By STEPHAN BISAHA, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/high-school-graduates-disabilities-want-work-kansas-short-help-they-need">Kansas News Service</a>

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kansas — Nikki Heiman was 
excited to learn that the state was sending a job counselor to work with
 her son, Trenton, a high school student with Down syndrome.

But 
that excitement fizzled when Heiman learned the specialist could only 
meet with Trenton once a month — and only for 15 minutes. That’s all the
 time the counselor could squeeze into her schedule while handling a 
large caseload that forces her to shuttle between multiple counties.

“We
 were very disappointed,” Heiman said. “When you cover five counties, 
you spend so much of your workweek driving and not nearly enough 
providing services to people who need support.”

State agencies 
want Kansans with disabilities in the workforce. Even earning a modest 
wage can bring added purpose and pride to their lives, and stability. 
But landing and keeping a job, especially for people with cognitive 
challenges, can prove daunting.

To make that happen, counties 
across the state turn to the private Project Search program. The 
national program pairs disabled workers with employers and gives workers
 some of the special tools they need to keep things humming in an office
 or on a shop floor.

Genesis
 Coleman’s long legs made for an awkward fit in a chair made for someone
 half his size. But he read to the 1-year-old sitting next to him. The 
day’s book: “Teeth Are Not For Biting.”

After graduating from Derby Public Schools, Coleman signed up for a 
year-long internship at McConnell Air Force Base’s child care center 
through <a href="https://www.projectsearch.us/who-we-are/" target="_blank">Project Search</a>.

Coleman
 hopes to earn a job working with children, possibly as a teacher’s 
aide. He has autism and he’s learning at McConnell how to deal with 
kids. That includes adapting to their heightened emotions, especially 
sadness.

“I ask them what’s wrong,” Coleman said. “I sometimes 
just let them just stay with me. And, you know, just tell them it’s 
alright sometimes.”

Project Search works with <a href="https://www.sunflowerhealthplan.com/members/medicaid/resources/helpful-links/project-search.html" target="_blank">13 Kansas job sites</a>, including hospitals, universities and hotels. Instructors try to keep a light touch on supporting the interns on the job.

“We
 have high expectations because we don’t want them to fail when they get
 their full-time, paying job,” said Vicki Rierson, a Project Search 
instructor for Derby Public Schools.

Besides the work experience,
 interns spend part of their day in class. The lessons range from 
financial literacy to self-care — topics meant to help students in their
 life during and after work.

After eight years in Kansas, Project Search says 74% of its interns land jobs. Only about <a href="https://www.statedata.info/bbstates/Kansas.pdf" target="_blank">46% of working age Kansans with disabilities are employed</a>. For those with cognitive disabilities, it’s 35%.

Project
 Search helps about 100 interns a year in Kansas. The Kansas Department 
for Children and Families estimates that more than 16,000 students 16 
and older have a disability.

Kansas offers job counseling for 
students and graduates with disabilities, but the state doesn’t have 
enough counselors for everyone.

Kansas struggles to hire the counselors it needs because they can make more in other states. Counselors in <a href="https://www.indeed.com/salaries/Vocational-Rehabilitation-Counselor-Salaries,-Nebraska" target="_blank">Nebraska make $20,000</a> more than those in <a href="https://www.indeed.com/salaries/Vocational-Rehabilitation-Counselor-Salaries,-Kansas" target="_blank">Kansas</a>.

But
 the tight Kansas labor market could also make it easier to convince 
employers to hire more workers with disabilities, their advocates say. 
They say that with workers scarce, businesses can’t afford to ignore any
 job applications.

“Any employer you talk to will tell you how 
hard it is to hire good help these days,” said Rocky Nichols, head of 
the Disability Rights Center of Kansas. “Well, guess what? There are 
tons and tons of people with disabilities who have talents, who have 
abilities and skills, who are being unutilized in our Kansas economy.”

Even
 after getting hired, Kansans with disabilities still need ongoing 
support, So do their employers. Advocates say businesses need training 
in how to accommodate someone with a disability.

With just 
minimal support, like having an advocate check in at work every few 
months, 70% of workers with cognitive disabilities stay successful, said
 Craig Knutson, a policy analyst with the Kansas Council on 
Developmental Disabilities. He said that without the support, most lose 
their job after five years.

Employers may need lessons on how to 
communicate with someone who doesn’t speak. A worker with Down syndrome 
may need more supervision and direct instructions to stay on task.

And as a task changes — like a filing system going from physical to digital — more training has to happen.

Project
 Search approached Jennifer Jull-Sullivan about taking on an intern at 
her veterinary practice a few years ago. She previously had one employee
 with a disability work at Blair Doon Veterinary Hospital for about a 
decade. But the employee’s condition eventually worsened until she could
 no longer work. Jull-Sullivan eventually did take on the intern and 
eventually hired him as a kennel assistant. That’s a choice she likely 
wouldn’t have made without support before and after the internship.

“I really did feel like I’d had my hand held all the way through,” Jull-Sullivan said. “It worked very nicely.”

Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/stevebisaha?lang=en" target="_blank">@stevebisaha</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740573084.jpeg" alt=" Project Search intern Genesis Coleman cares for children at the Child Development Center on McConnell Air Force Base. Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Project Search intern Genesis Coleman cares for children at the Child Development Center on McConnell Air Force Base. Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHAN BISAHA, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/high-school-graduates-disabilities-want-work-kansas-short-help-they-need">Kansas News Service</a>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kansas — Nikki Heiman was 
excited to learn that the state was sending a job counselor to work with
 her son, Trenton, a high school student with Down syndrome.But 
that excitement fizzled when Heiman learned the specialist could only 
meet with Trenton once a month — and only for 15 minutes. That’s all the
 time the counselor could squeeze into her schedule while handling a 
large caseload that forces her to shuttle between multiple counties.“We
 were very disappointed,” Heiman said. “When you cover five counties, 
you spend so much of your workweek driving and not nearly enough 
providing services to people who need support.”State agencies 
want Kansans with disabilities in the workforce. Even earning a modest 
wage can bring added purpose and pride to their lives, and stability. 
But landing and keeping a job, especially for people with cognitive 
challenges, can prove daunting.To make that happen, counties 
across the state turn to the private Project Search program. The 
national program pairs disabled workers with employers and gives workers
 some of the special tools they need to keep things humming in an office
 or on a shop floor.<h2>Project Search</h2>Genesis
 Coleman’s long legs made for an awkward fit in a chair made for someone
 half his size. But he read to the 1-year-old sitting next to him. The 
day’s book: “Teeth Are Not For Biting.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740635275.jpeg" alt=" Project Search intern Genesis Coleman reads to a 1-year-old at McConnell Air Force Base's child care center. Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Project Search intern Genesis Coleman reads to a 1-year-old at McConnell Air Force Base's child care center. Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>After graduating from Derby Public Schools, Coleman signed up for a 
year-long internship at McConnell Air Force Base’s child care center 
through <a href="https://www.projectsearch.us/who-we-are/" target="_blank">Project Search</a>.Coleman
 hopes to earn a job working with children, possibly as a teacher’s 
aide. He has autism and he’s learning at McConnell how to deal with 
kids. That includes adapting to their heightened emotions, especially 
sadness.“I ask them what’s wrong,” Coleman said. “I sometimes 
just let them just stay with me. And, you know, just tell them it’s 
alright sometimes.”Project Search works with <a href="https://www.sunflowerhealthplan.com/members/medicaid/resources/helpful-links/project-search.html" target="_blank">13 Kansas job sites</a>, including hospitals, universities and hotels. Instructors try to keep a light touch on supporting the interns on the job.“We
 have high expectations because we don’t want them to fail when they get
 their full-time, paying job,” said Vicki Rierson, a Project Search 
instructor for Derby Public Schools.Besides the work experience,
 interns spend part of their day in class. The lessons range from 
financial literacy to self-care — topics meant to help students in their
 life during and after work.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740664109.jpeg" alt=" Derby Public Schools Project Search instructor Vicki Rierson teaches interns about financial literacy. Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Derby Public Schools Project Search instructor Vicki Rierson teaches interns about financial literacy. Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>After eight years in Kansas, Project Search says 74% of its interns land jobs. Only about <a href="https://www.statedata.info/bbstates/Kansas.pdf" target="_blank">46% of working age Kansans with disabilities are employed</a>. For those with cognitive disabilities, it’s 35%.Project
 Search helps about 100 interns a year in Kansas. The Kansas Department 
for Children and Families estimates that more than 16,000 students 16 
and older have a disability.Kansas offers job counseling for 
students and graduates with disabilities, but the state doesn’t have 
enough counselors for everyone.<h2>Market Forces</h2>Kansas struggles to hire the counselors it needs because they can make more in other states. Counselors in <a href="https://www.indeed.com/salaries/Vocational-Rehabilitation-Counselor-Salaries,-Nebraska" target="_blank">Nebraska make $20,000</a> more than those in <a href="https://www.indeed.com/salaries/Vocational-Rehabilitation-Counselor-Salaries,-Kansas" target="_blank">Kansas</a>.But
 the tight Kansas labor market could also make it easier to convince 
employers to hire more workers with disabilities, their advocates say. 
They say that with workers scarce, businesses can’t afford to ignore any
 job applications.“Any employer you talk to will tell you how 
hard it is to hire good help these days,” said Rocky Nichols, head of 
the Disability Rights Center of Kansas. “Well, guess what? There are 
tons and tons of people with disabilities who have talents, who have 
abilities and skills, who are being unutilized in our Kansas economy.”Even
 after getting hired, Kansans with disabilities still need ongoing 
support, So do their employers. Advocates say businesses need training 
in how to accommodate someone with a disability.With just 
minimal support, like having an advocate check in at work every few 
months, 70% of workers with cognitive disabilities stay successful, said
 Craig Knutson, a policy analyst with the Kansas Council on 
Developmental Disabilities. He said that without the support, most lose 
their job after five years.Employers may need lessons on how to 
communicate with someone who doesn’t speak. A worker with Down syndrome 
may need more supervision and direct instructions to stay on task.And as a task changes — like a filing system going from physical to digital — more training has to happen.Project
 Search approached Jennifer Jull-Sullivan about taking on an intern at 
her veterinary practice a few years ago. She previously had one employee
 with a disability work at Blair Doon Veterinary Hospital for about a 
decade. But the employee’s condition eventually worsened until she could
 no longer work. Jull-Sullivan eventually did take on the intern and 
eventually hired him as a kennel assistant. That’s a choice she likely 
wouldn’t have made without support before and after the internship.“I really did feel like I’d had my hand held all the way through,” Jull-Sullivan said. “It worked very nicely.”Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/stevebisaha?lang=en" target="_blank">@stevebisaha</a>.

Kan. falls short helping HS grads with disabilities in workforce

This week, the Senate standing committees continued to hold hearings and bring forward legislation. The Ways and Means Committee is starting to work the budget bill with subcommittee meetings to report to the full committee in a few weeks. The Senate will be returning to General Orders where we will see the first committee bills to have a vote from the entire Senate. Bills from last year are sitting “below the line” and will be pulled up by the Majority Leader during the weeks before the hard dead-line called turn around which is when bills cross over to the opposite Chamber and will begin the debate process again in committees.

With a vote of 28-12, the Kansas Senate Passed the Value Them Both Amendment to reverse the Supreme Court ruling (6-1) from Hodes &amp; Nauser v Schmidt. SCR 1613 would amend the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the State of Kansas by adding a new section regarding the regulation of abortion. It states that nothing in the state constitution requires the government to fund abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. SCR 1613 does not ban abortion as it is federal law. It also provides that the people of Kansas through their elected state legislators may pass law regarding abortion and these laws would remain subject to the United States Constitution protection of an individual’s right to abortion. The resolution must be adopted by a 2/3 vote in each chamber in order to be presented to the general electorate for approval. If SCR 1613 is adopted in both chambers, then it would appear on the election ballot at the primary election held in August 2020. A “yes” vote on the ballot for the Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment keeps regulations and laws already in place and approved by voters on the books basically returning us to 1972 after the Roe Vs Wade ruling. Four key regulations that have received bipartisan support throughout the legislature since 1972 – Women’s Right to Know &amp; 24 hours waiting periods (1997, parental notification (2011, clinic licensing laws (clinic inspections-2011) and no taxpayer funding of abortions (2013).

 I voted yes. I believe it is important that women are given the most basic information about their doctor; that minor children are not left to make important decisions on their own; that women can know that they will enter a clean, safe facility; that Kansas will not be forced to pay for abortions and people have the right to regulate the abortion industry through the legislative process. Kansas is not alone in amending their Constitution - six other states have already passed similar amendments and other states are considering amendments this session. SCR 1613 has moved across the Capitol to the House of Representatives for their review.

Auditing has always been a part of State government in Kansas. The original 1859 Kansas Constitution provided for an elected state auditor. A constitutional amendment in 1971 did away with the auditor as an elected position, and the 1971 Legislature passed a bill that created the Legislative Post Audit Committee and the Legislative Division of Post Audit. (The “post” in “Post Audit” refers to auditing transactions after they occur.) Today, the Legislative Post Audit Committee is a 10-member, bipartisan, joint legislative committee made up of five senators and five representatives. To help guarantee the committee’s independence, the members, once appointed, serve for the duration of their term, and the committee chair is elected by the members themselves. The committee directs and oversees the work of the Legislative Division of Post Audit, a 25-person legislative staff agency that audits government programs for efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with the law. It issues 20+ audit reports a year, on topics ranging from computer security to foster care to the state’s economic development activities. All audits are either required by state law or selected by the Legislative Post Audit Committee. The division’s mission is to provide accurate, timely, and unbiased information to legislators to help them make informed decisions about the myriad issues affecting Kansans. This committee will meet monthly during session to hear reports and assign new ones to consider for the upcoming year. 

Post Audit podcasts named the Rundown features interviews with Legislative Post Audit staff discussing the latest news and reports from LPA. The Rundown is recorded, hosted, and produced by LPA staff and are available as Apple podcasts or on Spotify. More information can be found on their website <a href="https://www.kslpa.org/">www.kslpa.org</a>.

UTILITIES COMMITTEE - Oil and Natural Gas Update in Kansas

Kansas Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association (KIOGA) reported to the Senate Utilities Committee last week with their annual report. Oil accounts for 37% of the energy consumption in the United States, while natural gas accounts for 31%. The oil and natural gas industry in Kansas support 118,000 jobs in the state and adds over $3 billion in family income. The first oil well in Kansas was drilled in 1860 and today, oil and gas are produced in 89 of Kansas’ 105 counties. Over 59,000 wells are actively producing oil and natural gas across the state by over 2100 oil and gas producers operating in Kansas. More information can be found at their website: <a href="http://www.kioga.org/">www.kioga.org</a>.

The U.S. Census is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2020 Census will count the population in all 50 states, the District of Colombia and the five US territories. Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire – online, by phone or by mail. The census provides critical data for lawmakers, business owners, teachers and many others to provide daily services, products and support for your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools and roads. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts. In mid-March, households will begin receiving the official Census Bureau mail with information on how to participate. The information by law is kept confidential under Title 13 of the US Code. Private data is protected, and answers cannot be used against residents by the government or court. By March 31st, 2021, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes. Additional information on the 2020 census can be found by accessing <a href="https://kansascounts.org/">www.kansascounts.org</a> or <a href="https://www.2020census.gov/">www.2020census.gov</a>.

January 29 of 2020 marked the 159th anniversary of President James Buchanan signing a bill to make Kansas the 34th state of the United States of America. Kansas is full of rich history, beautiful scenes of nature, and notable landmarks. In Kansas Senate District 36, we have remarkable landmarks such as the Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, Rock City outside of Minneapolis, and the “Home on the Range Cabin” in Smith County, birthplace of our state song. “Home on the Range” was adopted by the Kansas State Legislature as the official state song on June 30, 1947. Along with our state song, Kansas has not one, but TWO official state marches, “The Kansas March” and “Here’s Kansas.” But while the marches are grand, nothing brings as much pride into the hearts of the residents of the Sunflower State as that of seeing our great flag dancing in the breeze. The flag was designed by Hazel Avery of Lincoln County in 1925. Directly in the center on the field of blue is the Great Seal of the State of Kansas with our motto arching near the top: “Ad Astra Per Aspera” to the stars through difficulties. A farmer planting a crop, covered wagons, a steamboat, a cabin, a sunrise over hills with buffalo and Indians galloping on green hills promote the state in a way we all can relate to.

Kansas residents can access information on legislation, legislative procedure, state government, public policy issues and more by calling 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents. The State Library is located on the 3rd floor, north wing of the Capitol.

The first three weeks of the legislative session was a busy one with people visiting from home for meetings and to celebrate Kansas Day on Friday – 158 years of statehood. The municipal judges, electric cooperatives members, rural independent telephone companies, public accountants and title company representatives from District #36 had their annual meetings and receptions this month. Members of the joint law enforcement community, county clerks and county appraisers, American Legion and VFW, school board officials, agriculture retailers and co-ops and officials from city and county government were in Topeka for their&nbsp;annual events. Doctors across the state attended the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians annual legislative day with Dr. Jen Brull and other doctors across the state.

Topeka, KS 66612 elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580853658061.jpeg" alt="Sen. Elaine Bowers&nbsp; (R-Concordia) 36th Dist., is the&nbsp; Senate Majority Whip." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Elaine Bowers&nbsp; (R-Concordia) 36th Dist., is the&nbsp; Senate Majority Whip.</figcaption>
 </figure>SENATE HAPPENINGSThis week, the Senate standing committees continued to hold hearings and bring forward legislation. The Ways and Means Committee is starting to work the budget bill with subcommittee meetings to report to the full committee in a few weeks. The Senate will be returning to General Orders where we will see the first committee bills to have a vote from the entire Senate. Bills from last year are sitting “below the line” and will be pulled up by the Majority Leader during the weeks before the hard dead-line called turn around which is when bills cross over to the opposite Chamber and will begin the debate process again in committees.SENATE FLOOR ACTION – SCR 1613With a vote of 28-12, the Kansas Senate Passed the Value Them Both Amendment to reverse the Supreme Court ruling (6-1) from Hodes &amp; Nauser v Schmidt. SCR 1613 would amend the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the State of Kansas by adding a new section regarding the regulation of abortion. It states that nothing in the state constitution requires the government to fund abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. SCR 1613 does not ban abortion as it is federal law. It also provides that the people of Kansas through their elected state legislators may pass law regarding abortion and these laws would remain subject to the United States Constitution protection of an individual’s right to abortion. The resolution must be adopted by a 2/3 vote in each chamber in order to be presented to the general electorate for approval. If SCR 1613 is adopted in both chambers, then it would appear on the election ballot at the primary election held in August 2020. A “yes” vote on the ballot for the Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment keeps regulations and laws already in place and approved by voters on the books basically returning us to 1972 after the Roe Vs Wade ruling. Four key regulations that have received bipartisan support throughout the legislature since 1972 – Women’s Right to Know &amp; 24 hours waiting periods (1997, parental notification (2011, clinic licensing laws (clinic inspections-2011) and no taxpayer funding of abortions (2013). I voted yes. I believe it is important that women are given the most basic information about their doctor; that minor children are not left to make important decisions on their own; that women can know that they will enter a clean, safe facility; that Kansas will not be forced to pay for abortions and people have the right to regulate the abortion industry through the legislative process. Kansas is not alone in amending their Constitution - six other states have already passed similar amendments and other states are considering amendments this session. SCR 1613 has moved across the Capitol to the House of Representatives for their review.COMMITTEE WORKPOST AUDIT JOINT COMMITTEEAuditing has always been a part of State government in Kansas. The original 1859 Kansas Constitution provided for an elected state auditor. A constitutional amendment in 1971 did away with the auditor as an elected position, and the 1971 Legislature passed a bill that created the Legislative Post Audit Committee and the Legislative Division of Post Audit. (The “post” in “Post Audit” refers to auditing transactions after they occur.) Today, the Legislative Post Audit Committee is a 10-member, bipartisan, joint legislative committee made up of five senators and five representatives. To help guarantee the committee’s independence, the members, once appointed, serve for the duration of their term, and the committee chair is elected by the members themselves. The committee directs and oversees the work of the Legislative Division of Post Audit, a 25-person legislative staff agency that audits government programs for efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with the law. It issues 20+ audit reports a year, on topics ranging from computer security to foster care to the state’s economic development activities. All audits are either required by state law or selected by the Legislative Post Audit Committee. The division’s mission is to provide accurate, timely, and unbiased information to legislators to help them make informed decisions about the myriad issues affecting Kansans. This committee will meet monthly during session to hear reports and assign new ones to consider for the upcoming year. Post Audit podcasts named the Rundown features interviews with Legislative Post Audit staff discussing the latest news and reports from LPA. The Rundown is recorded, hosted, and produced by LPA staff and are available as Apple podcasts or on Spotify. More information can be found on their website <a href="https://www.kslpa.org/">www.kslpa.org</a>.UTILITIES COMMITTEE - Oil and Natural Gas Update in KansasKansas Independent Oil &amp; Gas Association (KIOGA) reported to the Senate Utilities Committee last week with their annual report. Oil accounts for 37% of the energy consumption in the United States, while natural gas accounts for 31%. The oil and natural gas industry in Kansas support 118,000 jobs in the state and adds over $3 billion in family income. The first oil well in Kansas was drilled in 1860 and today, oil and gas are produced in 89 of Kansas’ 105 counties. Over 59,000 wells are actively producing oil and natural gas across the state by over 2100 oil and gas producers operating in Kansas. More information can be found at their website: <a href="http://www.kioga.org/">www.kioga.org</a>.KANSAS COUNTS – Census 2020The U.S. Census is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2020 Census will count the population in all 50 states, the District of Colombia and the five US territories. Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire – online, by phone or by mail. The census provides critical data for lawmakers, business owners, teachers and many others to provide daily services, products and support for your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools and roads. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts. In mid-March, households will begin receiving the official Census Bureau mail with information on how to participate. The information by law is kept confidential under Title 13 of the US Code. Private data is protected, and answers cannot be used against residents by the government or court. By March 31st, 2021, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes. Additional information on the 2020 census can be found by accessing <a href="https://kansascounts.org/">www.kansascounts.org</a> or <a href="https://www.2020census.gov/">www.2020census.gov</a>.KANSAS DAYJanuary 29 of 2020 marked the 159th anniversary of President James Buchanan signing a bill to make Kansas the 34th state of the United States of America. Kansas is full of rich history, beautiful scenes of nature, and notable landmarks. In Kansas Senate District 36, we have remarkable landmarks such as the Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, Rock City outside of Minneapolis, and the “Home on the Range Cabin” in Smith County, birthplace of our state song. “Home on the Range” was adopted by the Kansas State Legislature as the official state song on June 30, 1947. Along with our state song, Kansas has not one, but TWO official state marches, “The Kansas March” and “Here’s Kansas.” But while the marches are grand, nothing brings as much pride into the hearts of the residents of the Sunflower State as that of seeing our great flag dancing in the breeze. The flag was designed by Hazel Avery of Lincoln County in 1925. Directly in the center on the field of blue is the Great Seal of the State of Kansas with our motto arching near the top: “Ad Astra Per Aspera” to the stars through difficulties. A farmer planting a crop, covered wagons, a steamboat, a cabin, a sunrise over hills with buffalo and Indians galloping on green hills promote the state in a way we all can relate to.TOLL-FREE LEGISLATIVE HOTLINEKansas residents can access information on legislation, legislative procedure, state government, public policy issues and more by calling 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents. The State Library is located on the 3rd floor, north wing of the Capitol.VISITORS FROM SENATE DISTRICT #36The first three weeks of the legislative session was a busy one with people visiting from home for meetings and to celebrate Kansas Day on Friday – 158 years of statehood. The municipal judges, electric cooperatives members, rural independent telephone companies, public accountants and title company representatives from District #36 had their annual meetings and receptions this month. Members of the joint law enforcement community, county clerks and county appraisers, American Legion and VFW, school board officials, agriculture retailers and co-ops and officials from city and county government were in Topeka for their&nbsp;annual events. Doctors across the state attended the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians annual legislative day with Dr. Jen Brull and other doctors across the state.Thank you for the honor of serving you!Senator Elaine BowersKansas State Capitol BuildingRoom 223-E300 SW 10th St.Topeka, KS 66612 elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov785-296-7389<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

BOWERS: Senate Scene Week 3

February is filled with fun in Hays, with activities for the entire family and that special loved one during the Valentine's Day holiday.

Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, talks about some of the events this month.&nbsp;

For an up-to-the-minute list of events, check the CVB calendar at <a href="http://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.

<div>By BECKY KISER Hays Post</div>February is filled with fun in Hays, with activities for the entire family and that special loved one during the Valentine's Day holiday.Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, talks about some of the events this month.&nbsp;<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UwCX5g3V8X8"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For an up-to-the-minute list of events, check the CVB calendar at <a href="http://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.

🎥 February fun in Hays 

UPDATED 3 p.m. Wednesday After a water line break made it impossible to heat the school Tuesday, classes will resume Wednesday at Roosevelt Elementary in Hays, the school announced this afternoon.

Roosevelt Elementary will be closed Tuesday after an issue has caused the building to be unable to remain heated.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-20s Tuesday.

An email sent to parents Monday afternoon from Principal Paula Rice described the situation.

"Due to a water pipe break that has affected the HVAC system and its ability to heat classrooms at Roosevelt Elementary, we will be canceling classes on Tuesday, February 4," the announcement said.

The closure will only affect Roosevelt Elementary and all other schools in the district will be open.

"We will continue to update Roosevelt Elementary families as we assess repair timelines for the HVAC system," the announcement said. "Thanks for your understanding of this situation."

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e2f8ca77d7daa72b30ebe51">HVAC systems in the district have been an area of concern for the district's maintenance department and were discussed at the last USD 489 Board of Education Meeting.</a>

<div><iframe title="HVAC system updates a priority at USD 489" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/s3wkn-d170bc&?from=usersite&skin=3&fonts=Helvetica&auto=1&download=1&share=1&version=1" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player"></iframe></div>UPDATED 3 p.m. Wednesday After a water line break made it impossible to heat the school Tuesday, classes will resume Wednesday at Roosevelt Elementary in Hays, the school announced this afternoon.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRooseveltHaysUSA%2Fposts%2F476399726368769%3A0&width=500" width="500" height="483" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>--------------------------By JAMES BELL Hays PostRoosevelt Elementary will be closed Tuesday after an issue has caused the building to be unable to remain heated.Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-20s Tuesday.An email sent to parents Monday afternoon from Principal Paula Rice described the situation."Due to a water pipe break that has affected the HVAC system and its ability to heat classrooms at Roosevelt Elementary, we will be canceling classes on Tuesday, February 4," the announcement said.The closure will only affect Roosevelt Elementary and all other schools in the district will be open."We will continue to update Roosevelt Elementary families as we assess repair timelines for the HVAC system," the announcement said. "Thanks for your understanding of this situation."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e2f8ca77d7daa72b30ebe51">HVAC systems in the district have been an area of concern for the district's maintenance department and were discussed at the last USD 489 Board of Education Meeting.</a>

UPDATE: Classes will resume at Roosevelt after water line break

<a href="https://salinapost.com">Salina Post</a>

SALINA — The 2019 People's Choice Award winner was announced this week. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sculpturetoursalina/">SculptureTour Salina</a> Facebook page:

SculptureTour Salina is pleased to announce the 2019 People’s Choice Award winner is “Wheat Harvest” by James Mages from Hays, Kansas.&nbsp;

“Wheat Harvest is about recognizing the importance of wheat in our daily lives”, stated artist James Mages. “This piece showcases the beauty of a plant that endures all the elements and still produces an outstanding golden field. Although the field is comprised of individual plants, once they are combined, they create a breath-taking appearance to behold.&nbsp;

They sway in the wind, creating a wave of liquid gold, much like the blue waves of an ocean. It’s hard for man to replicate a color that resembles the gold of a wheat field as God is the creator of that color.”&nbsp;

The tall stalk of wheat was selected by popular vote from among the 16 pieces that made up the 2019 SculptureTour exhibition. Voting opened with the installation in early May and closed December 31, 2019.&nbsp;

“The People’s Choice Award is a very important aspect of the SculptureTour Salina project”, said Penny Bettles, SculptureTour Salina committee member. “It gives the public an opportunity to choose a favorite and have their voice counted when a piece is chosen to stay in Salina.”&nbsp;

“The City of Salina is honored to be a partner with SculptureTour Salina”, said Brad Anderson, Executive Director of Salina Arts and Humanities. “SculptureTour Salina has helped shape the artistic landscape in our city in a positive way through public and private acquisitions. We are appreciative of their efforts.”&nbsp;

Wheat Harvests new location is still to be determined by the SculptureTour Salina officials, citizen advisory boards and eventually the Salina City Commission.&nbsp;

About the People’s Choice Artist&nbsp;

James Mages is a native of Kansas who grew up in a small town in western Kansas whose next-door neighbor was a wheat field. After getting his Master of Arts degree at Fort Hays State University, he began his teaching career as an art instructor at Hays High School in Hays, Kansas. Later in my teaching career, I decided to get my Master of Fine Arts. Teaching and inspiring young adults was the highlight of his career and his true passion; “I have enjoyed seeing how my former students have excelled in life and this brings great joy to my heart”, states Mages. James also continues to pursue art competitions both locally and nationally.&nbsp;

The second and third place People’s Choice winners were:&nbsp;

2nd place and winning $1,000 – “Nature” by Jodie Bliss from Monument Colorado&nbsp;

3rd place and winning $500 – “When Pigs Fly, Amelia’s Jet Pack” by Dale Lewis from Hastings, Minnesota&nbsp;

Sculpture Tour Salina is an exciting exhibit of outdoor sculptures displayed in downtown Salina, Kansas. The sculptures are on loan from the artists for one year, May through April. All sculptures are promoted for sale to the public. Artists are eligible to win awards for Best of Show, People's Choice Purchase Award, and other voting by attendees.&nbsp;

The Sculpture Tour Salina committee is comprised of volunteers from all walks of life that work on this program all year long. The Tour adds artistic pizzazz to historic downtown Salina and helps to grow the economy by making Salina a more attractive tourist destination. As an arts-friendly community, the committee is working to make Salina a better place to live, work and play.&nbsp;

<a href="https://salinapost.com">Salina Post</a>SALINA — The 2019 People's Choice Award winner was announced this week. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sculpturetoursalina/">SculptureTour Salina</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsculpturetoursalina%2Fposts%2F3050874134936904&width=500" width="500" height="743" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>SculptureTour SalinaSculptureTour Salina is pleased to announce the 2019 People’s Choice Award winner is “Wheat Harvest” by James Mages from Hays, Kansas.&nbsp;“Wheat Harvest is about recognizing the importance of wheat in our daily lives”, stated artist James Mages. “This piece showcases the beauty of a plant that endures all the elements and still produces an outstanding golden field. Although the field is comprised of individual plants, once they are combined, they create a breath-taking appearance to behold.&nbsp;They sway in the wind, creating a wave of liquid gold, much like the blue waves of an ocean. It’s hard for man to replicate a color that resembles the gold of a wheat field as God is the creator of that color.”&nbsp;The tall stalk of wheat was selected by popular vote from among the 16 pieces that made up the 2019 SculptureTour exhibition. Voting opened with the installation in early May and closed December 31, 2019.&nbsp;“The People’s Choice Award is a very important aspect of the SculptureTour Salina project”, said Penny Bettles, SculptureTour Salina committee member. “It gives the public an opportunity to choose a favorite and have their voice counted when a piece is chosen to stay in Salina.”&nbsp;“The City of Salina is honored to be a partner with SculptureTour Salina”, said Brad Anderson, Executive Director of Salina Arts and Humanities. “SculptureTour Salina has helped shape the artistic landscape in our city in a positive way through public and private acquisitions. We are appreciative of their efforts.”&nbsp;Wheat Harvests new location is still to be determined by the SculptureTour Salina officials, citizen advisory boards and eventually the Salina City Commission.&nbsp;About the People’s Choice Artist&nbsp;James Mages is a native of Kansas who grew up in a small town in western Kansas whose next-door neighbor was a wheat field. After getting his Master of Arts degree at Fort Hays State University, he began his teaching career as an art instructor at Hays High School in Hays, Kansas. Later in my teaching career, I decided to get my Master of Fine Arts. Teaching and inspiring young adults was the highlight of his career and his true passion; “I have enjoyed seeing how my former students have excelled in life and this brings great joy to my heart”, states Mages. James also continues to pursue art competitions both locally and nationally.&nbsp;The second and third place People’s Choice winners were:&nbsp;2nd place and winning $1,000 – “Nature” by Jodie Bliss from Monument Colorado&nbsp;3rd place and winning $500 – “When Pigs Fly, Amelia’s Jet Pack” by Dale Lewis from Hastings, Minnesota&nbsp;Sculpture Tour Salina is an exciting exhibit of outdoor sculptures displayed in downtown Salina, Kansas. The sculptures are on loan from the artists for one year, May through April. All sculptures are promoted for sale to the public. Artists are eligible to win awards for Best of Show, People's Choice Purchase Award, and other voting by attendees.&nbsp;The Sculpture Tour Salina committee is comprised of volunteers from all walks of life that work on this program all year long. The Tour adds artistic pizzazz to historic downtown Salina and helps to grow the economy by making Salina a more attractive tourist destination. As an arts-friendly community, the committee is working to make Salina a better place to live, work and play.&nbsp;

Hays sculptor earns People's Choice honors in Salina exhibit

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The c0-founder of the Hays Community Theatre will make her playwriting debut Valentine's weekend with the murder mystery, "My Deadly Valentine."

Cheryl Glassman,63, wrote the two-act, comedy especially for the HCT's annual Valentine's weekend performances.

"I have been wanting to write something," she said. "I loved English and poetry and writing in high school. I have always wanted to write something."

When she couldn't find just the right script for the February show, her daughter encouraged her to write the play herself.

Glassman said she drew inspiration from her own life and many characters she has met over the years.

The play starts at a coffee shop in upstate New York where an open mic night is being staged. The owner of the coffee shop learns his uncle, the owner of a theater in New York City, has been murdered.

He is summoned to New York to the theater to settle the estate and meets a cast of comedic characters.

"I love to hear people laugh," Galssman said.

As the plot unfolds, there are more murders, a romance and someone goes missing.

Glassman said initially bringing her own writing to the stage was nerve-racking.&nbsp;

"It is part of who you are," she said.&nbsp;

She said she really felt good about the script when the cast started laughing during the first read through.

"The reason why I wrote a script is because I want people to enjoy it and laugh and experience things from my perspective," Glassman said

A dinner show set for Feb. 14 has sold out. Tickets are still available for show-only performances, which will be at 7:30 p.m.&nbsp; Saturday, Feb. 15 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. 

Tickets are $10. A cash bar will be available. Tickets can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hctks.com/">https://www.hctks.com/</a>.

HCT will also be performing&nbsp;"My Deadly Valentine" at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Great Bend for their annual fundraiser. Tickets are $50 each or $90 for two people and include a steak dinner and social hour. The social hour starts at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. For tickets call the Prince of Peace Church office at 620-792-1396.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580784500672.jpeg" alt="Hays Community Theatre will perform "My Deadly Valentine"&nbsp; Friday, Feb. 14, Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16. The original play was written by Cheryl Glassman." />
 <figcaption>Hays Community Theatre will perform "My Deadly Valentine"&nbsp; Friday, Feb. 14, Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16. The original play was written by Cheryl Glassman.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe c0-founder of the Hays Community Theatre will make her playwriting debut Valentine's weekend with the murder mystery, "My Deadly Valentine."Cheryl Glassman,63, wrote the two-act, comedy especially for the HCT's annual Valentine's weekend performances."I have been wanting to write something," she said. "I loved English and poetry and writing in high school. I have always wanted to write something."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580784876539.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>When she couldn't find just the right script for the February show, her daughter encouraged her to write the play herself.Glassman said she drew inspiration from her own life and many characters she has met over the years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580785109160.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The play starts at a coffee shop in upstate New York where an open mic night is being staged. The owner of the coffee shop learns his uncle, the owner of a theater in New York City, has been murdered.He is summoned to New York to the theater to settle the estate and meets a cast of comedic characters."I love to hear people laugh," Galssman said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580785320721.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As the plot unfolds, there are more murders, a romance and someone goes missing.Glassman said initially bringing her own writing to the stage was nerve-racking.&nbsp;"It is part of who you are," she said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580785549338.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>She said she really felt good about the script when the cast started laughing during the first read through."The reason why I wrote a script is because I want people to enjoy it and laugh and experience things from my perspective," Glassman said<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580785895978.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A dinner show set for Feb. 14 has sold out. Tickets are still available for show-only performances, which will be at 7:30 p.m.&nbsp; Saturday, Feb. 15 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. Tickets are $10. A cash bar will be available. Tickets can be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hctks.com/">https://www.hctks.com/</a>.HCT will also be performing&nbsp;"My Deadly Valentine" at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Great Bend for their annual fundraiser. Tickets are $50 each or $90 for two people and include a steak dinner and social hour. The social hour starts at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. For tickets call the Prince of Peace Church office at 620-792-1396.

'My Deadly Valentine' writing debut for HCT's Glassman

Pet registrations in Hays for 2020 have begun and will continue through the end of February.

"The city gives from Jan. 1 to March 1 to get your city pet tags without penalty," said Stan Moore, animal control officer.

After March 1, there is an additional penalty of $10 that incurs every month, he said.

In order to complete registration, proof of a current rabies vaccination is required.

The fee for pets that are spayed or neutered will be $5 during the registration period.

Registration for animals that are not spayed or neutered will be $25.

The tags can be obtained in the City Clerk's Office in City Hall, 1507 Main, or in the Municipal Court Office, 105 W. 12th.

Pet registrations are a key component for the department to find pet owners, Moore said.

"It's cheap insurance," he said. "We can look the pet tags up 24 hours a day and get (the pet) right back to their owners without impounding."

Moore also said cats, just like dogs in Hays are required to be registered and be kept, "under control."

"You can't just let your cat outside and let it run around," Moore said.

Any animal found outside of the owners' control is a citable offense, he said.

"You can be cited for cats at large, just like you would a dog at large," Moore said.

<div><iframe title="Pet registrations ongoing in Hays" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/5ipdg-d1b9c2?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=3&btn-skin=101&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostPet registrations in Hays for 2020 have begun and will continue through the end of February."The city gives from Jan. 1 to March 1 to get your city pet tags without penalty," said Stan Moore, animal control officer.After March 1, there is an additional penalty of $10 that incurs every month, he said.In order to complete registration, proof of a current rabies vaccination is required.The fee for pets that are spayed or neutered will be $5 during the registration period.Registration for animals that are not spayed or neutered will be $25.The tags can be obtained in the City Clerk's Office in City Hall, 1507 Main, or in the Municipal Court Office, 105 W. 12th.Pet registrations are a key component for the department to find pet owners, Moore said."It's cheap insurance," he said. "We can look the pet tags up 24 hours a day and get (the pet) right back to their owners without impounding."Moore also said cats, just like dogs in Hays are required to be registered and be kept, "under control.""You can't just let your cat outside and let it run around," Moore said.Any animal found outside of the owners' control is a citable offense, he said."You can be cited for cats at large, just like you would a dog at large," Moore said.

🎤Pet registrations ongoing in Hays

By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-gop-senate-candidates-vie-title-trump-s-top-ally-first-debate#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>

OLATHE, Kansas — Candidates determined to keep 
Kansas’ U.S. Senate seats in Republican hands quarreled Saturday over 
immigration, health care and federal spending, but no topic was more 
debated than who is the most friendly and in step with President Donald 
Trump.

In front of a standing-room only crowd at the 2020 Kansas 
Republican Party convention, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, former Secretary 
of State Kris Kobach and state Senate President Susan Wagle argued over 
which of them was the most conservative and would be Trump’s most loyal 
foot soldier in the U.S. Senate.

Claiming that he’s voted with 
the president 98% of the time during his two terms in the U.S. House, 
Marshall pledged to “keep standing beside this president to stop the 
left’s socialist agenda.”

But Kobach argued that since most of the legislation considered by 
Congress isn’t controversial, virtually all Republicans — even many 
Democrats — vote “with the president” most of the time.&nbsp;

“So, that’s not an answer to the question,” he said.&nbsp;

Kobach
 won the 2018 Republican primary for Kansas governor with Trump’s 
backing, but lost the general election to Democrat Laura Kelly. For many
 Republicans, that’s a cause for concern heading into what is likely to 
be the state’s most competitive race for a U.S. Senate seat in decades. 
Longtime U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts is retiring.

Republicans would be risking a seat they’ve controlled since the Great Depression by nominating Kobach, Wagle said.&nbsp;

“Oh, there’s no question we’d lose,” she said in an interview after the debate.&nbsp;

Kobach
 pointed to his two winning campaigns for Kansas secretary of state: “I 
can say that in this presidential election year I certainly will win 
again.”&nbsp;

The frontrunner for the Democratic U.S. Senate 
nomination is Kansas Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former Republican who 
switched parties last year. She’s raised nearly $1.2 million since 
launching her campaign in October.

Marshall, whose 1st Congressional District covers roughly two-thirds 
of the state, is the runaway leader in fundraising on the Republican 
side: $1.9 million on hand as of Sept. 30, the end of the last reporting
 period. He hasn’t made his year-end fundraising report public. Kobach 
finished the year with $190,387 in his campaign account, and after 
loaning her campaign $275,000, Wagle ended the year with $522,683.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Marshall
 and Kobach have personal relationships with Trump, and both claimed to 
have met with him recently. Wagle can’t say that, so she touted her 
record as a leader in both the Kansas House and Senate.

“I’m the proven conservative in the race,” she said. “I get things done. People follow me.”

Immigration
 came up more than once during the debate. Kobach, who’s helped toughen 
immigration laws across the country, said he’d be Trump’s “point man” in
 an effort to do the same in Congress. Marshall said he has consistently
 opposed compromise proposals that would grant “amnesty” to people who 
entered the country illegally or overstayed their work visas.&nbsp;

The national debt, which the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-national-debt-will-rise-to-98-of-gdp-by-2030-cbo-projects-11580238089" target="_blank">Congressional Budget Office says</a>
 will reach $1 trillion in 2020, also made its way into the 
conversation. Kobach said he would hold the line on spending, and 
criticized Marshall for voting against a measure to reduce spending, 
adding Republicans talk the talk but “we don’t always walk the walk.”

Marshall dismissed Kobach’s charge as “fake news” from a “professional politician.”

Kobach also criticized Marshall for his <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article230268584.html" target="_blank">May 2019 op-ed</a> in the Kansas City Star that called for a stop to Trump’s tariff war due to the effects on Kansas farmers.

“It’s
 critical that the president have people who have his back,” Kobach 
said. “He cannot have Midwestern congressmen shooting arrows at his back
 when he’s trying to hold firm with China.”

That drew another 
heated response from Marshall: “That’s exactly what the national press 
does … they grab one little excerpt and spin it into a great big lie.”

Marshall,
 a physician, said that one of his top priorities is replacing the 
Affordable Care Act. He said he has worked with Trump for months to 
“outline” a policy that would reduce health care costs by increasing 
competition, but didn’t give any specifics during the debate or 
afterward to reporters.&nbsp;

Taking a shot at Kobach’s perceived 
weakness as a general election candidate, Marshall said that Kansas 
Republicans can’t risk losing to a Democrat who would “vote for Medicare
 For All,” a policy that U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren 
are advocating for during their campaigns for the White House.&nbsp;

While vowing to stand with the president, Marshall said he would 
attempt to bridge the partisan divide by continuing to build personal 
relationships with Democrats at a weekly prayer meetings attended by 
members of both parties.&nbsp;

Wagle said she has never compromised 
her conservative principles but is the kind of leader who “brings other 
people under the tent.”

While it would be nice to return to the 
bipartisan way that Washington, D.C., used to work, Kobach said, he 
doesn't believe that's possible.&nbsp;

“We’re in a different era in politics right now,” he said. “We need a fighter.”

GOP
 candidate Dave Lindstrom was not able to attend the debate due to 
emergency surgery on Friday, but had a member of his campaign provide an
 opening statement.

Kansas News Service news editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report.

Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740287114.jpeg" alt=" Kansas Republicans packed into a room in Olathe hear three of the four U.S. Senate candidates debate for the first time on Saturday. Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Republicans packed into a room in Olathe hear three of the four U.S. Senate candidates debate for the first time on Saturday. Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By JIM MCLEAN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-gop-senate-candidates-vie-title-trump-s-top-ally-first-debate#stream/0">Kansas News Service</a>OLATHE, Kansas — Candidates determined to keep 
Kansas’ U.S. Senate seats in Republican hands quarreled Saturday over 
immigration, health care and federal spending, but no topic was more 
debated than who is the most friendly and in step with President Donald 
Trump.In front of a standing-room only crowd at the 2020 Kansas 
Republican Party convention, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, former Secretary 
of State Kris Kobach and state Senate President Susan Wagle argued over 
which of them was the most conservative and would be Trump’s most loyal 
foot soldier in the U.S. Senate.Claiming that he’s voted with 
the president 98% of the time during his two terms in the U.S. House, 
Marshall pledged to “keep standing beside this president to stop the 
left’s socialist agenda.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740336524.jpeg" alt=" Kris Kobach's booth at the Kansas Republican Party convention included a cutout of President Donald Trump. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Kris Kobach's booth at the Kansas Republican Party convention included a cutout of President Donald Trump. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>But Kobach argued that since most of the legislation considered by 
Congress isn’t controversial, virtually all Republicans — even many 
Democrats — vote “with the president” most of the time.&nbsp;“So, that’s not an answer to the question,” he said.&nbsp;Kobach
 won the 2018 Republican primary for Kansas governor with Trump’s 
backing, but lost the general election to Democrat Laura Kelly. For many
 Republicans, that’s a cause for concern heading into what is likely to 
be the state’s most competitive race for a U.S. Senate seat in decades. 
Longtime U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts is retiring.Republicans would be risking a seat they’ve controlled since the Great Depression by nominating Kobach, Wagle said.&nbsp;“Oh, there’s no question we’d lose,” she said in an interview after the debate.&nbsp;Kobach
 pointed to his two winning campaigns for Kansas secretary of state: “I 
can say that in this presidential election year I certainly will win 
again.”&nbsp;The frontrunner for the Democratic U.S. Senate 
nomination is Kansas Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former Republican who 
switched parties last year. She’s raised nearly $1.2 million since 
launching her campaign in October.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740365629.jpeg" alt=" After Saturday's debate, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall talks with Charles Burton Starks, who used to live in Larned but now resides in Olathe. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> After Saturday's debate, U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall talks with Charles Burton Starks, who used to live in Larned but now resides in Olathe. Credit Jim McLean / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Marshall, whose 1st Congressional District covers roughly two-thirds 
of the state, is the runaway leader in fundraising on the Republican 
side: $1.9 million on hand as of Sept. 30, the end of the last reporting
 period. He hasn’t made his year-end fundraising report public. Kobach 
finished the year with $190,387 in his campaign account, and after 
loaning her campaign $275,000, Wagle ended the year with $522,683.&nbsp;&nbsp;Marshall
 and Kobach have personal relationships with Trump, and both claimed to 
have met with him recently. Wagle can’t say that, so she touted her 
record as a leader in both the Kansas House and Senate.“I’m the proven conservative in the race,” she said. “I get things done. People follow me.”<h2>Debate details</h2>Immigration
 came up more than once during the debate. Kobach, who’s helped toughen 
immigration laws across the country, said he’d be Trump’s “point man” in
 an effort to do the same in Congress. Marshall said he has consistently
 opposed compromise proposals that would grant “amnesty” to people who 
entered the country illegally or overstayed their work visas.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740401021.jpeg" alt=" Kansas state Senate President Susan Wagle touted her work in the Statehouse. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Kansas state Senate President Susan Wagle touted her work in the Statehouse. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>The national debt, which the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-national-debt-will-rise-to-98-of-gdp-by-2030-cbo-projects-11580238089" target="_blank">Congressional Budget Office says</a>
 will reach $1 trillion in 2020, also made its way into the 
conversation. Kobach said he would hold the line on spending, and 
criticized Marshall for voting against a measure to reduce spending, 
adding Republicans talk the talk but “we don’t always walk the walk.”Marshall dismissed Kobach’s charge as “fake news” from a “professional politician.”Kobach also criticized Marshall for his <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article230268584.html" target="_blank">May 2019 op-ed</a> in the Kansas City Star that called for a stop to Trump’s tariff war due to the effects on Kansas farmers.“It’s
 critical that the president have people who have his back,” Kobach 
said. “He cannot have Midwestern congressmen shooting arrows at his back
 when he’s trying to hold firm with China.”That drew another 
heated response from Marshall: “That’s exactly what the national press 
does … they grab one little excerpt and spin it into a great big lie.”Marshall,
 a physician, said that one of his top priorities is replacing the 
Affordable Care Act. He said he has worked with Trump for months to 
“outline” a policy that would reduce health care costs by increasing 
competition, but didn’t give any specifics during the debate or 
afterward to reporters.&nbsp;Taking a shot at Kobach’s perceived 
weakness as a general election candidate, Marshall said that Kansas 
Republicans can’t risk losing to a Democrat who would “vote for Medicare
 For All,” a policy that U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren 
are advocating for during their campaigns for the White House.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580740432903.jpeg" alt=" The crowd listens during the first GOP debate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pat Roberts. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> The crowd listens during the first GOP debate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pat Roberts. Credit Erica Hunzinger / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>While vowing to stand with the president, Marshall said he would 
attempt to bridge the partisan divide by continuing to build personal 
relationships with Democrats at a weekly prayer meetings attended by 
members of both parties.&nbsp;Wagle said she has never compromised 
her conservative principles but is the kind of leader who “brings other 
people under the tent.”While it would be nice to return to the 
bipartisan way that Washington, D.C., used to work, Kobach said, he 
doesn't believe that's possible.&nbsp;“We’re in a different era in politics right now,” he said. “We need a fighter.”GOP
 candidate Dave Lindstrom was not able to attend the debate due to 
emergency surgery on Friday, but had a member of his campaign provide an
 opening statement.Kansas News Service news editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report.Jim
 McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a 
collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public 
Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcleanks">@jmcleanks</a> or email jim@kcur.org.

Kan. GOP Senate candidates vie for title of Trump’s top ally

In the early 1940s, the state of Kansas began purchasing land north of Great Bend, KS for what would become the largest inland wetlands system in the continental United States, known as Cheyenne Bottoms. 

Today, “The Bottoms” wildlife area totals nearly 20,000 acres and covers 31 square miles, providing shallow wetlands and grass that are ideal and necessary habitat for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds as they rest and feed. This in turn attracts more than 60,000 nature enthusiasts and hunters annually, adding an estimated 2.8 million to our state economy.&nbsp;

Now, don’t let the title of this piece trouble you, I’m not trying to get you to scrap your new year’s dieting plan. The last major renovations to Cheyenne Bottoms were in the mid 1990’s and Ducks Unlimited has partnered with the Kansas Dept of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) on a major 3-year plan to renovate infrastructure and other components of Cheyenne Bottoms. Money will come from a KDWPT grant through the Pittman-Robertson Act, whereby a percentage of the money from the purchase of state waterfowl stamps, hunting licenses, guns, ammunition and certain archery equipment is given back to the states based on the size of the state and the number of hunting licenses sold in that state. Ducks Unlimited will add to that grant money with proceeds from a special fund-raising campaign called “Bring back the Bottoms.” I spoke with Jason Wagner, KDWPT wildlife manager at Cheyenne Bottoms and with Josh Williams, a Regional Director for Kansas Ducks Unlimited about the project, and here is the scoop.

Accumulating silt has become a major problem at Cheyenne Bottoms, plugging up drainage ditches and gates, filling pools and allowing cattails to grow rampant, so silt removal will be a major part of the renovations.&nbsp;

Managing water levels is of utmost importance to a wetlands system, and Cheyenne Bottoms contains a vast number of individual pools and an intricate system of pipes and pumps, both electric and propane powered that allows water to be moved from one pool to another if needed. There are also storage ponds where water can be stored to be returned to the pools during dry times. Several of those pumps and lots of the piping will be replaced and two new high capacity propane powered pumps will be added.

Jason Wagner stressed that some of the work will be done behind the scenes and won’t be immediately apparent to visitors. Silt removal has already begun and a new machine called a “Marsh Master” that Wagner described as sort of a floating skid -steer has already been purchased to help with tasks that can better be accomplished from the water.

It pleases me that through the Pittman-Robertson Act we sportsmen get back a portion of the money we spend each year to use for projects like this, and it bodes well for both our sport of hunting and for conservation that there are groups like Ducks Unlimited and jewels like Cheyenne Bottoms in our state. So, thanks to everyone helping to “Bring back the Bottoms” … continue to Explore Kansas outdoors.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>In the early 1940s, the state of Kansas began purchasing land north of Great Bend, KS for what would become the largest inland wetlands system in the continental United States, known as Cheyenne Bottoms. Today, “The Bottoms” wildlife area totals nearly 20,000 acres and covers 31 square miles, providing shallow wetlands and grass that are ideal and necessary habitat for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds as they rest and feed. This in turn attracts more than 60,000 nature enthusiasts and hunters annually, adding an estimated 2.8 million to our state economy.&nbsp;Now, don’t let the title of this piece trouble you, I’m not trying to get you to scrap your new year’s dieting plan. The last major renovations to Cheyenne Bottoms were in the mid 1990’s and Ducks Unlimited has partnered with the Kansas Dept of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) on a major 3-year plan to renovate infrastructure and other components of Cheyenne Bottoms. Money will come from a KDWPT grant through the Pittman-Robertson Act, whereby a percentage of the money from the purchase of state waterfowl stamps, hunting licenses, guns, ammunition and certain archery equipment is given back to the states based on the size of the state and the number of hunting licenses sold in that state. Ducks Unlimited will add to that grant money with proceeds from a special fund-raising campaign called “Bring back the Bottoms.” I spoke with Jason Wagner, KDWPT wildlife manager at Cheyenne Bottoms and with Josh Williams, a Regional Director for Kansas Ducks Unlimited about the project, and here is the scoop.Accumulating silt has become a major problem at Cheyenne Bottoms, plugging up drainage ditches and gates, filling pools and allowing cattails to grow rampant, so silt removal will be a major part of the renovations.&nbsp;Managing water levels is of utmost importance to a wetlands system, and Cheyenne Bottoms contains a vast number of individual pools and an intricate system of pipes and pumps, both electric and propane powered that allows water to be moved from one pool to another if needed. There are also storage ponds where water can be stored to be returned to the pools during dry times. Several of those pumps and lots of the piping will be replaced and two new high capacity propane powered pumps will be added.Additional renovations will be:<ol>
 <li>Replacing and repairing steel gates that open and close in drainage canals, allowing water to flow from one pool to another</li><li>Restoring numerous “blind islands,” structures with hunting blinds on them placed in pools&nbsp;</li><li>Improving access to pools and wildlife areas by restoring existing foot bridges and adding new ones that allow the public to cross drainage ditches</li><li>Adding several more campsites to the existing primitive campground</li><li>Adding rip-rap rock to eroding dikes</li><li>Building a new office building for Cheyenne Bottoms staff</li>
 </ol>Jason Wagner stressed that some of the work will be done behind the scenes and won’t be immediately apparent to visitors. Silt removal has already begun and a new machine called a “Marsh Master” that Wagner described as sort of a floating skid -steer has already been purchased to help with tasks that can better be accomplished from the water.It pleases me that through the Pittman-Robertson Act we sportsmen get back a portion of the money we spend each year to use for projects like this, and it bodes well for both our sport of hunting and for conservation that there are groups like Ducks Unlimited and jewels like Cheyenne Bottoms in our state. So, thanks to everyone helping to “Bring back the Bottoms” … continue to Explore Kansas outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Bring back the Bottoms

<a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575929617735.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/state-farm-weather-window/">For a full look at weather visit the State Farm Weather Window by clicking here.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580757513126.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Three-day weather outlook

Kansas Republicans made it clear last weekend that they are making a real push to get those suburban “soccer moms” on their side, at least at the general election, while Congressional District 3 primary contestants are wondering whether they can reclaim that congressional seat from a Democrat.

It’s all in the under-the-sheets politics, a convention of Kansans who are actively involved in the party and winning elections and trying to find that issue or candidate who can make sure Republicans continue to run the state and possibly the nation.&nbsp;

The Olathe convention—the annual state GOP gathering rotates among the four congressional districts—drew hundreds from border to border and some who were obviously worried they might not make it home in time to watch the Super Bowl.

But the key is electing Republicans for this crowd. It’s that simple.

Everyone is after those women voters, whom Republicans have lost to Democrats in the 3rd&nbsp;District especially, but across the state. And that focus is on finding the issue or two which will have those women stop off to vote a Republican ticket after dropping the kids at school.

That District 3? The prosperous, high-density Kansas Johnson/Wyandotte and a dab of Miami counties is now held by Native American/openly LGBT Democrat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., who beat white male four-term Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., in 2018 by 8 percent, or 46,000 votes.

Do Republicans go with former Kansas Republican Party Chair Amanda Adkins, who is on leave from Cerner Corp., or former Roeland Park Mayor Adrienne Foster, whose grandparents migrated – legally, she notes – from Mexico, or less politically involved former President/CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society Sara Hart Weir?

It’s a race among women in a district that has elected Republican women in the recent past, Jan Meyers from 1985-1997, then a male Democrat, Dennis Moore, from 1999-2011.

But is race an issue here? Foster says she can bring thousands of Mexican-American votes to the GOP, especially from Wyandotte County, to turn the seat back to Republican.

It’s a race to watch for the GOP nomination, and it’s also a monitor of whether GOP voters are willing to step outside the traditional voter bloc to win back a House seat.

Also at the convention, it was nearly all anti-abortion from the lips of candidates for their party’s nomination—support for that proposed constitutional amendment that if voted out of the Kansas House this week will put that measure on the same ballot as those primary election candidates.

Is anti-abortion the key here? Are those suburban women the GOP is scrambling to collect willing on the same ballot to reject their constitutional right to make their own decision on abortion that the Kansas Supreme Court has proclaimed belongs to them and them alone, and elect candidates who want to limit that decision?

It’s the female vote that Republicans are after in most districts, and while there are many general conservative government issues that those GOP primary candidates are going to be to hawking to men and women, the vote on that proposed constitutional amendment to strike the right guaranteed to women by that “non-elected court” and handing it to elected legislators is going to be decisive in many districts.

That citizen right through the “power of the vote” to elect anti-abortion or abortion-rights lawmakers who can make laws to restrict or even prohibit abortion is surely one of the keys to many of those suburban mom Republican votes, which may define the GOP primary winners.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573590596307.png" alt="Martin Hawver" />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Republicans made it clear last weekend that they are making a real push to get those suburban “soccer moms” on their side, at least at the general election, while Congressional District 3 primary contestants are wondering whether they can reclaim that congressional seat from a Democrat.It’s all in the under-the-sheets politics, a convention of Kansans who are actively involved in the party and winning elections and trying to find that issue or candidate who can make sure Republicans continue to run the state and possibly the nation.&nbsp;The Olathe convention—the annual state GOP gathering rotates among the four congressional districts—drew hundreds from border to border and some who were obviously worried they might not make it home in time to watch the Super Bowl.But the key is electing Republicans for this crowd. It’s that simple.Everyone is after those women voters, whom Republicans have lost to Democrats in the 3rd&nbsp;District especially, but across the state. And that focus is on finding the issue or two which will have those women stop off to vote a Republican ticket after dropping the kids at school.That District 3? The prosperous, high-density Kansas Johnson/Wyandotte and a dab of Miami counties is now held by Native American/openly LGBT Democrat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., who beat white male four-term Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., in 2018 by 8 percent, or 46,000 votes.Do Republicans go with former Kansas Republican Party Chair Amanda Adkins, who is on leave from Cerner Corp., or former Roeland Park Mayor Adrienne Foster, whose grandparents migrated – legally, she notes – from Mexico, or less politically involved former President/CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society Sara Hart Weir?It’s a race among women in a district that has elected Republican women in the recent past, Jan Meyers from 1985-1997, then a male Democrat, Dennis Moore, from 1999-2011.But is race an issue here? Foster says she can bring thousands of Mexican-American votes to the GOP, especially from Wyandotte County, to turn the seat back to Republican.It’s a race to watch for the GOP nomination, and it’s also a monitor of whether GOP voters are willing to step outside the traditional voter bloc to win back a House seat.***Also at the convention, it was nearly all anti-abortion from the lips of candidates for their party’s nomination—support for that proposed constitutional amendment that if voted out of the Kansas House this week will put that measure on the same ballot as those primary election candidates.Is anti-abortion the key here? Are those suburban women the GOP is scrambling to collect willing on the same ballot to reject their constitutional right to make their own decision on abortion that the Kansas Supreme Court has proclaimed belongs to them and them alone, and elect candidates who want to limit that decision?It’s the female vote that Republicans are after in most districts, and while there are many general conservative government issues that those GOP primary candidates are going to be to hawking to men and women, the vote on that proposed constitutional amendment to strike the right guaranteed to women by that “non-elected court” and handing it to elected legislators is going to be decisive in many districts.That citizen right through the “power of the vote” to elect anti-abortion or abortion-rights lawmakers who can make laws to restrict or even prohibit abortion is surely one of the keys to many of those suburban mom Republican votes, which may define the GOP primary winners.We’ll see how the strategy works…Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/">www.hawvernews.com</a>

HAWVER: Convention kicks off Kan. political horse race

HAYS — A domestic disturbance Saturday morning in Hays led to a woman sustaining injuries after jumping from an Interstate 70 overpass.

On 8:47 a.m. Saturday, a 911 call alerted Hays Police to an injured male following a domestic disturbance with his girlfriend at their apartment in the 3700 block of Hall, according to Hays Deputy Police Chief Police Brian Dawson.

The injury was described as a cut to the leg that was causing blood loss, Dawson said.

The man was transported to Hays Medical Center and was reported in stable condition Saturday morning.

At 8:58 a.m., the Ellis County dispatch center received multiple calls of a woman who had jumped from the overpass at 240th Avenue onto the eastbound lane of I-70.

The woman was identified as the girlfriend of the man injured in the earlier incident, Dawson said.

She was transported to Hays Medical Center, as well, and is receiving treatment.

Due to this being an ongoing investigation, the names of the involved individuals have not been released.

"We want to thank the Kansas Highway Patrol, Ellis County Sheriff's Department and Fort Hays State University Police for their assistance," Dawson said.

By JAMES BELL Hays PostHAYS — A domestic disturbance Saturday morning in Hays led to a woman sustaining injuries after jumping from an Interstate 70 overpass.On 8:47 a.m. Saturday, a 911 call alerted Hays Police to an injured male following a domestic disturbance with his girlfriend at their apartment in the 3700 block of Hall, according to Hays Deputy Police Chief Police Brian Dawson.The injury was described as a cut to the leg that was causing blood loss, Dawson said.The man was transported to Hays Medical Center and was reported in stable condition Saturday morning.At 8:58 a.m., the Ellis County dispatch center received multiple calls of a woman who had jumped from the overpass at 240th Avenue onto the eastbound lane of I-70.The woman was identified as the girlfriend of the man injured in the earlier incident, Dawson said.She was transported to Hays Medical Center, as well, and is receiving treatment.No other injuries were reported.Due to this being an ongoing investigation, the names of the involved individuals have not been released."We want to thank the Kansas Highway Patrol, Ellis County Sheriff's Department and Fort Hays State University Police for their assistance," Dawson said.

HPD: Woman injured after jumping from I-70 overpass in Hays

Continuing concerns over reduced oil demand because of the epidemic in China has prompted the so-called "OPEC Plus" countries to consider more cuts in oil production. Two OPEC sources and an industry source tell Reuters the cartel members are considering a further cut of half a million barrels per day.

The government reported an increase in domestic crude oil stockpiles. For the weekending January 24, U.S. inventories reached 431.7 million barrels, up 3.5 million barrels. The Energy Information Administration reported that inventories are about two percent below the five-year average for this time of year. EIA said U.S. crude production held steady last week at 12.984 million barrels per day, the same as the all-time record set the week before.

U.S. crude imports increased by nearly 230,000 barrels per day last week to an average of 6.7 million barrels per day. The four-week average is 6.6 million barrels per day, a decline of about 14 percent from the same four-week period last year.

U.S. crude prices have dropped nearly seven dollars a barrel in the last ten days. In morning trading Monday, the Nymex benchmark futures contract was down another 30 cents to $51.26 per barrel. London Brent was down 64 cents at $55.98. That's the lowest price for the international benchmark in more than a year.

Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson dropped 75 cents on Friday to end the month at$41.75 per barrel. That's up fifty cents from a week ago, but down nearly ten dollars from the first of the year. The average price for the month of January was $48.21. That's down more than six dollars from January-2019 average.

The government's latest reports show a slight drop in Kansas crude-oil production in November, to just over 2.61 million barrels, or about 87,000 barrels per day. That's down 109-thousand barrels from the month before and down 157-thousand barrels from November of 2018.

Independent Oil &amp;Gas Service reports a 21% drop in the weekly Rig Count in Kansas.There are six active rigs in the eastern half of the state, down three rigs, and 17 west of Wichita, also down three. Drilling is underway on one lease in Russell County, and operators are preparing to spud one new well each in Barton and Ellis counties.

Baker Hughes reports 790 active drilling rigs across the U.S. a decline of one oil rig and a drop of three seeking natural gas. Texas was down two rigs.

There are 18 new drilling permits on file across Kansas this week, ten east of Wichita and eight in the western half of the state, including one in Barton County.

Independent Oil &amp;Gas Service reports 30 newly-completed wells for the week, 98 so far this year. There were 12 new completions in eastern Kansas, and 18 west of Wichita, including four in Ellis County, one in Russell County and two in Stafford County.

An autopsy confirmed that a Great Bend died after he was overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas while working on an oil lease near the Barton/Stafford County line on Wednesday. Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir identifies the victim as 88-year-old Laverne Brown of Great Bend. Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic byproduct of oil and natural gas production and is common in the oilfields of central Kansas. 

Oil-by-rail showed as light increase last week across the U.S. The Association of American Railroads reports 13,662 tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products during the week ending January 25. That's an increase of two tenths of one percent over the same week a year ago. The cumulative average is up eight tenths of a percent. Oil by rail in Canada continues to grow, increasing more than 34% over a year ago.

The state-run oil company in Venezuela shut down its last two operating refineries there. PDVSA completely shut down one refinery on Saturday, and another on Monday, according to a technical report cited by S&amp;P Global Platts. They blamed multiple refinery failures and a lack of crude oil to process. Venezuela holds the world's largest crude-oil reserves, but ongoing corruption and U.S. sanctions have crippled the country's energy infrastructure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574099516454.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARContinuing concerns over reduced oil demand because of the epidemic in China has prompted the so-called "OPEC Plus" countries to consider more cuts in oil production. Two OPEC sources and an industry source tell Reuters the cartel members are considering a further cut of half a million barrels per day.The government reported an increase in domestic crude oil stockpiles. For the weekending January 24, U.S. inventories reached 431.7 million barrels, up 3.5 million barrels. The Energy Information Administration reported that inventories are about two percent below the five-year average for this time of year. EIA said U.S. crude production held steady last week at 12.984 million barrels per day, the same as the all-time record set the week before.U.S. crude imports increased by nearly 230,000 barrels per day last week to an average of 6.7 million barrels per day. The four-week average is 6.6 million barrels per day, a decline of about 14 percent from the same four-week period last year.U.S. crude prices have dropped nearly seven dollars a barrel in the last ten days. In morning trading Monday, the Nymex benchmark futures contract was down another 30 cents to $51.26 per barrel. London Brent was down 64 cents at $55.98. That's the lowest price for the international benchmark in more than a year.Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson dropped 75 cents on Friday to end the month at$41.75 per barrel. That's up fifty cents from a week ago, but down nearly ten dollars from the first of the year. The average price for the month of January was $48.21. That's down more than six dollars from January-2019 average.The government's latest reports show a slight drop in Kansas crude-oil production in November, to just over 2.61 million barrels, or about 87,000 barrels per day. That's down 109-thousand barrels from the month before and down 157-thousand barrels from November of 2018.Independent Oil &amp;Gas Service reports a 21% drop in the weekly Rig Count in Kansas.There are six active rigs in the eastern half of the state, down three rigs, and 17 west of Wichita, also down three. Drilling is underway on one lease in Russell County, and operators are preparing to spud one new well each in Barton and Ellis counties.Baker Hughes reports 790 active drilling rigs across the U.S. a decline of one oil rig and a drop of three seeking natural gas. Texas was down two rigs.There are 18 new drilling permits on file across Kansas this week, ten east of Wichita and eight in the western half of the state, including one in Barton County.Independent Oil &amp;Gas Service reports 30 newly-completed wells for the week, 98 so far this year. There were 12 new completions in eastern Kansas, and 18 west of Wichita, including four in Ellis County, one in Russell County and two in Stafford County.An autopsy confirmed that a Great Bend died after he was overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas while working on an oil lease near the Barton/Stafford County line on Wednesday. Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir identifies the victim as 88-year-old Laverne Brown of Great Bend. Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic byproduct of oil and natural gas production and is common in the oilfields of central Kansas. Oil-by-rail showed as light increase last week across the U.S. The Association of American Railroads reports 13,662 tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products during the week ending January 25. That's an increase of two tenths of one percent over the same week a year ago. The cumulative average is up eight tenths of a percent. Oil by rail in Canada continues to grow, increasing more than 34% over a year ago.The state-run oil company in Venezuela shut down its last two operating refineries there. PDVSA completely shut down one refinery on Saturday, and another on Monday, according to a technical report cited by S&amp;P Global Platts. They blamed multiple refinery failures and a lack of crude oil to process. Venezuela holds the world's largest crude-oil reserves, but ongoing corruption and U.S. sanctions have crippled the country's energy infrastructure.

News From the Oil Patch, Feb. 4

PHILLIPS COUNTY — A second arrest from a series of church and school burglaries in Phillips County in December has been made.

"On December 23 and 24, 2019, the Logan Grade School, Logan United Methodist and Catholic churches and the Luctor Christian Reformed Church were burglarized," the Phillips County Sheriff's Office said following a previous arrest in connection with the case.

Jonathan Casey Jones, 23, Phillipsburg, has been arrested on suspicion of four counts of burglary, two counts of attempted burglary, nine counts of contributing to a child's misconduct, three counts of theft and three counts of criminal damage to property, according to the department.

Jones remains in custody in lieu of a $180,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580766151851.jpeg" alt="Jonathon Casey Jones" />
 <figcaption>Jonathon Casey Jones</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostPHILLIPS COUNTY — A second arrest from a series of church and school burglaries in Phillips County in December has been made."On December 23 and 24, 2019, the Logan Grade School, Logan United Methodist and Catholic churches and the Luctor Christian Reformed Church were burglarized," the Phillips County Sheriff's Office said following a previous arrest in connection with the case.Jonathan Casey Jones, 23, Phillipsburg, has been arrested on suspicion of four counts of burglary, two counts of attempted burglary, nine counts of contributing to a child's misconduct, three counts of theft and three counts of criminal damage to property, according to the department.Jones remains in custody in lieu of a $180,000 bond.The department said further arrests of minors are pending, but their names will not be released.In connection with the arrests, the department reminded the public that "all individuals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e3328ca7d7daa72b30ec19a">Phillip Michael Byrant, 23, Norton was previously arrested in connection with the crimes.</a>

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