National Certification Corporation (NCC) in inpatient obstetric nursing. This esteemed credential recognizes her exemplary knowledge, skills, and expertise in providing exceptional care to expectant mothers and their newborns.To obtain the inpatient obstetric nursing certification, LaBarge underwent a rigorous examination process administered by the NCC. The examination evaluated her proficiency across various essential areas of obstetric nursing practice, including fetal monitoring, maternal complications, intrapartum and postpartum care, high-risk obstetrics, and newborn assessment and care. This comprehensive assessment ensures that certified inpatient obstetric nurses possess the necessary knowledge and competence to deliver specialized care throughout the entire perinatal period.The NCC credential signifies her dedication to staying updated with the latest evidence-based practices and the highest standards of care in the field. This achievement highlights her strong clinical expertise, critical thinking skills, and passion for providing optimal care to women and their infants during one of life's most pivotal moments.In addition to their technical skills, certified inpatient obstetric nurses like LaBarge are skilled in fostering effective communication, empathy, and compassion to create a positive birthing experience. They work collaboratively with the healthcare team to identify and address any potential complications that may arise during labor and delivery. These nurses are also knowledgeable about breastfeeding support, postpartum care, and newborn care, ensuring a smooth transition into the postpartum period.

HaysMed OB Nurse receives national certification

We liberal Christians are used to being overlooked. I was reminded of this the other day while discussing religion and politics with an otherwise smart, worldly, well-read former student who had never heard of liberal Christianity.

Liberal Christians are woven into the fabric of Kansas and American history. Without us, there might never have been an abolitionist or a civil rights movement.

Kansas Reflector reporters Sherman Smith and Rachel Mipro are trying to give us our due. Their recent series about religious faith and Kansas politics focuses on the Kansas Legislature’s 2023 session, particularly the priorities of fundamentalist, evangelical Christians. These include criminalizing abortion, mandating discrimination against LGBTQ persons, “parents’ rights,” promotion of religious schools instead of public ones, and attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

For balance, Smith and Mipro relied heavily on interviews with Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and United Church of Christ (UCC) Pastor. Schlingensiepen spoke of an inclusive church, the difference between personal faith and public legislation, representing the powerless, rejecting violence, and economic justice. Being UCC myself, I know all too well the tendency for people of faith to be stereotyped as anti-LGBTQ and as preoccupied with criminalizing abortion.

We believe that following the entire Bible literally is impossible. As A.J. Jacobs notes in The Year of Living Biblically, the Bible commands believers to avoid eating shellfish or wearing mixed-fiber clothing, for example, and men must not shave their beards. Those who do not keep the Sabbath holy are to be executed by stoning. Liberal Christians respond by focusing on what UCC theologian Marcus Borg called The Heart of Christianity–Jesus’ teachings through word and example. These teachings include humility, kindness, refraining from judging others, inclusiveness, economic justice, nonviolence, and speaking truth to power. If one does truly seek to follow the Bible as literally as possible, small, close-knit faith traditions such as Hasidic Jews or the Amish probably come the closest–but even they do not stone Sabbath-breakers.

Liberal Christians are not exclusively pro-choice. Some predominantly African-American Protestant churches and some Catholic congregations believe and practice the social justice gospel but also oppose abortion, for example. However, the UCC denomination and many other liberal Christians are openly, avowedly pro-choice. In an open letter published last year in the Wichita Eagle and signed by numerous UCC, United Methodist, and other clergy, these leaders called for Kansas voters to reject last year’s attempt to criminalize abortion, which they did. They argued that the Bible holds a woman’s body and her autonomy to be sacred. Not to be confused with being “pro-abortion,” the UCC and Unitarian Universalist Association co-publish Our Whole Lives, a sex-education curriculum for children and adults alike celebrating our bodies and calling for open communication, family planning, scientifically and medically accurate facts, and affirmative consent.

Must-read authors include Reinhold Niebuhr, who popularized the Serenity Prayer and influenced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and several Presidents. Scholar Elaine Pagels has closely studied the Gnostics, early Christians whose unique understanding of the faith gives insights into the Christianity’s early days. Finally, the Jesus Seminar’s Five Gospels offers offers a historically-grounded reading of the traditional four gospel stories, plus the recently-discovered Gospel of Thomas.

Liberal Christians may not fit the stereotype, but we remain an active, ongoing part of Kansas’ civic culture and religious life.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639601062071.jpeg" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>We liberal Christians are used to being overlooked. I was reminded of this the other day while discussing religion and politics with an otherwise smart, worldly, well-read former student who had never heard of liberal Christianity.Liberal Christians are woven into the fabric of Kansas and American history. Without us, there might never have been an abolitionist or a civil rights movement.Kansas Reflector reporters Sherman Smith and Rachel Mipro are trying to give us our due. Their recent series about religious faith and Kansas politics focuses on the Kansas Legislature’s 2023 session, particularly the priorities of fundamentalist, evangelical Christians. These include criminalizing abortion, mandating discrimination against LGBTQ persons, “parents’ rights,” promotion of religious schools instead of public ones, and attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.For balance, Smith and Mipro relied heavily on interviews with Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and United Church of Christ (UCC) Pastor. Schlingensiepen spoke of an inclusive church, the difference between personal faith and public legislation, representing the powerless, rejecting violence, and economic justice. Being UCC myself, I know all too well the tendency for people of faith to be stereotyped as anti-LGBTQ and as preoccupied with criminalizing abortion.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>We believe that following the entire Bible literally is impossible. As A.J. Jacobs notes in The Year of Living Biblically, the Bible commands believers to avoid eating shellfish or wearing mixed-fiber clothing, for example, and men must not shave their beards. Those who do not keep the Sabbath holy are to be executed by stoning. Liberal Christians respond by focusing on what UCC theologian Marcus Borg called The Heart of Christianity–Jesus’ teachings through word and example. These teachings include humility, kindness, refraining from judging others, inclusiveness, economic justice, nonviolence, and speaking truth to power. If one does truly seek to follow the Bible as literally as possible, small, close-knit faith traditions such as Hasidic Jews or the Amish probably come the closest–but even they do not stone Sabbath-breakers.Liberal Christians are not exclusively pro-choice. Some predominantly African-American Protestant churches and some Catholic congregations believe and practice the social justice gospel but also oppose abortion, for example. However, the UCC denomination and many other liberal Christians are openly, avowedly pro-choice. In an open letter published last year in the Wichita Eagle and signed by numerous UCC, United Methodist, and other clergy, these leaders called for Kansas voters to reject last year’s attempt to criminalize abortion, which they did. They argued that the Bible holds a woman’s body and her autonomy to be sacred. Not to be confused with being “pro-abortion,” the UCC and Unitarian Universalist Association co-publish Our Whole Lives, a sex-education curriculum for children and adults alike celebrating our bodies and calling for open communication, family planning, scientifically and medically accurate facts, and affirmative consent.Must-read authors include Reinhold Niebuhr, who popularized the Serenity Prayer and influenced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and several Presidents. Scholar Elaine Pagels has closely studied the Gnostics, early Christians whose unique understanding of the faith gives insights into the Christianity’s early days. Finally, the Jesus Seminar’s Five Gospels offers offers a historically-grounded reading of the traditional four gospel stories, plus the recently-discovered Gospel of Thomas.Liberal Christians may not fit the stereotype, but we remain an active, ongoing part of Kansas’ civic culture and religious life.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: What is a liberal Christian?

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685113658408.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>

Daughters of Isabella choose 2023 Daughter of the Year

The <a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">Hays
Arts Council </a>will once again offer summer art classes to area youth, with
classes scheduled through June and July.

“We've
got our theater class starting the first week in June,” Brenda Meder, executive director, said. “They'll culminate after two weeks with a performance, plenty of
room in those classes yet, and those are the only theater classes we're
offering for that age group.”

Two Acting
and the Theater sessions are for ages 8-11 and 11-14 and will run June 5-8 and June 12-16, kicking off the classes.

“So, if
you're interested in your young person, especially those that have just come
out of Famous Figures, those are a few of them, who we've seen signing up for
this, please check into that,” Meder said.

Another performance-based
class is set for July 10-13; however, registration for Acting It Out has
already been filled, according to the council’s website.

But various
artistic disciplines will follow, with classes featuring visual arts, fashion
and more.

“Some
things that will be more, sort of art education lessons, some things that'll
just be the free expression of arts and crafts and having the opportunity to
just paint or just create or just get your hands into the paper mâché or
whatever it might be, but a good variety of those things,” Meder said.

Those
classes run from one-day sessions to a series of days.

“We've
got several sessions of a two-hour a day, to two-day workshops, two hours a day,”
Meder said. “We know that in the times that we're in now, kids are very mobile
in the summer. And they don't always have big periods to commit to a week or
two weeklong class, or they come and visit grandma and grandpa or their cousins
for short periods of time. So, we threw those in.

“It's
just a great way to get lots of arts and crafts fun and not just be in and out
real fast. And they're not drop-ins, they are scheduled organized classes.”

Students
will learn more than just painting basics in the scheduled painting classes.

“Instead
of just learning all that sort of traditional sort of clean and very
representational methods, (we will be) playing around with some unusual
painting forms…so they're going to get a little art history, or the very kind
of unencumbered style of like Pollock with the paint and doing some of those
different kinds of projects and styles of painting.”

The
annual favorite Call of the Wild class is also set to return, allowing
participants to learn about animals with hands on experiences from the
collection at Sternberg Museum and use that as a basis for artistic endeavors.

And
around the Fourth of July, patriotism will be on display.

“We've
got a one-day class right before the Fourth of July called Red, White and Blue,”
Meder said. “So, anybody that's in town that Monday, visiting family, or is
here, it's a great class to just go let's plug something in for that little
bridge between Tuesday's Fourth of July activities, our Paper Doll Fashion Fun
class again, which is the coolest thing.

To
engage as many students as possible, Meder said the council works to keep costs
low.

“There are
no extra taxes, there are no extra supplies, we want to be able to pay our
instructors, something that's at least not disrespectful, but nobody's getting
rich on these,” Meder said.

“We want
them to work with decent quality materials, depending on what the class is,”
Meder said. “So, we have a lot of behind-the-scenes expenses, but we keep the
classes very affordable and decently sized.

“And so
it's a really good experience. And it's not just drop-in, and it's not
glorified babysitting. There really are planned, detailed, organized projects
within the idea that the kids will be kids ..."

The schedule,
class availability and registration form are on the <a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/summer-classes">Hays Arts Council</a>’s website.

Along
with the Summer Arts Classes, the council is preparing for the upcoming Summer
Art Walk, set for June 16.

“That
one will be on a Friday night, it will be at least a three-hour Artwalk,” Meder
said. “I'm already getting emails and information from folks who want to be on
the Artwalk.”

“If you
want to be on the Arts Council as a location, as an artist who says I've always
wanted to set up for something like that, there is no fee. It's not a difficult
process. We can even help if you need easels and pedestals or whether tabletop
or standing. We can even assist with things like that.”

She said
she can also help artists contact area businesses that want to participate.

The
Hays Young Professionals are again planning activities in the downtown pavilion to
accompany the event, she said.

“Get in
touch with me within the next couple of weeks if it's something you want to
participate in. If not, just keep watching so that you won't miss the fun when
that one gets closer,” Meder said.

The Hays Arts Council can be reached at 785-625-7522. You can also follow the council on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063746254684">Facebook</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621625981132.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The <a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">Hays
Arts Council </a>will once again offer summer art classes to area youth, with
classes scheduled through June and July.“We've
got our theater class starting the first week in June,” Brenda Meder, executive director, said. “They'll culminate after two weeks with a performance, plenty of
room in those classes yet, and those are the only theater classes we're
offering for that age group.”Two Acting
and the Theater sessions are for ages 8-11 and 11-14 and will run June 5-8 and June 12-16, kicking off the classes.“So, if
you're interested in your young person, especially those that have just come
out of Famous Figures, those are a few of them, who we've seen signing up for
this, please check into that,” Meder said.Another performance-based
class is set for July 10-13; however, registration for Acting It Out has
already been filled, according to the council’s website.But various
artistic disciplines will follow, with classes featuring visual arts, fashion
and more.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685023507686.png" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“Some
things that will be more, sort of art education lessons, some things that'll
just be the free expression of arts and crafts and having the opportunity to
just paint or just create or just get your hands into the paper mâché or
whatever it might be, but a good variety of those things,” Meder said.Those
classes run from one-day sessions to a series of days.“We've
got several sessions of a two-hour a day, to two-day workshops, two hours a day,”
Meder said. “We know that in the times that we're in now, kids are very mobile
in the summer. And they don't always have big periods to commit to a week or
two weeklong class, or they come and visit grandma and grandpa or their cousins
for short periods of time. So, we threw those in.“It's
just a great way to get lots of arts and crafts fun and not just be in and out
real fast. And they're not drop-ins, they are scheduled organized classes.”Students
will learn more than just painting basics in the scheduled painting classes.“Instead
of just learning all that sort of traditional sort of clean and very
representational methods, (we will be) playing around with some unusual
painting forms…so they're going to get a little art history, or the very kind
of unencumbered style of like Pollock with the paint and doing some of those
different kinds of projects and styles of painting.”The
annual favorite Call of the Wild class is also set to return, allowing
participants to learn about animals with hands on experiences from the
collection at Sternberg Museum and use that as a basis for artistic endeavors.And
around the Fourth of July, patriotism will be on display.“We've
got a one-day class right before the Fourth of July called Red, White and Blue,”
Meder said. “So, anybody that's in town that Monday, visiting family, or is
here, it's a great class to just go let's plug something in for that little
bridge between Tuesday's Fourth of July activities, our Paper Doll Fashion Fun
class again, which is the coolest thing.<div><iframe title="Hays Arts Council plans summer activites" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=86p5u-1411fb5-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315"></iframe></div>To
engage as many students as possible, Meder said the council works to keep costs
low.“There are
no extra taxes, there are no extra supplies, we want to be able to pay our
instructors, something that's at least not disrespectful, but nobody's getting
rich on these,” Meder said.Costs
run from $11-$39.Supplies
are also provided.“We want
them to work with decent quality materials, depending on what the class is,”
Meder said. “So, we have a lot of behind-the-scenes expenses, but we keep the
classes very affordable and decently sized.“And so
it's a really good experience. And it's not just drop-in, and it's not
glorified babysitting. There really are planned, detailed, organized projects
within the idea that the kids will be kids ..."The schedule,
class availability and registration form are on the <a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/summer-classes">Hays Arts Council</a>’s website.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623877479116.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Summer Art
Walk</h2>Along
with the Summer Arts Classes, the council is preparing for the upcoming Summer
Art Walk, set for June 16.“That
one will be on a Friday night, it will be at least a three-hour Artwalk,” Meder
said. “I'm already getting emails and information from folks who want to be on
the Artwalk.”“If you
want to be on the Arts Council as a location, as an artist who says I've always
wanted to set up for something like that, there is no fee. It's not a difficult
process. We can even help if you need easels and pedestals or whether tabletop
or standing. We can even assist with things like that.”She said
she can also help artists contact area businesses that want to participate.The
Hays Young Professionals are again planning activities in the downtown pavilion to
accompany the event, she said.“Get in
touch with me within the next couple of weeks if it's something you want to
participate in. If not, just keep watching so that you won't miss the fun when
that one gets closer,” Meder said.The Hays Arts Council can be reached at 785-625-7522. You can also follow the council on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063746254684">Facebook</a>.&nbsp;

🎙 Hays Arts Council preparing for Summer Art Classes, Art Walk 

In secret recording, GOP official warns public schools will ‘weaponize those children against you’

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a> Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Adam Peters, GOP chairman in Ellis County, draws a parallel between the average Kansas fourth-grader and Janissaries of the 16th century Ottoman feudal system.

The Ottoman empire ripped Christian children from their parents, raised the children as Muslims and turned them into elite warriors, sometimes sending them back to fight their own families.

Speaking at a March 2 meeting of Republicans in Hutchinson, Peters pointed to a “political fertility gap.” Counties that voted for Donald Trump in 2020&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aei.org/articles/the-conservative-fertility-advantage/">have higher birth rates</a>, but liberals are educating the kids, he said.

“This is why the critical theorists, these people, don’t need to go through the trouble of having children,” Peters said. “They’ll leave that job to you. You can have the children, and then just like the Ottomans, they’ll weaponize those children against you, right? Just like the Janissaries, they can go in and take them when they’re young, bring them back, indoctrinate them, forget everything that you ever taught them. And then when the time is right, they send them back to come after you.”

Peters’ comments were secretly recorded and shared with Kansas Reflector. They resemble a broader view embraced by Republican legislators who worry about the influence of “woke ideology” in public schools.

At the beginning of the year, Republican legislative leaders said they would&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/10/kansas-gop-rails-against-woke-agenda-will-work-toward-stricter-abortion-rules/">fight to protect Kansas children</a>&nbsp;from a “sexualized woke agenda” and “woke ideology” in public schools, even as they struggled to define those phrases. Their proposed legislation included a transgender student athlete ban,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/between-laughter-and-cursing-kansas-house-overrides-veto-of-transgender-sports-ban/">which they passed</a>, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/27/kansas-lawmakers-polish-plan-to-fully-fund-public-schools-revive-voucher-program/">voucher program</a>&nbsp;that would have funneled tens of millions of tax dollars to faith-based private schools, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/23/parental-rights-bill-panned-by-educators-gains-traction-in-kansas-house/">parental rights</a>&nbsp;legislation.

Peters told Reno County Republicans in March that the root of this culture war was based in Marxism, with critical race theory, critical gender theory and queer theory taught in public schools. Peters said teachers who are advancing these theories needed to be stopped.

“If you go to most public schools, the majority of teachers there are not on TikTok talking about how white people are a disease or about how they belong to one of 19 different genders,” Peters said. “Most people are on board with this, but there’s a small radical group that are pushing you. So if you can create a hostile environment for them and make it clear that they’ll be held accountable for this, they will either move on or they’ll stop doing what they’re doing.”

He praised legislation drafted by Wichita Republican Rep. Patrick Penn that would allow parents to sue teachers for introducing undesirable ideas and make them liable for damages starting at $10,000. Penn didn’t formally introduce the legislation during this year’s session.

Rep. Michael Murphy, R-Sylvia, said during the meeting at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson that Republicans had found a sneaky way to prevent critical race theory from being taught to public school kids.

He was referring to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2236/">a bill that would allow parents</a>&nbsp;to opt their children out of any lesson they find objectionable, and declared that parents should have the sole “moral or religious training of their children.”

“It’s&nbsp;kind of a slick little way of doing it,” Murphy said.

Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill, however, and the House failed to override her veto in late April.

During legislative debate on the bill, Rep. Susan Estes, R-Wichita, pointed to a teacher asking a student about their preferred name and pronouns as an example of situations the bill was meant to prevent.

Legislators throughout this year’s session repeatedly sounded alarms about the supposed “indoctrination” of children in public schools.

Rep. Pat Proctor, R-Leavenworth, published a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/07/kansas-state-representative-calls-rainbow-drawings-proof-of-indoctrination-at-leavenworth-school/">fourth-grader’s rainbow drawing</a>&nbsp;without permission in his February newsletter. Proctor said the rainbow was proof of a “radical, woke agenda” and that he believed students in the school had been influenced into creating LGBTQ content.

In January, Rep. Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2152/">introduced legislation</a>&nbsp;that would require public K-12 schools and universities to “prominently display in a conspicuous place” the national motto, “In God We Trust.” The bill would require the words to be in a large font size on an easily readable poster or framed image that is at least 11 inches wide by 14 inches high, and is the central focus of the&nbsp; display.

Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, pushed a school voucher program that would allow students who already attend private religious schools to receive about $5,000 apiece in public funding. Williams defended the measure as a way to help children access religious education.

“There are some kids that do need Jesus first, before they care about science and math,” Williams said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/20/kansas-lawmaker-tells-concerned-augusta-community-educators-some-kids-do-need-jesus-first/">at a March 19 forum</a>&nbsp;in Augusta.

Officials from Catholic and Christian schools testified in favor of her unregulated voucher program.

<h2>Kansas Reflector: Weeklong series to examine influence of religious beliefs on policy decisions at Statehouse</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684964721753.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Statehouse visitors look at the Brown v. Board mural on the same floor as the House and Senate chambers. When Republicans complain about the supposed indoctrination of school children, they point to rainbow drawings, the national motto, a "God-sized hole" and critical race theory. Their solution involves funneling public cash to private religious schools. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Statehouse visitors look at the Brown v. Board mural on the same floor as the House and Senate chambers. When Republicans complain about the supposed indoctrination of school children, they point to rainbow drawings, the national motto, a "God-sized hole" and critical race theory. Their solution involves funneling public cash to private religious schools. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>In secret recording, GOP official warns public schools will ‘weaponize those children against you’</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a> Kansas ReflectorTOPEKA — Adam Peters, GOP chairman in Ellis County, draws a parallel between the average Kansas fourth-grader and Janissaries of the 16th century Ottoman feudal system.The Ottoman empire ripped Christian children from their parents, raised the children as Muslims and turned them into elite warriors, sometimes sending them back to fight their own families.Speaking at a March 2 meeting of Republicans in Hutchinson, Peters pointed to a “political fertility gap.” Counties that voted for Donald Trump in 2020&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aei.org/articles/the-conservative-fertility-advantage/">have higher birth rates</a>, but liberals are educating the kids, he said.“This is why the critical theorists, these people, don’t need to go through the trouble of having children,” Peters said. “They’ll leave that job to you. You can have the children, and then just like the Ottomans, they’ll weaponize those children against you, right? Just like the Janissaries, they can go in and take them when they’re young, bring them back, indoctrinate them, forget everything that you ever taught them. And then when the time is right, they send them back to come after you.”Peters’ comments were secretly recorded and shared with Kansas Reflector. They resemble a broader view embraced by Republican legislators who worry about the influence of “woke ideology” in public schools.At the beginning of the year, Republican legislative leaders said they would&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/10/kansas-gop-rails-against-woke-agenda-will-work-toward-stricter-abortion-rules/">fight to protect Kansas children</a>&nbsp;from a “sexualized woke agenda” and “woke ideology” in public schools, even as they struggled to define those phrases. Their proposed legislation included a transgender student athlete ban,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/between-laughter-and-cursing-kansas-house-overrides-veto-of-transgender-sports-ban/">which they passed</a>, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/27/kansas-lawmakers-polish-plan-to-fully-fund-public-schools-revive-voucher-program/">voucher program</a>&nbsp;that would have funneled tens of millions of tax dollars to faith-based private schools, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/23/parental-rights-bill-panned-by-educators-gains-traction-in-kansas-house/">parental rights</a>&nbsp;legislation.Peters told Reno County Republicans in March that the root of this culture war was based in Marxism, with critical race theory, critical gender theory and queer theory taught in public schools. Peters said teachers who are advancing these theories needed to be stopped.“If you go to most public schools, the majority of teachers there are not on TikTok talking about how white people are a disease or about how they belong to one of 19 different genders,” Peters said. “Most people are on board with this, but there’s a small radical group that are pushing you. So if you can create a hostile environment for them and make it clear that they’ll be held accountable for this, they will either move on or they’ll stop doing what they’re doing.”He praised legislation drafted by Wichita Republican Rep. Patrick Penn that would allow parents to sue teachers for introducing undesirable ideas and make them liable for damages starting at $10,000. Penn didn’t formally introduce the legislation during this year’s session.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684964838553.jpeg" alt="Rep. Michael Murphy, R-Sylvia, seen during a March 1, 2023, legislative hearing, identifies parental rights legislation as an answer to the supposed indoctrination of public school students. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Michael Murphy, R-Sylvia, seen during a March 1, 2023, legislative hearing, identifies parental rights legislation as an answer to the supposed indoctrination of public school students. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Rep. Michael Murphy, R-Sylvia, said during the meeting at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson that Republicans had found a sneaky way to prevent critical race theory from being taught to public school kids.He was referring to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2236/">a bill that would allow parents</a>&nbsp;to opt their children out of any lesson they find objectionable, and declared that parents should have the sole “moral or religious training of their children.”“It’s&nbsp;kind of a slick little way of doing it,” Murphy said.Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill, however, and the House failed to override her veto in late April.During legislative debate on the bill, Rep. Susan Estes, R-Wichita, pointed to a teacher asking a student about their preferred name and pronouns as an example of situations the bill was meant to prevent.Legislators throughout this year’s session repeatedly sounded alarms about the supposed “indoctrination” of children in public schools.Rep. Pat Proctor, R-Leavenworth, published a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/07/kansas-state-representative-calls-rainbow-drawings-proof-of-indoctrination-at-leavenworth-school/">fourth-grader’s rainbow drawing</a>&nbsp;without permission in his February newsletter. Proctor said the rainbow was proof of a “radical, woke agenda” and that he believed students in the school had been influenced into creating LGBTQ content.In January, Rep. Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2152/">introduced legislation</a>&nbsp;that would require public K-12 schools and universities to “prominently display in a conspicuous place” the national motto, “In God We Trust.” The bill would require the words to be in a large font size on an easily readable poster or framed image that is at least 11 inches wide by 14 inches high, and is the central focus of the&nbsp; display.Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, pushed a school voucher program that would allow students who already attend private religious schools to receive about $5,000 apiece in public funding. Williams defended the measure as a way to help children access religious education.“There are some kids that do need Jesus first, before they care about science and math,” Williams said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/20/kansas-lawmaker-tells-concerned-augusta-community-educators-some-kids-do-need-jesus-first/">at a March 19 forum</a>&nbsp;in Augusta.Officials from Catholic and Christian schools testified in favor of her unregulated voucher program.“With accountability to the Lord, the Board of Trustees, Parents, and to an accreditation agency — there are more than adequate controls to ensure that schools fulfill their mission by offering a Biblical worldview education for their students,” said John Walker, superintendent of Central Christian School in Hutchinson, in Feb. 2 written testimony.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684964908251.jpeg" alt="Rep. Kristey Williams, a driving force behind the proposed voucher program for private schools, watches the voting board during a March 15, 2023, vote on the program. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Kristey Williams, a driving force behind the proposed voucher program for private schools, watches the voting board during a March 15, 2023, vote on the program. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Williams’ voucher proposal died in the last days of the legislative session, but lawmakers adopted a<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/28/kansas-legislature-approves-k-12-education-budget-with-private-school-benefits/">&nbsp;K-12 education budget</a>&nbsp;that would expand&nbsp;a private school tax credit and allows private school students to participate in public school sports and other activities.Critics said these provisions are intended to draw students away from public schools and into private, often religious, schools.“I’ll tell you one thing that’s missing in our society, and you won’t find it, generally, openly in public schools, and that’s the spiritual perspective,” Williams said during the March forum in Augusta. “If a parent believes having Jesus with their education is important, they can do that. There’s a God-sized hole in a lot of people’s hearts.”In an interview for this series, Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and pastor, mocked Williams’ comment.“That’s a big hole, if it’s a God-sized hole,” Schlingensiepen said. “How big is God? That’s the question.”Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said most people support public education.“Christian conservatives do not because they think it’s undermining their parental authority,” Rieber said in an interview for this series. “It interferes with the ability to have good policy, it interferes with the ability to actually care for people and it also privileges a certain way of understanding the world. Hierarchies — men on top, white people on top, Christians on top — are natural and they should not only be accepted, they should be supported. That’s not the way I look at the world.”At the meeting of Republicans in March, Reno County Commissioner John Whitesel said Republicans need to fill school boards with candidates who will “put God back into our schools.”“I will tell you, if you get into this fight, they will hate you,” Whitesel said. “You will get threats. It’s not an easy fight, but you know something? We’ve got God on our side, and nothing they can do will be able to hurt us if he doesn’t let it.”Whitesel said it didn’t matter if candidates know anything about education. They just have to be willing to “put yourself on the line.”“As parents,” he said, “we’ve gotta stand up. We’ve gotta protect our kids.”“If my kid gets in trouble because he stands up to critical theory or he stands up to anything in the school that he knows is right and he gets in trouble for it, I’m giving him 50 bucks,” Whitesel said. “We need parents to enable their children to do the right thing.”<h2>Church and State</h2>On Hays Post:<ul>
 <li>Thursday:&nbsp;Conservative sanctuary</li><li>Friday:&nbsp;LGBTQ targets</li><li>Saturday:&nbsp;Private education</li><li>Sunday:&nbsp;Abortion rights</li><li>Monday:&nbsp;Systemic racism</li><li>Tuesday:&nbsp;Statehouse spiritual</li>
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