Even in today’s bitterly divided politics, certain trends still get bipartisan support. A case in point is&nbsp; “2+2” college education.&nbsp; Advocates believe that most students should enter the university having already completed the first two years at high school or community college, speeding the path to graduation and work.&nbsp; The trend is already well underway.

President Biden referenced the approach in his recent national address, proposing to make community college free.&nbsp; Here in Kansas, the Board of Regents is made up of appointees by both Republican and Democratic governors.&nbsp; For years, the Regents have enthusiastically embraced this move with little, if any dissent. It not only makes college education available to more people, it also boosts the percentage of the population with college degrees, filling needs in our increasingly service-based economy.

I have done my part, and then some. I co-chair the political science task force of the Regents’ Transfer and Articulation Council (TAAC), where we hash out shared outcomes for general education courses to facilitate smooth (and mandated) transfer between all schools in the system.&nbsp; At Emporia State, I have led or co-led the creation of two graduate certificate programs, certifying high-school teachers to teach “dual enrollment” courses for college credit.&nbsp; I reassure entering transfer students that ESU will take their credits and then follow up.&nbsp; I have also been teaching some courses online for a decade, and I helped create several all-online degree programs.

Still, I have my doubts, and so do many of my colleagues.

Two such colleagues have sons starting school here this fall. They will be roommates.&nbsp; This is because even though they live in town, both professors insisted that their kids live on campus so as to have the full, immersive college experience.&nbsp; They will also be going all four years here.&nbsp; I realize that not everyone can afford this or has the time, but for those who are able, this is a good call.

College is so much more than coursework and transfer credits.&nbsp; It is late-night talking sessions at the coffeehouse, poetry readings at the bookstore, and live music.&nbsp; It is lifelong friendships and stumbling upon a book or lecture that looks interesting.&nbsp; It is taking a class just because.&nbsp; Apple founder Steve Jobs never graduated from Reed College (also my alma mater), but he found the time he spent attending classes there to be transformative, for example crediting his calligraphy course for inspiring Apple’s creative, high-resolution fonts that transformed the user’s computing experience.

Sadly, the technology Jobs helped develop is now part of the problem.&nbsp; Lost in their screens, many of our community college transfers come to ESU without having made a single new, in-person friendship since high school.&nbsp; Too many would drive to school, park, attend class, then drive home.&nbsp; This is commuting, not college.&nbsp; At home, those from less-than-functional families easily get sucked into family drama, further distracting them from building their futures.&nbsp;

High school students and their parents tell me harrowing stories about loads of homework, bringing stress, sleep deprivation, and a sacrifice of the life-changing extracurricular activities like sports, drama, and debate which shaped the high school and college experiences for so many of us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Two plus two is here to stay.&nbsp; Yet as the pandemic wanes, we must bring back the biggest benefits of college — the face-to-face friendships, the creativity and exploration, the opportunity to discover oneself.&nbsp; Community colleges need to make these experiences available too, and four-year college should not become a rare privilege.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576785940426.png" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>Even in today’s bitterly divided politics, certain trends still get bipartisan support. A case in point is&nbsp; “2+2” college education.&nbsp; Advocates believe that most students should enter the university having already completed the first two years at high school or community college, speeding the path to graduation and work.&nbsp; The trend is already well underway.President Biden referenced the approach in his recent national address, proposing to make community college free.&nbsp; Here in Kansas, the Board of Regents is made up of appointees by both Republican and Democratic governors.&nbsp; For years, the Regents have enthusiastically embraced this move with little, if any dissent. It not only makes college education available to more people, it also boosts the percentage of the population with college degrees, filling needs in our increasingly service-based economy.I have done my part, and then some. I co-chair the political science task force of the Regents’ Transfer and Articulation Council (TAAC), where we hash out shared outcomes for general education courses to facilitate smooth (and mandated) transfer between all schools in the system.&nbsp; At Emporia State, I have led or co-led the creation of two graduate certificate programs, certifying high-school teachers to teach “dual enrollment” courses for college credit.&nbsp; I reassure entering transfer students that ESU will take their credits and then follow up.&nbsp; I have also been teaching some courses online for a decade, and I helped create several all-online degree programs.Still, I have my doubts, and so do many of my colleagues.Two such colleagues have sons starting school here this fall. They will be roommates.&nbsp; This is because even though they live in town, both professors insisted that their kids live on campus so as to have the full, immersive college experience.&nbsp; They will also be going all four years here.&nbsp; I realize that not everyone can afford this or has the time, but for those who are able, this is a good call.College is so much more than coursework and transfer credits.&nbsp; It is late-night talking sessions at the coffeehouse, poetry readings at the bookstore, and live music.&nbsp; It is lifelong friendships and stumbling upon a book or lecture that looks interesting.&nbsp; It is taking a class just because.&nbsp; Apple founder Steve Jobs never graduated from Reed College (also my alma mater), but he found the time he spent attending classes there to be transformative, for example crediting his calligraphy course for inspiring Apple’s creative, high-resolution fonts that transformed the user’s computing experience.Sadly, the technology Jobs helped develop is now part of the problem.&nbsp; Lost in their screens, many of our community college transfers come to ESU without having made a single new, in-person friendship since high school.&nbsp; Too many would drive to school, park, attend class, then drive home.&nbsp; This is commuting, not college.&nbsp; At home, those from less-than-functional families easily get sucked into family drama, further distracting them from building their futures.&nbsp;High school students and their parents tell me harrowing stories about loads of homework, bringing stress, sleep deprivation, and a sacrifice of the life-changing extracurricular activities like sports, drama, and debate which shaped the high school and college experiences for so many of us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Two plus two is here to stay.&nbsp; Yet as the pandemic wanes, we must bring back the biggest benefits of college — the face-to-face friendships, the creativity and exploration, the opportunity to discover oneself.&nbsp; Community colleges need to make these experiences available too, and four-year college should not become a rare privilege.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Commuting is not the same as college

The
 Hays Masons hosted a dinner on May 17 to award scholarships to 
five students attending higher education institutions in Kansas. Ethan 
Schelegl of Ness City, and Nathan Cooper of Hays, attending technical 
programs, were each awarded $500. Paul Erwin, of Topeka, Kassandra 
Zimmer, of Hays, attending Fort Hays State University as undergraduates, and Brandon 
Pfisenmaier of Ottawa, attending FHSU's graduate school, were each 
awarded $1000. 

To be eligible for these Kansas Masonic 
Foundation scholarships, students must be Kansas residents accepted by, 
or presently enrolled in one of the identified universities or 
technical/community colleges. This scholarship program awards $250,000 
each year to students who demonstrate that they can and will continue to
 make a positive impact on their community. Since the beginning of the 
program, $8.5 million dollars in scholarships have been awarded by 
lodges across the state.  

"We certainly hope that each of
 these students continues to apply for these opportunities, and that we 
can continue to help them throughout the entirety of their education. 
There were about 20 applications made by students in our area last year,
 which is a tremendous increase over years past, and though we weren't 
able to help everyone, we want all eligible students to apply," said 
lodge member Chris Neeley.  

The application period opens
 Dec. 1 and ends March 15. The application can be found on the <a href="https://kansasmasonic.foundation/program/scholarships/">KMF 
website.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621529348380.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe
 Hays Masons hosted a dinner on May 17 to award scholarships to 
five students attending higher education institutions in Kansas. Ethan 
Schelegl of Ness City, and Nathan Cooper of Hays, attending technical 
programs, were each awarded $500. Paul Erwin, of Topeka, Kassandra 
Zimmer, of Hays, attending Fort Hays State University as undergraduates, and Brandon 
Pfisenmaier of Ottawa, attending FHSU's graduate school, were each 
awarded $1000. To be eligible for these Kansas Masonic 
Foundation scholarships, students must be Kansas residents accepted by, 
or presently enrolled in one of the identified universities or 
technical/community colleges. This scholarship program awards $250,000 
each year to students who demonstrate that they can and will continue to
 make a positive impact on their community. Since the beginning of the 
program, $8.5 million dollars in scholarships have been awarded by 
lodges across the state. "We certainly hope that each of
 these students continues to apply for these opportunities, and that we 
can continue to help them throughout the entirety of their education. 
There were about 20 applications made by students in our area last year,
 which is a tremendous increase over years past, and though we weren't 
able to help everyone, we want all eligible students to apply," said 
lodge member Chris Neeley. The application period opens
 Dec. 1 and ends March 15. The application can be found on the <a href="https://kansasmasonic.foundation/program/scholarships/">KMF 
website.</a>

Hays Masonic Lodge awards scholarships to NW Kan. 

Three-day weather outlook

Outside today, the Baltimore orioles are slurping my grape jelly so fast I may have to get a part-time job to keep them supplied. Our local House Wrens are checking out an old teapot Joyce hung from the deck roof, but evidently haven’t yet decide to relocate there. And the Gilliland kitchen smells like the scrumptious batch of new tomato soup we spent the day manufacturing, following my mom’s recipe Joyce has tweaked over the years. Nothing satisfies on cold winter days quite like a bowl of steaming homemade tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. &nbsp;

Every outdoorsman I know grows a few tomato plants each year, even if they have to sneak them in with the snapdragons or hide them amongst the hibiscus. After all, nothing goes better with a freshly grilled venison burger than a juicy slice of fresh tomato. Though my thumb is only mildly green, I have become pretty successful at growing dandy tomatoes and I’m always experimenting with something new, so here are a few tips I find to work well for me most years.

Tomatoes today come in literally dozens of varieties, sizes and shapes. I find it prudent to know a little about the varieties I choose and what they are best used for, and I like to get plants that are resistant to most common tomato ailments. Tomato plants come in 2 different types, determinate and indeterminate. Determinate plants are bred to grow only about 3 feet tall, to set and ripen their fruit all at once and then they are basically done. Indeterminate plants will keep growing and producing fruit the entire season, (so they’ll need to be well staked and supported) and as long as they are kept alive and healthy through the hot summer, they will begin setting and ripening fruit again when temperatures cool off.&nbsp; So if you want to take advantage of cooler weather to keep the tomatoes coming again in fall, you’ll need indeterminate plants.

Tomato plants will not set fruit from their blossoms when daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees and nighttime temps exceed 75 to 80, so I plant early to get a start on production before the hot summer arrives like we know it will. I usually plant in early to mid April and surround my plants with structures called Walls of Water. They are round flexible plastic tubes with numerous small compartments that you fill with water. When erected, they form a pyramid about 18’’ tall around and over the plant, open at the top, and the water absorbs heat and sunlight to basically create a tiny greenhouse for each plant. Simply remove them when temperatures stabilize.&nbsp;

When actually setting my plants in the ground, I go a little above-and-beyond also. I dig a hole about the width and depth of a one gallon milk jug. In the hole I put a shovel full of fresh compost or good composted manure. Then I add one-quarter cup of Epson salts, which adds magnesium, and sulfur to help grow good sturdy healthy plants. Throw in a small amount of the dirt dug from the hole and mix it up a little with your hands. Set the plant in the hole at least 6 inches deep, pruning off bottom branches if necessary to allow that. This gets the roots down deep immediately to begin feeding and helps the plant develop deep roots sooner to make for a sturdy plant. Water with Miracle Grow tomato fertilizer or sprinkle a little of the dry crystals in the hole with the Epson salt. An overabundance of nitrogen will cause the plant to grow like gangbusters, but tomato fertilizer is low in nitrogen and high in Phosphate and Potash which the plant needs to produce blossoms and to set fruit. As the season progresses, if your vines are growing well but have few blossoms, feed them with fertilizer high in both Phosphate and Potash. If the vines don’t seem to be growing, feed them a little nitrogen. Tomatoes also grow well using slow-release fertilizer merely sprinkled around the plant, allowing water to wash it in.

I like to water each individual tomato plant at its base which puts the water where it needs to be rather than all over the garden or all over the plant’s foliage. To help accomplish this, I get empty one-gallon cans from the local nursing home kitchen, cut both ends from them and place them around each plant, pushing them a couple inches into the ground. To water, I’d simply put a couple inches of water into each can once a week. That’s fine and puts the water at the base of the plant, but on top of the ground, still requiring it to soak down to the roots. &nbsp;

Well there you have a few tips I use to grow tomatoes each year. We eat some fresh during the season, but most of our tomatoes are frozen as we get them and used to make the homemade soup. I imagine lots of you readers also have “tomato tips” you have developed over the years, and if you’d like to share them, send them to me and if I get enough, I’ll make an entire column out of them. Yet another way to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>Outside today, the Baltimore orioles are slurping my grape jelly so fast I may have to get a part-time job to keep them supplied. Our local House Wrens are checking out an old teapot Joyce hung from the deck roof, but evidently haven’t yet decide to relocate there. And the Gilliland kitchen smells like the scrumptious batch of new tomato soup we spent the day manufacturing, following my mom’s recipe Joyce has tweaked over the years. Nothing satisfies on cold winter days quite like a bowl of steaming homemade tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. &nbsp;Every outdoorsman I know grows a few tomato plants each year, even if they have to sneak them in with the snapdragons or hide them amongst the hibiscus. After all, nothing goes better with a freshly grilled venison burger than a juicy slice of fresh tomato. Though my thumb is only mildly green, I have become pretty successful at growing dandy tomatoes and I’m always experimenting with something new, so here are a few tips I find to work well for me most years.Tomatoes today come in literally dozens of varieties, sizes and shapes. I find it prudent to know a little about the varieties I choose and what they are best used for, and I like to get plants that are resistant to most common tomato ailments. Tomato plants come in 2 different types, determinate and indeterminate. Determinate plants are bred to grow only about 3 feet tall, to set and ripen their fruit all at once and then they are basically done. Indeterminate plants will keep growing and producing fruit the entire season, (so they’ll need to be well staked and supported) and as long as they are kept alive and healthy through the hot summer, they will begin setting and ripening fruit again when temperatures cool off.&nbsp; So if you want to take advantage of cooler weather to keep the tomatoes coming again in fall, you’ll need indeterminate plants.Tomato plants will not set fruit from their blossoms when daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees and nighttime temps exceed 75 to 80, so I plant early to get a start on production before the hot summer arrives like we know it will. I usually plant in early to mid April and surround my plants with structures called Walls of Water. They are round flexible plastic tubes with numerous small compartments that you fill with water. When erected, they form a pyramid about 18’’ tall around and over the plant, open at the top, and the water absorbs heat and sunlight to basically create a tiny greenhouse for each plant. Simply remove them when temperatures stabilize.&nbsp;When actually setting my plants in the ground, I go a little above-and-beyond also. I dig a hole about the width and depth of a one gallon milk jug. In the hole I put a shovel full of fresh compost or good composted manure. Then I add one-quarter cup of Epson salts, which adds magnesium, and sulfur to help grow good sturdy healthy plants. Throw in a small amount of the dirt dug from the hole and mix it up a little with your hands. Set the plant in the hole at least 6 inches deep, pruning off bottom branches if necessary to allow that. This gets the roots down deep immediately to begin feeding and helps the plant develop deep roots sooner to make for a sturdy plant. Water with Miracle Grow tomato fertilizer or sprinkle a little of the dry crystals in the hole with the Epson salt. An overabundance of nitrogen will cause the plant to grow like gangbusters, but tomato fertilizer is low in nitrogen and high in Phosphate and Potash which the plant needs to produce blossoms and to set fruit. As the season progresses, if your vines are growing well but have few blossoms, feed them with fertilizer high in both Phosphate and Potash. If the vines don’t seem to be growing, feed them a little nitrogen. Tomatoes also grow well using slow-release fertilizer merely sprinkled around the plant, allowing water to wash it in.I like to water each individual tomato plant at its base which puts the water where it needs to be rather than all over the garden or all over the plant’s foliage. To help accomplish this, I get empty one-gallon cans from the local nursing home kitchen, cut both ends from them and place them around each plant, pushing them a couple inches into the ground. To water, I’d simply put a couple inches of water into each can once a week. That’s fine and puts the water at the base of the plant, but on top of the ground, still requiring it to soak down to the roots. &nbsp;Well there you have a few tips I use to grow tomatoes each year. We eat some fresh during the season, but most of our tomatoes are frozen as we get them and used to make the homemade soup. I imagine lots of you readers also have “tomato tips” you have developed over the years, and if you’d like to share them, send them to me and if I get enough, I’ll make an entire column out of them. Yet another way to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.&nbsp;

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Tried and true tomato tips

By RICHARD T. FOLTIN Freedom Forum Fellow for religious freedom

Even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eases mask and distancing recommendations for people who are fully vaccinated, there remains an urgent need to increase the percentage of the population that has been vaccinated to stem further spread of the COVID-19 virus. Policymakers, business owners and schools are wrestling with whether and to what extent to mandate proof of vaccination to access services such as schooling and public transportation, as well as large gatherings like concerts and sporting events.

New Jersey’s Rutgers University, for example, has already announced that returning students will have to demonstrate that they have been vaccinated, with many other colleges and universities across the nation considering whether to move in that direction.

People resist vaccines for all kinds of reasons, from health concerns to lack of information or belief in conspiracy theories. One less common, but legally important, reason is religious belief.

Whatever path Rutgers and other universities may stake out, they are likely to follow the existing practices of most states, which provide religious exemptions to students attending public schools where vaccines are otherwise required.

Evangelicals and Vaccination: While 95% of evangelical Christian leaders have told the National Association of Evangelicals they would be open to getting a COVID-19 vaccine, more than a third of white evangelicals overall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-vaccine-skepticism-white-evangelicals-us-32898166bbb673ad87842af24c8daefb" target="_blank">say they’d be unlikely to do so</a>. Religious objections were one reason cited by some respondents.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Unlike private universities, public universities such as Rutgers are subject not only to general civil rights laws but also to the First Amendment’s prohibition on governmental abridgement of the free exercise of religion (the Free Exercise Clause).

Private Employers and Religious Exemptions: An employer may generally require that employees obtain vaccinations as part of legitimate health and safety requirements that are job-related and necessary to do business. To be sure, federal civil rights law requires employers to provide a reasonable accommodation of an employee’s religious practice, such as a religious objection to vaccination, but employers are relieved of this obligation if the accommodation would impose an undue burden. The courts have by and large been inclined (albeit not uniformly) to consider an employee’s refusal to be vaccinated an undue burden; the question arises, however, whether the Supreme Court’s shifting perspective on religious exemptions in other contexts (as discussed in this article) will make it more likely that an employee will be entitled to such an exemption with respect to a required vaccination.

Under the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1990 decision in Employment Division v. Smith, it appears that there is no constitutional requirement for the government, including the public schools that it operates, to provide religious exemptions when mandating vaccines to receive a public service, as long as the mandate applies to everyone.

In 21 states and at the federal level, additional religious freedom laws do make it possible to ask for exceptions to generally applicable government requirements. But it has long been thought that, even under this more protective standard, during a public health emergency, the urgent governmental interest in stemming a pandemic can make it harder to claim a religious exemption from vaccine requirements.

We are, however, on shifting terrain in this area. For better or for worse, recent cases suggest that the courts are moving toward expanded leeway for religious exemption claims when it comes to government mandates — even in the context of a public health emergency.

In February 2021, in the case of South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom, contrary to its reasoning in a similar case the prior year, a majority of the Supreme Court voted to stop California from enforcing its blanket ban on indoor religious ceremonies. In so doing, the court proved newly willing, over a strenuous dissent by the minority, to second guess public health judgments by local authorities, at least in terms of weighing public health against religious freedom concerns.

Where does that leave us on vaccinations? To date, there has not been any serious challenge to the ability of governments to offer religious exemptions, but neither has there been any clear-cut obligation of the government to recognize a free exercise exemption in the public health context. However, given the turnaround on the houses of worship cases, we may see a similar reluctance to enforce a vaccination mandate over religious objections.

Faith Leaders Guide Communities: Some religious leaders are sharing faith-supported reasons to get vaccinated, like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/divine-intervention-pastors-tapped-help-get-skeptical-churchgoers-vaccinated-n1264646" target="_blank">Christians and the Vaccine project</a>. Islamic scholars advise that vaccinations can be considered halal, or permissible, and getting vaccinated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-04-12/ramadan-and-vaccines-what-muslims-in-southern-california-need-to-know" target="_blank">doesn’t break Muslims’ Ramadan fasts</a>. Some Orthodox Jewish communities have organized vaccine drives and many participated in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/covid-19-story-tip-study-of-orthodox-jews-may-help-guide-covid-19-prevention-in-culturally-bonded-groups" target="_blank">study on safe gathering practices.</a>

One thing seems certain. The law can only do so much in responding to the forces that have given rise to vaccine resistance. The more important work is likely to be done in the realm of education, persuasion and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2020/04/09/religious-communities-can-play-a-huge-role-in-fighting-the-pandemic-but-not-by-gathering-for-services/" target="_blank">messages of societal responsibility</a>&nbsp;from leaders of diverse faith and political backgrounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; You can reach Richard Foltin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rfoltin@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">rfoltin@freedomforum.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621703269041.jpeg" alt="Richard Foltin. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum" />
 <figcaption>Richard Foltin. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>By RICHARD T. FOLTIN Freedom Forum Fellow for religious freedom Even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eases mask and distancing recommendations for people who are fully vaccinated, there remains an urgent need to increase the percentage of the population that has been vaccinated to stem further spread of the COVID-19 virus. Policymakers, business owners and schools are wrestling with whether and to what extent to mandate proof of vaccination to access services such as schooling and public transportation, as well as large gatherings like concerts and sporting events.New Jersey’s Rutgers University, for example, has already announced that returning students will have to demonstrate that they have been vaccinated, with many other colleges and universities across the nation considering whether to move in that direction.People resist vaccines for all kinds of reasons, from health concerns to lack of information or belief in conspiracy theories. One less common, but legally important, reason is religious belief.Whatever path Rutgers and other universities may stake out, they are likely to follow the existing practices of most states, which provide religious exemptions to students attending public schools where vaccines are otherwise required.Evangelicals and Vaccination: While 95% of evangelical Christian leaders have told the National Association of Evangelicals they would be open to getting a COVID-19 vaccine, more than a third of white evangelicals overall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-vaccine-skepticism-white-evangelicals-us-32898166bbb673ad87842af24c8daefb" target="_blank">say they’d be unlikely to do so</a>. Religious objections were one reason cited by some respondents.&nbsp;&nbsp;Unlike private universities, public universities such as Rutgers are subject not only to general civil rights laws but also to the First Amendment’s prohibition on governmental abridgement of the free exercise of religion (the Free Exercise Clause).Private Employers and Religious Exemptions: An employer may generally require that employees obtain vaccinations as part of legitimate health and safety requirements that are job-related and necessary to do business. To be sure, federal civil rights law requires employers to provide a reasonable accommodation of an employee’s religious practice, such as a religious objection to vaccination, but employers are relieved of this obligation if the accommodation would impose an undue burden. The courts have by and large been inclined (albeit not uniformly) to consider an employee’s refusal to be vaccinated an undue burden; the question arises, however, whether the Supreme Court’s shifting perspective on religious exemptions in other contexts (as discussed in this article) will make it more likely that an employee will be entitled to such an exemption with respect to a required vaccination.Under the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1990 decision in Employment Division v. Smith, it appears that there is no constitutional requirement for the government, including the public schools that it operates, to provide religious exemptions when mandating vaccines to receive a public service, as long as the mandate applies to everyone.In 21 states and at the federal level, additional religious freedom laws do make it possible to ask for exceptions to generally applicable government requirements. But it has long been thought that, even under this more protective standard, during a public health emergency, the urgent governmental interest in stemming a pandemic can make it harder to claim a religious exemption from vaccine requirements.We are, however, on shifting terrain in this area. For better or for worse, recent cases suggest that the courts are moving toward expanded leeway for religious exemption claims when it comes to government mandates — even in the context of a public health emergency.In February 2021, in the case of South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom, contrary to its reasoning in a similar case the prior year, a majority of the Supreme Court voted to stop California from enforcing its blanket ban on indoor religious ceremonies. In so doing, the court proved newly willing, over a strenuous dissent by the minority, to second guess public health judgments by local authorities, at least in terms of weighing public health against religious freedom concerns.Where does that leave us on vaccinations? To date, there has not been any serious challenge to the ability of governments to offer religious exemptions, but neither has there been any clear-cut obligation of the government to recognize a free exercise exemption in the public health context. However, given the turnaround on the houses of worship cases, we may see a similar reluctance to enforce a vaccination mandate over religious objections.Faith Leaders Guide Communities: Some religious leaders are sharing faith-supported reasons to get vaccinated, like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/divine-intervention-pastors-tapped-help-get-skeptical-churchgoers-vaccinated-n1264646" target="_blank">Christians and the Vaccine project</a>. Islamic scholars advise that vaccinations can be considered halal, or permissible, and getting vaccinated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-04-12/ramadan-and-vaccines-what-muslims-in-southern-california-need-to-know" target="_blank">doesn’t break Muslims’ Ramadan fasts</a>. Some Orthodox Jewish communities have organized vaccine drives and many participated in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/covid-19-story-tip-study-of-orthodox-jews-may-help-guide-covid-19-prevention-in-culturally-bonded-groups" target="_blank">study on safe gathering practices.</a>One thing seems certain. The law can only do so much in responding to the forces that have given rise to vaccine resistance. The more important work is likely to be done in the realm of education, persuasion and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2020/04/09/religious-communities-can-play-a-huge-role-in-fighting-the-pandemic-but-not-by-gathering-for-services/" target="_blank">messages of societal responsibility</a>&nbsp;from leaders of diverse faith and political backgrounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You can reach Richard Foltin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rfoltin@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">rfoltin@freedomforum.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

FIRST 5: Religious exemptions from vaccine mandates

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Fort Hays State University's Glen McNeil shares information about vitamins and aging.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Vitamins can play an important part in health" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=6f4qp-1042527-pb&from=pb6admin&download=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3&btn-skin=1"></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Fort Hays State University's Glen McNeil shares information about vitamins and aging.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">notifications click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: Vitamins can play an important part in health

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

The Sunset Sinners are in the running for a Group of the Year Award from the largest independent artist award show in the world.

The
 band -- comprised of Blake Blackim, Tony Bowell, and Brad Johnson of 
Salina and Chris Brungardt of Hays -- are in the running for Group of 
the Year in the Southern Rock/Country Rock category of the upcoming 
Josie Music Awards. 

The Seventh annual Josie Music Awards event is scheduled for Sept. 17-18 in the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

According to the organization's <a href="https://www.josiemusicawards.com/">website</a>,
 "the Josie Music Awards was created solely to celebrate those in the 
independent music industry that work so hard every day and deserve to 
have a night of their own."

Blackim, Sunset Sinners' drummer, 
told Salina Post that the award nomination came about after he was 
interviewed a few weeks ago on The Josie Show by Josie Passantino, who also is the namesake of the awards show. The internet radio show can be heard on Thursday nights.

<a href="https://www.blogtalkradio.com/josieshow/2021/04/16/josie-show-episode-535-guests-hannah-bell-and-blake-blackim-of-sunset-sinners">Hear Blackim's interview here</a>&nbsp;(He is the second of two artists interviewed that night.)

During the interview, Passantino focused on two of the Sunset Sinners' songs: Always Time for One More Beer and Old Glory.

Blackim said Passantino encouraged the band to submit Always Time for One More Beer
 for award consideration. As it turned out, the song led to the Sunset 
Sinners being nominated for Group of the Year in the Southern 
Rock/Country Rock category.

Receiving the nomination was no easy task, however. According to the Josie Music Awards <a href="https://www.josiemusicawards.com/">website</a>,
 "Nominee suggestions go through a lengthy review process by a team of 
industry leaders and the official nomination list is created from their 
final decisions. Winners are also selected by this industry leader team
 (this review team has no connection to independent artists)."

Blackim said the team went through nearly 39,000 entries before selecting the award nominees. 

See the Josie Music Awards nominee list <a href="https://www.josiemusicawards.com/official-2021-nominees.html">here</a>

Busy spring and summer for the band

Fresh
 off a recent concert at the Arkansas City Halfalalah event, Blackim and
 Bowell are headed to Nashville next week for a multi-day radio tour 
promoting Old Glory, thanks to the Spin Doctors Music Group, with whom the band recently signed.

Blackim said that the Spin Doctor's forte is getting the music of bands such as the Sunset Sinners playing on radio stations in the United States. The band already has developed quite a following in Europe where it is much easier to get music on the air, he said.

On May 28, the Sunset Sinners' newest song, Tavern Sandy, is 
scheduled for release in the United States. It already is playing in 
Europe, Blackim said. The band also is planning to release an album 
later this summer.

In June, the band is scheduled to perform 
during the Kicker Country Stampede in Topeka. The Sunset Sinners also 
are headlining the 45th Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina on Labor Day
 weekend.

READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/00bd6852-813f-4afa-b6d7-1a63573ac8f7">Sunset Sinners to headline at the Smoky Hill River Festival</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621533321284.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostThe Sunset Sinners are in the running for a Group of the Year Award from the largest independent artist award show in the world.The
 band -- comprised of Blake Blackim, Tony Bowell, and Brad Johnson of 
Salina and Chris Brungardt of Hays -- are in the running for Group of 
the Year in the Southern Rock/Country Rock category of the upcoming 
Josie Music Awards. The Seventh annual Josie Music Awards event is scheduled for Sept. 17-18 in the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.According to the organization's <a href="https://www.josiemusicawards.com/">website</a>,
 "the Josie Music Awards was created solely to celebrate those in the 
independent music industry that work so hard every day and deserve to 
have a night of their own." Blackim, Sunset Sinners' drummer, 
told Salina Post that the award nomination came about after he was 
interviewed a few weeks ago on The Josie Show by Josie Passantino, who also is the namesake of the awards show. The internet radio show can be heard on Thursday nights.<a href="https://www.blogtalkradio.com/josieshow/2021/04/16/josie-show-episode-535-guests-hannah-bell-and-blake-blackim-of-sunset-sinners">Hear Blackim's interview here</a>&nbsp;(He is the second of two artists interviewed that night.)During the interview, Passantino focused on two of the Sunset Sinners' songs: Always Time for One More Beer and Old Glory.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k0VjeSh3co8"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Blackim said Passantino encouraged the band to submit Always Time for One More Beer
 for award consideration. As it turned out, the song led to the Sunset 
Sinners being nominated for Group of the Year in the Southern 
Rock/Country Rock category.Receiving the nomination was no easy task, however. According to the Josie Music Awards <a href="https://www.josiemusicawards.com/">website</a>,
 "Nominee suggestions go through a lengthy review process by a team of 
industry leaders and the official nomination list is created from their 
final decisions. Winners are also selected by this industry leader team
 (this review team has no connection to independent artists)."Blackim said the team went through nearly 39,000 entries before selecting the award nominees. See the Josie Music Awards nominee list <a href="https://www.josiemusicawards.com/official-2021-nominees.html">here</a>Busy spring and summer for the bandFresh
 off a recent concert at the Arkansas City Halfalalah event, Blackim and
 Bowell are headed to Nashville next week for a multi-day radio tour 
promoting Old Glory, thanks to the Spin Doctors Music Group, with whom the band recently signed. <figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UmNRjTStiqs"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Blackim said that the Spin Doctor's forte is getting the music of bands such as the Sunset Sinners playing on radio stations in the United States. The band already has developed quite a following in Europe where it is much easier to get music on the air, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621533395499.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On May 28, the Sunset Sinners' newest song, Tavern Sandy, is 
scheduled for release in the United States. It already is playing in 
Europe, Blackim said. The band also is planning to release an album 
later this summer.In June, the band is scheduled to perform 
during the Kicker Country Stampede in Topeka. The Sunset Sinners also 
are headlining the 45th Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina on Labor Day
 weekend.READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/00bd6852-813f-4afa-b6d7-1a63573ac8f7">Sunset Sinners to headline at the Smoky Hill River Festival</a>

Sunset Sinners nominated for Group of the Year award

Control bagworms by spraying, or picking them off by hand, in middle to late May.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QKwGRa5IiJc"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Control bagworms by spraying, or picking them off by hand, in middle to late May.

🎥 Green & Growing 2021: Bagworms

SHERMAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Sherman County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Honda Odyssey driven by&nbsp;Barnes, Larry Ernest Barnes, 70, Tulsa, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of Kanorado pulling a trailer when the rear right tire blew. 

The driver lost control of the vehicle. It entered the median and overturned.

EMS transported a passenger Sharlinda Lynn Bryan, 44, Tulsa, to the hospital in Goodland. Barnes and two other passengers were not injured. Bryan was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

SHERMAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Sherman County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Honda Odyssey driven by&nbsp;Barnes, Larry Ernest Barnes, 70, Tulsa, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of Kanorado pulling a trailer when the rear right tire blew. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It entered the median and overturned.EMS transported a passenger Sharlinda Lynn Bryan, 44, Tulsa, to the hospital in Goodland. Barnes and two other passengers were not injured. Bryan was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Woman hospitalized after van blows tire, overturns

Susan Amrein, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, was awarded the inaugural Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Award at HaysMed.&nbsp; This award recognizes an advanced provider that supports the vision, mission, and goals of HaysMed, serves as a role model and successful mentor, improves collaboration, and encourages productive relationships with different levels of hospital associates.&nbsp; 

Other criteria include showing leadership in quality improvement, participates in hospital and community affairs and influences positive cultural change regarding the growth and recognitions of the APP role at the hospital.

Amrein is an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner at Family Medicine.&nbsp; She has been with HaysMed for 35 years. Co-workers remarked on her work ethic and knowledge, rarely missing a day at work, and treating all patients with dignity and respect and often altering her schedule to accommodate patient’s needs.&nbsp; She is noted as being one of the most stable entities to the medical care in the Hays Community adapting to the many changes in healthcare while continually providing excellent medical care.

In addition to the HaysMed recognition Amrein was also given a letter of commendation for her years of service as an APRN and as a mentor and instructor in the Department of Nursing at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp; Dr. Richard Rajewski, a former physician at Family Medicine, presented her with the letter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621368573257.jpeg" alt="Amrein " />
 <figcaption>Amrein </figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedSusan Amrein, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, was awarded the inaugural Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Award at HaysMed.&nbsp; This award recognizes an advanced provider that supports the vision, mission, and goals of HaysMed, serves as a role model and successful mentor, improves collaboration, and encourages productive relationships with different levels of hospital associates.&nbsp; Other criteria include showing leadership in quality improvement, participates in hospital and community affairs and influences positive cultural change regarding the growth and recognitions of the APP role at the hospital.Amrein is an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner at Family Medicine.&nbsp; She has been with HaysMed for 35 years. Co-workers remarked on her work ethic and knowledge, rarely missing a day at work, and treating all patients with dignity and respect and often altering her schedule to accommodate patient’s needs.&nbsp; She is noted as being one of the most stable entities to the medical care in the Hays Community adapting to the many changes in healthcare while continually providing excellent medical care.In addition to the HaysMed recognition Amrein was also given a letter of commendation for her years of service as an APRN and as a mentor and instructor in the Department of Nursing at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp; Dr. Richard Rajewski, a former physician at Family Medicine, presented her with the letter.

Amrein earns inaugural advanced practice provider award at HaysMed

GREAT BEND — Wheat growers can make plans to attend the Cottonwood Extension District's Barton County Wheat Plot Field Day on May 25 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Come hear what extension specialist have to say about each wheat variety, production practices and pest management. There is always time for questions and discussion.

The location of the field day is 2.5 miles west on West Barton County Road at the intersection of NW 50th Avenue.

Donuts and refreshments will be provided courtesy of American Ag Credit and Ed Jr. Farm.

 In case of inclement weather, the field day will be held at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th St., Great Bend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620849725737.jpeg" alt=" Cottonwood Extension District-Barton County Wheat Plot Field Day is May 25. (File photo)" />
 <figcaption> Cottonwood Extension District-Barton County Wheat Plot Field Day is May 25. (File photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedGREAT BEND — Wheat growers can make plans to attend the Cottonwood Extension District's Barton County Wheat Plot Field Day on May 25 beginning at 8:30 a.m.Come hear what extension specialist have to say about each wheat variety, production practices and pest management. There is always time for questions and discussion.The location of the field day is 2.5 miles west on West Barton County Road at the intersection of NW 50th Avenue.Donuts and refreshments will be provided courtesy of American Ag Credit and Ed Jr. Farm. In case of inclement weather, the field day will be held at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th St., Great Bend.

Cottonwood Extension's Barton Co. wheat plot field day next week

This garden is located at the Kansas State Agricultural Research Center – Hays, formerly called the Experiment Station. It is located just south of Hays Frontier Park, south of the US Highway 183 Alternate (bypass). If you head south on Main, continue south across the Alternate, then take the first drive on your left (east off of 240 th Ave).

The drive curves. When the road takes a right turn, you are at a place to park to view not just the Trial Garden but the Backyard Demonstration Garden as well.

This vegetable garden serves as a trial garden for vegetable varieties being tested by K-State horticulture specialists to help update the list of KSRE recommended vegetable varieties. The Hays garden has typically tested tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers. Other plants such as zucchini and yellow squash are also sometimes grown.

The vegetables are planted, maintained and harvested by the Ellis County Master Gardeners. The actual number of new varieties tested varies year by year. Trial cultivars are planted side by side and include cultivars of the same species that are accepted standards currently in the trade.

Evaluations of each plant are done throughout the growing season. Quantitative and qualitative data is carefully collected for each variety, recorded and then reported to K-State at the end of the season. After harvesting and documenting the performance information, the fruit can be used by the Master Gardener who is doing the data collection. When quantities allow, produce is often shared with all Master Gardeners and/or provided to local food banks.

Master Gardeners of Ellis County, Cottonwood District. More information available at&nbsp; www.cottonwood.ksu.edu or call 785-628-9430

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614966296214.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This garden is located at the Kansas State Agricultural Research Center – Hays, formerly called the Experiment Station. It is located just south of Hays Frontier Park, south of the US Highway 183 Alternate (bypass). If you head south on Main, continue south across the Alternate, then take the first drive on your left (east off of 240 th Ave).The drive curves. When the road takes a right turn, you are at a place to park to view not just the Trial Garden but the Backyard Demonstration Garden as well.This vegetable garden serves as a trial garden for vegetable varieties being tested by K-State horticulture specialists to help update the list of KSRE recommended vegetable varieties. The Hays garden has typically tested tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers. Other plants such as zucchini and yellow squash are also sometimes grown.The vegetables are planted, maintained and harvested by the Ellis County Master Gardeners. The actual number of new varieties tested varies year by year. Trial cultivars are planted side by side and include cultivars of the same species that are accepted standards currently in the trade.Evaluations of each plant are done throughout the growing season. Quantitative and qualitative data is carefully collected for each variety, recorded and then reported to K-State at the end of the season. After harvesting and documenting the performance information, the fruit can be used by the Master Gardener who is doing the data collection. When quantities allow, produce is often shared with all Master Gardeners and/or provided to local food banks.Master Gardeners of Ellis County, Cottonwood District. More information available at&nbsp; www.cottonwood.ksu.edu or call 785-628-9430

From the Ellis County Master Gardeners: Vegetable trial garden

SHERMAN COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident&nbsp; just after 2p.m. Friday in Sherman County.

The Kansas Highway patrol reported a 2017 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Adam Keith&nbsp;Streun, 36, Norman, OK., was eastbound on Interstate 70 at U.S. 24 passing a 2011 Buick Lucerne driven by Roger L. Collins, 76, Goodland and a 2014 International semi driven by&nbsp; Jerome Dale Petz, 50, Colby.

The Buick attempted to pass the International and struck the drivers side rear corner of the vehicle. The International then struck the Ford.

EMS transported Collins to the hospital in Goodland. The other two drivers were not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

SHERMAN COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident&nbsp; just after 2p.m. Friday in Sherman County.The Kansas Highway patrol reported a 2017 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Adam Keith&nbsp;Streun, 36, Norman, OK., was eastbound on Interstate 70 at U.S. 24 passing a 2011 Buick Lucerne driven by Roger L. Collins, 76, Goodland and a 2014 International semi driven by&nbsp; Jerome Dale Petz, 50, Colby.The Buick attempted to pass the International and struck the drivers side rear corner of the vehicle. The International then struck the Ford.EMS transported Collins to the hospital in Goodland. The other two drivers were not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas man hospitalized after 3-vehicle I-70 crash

Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in April. This was a decrease from 3.7 percent in March and a decrease from 12.6 percent in April 2020.

“We've seen significant improvement in the unemployment rate throughout the past year, from a historic high of 12.6 percent in April 2020, down to 3.5 percent just twelve months later,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “Great progress is being made as we are approaching pre-pandemic unemployment rates." 

In Ellis County, the unemployment rate dipped to just 1.9 percent. Several northwest Kansas counties showed jobless rates at or below the 2 percent mark, with the area high of 2.8 percent in Barton, Decatur and Sherman counties. 

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs decreased by 1,400 from March. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, decreased by 1,300 from the previous month, while government decreased by 100.

“Over the past year Kansas has recovered more than 64 percent of the 158,000 jobs lost in March and April of 2020,” said Labor Economist Todd Rilinger. “The leisure and hospitality industry, which saw the largest losses last year, added 500 jobs in April 2021. This brings the total jobs recovered for the industry to more than 73 percent."

Since April 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 101,600. This change is due to an increase of 103,800 private sector jobs and a decrease of 2,200 government jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621617496505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in April. This was a decrease from 3.7 percent in March and a decrease from 12.6 percent in April 2020.“We've seen significant improvement in the unemployment rate throughout the past year, from a historic high of 12.6 percent in April 2020, down to 3.5 percent just twelve months later,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “Great progress is being made as we are approaching pre-pandemic unemployment rates." In Ellis County, the unemployment rate dipped to just 1.9 percent. Several northwest Kansas counties showed jobless rates at or below the 2 percent mark, with the area high of 2.8 percent in Barton, Decatur and Sherman counties. Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs decreased by 1,400 from March. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, decreased by 1,300 from the previous month, while government decreased by 100.“Over the past year Kansas has recovered more than 64 percent of the 158,000 jobs lost in March and April of 2020,” said Labor Economist Todd Rilinger. “The leisure and hospitality industry, which saw the largest losses last year, added 500 jobs in April 2021. This brings the total jobs recovered for the industry to more than 73 percent."Since April 2020, Kansas seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 101,600. This change is due to an increase of 103,800 private sector jobs and a decrease of 2,200 government jobs.

Several NW Kan. counties post jobless rates below 2% in April

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday reported two new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County identified since Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

As of Friday, the University of Kansas Health System reported three COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, one active and two recovering.

Since reporting began, there have been 3,750 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 72 coronavirus-related deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621617808960.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="ECHS COVID-19 Weekly Update: May 21, 2021" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=id3v8-10423be-pb&from=pb6admin&download=1&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3&btn-skin=3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Friday reported two new COVID-19 cases in Ellis County identified since Wednesday.<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.As of Friday, the University of Kansas Health System reported three COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, one active and two recovering.Since reporting began, there have been 3,750 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 72 coronavirus-related deaths.

🎙 Two new virus cases in Ellis Co.; Kennedy discusses vaccine

TOPEKA —&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the city of Natoma water supply system, located in Osborne County. The advisory was issued because the wells were under water due to flooding.

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

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

For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information, visit <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm">KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage.</a>

KDHETOPEKA —&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the city of Natoma water supply system, located in Osborne County. The advisory was issued because the wells were under water due to flooding.Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.Laboratory testing samples collected from the city of Natoma indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information, visit <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm">KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage.</a>

Boil order rescinded for city of Natoma

At approximately 6:30 a.m. Friday, the Hays Fire Department was dispatched to a report of smoke coming from a residential home located at 107 W. 20th in Hays.

Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the kitchen windows and smoke detectors were sounding. 

Fire crews immediately made entry into the vacant home and extinguished the fire using a water fire extinguisher. 

No injuries were reported. The fire was quickly extinguished and damage was minimal.

The home was vacant at the time and being remodeled. 

The cause of the fire was due to spontaneous combustion of wood floor refinishing materials. The materials were stored together created heat causing the fire.

The Hays Fire Department, Ellis County Fire Department Company 5, Ellis County EMS, and Hays Police Department all responded.

The Hays Fire Department would like to remind everyone that when using materials and products that are flammable to please follow the manufacturer recommendations for use and disposal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621611662943.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Fire DepartmentAt approximately 6:30 a.m. Friday, the Hays Fire Department was dispatched to a report of smoke coming from a residential home located at 107 W. 20th in Hays.Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the kitchen windows and smoke detectors were sounding. Fire crews immediately made entry into the vacant home and extinguished the fire using a water fire extinguisher. No injuries were reported. The fire was quickly extinguished and damage was minimal.The home was vacant at the time and being remodeled. The cause of the fire was due to spontaneous combustion of wood floor refinishing materials. The materials were stored together created heat causing the fire.The Hays Fire Department, Ellis County Fire Department Company 5, Ellis County EMS, and Hays Police Department all responded.The Hays Fire Department would like to remind everyone that when using materials and products that are flammable to please follow the manufacturer recommendations for use and disposal.

Hays home damaged in early morning fire Friday

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system which operates the Hays water&nbsp;plant and 25 ancillary sites (production wells, booster stations, and two water towers) was installed 28 years ago.&nbsp;

The outdated system is unreliable and requires a substantial&nbsp;upgrade in computer hardware and software, as well as connectivity, according to Jeff Crispin, director of water resources.

The water processing/distribution system in Hays is quality tested every two hours by employees.&nbsp;

Of the approximately 25 water asset sites, there are 12 with which the current SCADA system cannot communicate. Those sites are in the Big Creek and Smoky Hill River well fields.&nbsp;

The Smoky water well field is 12 miles south of Hays and the water treatment plant, located at 1000 Vine.

"If you're the operator and it's 11 p.m. and you're working by yourself and you need to shut off a well and you can't, that's a pretty big deal. 

"That creates some issues with operating things remotely," Crispin said. "Sometimes we have to call somebody out."

The SCADA system is used to monitor and gather real-time data, and control equipment at the water treatment plant and 25 its ancillary sites.&nbsp;

"Once water is used in the towers, there are set points that basically kick on pumps, sending more water into our system, filling the water towers back up," Crispin explained.

"Water towers are basically how we maintain pressure in our system, and they're also used for extra water for firefighting."

If everything is working properly in the aging computer system, water department employees can "click" on an individual asset, such as an individual water well which can be turned on and off to bring water into the city. Operators can see how any asset it operating and running.

"They can look at pressures, gallons-per-minute, water levels, many things to be able to operate those things."

But not everything can be controlled because the system is old, Crispin told city commissioners Thursday night.

Two filter controls at the water plant still use a computers from 1993 with a 3.5 inch floppy disk drive and a CD disk drive.

"It reminds me of high school," Crispin said, who noted he graduated in 1993, the same year the current SCADA system was installed.&nbsp;

Some of the older Hays water wells use remote telemetry units (RTUs) using radio frequencies, which will be replaced by programmable logic controllers (PLCs), allowing monitoring and control of the SCADA system.&nbsp;

At 18 of 25 water asset sites, a fiber optic system from Hays vendor Nex-Tech terminates at those site, but has never been used. Crispin said Nex-Tech is willing to make the connections at no cost to the city.

"This is a complicated project and a lot of things need to be done," Crispin said.&nbsp;

"Fiber will ensure that we have reliable communication and connection to our assets in all weather conditions. No longer will be have to rely on antennas, radio frequencies and interference of any&nbsp; kind.&nbsp;

"This is the way we really should be communicating with our water system to make sure that we are completely reliable at all times."

The SCADA improvements request for proposal created by Crispin and other staff members specified the same hardware and software that was installed in 2019 in the upgraded wastewater treatment plant.&nbsp;

"This would provide us the ability to actually switch parts back and forth if we needed to."

The updated system would allow operators to make adjustments at the ' lick of a computer mouse and make our system much beter

&nbsp;The city's current SCADA vendor, R.E. Pedrotti, based in Mission, is the low bidder for the updated SCADA project at&nbsp;$801,225, including an alternate three-year warranty extension. It is below the $850,000 budget and would be funded from the water capital budget. 

Although the water and wastewater systems are computer-operated,&nbsp; they are both separate from the city's IT (information technology) department.&nbsp;IT Department Director Chad Ruder has lent his expertise to this project, Crispin said.

The system is not connected to the city's internet system.

Commissioner Michael Berges asked about cyber security.

"Utilities are very attractive targets right now — and you know this -" Berges said, "and are being hacked into."

In early February, a computer hacker tried to poison the water supply of Oldsmar, Florida's water treatment system by changing a setting that would have drastically increased the amount of sodium hydroxide — known commonly as lye — in that city's water supply. It can be deadly if ingested in large amounts.

A city employee saw the change and quickly reversed it.

Crispin said that Florida system did not have proper security systems in place.

"This is another conversation I've had with Chad [Ruder] many times. We have three or four firewalls within our system to protect our city [water] system," Crispin told Berges.&nbsp;

Even though the current system is outdated, Crispin said the city is "very well protected with our firewalls. There is no connection between the city system.

"When we want to get on the internet, we have to make some adjustments, and what we're doing as part of this project is beefing up those firewalls.

"I feel very, very sure that right now we are as secure as we can be.&nbsp;Pedrotti would be able to 'dial in' through a firewall if we need to do any upgrades or security updates, and actually access that site."&nbsp;

According to Crispin, the managed option within the low bid includes a firewall for all 25 site assets.

"You're talking 25 firewalls. It's going to be very secure."

City commissioners will consider approving the low bid at their May 27 meeting.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621563040148.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system which operates the Hays water&nbsp;plant and 25 ancillary sites (production wells, booster stations, and two water towers) was installed 28 years ago.&nbsp;The outdated system is unreliable and requires a substantial&nbsp;upgrade in computer hardware and software, as well as connectivity, according to Jeff Crispin, director of water resources.The water processing/distribution system in Hays is quality tested every two hours by employees.&nbsp;Of the approximately 25 water asset sites, there are 12 with which the current SCADA system cannot communicate. Those sites are in the Big Creek and Smoky Hill River well fields.&nbsp;The Smoky water well field is 12 miles south of Hays and the water treatment plant, located at 1000 Vine."If you're the operator and it's 11 p.m. and you're working by yourself and you need to shut off a well and you can't, that's a pretty big deal. "That creates some issues with operating things remotely," Crispin said. "Sometimes we have to call somebody out."<figure>
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 </figure>The SCADA system is used to monitor and gather real-time data, and control equipment at the water treatment plant and 25 its ancillary sites.&nbsp;"Once water is used in the towers, there are set points that basically kick on pumps, sending more water into our system, filling the water towers back up," Crispin explained. "Water towers are basically how we maintain pressure in our system, and they're also used for extra water for firefighting."If everything is working properly in the aging computer system, water department employees can "click" on an individual asset, such as an individual water well which can be turned on and off to bring water into the city. Operators can see how any asset it operating and running."They can look at pressures, gallons-per-minute, water levels, many things to be able to operate those things."But not everything can be controlled because the system is old, Crispin told city commissioners Thursday night.Two filter controls at the water plant still use a computers from 1993 with a 3.5 inch floppy disk drive and a CD disk drive."It reminds me of high school," Crispin said, who noted he graduated in 1993, the same year the current SCADA system was installed.&nbsp;Some of the older Hays water wells use remote telemetry units (RTUs) using radio frequencies, which will be replaced by programmable logic controllers (PLCs), allowing monitoring and control of the SCADA system.&nbsp;At 18 of 25 water asset sites, a fiber optic system from Hays vendor Nex-Tech terminates at those site, but has never been used. Crispin said Nex-Tech is willing to make the connections at no cost to the city.<figure>
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 </figure>"This is a complicated project and a lot of things need to be done," Crispin said.&nbsp;"Fiber will ensure that we have reliable communication and connection to our assets in all weather conditions. No longer will be have to rely on antennas, radio frequencies and interference of any&nbsp; kind.&nbsp;"This is the way we really should be communicating with our water system to make sure that we are completely reliable at all times."The SCADA improvements request for proposal created by Crispin and other staff members specified the same hardware and software that was installed in 2019 in the upgraded wastewater treatment plant.&nbsp;"This would provide us the ability to actually switch parts back and forth if we needed to."The updated system would allow operators to make adjustments at the ' lick of a computer mouse and make our system much beter&nbsp;The city's current SCADA vendor, R.E. Pedrotti, based in Mission, is the low bidder for the updated SCADA project at&nbsp;$801,225, including an alternate three-year warranty extension. It is below the $850,000 budget and would be funded from the water capital budget. Although the water and wastewater systems are computer-operated,&nbsp; they are both separate from the city's IT (information technology) department.&nbsp;IT Department Director Chad Ruder has lent his expertise to this project, Crispin said.The system is not connected to the city's internet system.Commissioner Michael Berges asked about cyber security."Utilities are very attractive targets right now — and you know this -" Berges said, "and are being hacked into."In early February, a computer hacker tried to poison the water supply of Oldsmar, Florida's water treatment system by changing a setting that would have drastically increased the amount of sodium hydroxide — known commonly as lye — in that city's water supply. It can be deadly if ingested in large amounts.A city employee saw the change and quickly reversed it.Crispin said that Florida system did not have proper security systems in place."This is another conversation I've had with Chad [Ruder] many times. We have three or four firewalls within our system to protect our city [water] system," Crispin told Berges.&nbsp;Even though the current system is outdated, Crispin said the city is "very well protected with our firewalls. There is no connection between the city system."When we want to get on the internet, we have to make some adjustments, and what we're doing as part of this project is beefing up those firewalls. "I feel very, very sure that right now we are as secure as we can be.&nbsp;Pedrotti would be able to 'dial in' through a firewall if we need to do any upgrades or security updates, and actually access that site."&nbsp;According to Crispin, the managed option within the low bid includes a firewall for all 25 site assets."You're talking 25 firewalls. It's going to be very secure."City commissioners will consider approving the low bid at their May 27 meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 🎥 Aged SCADA operating system for Hays' water plant needs update for security, operations  

Free events planned this month in Ellis, Russell counties&nbsp;

Kansas landowners are invited to attend a pair of Tailgate Talks planned for May 25 and 26 and focused on protecting water quality, creating alternative watering sources for livestock, and other topics.&nbsp;

The Tailgate Talks will take place in Ellis and Russell Counties and are free to the public. All events feature experts from K-State Research and Extension and local landowners.&nbsp;

“These events give producers in our community an essential toolkit for implementing best management practices in their operations,” said Stacie Minson, a K-State Research and Extension watershed specialist. “There are many proven ways that people can protect and improve their water sources and optimize their cattle operations, so we’re excited to offer these demonstrations to the community.”&nbsp;

The first Tailgate Talk will begin at 8 a.m. on May 25, hosted by the Binder family at Pleasant View Farms in Hays. K-State Research and Extension speakers will discuss using existing feed sources in cattle operations, and there will be a live demonstration of a tire tank installation as an alternative water source for livestock.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are two sessions on May 26. Participants are invited to the Corley Farm in Gorham at 1:30 p.m. to learn about how to incorporate cover crops into a livestock grazing plan and the use of portable fencing in livestock operations. There also will be a live demonstration of a tire tank installation as an alternative livestock water source.&nbsp;

The second session will begin at 5 p.m. at the Blundon Farm in Russell. There, experts will explain the benefits of providing alternative water sources, show how to use geotextile fabric and rock in feeding operations, and discuss different aspects of livestock wells.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dinner will be provided to participants at the Blundon Farm at the conclusion of the program. Speakers will be available throughout to answer questions from the public.&nbsp;

More information about speakers, topics and locations can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcare.k-state.edu/wrip/wraps/big-creek-and-middle-smoky-hill-watersheds/special_events.html">Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment website</a>. Those interested in attending either, or both, events should RSVP to 785-769-3297.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Free events planned this month in Ellis, Russell counties&nbsp;</h2>K-State Research &amp; ExtensionKansas landowners are invited to attend a pair of Tailgate Talks planned for May 25 and 26 and focused on protecting water quality, creating alternative watering sources for livestock, and other topics.&nbsp;The Tailgate Talks will take place in Ellis and Russell Counties and are free to the public. All events feature experts from K-State Research and Extension and local landowners.&nbsp;“These events give producers in our community an essential toolkit for implementing best management practices in their operations,” said Stacie Minson, a K-State Research and Extension watershed specialist. “There are many proven ways that people can protect and improve their water sources and optimize their cattle operations, so we’re excited to offer these demonstrations to the community.”&nbsp;The first Tailgate Talk will begin at 8 a.m. on May 25, hosted by the Binder family at Pleasant View Farms in Hays. K-State Research and Extension speakers will discuss using existing feed sources in cattle operations, and there will be a live demonstration of a tire tank installation as an alternative water source for livestock.&nbsp;&nbsp;There are two sessions on May 26. Participants are invited to the Corley Farm in Gorham at 1:30 p.m. to learn about how to incorporate cover crops into a livestock grazing plan and the use of portable fencing in livestock operations. There also will be a live demonstration of a tire tank installation as an alternative livestock water source.&nbsp;The second session will begin at 5 p.m. at the Blundon Farm in Russell. There, experts will explain the benefits of providing alternative water sources, show how to use geotextile fabric and rock in feeding operations, and discuss different aspects of livestock wells.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dinner will be provided to participants at the Blundon Farm at the conclusion of the program. Speakers will be available throughout to answer questions from the public.&nbsp;More information about speakers, topics and locations can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcare.k-state.edu/wrip/wraps/big-creek-and-middle-smoky-hill-watersheds/special_events.html">Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment website</a>. Those interested in attending either, or both, events should RSVP to 785-769-3297.&nbsp;&nbsp;

‘Tailgate Talks’ to feature expert speakers, local landowners 

A lot of graduates from Fort Hays State University participated in the online commencement ceremony this year because of the pandemic. But Osama Tamimi decided long ago he would attend his graduation from FHSU, even if it meant making the long trek from the Middle East to the middle of the United States.

Tamimi – who earned a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in cybersecurity through FHSU Online – made the 6,744-mile trip from his homeland East Jerusalem, Palestine, to personally participate in last weekend’s graduation activities.

Allowing online graduates to take part in the in-person commencement ceremonies was one of several requirements for Tamimi when he began researching online degree opportunities two years ago.

A self-described researcher, Tamimi ­– an&nbsp;IP network and security supervisor&nbsp;for a&nbsp;telecommunications company in Palestine –&nbsp;was looking for an online program in cybersecurity at an institution with excellent accreditation. He was impressed to find that FHSU is accredited through the National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) in information assurance and cyber defense education.&nbsp;The U.S. Government has designated FHSU as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.&nbsp;Affordable tuition at FHSU was also a plus.

“There aren’t too many programs that are entirely online,” Tamimi said, “and they aren’t many with that accreditation. I was very pleased to see that tuition is the same for anyone - worldwide. There were options in Australia and the United Kingdom, but there were better options in the United States. With Fort Hays State, I found exactly what I was looking for.”

After all the cancelations and event rescheduling because of the pandemic, Tamimi – who had a current U.S. Visa – knew there was still a possibility he wouldn’t be able to attend his graduation ceremony in person. When he learned that FHSU was indeed holding in-person ceremonies this spring, he began planning for his 12-day trip to America.

Tamimi earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan, in 2011. Various fellowships and work obligations have taken him to 28 different countries.

This was his fifth trip to the United States – and first to Kansas – and he made the most of it.&nbsp;

He checked regulations for every airport he would be using, paying close attention to any possible changes because of COVID-19 protocols. After several days of travel, he arrived in Hays on Tuesday, three days before his commencement ceremony.

A lover of nature, Tamimi visited Cedar Bluff Lake in Trego County. He wanted to take a tour of Hays, too, so Cindy Elliott – FHSU assistant vice president for Global Partnerships – obliged.

On his return trip home, Tamimi planned a visit to Wilson Lake, Mushroom State Park near Brookville, and the state capitol in Topeka, then take a drive through the Flinthills on his way to the Kansas City International Airport.&nbsp;

“I just really wanted to experience the joys of Kansas, but&nbsp;it turned out that attending the ceremony in person has more benefits and advantages than I initially thought,” he said. “I was introduced to many faculty and staff members and got to know them in person, which resulted in an excellent engagement. It made the Hays trip very fruitful with unforgettable memories, not to mention the good times that I spent on campus. Having such an experience will encourage me to get back to school in the future for a higher degree.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621438777477.png" alt="Graduate Osama Tamimi, right, from East Jerusalem, Palestine, pictured with his Fort Hays State University adviser, Jason Zeller, at last weekend’s FHSU commencement." />
 <figcaption>Graduate Osama Tamimi, right, from East Jerusalem, Palestine, pictured with his Fort Hays State University adviser, Jason Zeller, at last weekend’s FHSU commencement.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsA lot of graduates from Fort Hays State University participated in the online commencement ceremony this year because of the pandemic. But Osama Tamimi decided long ago he would attend his graduation from FHSU, even if it meant making the long trek from the Middle East to the middle of the United States.Tamimi – who earned a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in cybersecurity through FHSU Online – made the 6,744-mile trip from his homeland East Jerusalem, Palestine, to personally participate in last weekend’s graduation activities.Allowing online graduates to take part in the in-person commencement ceremonies was one of several requirements for Tamimi when he began researching online degree opportunities two years ago.A self-described researcher, Tamimi ­– an&nbsp;IP network and security supervisor&nbsp;for a&nbsp;telecommunications company in Palestine –&nbsp;was looking for an online program in cybersecurity at an institution with excellent accreditation. He was impressed to find that FHSU is accredited through the National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) in information assurance and cyber defense education.&nbsp;The U.S. Government has designated FHSU as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.&nbsp;Affordable tuition at FHSU was also a plus.“There aren’t too many programs that are entirely online,” Tamimi said, “and they aren’t many with that accreditation. I was very pleased to see that tuition is the same for anyone - worldwide. There were options in Australia and the United Kingdom, but there were better options in the United States. With Fort Hays State, I found exactly what I was looking for.”After all the cancelations and event rescheduling because of the pandemic, Tamimi – who had a current U.S. Visa – knew there was still a possibility he wouldn’t be able to attend his graduation ceremony in person. When he learned that FHSU was indeed holding in-person ceremonies this spring, he began planning for his 12-day trip to America.Tamimi earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan, in 2011. Various fellowships and work obligations have taken him to 28 different countries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621438827844.jpeg" alt="Osama Tamimi from East Jerusalem, Palestine, celebrates with fellow graduates Haley Williams, Xiao (Lucia) Sun, and Jadyn Snyder at last weekend’s Fort Hays State University commencement." />
 <figcaption>Osama Tamimi from East Jerusalem, Palestine, celebrates with fellow graduates Haley Williams, Xiao (Lucia) Sun, and Jadyn Snyder at last weekend’s Fort Hays State University commencement.</figcaption>
 </figure>This was his fifth trip to the United States – and first to Kansas – and he made the most of it.&nbsp;He checked regulations for every airport he would be using, paying close attention to any possible changes because of COVID-19 protocols. After several days of travel, he arrived in Hays on Tuesday, three days before his commencement ceremony.A lover of nature, Tamimi visited Cedar Bluff Lake in Trego County. He wanted to take a tour of Hays, too, so Cindy Elliott – FHSU assistant vice president for Global Partnerships – obliged.On his return trip home, Tamimi planned a visit to Wilson Lake, Mushroom State Park near Brookville, and the state capitol in Topeka, then take a drive through the Flinthills on his way to the Kansas City International Airport.&nbsp;“I just really wanted to experience the joys of Kansas, but&nbsp;it turned out that attending the ceremony in person has more benefits and advantages than I initially thought,” he said. “I was introduced to many faculty and staff members and got to know them in person, which resulted in an excellent engagement. It made the Hays trip very fruitful with unforgettable memories, not to mention the good times that I spent on campus. Having such an experience will encourage me to get back to school in the future for a higher degree.”Tamimi was able to continue his program without delay when the pandemic forced Fort Hays State to switch to remote operations for the remainder of the spring semester last year.“The beauty of our program is that it’s designed for online first. All the content and hands-on lab activities are the same if you are on campus or in taking courses online,” said Jason Zeller, assistant professor of informatics, lead faculty of the cybersecurity program, and Tamimi’s advisor. “So absolutely nothing changed with the program when COVID hit. We were fortunate in that regard.”Tamimi was pleased that he was able to incorporate into his workplace findings from his master’s capstone project – automatic detection and mitigation of Volumetric DDoS attacks (one of the most common attacks in cybersecurity). For his project, he developed software that will automatically detect and mitigate that type of attack.Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand all over the country. In an effort to meet the varying degree of skills required for an array of available positions, the Department of Informatics added an undergraduate cybersecurity major in addition to the long-standing master’s program.&nbsp;While Zeller expects the undergraduate program to be a feeder for the master’s program, he notes that the Fort Hays State cybersecurity programs can be made to fit anyone, regardless of prior education background, considering a student’s objectives and needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tamimi thinks FHSU’s master’s program stacks up against any in the world.&nbsp;“I have had a lot of fellowships in several different countries,” Tamimi said, “and Fort Hays State’s cybersecurity program is an exceptional one.”

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