For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756477936056.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Three-day weather outlook

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Summer is a popular time to move to a new place, so you might be on the hunt right now. Looking for apartments or houses online is convenient, but that’s where many rental scams start. If you think you’ve found the perfect price in a great location, know how to spot a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.gov/scams-identity-theft/rental-scams-explained">rental scam</a>&nbsp;— before you commit to a rental.

• Know that some listings are fake.&nbsp;Scammers make up listings for places that aren’t for rent or don’t exist. They want to get your money before you figure out the listing is fake. Check out the listing in person if possible. Also, look up the name of the property owner or rental company with words like “complaint,” “review,” or “scam.”&nbsp;See what&nbsp;other people say&nbsp;about their experiences.

• Be careful how you pay.&nbsp;Don’t send money if a landlord says you can only pay with cash, a&nbsp;gift card,&nbsp;cryptocurrency, or a&nbsp;wire transfer service&nbsp;like Western Union or MoneyGram. Anyone who demands that you pay these ways is a scammer. Wiring money, sending gift cards, or paying with cryptocurrency is like sending cash.&nbsp;After you send the money, it’s hard to get it back.

• Look for hidden fees.&nbsp;Does the advertised price include all mandatory monthly fees or services? What about optional fees? Some listings might bury these in footnotes, hyperlinks, or fine print. Ask the sales agent to confirm&nbsp;— in writing&nbsp;— any fees you’ll have to pay in addition to your rent.

Spot a rental scam? Tell the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755626963607.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Federal Trade CommissionWASHINGTON, D.C. — Summer is a popular time to move to a new place, so you might be on the hunt right now. Looking for apartments or houses online is convenient, but that’s where many rental scams start. If you think you’ve found the perfect price in a great location, know how to spot a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.gov/scams-identity-theft/rental-scams-explained">rental scam</a>&nbsp;— before you commit to a rental.• Know that some listings are fake.&nbsp;Scammers make up listings for places that aren’t for rent or don’t exist. They want to get your money before you figure out the listing is fake. Check out the listing in person if possible. Also, look up the name of the property owner or rental company with words like “complaint,” “review,” or “scam.”&nbsp;See what&nbsp;other people say&nbsp;about their experiences.• Be careful how you pay.&nbsp;Don’t send money if a landlord says you can only pay with cash, a&nbsp;gift card,&nbsp;cryptocurrency, or a&nbsp;wire transfer service&nbsp;like Western Union or MoneyGram. Anyone who demands that you pay these ways is a scammer. Wiring money, sending gift cards, or paying with cryptocurrency is like sending cash.&nbsp;After you send the money, it’s hard to get it back.• Look for hidden fees.&nbsp;Does the advertised price include all mandatory monthly fees or services? What about optional fees? Some listings might bury these in footnotes, hyperlinks, or fine print. Ask the sales agent to confirm&nbsp;— in writing&nbsp;— any fees you’ll have to pay in addition to your rent.Spot a rental scam? Tell the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.&nbsp;

FTC: Moving this summer? Watch for rental scams

By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors

Do you ever contemplate the things you’ve done that leave you wondering why you weren’t killed doing them? One such incident always comes to my mind this time of year.

Maybe I enjoy setting lines for catfish because it reminds me of trapping, which is my passion. Or, maybe I just like fresh catfish. 

Anyway, many years ago shortly after moving to Kansas, I went with my brother-in-law and some of his buddies to set bank lines for catfish on the Smoky Hill River near the little town of Bridgeport. 

It was to be an overnight trip, and we camped in an alfalfa field near the river. The “Smoky” was very high due to recent heavy rains to our north. The big channel and flathead catfish hide and wait for prey in deep holes around bends and beneath banks and high water brings them out to move around, so “bank liners” relish these occasional times of high water during the dog days of summer.

The plan was to set and bait lines late in the evening, then to check them around midnight and again at first light. One of the guys had borrowed a small aluminum boat and outboard motor, which barely held the five of us with lines, bait, etc. As high and swift as the river was running, the boat and motor were necessary as well as convenient.

As we set the lines, we looked for the aforementioned deep holes near the bank or under logs, with a tree limb or log on which to fasten a line. The lines were made of heavy cord like trotline, with large hooks tied onto one end. They were baited with live goldfish, lowered to the bottom, then tied onto a green springy branch or fastened with a rubber bungee cord to help keep a large fish from pulling the hook from its mouth. By nightfall, several lines were set, baited, and marked and the plan was on schedule.

Around midnight, after numerous campfire roasted hotdogs and very little sleep, we all piled into our tiny yacht and set off to check the lines, which were all downstream from camp. We motored beyond the farthest line, then turned and began to travel upstream against the current, but the boat soon stopped moving forward and started drifting backwards with the raging river. 

Someone grabbed the first passing limb and held on while the guy with the headlamp climbed to the back of the boat, jostling and rocking the tiny craft as he went. The motor was tilted from the water and inspected, but after finding nothing wrong, it was lowered into the water for another try and we were soon moving forward again. 

After a short distance, the problem reoccurred, this time with a much different outcome. As the motor was tilted from the water, an expletive or two informed us that the propeller, a major component in our forward movement, was missing from the motor. Our only option was to drift with the river until we reached a road where the boat could be beached and later retrieved by pickup. 

The night was still and very dark, and it was a quiet ride in more ways than one. Our man with the light was in front of the boat, and we could see raccoon eyes and other eerie sights as he panned back and forth along the bank. A heron scared the tar out of us all as it rose from the water just ahead. Finally the boat was beached beneath a bridge and retrieved by pickup after a long walk back to camp. The night had been an experience, but the real adventure, checking the lines on a boiling river with no motor, awaited us at first light.

As I remember, the August morning seemed to come earlier than most, and was clear, hot and steamy. The plan was to launch the boat upstream somewhere beyond the farthest&nbsp;line, then attempt to reach each one as we steamed past with the current.

&nbsp;With either the bravery of crusaders or the ignorance of youth, we were soon off and bouncing on the rolling river. The fellow with the sharpest eyes was up front, and as he saw each bank line approaching, the rest of us paddled like slaves to reach shore. Someone would grab hold of anything available and attempt to hold the boat, while the line was checked and retrieved, then the “anchorman” would release us to be swept on to the next one. 

The closest call came in the form of a huge cottonwood tree, totally intact with green leaves and all, lying across the river ahead. Despite our valiant paddling, the current sent us squarely through the middle of the tree, and as forward movement ceased, the seething river snapped the boat sideways and began to roll it over. We must have looked like monkeys in a mango tree as we all scrambled to break branches and get our little war canoe righted again! 

Then once more, whether by bravery or by ignorance, we were soon free and moving. Huck Finn would have been proud! The rest of the trip must have been reasonably docile, because the next memories I have are all about helping clean several nice channel cats and a couple respectable flathead catfish.

I’m pretty sure all of us can look back today and agree that this adventure was ill advised. Someone has said, “A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice.” Today, I would opt for the good advice, but back then those thoughts were probably trumped by each bite of fresh catfish.

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas OutdoorsDo you ever contemplate the things you’ve done that leave you wondering why you weren’t killed doing them? One such incident always comes to my mind this time of year.Maybe I enjoy setting lines for catfish because it reminds me of trapping, which is my passion. Or, maybe I just like fresh catfish. Anyway, many years ago shortly after moving to Kansas, I went with my brother-in-law and some of his buddies to set bank lines for catfish on the Smoky Hill River near the little town of Bridgeport. It was to be an overnight trip, and we camped in an alfalfa field near the river. The “Smoky” was very high due to recent heavy rains to our north. The big channel and flathead catfish hide and wait for prey in deep holes around bends and beneath banks and high water brings them out to move around, so “bank liners” relish these occasional times of high water during the dog days of summer.The plan was to set and bait lines late in the evening, then to check them around midnight and again at first light. One of the guys had borrowed a small aluminum boat and outboard motor, which barely held the five of us with lines, bait, etc. As high and swift as the river was running, the boat and motor were necessary as well as convenient.As we set the lines, we looked for the aforementioned deep holes near the bank or under logs, with a tree limb or log on which to fasten a line. The lines were made of heavy cord like trotline, with large hooks tied onto one end. They were baited with live goldfish, lowered to the bottom, then tied onto a green springy branch or fastened with a rubber bungee cord to help keep a large fish from pulling the hook from its mouth. By nightfall, several lines were set, baited, and marked and the plan was on schedule.Around midnight, after numerous campfire roasted hotdogs and very little sleep, we all piled into our tiny yacht and set off to check the lines, which were all downstream from camp. We motored beyond the farthest line, then turned and began to travel upstream against the current, but the boat soon stopped moving forward and started drifting backwards with the raging river. Someone grabbed the first passing limb and held on while the guy with the headlamp climbed to the back of the boat, jostling and rocking the tiny craft as he went. The motor was tilted from the water and inspected, but after finding nothing wrong, it was lowered into the water for another try and we were soon moving forward again. After a short distance, the problem reoccurred, this time with a much different outcome. As the motor was tilted from the water, an expletive or two informed us that the propeller, a major component in our forward movement, was missing from the motor. Our only option was to drift with the river until we reached a road where the boat could be beached and later retrieved by pickup. The night was still and very dark, and it was a quiet ride in more ways than one. Our man with the light was in front of the boat, and we could see raccoon eyes and other eerie sights as he panned back and forth along the bank. A heron scared the tar out of us all as it rose from the water just ahead. Finally the boat was beached beneath a bridge and retrieved by pickup after a long walk back to camp. The night had been an experience, but the real adventure, checking the lines on a boiling river with no motor, awaited us at first light.As I remember, the August morning seemed to come earlier than most, and was clear, hot and steamy. The plan was to launch the boat upstream somewhere beyond the farthest&nbsp;line, then attempt to reach each one as we steamed past with the current.&nbsp;With either the bravery of crusaders or the ignorance of youth, we were soon off and bouncing on the rolling river. The fellow with the sharpest eyes was up front, and as he saw each bank line approaching, the rest of us paddled like slaves to reach shore. Someone would grab hold of anything available and attempt to hold the boat, while the line was checked and retrieved, then the “anchorman” would release us to be swept on to the next one. The closest call came in the form of a huge cottonwood tree, totally intact with green leaves and all, lying across the river ahead. Despite our valiant paddling, the current sent us squarely through the middle of the tree, and as forward movement ceased, the seething river snapped the boat sideways and began to roll it over. We must have looked like monkeys in a mango tree as we all scrambled to break branches and get our little war canoe righted again! Then once more, whether by bravery or by ignorance, we were soon free and moving. Huck Finn would have been proud! The rest of the trip must have been reasonably docile, because the next memories I have are all about helping clean several nice channel cats and a couple respectable flathead catfish.I’m pretty sure all of us can look back today and agree that this adventure was ill advised. Someone has said, “A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice.” Today, I would opt for the good advice, but back then those thoughts were probably trumped by each bite of fresh catfish.Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: The case of the missing propeller

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 cut the ribbon on its new $115 million high school during its annual Maroon and Gold scrimmage Friday night.

On hand were school administrators, the Hays High staff, six of the seven school board members, and representatives of Nabholz Construction, the district's construction manager, and DLR, the district's architect.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3b3202ac-b780-4569-b28a-5bbe68601ee4">SEE RELATED STORY: New Hays High opens for first day of classes</a>

Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson welcomed the community to the new school.

"My goal five years ago when we started this project was to give our students, staff and community everything they deserved—what they deserved was a modern, safe and inspiring 5A school," he said.

He said he believed the goal has been reached.

He noted the new football field has a "Hays" monument on its north side.&nbsp;

"The Hays monument will no doubt be the site of many photo opportunities for special moments and events that will take place within the school for many, many years. However, I believe these four letters represent more than a bunch of concrete poured into molds to spell out the name of our city," Wilson said.

"What those four letters mean is that it's a symbol to recognize how our Hays community made an investment in our kids," he said.

He said generations of students will likely pose for photos at that sign.

"The most important thing that our Hays monument gives us is that it is a reminder of what great things can be achieved when a community comes together for kids. Thank you, Hays community, for investing in our kids," he said.&nbsp;

He thanked the Hays High staff, who were invited on the new turfed football field. They worked many hours to box up the contents of the former high school and prepare the new building for the start of the school year, he said.

He thanked the school board for its support as well as DLR and Nabholz Construction, whose staff left their families for up to two years to build the new Hays High.

He praised Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson for his work on shaping the plans for the school while also running a 1,000-student high school and earning a High School Principal of the Year Award.

Henderson also praised the staff for their hard work preparing the school for students.&nbsp;

"Their professionalism, care, and concern are unmatched," he said, "and they are truly what make the walls of this school come to life. One of our district's core values is to 'sell the opportunities and possibilities' for our students' futures, and they exemplify that every day."

He thanked the school board and the community for valuing students enough to provide them with an innovative space.

To the students he said, "... It means something to be a graduate of this school, it means something to come from this community, and it means something to consider a return when you're in a position ot choose your zip code moving forward.

"That's why you see the word Hays throughout this building. We want you back here."

He urged parents and community members to tour the many areas of the school that will help students achieve greatness. Some of those included a new performing arts center, athletic fields, art studios, journalism and video production labs, culinary arts kitchen, and collaborative spaces.

"Now that we have the building, we are going to continue pushing to be the best. We are going to raise the bar and strive towards excellence each and every day," Henderson said.

Ishita Banerjii, DLR project manager, said she was pleased to help design a building that will help the Hays students shine for years to come.

"As Ron said, this is not a school for one generation. It is a school for multiple generations," she said. "We know that we have given you a design that will serve you and that you will be proud of for years to come."

Brett Collins of Nabholz said it is truly amazing what can be accomplished when a community comes together and invests in their kids' future.

He thanked the Hays community for welcoming Nabholz during the last two years.

"We couldn't be more proud of this project, and it's been a pleasure to serve you all," he said.

The new school, which opened to students on Aug. 20, was opened to the public for tours after the ceremony.

The school was funded through a $143.5 million bond issue. The former high school is being remodeled for use as a middle school. Students are set to move into that space in January.

The final project in the bond is the renovation of the current high school into a new elementary school.

An expansion and renovation are underway at&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9c9d8521-815b-4f1d-8bf6-ddea11091306" target="_blank">O'Loughlin Elementary School</a>, and an expansion and renovation were completed at&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4ecf935d-41cb-472c-9754-49c567a9dddc" target="_blank">Roosevelt Elementary School</a>&nbsp;last year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514668442.jpeg" alt="School board members, administrators and representatives of Nabholz Construction and DLR architects cut the ribbon on new Hays High on Friday night. Pictured second from left, board members Curt Vajnar, Ruth Ruder, Ken Brooks, Allen Park, Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson, Student Body Vice-President Senior XX, school board members Jayme Goetz and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, Hays USD Superintendent Ron Wilson, Brett Collins, Nahbolz Construction and far right,&nbsp;Ishita Banerjii, DLR project manager. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>School board members, administrators and representatives of Nabholz Construction and DLR architects cut the ribbon on new Hays High on Friday night. Pictured second from left, board members Curt Vajnar, Ruth Ruder, Ken Brooks, Allen Park, Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson, Student Body Vice-President Senior XX, school board members Jayme Goetz and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, Hays USD Superintendent Ron Wilson, Brett Collins, Nahbolz Construction and far right,&nbsp;Ishita Banerjii, DLR project manager. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 cut the ribbon on its new $115 million high school during its annual Maroon and Gold scrimmage Friday night.On hand were school administrators, the Hays High staff, six of the seven school board members, and representatives of Nabholz Construction, the district's construction manager, and DLR, the district's architect.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3b3202ac-b780-4569-b28a-5bbe68601ee4">SEE RELATED STORY: New Hays High opens for first day of classes</a>Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson welcomed the community to the new school."My goal five years ago when we started this project was to give our students, staff and community everything they deserved—what they deserved was a modern, safe and inspiring 5A school," he said.He said he believed the goal has been reached.He noted the new football field has a "Hays" monument on its north side.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514733595.jpeg" alt="Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson said the new high school is an investment in students' futures during a ribbon cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson said the new high school is an investment in students' futures during a ribbon cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"The Hays monument will no doubt be the site of many photo opportunities for special moments and events that will take place within the school for many, many years. However, I believe these four letters represent more than a bunch of concrete poured into molds to spell out the name of our city," Wilson said."What those four letters mean is that it's a symbol to recognize how our Hays community made an investment in our kids," he said.He said generations of students will likely pose for photos at that sign."The most important thing that our Hays monument gives us is that it is a reminder of what great things can be achieved when a community comes together for kids. Thank you, Hays community, for investing in our kids," he said.&nbsp;He thanked the Hays High staff, who were invited on the new turfed football field. They worked many hours to box up the contents of the former high school and prepare the new building for the start of the school year, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514811953.jpeg" alt="Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson praised the school's staff for their work in preparing the school for classes. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson praised the school's staff for their work in preparing the school for classes. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>He thanked the school board for its support as well as DLR and Nabholz Construction, whose staff left their families for up to two years to build the new Hays High.He praised Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson for his work on shaping the plans for the school while also running a 1,000-student high school and earning a High School Principal of the Year Award.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514898668.jpeg" alt="Hays High School staff were honored at the school's ribbon cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays High School staff were honored at the school's ribbon cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Henderson also praised the staff for their hard work preparing the school for students.&nbsp;"Their professionalism, care, and concern are unmatched," he said, "and they are truly what make the walls of this school come to life. One of our district's core values is to 'sell the opportunities and possibilities' for our students' futures, and they exemplify that every day."He thanked the school board and the community for valuing students enough to provide them with an innovative space.To the students he said, "... It means something to be a graduate of this school, it means something to come from this community, and it means something to consider a return when you're in a position ot choose your zip code moving forward."That's why you see the word Hays throughout this building. We want you back here."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514947553.jpeg" alt="Community members and parents gather in the stands of the new Hays High football field for the ribbon-cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Community members and parents gather in the stands of the new Hays High football field for the ribbon-cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>He urged parents and community members to tour the many areas of the school that will help students achieve greatness. Some of those included a new performing arts center, athletic fields, art studios, journalism and video production labs, culinary arts kitchen, and collaborative spaces."Now that we have the building, we are going to continue pushing to be the best. We are going to raise the bar and strive towards excellence each and every day," Henderson said.Ishita Banerjii, DLR project manager, said she was pleased to help design a building that will help the Hays students shine for years to come."As Ron said, this is not a school for one generation. It is a school for multiple generations," she said. "We know that we have given you a design that will serve you and that you will be proud of for years to come."Brett Collins of Nabholz said it is truly amazing what can be accomplished when a community comes together and invests in their kids' future.He thanked the Hays community for welcoming Nabholz during the last two years."We couldn't be more proud of this project, and it's been a pleasure to serve you all," he said.The new school, which opened to students on Aug. 20, was opened to the public for tours after the ceremony.The school was funded through a $143.5 million bond issue. The former high school is being remodeled for use as a middle school. Students are set to move into that space in January.The final project in the bond is the renovation of the current high school into a new elementary school.An expansion and renovation are underway at&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9c9d8521-815b-4f1d-8bf6-ddea11091306" target="_blank">O'Loughlin Elementary School</a>, and an expansion and renovation were completed at&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4ecf935d-41cb-472c-9754-49c567a9dddc" target="_blank">Roosevelt Elementary School</a>&nbsp;last year.

Hays USD 489 cuts ribbon on new $115M high school

HILL CITY — The 3rd annual Graham CAAM Slam is coming September 6 and 7 to Tebo Corner in Hill City!

Saturday is a FREE family festival with a huge car show, R/C racing, a craft fair and farmers' market! bouncy houses, and new this year - Okinawan Karate demos!

Join in the awesome contests like watermelon eating, Hot Wheels racing, and the car limbo! Then, catch the 100-mile traveling car show Sunday morning.

Come see why Hill City is the hottest little town with the coolest cars around! Find the full schedule at the Graham County Auto and Art Museum on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069923024072">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756225517065.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedHILL CITY — The 3rd annual Graham CAAM Slam is coming September 6 and 7 to Tebo Corner in Hill City!Saturday is a FREE family festival with a huge car show, R/C racing, a craft fair and farmers' market! bouncy houses, and new this year - Okinawan Karate demos!Join in the awesome contests like watermelon eating, Hot Wheels racing, and the car limbo! Then, catch the 100-mile traveling car show Sunday morning.Come see why Hill City is the hottest little town with the coolest cars around! Find the full schedule at the Graham County Auto and Art Museum on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069923024072">Facebook</a>.

Graham Caam Slam is Sept. 6-7 in Hill City 

In 2024, adults 60 and over reported losing millions to scammers pretending to be from trusted government agencies, businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New analysis from the Federal Trade Commission shows a more than four-fold increase since 2020 in reports from older adults who say they lost $10,000 or more—sometimes their entire life savings—to scammers who impersonate trusted government agencies or businesses to convince consumers to transfer money to protect it, when in reality the scammers want to steal it.

The FTC’s latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2025/08/false-alarm-real-scam-how-scammers-are-stealing-older-adults-life-savings">Consumer Protection Data Spotlight</a>&nbsp;shows a huge jump in losses reported by people 60 and over to these types of impersonation scams in the last four years. Most notably, combined losses reported by older adults who lost more than $100,000 increased eight-fold, from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024. While younger consumers also have reported these scams, older adults were much more likely to report these extraordinarily high losses.

The scams generally involve someone contacting consumers to alert them to a fake and urgent problem and then proceeding to try to persuade them to transfer their money to “keep it safe” or for some other false reason. In reality, the money is being sent to the scammers.

The lies these scammers tell generally take three forms:

• Lie #1: Someone is using your accounts: The scammers claim to be from your bank or a well-known company like Amazon and are contacting you to flag suspicious activity on your account; • Lie #2: Your information is being used to commit crimes: Scammers claim to be a government officer warning that your Social Security number or some other information is being used to commit a crime such as drug smuggling or money laundering; or • Lie #3: There’s a security problem with your computer:&nbsp;These scams often start with a fake on-screen security alert that looks like it’s from Microsoft or Apple with a number to call. If you call, they say your online accounts have been hacked.

Ironically, some scammers even pretend to be with the FTC and tell people to transfer money out of their accounts, deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMS, and even hand off stacks of cash or gold to couriers—actions the FTC would never ask people to do. Regardless of the fake story, the goal is generally the same: to get your money. To avoid such scams, the FTC recommends:

• Don’t move money to “protect it.”&nbsp;Never transfer or send money to anyone, no matter who they say they are, in response to an unexpected call or message. • Hang up and verify.&nbsp;If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency or business, contact the company or agency using a phone number or website you know is real. Don’t trust the phone number or name they provide. • Block unwanted calls.&nbsp;Learn about&nbsp;call blocking options&nbsp;to stop many of these scammers before they reach you.&nbsp;

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Learn more about consumer topics at&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/stay-connected/social-media">FTC on social media</a>, read&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts">consumer alerts</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog">business blog</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/stay-connected">sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755096192907.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>In 2024, adults 60 and over reported losing millions to scammers pretending to be from trusted government agencies, businesses</h2>Federal Trade CommissionWASHINGTON, D.C. — New analysis from the Federal Trade Commission shows a more than four-fold increase since 2020 in reports from older adults who say they lost $10,000 or more—sometimes their entire life savings—to scammers who impersonate trusted government agencies or businesses to convince consumers to transfer money to protect it, when in reality the scammers want to steal it.The FTC’s latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2025/08/false-alarm-real-scam-how-scammers-are-stealing-older-adults-life-savings">Consumer Protection Data Spotlight</a>&nbsp;shows a huge jump in losses reported by people 60 and over to these types of impersonation scams in the last four years. Most notably, combined losses reported by older adults who lost more than $100,000 increased eight-fold, from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024. While younger consumers also have reported these scams, older adults were much more likely to report these extraordinarily high losses.The scams generally involve someone contacting consumers to alert them to a fake and urgent problem and then proceeding to try to persuade them to transfer their money to “keep it safe” or for some other false reason. In reality, the money is being sent to the scammers.The lies these scammers tell generally take three forms:• Lie #1: Someone is using your accounts: The scammers claim to be from your bank or a well-known company like Amazon and are contacting you to flag suspicious activity on your account; • Lie #2: Your information is being used to commit crimes: Scammers claim to be a government officer warning that your Social Security number or some other information is being used to commit a crime such as drug smuggling or money laundering; or • Lie #3: There’s a security problem with your computer:&nbsp;These scams often start with a fake on-screen security alert that looks like it’s from Microsoft or Apple with a number to call. If you call, they say your online accounts have been hacked.Ironically, some scammers even pretend to be with the FTC and tell people to transfer money out of their accounts, deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMS, and even hand off stacks of cash or gold to couriers—actions the FTC would never ask people to do. Regardless of the fake story, the goal is generally the same: to get your money. To avoid such scams, the FTC recommends:• Don’t move money to “protect it.”&nbsp;Never transfer or send money to anyone, no matter who they say they are, in response to an unexpected call or message. • Hang up and verify.&nbsp;If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency or business, contact the company or agency using a phone number or website you know is real. Don’t trust the phone number or name they provide. • Block unwanted calls.&nbsp;Learn about&nbsp;call blocking options&nbsp;to stop many of these scammers before they reach you.&nbsp;The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Learn more about consumer topics at&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/">consumer.ftc.gov</a>, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/stay-connected/social-media">FTC on social media</a>, read&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts">consumer alerts</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog">business blog</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/stay-connected">sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts</a>.

FTC data show 4-fold increase in scammers stealing from older adults

By RUSSELL ARBEN FOX Insight Kansas

Three weeks ago, President Trump&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/restoring-law-and-order-in-the-district-of-columbia/">declared that</a>&nbsp;“the District of Columbia has lost control of public order and safety,” and ordered armed troops into the streets of Washington, D.C. to fight crime. His&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/us/politics/trump-washington-dc-police.html">additional comments</a>--that the nation’s capital is filled with “violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people”—were all&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/us/politics/trump-dc-crime-data-fact-check.html">basically</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://time.com/7309133/dc-crime-stats-trump-national-guard/">untrue</a>; Washington, D.C. is actually experiencing&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/violent-crime-dc-hits-30-year-low">lower crime rates</a>&nbsp;than it has in decades.

But my primary interest here is more local than that.

At the time he spoke,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_crime_rate">the FBI listed</a>&nbsp;the District of Columbia as the 29th&nbsp;most violent city in the U.S., with an average of 926 violent crimes per each 100,000 residents. That’s above the national average—but also well below Kansas City, KS, which the FBI ranked 21st, with an average of 1047 violent crimes per 100,000 people. (Kansas City, MO, is ranked higher still.)

So…could Trump invoke emergency authority to send troops into Kansas City? After all, KCK has seen&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-08-26/kansas-city-kansas-police-officer-killed-after-allegedly-being-struck-by-fleeing-car">two law enforcement officers killed just this past summer</a>, and the its police department has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hayspost.com/posts/859572dd-270c-40ea-a011-6fe7a50392a4">a sad legacy of corruption</a>. Maybe the Unified Government of Wyandotte County has “lost control” as well?

My response to this speculation is: highly unlikely, but unfortunately, not impossible.

President Trump likes declaring emergencies (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/08/22/us/politics/trump-emergency-immigration-tariffs-crime.html">ten so far in his first seven months in office</a>), which at least in his mind allows him to take action without supporting legislation from Congress.

When he’s done this to federalize National Guard troops and use them for domestic enforcement purposes without any request from the state’s governor—as he did&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2025/06/10/nx-s1-5428071/los-angeles-protests-national-guard-presidential-powers">when ICE agents faced public opposition in Los Angeles</a>—it&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/what-know-about-los-angeles-military-deployment">likely violated</a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act">Posse Comitatus Act</a>&nbsp;(and possibly the Declaration of Independence—which condemned King George III for imposing “Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures”—and the 10th&nbsp;Amendment—which stipulates that powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are “reserved to the States”—as well).

Much of this doesn’t apply to Washington, D.C.; it’s a federal district, not a city within a state, and consequently the president has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/49-409">complete control</a>&nbsp;over its National Guard (though&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/one-week-trumps-dc-takeover-attempt">constitutional questions remain</a>). Still, it is relatively clear that were President Trump to do what he did in DC in KCK (or more broadly), beginning with federalizing the Kansas National Guard, he would be on very shaky ground legally, assuming Governor Kelly hadn’t contacted him for help.

Lately though, it’s been clear that political interests often trump (pun intended) the law. The cities that Trump has mentioned sending&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/25/politics/trump-executive-order-national-guard-units-crime">specialized military units</a>&nbsp;into are Democratic-leaning cities in mostly Democratic states:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/08/23/trump-chicago-military-national-guard/">Chicago, IL</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/president-trump-national-guard-nyc-gov-kathy-hochul-response/">New York, NY</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-expands-targets-for-possible-military-deployment-to-more-democratic-led-cities">Baltimore, MD</a>, etc.

Kansas, of course, is not mostly Democratic. But Wyandotte County is—having elected Sharice Davids, Kansas’s lone Democratic Congressperson, four times in a row—and Kansas City, MO, is even more so. And Trump has been pretty explicit about seeking to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/missouri-gop-leader-says-lawmakers-will-start-with-a-congressional-map-drawn-in-d-c/">change the prevailing politics</a>&nbsp;in the Kansas City area.

So could Trump’s desire to turn up the heat on urban areas that have pushed back against his policies (as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-06-14/kansas-city-no-kings-protest-trump-administration-immigration-courts-executive">Kansas City definitely has</a>), and put pressure on their internal political dynamics and boundaries, extend to the KC metro region?

Kelly would surely rather avoid a fight with the president—<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsom_v._Trump">unlike California Governor Gavin Newsom</a>—but I’m also sure that, absent a truly unprecedented emergency, she’d deny him access to Kansas’s National Guard. How would the Republican supermajority in Topeka—led by representatives&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/20/kansas-senate-president-ty-masterson-launches-republican-campaign-for-governor/">strongly</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/13/kansas-house-speaker-launches-campaign-for-insurance-commissioner-with-pro-trump-rhetoric-1/">supportive</a>&nbsp;of President Trump’s policies—respond to that?

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750955074364.jpeg" alt="Russell Arben Fox&nbsp;&nbsp;teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Russell Arben Fox&nbsp;&nbsp;teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUSSELL ARBEN FOX Insight KansasThree weeks ago, President Trump&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/restoring-law-and-order-in-the-district-of-columbia/">declared that</a>&nbsp;“the District of Columbia has lost control of public order and safety,” and ordered armed troops into the streets of Washington, D.C. to fight crime. His&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/us/politics/trump-washington-dc-police.html">additional comments</a>--that the nation’s capital is filled with “violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people”—were all&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/us/politics/trump-dc-crime-data-fact-check.html">basically</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://time.com/7309133/dc-crime-stats-trump-national-guard/">untrue</a>; Washington, D.C. is actually experiencing&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/violent-crime-dc-hits-30-year-low">lower crime rates</a>&nbsp;than it has in decades. But my primary interest here is more local than that.At the time he spoke,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_crime_rate">the FBI listed</a>&nbsp;the District of Columbia as the 29th&nbsp;most violent city in the U.S., with an average of 926 violent crimes per each 100,000 residents. That’s above the national average—but also well below Kansas City, KS, which the FBI ranked 21st, with an average of 1047 violent crimes per 100,000 people. (Kansas City, MO, is ranked higher still.)So…could Trump invoke emergency authority to send troops into Kansas City? After all, KCK has seen&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-08-26/kansas-city-kansas-police-officer-killed-after-allegedly-being-struck-by-fleeing-car">two law enforcement officers killed just this past summer</a>, and the its police department has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hayspost.com/posts/859572dd-270c-40ea-a011-6fe7a50392a4">a sad legacy of corruption</a>. Maybe the Unified Government of Wyandotte County has “lost control” as well?My response to this speculation is: highly unlikely, but unfortunately, not impossible.President Trump likes declaring emergencies (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/08/22/us/politics/trump-emergency-immigration-tariffs-crime.html">ten so far in his first seven months in office</a>), which at least in his mind allows him to take action without supporting legislation from Congress. When he’s done this to federalize National Guard troops and use them for domestic enforcement purposes without any request from the state’s governor—as he did&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2025/06/10/nx-s1-5428071/los-angeles-protests-national-guard-presidential-powers">when ICE agents faced public opposition in Los Angeles</a>—it&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/what-know-about-los-angeles-military-deployment">likely violated</a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act">Posse Comitatus Act</a>&nbsp;(and possibly the Declaration of Independence—which condemned King George III for imposing “Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures”—and the 10th&nbsp;Amendment—which stipulates that powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are “reserved to the States”—as well).Much of this doesn’t apply to Washington, D.C.; it’s a federal district, not a city within a state, and consequently the president has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/49-409">complete control</a>&nbsp;over its National Guard (though&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/one-week-trumps-dc-takeover-attempt">constitutional questions remain</a>). Still, it is relatively clear that were President Trump to do what he did in DC in KCK (or more broadly), beginning with federalizing the Kansas National Guard, he would be on very shaky ground legally, assuming Governor Kelly hadn’t contacted him for help.Lately though, it’s been clear that political interests often trump (pun intended) the law. The cities that Trump has mentioned sending&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/25/politics/trump-executive-order-national-guard-units-crime">specialized military units</a>&nbsp;into are Democratic-leaning cities in mostly Democratic states:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/08/23/trump-chicago-military-national-guard/">Chicago, IL</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/president-trump-national-guard-nyc-gov-kathy-hochul-response/">New York, NY</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-expands-targets-for-possible-military-deployment-to-more-democratic-led-cities">Baltimore, MD</a>, etc. Kansas, of course, is not mostly Democratic. But Wyandotte County is—having elected Sharice Davids, Kansas’s lone Democratic Congressperson, four times in a row—and Kansas City, MO, is even more so. And Trump has been pretty explicit about seeking to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/missouri-gop-leader-says-lawmakers-will-start-with-a-congressional-map-drawn-in-d-c/">change the prevailing politics</a>&nbsp;in the Kansas City area.So could Trump’s desire to turn up the heat on urban areas that have pushed back against his policies (as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-06-14/kansas-city-no-kings-protest-trump-administration-immigration-courts-executive">Kansas City definitely has</a>), and put pressure on their internal political dynamics and boundaries, extend to the KC metro region? Kelly would surely rather avoid a fight with the president—<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsom_v._Trump">unlike California Governor Gavin Newsom</a>—but I’m also sure that, absent a truly unprecedented emergency, she’d deny him access to Kansas’s National Guard. How would the Republican supermajority in Topeka—led by representatives&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/20/kansas-senate-president-ty-masterson-launches-republican-campaign-for-governor/">strongly</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/13/kansas-house-speaker-launches-campaign-for-insurance-commissioner-with-pro-trump-rhetoric-1/">supportive</a>&nbsp;of President Trump’s policies—respond to that?Let’s keep hoping we never find out.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

Insight Kansas: Could President Trump take over policing in Wyandotte County?

<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/2025/8/1756477191903.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>

Welcome to Breit Advanced Practice Clinic, your trusted APRN Practice Clinic&nbsp;&nbsp;

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At our APRN practice clinic, we provide personalized care and expert services to help you live a healthier, more comfortable life. With a focus on podiatry, minor dermatology, and cortisone injections for shoulder and knee pain, we are here to address your specific healthcare needs with precision and compassion.&nbsp;

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<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755625450672.jpeg" alt="Babe Breit" />
 <figcaption>Babe Breit</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="SPONSORED: Comprehensive care for podiatry, dermatology, joint needs at Breit Advanced Practice Clinic" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=tqkm3-1949c17-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Welcome to Breit Advanced Practice Clinic, your trusted APRN Practice Clinic&nbsp;&nbsp; Comprehensive Care for Your Podiatry, Dermatology, and Joint Needs&nbsp;At our APRN practice clinic, we provide personalized care and expert services to help you live a healthier, more comfortable life. With a focus on podiatry, minor dermatology, and cortisone injections for shoulder and knee pain, we are here to address your specific healthcare needs with precision and compassion.&nbsp;OUR SERVICESPodiatry&nbsp;Foot&nbsp; Health: Your feet are the foundation of your mobility. Our podiatry services are designed to diagnose, treat, and manage various conditions affecting this crucial area of your body. Whether you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis,&nbsp; or other common issues, we offer solutions tailored to your needs.&nbsp;Preventative Care: Regular visits to our clinic can help prevent long-term foot complications. We recommend proactive measures to keep you on your feet and moving comfortably.&nbsp;Minor Dermatology&nbsp;Skin Health Matters: Your skin deserves expert care, and our clinic offers minor dermatology services to address small-scale skin concerns.&nbsp; Providing safe and effective dermatological care for benign skin conditions.&nbsp;Quick and Efficient Treatments: We understand how inconvenient skin issues can be, which is why our services focus on fast and reliable solutions. Let us help you regain confidence in your skin.&nbsp;Cortisone Injections&nbsp;Shoulder and Knee Relief: Joint pain can severely impact your daily activities and quality of life. Our cortisone injections for shoulders and knees are designed to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and restore mobility in these critical areas.&nbsp;Why Choose Us?&nbsp;<ul>
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Family Worship: How to Live and Not Die - Hebrews 11:28-31

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

September is the best time to give cool-season grasses in Kansas a boost, but homeowners should take note of an important fact before choosing which variety to plant.&nbsp;

Not all grass seed is created equal.&nbsp;

Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini urges homeowners to read the label on the bag of seed before re-seeding the lawn.&nbsp;

“Depending on the seed quality,” she said, “you could be planting weeds along with the desired grass.”&nbsp;

She adds: “Check the percentage of weed seed listed. This will tell you how much weed you will be introducing if you plant this seed mix. For example, if this number is 0.5% weed seed, approximately 12-16 weeds will be planted per square foot.”&nbsp;

Domenghini suggests looking for seed that lists weed seed at less than 0.01%, but 0% is best.&nbsp;

“Check the listing for ‘Other Crop’ on the label, as well, and choose a grass seed with a low percentage,” Domenghini said, noting that ‘Other Crop’ includes any species grown intentionally such as turf and pasture grasses.&nbsp;

Some species of grassy weeds qualify as ‘Other Crop’ and legally do not have to be named if they constitute less than 5% of the contents. ‘Other Crop’ can also include more desirable species that won’t impact the lawn.&nbsp;

“But,” Domenghini notes, “without knowing what is included, it’s best to choose a seed where this number is as close to zero as possible. Quality seed typically has 0.01% ‘Other Crop’ or less.”&nbsp;

Domenghini shared more tips for seeding fall lawns:&nbsp;

· Use recommended seeding rates and distribute well. Seeding at a rate higher than recommended can cause issues with disease and environmental stress.&nbsp;

· Good seed to soil contact is critical. Aeration prior to seeding is one way to promote this. Topdressing and raking to cover seed are other good methods.&nbsp;

· Light, frequent irrigation is necessary the first few weeks after planting and may be required several times daily. Soil should remain moist, but not waterlogged.&nbsp;

· Minimize traffic on the area until seedlings are ready to be mowed. Begin mowing once seedlings reach 3-4 inches tall.&nbsp;

Overseeding an existing lawn&nbsp;

· Prior to planting, mow the area low (1 to 1 ½ inches) to reduce competition with seedlings and help improve seed contact with soil.&nbsp;

· Water light, but often, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged.&nbsp;

Fertilize cool-season grasses&nbsp;

· Use a quick-release source of nitrogen.&nbsp;

· Apply 1 to 1 ½ pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.&nbsp;

· Soil should be moist, but not saturated.&nbsp;

· Holes should be 2-3 inches apart and 2 ½ to 3 inches deep.&nbsp;

· Cores can be left on surface and will break down naturally.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756223517825.jpeg" alt="Fescue grass. Photo by K-State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Fescue grass. Photo by K-State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictSeptember is the best time to give cool-season grasses in Kansas a boost, but homeowners should take note of an important fact before choosing which variety to plant.&nbsp;Not all grass seed is created equal.&nbsp;Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini urges homeowners to read the label on the bag of seed before re-seeding the lawn.&nbsp;“Depending on the seed quality,” she said, “you could be planting weeds along with the desired grass.”&nbsp;She adds: “Check the percentage of weed seed listed. This will tell you how much weed you will be introducing if you plant this seed mix. For example, if this number is 0.5% weed seed, approximately 12-16 weeds will be planted per square foot.”&nbsp;Domenghini suggests looking for seed that lists weed seed at less than 0.01%, but 0% is best.&nbsp;“Check the listing for ‘Other Crop’ on the label, as well, and choose a grass seed with a low percentage,” Domenghini said, noting that ‘Other Crop’ includes any species grown intentionally such as turf and pasture grasses.&nbsp;Some species of grassy weeds qualify as ‘Other Crop’ and legally do not have to be named if they constitute less than 5% of the contents. ‘Other Crop’ can also include more desirable species that won’t impact the lawn.&nbsp;“But,” Domenghini notes, “without knowing what is included, it’s best to choose a seed where this number is as close to zero as possible. Quality seed typically has 0.01% ‘Other Crop’ or less.”&nbsp;Domenghini shared more tips for seeding fall lawns:&nbsp;Seeding new lawns&nbsp;· Use recommended seeding rates and distribute well. Seeding at a rate higher than recommended can cause issues with disease and environmental stress.&nbsp;· Good seed to soil contact is critical. Aeration prior to seeding is one way to promote this. Topdressing and raking to cover seed are other good methods.&nbsp;· Light, frequent irrigation is necessary the first few weeks after planting and may be required several times daily. Soil should remain moist, but not waterlogged.&nbsp;· Minimize traffic on the area until seedlings are ready to be mowed. Begin mowing once seedlings reach 3-4 inches tall.&nbsp;Overseeding an existing lawn&nbsp;· Prior to planting, mow the area low (1 to 1 ½ inches) to reduce competition with seedlings and help improve seed contact with soil.&nbsp;· Water light, but often, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged.&nbsp;Fertilize cool-season grasses&nbsp;· Use a quick-release source of nitrogen.&nbsp;· Apply 1 to 1 ½ pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.&nbsp;Core-aerating&nbsp;· Soil should be moist, but not saturated.&nbsp;· Holes should be 2-3 inches apart and 2 ½ to 3 inches deep.&nbsp;· Cores can be left on surface and will break down naturally.Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Giving cool-season grasses a boost for fall

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, KAYS Radio's Jeff Leiker talks with Adam Conkey of historic Fort Hays about early schools at the fort.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650389030295.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Fort Hays History with Adam Conkey - Early Schools at the Fort" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=xhk4x-194623e-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, KAYS Radio's Jeff Leiker talks with Adam Conkey of historic Fort Hays about early schools at the fort.

🎙 Post Podcast: Adam Conkey of historic Fort Hays

The Bob and Pat Community Center celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning with a standing-room-only crowd.

Among the dignitaries on hand were Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, and Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, Hays City Commission members, Ellis County Commission members and Melissa Schoenberger, early childhood specialist with the Kansas Children's Cabinet.

The $6 million new center, 2510 Canterbury, includes a child care center, a senior center, a kitchen, multiple conference rooms and a large multipurpose community room.

The Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund granted the project $3.5 million. The center was also supported by the city of Hays, county and private funding, including donations from the Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation and Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

HaysMed donated the land on which the community center sits.

The child care center, which includes a storm shelter, has a maximum capacity of 83 spots.

"They say that wisdom comes from experience and the future is in the hands of our youth," said Sarah Wasinger, president/CEO of the Chamber in Hays, who hosted the ribbon cutting. "Today, we stand in a beautiful facility that convenes these two together.

"This community center will provide an intentional space that better supports meaningful opportunities and activities for all of our senior citizens as well as families needing a nurturing environment for child care," she said.

Wasinger has facilitated the Child Care Task Force of Ellis County, which has worked to increase the number of child care spots available in the community.

In 2021, Ellis County needed more than 700 child care spots. With the opening of the child care facility in the community center, operated by Bright Minds Academy, 472 spots are needed.

"Quality and affordable child care is important for our families, and it drives our local economy by keeping our talented workforce engaged in important work," Wasinger said.

Moran said, "I am here to express pride in a community that I still call my hometown. ... The decisions that have been made to create this community center and create the features and services that it has mean that Hays and Ellis County, and this part of Kansas, have a bright future."

He said communities across the state all need housing and child care, and the community center and the Grove will be something that other communities will look to replicate.

"I know lots of times we look to Washington, D.C., to be the solution. Too often it is the problem and not the solution," Moran said. "But mostly good things happen when people in the community say we are going to roll up our sleeves and go to work and make sure this problem, this challenge is solved."

Moran paid tribute to Bob and Pat Schmidt, for whom the center is named. Although the Schmidts are no longer alive, their efforts to ensure good things happen in their hometown continue, he said.

"This is a great community and this facility, this community center," Moran said, "represents the best of people in Kansas and the best of people across the nation. Congratulations on being a great place to live, a great place to raise a family and a great place to retire to."

Hays Mayor Sandy Jacobs said one of her promises when she ran for city commission was to give the community's seniors a better place to gather.

"Today, we cut the ribbon on a facility that truly reflects who we are," she said. "A community that values connection, care and the well-being of all generations."

She highlighted the opportunities for learning across generations, with the child care facility and the senior center in the same building.

Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams thanked the many contributors to the project.&nbsp;

In near tears, he quoted Helen Keller, who said, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."

Gary Shorman, board chairman for the Schmidt Foundation, said, "When I went to work for Bob [Schmidt], it didn't take long to figure out that community was so important, whether that be working to get the United Way started, Pat working with the arts council and it went on and on and on, program after program, project after project."

"Bob and Pat would be the last ones who would want their names on this building," Shorman said. "They did it because they wanted to help the community and help it grow and represent to others how important it was to give."

"As you gather together, remember those good things that we have in our community, because, on the way out, Mary Ann and I were saying, 'It's great to have a community where you can get together and celebrate the good things we have in our community,'" Shorman said.

"It is what makes us special here in Hays. It's what makes this community strong."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493353537.jpeg" alt="The Bob and Pat Community Center,&nbsp;2510 Canterbury, ribbon cutting on Friday morning in Hays.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The Bob and Pat Community Center,&nbsp;2510 Canterbury, ribbon cutting on Friday morning in Hays.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Bob and Pat Community Center celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning with a standing-room-only crowd.Among the dignitaries on hand were Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, and Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, Hays City Commission members, Ellis County Commission members and Melissa Schoenberger, early childhood specialist with the Kansas Children's Cabinet.The $6 million new center, 2510 Canterbury, includes a child care center, a senior center, a kitchen, multiple conference rooms and a large multipurpose community room.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493601614.jpeg" alt="The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center was standing-room-only on Friday morning. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center was standing-room-only on Friday morning. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund granted the project $3.5 million. The center was also supported by the city of Hays, county and private funding, including donations from the Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation and Dane G. Hansen Foundation.HaysMed donated the land on which the community center sits.The child care center, which includes a storm shelter, has a maximum capacity of 83 spots.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493804392.jpeg" alt="A bank of sinks and cabinets in the new child care wing of the community center. File photo" />
 <figcaption>A bank of sinks and cabinets in the new child care wing of the community center. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493819857.jpeg" alt="The storm shelter that will also serve as a child care classroom in the new community center. File photo" />
 <figcaption>The storm shelter that will also serve as a child care classroom in the new community center. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493834241.jpeg" alt="A community room has windows that look out onto the child care's playground at the community center. File photo" />
 <figcaption>A community room has windows that look out onto the child care's playground at the community center. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"They say that wisdom comes from experience and the future is in the hands of our youth," said Sarah Wasinger, president/CEO of the Chamber in Hays, who hosted the ribbon cutting. "Today, we stand in a beautiful facility that convenes these two together."This community center will provide an intentional space that better supports meaningful opportunities and activities for all of our senior citizens as well as families needing a nurturing environment for child care," she said.Wasinger has facilitated the Child Care Task Force of Ellis County, which has worked to increase the number of child care spots available in the community.In 2021, Ellis County needed more than 700 child care spots. With the opening of the child care facility in the community center, operated by Bright Minds Academy, 472 spots are needed."Quality and affordable child care is important for our families, and it drives our local economy by keeping our talented workforce engaged in important work," Wasinger said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493425680.jpeg" alt="Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, speaks to the group gathered for the ribbon cutting of the community center. He said other communities will look at the center and the surrounding Grove housing development as a model. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, speaks to the group gathered for the ribbon cutting of the community center. He said other communities will look at the center and the surrounding Grove housing development as a model. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Moran said, "I am here to express pride in a community that I still call my hometown. ... The decisions that have been made to create this community center and create the features and services that it has mean that Hays and Ellis County, and this part of Kansas, have a bright future."He said communities across the state all need housing and child care, and the community center and the Grove will be something that other communities will look to replicate."I know lots of times we look to Washington, D.C., to be the solution. Too often it is the problem and not the solution," Moran said. "But mostly good things happen when people in the community say we are going to roll up our sleeves and go to work and make sure this problem, this challenge is solved."Moran paid tribute to Bob and Pat Schmidt, for whom the center is named. Although the Schmidts are no longer alive, their efforts to ensure good things happen in their hometown continue, he said."This is a great community and this facility, this community center," Moran said, "represents the best of people in Kansas and the best of people across the nation. Congratulations on being a great place to live, a great place to raise a family and a great place to retire to."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493450932.jpeg" alt="Hays Mayor Sandy Jacobs said the community center was the realization of a campaign promise to provide an upgraded space for the community's seniors. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays Mayor Sandy Jacobs said the community center was the realization of a campaign promise to provide an upgraded space for the community's seniors. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Mayor Sandy Jacobs said one of her promises when she ran for city commission was to give the community's seniors a better place to gather."Today, we cut the ribbon on a facility that truly reflects who we are," she said. "A community that values connection, care and the well-being of all generations."She highlighted the opportunities for learning across generations, with the child care facility and the senior center in the same building.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493481531.jpeg" alt="Grow Hays&nbsp;Executive Director Doug Williams thanked the many public and private partners that financially supported the community center project. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Grow Hays&nbsp;Executive Director Doug Williams thanked the many public and private partners that financially supported the community center project. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams thanked the many contributors to the project.&nbsp;In near tears, he quoted Helen Keller, who said, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493504531.jpeg" alt="Gary Shorman, board chairman for the Schmidt Foundation, said the community center is an example of what makes Hays special. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Gary Shorman, board chairman for the Schmidt Foundation, said the community center is an example of what makes Hays special. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Gary Shorman, board chairman for the Schmidt Foundation, said, "When I went to work for Bob [Schmidt], it didn't take long to figure out that community was so important, whether that be working to get the United Way started, Pat working with the arts council and it went on and on and on, program after program, project after project.""Bob and Pat would be the last ones who would want their names on this building," Shorman said. "They did it because they wanted to help the community and help it grow and represent to others how important it was to give."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493532597.jpeg" alt="People gather in the new space of the Hays Area Senior Center after the community center ribbon cutting.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>People gather in the new space of the Hays Area Senior Center after the community center ribbon cutting.&nbsp;Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756493554847.jpeg" alt="The window at the rear of this room provides access to a new commercial kitchen, which the senior center can utilize for its meal program and can be used as a catering kitchen for community center events in the main gathering space. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>The window at the rear of this room provides access to a new commercial kitchen, which the senior center can utilize for its meal program and can be used as a catering kitchen for community center events in the main gathering space. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"As you gather together, remember those good things that we have in our community, because, on the way out, Mary Ann and I were saying, 'It's great to have a community where you can get together and celebrate the good things we have in our community,'" Shorman said."It is what makes us special here in Hays. It's what makes this community strong."

Ribbon cut on Bob, Pat Schmidt Community Center in Hays

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners approved six resolutions and ordinances&nbsp; Thursday for general obligation bonds and temporary notes to finance several new development projects.&nbsp;

The water meter, police department, and interstate projects will be city-funded, but will not increase city taxes.

The Grove funding is not a direct cost to the city and will also not raise city taxes.

"You're authorizing the bonds to be used to pay the costs of improvements," Kim Rupp, finance director, told the commission. "It also allows us to levy for debt service, if necessary."

The city of Hays has an AA bond rating, which is very good for a city in Kansas outside of the metro areas, Rupp said.

Rezoning Request for Lincoln School property

The commission also approved a rezoning request for the proposed Lincoln School apartment complex, 1906 Ash, from a public and institutional district to a residential multi-family district.

The owner of the property, Hays developer Michael Graham, is proposing remodeling the 100-year-old former elementary school into 26-28 apartments and also constructing seven four-plexes in the surrounding area east of the school

Tallgrass RHID and the Grove updates

Grow Hays Executive Director, Doug Williams, presented a review of the&nbsp; Tallgrass Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and gave an update on the construction progress of the Grove,&nbsp;which is south of HaysMed on Canterbury Drive.

Enplanements at the Hays Regional Airport have more than doubled over the past decade, and 2025 is expected to be another record year, with an estimated 17,000 passenger boardings.&nbsp;

Jamie Salter, airport director, presented a low bid for enlarging the paved parking lot to 164 spaces from the current 101. Parking in the terminal lot is free.

The low bid came from Morgan&nbsp;Brothers Construction Inc. of La Crosse, for&nbsp; $248,019. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756478268786.png" alt="Hays city commissioners at their Aug. 28 meeting. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays city commissioners at their Aug. 28 meeting. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays city commissioners approved six resolutions and ordinances&nbsp; Thursday for general obligation bonds and temporary notes to finance several new development projects.&nbsp;Those include:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756483230725.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The water meter, police department, and interstate projects will be city-funded, but will not increase city taxes.The Grove funding is not a direct cost to the city and will also not raise city taxes."You're authorizing the bonds to be used to pay the costs of improvements," Kim Rupp, finance director, told the commission. "It also allows us to levy for debt service, if necessary."The city of Hays has an AA bond rating, which is very good for a city in Kansas outside of the metro areas, Rupp said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756483891333.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Stifel Public Finance" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Stifel Public Finance</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756308357868.png" alt="Former Lincoln Elementary School property, 1902 Ash. Image courtesy City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>Former Lincoln Elementary School property, 1902 Ash. Image courtesy City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>Rezoning Request for Lincoln School propertyThe commission also approved a rezoning request for the proposed Lincoln School apartment complex, 1906 Ash, from a public and institutional district to a residential multi-family district.The owner of the property, Hays developer Michael Graham, is proposing remodeling the 100-year-old former elementary school into 26-28 apartments and also constructing seven four-plexes in the surrounding area east of the schoolTallgrass RHID and the Grove updatesGrow Hays Executive Director, Doug Williams, presented a review of the&nbsp; Tallgrass Reinvestment Housing Incentive District and gave an update on the construction progress of the Grove,&nbsp;which is south of HaysMed on Canterbury Drive.Airport parking lot expansionEnplanements at the Hays Regional Airport have more than doubled over the past decade, and 2025 is expected to be another record year, with an estimated 17,000 passenger boardings.&nbsp;Jamie Salter, airport director, presented a low bid for enlarging the paved parking lot to 164 spaces from the current 101. Parking in the terminal lot is free.The low bid came from Morgan&nbsp;Brothers Construction Inc. of La Crosse, for&nbsp; $248,019. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: City Commission" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=g64xm-194ba3f-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

🎙 City of Hays moves forward with financing for new development projects, improvements

QUINTER — Suicide prevention awareness event at Quinter High School track, Sat., Sept. 13,&nbsp;6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Register for the awareness event by scanning the QR code above.&nbsp;

We hope to see everyone there for a day of connection, wellness and support.&nbsp;

At the event there will also be an opening prayer at 8 p.m., baskets for kids' raffle, silent auction and many other items to purchase.&nbsp;

The event is hosted by Gove County Medical Center and Operation Hope for Northwest Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756224350060.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedQUINTER — Suicide prevention awareness event at Quinter High School track, Sat., Sept. 13,&nbsp;6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.Register for the awareness event by scanning the QR code above.&nbsp;We hope to see everyone there for a day of connection, wellness and support.&nbsp;At the event there will also be an opening prayer at 8 p.m., baskets for kids' raffle, silent auction and many other items to purchase.&nbsp;The event is hosted by Gove County Medical Center and Operation Hope for Northwest Kansas.

Suicide prevention awareness event in Quinter Sept. 13

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

As crops are actively growing, it is critical to regularly monitor fields.

 For example, most of the Kansas corn crops are in the tasseling (VT) to grain filling (R1-R4) stages right now, which are the critical stages for determining final yield. During the transitional phase from vegetative to reproductive development (VT), any possible stresses such as drought, flooding, disease, pests, and nutrient deficiencies during this window may lead to fewer kernels per ear, lighter test weight, and ultimately lower crop yield. Therefore, proper monitoring during this phase can help with early stress detection and crop yield estimation.

Thanks to modern precision agriculture technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly called ‘drones,’ fields can be monitored more rapidly, frequently, and more precisely compared to traditional visual inspection by walking the field. Drones can detect the pattern and uniformity of crop growth and identify the problem areas more quickly and precisely.

What is drone-based remote sensing? Drone-based remote sensing involves using a drone equipped with a sensor (camera) to collect images and information by flying over your farm or field without touching the crop or ground. The camera senses light color reflectance from below across a range of wavelengths, both visible and invisible to human eyes. Visible light includes red, green, and blue light. However, it is near infrared (NIR) light, which is not visible, that can be used to detect plant growth and vigor.

When the plant is green and healthy, it reflects more NIR light and absorbs red light for photosynthesis. However, when a plant is stressed or less green, the reflection pattern of NIR is just the opposite, as it reflects less NIR light. Such light reflectance values from plant canopies are also used in various equations to calculate vegetation indices (VIs) to assess plant health, greenness, biomass, etc.

Using these thresholds, crop growth can be monitored, and areas of the field that need specific attention can be identified to support decision-making. 

However, one issue with NDVI maps at the later growth stage of the crop is ‘NDVI Saturation’. This is the crop growth stage at which NDVI reaches the peak level, and it remains the same even when chlorophyll content changes. In this case, Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE) indices can be more reliable, as it is more sensitive than NDVI to small changes in chlorophyll content.

Visual inspections by walking around the field are quite challenging as they are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and potentially less precise/accurate when limited to a small area of the field. Moreover, such visual inspection or scouting is even more impossible for crops like corn, as they are tall, dense, and have a closed canopy when they reach tasseling and begin grain filling.

Therefore, drone-collected imagery at the later growth stage of the crop can help to understand the temporal and spatial variability in crop growth and vigor and yield estimation. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725282117888.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictAs crops are actively growing, it is critical to regularly monitor fields. For example, most of the Kansas corn crops are in the tasseling (VT) to grain filling (R1-R4) stages right now, which are the critical stages for determining final yield. During the transitional phase from vegetative to reproductive development (VT), any possible stresses such as drought, flooding, disease, pests, and nutrient deficiencies during this window may lead to fewer kernels per ear, lighter test weight, and ultimately lower crop yield. Therefore, proper monitoring during this phase can help with early stress detection and crop yield estimation.Thanks to modern precision agriculture technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly called ‘drones,’ fields can be monitored more rapidly, frequently, and more precisely compared to traditional visual inspection by walking the field. Drones can detect the pattern and uniformity of crop growth and identify the problem areas more quickly and precisely.What is drone-based remote sensing? Drone-based remote sensing involves using a drone equipped with a sensor (camera) to collect images and information by flying over your farm or field without touching the crop or ground. The camera senses light color reflectance from below across a range of wavelengths, both visible and invisible to human eyes. Visible light includes red, green, and blue light. However, it is near infrared (NIR) light, which is not visible, that can be used to detect plant growth and vigor. When the plant is green and healthy, it reflects more NIR light and absorbs red light for photosynthesis. However, when a plant is stressed or less green, the reflection pattern of NIR is just the opposite, as it reflects less NIR light. Such light reflectance values from plant canopies are also used in various equations to calculate vegetation indices (VIs) to assess plant health, greenness, biomass, etc.Using these thresholds, crop growth can be monitored, and areas of the field that need specific attention can be identified to support decision-making. However, one issue with NDVI maps at the later growth stage of the crop is ‘NDVI Saturation’. This is the crop growth stage at which NDVI reaches the peak level, and it remains the same even when chlorophyll content changes. In this case, Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE) indices can be more reliable, as it is more sensitive than NDVI to small changes in chlorophyll content.ConclusionVisual inspections by walking around the field are quite challenging as they are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and potentially less precise/accurate when limited to a small area of the field. Moreover, such visual inspection or scouting is even more impossible for crops like corn, as they are tall, dense, and have a closed canopy when they reach tasseling and begin grain filling. Therefore, drone-collected imagery at the later growth stage of the crop can help to understand the temporal and spatial variability in crop growth and vigor and yield estimation. Information provided by Deepak Joshi, Precision Ag Extension Specialist.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

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