The items are arriving fast and furious for the Eagle On-Line Auction at Hays Post.

&nbsp;If you would like to get in on the action of this year’s online auction, click on the link below.&nbsp;

Dive into a digital treasure trove of savings with the Eagle Radio Online Auction!

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here&nbsp;to get registered, view items and bid.</a>

Bid now on an expansive collection ranging from home essentials to tantalizing restaurant gift cards, and valuable services from esteemed local companies and save.

 Whether you're seeking something specific or just browsing for unexpected finds, our vast selection promises both variety and value. 

The Eagle Radio online auction — where saving money is just a click away!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758644527286.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The items are arriving fast and furious for the Eagle On-Line Auction at Hays Post.&nbsp;If you would like to get in on the action of this year’s online auction, click on the link below.&nbsp;Dive into a digital treasure trove of savings with the Eagle Radio Online Auction!<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here&nbsp;to get registered, view items and bid.</a>Bid now on an expansive collection ranging from home essentials to tantalizing restaurant gift cards, and valuable services from esteemed local companies and save. Whether you're seeking something specific or just browsing for unexpected finds, our vast selection promises both variety and value. <h2>The Eagle Radio online auction — where saving money is just a click away!</h2>

Eagle Radio Auction live now!

As residents of western Kansas and frequent shoppers in Hays and the surrounding area, we pride ourselves on high voter participation and orderly, well-run elections. 

Our county clerks, poll workers, and volunteers do their jobs carefully and professionally. That is why national proposals like the so-called “SAVE Act” deserve local attention. 

Ellis, Barton, Russell, Trego, Rush and Rooks counties are all affected by the latest proposal by our local politicians, including our senators and representatives, state and federal.

We are neighbors and we know each other without having to carry formal identification. 

I would bet that Jerry Moran’s wife’s birth certificate does not bear the name Moran. Nor does Barb Wasinger's bear that last name. Nor does Ken Rahjes’s spouse’s birth certificate use anything but her maiden name.&nbsp; You get the gist, right?

Many states have gone to same-day voter registration, so if they want to mandate exact matches in last names, then let us do that at the polls, at least. A utility bill, a driver's license, a credit card or a debit card with a photo makes more sense than a passport, which not everyone has.

The bill would require documentary proof of citizenship at the time of voting. In practice, federal agencies have often treated passports and certain certified birth certificates as the primary acceptable documents. 

Many western Kansas residents do not carry or even have passports, and married women whose legal names differ from their birth certificates face additional hurdles or challenges at the polls.

In our counties, that matters. We have a significant population of married women, retirees, rural residents, and working families who may not have ready access to updated documentation reflecting every name change over a lifetime. 

If even a small number of otherwise eligible voters are delayed, challenged or turned away because paperwork does not perfectly align, that affects neighbors, church members, veterans, teachers, Fort Hays State employees, and small business owners right here at home.

Supporters of stricter proof requirements argue they are addressing non-citizen voting. However, documented cases of non-citizen voting in Kansas have been exceedingly rare. 

Our local election officials already verify eligibility during registration. Why should we add another requirement for additional ID at the polls?&nbsp; Before adding new federal mandates, we should carefully weigh whether the burden placed on lawful voters in western Kansas is justified by evidence.

At the same time, we are seeing state-level proposals that could impose additional identification or documentation requirements.

Again, the practical impact would not be abstract. It would fall on local citizens—particularly elderly residents, women who changed their names decades ago, and rural voters who must travel significant distances to government offices to obtain replacement records.

Regardless of party affiliation, we western Kansas citizens should ask whether new federal or state mandates make it easier or harder for eligible neighbors to cast a ballot. Strong elections are secure—but they are also accessible.

I encourage readers to respectfully contact Congressman Tracey Mann, Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, and our state legislators—Representatives Wasinger, Rahjes, Waymaster, and our State Senators Billinger and Blew—and ask how proposed voting changes would affect Ellis County, Russell County, Rush County, Rooks County, Trego County and Rice and Barton County voters specifically.

We deserve clear answers about how these measures would operate in Hays, Russell, Stockton, WaKeeney, Ellsworth and Great Bend and throughout western Kansas.

Our community benefits when lawful participation is protected and confidence in elections is maintained. Both security and access matter. We should insist on policies that preserve both.

—Ron Svaty retired Kansas judge and proud citizen of western Kansas

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>As residents of western Kansas and frequent shoppers in Hays and the surrounding area, we pride ourselves on high voter participation and orderly, well-run elections. Our county clerks, poll workers, and volunteers do their jobs carefully and professionally. That is why national proposals like the so-called “SAVE Act” deserve local attention. Ellis, Barton, Russell, Trego, Rush and Rooks counties are all affected by the latest proposal by our local politicians, including our senators and representatives, state and federal.We are neighbors and we know each other without having to carry formal identification. I would bet that Jerry Moran’s wife’s birth certificate does not bear the name Moran. Nor does Barb Wasinger's bear that last name. Nor does Ken Rahjes’s spouse’s birth certificate use anything but her maiden name.&nbsp; You get the gist, right?Many states have gone to same-day voter registration, so if they want to mandate exact matches in last names, then let us do that at the polls, at least. A utility bill, a driver's license, a credit card or a debit card with a photo makes more sense than a passport, which not everyone has.The bill would require documentary proof of citizenship at the time of voting. In practice, federal agencies have often treated passports and certain certified birth certificates as the primary acceptable documents. Many western Kansas residents do not carry or even have passports, and married women whose legal names differ from their birth certificates face additional hurdles or challenges at the polls.In our counties, that matters. We have a significant population of married women, retirees, rural residents, and working families who may not have ready access to updated documentation reflecting every name change over a lifetime. If even a small number of otherwise eligible voters are delayed, challenged or turned away because paperwork does not perfectly align, that affects neighbors, church members, veterans, teachers, Fort Hays State employees, and small business owners right here at home.Supporters of stricter proof requirements argue they are addressing non-citizen voting. However, documented cases of non-citizen voting in Kansas have been exceedingly rare. Our local election officials already verify eligibility during registration. Why should we add another requirement for additional ID at the polls?&nbsp; Before adding new federal mandates, we should carefully weigh whether the burden placed on lawful voters in western Kansas is justified by evidence.At the same time, we are seeing state-level proposals that could impose additional identification or documentation requirements.Again, the practical impact would not be abstract. It would fall on local citizens—particularly elderly residents, women who changed their names decades ago, and rural voters who must travel significant distances to government offices to obtain replacement records.Regardless of party affiliation, we western Kansas citizens should ask whether new federal or state mandates make it easier or harder for eligible neighbors to cast a ballot. Strong elections are secure—but they are also accessible.I encourage readers to respectfully contact Congressman Tracey Mann, Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, and our state legislators—Representatives Wasinger, Rahjes, Waymaster, and our State Senators Billinger and Blew—and ask how proposed voting changes would affect Ellis County, Russell County, Rush County, Rooks County, Trego County and Rice and Barton County voters specifically.We deserve clear answers about how these measures would operate in Hays, Russell, Stockton, WaKeeney, Ellsworth and Great Bend and throughout western Kansas.Our community benefits when lawful participation is protected and confidence in elections is maintained. Both security and access matter. We should insist on policies that preserve both.—Ron Svaty retired Kansas judge and proud citizen of western Kansas

LETTER: Proposed voting changes could burden western Kansas residents

By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors

I recently agreed to see if a skunk needed evicted from beneath a friend’s empty home that is for sale. She said she was in the house the other day and it smelled terribly “skunky” inside, making her think one might be living under the porch. 

My glasses have transition lenses that turn really dark in the sunlight, so as I blindly peered into the darkness beneath the porch, I wondered aloud how bad the situation might turn if I suddenly came face-to-face (and hopefully not face-to-butt) with the resident skunk.

I’ve had some interesting adventures involving skunks in traps, the worst of which led to a drive home in my underwear so I didn’t totally contaminate the inside of my truck. 

Looking back, I can call them interesting now, but at the time my descriptions were slightly different. Skunks are fairly laid-back critters, and if caught in an enclosed trap or in a cage trap covered with a tarp, can often be carted away in the trap and unceremoniously dumped somewhere without incident.

Some years ago, as a new trapper I caught one in a large cage trap set for bobcats, possibly a first for both me and the skunk. 

As I slowly approached the cage, the silly thing ran to the back and began an acrobatics display fit for a circus. First up one side, across the back by its front claws then down the other side it went, twirling like a little black and white ballerina. With great effort and a long stick, I got the cage door propped open, then turned and ran, 'cause I knew Pepe’ would be charging the open door for his freedom. At a safe distance I turned to watch, and there it still hung like Spiderman on the inside of the cage.

 My next plan involved rushing the cage, arms flailing and shouting at the top of my lungs, hoping to scare the critter out the open front door. It didn’t take me long to see how this would turn disastrous and the maneuver was called off in mid-charge.

 I had other traps to check, so I opted to leave for awhile, then just stop on my way back through and reset the trap after Pepe’ had vamoosed. A half hour later I found it still in the trap, curled up in a fuzzy little black and white ball in the back corner of the cage. I finally just left and the thing vanished sometime overnight.

Another encounter took place just a short distance from town where I had a large skunk caught in a foothold coyote trap. Despite most people’s thinking, foothold traps usually cause a critter no more than a sore foot for awhile, but this skunk appeared to be stone cold dead. I stood and marveled at its beautiful silky fur as it rippled in the wind, and tried to figure what had caused its demise. It had the trap completely covered so I needed to push it aside to remove it. 

Both the skunk and the trap were going to stink already, and not anxious to drive home again in my stocking feet or underwear, I found a nice sturdy stick to roll it out of the way. I don’t know who was most surprised, the sleeping skunk when I poked it with the stick or me when it suddenly jumped to its feet! This encounter did not end in disaster (for me) but it gave new meaning to the old cliché’ “Things are not always as they seem.”

I’ve never understood how the term “skunked” came to mean basically getting nothing, as in getting “skunked” on a fishing trip. They are amazing little creatures that are very good at doing what God created them to do. Their fur is soft and silky; their essence is prized by trappers and the perfume industry and they’re actually fun to watch as they waddle along. But if you ever get “skunked” by messing with one, I guarantee you’ll get way more than nothing! 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595247134425.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas OutdoorsI recently agreed to see if a skunk needed evicted from beneath a friend’s empty home that is for sale. She said she was in the house the other day and it smelled terribly “skunky” inside, making her think one might be living under the porch. My glasses have transition lenses that turn really dark in the sunlight, so as I blindly peered into the darkness beneath the porch, I wondered aloud how bad the situation might turn if I suddenly came face-to-face (and hopefully not face-to-butt) with the resident skunk.I’ve had some interesting adventures involving skunks in traps, the worst of which led to a drive home in my underwear so I didn’t totally contaminate the inside of my truck. Looking back, I can call them interesting now, but at the time my descriptions were slightly different. Skunks are fairly laid-back critters, and if caught in an enclosed trap or in a cage trap covered with a tarp, can often be carted away in the trap and unceremoniously dumped somewhere without incident.Some years ago, as a new trapper I caught one in a large cage trap set for bobcats, possibly a first for both me and the skunk. As I slowly approached the cage, the silly thing ran to the back and began an acrobatics display fit for a circus. First up one side, across the back by its front claws then down the other side it went, twirling like a little black and white ballerina. With great effort and a long stick, I got the cage door propped open, then turned and ran, 'cause I knew Pepe’ would be charging the open door for his freedom. At a safe distance I turned to watch, and there it still hung like Spiderman on the inside of the cage. My next plan involved rushing the cage, arms flailing and shouting at the top of my lungs, hoping to scare the critter out the open front door. It didn’t take me long to see how this would turn disastrous and the maneuver was called off in mid-charge. I had other traps to check, so I opted to leave for awhile, then just stop on my way back through and reset the trap after Pepe’ had vamoosed. A half hour later I found it still in the trap, curled up in a fuzzy little black and white ball in the back corner of the cage. I finally just left and the thing vanished sometime overnight.Another encounter took place just a short distance from town where I had a large skunk caught in a foothold coyote trap. Despite most people’s thinking, foothold traps usually cause a critter no more than a sore foot for awhile, but this skunk appeared to be stone cold dead. I stood and marveled at its beautiful silky fur as it rippled in the wind, and tried to figure what had caused its demise. It had the trap completely covered so I needed to push it aside to remove it. Both the skunk and the trap were going to stink already, and not anxious to drive home again in my stocking feet or underwear, I found a nice sturdy stick to roll it out of the way. I don’t know who was most surprised, the sleeping skunk when I poked it with the stick or me when it suddenly jumped to its feet! This encounter did not end in disaster (for me) but it gave new meaning to the old cliché’ “Things are not always as they seem.”I’ve never understood how the term “skunked” came to mean basically getting nothing, as in getting “skunked” on a fishing trip. They are amazing little creatures that are very good at doing what God created them to do. Their fur is soft and silky; their essence is prized by trappers and the perfume industry and they’re actually fun to watch as they waddle along. But if you ever get “skunked” by messing with one, I guarantee you’ll get way more than nothing! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Skunks I have met

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

A bill currently before the Kansas House would ban required diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) courses at the state’s public colleges and universities. Supporters argue that institutions should offer “more diverse academic opportunities that are not against a student’s political, religious, moral or ethical beliefs.” On its face, this claim appears to champion intellectual openness. In practice, however, it misunderstands the purpose of higher education and deprives students of the rigorous learning environment that universities are designed to provide.

Higher education is not meant to function as an echo chamber for students’ pre-existing worldviews. Its central mission has always been to expand knowledge, foster critical thinking, and encourage engagement with complexity. College is one of the few structured environments where young adults can test their assumptions, encounter unfamiliar perspectives, and engage in reflection supported by research rather than insulated by comfort. Shielding students from ideas that challenge their beliefs undermines this mission entirely.

This understanding of higher education’s mission traces directly to our country’s founding. Several Founders explicitly argued that a democratic society requires citizens capable of reasoning through complex ideas. Thomas Jefferson, for example, maintained that education must cultivate critical thinkers who can meaningfully participate in civic life. He warned that democratic freedom depends on an informed, analytically capable public.

This civic purpose is not only a long-standing academic principle—it aligns with public sentiment in Kansas. According to the 2025 Kansas Speaks survey, 55.8% of Kansans believe the primary goal of higher education is to create an educated citizenry, while only 34.1% say workforce development should be the dominant aim. These findings affirm that Kansans value universities as institutions that cultivate analytical citizens capable of democratic engagement, not as ideological safe havens designed to avoid friction with personal beliefs.

Courses addressing race, gender, culture, and inequality play a crucial role in this intellectual development. They draw on decades of peer-reviewed research in political science, sociology, psychology, history, and education. Despite false reports to the contrary, DEI courses do not require students to adopt a particular political ideology; rather, they teach students how systems, data, and lived experiences intersect to produce real-world outcomes. Students are free to&nbsp;disagree with the interpretations presented, but disagreement is most meaningful when it emerges from informed engagement rather than avoidance.

Kansans also signal broad support for the underlying value of diversity in public life. The 2025 Kansas Speaks data show that 59.8% agree that Kansas government becomes stronger when elected officials are more diverse, compared with only 8.2% who disagree. This belief—that diversity enhances institutional strength—undermines the notion that engaging with difference is inherently divisive or ideological. If diversity strengthens government, it follows that young adults benefit from learning how to navigate, understand, and appreciate diverse perspectives before they enter civic and professional life.

The legislators’ concern—that students should not be confronted with material that challenges their beliefs—reflects a fundamental misconception about what universities are for. Higher education does not exist to affirm; it exists to question. It does not exist to soothe; it exists to stimulate growth. Students will carry their political, religious, and ethical commitments with them throughout their education, but the university’s role is to equip them with the analytical tools to understand those commitments in a broader context.

The Founders made clear that democratic governance requires citizens who are able to confront rather than avoid difficult questions. Jefferson and Adams both argued that education must develop citizens prepared for the moral and political complexities of republican life—not individuals shielded from discomfort. Their belief was that democratic institutions survive only when the populace can wrestle with complexity and evaluate competing claims.

Kansas should be investing in opportunities that broaden students’ horizons, not narrowing them. Intellectual diversity is not achieved by restricting academic content; it is achieved by engaging with it fully, especially when it invites discomfort.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771516581042.jpeg" alt="Alexandra Middlewood. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Alexandra Middlewood. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight KansasA bill currently before the Kansas House would ban required diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) courses at the state’s public colleges and universities. Supporters argue that institutions should offer “more diverse academic opportunities that are not against a student’s political, religious, moral or ethical beliefs.” On its face, this claim appears to champion intellectual openness. In practice, however, it misunderstands the purpose of higher education and deprives students of the rigorous learning environment that universities are designed to provide.Higher education is not meant to function as an echo chamber for students’ pre-existing worldviews. Its central mission has always been to expand knowledge, foster critical thinking, and encourage engagement with complexity. College is one of the few structured environments where young adults can test their assumptions, encounter unfamiliar perspectives, and engage in reflection supported by research rather than insulated by comfort. Shielding students from ideas that challenge their beliefs undermines this mission entirely.This understanding of higher education’s mission traces directly to our country’s founding. Several Founders explicitly argued that a democratic society requires citizens capable of reasoning through complex ideas. Thomas Jefferson, for example, maintained that education must cultivate critical thinkers who can meaningfully participate in civic life. He warned that democratic freedom depends on an informed, analytically capable public.This civic purpose is not only a long-standing academic principle—it aligns with public sentiment in Kansas. According to the 2025 Kansas Speaks survey, 55.8% of Kansans believe the primary goal of higher education is to create an educated citizenry, while only 34.1% say workforce development should be the dominant aim. These findings affirm that Kansans value universities as institutions that cultivate analytical citizens capable of democratic engagement, not as ideological safe havens designed to avoid friction with personal beliefs.Courses addressing race, gender, culture, and inequality play a crucial role in this intellectual development. They draw on decades of peer-reviewed research in political science, sociology, psychology, history, and education. Despite false reports to the contrary, DEI courses do not require students to adopt a particular political ideology; rather, they teach students how systems, data, and lived experiences intersect to produce real-world outcomes. Students are free to&nbsp;disagree with the interpretations presented, but disagreement is most meaningful when it emerges from informed engagement rather than avoidance.Kansans also signal broad support for the underlying value of diversity in public life. The 2025 Kansas Speaks data show that 59.8% agree that Kansas government becomes stronger when elected officials are more diverse, compared with only 8.2% who disagree. This belief—that diversity enhances institutional strength—undermines the notion that engaging with difference is inherently divisive or ideological. If diversity strengthens government, it follows that young adults benefit from learning how to navigate, understand, and appreciate diverse perspectives before they enter civic and professional life.The legislators’ concern—that students should not be confronted with material that challenges their beliefs—reflects a fundamental misconception about what universities are for. Higher education does not exist to affirm; it exists to question. It does not exist to soothe; it exists to stimulate growth. Students will carry their political, religious, and ethical commitments with them throughout their education, but the university’s role is to equip them with the analytical tools to understand those commitments in a broader context.The Founders made clear that democratic governance requires citizens who are able to confront rather than avoid difficult questions. Jefferson and Adams both argued that education must develop citizens prepared for the moral and political complexities of republican life—not individuals shielded from discomfort. Their belief was that democratic institutions survive only when the populace can wrestle with complexity and evaluate competing claims.Kansas should be investing in opportunities that broaden students’ horizons, not narrowing them. Intellectual diversity is not achieved by restricting academic content; it is achieved by engaging with it fully, especially when it invites discomfort.

Insight Kansas: Higher education should challenge students, not shield them

When I grew up in the 60s, girls could play sports with boys at recess if they played rough as guys--no handicapping because they had to play in a dress. By the time I got to junior high, schools offered girls basketball, volleyball, softball, and track, but no football or soccer. Girls’ basketball played with odd rules—a split court with offense on one side and defense on the other—only the ball passed across the center line. By the time our daughters competed, females played 5-man full court. Recently, girls’ athletics added the option of wrestling. With a granddaughter grappling for the first time this year, we face a steep learning curve. The critical lesson learned so far: It ain’t over til it’s over.

Our ten-year-old, a ranch kid, feels more at home on horseback herding cattle or squatting in dusty corrals to help during annual brandings than she does competing in a ball game. She tried soccer and preferred working cows. This year, inspired by her cousin, she tried wrestling. The individualist in her found a sport she loves, leading her fans to heart-stopping moments and laughter.

Parents and sis support her 110 percent, getting her to practices, acquiring necessary gear, and doubling up on weekend chores to attend wrestling events. Mom found affordable shoes on Marketplace that caused giggles. When Coach asked our very literal gal where she got her foot wear, she answered, “Mom got ‘em off a lady’s porch.” Mom quickly explained the pre-arranged purchase. More laughs followed as we watched videos filmed by an enthusiastic little sis. Camera focus tilts wildly as ad lib commentary reveals the photographer’s commitment. “I believe in you, Sissy!”

Wrestling requires physical participation. Athletes clash muscle to muscle, fighting to survive 3 one-minute periods as opponents attempt to knot them into pretzels and pin their shoulders to the mat. Attend any weekend match to find over-crowded parking lots and standing-room only for latecomers supporting youngsters giving this sport their all.

Our grand is a novice. Good coaches guide her, allowing her to discover she loves one-on-one competition and the confidence she gains from watching and supporting others, losing, and winning. She and her loved ones have relished every opportunity to explore this intense sport that delivers character development in spades.

This sport more than some demands a burning desire to overcome painful opposition. It also demands quick analytical and decision-making skills as well as stamina to either overpower stronger competitors or employ strategic leverage to win. It also means athletes and their fans can’t let scoreboards psych them out. Loved ones alternate between holding their breath or cheering loud enough to rattle rafters as they encourage their wrestlers to hang tough. Staying in the fight is essential.

It’s high-tension time when wrestlers are down 15 points with 3 seconds left. If they flip that opponent to their back and pin them with only a heartbeat left, they win. Sometimes we think we’re licked when we aren’t. Wrestling teaches that life lesson early. Considering girls didn’t experience this when I was a school girl, I’m thrilled to watch gyms filled with singlet-clad little girls realizing the match “ain’t over til it’s over.”

Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771443109168.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINWhen I grew up in the 60s, girls could play sports with boys at recess if they played rough as guys--no handicapping because they had to play in a dress. By the time I got to junior high, schools offered girls basketball, volleyball, softball, and track, but no football or soccer. Girls’ basketball played with odd rules—a split court with offense on one side and defense on the other—only the ball passed across the center line. By the time our daughters competed, females played 5-man full court. Recently, girls’ athletics added the option of wrestling. With a granddaughter grappling for the first time this year, we face a steep learning curve. The critical lesson learned so far: It ain’t over til it’s over.Our ten-year-old, a ranch kid, feels more at home on horseback herding cattle or squatting in dusty corrals to help during annual brandings than she does competing in a ball game. She tried soccer and preferred working cows. This year, inspired by her cousin, she tried wrestling. The individualist in her found a sport she loves, leading her fans to heart-stopping moments and laughter.Parents and sis support her 110 percent, getting her to practices, acquiring necessary gear, and doubling up on weekend chores to attend wrestling events. Mom found affordable shoes on Marketplace that caused giggles. When Coach asked our very literal gal where she got her foot wear, she answered, “Mom got ‘em off a lady’s porch.” Mom quickly explained the pre-arranged purchase. More laughs followed as we watched videos filmed by an enthusiastic little sis. Camera focus tilts wildly as ad lib commentary reveals the photographer’s commitment. “I believe in you, Sissy!”Wrestling requires physical participation. Athletes clash muscle to muscle, fighting to survive 3 one-minute periods as opponents attempt to knot them into pretzels and pin their shoulders to the mat. Attend any weekend match to find over-crowded parking lots and standing-room only for latecomers supporting youngsters giving this sport their all.Our grand is a novice. Good coaches guide her, allowing her to discover she loves one-on-one competition and the confidence she gains from watching and supporting others, losing, and winning. She and her loved ones have relished every opportunity to explore this intense sport that delivers character development in spades.This sport more than some demands a burning desire to overcome painful opposition. It also demands quick analytical and decision-making skills as well as stamina to either overpower stronger competitors or employ strategic leverage to win. It also means athletes and their fans can’t let scoreboards psych them out. Loved ones alternate between holding their breath or cheering loud enough to rattle rafters as they encourage their wrestlers to hang tough. Staying in the fight is essential.It’s high-tension time when wrestlers are down 15 points with 3 seconds left. If they flip that opponent to their back and pin them with only a heartbeat left, they win. Sometimes we think we’re licked when we aren’t. Wrestling teaches that life lesson early. Considering girls didn’t experience this when I was a school girl, I’m thrilled to watch gyms filled with singlet-clad little girls realizing the match “ain’t over til it’s over.”Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

Madorin: It’s not over 'til it’s over

By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors

A friend texted me this morning to say he had nearly choked on his coffee when a woodpecker unexpectedly began hammering on the side of his house. 

Whether it’s fishing along a deserted stretch of riverbank, or attempting to sit motionless and silently under a tree or bush awaiting a spring gobbler, I’ve always noticed that there seems to be an apparent abundance of woodpeckers in the spring. 

I’m not complaining, mind you, as their staccato hammering is a nice percussion addition to nature’s spring symphony. It’s just that I seem to hear so many more of them in spring than any other time of the year. Well, I believe I’ve found the answer to my question, and here’s a little “Woodpecker 101” to boot.

Woodpeckers are found everywhere on the planet except Australia, New Zealand and Madagascar. The largest is the great slaty in southeast Asia that can grow to 20 inches long, and the smallest are only 3 to 4 inches long and belong to a group from South America called the piculets. 

 Woodpeckers mate for life, and after eggs are laid, both parents help with incubation. 

They are omnivores, meaning they eat most anything, and their diet includes insects and insect larvae, tree sap, seeds and nuts. Most woodpeckers have long tongues to reach deep into holes to extract insects and larvae. That tongue can be as long as four inches on certain species and when not in use it’s actually stored wrapped around the back of its head in a special sort of pouch between the skin and the skull. 

Woodpeckers are easy to spot in flight as they have a very different and distinct flight pattern. They flap their wings three times and then glide, then three more flaps, then glide, etc. until they reach their destination; this flight pattern never changes.

I’m sure we’ve all seen woodpeckers hanging vertically from the side of a tree as they dig for insects, and God has specifically designed them for all aspects of that job. 

The toes of their feet point both forward and backwards to hold them in place, and they have long stiffened tail feathers that prop them up like leaning against the back of a chair. 

Their beaks are long, slender and uniquely self-sharpening, and the machine-gun-like sound we hear them making as they drill for insects and grubs is known as “drumming.” Woodpeckers’ brains are&nbsp;protected by special air pockets in their skulls that cushion each blow as they drum, which can be 20 times per second and amount to more than 10, 000 times each day.

I’ve always thought that woodpeckers hammered away on trees and poles solely to search for insects and larvae, but I’ve learned that’s only part of the story. 

Both male and female woodpeckers drum, and besides digging for food, they drum to excavate den holes in dead trees, which they do anew each year, and since woodpeckers do not have vocal songs, they drum to communicate, and to establish territories and attract mates if they don’t have one. So, it all fits that I would hear them more often now in early spring as they prepare new nests, establish their territories and communicate to prospective mates.

Ya’ know, the Kansas outdoors is one huge classroom, and it’s great when I also learn something from what I write. And by the way, this year the most famous woodpecker of all times, Woody, turns 85 years old; that’s a lot of drummin’! 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770745989380.jpeg" alt="Red-headed woodpecker. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Red-headed woodpecker. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors A friend texted me this morning to say he had nearly choked on his coffee when a woodpecker unexpectedly began hammering on the side of his house. Whether it’s fishing along a deserted stretch of riverbank, or attempting to sit motionless and silently under a tree or bush awaiting a spring gobbler, I’ve always noticed that there seems to be an apparent abundance of woodpeckers in the spring. I’m not complaining, mind you, as their staccato hammering is a nice percussion addition to nature’s spring symphony. It’s just that I seem to hear so many more of them in spring than any other time of the year. Well, I believe I’ve found the answer to my question, and here’s a little “Woodpecker 101” to boot.Woodpeckers are found everywhere on the planet except Australia, New Zealand and Madagascar. The largest is the great slaty in southeast Asia that can grow to 20 inches long, and the smallest are only 3 to 4 inches long and belong to a group from South America called the piculets. Kansas is home to about a dozen species. Woodpeckers mate for life, and after eggs are laid, both parents help with incubation. They are omnivores, meaning they eat most anything, and their diet includes insects and insect larvae, tree sap, seeds and nuts. Most woodpeckers have long tongues to reach deep into holes to extract insects and larvae. That tongue can be as long as four inches on certain species and when not in use it’s actually stored wrapped around the back of its head in a special sort of pouch between the skin and the skull. Woodpeckers are easy to spot in flight as they have a very different and distinct flight pattern. They flap their wings three times and then glide, then three more flaps, then glide, etc. until they reach their destination; this flight pattern never changes.I’m sure we’ve all seen woodpeckers hanging vertically from the side of a tree as they dig for insects, and God has specifically designed them for all aspects of that job. The toes of their feet point both forward and backwards to hold them in place, and they have long stiffened tail feathers that prop them up like leaning against the back of a chair. Their beaks are long, slender and uniquely self-sharpening, and the machine-gun-like sound we hear them making as they drill for insects and grubs is known as “drumming.” Woodpeckers’ brains are&nbsp;protected by special air pockets in their skulls that cushion each blow as they drum, which can be 20 times per second and amount to more than 10, 000 times each day.I’ve always thought that woodpeckers hammered away on trees and poles solely to search for insects and larvae, but I’ve learned that’s only part of the story. Both male and female woodpeckers drum, and besides digging for food, they drum to excavate den holes in dead trees, which they do anew each year, and since woodpeckers do not have vocal songs, they drum to communicate, and to establish territories and attract mates if they don’t have one. So, it all fits that I would hear them more often now in early spring as they prepare new nests, establish their territories and communicate to prospective mates.Ya’ know, the Kansas outdoors is one huge classroom, and it’s great when I also learn something from what I write. And by the way, this year the most famous woodpecker of all times, Woody, turns 85 years old; that’s a lot of drummin’! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Woodpeckers: Nature’s little drummers

By BILL FIANDER Insight Kansas

By many measures, one could argue the Kelly-Toland years have been the biggest economic boon the state has ever seen.

Pick any measure…$30 billion of private sector investment (most per capita in nation), almost 80,000 new or retained jobs that pay 7.7% more than the average private sector wage in Kansas, highest ever Kansas exports, four consecutive Golden Shovel awards, a recent $3 billion budget surplus, or the coup de grace…securing the biggest economic win in state history luring the Chiefs from Missouri.

Just don’t pick population growth. At least on its face. 

Last month, census population estimates were released for 2025 showing Kansas, while achieving a modicum of growth since 2020 (1.3%), lagged all neighboring states (Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Nebraska) who averaged 2.8%, or more than double the rate of Kansas. The U.S. growth rate was 3.0%.

It’s hard to beat population growth as the gold standard metric for economic success in localities. It’s easy to see why when a community’s fortunes are tethered to it.

For example, in growing communities, if it costs each taxpayer $100 to provide “good” schools in their community, having more people (i.e., income) effectively allows the government to either lower everyone’s taxes to maintain the same level of service or keep spending levels at $100 for “better” schools. Either choice makes the community more competitive.

Conversely, communities with declining populations are death spirals. Fewer taxpayers paying $100 for “good” schools forces a decision point on local government – increase taxes to maintain “good” schools or keep them flat for “okay” schools. 

Either choice is a losing proposition and just induces more middle class wage earners to vote with their feet leaving behind a cost of operation fewer people can afford in their wake.

So, while adding jobs and private sector investment are significant precursors to growing population, why is Kansas’ population gains underachieving?

Of the seven biggest developments that opened under Kelly-Toland, four dot growing urbanizing counties between 2020-2024 – NBAF/Riley (0.8%), NBAF/Pottawatomie (6.0%), Panasonic/Johnson (3.7%), Integra/Sedgwick (2.3%), and Urban Outfitters/Wyandotte (0.1%). Wyandotte springboards to 2.2% since 2022. 

The remaining three developments dot shrinking rural to semi-rural counties - Hilmar Cheese/Ford (-0.6%), Schwan’s&nbsp;Pizza/Saline (-1.6%), and Amber Wave/Phillips (-5.0%). 

Localized population growth is happening, but when 75% of the 105 counties have not grown since 2020, statewide gains fight an uphill battle.

Another trend affecting state population is the nation’s own growth. Population math made simple: take births, minus deaths, factor arriving and departing migrants. This formula ensured U.S. population growth was unstoppable over its 250-year history. And in turn helped states grow.

By 2030, U.S. deaths will likely outnumber births. Without natural growth, only net migration remains. And under current immigration policies, net international migration has plummeted so much that the U.S. population could shrink for the first-time in its history next year. 

Kansas’s own international migration in 2024-25 cratered to 7,440 from the previous year’s 13,829 due to the chilling effect on new migrants rather than deportations.

In conclusion, the Kelly-Toland wins have shown some silver linings even in the face of these obstacles. 

Last year, Kansas domestic net migration increased by 4,000 people from the previous year, virtually all 39,000+ people added to Kansas since 2020 occurred since 2022, and many big STAR Bond projects focus on out-of-state visitors – a proxy for temporary population growth.

Good signs that the massive economic wins under Kelly-Toland stand to bear population&nbsp;fruit.

Bill Fiander teaches university-level courses in Kansas covering state/local government, public administration, and city planning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757520322866.jpeg" alt="Bill Fiander. Photo by Megan Martin" />
 <figcaption>Bill Fiander. Photo by Megan Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BILL FIANDER Insight KansasBy many measures, one could argue the Kelly-Toland years have been the biggest economic boon the state has ever seen.Pick any measure…$30 billion of private sector investment (most per capita in nation), almost 80,000 new or retained jobs that pay 7.7% more than the average private sector wage in Kansas, highest ever Kansas exports, four consecutive Golden Shovel awards, a recent $3 billion budget surplus, or the coup de grace…securing the biggest economic win in state history luring the Chiefs from Missouri.Just don’t pick population growth. At least on its face. Last month, census population estimates were released for 2025 showing Kansas, while achieving a modicum of growth since 2020 (1.3%), lagged all neighboring states (Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Nebraska) who averaged 2.8%, or more than double the rate of Kansas. The U.S. growth rate was 3.0%.It’s hard to beat population growth as the gold standard metric for economic success in localities. It’s easy to see why when a community’s fortunes are tethered to it.For example, in growing communities, if it costs each taxpayer $100 to provide “good” schools in their community, having more people (i.e., income) effectively allows the government to either lower everyone’s taxes to maintain the same level of service or keep spending levels at $100 for “better” schools. Either choice makes the community more competitive.Conversely, communities with declining populations are death spirals. Fewer taxpayers paying $100 for “good” schools forces a decision point on local government – increase taxes to maintain “good” schools or keep them flat for “okay” schools. Either choice is a losing proposition and just induces more middle class wage earners to vote with their feet leaving behind a cost of operation fewer people can afford in their wake.So, while adding jobs and private sector investment are significant precursors to growing population, why is Kansas’ population gains underachieving?It depends how one looks at it.Of the seven biggest developments that opened under Kelly-Toland, four dot growing urbanizing counties between 2020-2024 – NBAF/Riley (0.8%), NBAF/Pottawatomie (6.0%), Panasonic/Johnson (3.7%), Integra/Sedgwick (2.3%), and Urban Outfitters/Wyandotte (0.1%). Wyandotte springboards to 2.2% since 2022. The remaining three developments dot shrinking rural to semi-rural counties - Hilmar Cheese/Ford (-0.6%), Schwan’s&nbsp;Pizza/Saline (-1.6%), and Amber Wave/Phillips (-5.0%). Localized population growth is happening, but when 75% of the 105 counties have not grown since 2020, statewide gains fight an uphill battle.Another trend affecting state population is the nation’s own growth. Population math made simple: take births, minus deaths, factor arriving and departing migrants. This formula ensured U.S. population growth was unstoppable over its 250-year history. And in turn helped states grow.Until now.By 2030, U.S. deaths will likely outnumber births. Without natural growth, only net migration remains. And under current immigration policies, net international migration has plummeted so much that the U.S. population could shrink for the first-time in its history next year. Kansas’s own international migration in 2024-25 cratered to 7,440 from the previous year’s 13,829 due to the chilling effect on new migrants rather than deportations.In conclusion, the Kelly-Toland wins have shown some silver linings even in the face of these obstacles. Last year, Kansas domestic net migration increased by 4,000 people from the previous year, virtually all 39,000+ people added to Kansas since 2020 occurred since 2022, and many big STAR Bond projects focus on out-of-state visitors – a proxy for temporary population growth.Good signs that the massive economic wins under Kelly-Toland stand to bear population&nbsp;fruit.Bill Fiander teaches university-level courses in Kansas covering state/local government, public administration, and city planning.

Insight Kansas: Are Kansas’ economic wins also translating to population wins?

By MARK R. JOSLYN Insight Kansas

Kansas Democrats last won a U.S. Senate seat in 1932. That’s the longest active losing streak in the nation.&nbsp;

There’s only been one close race. In 1974, Bob Dole edged Bill Roy by 1.7 points. Democrats haven’t come close since.

Which raises the question: What would it take for Democrats to finally break the streak?

First, the broader political environment must break decisively in their favor. Second, they must field a top-tier candidate.

Let’s consider the environment.&nbsp;Since 1934, the president’s party has lost an average of four Senate seats in midterm elections. High presidential approval can blunt those losses and in rare cases, like 2002 in the aftermath of 9/11, even produce gains.

Low approval can increase them, like in 2006, when George W. Bush’s approval fell to the low 30s and Republicans lost six Senate seats.

Trump’s approval rating has slipped steadily since taking office and is especially low among Independents whose support will be crucial in November.

Midterm elections also have much lower voter turnout than presidential years. The smaller electorate tilts heavily toward the out-party, which is more motivated to regain power.&nbsp;

In addition, shifting party coalitions benefit Democrats. Democrat voters today are more affluent and educated than in the past, characteristics strongly associated with political participation, especially in off-year election cycles. Thus, intense Democrat motivation to stop Trump, stronger turnout propensity, and Trump’s low approval ratings together create a rare opening for Kansas Democrats.&nbsp;

Yet, so far, the Senate contest has failed to attract topnotch candidates.&nbsp;Laura Kelley ruled it out.&nbsp; Barbara Bollier, who turned in the most competitive performance by a Democrat in a quarter-century, losing by 11 points against Roger Marshall in 2020, appears content working behind the scenes.&nbsp;

That brings us to U.S. Representative Sharice Davids. 

Citing Republican plans to gerrymander her congressional district, Davids signaled a potential Senate bid, though nothing official. While gerrymandering efforts seem to have lost momentum, they’ve worked to Davids’s advantage, amplifying her visibility and providing an unambiguous vehicle for attacking Republican overreach and extremism, themes that historically play well for Kansas Democrats.

For 2025, Davids raised&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H8KS03155/?tab=raising">2.3 million</a>, nearly forty percent coming from small donations under $200.&nbsp; During the same time period, incumbent Senator Marshall raised&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S0KS00315/?cycle=2026&amp;election_full=false&amp;tab=raising">2.5 million</a>, with high dollar contributions over $2,000 making up the largest share.

Davids has also established herself as a formidable campaigner. She not only unseated four-term incumbent Kevin Yoder by a commanding nine-point margin in 2018 but has since turned the third congressional district into a reliably blue seat.&nbsp;

In advanced forecasting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://split-ticket.org/full-wins-above-replacement-war-database/">models</a>, Davids stands out, repeatedly outperforming expectations derived from political fundamentals.

By contrast, Marshall underperforms, falling well short of what an average Republican candidate would achieve given the environmental conditions.

Davids, in other words, could be the Democrat who ends the streak.&nbsp;

She would undoubtedly attract national attention, having already broken down barriers, becoming a historic first in several categories.&nbsp;Now, the chance to dismantle another long-standing barrier lies ahead. If you value political competition, you’re hoping Davids takes that chance.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Mark R. Joslyn is a professor of political science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767841383793.png" alt="Mark R. Joslyn. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Mark R. Joslyn. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK R. JOSLYN Insight KansasKansas Democrats last won a U.S. Senate seat in 1932. That’s the longest active losing streak in the nation.&nbsp;There’s only been one close race. In 1974, Bob Dole edged Bill Roy by 1.7 points. Democrats haven’t come close since.Which raises the question: What would it take for Democrats to finally break the streak?First, the broader political environment must break decisively in their favor. Second, they must field a top-tier candidate. Let’s consider the environment.&nbsp;Since 1934, the president’s party has lost an average of four Senate seats in midterm elections. High presidential approval can blunt those losses and in rare cases, like 2002 in the aftermath of 9/11, even produce gains. Low approval can increase them, like in 2006, when George W. Bush’s approval fell to the low 30s and Republicans lost six Senate seats. Trump’s approval rating has slipped steadily since taking office and is especially low among Independents whose support will be crucial in November. Midterm elections also have much lower voter turnout than presidential years. The smaller electorate tilts heavily toward the out-party, which is more motivated to regain power.&nbsp;In addition, shifting party coalitions benefit Democrats. Democrat voters today are more affluent and educated than in the past, characteristics strongly associated with political participation, especially in off-year election cycles. Thus, intense Democrat motivation to stop Trump, stronger turnout propensity, and Trump’s low approval ratings together create a rare opening for Kansas Democrats.&nbsp;Yet, so far, the Senate contest has failed to attract topnotch candidates.&nbsp;Laura Kelley ruled it out.&nbsp; Barbara Bollier, who turned in the most competitive performance by a Democrat in a quarter-century, losing by 11 points against Roger Marshall in 2020, appears content working behind the scenes.&nbsp;That brings us to U.S. Representative Sharice Davids. Citing Republican plans to gerrymander her congressional district, Davids signaled a potential Senate bid, though nothing official. While gerrymandering efforts seem to have lost momentum, they’ve worked to Davids’s advantage, amplifying her visibility and providing an unambiguous vehicle for attacking Republican overreach and extremism, themes that historically play well for Kansas Democrats.For 2025, Davids raised&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H8KS03155/?tab=raising">2.3 million</a>, nearly forty percent coming from small donations under $200.&nbsp; During the same time period, incumbent Senator Marshall raised&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S0KS00315/?cycle=2026&amp;election_full=false&amp;tab=raising">2.5 million</a>, with high dollar contributions over $2,000 making up the largest share. Davids has also established herself as a formidable campaigner. She not only unseated four-term incumbent Kevin Yoder by a commanding nine-point margin in 2018 but has since turned the third congressional district into a reliably blue seat.&nbsp;In advanced forecasting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://split-ticket.org/full-wins-above-replacement-war-database/">models</a>, Davids stands out, repeatedly outperforming expectations derived from political fundamentals.By contrast, Marshall underperforms, falling well short of what an average Republican candidate would achieve given the environmental conditions.Davids, in other words, could be the Democrat who ends the streak.&nbsp;She would undoubtedly attract national attention, having already broken down barriers, becoming a historic first in several categories.&nbsp;Now, the chance to dismantle another long-standing barrier lies ahead. If you value political competition, you’re hoping Davids takes that chance.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Mark R. Joslyn is a professor of political science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

Insight Kansas: No better time than now

Sen. Rick Billinger&nbsp;Newsletter February 2, 2026 Topeka

Budget work for the 2026-2027 cycle began early this year. The House met a week before this year’s session began to start developing its budget, and the Senate followed by beginning its work on the second day of session. This is the second year that the House and Senate have worked on their own budget/bills and have not waited for the Governor’s budget. 

The Senate is using the subcommittees and some of our standing committees to hear agencies budget and requests for enhancements. Our subcommittees have been meeting every day not only during committee time but also early in the morning before session starts, over lunch hours and after our work on the Senate floor. 

This week the first week in February we will finish subcommittee work and be ready to build our budget the second week of February. A key challenge this year will be finding ways to reduce the total budget while maintaining core priorities. Throughout the session, I will try to keep you updated on the budget process.

Some of the bills that have been debated on the floor and passed are as follows: Kansas becomes the 20th state to approve the Convention of States. Last session the Senate approved the Convention of States and this year the House passed the resolution calling for a Convention of States under Article 5 of the United States Constitution. 

Under Article 5 of the United States Constitution, there are two methods of adopting a constitutional amendment-Congress adopting said amendments by a two-third majority and then being ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures; or a convention of states, which is called when at least thirty-four state legislatures adopt a similar resolution. 

Any amendments proposed from said convention would then need to be ratified by at least thirty-eight states to become part of the United States Constitution.

The Kansas Senate has the responsibility of confirming nominees by various state officers, usually the Governor. This week, the Senate cleared twenty-one nominees for various boards and commissions.

Senate Resolution 1615 passed honoring Charlie Kirk, through his work at Turning Point USA. Charlie Kirk showcased his commitment to free speech and civil discourse on college campuses across the country, and it is through his efforts we are now seeing a renewed nationwide commitment to promoting free speech for all. 

The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 1615 recognizing Charlie Kirk on his birthday October 14th- as Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day.

I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644852447177.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist.&nbsp;File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist.&nbsp;File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Sen. Rick Billinger&nbsp;Newsletter February 2, 2026 TopekaBudget work for the 2026-2027 cycle began early this year. The House met a week before this year’s session began to start developing its budget, and the Senate followed by beginning its work on the second day of session. This is the second year that the House and Senate have worked on their own budget/bills and have not waited for the Governor’s budget. The Senate is using the subcommittees and some of our standing committees to hear agencies budget and requests for enhancements. Our subcommittees have been meeting every day not only during committee time but also early in the morning before session starts, over lunch hours and after our work on the Senate floor. This week the first week in February we will finish subcommittee work and be ready to build our budget the second week of February. A key challenge this year will be finding ways to reduce the total budget while maintaining core priorities. Throughout the session, I will try to keep you updated on the budget process.Some of the bills that have been debated on the floor and passed are as follows: Kansas becomes the 20th state to approve the Convention of States. Last session the Senate approved the Convention of States and this year the House passed the resolution calling for a Convention of States under Article 5 of the United States Constitution. Under Article 5 of the United States Constitution, there are two methods of adopting a constitutional amendment-Congress adopting said amendments by a two-third majority and then being ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures; or a convention of states, which is called when at least thirty-four state legislatures adopt a similar resolution. Any amendments proposed from said convention would then need to be ratified by at least thirty-eight states to become part of the United States Constitution.The Kansas Senate has the responsibility of confirming nominees by various state officers, usually the Governor. This week, the Senate cleared twenty-one nominees for various boards and commissions.Senate Resolution 1615 passed honoring Charlie Kirk, through his work at Turning Point USA. Charlie Kirk showcased his commitment to free speech and civil discourse on college campuses across the country, and it is through his efforts we are now seeing a renewed nationwide commitment to promoting free speech for all. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 1615 recognizing Charlie Kirk on his birthday October 14th- as Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day.I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.

BILLINGER: Senate update, Feb. 2

In today's fast-paced world, finding a balance between work and life can often be a challenge. However, Fort Hays State University has taken steps towards prioritizing the health and happiness of its staff, faculty, and students. Through its innovative wellness initiative, Well Tiges, FHSU fosters a healthier working environment and creates a community dedicated to holistic wellness.

Well Tiges was launched by our Student Affairs Division last year with the aim of creating a supportive and vibrant working environment. This program has since grown into a diverse community of wellness seekers, benefiting all faculty and staff members at the university.

The initiative focuses on the full spectrum of well-being, incorporating mental, physical, social, occupational, financial, and other dimensions of whole-person wellness. Monthly educational meetings serve as a cornerstone, providing participants with practical knowledge and strategies to apply daily. “The initiative encourages camaraderie and mutual support among employees, fostering a sense of community as different departments unite their efforts to enhance their health and well-being,” shared Kelly Meyer, an online admissions advisor, and a Well Tiges steering committee member.

The success of Well Tiges is demonstrated in the improved wellness of its participants and the overall sense of support and accountability within the community. The program recently expanded to include every faculty and staff member at FHSU, further solidifying the idea that a healthy and happy team is crucial for the success of any institution.

Robyn Brungardt from financial aid shared her positive experience with Well Tiges:

“Last year, Student Affairs launched the Well Tiges program, and I chose to participate. It required me to be accountable and gave me the tools to keep track of my mind, body, and soul. We often think of wellness as just an activity, but it is so much more. Well Tiges made me think about reading for fun, working on my finances and budget, and my overall well-being. My son was getting married in the spring, which helped me lose weight and feel better for the big event. It is always more fun to exercise with friends and colleagues. I am so glad it is a campus-wide initiative now and am thankful the university supports me in this journey.”

At the core of the Well Tiges program lies the belief that small, sustainable changes can significantly impact personal well-being. Drawing inspiration from James Clear's book, "Atomic Habits," the initiative encourages participants to build their wellness path using a habits and systems-based approach. By developing new habits, individuals can modify their behaviors and reshape their identities.

Jess Albin, interim director of counseling services and a Well Tiges steering committee member, shared the following example: suppose a person is trying to quit smoking. When offered a cigarette, a person focused on behavior modification might say, “No thanks. I’m trying to quit smoking.” A person developing a new identity might say, “No thanks, I’m not a smoker.” Consequently, part of the Well Tiges program includes the distribution of “Identity Stickers” at events where participants can complete the following sentence, “I am the type of person who.....”

Well Tiges is an optional, year-long program designed to accommodate individual preferences and schedules. Participants have the flexibility to choose events that align with their interests and goals. The program emphasizes developing and maintaining unique habits that contribute&nbsp;to personal health and happiness, providing participants with the tools necessary to create their own positive and fulfilling lifestyle. Or as described by Jess, “Well Tiges provides the hammer. It is up to each employee to decide where to put the nail.”

The Well Tiges steering committee selects a specific dimension of wellness each month and then creates themed group events and activities. Weekly events such as Park Further Friday, Walk and Talk, and a biking group offer additional opportunities for physical activity and socialization.

Additionally, Well Tiges encourages participants to engage in actions that promote well-being, such as checking in on loved ones' mental health on World Mental Health Day. The program also includes special events like Well-Being Day, where participants can enjoy chair massages, healthy snacks, and a hydration bar provided through a collaboration with the FHSU Massage Clinic.

A student wellness companion, introduced by faculty from our health and human performance department, “Exercise is Medicine on Campus,”&nbsp; is a program developed by the American College of Sports Medicine. 

The expansion of Well Tiges in this manner further supports the university's commitment to wellness. The vision of this program is to see students discover, share, and adopt behaviors to promote a culture of physical activity and chronic disease prevention and management.

“Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public health problem and contributes to various chronic diseases and health complications. Health and human performance professionals love creating relationships with people that facilitate positivity and joy around physical activity and movement,” shared assistant professor Emily Washburn.

This program will also offer health and human performance undergraduate and graduate students first-hand experience facilitating Exercise is Medicine on Campus program elements.

Well Tiges offers a personalized approach to well-being, encouraging participants to make sustainable lifestyle changes and create a positive impact on their overall quality of life. 

Fort Hays State University's Well Tiges program is a testament to our university’s dedication to the health and happiness of its employees. By fostering a supportive and vibrant working environment and promoting wellness, FHSU is setting a remarkable example.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Tisa Mason" />
 <figcaption>Tisa Mason</figcaption>
 </figure>In today's fast-paced world, finding a balance between work and life can often be a challenge. However, Fort Hays State University has taken steps towards prioritizing the health and happiness of its staff, faculty, and students. Through its innovative wellness initiative, Well Tiges, FHSU fosters a healthier working environment and creates a community dedicated to holistic wellness.Well Tiges was launched by our Student Affairs Division last year with the aim of creating a supportive and vibrant working environment. This program has since grown into a diverse community of wellness seekers, benefiting all faculty and staff members at the university.The initiative focuses on the full spectrum of well-being, incorporating mental, physical, social, occupational, financial, and other dimensions of whole-person wellness. Monthly educational meetings serve as a cornerstone, providing participants with practical knowledge and strategies to apply daily. “The initiative encourages camaraderie and mutual support among employees, fostering a sense of community as different departments unite their efforts to enhance their health and well-being,” shared Kelly Meyer, an online admissions advisor, and a Well Tiges steering committee member.The success of Well Tiges is demonstrated in the improved wellness of its participants and the overall sense of support and accountability within the community. The program recently expanded to include every faculty and staff member at FHSU, further solidifying the idea that a healthy and happy team is crucial for the success of any institution.Robyn Brungardt from financial aid shared her positive experience with Well Tiges:“Last year, Student Affairs launched the Well Tiges program, and I chose to participate. It required me to be accountable and gave me the tools to keep track of my mind, body, and soul. We often think of wellness as just an activity, but it is so much more. Well Tiges made me think about reading for fun, working on my finances and budget, and my overall well-being. My son was getting married in the spring, which helped me lose weight and feel better for the big event. It is always more fun to exercise with friends and colleagues. I am so glad it is a campus-wide initiative now and am thankful the university supports me in this journey.”At the core of the Well Tiges program lies the belief that small, sustainable changes can significantly impact personal well-being. Drawing inspiration from James Clear's book, "Atomic Habits," the initiative encourages participants to build their wellness path using a habits and systems-based approach. By developing new habits, individuals can modify their behaviors and reshape their identities.Jess Albin, interim director of counseling services and a Well Tiges steering committee member, shared the following example: suppose a person is trying to quit smoking. When offered a cigarette, a person focused on behavior modification might say, “No thanks. I’m trying to quit smoking.” A person developing a new identity might say, “No thanks, I’m not a smoker.” Consequently, part of the Well Tiges program includes the distribution of “Identity Stickers” at events where participants can complete the following sentence, “I am the type of person who.....”Well Tiges is an optional, year-long program designed to accommodate individual preferences and schedules. Participants have the flexibility to choose events that align with their interests and goals. The program emphasizes developing and maintaining unique habits that contribute&nbsp;to personal health and happiness, providing participants with the tools necessary to create their own positive and fulfilling lifestyle. Or as described by Jess, “Well Tiges provides the hammer. It is up to each employee to decide where to put the nail.”The Well Tiges steering committee selects a specific dimension of wellness each month and then creates themed group events and activities. Weekly events such as Park Further Friday, Walk and Talk, and a biking group offer additional opportunities for physical activity and socialization.Additionally, Well Tiges encourages participants to engage in actions that promote well-being, such as checking in on loved ones' mental health on World Mental Health Day. The program also includes special events like Well-Being Day, where participants can enjoy chair massages, healthy snacks, and a hydration bar provided through a collaboration with the FHSU Massage Clinic.A student wellness companion, introduced by faculty from our health and human performance department, “Exercise is Medicine on Campus,”&nbsp; is a program developed by the American College of Sports Medicine. The expansion of Well Tiges in this manner further supports the university's commitment to wellness. The vision of this program is to see students discover, share, and adopt behaviors to promote a culture of physical activity and chronic disease prevention and management.“Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public health problem and contributes to various chronic diseases and health complications. Health and human performance professionals love creating relationships with people that facilitate positivity and joy around physical activity and movement,” shared assistant professor Emily Washburn.This program will also offer health and human performance undergraduate and graduate students first-hand experience facilitating Exercise is Medicine on Campus program elements.Well Tiges offers a personalized approach to well-being, encouraging participants to make sustainable lifestyle changes and create a positive impact on their overall quality of life. Fort Hays State University's Well Tiges program is a testament to our university’s dedication to the health and happiness of its employees. By fostering a supportive and vibrant working environment and promoting wellness, FHSU is setting a remarkable example.

Heart of a Tiger:  FHSU’s Well Tigers Program cultivates wellness and work-life balance   

By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight Kansas

It has been fourteen years since former Governor Sam Brownback’s disastrous “Great Experiment,” which cratered state revenues, slashed social services, and landed the state in court over school funding. Have policymakers already forgotten? Perhaps so.

Last year, the Kansas Legislature passed another income tax cut over Governor Laura Kelly’s veto. Like Brownback, legislators claimed that the tax cut would pay for itself with economic growth and net migration. Instead, this year, the Legislature seeks to close a $200 million shortfall by battering already hard-hit higher education and social services.

On the border, Missourians had a front-row seat to watch the Brownback experiment. Yet this year, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe proposed a near carbon copy of Brownback’s plan, including incremental reduction of the state tax rates (Brownback’s “glide path to zero”) and the false promise that lost revenues can be made up with economic growth and net migration, along with use taxes, which are sales taxes on services.

Since Kansans and their neighbors seem to have forgotten, here is a brief primer on the Great Experiment. In 2012, Brownback convinced the Legislature to incrementally lower the state income tax and replace the revenue with compensating use taxes, economic growth, and net migration. Three tax brackets were reduced to two, the top bracket was reduced from 6.45 to 4.9%, and LLCs paid no tax at all.

Public revenues plummeted by more than half a billion dollars during the first year after the tax cut. They remained at this lower level consistently until a bipartisan supermajority overrode a veto and ended the experiment in 2017. Use taxes replaced less than a quarter of the revenue lost.

No economic growth or net migration resulted from the Experiment. In fact, during this period, Kansas had lower net migration than all neighboring states– each of which has an income tax. Nor was it popular. Shortly before he resigned the governorship to become U.S. Ambassador of Religious Freedom, Brownback had the second-lowest popularity rating of any U.S. governor.

To cope with this manmade disaster, the state adjusted by cutting funding for social services so low that children were sleeping in welfare offices. The federal government threatened to pull funding from state mental health facilities due to understaffing. Prison riots broke out in overcrowded conditions. The state also borrowed over $1 billion from the highway trust fund (the “Bank of KDOT”), and eliminated funding for the arts. The state cut school funding so much that it landed in court. The Legislature’s attempt to replace the Base State Aid formula for schools with block grants was also rejected by the courts. The formula was restored the following year. During the Experiment, school districts were forced to rely more on property taxes to replace state aid.

None of this should come as a surprise. According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, states without an income tax have property taxes that are 12% higher and sales taxes that are 20% higher, on average. Property taxes fall hardest on retired homeowners with fixed incomes, while sales taxes fall hardest on the poor.

They say that those who don’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. This year, both the Kansas Legislature and the Missouri Governor seem bound and determined to prove this true.

Michael Smith is a professor of political science at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751494323778.jpeg" alt="Michael Smith. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight KansasIt has been fourteen years since former Governor Sam Brownback’s disastrous “Great Experiment,” which cratered state revenues, slashed social services, and landed the state in court over school funding. Have policymakers already forgotten? Perhaps so.Last year, the Kansas Legislature passed another income tax cut over Governor Laura Kelly’s veto. Like Brownback, legislators claimed that the tax cut would pay for itself with economic growth and net migration. Instead, this year, the Legislature seeks to close a $200 million shortfall by battering already hard-hit higher education and social services.On the border, Missourians had a front-row seat to watch the Brownback experiment. Yet this year, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe proposed a near carbon copy of Brownback’s plan, including incremental reduction of the state tax rates (Brownback’s “glide path to zero”) and the false promise that lost revenues can be made up with economic growth and net migration, along with use taxes, which are sales taxes on services.Since Kansans and their neighbors seem to have forgotten, here is a brief primer on the Great Experiment. In 2012, Brownback convinced the Legislature to incrementally lower the state income tax and replace the revenue with compensating use taxes, economic growth, and net migration. Three tax brackets were reduced to two, the top bracket was reduced from 6.45 to 4.9%, and LLCs paid no tax at all.Public revenues plummeted by more than half a billion dollars during the first year after the tax cut. They remained at this lower level consistently until a bipartisan supermajority overrode a veto and ended the experiment in 2017. Use taxes replaced less than a quarter of the revenue lost.No economic growth or net migration resulted from the Experiment. In fact, during this period, Kansas had lower net migration than all neighboring states– each of which has an income tax. Nor was it popular. Shortly before he resigned the governorship to become U.S. Ambassador of Religious Freedom, Brownback had the second-lowest popularity rating of any U.S. governor.To cope with this manmade disaster, the state adjusted by cutting funding for social services so low that children were sleeping in welfare offices. The federal government threatened to pull funding from state mental health facilities due to understaffing. Prison riots broke out in overcrowded conditions. The state also borrowed over $1 billion from the highway trust fund (the “Bank of KDOT”), and eliminated funding for the arts. The state cut school funding so much that it landed in court. The Legislature’s attempt to replace the Base State Aid formula for schools with block grants was also rejected by the courts. The formula was restored the following year. During the Experiment, school districts were forced to rely more on property taxes to replace state aid.None of this should come as a surprise. According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, states without an income tax have property taxes that are 12% higher and sales taxes that are 20% higher, on average. Property taxes fall hardest on retired homeowners with fixed incomes, while sales taxes fall hardest on the poor.They say that those who don’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. This year, both the Kansas Legislature and the Missouri Governor seem bound and determined to prove this true.Michael Smith is a professor of political science at Emporia State University.

Insight Kansas: Are we already forgetting Sam Brownback's tax-cutting "great experiment"

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By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Outdoor Kansas

In an 1892 football game against its arch rival Yale, Harvard unveiled a football formation called the “flying wedge” also known as the “flying V.” In this formation, the entire team lined up in a V-shaped wedge around the player with the ball and headed down the field. 

The logic was that no defender could reach the ball carrier until the players forming the sides of the wedge were knocked out of the way, which was difficult to do since the V-shape allowed each player to help the man in front of and behind him. 

Although illegal to use in football today, the flying V is still the basis of many football plays. It is the most common and most effective formation used in the game of rugby, it is still used by military tank and armored units, and the flying V was a play used by the Mighty Ducks hockey team in the popular Disney movies.

Each fall here in Inman, KS, USA, the skies fill with honking geese leaving the nearby wetlands heading for local wheat and stalk fields to feed. For days there will be so many in fields within ear shot of town that their squawking fills the air even when no geese can be seen. 

It’s like an old-World War II movie where wave after wave of fighter planes and bombers cover the sky. The Vs of geese are all shapes and sizes; some perfectly shaped, some haphazard, some fly straight as an arrow, some meander back and forth across the sky like weeds in a stream, and some seem so close together it’s hard to tell where one V stops and the next starts. But they all had one thing in common; they flew in some sort of V formation.

Several years ago, while thinking about the dynamics of this flying formation, I contacted Helen Hands, who was then a Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks biologist, who shared with me from her wealth of knowledge as the waterfowl specialist at Cheyene Bottoms.

One theory suggests that this V-formation is nothing more than a way for the birds to stay in better visual contact with each other and to avoid losing stragglers as the flock covers the vast distance required during annual migration.

The more widely accepted explanation deals with aerodynamics. It seems everything that flies, be it beast or machine, produces some amount of turbulence with its wings, known as “upwash” and “downwash,” causing “drag” as it moves through the air. 

However, a second set of wings correctly positioned behind and to one side of the first, benefits from a reduction in drag caused by that set of wings in front of it. We know this as “drafting,” a ploy used by racecar drivers to reduce the drag on their own car, thus using less fuel. What I didn’t know is that in a wedge of flying geese, each bird benefits slightly from the bird behind it also.

A link on the website www.aerospaceweb.com explains the aerodynamics involved in a V of flying geese. As commonly thought, the front bird as leader of the pack, works harder than the ones behind it. However, according to this website, each bird helps dissipate the turbulence caused by the bird in front of it, so the leader as well as each subsequent bird also gets some help from those behind it. This means that in actuality, the back two birds work harder than most of the flock since they have no followers.&nbsp;

The bottom line is that birds flying this way don’t flap their wings as hard or as often, their muscles work less and their heart rates are slower than birds flying solo. Research shows that a group of 25 or more birds in a V formation can fly 70% farther than if flying alone.

We have all noticed that the lead bird in a wedge of geese changes periodically and is replaced by another. This website suggests that the trailing two birds do the same since they also work a little harder than most. 

Helen told me the timing of these replacements is probably determined by the age and physical fitness of the individual geese plus wind speed and direction, among other factors. She said that migrating geese often travel as family groups, the pair and their offspring from that year, so the number of geese in any particular V is possibly determined by the size of certain family groups traveling together.

Once again, as usual, it appears that God’s creatures had this flying V thing figured out long before even Harvard, and furthermore, judging from what I see as I gaze skyward around here each fall, it’s still legal for geese to use it! 

By the way, do you know why one side of a V of geese is always longer than the other? That’s because there are more geese on that side!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768930624044.jpeg" alt="Geese flying in classic V formation. Photo by Ben Mieremet/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration" />
 <figcaption>Geese flying in classic V formation. Photo by Ben Mieremet/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Outdoor KansasIn an 1892 football game against its arch rival Yale, Harvard unveiled a football formation called the “flying wedge” also known as the “flying V.” In this formation, the entire team lined up in a V-shaped wedge around the player with the ball and headed down the field. The logic was that no defender could reach the ball carrier until the players forming the sides of the wedge were knocked out of the way, which was difficult to do since the V-shape allowed each player to help the man in front of and behind him. Although illegal to use in football today, the flying V is still the basis of many football plays. It is the most common and most effective formation used in the game of rugby, it is still used by military tank and armored units, and the flying V was a play used by the Mighty Ducks hockey team in the popular Disney movies.Each fall here in Inman, KS, USA, the skies fill with honking geese leaving the nearby wetlands heading for local wheat and stalk fields to feed. For days there will be so many in fields within ear shot of town that their squawking fills the air even when no geese can be seen. It’s like an old-World War II movie where wave after wave of fighter planes and bombers cover the sky. The Vs of geese are all shapes and sizes; some perfectly shaped, some haphazard, some fly straight as an arrow, some meander back and forth across the sky like weeds in a stream, and some seem so close together it’s hard to tell where one V stops and the next starts. But they all had one thing in common; they flew in some sort of V formation.Several years ago, while thinking about the dynamics of this flying formation, I contacted Helen Hands, who was then a Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks biologist, who shared with me from her wealth of knowledge as the waterfowl specialist at Cheyene Bottoms.One theory suggests that this V-formation is nothing more than a way for the birds to stay in better visual contact with each other and to avoid losing stragglers as the flock covers the vast distance required during annual migration.The more widely accepted explanation deals with aerodynamics. It seems everything that flies, be it beast or machine, produces some amount of turbulence with its wings, known as “upwash” and “downwash,” causing “drag” as it moves through the air. However, a second set of wings correctly positioned behind and to one side of the first, benefits from a reduction in drag caused by that set of wings in front of it. We know this as “drafting,” a ploy used by racecar drivers to reduce the drag on their own car, thus using less fuel. What I didn’t know is that in a wedge of flying geese, each bird benefits slightly from the bird behind it also.A link on the website www.aerospaceweb.com explains the aerodynamics involved in a V of flying geese. As commonly thought, the front bird as leader of the pack, works harder than the ones behind it. However, according to this website, each bird helps dissipate the turbulence caused by the bird in front of it, so the leader as well as each subsequent bird also gets some help from those behind it. This means that in actuality, the back two birds work harder than most of the flock since they have no followers.&nbsp;The bottom line is that birds flying this way don’t flap their wings as hard or as often, their muscles work less and their heart rates are slower than birds flying solo. Research shows that a group of 25 or more birds in a V formation can fly 70% farther than if flying alone.We have all noticed that the lead bird in a wedge of geese changes periodically and is replaced by another. This website suggests that the trailing two birds do the same since they also work a little harder than most. Helen told me the timing of these replacements is probably determined by the age and physical fitness of the individual geese plus wind speed and direction, among other factors. She said that migrating geese often travel as family groups, the pair and their offspring from that year, so the number of geese in any particular V is possibly determined by the size of certain family groups traveling together.Once again, as usual, it appears that God’s creatures had this flying V thing figured out long before even Harvard, and furthermore, judging from what I see as I gaze skyward around here each fall, it’s still legal for geese to use it! By the way, do you know why one side of a V of geese is always longer than the other? That’s because there are more geese on that side!Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Drafting, goose-style

By&nbsp;RUSSELL ARBEN FOX Insight Kansas

Seven months from now, on August 6, 2026, Kansas voters will see on their primary ballots an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://legiscan.com/KS/text/SCR1611/2025">amendment to the state constitution</a>&nbsp;that they can vote “yes” or “no” on:

The citizens of Kansas who are qualified electors shall elect the justices of the supreme court. The rules applicable for such elections and the designation of position numbers shall be provided by law.

The supporters of this amendment—primarily the Republican caucus in the Kansas legislature, as they were the ones who pushed to get the amendment on the ballot, but also conservative organizations like Americans for Prosperity and the Kansas Policy Institute—insist that their aim,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_s_fed_st_1/documents/testimony/20250225_02.pdf">in the words of Senate President Ty Masterson</a>, is to “shine the light of democracy” on the selection of state Supreme Court justices, a process that is currently, “veiled by a commission.”

Kansans love the idea of transparency and choice, at least in principle. But when it comes to extending that idea to the judiciary, this claim sometimes confuses people. 

Since those who serve as justices on the U.S. Supreme Court are, like every judge on the federal level, appointed for life rather than elected, it seems perfectly normal to many to see the judicial branch as entirely apolitical, so much so that I occasionally have students who are first-time voters ask worryingly as to why retention votes for state judges show up on their ballots. (When I tell them that Thomas Jefferson, responding to the unavoidably political nature of some Supreme Court decisions, was sympathetic to the idea that the House of Representatives should elect the justices rather than the president appointing them, they get even more perplexed.)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750955074364.jpeg" alt="Russell Arben Fox. Courtsy photo" />
 <figcaption>Russell Arben Fox. Courtsy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;RUSSELL ARBEN FOX Insight KansasSeven months from now, on August 6, 2026, Kansas voters will see on their primary ballots an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://legiscan.com/KS/text/SCR1611/2025">amendment to the state constitution</a>&nbsp;that they can vote “yes” or “no” on:The citizens of Kansas who are qualified electors shall elect the justices of the supreme court. The rules applicable for such elections and the designation of position numbers shall be provided by law.The supporters of this amendment—primarily the Republican caucus in the Kansas legislature, as they were the ones who pushed to get the amendment on the ballot, but also conservative organizations like Americans for Prosperity and the Kansas Policy Institute—insist that their aim,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_s_fed_st_1/documents/testimony/20250225_02.pdf">in the words of Senate President Ty Masterson</a>, is to “shine the light of democracy” on the selection of state Supreme Court justices, a process that is currently, “veiled by a commission.”Kansans love the idea of transparency and choice, at least in principle. But when it comes to extending that idea to the judiciary, this claim sometimes confuses people. Since those who serve as justices on the U.S. Supreme Court are, like every judge on the federal level, appointed for life rather than elected, it seems perfectly normal to many to see the judicial branch as entirely apolitical, so much so that I occasionally have students who are first-time voters ask worryingly as to why retention votes for state judges show up on their ballots. (When I tell them that Thomas Jefferson, responding to the unavoidably political nature of some Supreme Court decisions, was sympathetic to the idea that the House of Representatives should elect the justices rather than the president appointing them, they get even more perplexed.)In truth, once one embraces the idea of a supposedly independent judiciary to interpret the law, every system for determining who will serve as those judges is a complicated compromise.Kansas’s system for state judges is not unique, but it is a relatively rare combination of merit (nomination by a judicial commission, appointment by governor) and voting (elections to stay in office at the end of one’s term). It’s an approach shared, in one form or another, by 17 other states. Not that straightforward elections are employed by all the rest; only 21 states allow voters to choose their state Supreme Court justices directly. Ultimately, the methods of choosing justices, on any court level,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brennancenter.org/judicial-selection-map">vary greatly from state to state</a>—and there is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://effectivegov.uchicago.edu/primers/elected-vs-appointed-judges">no clear evidence that one method is always better</a>&nbsp;in terms of judicial trust, fairness, and accountability than any other.Former Kansas Chief Justice Lawton Nuss is one of those who has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/22/former-kansas-supreme-court-chief-justice-joins-national-alliance-to-promote-rule-of-law/">criticized the amendment</a>, calling the election of state Supreme Court justices a “<a target="_blank" href="https://otter.ai/u/P3HZPcfw2TmylZONJMx4UT-MuIs?utm_source=copy_url">really bad idea</a>.” He is joined by numerous state organizations, many of which point out that the arguments for the amendment made by the Republican majority in Topeka often just focused on electing judges who would overturn past rulings on abortion and education, rather than principled concerns about democracy.I would just add that it’s important to note that the amendment says nothing about the “rules” of the “elections” that “shall be provided by law.” Most of the states that hold elections for their state justices require those elections to be nonpartisan. Others require them to be held by district throughout the state. Without any such language, one should probably assume that whatever elections emerge from the amendment will be state-wide, majority-driven, and partisan. Something to keep in mind before next summer’s vote.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

Opinion