A small town native hailing from the flint hills of Kansas, Savanna Chestnut's voice is as clear and country as the prairie sky she grew up under and her songwriting&nbsp;reflects her heartfelt, no-frills character, according to her website.

Her love for performing started in her grandparent's bar on karaoke night when she was a little girl and has since taken her all across the country. From dive bars, fairs, festivals and rodeos, to season 20 of The Voice on NBC where she was chosen by Blake Shelton, Savanna has won over audiences with her unique, yet nostalgic country style, the website said&nbsp;

Savanna has won multiple songwriting contests and has been nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Rocky Mountain Country music awards four times, according to her website. She has shared the stage with acts such as Gary Allan, Eli Young Band, Reckless Kelly, Granger Smith, Tanya Tucker, Jason Boland, Ned Ledoux and many others. She has three studio albums of original music available on all streaming platforms.&nbsp;

Her goal is to connect with and comfort as many people as possible with her music. In her words,

"Country music has always been my shoulder to lean on, no matter what. I can always relate to it, and always rely on it. That's how I want my songs to be for others. Just honest, genuine, country music."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688047698775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A small town native hailing from the flint hills of Kansas, Savanna Chestnut's voice is as clear and country as the prairie sky she grew up under and her songwriting&nbsp;reflects her heartfelt, no-frills character, according to her website.Her latest song is "Horses and Hearts."Her love for performing started in her grandparent's bar on karaoke night when she was a little girl and has since taken her all across the country. From dive bars, fairs, festivals and rodeos, to season 20 of The Voice on NBC where she was chosen by Blake Shelton, Savanna has won over audiences with her unique, yet nostalgic country style, the website said&nbsp;Savanna has won multiple songwriting contests and has been nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Rocky Mountain Country music awards four times, according to her website. She has shared the stage with acts such as Gary Allan, Eli Young Band, Reckless Kelly, Granger Smith, Tanya Tucker, Jason Boland, Ned Ledoux and many others. She has three studio albums of original music available on all streaming platforms.&nbsp;Her goal is to connect with and comfort as many people as possible with her music. In her words,"Country music has always been my shoulder to lean on, no matter what. I can always relate to it, and always rely on it. That's how I want my songs to be for others. Just honest, genuine, country music."

Wild West Festival announces change in opening act for Friday

The Morning Blend's Summer Music Showdown is underway! Listen in Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">94.3 FM/1400 AM KAYS</a> to hear today's selections

Each Friday through the month of July, one lucky voter will win a Date Night package, including an appetizer, two dinners and a dessert to share from the&nbsp;<a href="https://paisleypear.net/">Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687537524742.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><h2>Which song is best!?</h2>The Morning Blend's Summer Music Showdown is underway! Listen in Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">94.3 FM/1400 AM KAYS</a> to hear today's selections <h2>Vote for your favorites below</h2><div>  <script src="https://embed-994691.secondstreetapp.com/Scripts/dist/embed.js" data-ss-embed="promotion" data-opguid="2a18b3c4-bfb5-45a7-83a8-8daad66e11af" data-routing="hash">/**/</script></div>Each Friday through the month of July, one lucky voter will win a Date Night package, including an appetizer, two dinners and a dessert to share from the&nbsp;<a href="https://paisleypear.net/">Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677604672856.jpeg" alt="" />
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KAYS Summer Music Showdown underway

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Kansas Early Childhood Transition Task Force was in Hays Wednesday to discuss how Kansas can better meet children's and family's needs.

Child care funding and oversight are very fragmented in the Kansas government. The task force has been directed to evaluate if child care needs to be under the oversight of a single agency in Kansas in order to reduce duplication and bureaucratic complexity for families and providers.&nbsp;

The listening session in Hays was one of a series across the state of Kansas. The board room at Rockwell Administration Center was filled to capacity Wednesday with about 40 people broken into eight groups.

Each group was asked to discuss three questions: • What are the challenges, gaps or barriers your community has faced? • What services and programs are working and are bright spots? • How would you evaluate the state's efficiency in providing support to you and your community?

Participants expressed concern about a gap between what child care providers charge and what some families can pay.&nbsp; Families should be paying no more than 7 percent of their income for child care, according to a staff member from Child Care Aware.

Jennifer Hecker, an Ellis County Child Care Task Force member, said although cost is a challenge for many families, wages for child care providers remain low. This has resulted in child care workers leaving the profession in droves, she said.

Child care providers have been able to receive pandemic sustainability funding, but that is now ending.

Brett Schmidt, owner of Learning Cross Child Care in Hays, said he is concerned as that pandemic funding disappears, communities like Hays will see a sharp decrease in providers.

Mason Ruder is a Hays city commissioner and his wife runs a child care home. During the pandemic, all providers participating in the Children and Adult Care Food Program received the same level of funding.&nbsp;

With the end of the pandemic, that funding has gone back to a tiered system. Tori Ruder, Ruder's wife, is now receiving less food funding even though food prices have increased significantly.

Infant care is not sustainable in for-profit models, Schmidt said. This has led to extreme shortages in most communities in the state. The state requires small staff-to-infant ratios, which drive up costs.

The going rate for care for an infant is $1,000 per month.&nbsp;

Group members also expressed concerns about a lack of care for children with disabilities or mental health issues. Care is also lacking for parents who do shift work.

The inability to find quality child care spills over into the workforce, participants said.

When a child care home closes because of illness, a worker may have to take a leave of absence to care for a child. Workers who can't find or afford child care, including potential paraprofessional educators, nurses and teachers have to remove themselves from the workforce to take care of their children, a participant said.

The participants pointed out some bright spots in the child care system. Some of these included intergenerational child care programs, the Ellis County Child Care Task Force, cooperative programs with businesses to provide child care and new professional development opportunities for child care providers.

The participants gave the facilitators multiple suggestions on how state oversight could be improved.

Participants said opening a new child care center or home was a lengthy process that required approval of multiple officials.

They said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website is difficult to navigate.

Although some participants said the background check system had become easier, but others said it historically had been a slow and expensive process.&nbsp;

One participant said she needed three different background checks for her job.

One of the facilitators said because different certifications have different requirements, they can't use the same background checks for each certification.

Kyle Carlin, director of the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, said each funding source has different requirements. This results in more administrative costs for the entities that receive the funding.

Sarah Wasinger, facilitator for the Ellis County Child Care Task Force, said applications for state funding have had short turnaround times. She also expressed frustration that the criteria for the programs have been changed in the middle of the application process.

Hecker also added grant funds are often based on population, which means rural areas of the state are left out.

"We can't compete body-wise," she said. "I would hope that they could look a square mileage."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687990159785.jpeg" alt="Participants from across the region met in Hays on Wednesday to discuss child care. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Participants from across the region met in Hays on Wednesday to discuss child care. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Kansas Early Childhood Transition Task Force was in Hays Wednesday to discuss how Kansas can better meet children's and family's needs.Child care funding and oversight are very fragmented in the Kansas government. The task force has been directed to evaluate if child care needs to be under the oversight of a single agency in Kansas in order to reduce duplication and bureaucratic complexity for families and providers.&nbsp;The listening session in Hays was one of a series across the state of Kansas. The board room at Rockwell Administration Center was filled to capacity Wednesday with about 40 people broken into eight groups.Each group was asked to discuss three questions: • What are the challenges, gaps or barriers your community has faced? • What services and programs are working and are bright spots? • How would you evaluate the state's efficiency in providing support to you and your community?Participants expressed concern about a gap between what child care providers charge and what some families can pay.&nbsp; Families should be paying no more than 7 percent of their income for child care, according to a staff member from Child Care Aware.Jennifer Hecker, an Ellis County Child Care Task Force member, said although cost is a challenge for many families, wages for child care providers remain low. This has resulted in child care workers leaving the profession in droves, she said.Child care providers have been able to receive pandemic sustainability funding, but that is now ending.Brett Schmidt, owner of Learning Cross Child Care in Hays, said he is concerned as that pandemic funding disappears, communities like Hays will see a sharp decrease in providers.Mason Ruder is a Hays city commissioner and his wife runs a child care home. During the pandemic, all providers participating in the Children and Adult Care Food Program received the same level of funding.&nbsp;With the end of the pandemic, that funding has gone back to a tiered system. Tori Ruder, Ruder's wife, is now receiving less food funding even though food prices have increased significantly.Infant care is not sustainable in for-profit models, Schmidt said. This has led to extreme shortages in most communities in the state. The state requires small staff-to-infant ratios, which drive up costs.The going rate for care for an infant is $1,000 per month.&nbsp;Group members also expressed concerns about a lack of care for children with disabilities or mental health issues. Care is also lacking for parents who do shift work.The inability to find quality child care spills over into the workforce, participants said.When a child care home closes because of illness, a worker may have to take a leave of absence to care for a child. Workers who can't find or afford child care, including potential paraprofessional educators, nurses and teachers have to remove themselves from the workforce to take care of their children, a participant said.The participants pointed out some bright spots in the child care system. Some of these included intergenerational child care programs, the Ellis County Child Care Task Force, cooperative programs with businesses to provide child care and new professional development opportunities for child care providers.The participants gave the facilitators multiple suggestions on how state oversight could be improved.Participants said opening a new child care center or home was a lengthy process that required approval of multiple officials.They said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website is difficult to navigate.Although some participants said the background check system had become easier, but others said it historically had been a slow and expensive process.&nbsp;One participant said she needed three different background checks for her job.One of the facilitators said because different certifications have different requirements, they can't use the same background checks for each certification.Kyle Carlin, director of the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, said each funding source has different requirements. This results in more administrative costs for the entities that receive the funding.Sarah Wasinger, facilitator for the Ellis County Child Care Task Force, said applications for state funding have had short turnaround times. She also expressed frustration that the criteria for the programs have been changed in the middle of the application process.Hecker also added grant funds are often based on population, which means rural areas of the state are left out."We can't compete body-wise," she said. "I would hope that they could look a square mileage."

Child care listening tour participants say state oversight cumbersome

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund have announced funding awards to 52 statewide organizations, including six in northwest Kansas, for the purpose of creating new, sustainable, high-quality licensed child care slots across the state and accelerating capacity-building in support of families, businesses, and economic development. 

These grants are part of the Child Care Capacity Accelerator grant program, which was designed to advance the rapid development of additional child care slots statewide. The program will provide $43,593,294 in grant funding, which will create 4,211 new child care slots across the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7088919e-ce0f-4d79-bc10-76c91ede19b9">The Grove Child Care project, which is being spearheaded by Grow Hays, received $170,000 of a $2 million application.</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/09ac3361-ef7e-4078-a540-b0cfafaf1bc5">The Grove will be a housing project at the corner of 27th and Canterbury in Hays.</a>&nbsp;

A child care center and senior center is proposed as part of the project. The child care center could serve up to 77 children from infant to preschool. The slots would be open to the public. The project does not have a completion date.

“We must also harness the economic potential of these investments by ensuring that families and communities have the support needed to fully participate in our growing economy,” Kelly said.&nbsp;“By providing this critical funding, communities across the state are receiving the much-needed support to open or expand child care facilities that will increase access to care for families and support the healthy development of our youngest Kansans.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Child Care Capacity Accelerator grant program braids together funding from four sources: $20 million in SPARK funding from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund in the American Rescue Plan approved by the SPARK Executive Committee and State Finance Council, $20 million in federal Child Care Development Block Grant ARPA Discretionary funds provided by the Department for Children and Families, $1 million from the federal Preschool Development Birth—five planning grant funds (PDG B-5), and a gift of $2.5 million provided in collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Child Care Capacity Accelerator represents a significant investment in child care and early learning to support economic development, create new jobs with better compensation for early educators, and support workforce participation for families with young children. 

Unique to this program is the ability to use SPARK funds to support new construction and facility improvements—which is generally not allowed under other federal funding support for child care. The gift from the Patterson Family Foundation will allow us to add construction to further expand capacity. The funds will support major start-up operational needs such as expanded staffing, training, furniture, and equipment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Kansas has wide-ranging challenges related to child care availability, that differ depending on where you live. We are excited to distribute resources to a diverse set of grantees to help accelerate access to child care”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Melissa Rooker, executive director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.&nbsp;“Having funding sources that allow for construction and major renovation is a game-changer. We look forward to helping guide these projects to completion and hope the success of these efforts provide Kansas families more options for safe, high-quality child care. This will benefit the workforce of today as we nurture and care for our children, who will become the workforce of tomorrow.”&nbsp;

The grants were awarded based upon a competitive request for proposal process that yielded 105 applications totaling over $117 million.&nbsp;Grantees were required to identify at least 25% matching funds from other sources. The grant period begins July 1, 2023, and extends through September 2026.&nbsp;

A subset of 16 communities have also been selected to participate as an&nbsp;Innovation Communities&nbsp;Cohort, to document and facilitate statewide distribution of successful strategies and lessons learned to help us identify and scale effective and transformative approaches statewide. The bonus funding for this program is provided in part through the PDG B-5 funds.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A complete list of Accelerator grantees can be accessed at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYWxsaW5mb3JrYW5zYXNraWRzLm9yZy9hY2NlbGVyYXRvci8iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNjI3Ljc4ODYzNTIxIn0.wkK-97_SvcXzK7Z6xKflmULmMfcpUAVtSI4FxSapcN4/s/1303161001/br/209400652619-l" target="_blank">allinforkansaskids.org/accelerator</a>&nbsp;

A map of each awarded project can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wNi9DQ0NBLUFsbC5wbmciLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNjI3Ljc4ODYzNTIxIn0.-EPCqYR2ymGIbH4TFw6D9JelPVvKsvYSuFXEuBeHPc8/s/1303161001/br/209400652619-l" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687946203632.png" alt="Child Care Capacity Accelerator grantees in northwest Kansas." />
 <figcaption>Child Care Capacity Accelerator grantees in northwest Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of the GovernorTOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund have announced funding awards to 52 statewide organizations, including six in northwest Kansas, for the purpose of creating new, sustainable, high-quality licensed child care slots across the state and accelerating capacity-building in support of families, businesses, and economic development. These grants are part of the Child Care Capacity Accelerator grant program, which was designed to advance the rapid development of additional child care slots statewide. The program will provide $43,593,294 in grant funding, which will create 4,211 new child care slots across the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7088919e-ce0f-4d79-bc10-76c91ede19b9">The Grove Child Care project, which is being spearheaded by Grow Hays, received $170,000 of a $2 million application.</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/09ac3361-ef7e-4078-a540-b0cfafaf1bc5">The Grove will be a housing project at the corner of 27th and Canterbury in Hays.</a>&nbsp;A child care center and senior center is proposed as part of the project. The child care center could serve up to 77 children from infant to preschool. The slots would be open to the public. The project does not have a completion date.“We must also harness the economic potential of these investments by ensuring that families and communities have the support needed to fully participate in our growing economy,” Kelly said.&nbsp;“By providing this critical funding, communities across the state are receiving the much-needed support to open or expand child care facilities that will increase access to care for families and support the healthy development of our youngest Kansans.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The Child Care Capacity Accelerator grant program braids together funding from four sources: $20 million in SPARK funding from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund in the American Rescue Plan approved by the SPARK Executive Committee and State Finance Council, $20 million in federal Child Care Development Block Grant ARPA Discretionary funds provided by the Department for Children and Families, $1 million from the federal Preschool Development Birth—five planning grant funds (PDG B-5), and a gift of $2.5 million provided in collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Child Care Capacity Accelerator represents a significant investment in child care and early learning to support economic development, create new jobs with better compensation for early educators, and support workforce participation for families with young children. Unique to this program is the ability to use SPARK funds to support new construction and facility improvements—which is generally not allowed under other federal funding support for child care. The gift from the Patterson Family Foundation will allow us to add construction to further expand capacity. The funds will support major start-up operational needs such as expanded staffing, training, furniture, and equipment.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Kansas has wide-ranging challenges related to child care availability, that differ depending on where you live. We are excited to distribute resources to a diverse set of grantees to help accelerate access to child care”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Melissa Rooker, executive director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.&nbsp;“Having funding sources that allow for construction and major renovation is a game-changer. We look forward to helping guide these projects to completion and hope the success of these efforts provide Kansas families more options for safe, high-quality child care. This will benefit the workforce of today as we nurture and care for our children, who will become the workforce of tomorrow.”&nbsp;The grants were awarded based upon a competitive request for proposal process that yielded 105 applications totaling over $117 million.&nbsp;Grantees were required to identify at least 25% matching funds from other sources. The grant period begins July 1, 2023, and extends through September 2026.&nbsp;A subset of 16 communities have also been selected to participate as an&nbsp;Innovation Communities&nbsp;Cohort, to document and facilitate statewide distribution of successful strategies and lessons learned to help us identify and scale effective and transformative approaches statewide. The bonus funding for this program is provided in part through the PDG B-5 funds.&nbsp;&nbsp;A complete list of Accelerator grantees can be accessed at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYWxsaW5mb3JrYW5zYXNraWRzLm9yZy9hY2NlbGVyYXRvci8iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNjI3Ljc4ODYzNTIxIn0.wkK-97_SvcXzK7Z6xKflmULmMfcpUAVtSI4FxSapcN4/s/1303161001/br/209400652619-l" target="_blank">allinforkansaskids.org/accelerator</a>&nbsp;A map of each awarded project can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wNi9DQ0NBLUFsbC5wbmciLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNjI3Ljc4ODYzNTIxIn0.-EPCqYR2ymGIbH4TFw6D9JelPVvKsvYSuFXEuBeHPc8/s/1303161001/br/209400652619-l" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Grove in Hays among state grantees for new child care centers

Bond has been set for a man charged in the shooting death of a man outside of a Hays bar early Sunday morning.

40-year-old Keith A. Ostrom of Hays, was arrested outside of the Horseshoe Bar in the 1000 block of East Eighth Street in Hays.

Ostrom was arrested on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of&nbsp;63-year-old Larry D. Braun, Ellis County resident. Braun was taken Sunday to Hays Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

Ostrom's bond has been set at $200,000. As of Wednesday morning, he remained in custody at the Ellis County Detention Center.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said the case is still under investigation but has been referred to the Ellis County Attorney.

Law enforcement officials have released no further details what may have led to the shooting.

No further court dates had been set as of Wednesday.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostBond has been set for a man charged in the shooting death of a man outside of a Hays bar early Sunday morning.40-year-old Keith A. Ostrom of Hays, was arrested outside of the Horseshoe Bar in the 1000 block of East Eighth Street in Hays.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687978043263.jpeg" alt="Keith Ostrom. Photo courtesy of Ellis County Sheriff's Department" />
 <figcaption>Keith Ostrom. Photo courtesy of Ellis County Sheriff's Department</figcaption>
 </figure>Ostrom was arrested on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of&nbsp;63-year-old Larry D. Braun, Ellis County resident. Braun was taken Sunday to Hays Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.Ostrom's bond has been set at $200,000. As of Wednesday morning, he remained in custody at the Ellis County Detention Center.Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said the case is still under investigation but has been referred to the Ellis County Attorney.Law enforcement officials have released no further details what may have led to the shooting.No further court dates had been set as of Wednesday.

Bond set for Hays shooting suspect

The ARC Park lemonade stand challenge has 19 stands signed up. The stands will be today and Friday in Hays and the surrounding area.

For those who may not be able to stop by a stand but want to donate toward that stand, the ARC Park has set up an online donation form as well: <a href="https://givebutter.com/qGQx9W?fbclid=IwAR1o6XbLSTxVNizU5sZNqKY9uBLPHQN0qoehPIXTXNEtYXXi__UW05OqMWo" target="_blank">https://givebutter.com/qGQx9W</a>.

 Just select the stand you want to donate to and the amount you wish to donate. This will count toward that stand's total money raised.

A full list of registered stands are below.

The ARC Park lemonade stand challenge has 19 stands signed up. The stands will be today and Friday in Hays and the surrounding area.For those who may not be able to stop by a stand but want to donate toward that stand, the ARC Park has set up an online donation form as well: <a href="https://givebutter.com/qGQx9W?fbclid=IwAR1o6XbLSTxVNizU5sZNqKY9uBLPHQN0qoehPIXTXNEtYXXi__UW05OqMWo" target="_blank">https://givebutter.com/qGQx9W</a>. Just select the stand you want to donate to and the amount you wish to donate. This will count toward that stand's total money raised.A full list of registered stands are below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687967789069.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

ARC Park Lemonade Stand Challenge set for today, Friday

<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/2023/6/1687988801726.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

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ff53f4a1-c018-4ba0-93ca-a2ae6d89da78">Check out a story on the headliners here.</a>

This year's annual&nbsp;<a href="https://wildwestfestival.com/">Wild West Festival</a>, which will be June 29 through July 4, is again filled with star-studded performances.

Headliners include country acts Chris Janson on Thursday and Jackson Dean on Friday. Ashley Cooke will open for Janson and Shane Profitt will open for Dean. Saturday is the festival's traditional rock night with AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells opening for Arch Allies.

Ticket prices have increased this year. VIP tickets will be $200. Advance general admission tickets for all three nights are $30 and single-night general admission tickets at the gate are $35. Tickets can be purchased now. You can find a link on the&nbsp;<a href="https://wildwestfestival.com/tickets/">festival website</a>. You can also follow the festival on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/wildwestfestival">Facebook</a>.

General admission tickets can be purchased at all three Hays Cervs locations and both Hays Dillons locations. Both VIP and general admission tickets can be purchased at the Hays Welcome Center at 2700 Vine in Hays.

The parade will be at 10 a.m. July 1 in downtown Hays. The theme is "America for You and Me in 2023."

Fireworks will be on Tuesday night, July 4.

<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5ocOrnvY-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Wild West Fest Vmp" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ff53f4a1-c018-4ba0-93ca-a2ae6d89da78">Check out a story on the headliners here.</a>This year's annual&nbsp;<a href="https://wildwestfestival.com/">Wild West Festival</a>, which will be June 29 through July 4, is again filled with star-studded performances.Headliners include country acts Chris Janson on Thursday and Jackson Dean on Friday. Ashley Cooke will open for Janson and Shane Profitt will open for Dean. Saturday is the festival's traditional rock night with AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells opening for Arch Allies.Ticket prices have increased this year. VIP tickets will be $200. Advance general admission tickets for all three nights are $30 and single-night general admission tickets at the gate are $35. Tickets can be purchased now. You can find a link on the&nbsp;<a href="https://wildwestfestival.com/tickets/">festival website</a>. You can also follow the festival on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/wildwestfestival">Facebook</a>.General admission tickets can be purchased at all three Hays Cervs locations and both Hays Dillons locations. Both VIP and general admission tickets can be purchased at the Hays Welcome Center at 2700 Vine in Hays.The parade will be at 10 a.m. July 1 in downtown Hays. The theme is "America for You and Me in 2023."Fireworks will be on Tuesday night, July 4.

🎥 SPONSORED: Wild West Festival set to kickoff today

LINCOLN, NE - Kiersten Ashley Goertzen of Hays has been named to the Deans' List at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the spring semester of the 2022-23 academic year.

Goertzen, a sophomore majoring in music education, was named to the Dean's List for the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.

More than 6,400 students at Nebraska were named to the Deans' List for the spring semester.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613595470156.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>News releaseLINCOLN, NE - Kiersten Ashley Goertzen of Hays has been named to the Deans' List at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the spring semester of the 2022-23 academic year.Goertzen, a sophomore majoring in music education, was named to the Dean's List for the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.More than 6,400 students at Nebraska were named to the Deans' List for the spring semester.

Hays resident named to spring Deans' List at Nebraska

The Ellis County Fire Department will be conducting a live fire training exercise at 1135 280th just east of the Hays Regional Airport. The training will be conducted Wednesday evening from approximately 6:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. 

In coordination of the land/property owner, the house at this address will be burnt down for the training. 

Multiple Ellis County Fire Department fire apparatus and personnel will be on scene for training during the event throughout the evening. The debris from the home will be left to smolder and burn throughout the evening hours, and it will be monitored by fire department personnel.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687983317011.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ECFDThe Ellis County Fire Department will be conducting a live fire training exercise at 1135 280th just east of the Hays Regional Airport. The training will be conducted Wednesday evening from approximately 6:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. In coordination of the land/property owner, the house at this address will be burnt down for the training. Multiple Ellis County Fire Department fire apparatus and personnel will be on scene for training during the event throughout the evening. The debris from the home will be left to smolder and burn throughout the evening hours, and it will be monitored by fire department personnel.&nbsp;

Abandoned house is site of fire training Wed. night for Ellis County Fire Department

On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension District agents Monique Koerner and Tamara Robertson discuss the 2023 Ellis County Fair.

<div><iframe title="Ellis County Fair preparations underway" allowtransparency="true" height="450" 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=2hi39-1441672-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension District agents Monique Koerner and Tamara Robertson discuss the 2023 Ellis County Fair.

🎙 Post Podcast: Ellis County Fair preparations underway

THOMAS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Tuesday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Ford F150 driven by&nbsp; Melvin A.&nbsp;Garcia Medina, 40, Honduras, was eastbound on U.S. 24 four and one half miles southeast of Colby.

The driver attempted to pass a 1997 Chrysler LHS driven by Fernando Martinez, 53, Colby in the westbound lane. The Chrysler was turning left into a private driveway.&nbsp; The pickup struck the car on the drivers side.

EMS transported Martinez to Citizen's Medical Center.&nbsp;Garcia Medina was not injured.&nbsp; Martinez was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

THOMAS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Tuesday in Thomas County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Ford F150 driven by&nbsp; Melvin A.&nbsp;Garcia Medina, 40, Honduras, was eastbound on U.S. 24 four and one half miles southeast of Colby.The driver attempted to pass a 1997 Chrysler LHS driven by Fernando Martinez, 53, Colby in the westbound lane. The Chrysler was turning left into a private driveway.&nbsp; The pickup struck the car on the drivers side.EMS transported Martinez to Citizen's Medical Center.&nbsp;Garcia Medina was not injured.&nbsp; Martinez was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas man hospitalized after 2-vehicle crash

Partial Main Street closure for Wild West Festival 

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Phillips County Rural Water District 1 public water supply system located in Phillips County. The advisory was issued due to low pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the Phillips County Rural Water District 1 indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 785-540-4051 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292LzQ2OC9Db25zdW1lci1JbmZvcm1hdGlvbi1SZWdhcmRpbmctYS1EaXNydXB0P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA2MjguNzg5MDY3NTEifQ.ydponht60hGIqD7fJTMR4YUQugor_Kv_17IESr5xsMc/s/1305913623/br/210312672710-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption</a>.

KDHETOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Phillips County Rural Water District 1 public water supply system located in Phillips County. The advisory was issued due to low pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp; Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.Laboratory testing samples collected from the Phillips County Rural Water District 1 indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 785-540-4051 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292LzQ2OC9Db25zdW1lci1JbmZvcm1hdGlvbi1SZWdhcmRpbmctYS1EaXNydXB0P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA2MjguNzg5MDY3NTEifQ.ydponht60hGIqD7fJTMR4YUQugor_Kv_17IESr5xsMc/s/1305913623/br/210312672710-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption</a>.Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Boil water advisory rescinded for Phillips County Rural Water District 1, Phillips County

By JULIA DEBES Kansas Wheat

This is day 6 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas&nbsp;Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

Harvest continues to march across the state, moving into areas with higher abandonment, variability and pressure to get crops cut as unwelcome weeds take over short, thin stands.

Industry reports have indicated that early quality data from south central and central Kansas are showing good quality, with 60 pound test weights and above average proteins.

Troy Presley from CoMark Equity Alliance reported harvest began on June 8 and is now 50 percent complete. He expects the group’s approximately 75 locations in Kansas will take in about 40 to 45 percent of a normal crop. Yields range as low as five bushels per acre up to 40 bushels per acre, with anomalies in the 50s.&nbsp;

“There is still a lot to be determined in terms of abandonment, with all the weeds coming in,” he said.&nbsp;

The volatility in yields is due to farming practices and the previously planted crop. Overall test weights are averaging above 60 pounds per bushel and proteins are also much higher than average, with some variation.&nbsp;

This year’s challenges don’t end once the wheat is in the bin. Presley explained the group is also dealing with the inverted market environment, storage issues stemming from higher dockage from weeds, the logistics of the on-again, off-again harvest and trying to forecast whether farmers will sell now or store for later.&nbsp;

Weeds are also causing issues in central Kansas, but Dale Younker didn’t have any wheat of his own to harvest in northern Rush and southern Ellis counties. All of his winter wheat was appraised between 1.5 to 3 bushels per acre, so they terminated the entire crop and planted everything back to grain sorghum.&nbsp;

That wheat was appraised before any rain fell, so some fields could have yielded better. Short-term droughts are typical for this area in central Kansas, but he explained this dry spell goes back to fall 2021.&nbsp;

“I’ve been at this for 30 plus years, that I’ve been farming on my own,” Younker said. “And I do not remember a time when we were so dry for so long.”&nbsp;

Younker and his crew did break out the harvest equipment to help out a neighbor, cutting a few fields northeast of La Crosse from Saturday afternoon to Monday afternoon. Yields were down significantly with one field making around 20 bushels per acre and the other in the low 30s. Test weights were a little down at 58.5 to 59 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;

The area has been receiving some rain since the first week of May but is either still in D4 (exceptional) drought or just out of it. As a result, Younker’s grain sorghum was planted in decent conditions, but more rain will be needed to take that next crop to harvest.&nbsp;

“That’s what we’re shooting for, that’s why we didn’t hesitate to put milo behind this failed wheat,” he explained. “That weather pattern is going to shift. And with the rains we did have, we had some good moisture to get that milo up and going and off to a good start.”&nbsp;

Far eastern Kansas farmers said they feel very fortunate to have received moisture earlier throughout the growing season, unlike producers in the western two-thirds of the state. Harvest should wrap up by the end of this week in Franklin County, according to Clark Wenger, general manager/CEO of Ottawa Coop. The area planted twice as many wheat acres this year and combined with an uncommon set of great growing conditions, the harvest is better than expected.

Area producers brought in a few loads on June 15, but harvest didn’t take off until June 19. Both HRW and SRW are planted in this area, about 30 percent soft to 70 percent hard. Yields for HRW are coming in up to 60 to 70 bushels per acre, with test weights at 60 to 61 pounds per bushel and proteins between 9 and 12 percent.&nbsp;

The 2023 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RcEH3aKZfJGoQxfiDY7WYUZ9RbCgxqmoDuHRx1Khz8c07PzsdLLTb8Wr2b3zy2ucbBhAOlgF_rrGsudnMcBtqyBVdIEA0-fsnORSsCtVZxKlcmrWMpQQBUq4toxT_WpE_9DiplTCG29V8SakB-JK7y19nF-1cJl7&amp;c=62hFw2tQxt453fC6hhlEqglsOIMvYoveWHhtEND95u4Hy0BS_GjfQw==&amp;ch=XzzdZ-9R1Tstr38UdJK5c47HmZR4OyAL8YorfuybFipQhvV0OX6MGQ==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RcEH3aKZfJGoQxfiDY7WYUZ9RbCgxqmoDuHRx1Khz8c07PzsdLLTb3qzhNVTISQLzM2qCi1N6lHIzfQ6lNbOcCzcZkORMeDl92gXs6b3rFxr7Z68-9UIfp5mxzdu-28_kkNsoyMR2sZ52mBld-7ibXroQNbCT4VH&amp;c=62hFw2tQxt453fC6hhlEqglsOIMvYoveWHhtEND95u4Hy0BS_GjfQw==&amp;ch=XzzdZ-9R1Tstr38UdJK5c47HmZR4OyAL8YorfuybFipQhvV0OX6MGQ==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RcEH3aKZfJGoQxfiDY7WYUZ9RbCgxqmoDuHRx1Khz8c07PzsdLLTb8l0_OOXlVTINtWzwzVXQwBpWAu9A4pT4O8lUnuF2L6oipurEdP81b8bWeir1SeMdaCEfQ6Eked61Z0PvxUgKHf4RlzkqSuJ1Zx_4N1catdE&amp;c=62hFw2tQxt453fC6hhlEqglsOIMvYoveWHhtEND95u4Hy0BS_GjfQw==&amp;ch=XzzdZ-9R1Tstr38UdJK5c47HmZR4OyAL8YorfuybFipQhvV0OX6MGQ==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687944108340.png" alt="Harvest Report Day 6, Kansas Wheat" />
 <figcaption>Harvest Report Day 6, Kansas Wheat</figcaption>
 </figure>By JULIA DEBES Kansas WheatThis is day 6 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas&nbsp;Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.Harvest continues to march across the state, moving into areas with higher abandonment, variability and pressure to get crops cut as unwelcome weeds take over short, thin stands.Industry reports have indicated that early quality data from south central and central Kansas are showing good quality, with 60 pound test weights and above average proteins.Troy Presley from CoMark Equity Alliance reported harvest began on June 8 and is now 50 percent complete. He expects the group’s approximately 75 locations in Kansas will take in about 40 to 45 percent of a normal crop. Yields range as low as five bushels per acre up to 40 bushels per acre, with anomalies in the 50s.&nbsp;“There is still a lot to be determined in terms of abandonment, with all the weeds coming in,” he said.&nbsp;The volatility in yields is due to farming practices and the previously planted crop. Overall test weights are averaging above 60 pounds per bushel and proteins are also much higher than average, with some variation.&nbsp;This year’s challenges don’t end once the wheat is in the bin. Presley explained the group is also dealing with the inverted market environment, storage issues stemming from higher dockage from weeds, the logistics of the on-again, off-again harvest and trying to forecast whether farmers will sell now or store for later.&nbsp;Weeds are also causing issues in central Kansas, but Dale Younker didn’t have any wheat of his own to harvest in northern Rush and southern Ellis counties. All of his winter wheat was appraised between 1.5 to 3 bushels per acre, so they terminated the entire crop and planted everything back to grain sorghum.&nbsp;That wheat was appraised before any rain fell, so some fields could have yielded better. Short-term droughts are typical for this area in central Kansas, but he explained this dry spell goes back to fall 2021.&nbsp;“I’ve been at this for 30 plus years, that I’ve been farming on my own,” Younker said. “And I do not remember a time when we were so dry for so long.”&nbsp;Younker and his crew did break out the harvest equipment to help out a neighbor, cutting a few fields northeast of La Crosse from Saturday afternoon to Monday afternoon. Yields were down significantly with one field making around 20 bushels per acre and the other in the low 30s. Test weights were a little down at 58.5 to 59 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;The area has been receiving some rain since the first week of May but is either still in D4 (exceptional) drought or just out of it. As a result, Younker’s grain sorghum was planted in decent conditions, but more rain will be needed to take that next crop to harvest.&nbsp;“That’s what we’re shooting for, that’s why we didn’t hesitate to put milo behind this failed wheat,” he explained. “That weather pattern is going to shift. And with the rains we did have, we had some good moisture to get that milo up and going and off to a good start.”&nbsp;Far eastern Kansas farmers said they feel very fortunate to have received moisture earlier throughout the growing season, unlike producers in the western two-thirds of the state. Harvest should wrap up by the end of this week in Franklin County, according to Clark Wenger, general manager/CEO of Ottawa Coop. The area planted twice as many wheat acres this year and combined with an uncommon set of great growing conditions, the harvest is better than expected.Area producers brought in a few loads on June 15, but harvest didn’t take off until June 19. Both HRW and SRW are planted in this area, about 30 percent soft to 70 percent hard. Yields for HRW are coming in up to 60 to 70 bushels per acre, with test weights at 60 to 61 pounds per bushel and proteins between 9 and 12 percent.&nbsp;The 2023 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RcEH3aKZfJGoQxfiDY7WYUZ9RbCgxqmoDuHRx1Khz8c07PzsdLLTb8Wr2b3zy2ucbBhAOlgF_rrGsudnMcBtqyBVdIEA0-fsnORSsCtVZxKlcmrWMpQQBUq4toxT_WpE_9DiplTCG29V8SakB-JK7y19nF-1cJl7&amp;c=62hFw2tQxt453fC6hhlEqglsOIMvYoveWHhtEND95u4Hy0BS_GjfQw==&amp;ch=XzzdZ-9R1Tstr38UdJK5c47HmZR4OyAL8YorfuybFipQhvV0OX6MGQ==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RcEH3aKZfJGoQxfiDY7WYUZ9RbCgxqmoDuHRx1Khz8c07PzsdLLTb3qzhNVTISQLzM2qCi1N6lHIzfQ6lNbOcCzcZkORMeDl92gXs6b3rFxr7Z68-9UIfp5mxzdu-28_kkNsoyMR2sZ52mBld-7ibXroQNbCT4VH&amp;c=62hFw2tQxt453fC6hhlEqglsOIMvYoveWHhtEND95u4Hy0BS_GjfQw==&amp;ch=XzzdZ-9R1Tstr38UdJK5c47HmZR4OyAL8YorfuybFipQhvV0OX6MGQ==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RcEH3aKZfJGoQxfiDY7WYUZ9RbCgxqmoDuHRx1Khz8c07PzsdLLTb8l0_OOXlVTINtWzwzVXQwBpWAu9A4pT4O8lUnuF2L6oipurEdP81b8bWeir1SeMdaCEfQ6Eked61Z0PvxUgKHf4RlzkqSuJ1Zx_4N1catdE&amp;c=62hFw2tQxt453fC6hhlEqglsOIMvYoveWHhtEND95u4Hy0BS_GjfQw==&amp;ch=XzzdZ-9R1Tstr38UdJK5c47HmZR4OyAL8YorfuybFipQhvV0OX6MGQ==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 6, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

A Rooks County Sheriff's officer was on a routine patrol in June. He did not know that day he would be called upon to be someone's hero.

The officer was called to an accident scene on the morning of June 9 on Washington Avenue near the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville.&nbsp;

The officer, who wished to remain anonymous, spotted a fire in the ditch.

Upon further investigation, he found a pickup truck in flames. He grabbed his fire extinguisher out of his cruiser and ran toward the pickup truck. The driver's side of the pickup was closed, so the officer assumed there was someone trapped in the truck.

The officer rushed to the vehicle and tested the door handle to make sure it was not too hot to open. He opened the door to the burning truck.

The officer was able to remove the driver from the burning vehicle and onto the roadway before it filled with flames. During the emergency, the officer was fortunate to receive help from nurses from the nearby hospital who heard screams at the scene and acted quickly to help move them away to safety.

The officer said the driver was stunned by the accident and could not understand what was happening.

The officer said the most challenging aspect of the rescue was getting the victim out of the ditch because of the driver’s inability to process the situation.

“I don’t think he was comprehending what was happening at that time because he wouldn’t let go of the steering wheel so I had to forcefully pull him out of the vehicle,” the officer said.

As the car continued to burn, the officer went back to check if there was a passenger in the pickup. The flames were too intense to get close enough to check the car for a passenger.

The officer said this was difficult emotionally, because as the car continued to burn, he did not know if there was someone else in the vehicle he could not reach.

Fortunately, after the blaze was extinguished, officials found no one else had been in the vehicle.&nbsp;

The driver was released from the hospital later that evening with no major injuries.&nbsp;

The officer was able to make the rescue and neither he nor the nurses who assisted him were injured.

It’s unknown why the vehicle caught fire after the driver went off the roadway.&nbsp;

The officer is a military veteran and said his military training helped him on the day of the accident.

Although the officer saved someone's life that day, he was humble about his actions.

“There’s that fine line between helping somebody and potentially getting yourself hurt and in most situations," he said. "I think anybody is going to put themselves at risk to potentially save somebody else's life. 

“To me, it was just a natural reaction. It wasn’t anything I guess you could say was extraordinary. The situation was extraordinary, but the actions I believe would be common reactions to the situation.”

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post A Rooks County Sheriff's officer was on a routine patrol in June. He did not know that day he would be called upon to be someone's hero.The officer was called to an accident scene on the morning of June 9 on Washington Avenue near the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville.&nbsp;The officer, who wished to remain anonymous, spotted a fire in the ditch.Upon further investigation, he found a pickup truck in flames. He grabbed his fire extinguisher out of his cruiser and ran toward the pickup truck. The driver's side of the pickup was closed, so the officer assumed there was someone trapped in the truck.The officer rushed to the vehicle and tested the door handle to make sure it was not too hot to open. He opened the door to the burning truck.The officer was able to remove the driver from the burning vehicle and onto the roadway before it filled with flames. During the emergency, the officer was fortunate to receive help from nurses from the nearby hospital who heard screams at the scene and acted quickly to help move them away to safety.The officer said the driver was stunned by the accident and could not understand what was happening.The officer said the most challenging aspect of the rescue was getting the victim out of the ditch because of the driver’s inability to process the situation.“I don’t think he was comprehending what was happening at that time because he wouldn’t let go of the steering wheel so I had to forcefully pull him out of the vehicle,” the officer said.As the car continued to burn, the officer went back to check if there was a passenger in the pickup. The flames were too intense to get close enough to check the car for a passenger.The officer said this was difficult emotionally, because as the car continued to burn, he did not know if there was someone else in the vehicle he could not reach.Fortunately, after the blaze was extinguished, officials found no one else had been in the vehicle.&nbsp;The driver was released from the hospital later that evening with no major injuries.&nbsp;The officer was able to make the rescue and neither he nor the nurses who assisted him were injured.It’s unknown why the vehicle caught fire after the driver went off the roadway.&nbsp;The officer is a military veteran and said his military training helped him on the day of the accident.Although the officer saved someone's life that day, he was humble about his actions.“There’s that fine line between helping somebody and potentially getting yourself hurt and in most situations," he said. "I think anybody is going to put themselves at risk to potentially save somebody else's life. “To me, it was just a natural reaction. It wasn’t anything I guess you could say was extraordinary. The situation was extraordinary, but the actions I believe would be common reactions to the situation.”

Rooks County officer saves man from burning truck

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2023&nbsp;To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards. The popular annual awards program recognizes companies and individuals around the state for the positive impact they make to their communities and to the Kansas economy.

This year’s banquet and award ceremony will be held October 12th at the B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center in Wichita.

“It is important to celebrate the successes of Kansas companies and businesspeople who not only are driving the state economy but uplifting their local communities,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“To The Stars&nbsp;recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit and achievement that are on display daily throughout our great state. I would encourage everyone to nominate a company or individual for this notable honor.”

Companies, organizations and individuals can be nominated in the following categories:

The Department of Commerce also will announce both the prestigious Governor’s Award of Excellence winner and the 2023 Exporter of the Year during the banquet and awards ceremony.

“There is no shortage of success stories in Kansas communities large and small,”&nbsp;Commerce Assistant Secretary of Business Development Nadira Hazim-Patrick said.&nbsp;“Spotlighting the best of the best is what&nbsp;To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards&nbsp;is all about.”

To learn more about&nbsp;To The Stars: Kansas Businesses Awards&nbsp;award categories, view past winners and to nominate a business or businessperson, including your own, click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmthbnNhc2NvbW1lcmNlLmdvdi90b3RoZXN0YXJzLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA2MjIuNzg2MjE5NDEifQ.Ajp7k6xlPJvXpJjku4ONAj4n869870Lg-7PNoLtKvbk/s/1303161001/br/207219961394-l" target="_blank">here</a>. The nominations portal will accept nominations through July 20.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577789937052.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KDCTOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2023&nbsp;To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards. The popular annual awards program recognizes companies and individuals around the state for the positive impact they make to their communities and to the Kansas economy.This year’s banquet and award ceremony will be held October 12th at the B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center in Wichita.“It is important to celebrate the successes of Kansas companies and businesspeople who not only are driving the state economy but uplifting their local communities,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“To The Stars&nbsp;recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit and achievement that are on display daily throughout our great state. I would encourage everyone to nominate a company or individual for this notable honor.”Companies, organizations and individuals can be nominated in the following categories:<ul>
 <li>AgriBusiness&nbsp;– companies that stand out in the agribusiness industry – including agricultural production, products and services, and agri-tourism</li><li>Apprenticeship Champions and Partners&nbsp;– companies and other entities that excel providing registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas</li><li>Business Innovation&nbsp;– companies from any sector incorporating innovative technologies in their business</li><li>Healthcare/Nonprofit&nbsp;– noteworthy services provided by either healthcare facilities or nonprofit organizations</li><li>Manufacturing/Distribution&nbsp;– outstanding achievement for companies large and small involved in manufacturing and distribution</li><li>Non-Traditional Talent Pools&nbsp;– companies that have gone above and beyond to hire those with prior involvement in the justice system, youth, seniors or individuals with disabilities</li><li>Retail/Service&nbsp;– exceptional performance by businesses selling goods, products and/or services</li><li>Under 30 Entrepreneurs&nbsp;– young entrepreneurs achieving business success under the age of 30</li><li>Welcome Back&nbsp;– entrepreneurs and businesspeople who once left Kansas but have returned to make their mark in the Sunflower State</li>
 </ul>The Department of Commerce also will announce both the prestigious Governor’s Award of Excellence winner and the 2023 Exporter of the Year during the banquet and awards ceremony.“There is no shortage of success stories in Kansas communities large and small,”&nbsp;Commerce Assistant Secretary of Business Development Nadira Hazim-Patrick said.&nbsp;“Spotlighting the best of the best is what&nbsp;To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards&nbsp;is all about.”To learn more about&nbsp;To The Stars: Kansas Businesses Awards&nbsp;award categories, view past winners and to nominate a business or businessperson, including your own, click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmthbnNhc2NvbW1lcmNlLmdvdi90b3RoZXN0YXJzLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA2MjIuNzg2MjE5NDEifQ.Ajp7k6xlPJvXpJjku4ONAj4n869870Lg-7PNoLtKvbk/s/1303161001/br/207219961394-l" target="_blank">here</a>. The nominations portal will accept nominations through July 20.

Nominations open for companies, people making positive community impact in Kansas

RUSSELL - In a partnership with Ogallala Commons and Russell County Economic Development &amp; CVB, the city of Russell, Kansas is accepting applications for internships/apprenticeships to be completed this summer/fall.

Paid internships/apprenticeships through Ogallala Commons provide work experience and professional skill-building that is essential for transitioning from school to the realities of a full-time career.

Opportunities range from 100-240 hours and vary in pay (stipend) received – usually $11 -$14 per hour.

Those interested in pursuing an internship or apprenticeship should complete the intent form found at&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.zohopublic.com/ogallalacommons/form/OgallalaCommonsInternProspectForm/formperma/cthkGXXiXN4VFtxTj2e9oh0jUffU5wxmfM-PIFUDPr8" target="_blank">https://forms.zohopublic.com/ogallalacommons/form/OgallalaCommonsInternProspectForm/formperma/cthkGXXiXN4VFtxTj2e9oh0jUffU5wxmfM-PIFUDPr8</a>

For questions, please contact Mike Parsons,&nbsp; Russell County Economic Development director at 785-483-4000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687968538780.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>City of RussellRUSSELL - In a partnership with Ogallala Commons and Russell County Economic Development &amp; CVB, the city of Russell, Kansas is accepting applications for internships/apprenticeships to be completed this summer/fall.Paid internships/apprenticeships through Ogallala Commons provide work experience and professional skill-building that is essential for transitioning from school to the realities of a full-time career.Opportunities range from 100-240 hours and vary in pay (stipend) received – usually $11 -$14 per hour.Current options of interest:<ul>
 <li>911 Communications</li><li>Public Administration</li><li>City Clerk</li><li>Electric Utility</li><li>Production – apprentice, journeyman lineman</li><li>Distribution – operator, mechanic</li><li>Finance</li><li>Law enforcement – patrol &nbsp;and administration</li><li>Fire protection – response, planning, and administration</li><li>Public Works</li><li>Parks</li><li>Streets</li><li>Sanitation</li><li>Recycling</li><li>Construction</li><li>Building, Planning and Zoning</li><li>GIS Technician</li><li>Public Safety Communications</li><li>911 Dispatcher</li><li>Human Resources</li><li>Wastewater Systems</li><li>City Attorney</li><li>City Prosecutor</li><li>Municipal Court Clerk</li><li>Municipal Court Judge</li><li>Code Enforcement</li><li>Animal Control</li>
 </ul>Those interested in pursuing an internship or apprenticeship should complete the intent form found at&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.zohopublic.com/ogallalacommons/form/OgallalaCommonsInternProspectForm/formperma/cthkGXXiXN4VFtxTj2e9oh0jUffU5wxmfM-PIFUDPr8" target="_blank">https://forms.zohopublic.com/ogallalacommons/form/OgallalaCommonsInternProspectForm/formperma/cthkGXXiXN4VFtxTj2e9oh0jUffU5wxmfM-PIFUDPr8</a>For questions, please contact Mike Parsons,&nbsp; Russell County Economic Development director at 785-483-4000.

Paid internships available with the city of Russell

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687801616927.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>

Making an attractive pot with flowers and plants might be easier than you think. Using a thriller, filler, and spiller as a basic plan can give you amazing results.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BrX8apJn8_s" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Making an attractive pot with flowers and plants might be easier than you think. Using a thriller, filler, and spiller as a basic plan can give you amazing results.

🎥  Green and Growing: Potted flowers

On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;Hays Post Reporter Jonathan Zweygardt discusses recent actions by the Ellis County Commission with Commissioner Michael Berges.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Read more about the decision to cut townships at <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f9d4812c-a10d-4f11-9856-f3673ebe6a7b" target="_blank">hayspost.com/posts/f9d4812c-a10d-4f11-9856-f3673ebe6a7b.</a>

<div><iframe title="Ellis County Commission votes to cut number of townships" allowtransparency="true" height="450" 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=j7cr6-143f41b-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;Hays Post Reporter Jonathan Zweygardt discusses recent actions by the Ellis County Commission with Commissioner Michael Berges.&nbsp;&nbsp;Read more about the decision to cut townships at <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f9d4812c-a10d-4f11-9856-f3673ebe6a7b" target="_blank">hayspost.com/posts/f9d4812c-a10d-4f11-9856-f3673ebe6a7b.</a>

🎙 Post Podcast:  Ellis County Commission votes to cut number of townships

ACLU, Lambda Legal say AG’s ‘bluster’ has no legal authority

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

TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Monday outlined his legal interpretation of an anti-transgender law, advising state agencies to revert some Kansans’ driver’s licenses and birth certificates back to the genders assigned to them at birth.

Legal authorities called his interpretation “little more than bluster.”

Kobach minimized the impact the new state law would have on the day-to-day lives of transgender Kansans while insisting the law bans them from changing their birth certificates and driver licenses to match their identity.

“Very little changes,” Kobach said during a news conference at the Statehouse. “It just means that changing your birth certificate is not an option and that your drivers’ license will, in Kansas, reflect your sex at birth. But you can certainly appear in the picture any way you wish on the drivers’ license, but the driver’s license definition of sex will reflect Kansas state law.”

Legal authorities, mental health experts and members of the LGBTQ community have said the law will cause significant harm to the mental health of transgender residents.&nbsp;Gender markers are a critical safety measure, in part because having IDs that don’t reflect a person’s identity could lead to harassment or discrimination.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/">Senate Bill 180</a>&nbsp;defines women as having the ability to produce eggs for reproduction and men as those whose reproductive systems are developed to fertilize eggs. It specifies that facilities for separate genders “are substantially related to the important governmental objectives of protecting the health, safety and privacy of individuals in such circumstances.”&nbsp;

In reality, gender refers to social and internal identity, while sex relates to biological characteristics, such as chromosomes, hormones and reproductive anatomy.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-transgender-people-the-basics">National Center for Transgender Equality&nbsp;</a>defines gender identity as the internal knowledge of gender.&nbsp;

The law, which takes effect July 1, is expected to impact gender marker changes because of a portion that stipulates any agency, office or organization that collects vital statistics has to identify the person as either male or female based on designation at birth.

Legal authorities say the law can’t actually be used to ban transgender people from specific spaces, but few have been willing or able to speak to the full implications.&nbsp;

During the Monday news conference, Kobach gave his opinion that the statute would require Kansas driver’s licenses to be based on “biological sex at birth” and that any existing licenses that have been updated with gender would be required to reflect sex assigned at birth for all future licenses. His opinion has no legal authority, but may influence policy decisions or court filings.

Kobach also determined the law would require the Kansas Department of Corrections to house only “biological females” in a specific part of the Topeka Correctional Facility.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said it was prepared to push back on Kobach’s “incorrect interpretation,” in the courts.

“SB 180 absolutely does not require any of the measures Attorney General Kobach has advised the Kansas Department of Revenue and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment — two executive branch agencies that are totally outside of Mr. Kobach’s control — to put in place,”&nbsp;said Micah Kubic, the state ACLU’s executive director.&nbsp;“These are of his own volition and interpretation, driven by his own extreme ideological perspective, not by requirements of the law, the constitution, or the best interests of Kansans.”

Kobach’s public comments on the much-debated law follow a late-Friday filing by his office in federal court to try to nullify a 2019 agreement by the state to allow amended birth certificates for transgender Kansans.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.lambdalegal.org/sites/default/files/legal-docs/downloads/foster_ks_20190624_consent-judgment.pdf">Foster v. Andersen case</a>, filed in 2018, successfully overruled Kansas’s policy prohibiting amended birth certificates after legal authorities determined the policy violated the constitution’s equal protection clause and the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. The plaintiffs were represented by the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, an LGBTQ-focused civil rights organization.

Lambda Legal counsel and health care strategist Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, who served as lead attorney in the 2018 lawsuit, said the organization would fight Kobach’s attempt to overturn the agreement.

“Today’s action represents yet another unnecessary and cruel move to target the transgender community with animus and discrimination for political gain,” Gonzalez-Pagan said. “We will vigorously oppose this gimmick by Attorney General Kobach. Let us be clear, Lambda Legal will not allow the attorney general to nullify a binding, years-old federal judgment.”

During the meeting, Kobach — flanked by Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, and state Reps. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, and Tory Blew, R-Great Bend — repeatedly emphasized his idea of gender.

When asked why she felt the legislation was necessary and why lawmakers should interfere with Kansan gender identity, Erickson responded: “I will ask you, what is a woman?”

Erickson also compared being transgender to wanting to change her age.

“What happens if some days I feel like I’m 70? Can I go change my driver’s license, qualify for Social Security?” Erickson asked.

She said people could identify however they choose but couldn’t “change biological truth.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687829963398.png" alt="Kris Kobach offers his opinion on a new Kansas anti-transgender law during a news briefing June 26, 2023, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kris Kobach offers his opinion on a new Kansas anti-transgender law during a news briefing June 26, 2023, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>ACLU, Lambda Legal say AG’s ‘bluster’ has no legal authority</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Monday outlined his legal interpretation of an anti-transgender law, advising state agencies to revert some Kansans’ driver’s licenses and birth certificates back to the genders assigned to them at birth.Legal authorities called his interpretation “little more than bluster.”Kobach minimized the impact the new state law would have on the day-to-day lives of transgender Kansans while insisting the law bans them from changing their birth certificates and driver licenses to match their identity.“Very little changes,” Kobach said during a news conference at the Statehouse. “It just means that changing your birth certificate is not an option and that your drivers’ license will, in Kansas, reflect your sex at birth. But you can certainly appear in the picture any way you wish on the drivers’ license, but the driver’s license definition of sex will reflect Kansas state law.”Legal authorities, mental health experts and members of the LGBTQ community have said the law will cause significant harm to the mental health of transgender residents.&nbsp;Gender markers are a critical safety measure, in part because having IDs that don’t reflect a person’s identity could lead to harassment or discrimination.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/">Senate Bill 180</a>&nbsp;defines women as having the ability to produce eggs for reproduction and men as those whose reproductive systems are developed to fertilize eggs. It specifies that facilities for separate genders “are substantially related to the important governmental objectives of protecting the health, safety and privacy of individuals in such circumstances.”&nbsp;In reality, gender refers to social and internal identity, while sex relates to biological characteristics, such as chromosomes, hormones and reproductive anatomy.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-transgender-people-the-basics">National Center for Transgender Equality&nbsp;</a>defines gender identity as the internal knowledge of gender.&nbsp;The law, which takes effect July 1, is expected to impact gender marker changes because of a portion that stipulates any agency, office or organization that collects vital statistics has to identify the person as either male or female based on designation at birth.Legal authorities say the law can’t actually be used to ban transgender people from specific spaces, but few have been willing or able to speak to the full implications.&nbsp;During the Monday news conference, Kobach gave his opinion that the statute would require Kansas driver’s licenses to be based on “biological sex at birth” and that any existing licenses that have been updated with gender would be required to reflect sex assigned at birth for all future licenses. His opinion has no legal authority, but may influence policy decisions or court filings.Kobach also determined the law would require the Kansas Department of Corrections to house only “biological females” in a specific part of the Topeka Correctional Facility.The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said it was prepared to push back on Kobach’s “incorrect interpretation,” in the courts.“SB 180 absolutely does not require any of the measures Attorney General Kobach has advised the Kansas Department of Revenue and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment — two executive branch agencies that are totally outside of Mr. Kobach’s control — to put in place,”&nbsp;said Micah Kubic, the state ACLU’s executive director.&nbsp;“These are of his own volition and interpretation, driven by his own extreme ideological perspective, not by requirements of the law, the constitution, or the best interests of Kansans.”Kobach’s public comments on the much-debated law follow a late-Friday filing by his office in federal court to try to nullify a 2019 agreement by the state to allow amended birth certificates for transgender Kansans.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.lambdalegal.org/sites/default/files/legal-docs/downloads/foster_ks_20190624_consent-judgment.pdf">Foster v. Andersen case</a>, filed in 2018, successfully overruled Kansas’s policy prohibiting amended birth certificates after legal authorities determined the policy violated the constitution’s equal protection clause and the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. The plaintiffs were represented by the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, an LGBTQ-focused civil rights organization.Lambda Legal counsel and health care strategist Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, who served as lead attorney in the 2018 lawsuit, said the organization would fight Kobach’s attempt to overturn the agreement.“Today’s action represents yet another unnecessary and cruel move to target the transgender community with animus and discrimination for political gain,” Gonzalez-Pagan said. “We will vigorously oppose this gimmick by Attorney General Kobach. Let us be clear, Lambda Legal will not allow the attorney general to nullify a binding, years-old federal judgment.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687830029876.png" alt="Kansas Sen. Renee Erickson emphasizes “biological truth” during a June 26, 2023, news conference at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Sen. Renee Erickson emphasizes “biological truth” during a June 26, 2023, news conference at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>During the meeting, Kobach — flanked by Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, and state Reps. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, and Tory Blew, R-Great Bend — repeatedly emphasized his idea of gender.When asked why she felt the legislation was necessary and why lawmakers should interfere with Kansan gender identity, Erickson responded: “I will ask you, what is a woman?”Erickson also compared being transgender to wanting to change her age.“What happens if some days I feel like I’m 70? Can I go change my driver’s license, qualify for Social Security?” Erickson asked.She said people could identify however they choose but couldn’t “change biological truth.”Erickson’s comments contradict the transgender community that showed up to protest the harmful legislation multiple times throughout the year.“I’m just f***ing upset that I have to be here, that I have to tell people that I am real, I’m not scary, I exist and I don’t want to have to do this,” said Leo McDaniel at a May rally at the Statehouse. “I don’t want to have to tell people about this. I don’t want people coming up to me anymore and asking what genitals I have.”

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