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="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </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-993209.secondstreetapp.com/Scripts/dist/embed.js" data-ss-embed="promotion" data-opguid="c830ea8c-7e8e-404d-8668-1bcac7db7520" 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/2023/6/1687537556658.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KAYS Summer Music Showdown underway

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

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

TOPEKA — Dave DePue, a pastor and director of the Kansas Capitol Commission, smiled in the background as Rep. Emil Bergquist’s voice bounced around the Statehouse rotunda during his baritone rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Bergquist, along with state Treasurer Steven Johnson and Wellington Republican Rep. Bill Rhiley, led prayers during the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/05/04/kansas-lawmakers-ask-for-godly-influences-during-statehouse-prayer-ceremony/">May 4 prayer ceremony</a>, asking God for more religious influence in society at large.

DePue, who leads a Christian organization geared toward prayer in the Capitol, has been a quiet influence in the Statehouse for years. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article164075087.html">spiritual adviser to former Gov. Sam Brownback</a>, DuPue teaches Bible studies during the legislative session to senators and representatives. His organization hand delivers Bible study notes to all the Capitol offices, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://capitolcom.org/state/kansas/">the organization’s website</a>.

“It’s not religion so much. It’s faith,” DePue said in an interview following the May 4 Statehouse prayer event, which he helped to organize. “It’s hard to be on the front lines of the work, like in government. We just support them. We got their back. We just try to be a supportive environment for legislators and our administrators. We have people pray for them. We walk around and encourage them. No agenda, just to kind of shore them up and strengthen them.”

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever,” Bergquist sang, his voice rising and falling. “Amen.”

Bergquist’s performance was a repeat of an earlier one in which he sang “The Lord’s Prayer” to his fellow House lawmakers on April 6, one of the last days of the regular 2023 legislative session. Lawmakers that day proceeded to vote on a bill that would allow parents to pull their children from classes that didn’t align with their moral or religious beliefs, and a bill separating&nbsp;students by sex assigned at birth for overnight school field trips.

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

While Bergquist’s a cappella prayer was new, the dedication to religion in the Statehouse was not. The House and Senate open each daily legislative session with a prayer to God as lawmakers seek spiritual guidance before turning their attention to policymaking.

A quiet room on the second floor of the Statehouse has been set aside as a meditation space for lawmakers. Outfitted with Bibles, one tattered copy of the Holy Qur’an and scattered religious pamphlets, literature stacked in the room’s bookshelves bear titles such as “God’s Intervention,” and “Who is Jesus?” A framed poster reading “In God We Trust” sits near a canister of blessed soil ready to be contemplated by lawmakers and other Capitol visitors.

The daily prayers are published in the front pages of Senate and House journals, which record lawmakers actions throughout the session. On April 5, the day before Bergquist’s song, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/chamber/documents/daily_journal_house_20230405183803.pdf">House prayer</a>, delivered by the Rev. Justin Panzer, asked God to direct lawmakers in doing His work.

“Equip them to use the positions entrusted to them to bring Your honor and glory,” the prayer read. “Lead them to protect life from conception to natural death. Guide them to make decisions that will benefit all citizens of this nation. In all matters of deliberation, give them open ears and discerning and understanding hearts.”

Bergquist, a Park City Republican, is just one of several Kansas lawmakers whose public service has been shaped by Christian beliefs and religious views.

During&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/kansas-republican-asserts-god-given-gun-rights-during-debate-on-concealed-carry-fees/">a legislative debate in March</a>, Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, an Ottawa Republican, asserted the concealed carry of a firearm is among “our natural, God-given rights.”

Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican, offered to convert a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/28/muslim-advocacy-group-asks-kansas-senator-for-equal-representation-after-offer-to-convert/">Muslim woman and a news reporter</a>&nbsp;when asked in March how he represented his non-Christian constituents.

“I care about you and God loves you. It’s not complicated. Our happiness, our contentment, our eternal life is thru Christ our Savior,” Steffen wrote in an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/steffenstatesenate/">April 27 Facebook post</a>&nbsp;following news stories about his offer,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/05/11/after-lying-about-offer-to-convert-muslim-woman-kansas-senator-opines-on-lost-souls/">which he had lied about</a>.

“Steffen’s a good guy, one of our favorite senators,” DePue said. “He’s in his first term, and he’s learning how the system works. He means well — three cheers for Mark Steffen.”

Behind closed doors at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson, Steffen and other Republicans strategized ways of evangelizing Kansans. A secret audio recording of their March 2 meeting was shared with Kansas Reflector.

Reno County Commissioner John Whitesel, Reno County GOP chairman Ryan Patton, Rep. Mike Murphy and Ellis County GOP chairman Adam Peters emphasized the importance of spreading Christianity. Peters said more of his fellow Christian Republicans needed to run for government positions to counteract liberal influence and pass bills such as parental rights legislation as a first step toward “healing” the country.

“We don’t control the media,” Peters said. “We don’t control Hollywood. Big corporations, big tech, academic institutions, most government bureaucracies, most of those are led by people who are hostile to us. What we do tend to control are state legislatures. So I believe we need to start there. Now to be clear, legislative action is no cure-all. Our society is severely injured, and it’s gonna take decades to heal the damage, but the first thing to do is to stop the bleeding.”&nbsp;

Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said topics such as transgender student athlete bans, religious education exemptions, voucher programs for private schools and other bills debated during this year’s legislative session are evidence of harmful religious beliefs.

“This session, the conversation’s completely stymied, or controlled. The only things that come up are the priorities or the obsessions of leadership or of this right-wing group,” Rieber said. “This is something that we need to push back on because we don’t believe that this kind of understanding of white Christian nationalism should be the way the country’s governed, or the lens through which we see important issues.”

Rieber said most Kansans are moderates who don’t welcome the intermingling of politics and religion.

“There’s a very black or white, good or evil kind of framing that they have,” Rieber said. “They think that God wants them to do x and y, and if it’s not done, then they’ve failed God. And where does that leave anyone who doesn’t believe the way they do?”

In an interview for this series, Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and pastor, questioned how a radical minority had gained such a large footing in state politics.

“The question is: Are you on God’s side?” Schlingensiepen said. “Not the casual assumption that God is on your side. This is a very dangerous assumption, and that God is almost invariably an idol. Idolatry is when you essentially divinize your own personal desires.”

Schlingensiepen, a first-term legislator, thought about the way faith should guide a politician as he navigates decisions in the often-hectic Legislature.

“I like the mess. It’s where I want to be … and I think it is a fantastic challenge to what I believe as a Christian and as a pastor,” Schlingensiepen said. “And I think what we need most in this time is courage and education and honesty to the greatest extent possible.&nbsp;And the only places where those get challenged is where they’re under fire. I’m kind of curious to see how I respond to all these challenges.“

<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/2023/5/1685027850710.jpeg" alt="Dave DePue, facing the camera in shades, participates in a 2021 prayer ceremony at the Statehouse in Topeka. A steady source of religious guidance in the state Capitol, DePue says his role is to encourage lawmakers. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Dave DePue, facing the camera in shades, participates in a 2021 prayer ceremony at the Statehouse in Topeka. A steady source of religious guidance in the state Capitol, DePue says his role is to encourage lawmakers. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Dave DePue, a pastor and director of the Kansas Capitol Commission, smiled in the background as Rep. Emil Bergquist’s voice bounced around the Statehouse rotunda during his baritone rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer.”Bergquist, along with state Treasurer Steven Johnson and Wellington Republican Rep. Bill Rhiley, led prayers during the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/05/04/kansas-lawmakers-ask-for-godly-influences-during-statehouse-prayer-ceremony/">May 4 prayer ceremony</a>, asking God for more religious influence in society at large.DePue, who leads a Christian organization geared toward prayer in the Capitol, has been a quiet influence in the Statehouse for years. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article164075087.html">spiritual adviser to former Gov. Sam Brownback</a>, DuPue teaches Bible studies during the legislative session to senators and representatives. His organization hand delivers Bible study notes to all the Capitol offices, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://capitolcom.org/state/kansas/">the organization’s website</a>.“It’s not religion so much. It’s faith,” DePue said in an interview following the May 4 Statehouse prayer event, which he helped to organize. “It’s hard to be on the front lines of the work, like in government. We just support them. We got their back. We just try to be a supportive environment for legislators and our administrators. We have people pray for them. We walk around and encourage them. No agenda, just to kind of shore them up and strengthen them.”“For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever,” Bergquist sang, his voice rising and falling. “Amen.”Bergquist’s performance was a repeat of an earlier one in which he sang “The Lord’s Prayer” to his fellow House lawmakers on April 6, one of the last days of the regular 2023 legislative session. Lawmakers that day proceeded to vote on a bill that would allow parents to pull their children from classes that didn’t align with their moral or religious beliefs, and a bill separating&nbsp;students by sex assigned at birth for overnight school field trips.Kansas Reflector is examining the influence of religious beliefs on state government through a series of stories.While Bergquist’s a cappella prayer was new, the dedication to religion in the Statehouse was not. The House and Senate open each daily legislative session with a prayer to God as lawmakers seek spiritual guidance before turning their attention to policymaking.A quiet room on the second floor of the Statehouse has been set aside as a meditation space for lawmakers. Outfitted with Bibles, one tattered copy of the Holy Qur’an and scattered religious pamphlets, literature stacked in the room’s bookshelves bear titles such as “God’s Intervention,” and “Who is Jesus?” A framed poster reading “In God We Trust” sits near a canister of blessed soil ready to be contemplated by lawmakers and other Capitol visitors.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685027931493.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;A bookshelf in the Statehouse’s second floor meditation room is lined with religious texts. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;A bookshelf in the Statehouse’s second floor meditation room is lined with religious texts. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The daily prayers are published in the front pages of Senate and House journals, which record lawmakers actions throughout the session. On April 5, the day before Bergquist’s song, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/chamber/documents/daily_journal_house_20230405183803.pdf">House prayer</a>, delivered by the Rev. Justin Panzer, asked God to direct lawmakers in doing His work.“Equip them to use the positions entrusted to them to bring Your honor and glory,” the prayer read. “Lead them to protect life from conception to natural death. Guide them to make decisions that will benefit all citizens of this nation. In all matters of deliberation, give them open ears and discerning and understanding hearts.”Bergquist, a Park City Republican, is just one of several Kansas lawmakers whose public service has been shaped by Christian beliefs and religious views.During&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/kansas-republican-asserts-god-given-gun-rights-during-debate-on-concealed-carry-fees/">a legislative debate in March</a>, Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, an Ottawa Republican, asserted the concealed carry of a firearm is among “our natural, God-given rights.”Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican, offered to convert a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/28/muslim-advocacy-group-asks-kansas-senator-for-equal-representation-after-offer-to-convert/">Muslim woman and a news reporter</a>&nbsp;when asked in March how he represented his non-Christian constituents.“I care about you and God loves you. It’s not complicated. Our happiness, our contentment, our eternal life is thru Christ our Savior,” Steffen wrote in an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/steffenstatesenate/">April 27 Facebook post</a>&nbsp;following news stories about his offer,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/05/11/after-lying-about-offer-to-convert-muslim-woman-kansas-senator-opines-on-lost-souls/">which he had lied about</a>.DePue said Steffen had good intentions.“Steffen’s a good guy, one of our favorite senators,” DePue said. “He’s in his first term, and he’s learning how the system works. He means well — three cheers for Mark Steffen.”Behind closed doors at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson, Steffen and other Republicans strategized ways of evangelizing Kansans. A secret audio recording of their March 2 meeting was shared with Kansas Reflector.Reno County Commissioner John Whitesel, Reno County GOP chairman Ryan Patton, Rep. Mike Murphy and Ellis County GOP chairman Adam Peters emphasized the importance of spreading Christianity. Peters said more of his fellow Christian Republicans needed to run for government positions to counteract liberal influence and pass bills such as parental rights legislation as a first step toward “healing” the country.“We don’t control the media,” Peters said. “We don’t control Hollywood. Big corporations, big tech, academic institutions, most government bureaucracies, most of those are led by people who are hostile to us. What we do tend to control are state legislatures. So I believe we need to start there. Now to be clear, legislative action is no cure-all. Our society is severely injured, and it’s gonna take decades to heal the damage, but the first thing to do is to stop the bleeding.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685028009078.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Pamphlets from the National Day of Prayer event direct Kansans to pray for topics such as the media and society. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Pamphlets from the National Day of Prayer event direct Kansans to pray for topics such as the media and society. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said topics such as transgender student athlete bans, religious education exemptions, voucher programs for private schools and other bills debated during this year’s legislative session are evidence of harmful religious beliefs.“This session, the conversation’s completely stymied, or controlled. The only things that come up are the priorities or the obsessions of leadership or of this right-wing group,” Rieber said. “This is something that we need to push back on because we don’t believe that this kind of understanding of white Christian nationalism should be the way the country’s governed, or the lens through which we see important issues.”Rieber said most Kansans are moderates who don’t welcome the intermingling of politics and religion.“There’s a very black or white, good or evil kind of framing that they have,” Rieber said. “They think that God wants them to do x and y, and if it’s not done, then they’ve failed God. And where does that leave anyone who doesn’t believe the way they do?”In an interview for this series, Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and pastor, questioned how a radical minority had gained such a large footing in state politics.“The question is: Are you on God’s side?” Schlingensiepen said. “Not the casual assumption that God is on your side. This is a very dangerous assumption, and that God is almost invariably an idol. Idolatry is when you essentially divinize your own personal desires.”Schlingensiepen, a first-term legislator, thought about the way faith should guide a politician as he navigates decisions in the often-hectic Legislature.“I like the mess. It’s where I want to be … and I think it is a fantastic challenge to what I believe as a Christian and as a pastor,” Schlingensiepen said. “And I think what we need most in this time is courage and education and honesty to the greatest extent possible.&nbsp;And the only places where those get challenged is where they’re under fire. I’m kind of curious to see how I respond to all these challenges.“<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: Devotion infuses Kansas Legislature, with spiritual adviser, daily prayers

WAKEENEY - After a three-year hiatus, Western Cooperative Electric proudly resumes the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., for high school juniors June 15-22.

This year's winners are Austin Carroll, Ellis High School, and Jaiden Pfannenstiel, Hays High School.

Carroll and Pfannenstiel will be traveling to Washington, D.C., with 24 other students from Kansas and four from Hawaii. This summer, they will join 33 states in bringing more than 1,300 students to the nation's capital.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour is a program offered by co-ops nationwide to high school students from their co-op membership. Participants receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation's capital and learn about the nation's history with visits to the Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian Museums. In addition, students not only meet with other participants their age from across the nation, but they also get the opportunity to discuss current issues with Congressional representatives and senators.

"The students selected for our youth programs are leaders inside and outside the classroom," said Nolan Numrich, Western's assistant general manager/member services manager. "We know this trip will provide valuable, life-long experiences for these students and help equip them to become community leaders in the future."

Students who applied for Western's 2023 youth programs and scholarships were judged based on a short essay, a quiz on electric cooperatives, and a virtual interview with a three-judge panel. The four students with the highest scores were awarded $1,000 Cooperative Youth Leadership scholarships and a choice of youth trips. The student with the fifth most points was awarded the Darrell Brown Memorial Scholarship and the choice to serve as the trip alternate. If a scheduling conflict existed, the student with the next highest point total was offered the trip as an alternate. 

Contest details for the 2024 Youth Contest will be released in December 2023. If you have any questions, please contact nolann@westerncoop.com.

Western Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative headquartered in WaKeeney, Kansas. Established in 1945, Western now serves more than 12,000 meters and maintains over 4,000 miles of power lines across western and central Kansas. Together, with our members' help, Western Co-op is committed to building a stronger rural America. For more information about Western, visit www.westerncoop.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685027648375.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WCEWAKEENEY - After a three-year hiatus, Western Cooperative Electric proudly resumes the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., for high school juniors June 15-22.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685027684005.jpeg" alt="Austin Carroll (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Austin Carroll (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685027718892.jpeg" alt="Jaiden Pfannenstiel (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Jaiden Pfannenstiel (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>This year's winners are Austin Carroll, Ellis High School, and Jaiden Pfannenstiel, Hays High School.Carroll and Pfannenstiel will be traveling to Washington, D.C., with 24 other students from Kansas and four from Hawaii. This summer, they will join 33 states in bringing more than 1,300 students to the nation's capital.The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour is a program offered by co-ops nationwide to high school students from their co-op membership. Participants receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation's capital and learn about the nation's history with visits to the Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian Museums. In addition, students not only meet with other participants their age from across the nation, but they also get the opportunity to discuss current issues with Congressional representatives and senators."The students selected for our youth programs are leaders inside and outside the classroom," said Nolan Numrich, Western's assistant general manager/member services manager. "We know this trip will provide valuable, life-long experiences for these students and help equip them to become community leaders in the future."Students who applied for Western's 2023 youth programs and scholarships were judged based on a short essay, a quiz on electric cooperatives, and a virtual interview with a three-judge panel. The four students with the highest scores were awarded $1,000 Cooperative Youth Leadership scholarships and a choice of youth trips. The student with the fifth most points was awarded the Darrell Brown Memorial Scholarship and the choice to serve as the trip alternate. If a scheduling conflict existed, the student with the next highest point total was offered the trip as an alternate. Contest details for the 2024 Youth Contest will be released in December 2023. If you have any questions, please contact nolann@westerncoop.com.Western Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative headquartered in WaKeeney, Kansas. Established in 1945, Western now serves more than 12,000 meters and maintains over 4,000 miles of power lines across western and central Kansas. Together, with our members' help, Western Co-op is committed to building a stronger rural America. For more information about Western, visit www.westerncoop.com.

Hays, Ellis students to join Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

BUNKER HILL - This summer Smoky Hills PBS is working with public libraries throughout central and western Kansas, including the Hays and Ellis Public Libraries, to conduct summer reading programs through the Share a Story project.&nbsp;

Share a Story is a 45-60 minute program geared toward children ages 2-7.&nbsp; Each program consists of the following format:

&nbsp; &nbsp;1.&nbsp; &nbsp; Read it&nbsp;– Read a PBS KIDS book &nbsp; &nbsp;2.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Watch it&nbsp;– View a show related to the book &nbsp; &nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Do it&nbsp;– Have fun making a craft&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Each participant receives his or her own book and related materials.&nbsp;

Share a Story helps children become better readers by inspiring adults to read to children every day.&nbsp; Research shows that activities like these do make a difference.&nbsp; Children who are read to every day, from birth on, do better in school, become good listeners and writers, and have better language, critical and imaginative skills.

Simple, fun daily activities like reading aloud, storytelling, rhyming, singing, exercise, drawing, and acting, teach young children language and literacy skills – and that’s what Smoky Hills PBS Share a Story is all about!

The Share a Story program begins in libraries across central and western Kansas&nbsp;starting May 31st.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A complete schedule of Share a Story events can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/" target="_blank">SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684875553347.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SHPBSBUNKER HILL - This summer Smoky Hills PBS is working with public libraries throughout central and western Kansas, including the Hays and Ellis Public Libraries, to conduct summer reading programs through the Share a Story project.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684875805530.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Share a Story is a 45-60 minute program geared toward children ages 2-7.&nbsp; Each program consists of the following format:&nbsp; &nbsp;1.&nbsp; &nbsp; Read it&nbsp;– Read a PBS KIDS book &nbsp; &nbsp;2.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Watch it&nbsp;– View a show related to the book &nbsp; &nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Do it&nbsp;– Have fun making a craft&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Each participant receives his or her own book and related materials.&nbsp;Share a Story helps children become better readers by inspiring adults to read to children every day.&nbsp; Research shows that activities like these do make a difference.&nbsp; Children who are read to every day, from birth on, do better in school, become good listeners and writers, and have better language, critical and imaginative skills.Simple, fun daily activities like reading aloud, storytelling, rhyming, singing, exercise, drawing, and acting, teach young children language and literacy skills – and that’s what Smoky Hills PBS Share a Story is all about!The Share a Story program begins in libraries across central and western Kansas&nbsp;starting May 31st.&nbsp;&nbsp;A complete schedule of Share a Story events can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhillspbs.org/" target="_blank">SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.

Smoky Hills PBS Share a Story hits Hays and Ellis libraries this summer

<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/2023/5/1685113732499.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

H&amp;W Oil Company of Hays is currently seeking a class A CDL driver to haul oilfield fluids. 

H&amp;W offers excellent pay and benefits, which include paid insurance and uniforms. 

Applicant must be able to drive a stick shift and pass all DOT requirements.

 H&amp;W provides a great work environment and well-maintained and updated equipment.

 If interested in joining their team, contact Shawn at (785) 445-2965. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685114004842.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>H&amp;W Oil Company of Hays is currently seeking a class A CDL driver to haul oilfield fluids. No hazmat is required. H&amp;W offers excellent pay and benefits, which include paid insurance and uniforms. They offer bonuses and weekends off. Applicant must be able to drive a stick shift and pass all DOT requirements. H&amp;W provides a great work environment and well-maintained and updated equipment. If interested in joining their team, contact Shawn at (785) 445-2965.

Ellis County first responders appreciation BBQ is June 3

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.

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

<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>

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>