Have you ever had a day where things just weren’t going the way you wanted? I know I sure have and just a couple of weeks ago, I acted like…. well, a brat, to a colleague. I all but stomped my foot in frustration and growled at someone who that I shouldn’t have. The frustration at the situation was very real but my reaction was more than it needed to be.

The 4-H motto is Learning by Doing and that applies to every aspect of life. Youth aren’t always going to make the best decisions; actually, many adults I know don’t always make the best decisions. However, our goal should always be to fairly evaluate the facts and our reaction. If we are fair in evaluating ourselves, we need to look at: do I have all the facts? Did I over-react? Will this really matter in 10 days or 10 years? What can I learn today to apply tomorrow?

Depending on the appropriateness of our reaction, we may need to own our mistake and apologize. In my case, that involved a heart-felt apology delivered with a box of cookies.

I encourage youth to stop and think about their actions and reactions. As leaders of youth, it is important to model behaviors which include apologizing when needed as well as giving them the space to learn and adjust. I encourage you to think about a situation recently that you might have handled differently and consider what you would change or if you need to make amends with someone.

Each of us are a work in progress but the goal is always progress!

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579114162620.jpeg" alt="Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Have you ever had a day where things just weren’t going the way you wanted? I know I sure have and just a couple of weeks ago, I acted like…. well, a brat, to a colleague. I all but stomped my foot in frustration and growled at someone who that I shouldn’t have. The frustration at the situation was very real but my reaction was more than it needed to be.The 4-H motto is Learning by Doing and that applies to every aspect of life. Youth aren’t always going to make the best decisions; actually, many adults I know don’t always make the best decisions. However, our goal should always be to fairly evaluate the facts and our reaction. If we are fair in evaluating ourselves, we need to look at: do I have all the facts? Did I over-react? Will this really matter in 10 days or 10 years? What can I learn today to apply tomorrow?Depending on the appropriateness of our reaction, we may need to own our mistake and apologize. In my case, that involved a heart-felt apology delivered with a box of cookies.I encourage youth to stop and think about their actions and reactions. As leaders of youth, it is important to model behaviors which include apologizing when needed as well as giving them the space to learn and adjust. I encourage you to think about a situation recently that you might have handled differently and consider what you would change or if you need to make amends with someone.Each of us are a work in progress but the goal is always progress!Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H and Youth Development related questions, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.

BERAN: A work in progress

The boat's high-tech gear locked us onto a spot where the walleyes began biting like crazy. The water was so rough that every couple minutes a wave broke over the bough, creating a constant stream of lake water down the middle of&nbsp;the boat toward the drain beneath, forcing us to run the bilge pump every five minutes. The boat’s owner and captain, who is as experienced a fisherman and boater&nbsp;as anyone I know muttered numerous times “I don’t know if it’s going to work for us to be out here!” …&nbsp;And then along came Carl; let me explain.

As I prepare to leave for our annual crappie / walleye fishing trip to Waconda Lake near Glen Elder, KS, I’m reminded of this story from years ago.&nbsp;Several men from our church men’s group gathered&nbsp;the first weekend of May&nbsp;some&nbsp;years back&nbsp;at Kanopolis Lake for&nbsp;an annual fishing trip.&nbsp;The entire trip was up-in-the-air because of the rain and weather, but Friday morning found three of us heading to the lake in the rain. By evening,&nbsp;optimistic&nbsp;reinforcements arrived with two&nbsp;more&nbsp;boats&nbsp;and&nbsp;afew more fishermen.&nbsp;By evening the rain had temporarily slowed to&nbsp;a&nbsp;drizzle, so after a pick-me-up of burgers, beans and chips, we all donned rain gear and headed toward the back side of the spillway where water released from the&nbsp;reservoir empties&nbsp;into&nbsp;the river below.&nbsp;Less than an hour later it was too dark to see well,&nbsp;so&nbsp;after&nbsp;many snagged and broken lines and&nbsp;only&nbsp;a couple&nbsp;fish,&nbsp;we retreated back to the cabins and made plans for the morning.&nbsp;

Saturday morning after a welcome hot breakfast of biscuits and gravy, we divided ourselves&nbsp;between the three&nbsp;boats and headed out onto the main lake. The air was still nippy and&nbsp;the sky was totally overcast with an occasional mist falling&nbsp;and the water was pretty choppy; quite good walleye fishing weather if you stayed warm and dry.&nbsp;By evening, having caught and released dozens of small&nbsp;walleyes, we headed in for dinner with&nbsp;21 nice walleyes in the coolers. The weather was supposed to break and clear off on Sunday, so we&nbsp;all&nbsp;turned in for the night with visions of awakening in the morning to a beautiful day of fishing.

Sunday morning dawned overcast, and seemed from the front porch&nbsp;of the cabins to be just slightly breezy, but no big deal. As we put the boats&nbsp;in,&nbsp;we could&nbsp;see that white caps dotted the lake, and&nbsp;a walkway at the dock was under a foot of&nbsp;water,&nbsp;but again,&nbsp;thought it to be&nbsp;no big deal. After a ride across the lake worthy of any amusement park, the boats high-tech&nbsp;gear&nbsp;locked the boat onto&nbsp;the spot described above, and&nbsp;just&nbsp;as we&nbsp;began to&nbsp;question our sanity, the boat’s&nbsp;owner hooked a fish that was to become the talk of the trip. All other fishing rods in the boat were brought in as back-and-forth they went. The fisherman would gain line, then the fish would take it out again. Finally, with all eyes on the two of them, the big fish was netted, and Carl the&nbsp;carp was&nbsp;brought aboard!

To understand Carl’s significance to the situation, you have to know that the boat’s owner and captain is a wizard among fishermen,&nbsp;and I swear can catch a “keeper” walleye from a mud puddle. But he also has a reputation&nbsp;for catching big carp, and because of his fishing prowess, he never hears the&nbsp;end of it when he does. Shortly thereafter, the third fisherman in our boat brought in a dandy big walleye which we quickly nicknamed Walter. With Carl and Walter held high&nbsp;as if to celebrate another triumph of the “great hunter-gatherers,”&nbsp;we drove past&nbsp;the other boats&nbsp;and headed toward the dock,&nbsp;just another day of fishing in God’s Wonderful Creation!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>The boat's high-tech gear locked us onto a spot where the walleyes began biting like crazy. The water was so rough that every couple minutes a wave broke over the bough, creating a constant stream of lake water down the middle of&nbsp;the boat toward the drain beneath, forcing us to run the bilge pump every five minutes. The boat’s owner and captain, who is as experienced a fisherman and boater&nbsp;as anyone I know muttered numerous times “I don’t know if it’s going to work for us to be out here!” …&nbsp;And then along came Carl; let me explain.As I prepare to leave for our annual crappie / walleye fishing trip to Waconda Lake near Glen Elder, KS, I’m reminded of this story from years ago.&nbsp;Several men from our church men’s group gathered&nbsp;the first weekend of May&nbsp;some&nbsp;years back&nbsp;at Kanopolis Lake for&nbsp;an annual fishing trip.&nbsp;The entire trip was up-in-the-air because of the rain and weather, but Friday morning found three of us heading to the lake in the rain. By evening,&nbsp;optimistic&nbsp;reinforcements arrived with two&nbsp;more&nbsp;boats&nbsp;and&nbsp;afew more fishermen.&nbsp;By evening the rain had temporarily slowed to&nbsp;a&nbsp;drizzle, so after a pick-me-up of burgers, beans and chips, we all donned rain gear and headed toward the back side of the spillway where water released from the&nbsp;reservoir empties&nbsp;into&nbsp;the river below.&nbsp;Less than an hour later it was too dark to see well,&nbsp;so&nbsp;after&nbsp;many snagged and broken lines and&nbsp;only&nbsp;a couple&nbsp;fish,&nbsp;we retreated back to the cabins and made plans for the morning.&nbsp;Saturday morning after a welcome hot breakfast of biscuits and gravy, we divided ourselves&nbsp;between the three&nbsp;boats and headed out onto the main lake. The air was still nippy and&nbsp;the sky was totally overcast with an occasional mist falling&nbsp;and the water was pretty choppy; quite good walleye fishing weather if you stayed warm and dry.&nbsp;By evening, having caught and released dozens of small&nbsp;walleyes, we headed in for dinner with&nbsp;21 nice walleyes in the coolers. The weather was supposed to break and clear off on Sunday, so we&nbsp;all&nbsp;turned in for the night with visions of awakening in the morning to a beautiful day of fishing.Sunday morning dawned overcast, and seemed from the front porch&nbsp;of the cabins to be just slightly breezy, but no big deal. As we put the boats&nbsp;in,&nbsp;we could&nbsp;see that white caps dotted the lake, and&nbsp;a walkway at the dock was under a foot of&nbsp;water,&nbsp;but again,&nbsp;thought it to be&nbsp;no big deal. After a ride across the lake worthy of any amusement park, the boats high-tech&nbsp;gear&nbsp;locked the boat onto&nbsp;the spot described above, and&nbsp;just&nbsp;as we&nbsp;began to&nbsp;question our sanity, the boat’s&nbsp;owner hooked a fish that was to become the talk of the trip. All other fishing rods in the boat were brought in as back-and-forth they went. The fisherman would gain line, then the fish would take it out again. Finally, with all eyes on the two of them, the big fish was netted, and Carl the&nbsp;carp was&nbsp;brought aboard!To understand Carl’s significance to the situation, you have to know that the boat’s owner and captain is a wizard among fishermen,&nbsp;and I swear can catch a “keeper” walleye from a mud puddle. But he also has a reputation&nbsp;for catching big carp, and because of his fishing prowess, he never hears the&nbsp;end of it when he does. Shortly thereafter, the third fisherman in our boat brought in a dandy big walleye which we quickly nicknamed Walter. With Carl and Walter held high&nbsp;as if to celebrate another triumph of the “great hunter-gatherers,”&nbsp;we drove past&nbsp;the other boats&nbsp;and headed toward the dock,&nbsp;just another day of fishing in God’s Wonderful Creation!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: The saga of Carl and Walter

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;&nbsp;

Remember when small town Kansas had filling stations instead of convenience stores?&nbsp;

Today we will meet an old time filling station, but this one is not about filling your gas tank. Instead, it’s about filling your stomach.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nancy Fife-Eagle and her daughter Beth Stockebrand are co-owners of Hys Filling Station, a diner in Yates Center. Nancy is vice president and compliance officer for GNBank in Yates Center. Beth is a nursing home administrator. Nancy and her husband live in the house where she grew up, in the nearby rural community of Toronto, population 281 people. Now, that’ s rural.&nbsp;

For decades, Yates Center had a small diner named Tip-Top Café. It had great memories for both Nancy and Beth.&nbsp;

“Tip-Top was my first job at 15 and I could barely drive,” Beth said. Her late father worked in the restaurant industry and even ran a small carryout place. “My dad was a really good cook.”&nbsp;

The Tip-Top Café closed and became another restaurant briefly, but was then abandoned. Beth attended Emporia State, married a Woodson County guy, and returned to the community.&nbsp;

In 2016, Nancy and Beth decided to purchase, remodel and reopen the old diner. “My husband is a car guy,” Beth said. “He runs an auto body shop in Iola so we wanted an automotive theme.”&nbsp;

In front of the diner, they installed an antique gas pump from her grandfather’s shop.&nbsp;&nbsp;Using the name Hys from Beth’s grandparent’s business name, they called it Hys Filling Station.&nbsp;

“A few people have pulled up to the pump and tried to get gas,” Nancy said with a smile.&nbsp;&nbsp;There’s no gasoline, but when those customers get inside, they find down-home family cooking and small town friendliness.&nbsp;

Hys Filling Station features hamburgers, cheeseburgers, pork tenderloin, chicken strips, chicken fried steak, ham and beans and much more.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’ve had people rave about our hamburgers, and our chicken and noodles always sells out,” Nancy said. “All of our hamburger is grown by a local farmer.”&nbsp;

There are daily specials, including casseroles and homemade chicken and noodles every Friday. The diner is open for breakfast and lunch.&nbsp;

This is a family affair. “Beth’s father-in-law, Ron Stockebrand, breads everything by hand,” Nancy said. Beth’s mother-in-law Patty makes pies.&nbsp;

In honor of Beth’s dad, there is an entree called the Herbie, which consists of a hamburger patty on Texas toast with handcut fries, chili and cheese.&nbsp;

“My 13-year old son washes dishes on Saturday,” Beth said. “I want to teach him a good work ethic.”&nbsp;

“(Working in the diner) brings us closer as a family,” Beth said. “When I make my dad’s chili, I think of him.”&nbsp;

Beth and Nancy credit the hard-working staff and supportive customers for the restaurant’s success.&nbsp;

“I like our customers, and this is all possible because we have great team members,” Beth said.&nbsp;

Nancy adds: “I enjoy our customers and our employees. We have a lot of fun.”&nbsp;

Small town friendliness abounds here. “We’re not a very big place, so folks will often share a table with someone else,” Nancy said. “Recently there was a couple in town for a funeral. They came in and sat down with another couple they didn’t know and by the time they left, they were friends. The one couple even paid for the other’s meal.”&nbsp;

“We like to connect with people,” Beth said. “When I leave here on Saturday, my heart is full.”&nbsp;

Hys Filling Station benefits from the fact that Yates Center is situated at the crossroads of Highways 75 and 54. For more information, search for Hys Filling Station on Facebook.&nbsp;

Remember when small town Kansas had filling stations instead of convenience stores?&nbsp;&nbsp;Today we can recapture that nostalgic theme while enjoying classic foods in a friendly setting.&nbsp;

We commend Nancy Fife-Eagle, Beth Stockebrand and all those involved with Hys Filling Station for making a difference with good food and friendship.&nbsp;&nbsp;Now let’s take a look at the menu and…Fill `er up!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652275897836.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;&nbsp;Remember when small town Kansas had filling stations instead of convenience stores?&nbsp;Today we will meet an old time filling station, but this one is not about filling your gas tank. Instead, it’s about filling your stomach.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nancy Fife-Eagle and her daughter Beth Stockebrand are co-owners of Hys Filling Station, a diner in Yates Center. Nancy is vice president and compliance officer for GNBank in Yates Center. Beth is a nursing home administrator. Nancy and her husband live in the house where she grew up, in the nearby rural community of Toronto, population 281 people. Now, that’ s rural.&nbsp;For decades, Yates Center had a small diner named Tip-Top Café. It had great memories for both Nancy and Beth.&nbsp;“Tip-Top was my first job at 15 and I could barely drive,” Beth said. Her late father worked in the restaurant industry and even ran a small carryout place. “My dad was a really good cook.”&nbsp;The Tip-Top Café closed and became another restaurant briefly, but was then abandoned. Beth attended Emporia State, married a Woodson County guy, and returned to the community.&nbsp;In 2016, Nancy and Beth decided to purchase, remodel and reopen the old diner. “My husband is a car guy,” Beth said. “He runs an auto body shop in Iola so we wanted an automotive theme.”&nbsp;In front of the diner, they installed an antique gas pump from her grandfather’s shop.&nbsp;&nbsp;Using the name Hys from Beth’s grandparent’s business name, they called it Hys Filling Station.&nbsp;“A few people have pulled up to the pump and tried to get gas,” Nancy said with a smile.&nbsp;&nbsp;There’s no gasoline, but when those customers get inside, they find down-home family cooking and small town friendliness.&nbsp;Hys Filling Station features hamburgers, cheeseburgers, pork tenderloin, chicken strips, chicken fried steak, ham and beans and much more.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’ve had people rave about our hamburgers, and our chicken and noodles always sells out,” Nancy said. “All of our hamburger is grown by a local farmer.”&nbsp;There are daily specials, including casseroles and homemade chicken and noodles every Friday. The diner is open for breakfast and lunch.&nbsp;This is a family affair. “Beth’s father-in-law, Ron Stockebrand, breads everything by hand,” Nancy said. Beth’s mother-in-law Patty makes pies.&nbsp;In honor of Beth’s dad, there is an entree called the Herbie, which consists of a hamburger patty on Texas toast with handcut fries, chili and cheese.&nbsp;“My 13-year old son washes dishes on Saturday,” Beth said. “I want to teach him a good work ethic.”&nbsp;“(Working in the diner) brings us closer as a family,” Beth said. “When I make my dad’s chili, I think of him.”&nbsp;Beth and Nancy credit the hard-working staff and supportive customers for the restaurant’s success.&nbsp;“I like our customers, and this is all possible because we have great team members,” Beth said.&nbsp;Nancy adds: “I enjoy our customers and our employees. We have a lot of fun.”&nbsp;Small town friendliness abounds here. “We’re not a very big place, so folks will often share a table with someone else,” Nancy said. “Recently there was a couple in town for a funeral. They came in and sat down with another couple they didn’t know and by the time they left, they were friends. The one couple even paid for the other’s meal.”&nbsp;“We like to connect with people,” Beth said. “When I leave here on Saturday, my heart is full.”&nbsp;Hys Filling Station benefits from the fact that Yates Center is situated at the crossroads of Highways 75 and 54. For more information, search for Hys Filling Station on Facebook.&nbsp;Remember when small town Kansas had filling stations instead of convenience stores?&nbsp;&nbsp;Today we can recapture that nostalgic theme while enjoying classic foods in a friendly setting.&nbsp;We commend Nancy Fife-Eagle, Beth Stockebrand and all those involved with Hys Filling Station for making a difference with good food and friendship.&nbsp;&nbsp;Now let’s take a look at the menu and…Fill `er up!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Hys Filling Station, Yates Center

While a few serious
issues continue to be debated in committee and the courts, basically the 2022
legislative session is a wrap. And once again, Medicaid expansion didn’t pass.

True, the
legislature agreed upon an expansion of the postpartum health coverage offered
under KanCare to new mothers, which is an important step. But the broader
expansion of Medicaid, the one embraced by 38 states (including every state
that borders Kansas), the one supported by nearly 80% of Kansas voters, is
still firmly opposed by a majority of the Republicans those voters sent to
Topeka. Why this is the case remains puzzling. One reason may be the
misinformation about Medicaid expansion frequently spread by Republican
leaders--often intentionally, but also sometimes due to their own confusion.

The traditional
conservative line against expanding Medicaid coverage to people who have no
medical insurance through their low-paying jobs and cannot afford private
insurance, but still aren’t poor enough to meet KanCare’s strict requirements,
is that doing so would increase the number of “able-bodied” people receiving
government assistance, and that’s bad. That position can be argued with, of
course, but at least it reflects an ideological position familiar to Kansans.

Lately though, leading
Republicans have also taken to claiming that Medicaid expansion must be fought
in order defend those Kansans already on Medicaid. Representative Dan Hawkins,
the Republican majority leader in the Kansas House, recently made this case,
insisting that in states which have expanded Medicaid high enrollments have
“crowd[ed] out other state budget priorities,” lengthened waiting lists, and
left those states with “less to spend on things like education and public
safety.” These claims either lack context or are simply incorrect.

It is true that
Medicaid enrollments in the states which have expanded their programs have been
far higher than anticipated, especially during the pandemic. But the evidence
for Rep. Hawkins’s other claims is very thin. Medicaid expansion, it must be
remembered, was part of the overall reform of American health care which the
Affordable Care Act created over a decade ago, and taps federal resources to
cover Medicaid costs. An extensive study of the budgets in all states where
Medicaid has been expanded--published by the non-partisan Commonwealth
Fund--concluded that the budgetary burden of Medicaid payments in most of those
states actually declined, even with higher than estimated enrollments. And
whatever additional costs and bureaucratic transitions came with managing those
Medicaid applicants, they were almost never large enough to threaten existing
programs or force tax increases to maintain balanced budgets.

Hawkins’s warning
about people dying while waiting for treatment under Medicaid in expansion
states sounds worrisome—until you remember similar tragedies characterize
waiting lists in non-expansion states. When dealing the health needs of the
working poor and disabled, there’s always plenty of frightening statistics
available. But pitting those currently receiving KanCare assistance against
those Kansans struggling to survive on incomes that put them below the poverty
line misses the whole point of Medicaid in the first place.

Ultimately, when
Hawkins writes that “expansion in Kansas will result in the same outcome as it
has in every other state where it has been implemented,” he’s actually arguing
in favor of a positive change. My recommendation to anti-expansion Republicans
like Hawkins, therefore, is to stick with their well-understood, Brownback-era,
anti-welfare and libertarian arguments. Trying to claim that the policy changes
which Medicaid expansion would entail for some Kansans receiving its assistance
is itself an argument for denying of it to other equally needy people simply
doesn’t work.

Dr. Russell Arben
Fox teaches politics in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586443443315.jpeg" alt="Professor Russell Arben Fox directs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita, KS." />
 <figcaption>Professor Russell Arben Fox directs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita, KS.</figcaption>
 </figure>While a few serious
issues continue to be debated in committee and the courts, basically the 2022
legislative session is a wrap. And once again, Medicaid expansion didn’t pass.True, the
legislature agreed upon an expansion of the postpartum health coverage offered
under KanCare to new mothers, which is an important step. But the broader
expansion of Medicaid, the one embraced by 38 states (including every state
that borders Kansas), the one supported by nearly 80% of Kansas voters, is
still firmly opposed by a majority of the Republicans those voters sent to
Topeka. Why this is the case remains puzzling. One reason may be the
misinformation about Medicaid expansion frequently spread by Republican
leaders--often intentionally, but also sometimes due to their own confusion.The traditional
conservative line against expanding Medicaid coverage to people who have no
medical insurance through their low-paying jobs and cannot afford private
insurance, but still aren’t poor enough to meet KanCare’s strict requirements,
is that doing so would increase the number of “able-bodied” people receiving
government assistance, and that’s bad. That position can be argued with, of
course, but at least it reflects an ideological position familiar to Kansans.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lately though, leading
Republicans have also taken to claiming that Medicaid expansion must be fought
in order defend those Kansans already on Medicaid. Representative Dan Hawkins,
the Republican majority leader in the Kansas House, recently made this case,
insisting that in states which have expanded Medicaid high enrollments have
“crowd[ed] out other state budget priorities,” lengthened waiting lists, and
left those states with “less to spend on things like education and public
safety.” These claims either lack context or are simply incorrect.It is true that
Medicaid enrollments in the states which have expanded their programs have been
far higher than anticipated, especially during the pandemic. But the evidence
for Rep. Hawkins’s other claims is very thin. Medicaid expansion, it must be
remembered, was part of the overall reform of American health care which the
Affordable Care Act created over a decade ago, and taps federal resources to
cover Medicaid costs. An extensive study of the budgets in all states where
Medicaid has been expanded--published by the non-partisan Commonwealth
Fund--concluded that the budgetary burden of Medicaid payments in most of those
states actually declined, even with higher than estimated enrollments. And
whatever additional costs and bureaucratic transitions came with managing those
Medicaid applicants, they were almost never large enough to threaten existing
programs or force tax increases to maintain balanced budgets.Hawkins’s warning
about people dying while waiting for treatment under Medicaid in expansion
states sounds worrisome—until you remember similar tragedies characterize
waiting lists in non-expansion states. When dealing the health needs of the
working poor and disabled, there’s always plenty of frightening statistics
available. But pitting those currently receiving KanCare assistance against
those Kansans struggling to survive on incomes that put them below the poverty
line misses the whole point of Medicaid in the first place.Ultimately, when
Hawkins writes that “expansion in Kansas will result in the same outcome as it
has in every other state where it has been implemented,” he’s actually arguing
in favor of a positive change. My recommendation to anti-expansion Republicans
like Hawkins, therefore, is to stick with their well-understood, Brownback-era,
anti-welfare and libertarian arguments. Trying to claim that the policy changes
which Medicaid expansion would entail for some Kansans receiving its assistance
is itself an argument for denying of it to other equally needy people simply
doesn’t work.Dr. Russell Arben
Fox teaches politics in Wichita.

INSIGHT KANSAS: The never-ending fight against Medicaid misinformation

Well, it’s been decided. &nbsp;The people have spoken. &nbsp;Our free right has been exercised. &nbsp;What we live for — the&nbsp;freedom to choose as a democracy. Now what?

My husband’s class was the&nbsp;first&nbsp;to graduate from the current Hays High School&nbsp;in 1982.&nbsp;&nbsp;When our daughter attended Hays High and we began going to events there, we&nbsp;were appalled at the condition of the bathrooms near the cafeteria. &nbsp;It&nbsp;clearly looked like an act of vandalism&nbsp;that&nbsp;had never been repaired&nbsp;and looked as if no maintenance whatsoever had been done. &nbsp;During&nbsp;the hype of the school bond, I heard a story about how some Hays High athletes vandalized the locker room after losing a big game. It sounded as if no one was held accountable – students or parents. Later, $10,000 was put into upgrading said locker room. Now, of course this is hearsay and I have no idea&nbsp;whether it is true. &nbsp;Somehow, after seeing those bathrooms though, I believe it.&nbsp;To give a fair shake,&nbsp;there have been upgrades&nbsp;over the years&nbsp;that are quite impressive. &nbsp;Though,&nbsp;if I am&nbsp;being&nbsp;completely honest, music has&nbsp;totally&nbsp;gotten the shaft in those upgrades and repairs.

I attended the “old” Hays High on 12th&nbsp;Street as did my&nbsp;husband,&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;my mother,&nbsp;who is now 89. &nbsp;According to Wikipedia, the old Hays High was built in 1916&nbsp;and parts were torn down and rebuilt in 1939. &nbsp;When we&nbsp;attended&nbsp;the old building,&nbsp;I don’t recall maintenance&nbsp;being a problem.&nbsp;I don’t recall vandalism happening&nbsp;or if it did, it was repaired.&nbsp;&nbsp;Everything was maintained and worked&nbsp;properly.&nbsp;&nbsp;Everyone who smoked, smoked outside – no big deal. &nbsp;The property was respected and taken care of,&nbsp;and it lasted through time&nbsp;– some of it&nbsp;is&nbsp;still standing and in&nbsp;decent&nbsp;shape&nbsp;for its age. &nbsp;Minus&nbsp;the 12th&nbsp;Street&nbsp;Auditorium,&nbsp;which&nbsp;is&nbsp;a disgrace and embarrassment. &nbsp;Luckily, the stars&nbsp;who&nbsp;shine on stage, shine&nbsp;brighter than&nbsp;the buckets holding the&nbsp;water&nbsp;dripping from the ceiling&nbsp;in front of the stage.

My point of this post is not to bash the decision people&nbsp;made,&nbsp;one way or the other,&nbsp;or to complain about taxes going up. &nbsp;My point is simply this&nbsp;– something new needs to be respected and maintained. &nbsp;Children and parents need to be held accountable if damage is done – whether they are a visiting school or the students attending every day. &nbsp;If I am going to pay for schools that are being built or fixed up, I expect them to be treated as if you were walking into my house. &nbsp;I don’t think that is too much to ask. &nbsp;It should be known that they are owned, if&nbsp;not on paper,&nbsp;by the people, with&nbsp;our contributions&nbsp;as a community. &nbsp;Administration must take&nbsp;their&nbsp;part&nbsp;very seriously&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;management and&nbsp;maintenance of these buildings&nbsp;and hold anyone accountable who damages them. &nbsp;Children should be taught&nbsp;to&nbsp;respect the property&nbsp;and&nbsp;take care of something that their own children may use in the future. &nbsp;That is all I ask as a taxpayer who will now be contributing to&nbsp;future generations.

Well, it’s been decided. &nbsp;The people have spoken. &nbsp;Our free right has been exercised. &nbsp;What we live for — the&nbsp;freedom to choose as a democracy. Now what?<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>My husband’s class was the&nbsp;first&nbsp;to graduate from the current Hays High School&nbsp;in 1982.&nbsp;&nbsp;When our daughter attended Hays High and we began going to events there, we&nbsp;were appalled at the condition of the bathrooms near the cafeteria. &nbsp;It&nbsp;clearly looked like an act of vandalism&nbsp;that&nbsp;had never been repaired&nbsp;and looked as if no maintenance whatsoever had been done. &nbsp;During&nbsp;the hype of the school bond, I heard a story about how some Hays High athletes vandalized the locker room after losing a big game. It sounded as if no one was held accountable – students or parents. Later, $10,000 was put into upgrading said locker room. Now, of course this is hearsay and I have no idea&nbsp;whether it is true. &nbsp;Somehow, after seeing those bathrooms though, I believe it.&nbsp;To give a fair shake,&nbsp;there have been upgrades&nbsp;over the years&nbsp;that are quite impressive. &nbsp;Though,&nbsp;if I am&nbsp;being&nbsp;completely honest, music has&nbsp;totally&nbsp;gotten the shaft in those upgrades and repairs.I attended the “old” Hays High on 12th&nbsp;Street as did my&nbsp;husband,&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;my mother,&nbsp;who is now 89. &nbsp;According to Wikipedia, the old Hays High was built in 1916&nbsp;and parts were torn down and rebuilt in 1939. &nbsp;When we&nbsp;attended&nbsp;the old building,&nbsp;I don’t recall maintenance&nbsp;being a problem.&nbsp;I don’t recall vandalism happening&nbsp;or if it did, it was repaired.&nbsp;&nbsp;Everything was maintained and worked&nbsp;properly.&nbsp;&nbsp;Everyone who smoked, smoked outside – no big deal. &nbsp;The property was respected and taken care of,&nbsp;and it lasted through time&nbsp;– some of it&nbsp;is&nbsp;still standing and in&nbsp;decent&nbsp;shape&nbsp;for its age. &nbsp;Minus&nbsp;the 12th&nbsp;Street&nbsp;Auditorium,&nbsp;which&nbsp;is&nbsp;a disgrace and embarrassment. &nbsp;Luckily, the stars&nbsp;who&nbsp;shine on stage, shine&nbsp;brighter than&nbsp;the buckets holding the&nbsp;water&nbsp;dripping from the ceiling&nbsp;in front of the stage.My point of this post is not to bash the decision people&nbsp;made,&nbsp;one way or the other,&nbsp;or to complain about taxes going up. &nbsp;My point is simply this&nbsp;– something new needs to be respected and maintained. &nbsp;Children and parents need to be held accountable if damage is done – whether they are a visiting school or the students attending every day. &nbsp;If I am going to pay for schools that are being built or fixed up, I expect them to be treated as if you were walking into my house. &nbsp;I don’t think that is too much to ask. &nbsp;It should be known that they are owned, if&nbsp;not on paper,&nbsp;by the people, with&nbsp;our contributions&nbsp;as a community. &nbsp;Administration must take&nbsp;their&nbsp;part&nbsp;very seriously&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;management and&nbsp;maintenance of these buildings&nbsp;and hold anyone accountable who damages them. &nbsp;Children should be taught&nbsp;to&nbsp;respect the property&nbsp;and&nbsp;take care of something that their own children may use in the future. &nbsp;That is all I ask as a taxpayer who will now be contributing to&nbsp;future generations.Jodie Wear-Leiker, Hays

LETTER: New schools coming — respect them

I love the Nelson Mandela quote, “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” That is a beautiful description of the resilience for which Fort Hays State University is known.

Resilience is on constant display by our adult learners, who often juggle jobs, family, and school. There are first-generation students who struggle with the guilt of leaving their families and financial responsibilities at home while they navigate an unfamiliar environment of higher education. There are also students who have experienced a blend of failed and ultimately successful attempts on a graphic design project, research project, business star-up competition, or running for a campus leadership position. At the root of resilience is grit, determination, and the patience to play the “long game.”

I see this quote in action every day as I listen to remarkable stories of courage and transformation from students and alumni as well as from faculty and staff.&nbsp;

One of the greatest privileges of being a university president is to be present to celebrate our people – knowing that each diploma, each award, and every ceremony is not only about the glorious outcome, but it is equally about the discipline of getting back up after each stumble or fall.

So today, I dedicate this column to the 1,178 undergraduate students and 624 graduate students who are receiving diplomas this weekend.

One student walking across the stage is Alec Bevis from Wichita. Alec is receiving a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry. You may recognize Alec’s name as our 2022 Torch Award recipient, the highest honor for our undergraduate students at FHSU. The award is given&nbsp;on the basis of&nbsp;classroom excellence, leadership, participation in professional organizations, and involvement in student, civic, or research activities.&nbsp;

Alec is a team captain of our men’s soccer squad and was named to the United States Coaches Scholar All-America Team. He has also been a highly engaged member of our&nbsp;Honors&nbsp;College as well as a student assistant for the chemistry department.

During his time at FHSU, Alec engaged in undergraduate research under the mentorship of Dr. James&nbsp;Balthazor.

“I am excited to see where Alec’s future takes him,” Dr.&nbsp;Balthazor&nbsp;said. “He was accepted to a Ph.D. program in biochemistry at the University of Kansas, and he has already found the girl of his dreams, as he says it. I cannot wait to see what he does as an alumnus of FHSU.”

I believe the Nelson Mandela quote is so applicable to Alec. In his own words: “through soccer, I have not only learned how to persevere through strenuous physical activity but also learned many invaluable life skills such as time management and leadership, and because of it, I have formed relationships with friends all around the world.”

I love how Dr.&nbsp;Balthazor&nbsp;describes Alec: “He embodies everything I love about being a Tiger. As humble as they come, Alec doesn’t think he deserves the accolades, but he genuinely deserves them. I will miss seeing him every day, and his shoes will be difficult to fill.”

Another student walking across the stage will be Alison&nbsp;Helget&nbsp;from Hays,&nbsp;dogsitter&nbsp;for&nbsp;FHSU’s&nbsp; “First Dog,” Dakota Grace Mason. Alison received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in history from Fort Hays State and is one of two Lighthouse Award recipients, the graduate version of the undergraduate Pilot Award.

Alison is the perfect example of resilience and the powerful impact made by caring faculty who fuel that determination when the going gets tough.&nbsp;

“Once I started my graduate program, the professors pushed me even harder as a scholar, supporting me throughout several conference presentations and publication reviews,” Alison said. “With constant reaffirmation, I began believing in myself. As a result, I have chosen to take another leap of faith and pursue a doctorate, something that I could not have even imagined four years ago.”&nbsp;

“As I move on, wherever it may be, I will never forget the amazing faculty I met at FHSU

and the way they kept me focused, even when all odds might have been against me,” Alison continued. “When I hit rock bottom, the history department took me in and has since watched me transform from a timid girl into a strong, independent woman, who is proud to call herself a Tiger.”

Mary&nbsp;Kathy Robb, also a Lighthouse Award recipient, is graduating with a Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics. Artists are often known for their discipline as well as for their persistence – doing something that is difficult or even opposed by other people. Artists make us stop and think.

Linda&nbsp;Ganstrom, professor of ceramics,&nbsp;said that Robb&nbsp;captures these qualities well.

“Kathy is an early riser and was often in the studio hard at work as I started my day,” she said. “She is helpful, challenging, and encouraging of her fellow artists. Kathy has big ideas, gained the skill to realize them, and put in the hard work to bring her dreams to life.”

“As a child, she was a dancer and performer,” Professor&nbsp;Ganstrom&nbsp;continued. “She was expected to build a successful corporate career but never found the satisfaction she had felt in her creative endeavors. So, she went back to school and learned the skills she needed to express herself and tell her stories of love, danger, abuse, and fear.”&nbsp;

Kathy&nbsp;Robb’s decision to leave her corporate career and pursue her passion propelled her into the world of art. That led her to FHSU, where she fully engaged the opportunity to develop her potential and skills as an artist. She has become an influencer, a cultural provocateur. She uses her art to help people understand that we are all on this planet together and should be appreciative and help each other survive and thrive.

Woven into all three of these stories – and I would bet of the lifeline of every Fort Hays State student – are moments of&nbsp;falling down, getting back up, learning, and growing. And sharing the floor of the coliseum with our graduates this weekend will be our outstanding professors – the people who helped to get our students across the stage amidst their own “moments of getting back up.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575302014229.png" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>I love the Nelson Mandela quote, “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” That is a beautiful description of the resilience for which Fort Hays State University is known.Resilience is on constant display by our adult learners, who often juggle jobs, family, and school. There are first-generation students who struggle with the guilt of leaving their families and financial responsibilities at home while they navigate an unfamiliar environment of higher education. There are also students who have experienced a blend of failed and ultimately successful attempts on a graphic design project, research project, business star-up competition, or running for a campus leadership position. At the root of resilience is grit, determination, and the patience to play the “long game.”I see this quote in action every day as I listen to remarkable stories of courage and transformation from students and alumni as well as from faculty and staff.&nbsp;One of the greatest privileges of being a university president is to be present to celebrate our people – knowing that each diploma, each award, and every ceremony is not only about the glorious outcome, but it is equally about the discipline of getting back up after each stumble or fall.So today, I dedicate this column to the 1,178 undergraduate students and 624 graduate students who are receiving diplomas this weekend.One student walking across the stage is Alec Bevis from Wichita. Alec is receiving a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry. You may recognize Alec’s name as our 2022 Torch Award recipient, the highest honor for our undergraduate students at FHSU. The award is given&nbsp;on the basis of&nbsp;classroom excellence, leadership, participation in professional organizations, and involvement in student, civic, or research activities.&nbsp;Alec is a team captain of our men’s soccer squad and was named to the United States Coaches Scholar All-America Team. He has also been a highly engaged member of our&nbsp;Honors&nbsp;College as well as a student assistant for the chemistry department.During his time at FHSU, Alec engaged in undergraduate research under the mentorship of Dr. James&nbsp;Balthazor.“I am excited to see where Alec’s future takes him,” Dr.&nbsp;Balthazor&nbsp;said. “He was accepted to a Ph.D. program in biochemistry at the University of Kansas, and he has already found the girl of his dreams, as he says it. I cannot wait to see what he does as an alumnus of FHSU.”I believe the Nelson Mandela quote is so applicable to Alec. In his own words: “through soccer, I have not only learned how to persevere through strenuous physical activity but also learned many invaluable life skills such as time management and leadership, and because of it, I have formed relationships with friends all around the world.”I love how Dr.&nbsp;Balthazor&nbsp;describes Alec: “He embodies everything I love about being a Tiger. As humble as they come, Alec doesn’t think he deserves the accolades, but he genuinely deserves them. I will miss seeing him every day, and his shoes will be difficult to fill.”Another student walking across the stage will be Alison&nbsp;Helget&nbsp;from Hays,&nbsp;dogsitter&nbsp;for&nbsp;FHSU’s&nbsp; “First Dog,” Dakota Grace Mason. Alison received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in history from Fort Hays State and is one of two Lighthouse Award recipients, the graduate version of the undergraduate Pilot Award.Alison is the perfect example of resilience and the powerful impact made by caring faculty who fuel that determination when the going gets tough.&nbsp;“Once I started my graduate program, the professors pushed me even harder as a scholar, supporting me throughout several conference presentations and publication reviews,” Alison said. “With constant reaffirmation, I began believing in myself. As a result, I have chosen to take another leap of faith and pursue a doctorate, something that I could not have even imagined four years ago.”&nbsp;“As I move on, wherever it may be, I will never forget the amazing faculty I met at FHSUand the way they kept me focused, even when all odds might have been against me,” Alison continued. “When I hit rock bottom, the history department took me in and has since watched me transform from a timid girl into a strong, independent woman, who is proud to call herself a Tiger.”Mary&nbsp;Kathy Robb, also a Lighthouse Award recipient, is graduating with a Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics. Artists are often known for their discipline as well as for their persistence – doing something that is difficult or even opposed by other people. Artists make us stop and think.Linda&nbsp;Ganstrom, professor of ceramics,&nbsp;said that Robb&nbsp;captures these qualities well.“Kathy is an early riser and was often in the studio hard at work as I started my day,” she said. “She is helpful, challenging, and encouraging of her fellow artists. Kathy has big ideas, gained the skill to realize them, and put in the hard work to bring her dreams to life.”“As a child, she was a dancer and performer,” Professor&nbsp;Ganstrom&nbsp;continued. “She was expected to build a successful corporate career but never found the satisfaction she had felt in her creative endeavors. So, she went back to school and learned the skills she needed to express herself and tell her stories of love, danger, abuse, and fear.”&nbsp;Kathy&nbsp;Robb’s decision to leave her corporate career and pursue her passion propelled her into the world of art. That led her to FHSU, where she fully engaged the opportunity to develop her potential and skills as an artist. She has become an influencer, a cultural provocateur. She uses her art to help people understand that we are all on this planet together and should be appreciative and help each other survive and thrive.Woven into all three of these stories – and I would bet of the lifeline of every Fort Hays State student – are moments of&nbsp;falling down, getting back up, learning, and growing. And sharing the floor of the coliseum with our graduates this weekend will be our outstanding professors – the people who helped to get our students across the stage amidst their own “moments of getting back up.”

MASON: Resilience is part of the culture at FHSU

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;

Imagine a classroom with a teacher at the whiteboard and students at their work stations, joined by mobile robots through which additional students can participate in the class from another school miles away.&nbsp;

Robots in the classroom?&nbsp;&nbsp;Is this a futuristic movie?&nbsp;

No, it is happening right now, in schools in rural Kansas.&nbsp;

Pam Irwin is superintendent of USD 240, which serves the communities of Bennington and Tescott. Each community has a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade center. Pam is a native of Hays with four degrees from Fort Hays State and 29 years of education experience. She works with Anissa Bigler, a Council Grove native who is a K-State grad and now teaching in USD 240.&nbsp;

Pam became school superintendent in July 2020. The school board charged her with expanding the educational offerings for students in the district.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Rural Education Center in Kansas State University’s College of Education had successfully applied for two federal distance learning technology grants that would fund and deploy what were called “telepresence robots” in rural schools. Spencer Clark, director of the Rural Education Center, said there were 29 Kansas sites receiving the robots, two of which were in USD 240.&nbsp;

What is a telepresence robot? It is essentially an Ipad on motorized wheels that can be controlled remotely, allowing an online student to have a mobile, virtual presence in the classroom without being physically present.&nbsp;

Unlike a stationary camera or computer, the student can direct the robot to move so as to see a lesson somewhere in a classroom or to join a small group discussion or group project.&nbsp;

In USD 240, Pam Irwin approached high school English teacher Anissa Bigler about trying this technology in her classroom. Now students at Tescott High School can join Bigler’s class in Bennington through the robots.&nbsp;

When class begins, the Tescott students log on to their laptops at the school and connect to the robot in Mrs. Bigler’s classroom. “I start teaching my lesson at the whiteboard and I call on them or they volunteer answers, just as if they were in my classroom,” Bigler said. When the teacher moves through the room, the robot can also move, come closer to see the whiteboard, or join a discussion group.&nbsp;

“I think a huge benefit is that it doesn’t tie the teacher to the front of the room like a Zoom call does,” Irwin said.&nbsp;

“Allowing the students access to each other is my favorite thing about this,” Bigler said.&nbsp;

As with many new technologies, there was a challenging learning curve at first. Now the benefits are being realized.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What type of grade would Bigler give to the robot system? “Last fall I might have given it a C minus, but now it is almost to the A range,” she said. “It has so much potential.”&nbsp;

On one of the first days, the students connected to the wrong robots, which were then sent roaming the school hallways until they figured it out. In order to solve this problem, they have now identified each robot using names from the old television show, the Jetsons. The robots are named Astro, Elwood, Jetson, and so forth.&nbsp;

Irwin feels strongly that students in rural schools or smaller schools shouldn’t be penalized by distance. “All kids should have the same opportunities and we hope this will expand our students’ access to educational offerings,” she said.&nbsp;

“There are many advantages to the robots,” one student said.&nbsp;

“It makes it a lot easier to do group work and projects,” said another student.&nbsp;

“I feel more connected to the class,” said student Raven Peterson.&nbsp;

How remarkable to find this innovative technology in schools in rural communities such as Bennington, population 622, and Tescott, population 265 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are robots in the classroom, but this isn’t Star Trek. It is an innovative school in rural Kansas. We commend Pam Irwin, Anissa Bigler, and especially the students who are making a difference by pioneering this technology.&nbsp;

In these schools, the future is now.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651672761228.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;Imagine a classroom with a teacher at the whiteboard and students at their work stations, joined by mobile robots through which additional students can participate in the class from another school miles away.&nbsp;Robots in the classroom?&nbsp;&nbsp;Is this a futuristic movie?&nbsp;No, it is happening right now, in schools in rural Kansas.&nbsp;Pam Irwin is superintendent of USD 240, which serves the communities of Bennington and Tescott. Each community has a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade center. Pam is a native of Hays with four degrees from Fort Hays State and 29 years of education experience. She works with Anissa Bigler, a Council Grove native who is a K-State grad and now teaching in USD 240.&nbsp;Pam became school superintendent in July 2020. The school board charged her with expanding the educational offerings for students in the district.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Rural Education Center in Kansas State University’s College of Education had successfully applied for two federal distance learning technology grants that would fund and deploy what were called “telepresence robots” in rural schools. Spencer Clark, director of the Rural Education Center, said there were 29 Kansas sites receiving the robots, two of which were in USD 240.&nbsp;What is a telepresence robot? It is essentially an Ipad on motorized wheels that can be controlled remotely, allowing an online student to have a mobile, virtual presence in the classroom without being physically present.&nbsp;Unlike a stationary camera or computer, the student can direct the robot to move so as to see a lesson somewhere in a classroom or to join a small group discussion or group project.&nbsp;In USD 240, Pam Irwin approached high school English teacher Anissa Bigler about trying this technology in her classroom. Now students at Tescott High School can join Bigler’s class in Bennington through the robots.&nbsp;When class begins, the Tescott students log on to their laptops at the school and connect to the robot in Mrs. Bigler’s classroom. “I start teaching my lesson at the whiteboard and I call on them or they volunteer answers, just as if they were in my classroom,” Bigler said. When the teacher moves through the room, the robot can also move, come closer to see the whiteboard, or join a discussion group.&nbsp;“I think a huge benefit is that it doesn’t tie the teacher to the front of the room like a Zoom call does,” Irwin said.&nbsp;“Allowing the students access to each other is my favorite thing about this,” Bigler said.&nbsp;As with many new technologies, there was a challenging learning curve at first. Now the benefits are being realized.&nbsp;&nbsp;What type of grade would Bigler give to the robot system? “Last fall I might have given it a C minus, but now it is almost to the A range,” she said. “It has so much potential.”&nbsp;On one of the first days, the students connected to the wrong robots, which were then sent roaming the school hallways until they figured it out. In order to solve this problem, they have now identified each robot using names from the old television show, the Jetsons. The robots are named Astro, Elwood, Jetson, and so forth.&nbsp;Irwin feels strongly that students in rural schools or smaller schools shouldn’t be penalized by distance. “All kids should have the same opportunities and we hope this will expand our students’ access to educational offerings,” she said.&nbsp;What do students think?&nbsp;“There are many advantages to the robots,” one student said.&nbsp;“It makes it a lot easier to do group work and projects,” said another student.&nbsp;“I feel more connected to the class,” said student Raven Peterson.&nbsp;How remarkable to find this innovative technology in schools in rural communities such as Bennington, population 622, and Tescott, population 265 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;&nbsp;There are robots in the classroom, but this isn’t Star Trek. It is an innovative school in rural Kansas. We commend Pam Irwin, Anissa Bigler, and especially the students who are making a difference by pioneering this technology.&nbsp;In these schools, the future is now.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Pam Irwin, Telepresence robots 

By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher Warning: Today’s column is about politics and the upcoming election. Wait, don’t stop reading because what I have to say is especially important and will affect your farm and ranch for a long time to come. I know we are all tired of the constant fighting and mudslinging and what happens in D.C. and Topeka seem to be millions of miles away. I am here to tell you what happens in both cities hits close to home. Over and over, I hear about how good people have turned off politics and just do not participate anymore. Friends, we have to change that. I am begging, no I am pleading, with all of you to get involved in this next election cycle and help make Kansas Farm Bureau’s voice stronger. Voters Organized To Elect Farm Bureau Friends (VOTE FBF) has a great record when it comes to endorsing candidates, but this is no time to get complacent. We must make our voice heard. VOTE FBF’s track record when it comes to endorsing candidates is so strong because we involve, or try to involve, every county and every member in the process. I know I sound like a broken record, but our strength is our grassroots. This is the time of the year when VOTE FBF starts to make decisions on which candidates to endorse in both our federal and state elections. The very core of the process is the recommendations from each county. It is important, especially in state races, because you know your candidates, your voice and opinions carry great weight with the VOTE FBF board. It’s true, you need to have at least donated $5to VOTE FBF, but that is a small price to have a say in who makes the rules and laws that affect our livelihoods. We need to make sure we are surfacing and supporting legislators who understand and back agriculture. The only way things will get better is if we are involved, and that has to start now. First, familiarize yourself with the candidates in your area. Read their websites and go meet them. Find out who supports your way of life and who will represent your point of view in D.C. and Topeka. Then go to your county office, pay your $5 if you haven’t already and ask to be part of the process. I will bet you won’t be turned down. I hope there will be deep, meaningful conversations about which candidates to back around those board tables. Most of all, however, I hope we have feedback from all 105 counties. I can’t emphasize how important the next two election cycles are to agriculture and rural Kansas. We must make sure we have a say in which candidates represent us. &nbsp;Get informed and get involved because we need your input to ensure we endorse pragmatic leaders who understand agriculture and rural Kansas. Now is the time to get involved and make sure Kansas Farm Bureau and VOTE FBF continue to be the Voice of Agriculture in the years to come.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576508626397.png" alt="Glenn Brunkow" />
 <figcaption>Glenn Brunkow</figcaption>
 </figure>By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher Warning: Today’s column is about politics and the upcoming election. Wait, don’t stop reading because what I have to say is especially important and will affect your farm and ranch for a long time to come. I know we are all tired of the constant fighting and mudslinging and what happens in D.C. and Topeka seem to be millions of miles away. I am here to tell you what happens in both cities hits close to home. Over and over, I hear about how good people have turned off politics and just do not participate anymore. Friends, we have to change that. I am begging, no I am pleading, with all of you to get involved in this next election cycle and help make Kansas Farm Bureau’s voice stronger. Voters Organized To Elect Farm Bureau Friends (VOTE FBF) has a great record when it comes to endorsing candidates, but this is no time to get complacent. We must make our voice heard. VOTE FBF’s track record when it comes to endorsing candidates is so strong because we involve, or try to involve, every county and every member in the process. I know I sound like a broken record, but our strength is our grassroots. This is the time of the year when VOTE FBF starts to make decisions on which candidates to endorse in both our federal and state elections. The very core of the process is the recommendations from each county. It is important, especially in state races, because you know your candidates, your voice and opinions carry great weight with the VOTE FBF board. It’s true, you need to have at least donated $5to VOTE FBF, but that is a small price to have a say in who makes the rules and laws that affect our livelihoods. We need to make sure we are surfacing and supporting legislators who understand and back agriculture. The only way things will get better is if we are involved, and that has to start now. First, familiarize yourself with the candidates in your area. Read their websites and go meet them. Find out who supports your way of life and who will represent your point of view in D.C. and Topeka. Then go to your county office, pay your $5 if you haven’t already and ask to be part of the process. I will bet you won’t be turned down. I hope there will be deep, meaningful conversations about which candidates to back around those board tables. Most of all, however, I hope we have feedback from all 105 counties. I can’t emphasize how important the next two election cycles are to agriculture and rural Kansas. We must make sure we have a say in which candidates represent us. &nbsp;Get informed and get involved because we need your input to ensure we endorse pragmatic leaders who understand agriculture and rural Kansas. Now is the time to get involved and make sure Kansas Farm Bureau and VOTE FBF continue to be the Voice of Agriculture in the years to come."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Endorsing agriculture

My wife and I have always attended church, and we have always tithed. Over the last few months, we have come to the decision it is time for us to find a place to worship that is a little more involved in the community. If we are actively looking for a new church, should we continue to tithe to our current church? Would giving our tithe money to a charity be better? We both agree it feels strange to continue giving to our current church when we would rather be somewhere else.

There’s nothing&nbsp;wrong&nbsp;with continuing to tithe to your current place of worship until you find a new church home. It would probably be alright, too, if you gave your tithe to one of the places you visit while you’re looking. When it comes right down to it, it’s all about learning to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/give-a-little-until-you-can-give-a-lot">be a giver</a>&nbsp;and putting others first.

I can tell you two are taking this situation very seriously. But I mean, it’s not like He needs the money, you know? Tithing isn’t about making a deposit into God’s bank account, or building up spiritual brownie points. It isn’t a salvation issue, either. It’s all about changing our hearts and our minds. It’s about being a little less selfish, and a little more Christ-like. I believe it makes God smile when we put other people’s needs ahead of our own wants.

There are some pretty strong indications in scripture that a tithe—which is a tenth of your income—should go to your local church. I have no problem with giving to responsible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/business/how-to-set-up-a-charity">charitable organizations</a>, too, but when it comes to tithing, I’m not sure a generic charity is the answer.

My wife and I have had times in our lives when we changed churches, and in the periods when we didn’t have a home church, we’d write out the checks just like normal, but leave the “pay to the order of” portion blank. That way, the money was already accounted for in our minds&nbsp;and&nbsp;in our checkbook. Then, when we found a place that really spoke to us, we’d complete the checks and give them to that church.

I hope this helps a little, Brad. God bless you two!

<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/">Dave Ramsey&nbsp;</a>is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648177011035.png" alt="Dave Ramsey&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Dave,My wife and I have always attended church, and we have always tithed. Over the last few months, we have come to the decision it is time for us to find a place to worship that is a little more involved in the community. If we are actively looking for a new church, should we continue to tithe to our current church? Would giving our tithe money to a charity be better? We both agree it feels strange to continue giving to our current church when we would rather be somewhere else.BradDear Brad,There’s nothing&nbsp;wrong&nbsp;with continuing to tithe to your current place of worship until you find a new church home. It would probably be alright, too, if you gave your tithe to one of the places you visit while you’re looking. When it comes right down to it, it’s all about learning to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/give-a-little-until-you-can-give-a-lot">be a giver</a>&nbsp;and putting others first.I can tell you two are taking this situation very seriously. But I mean, it’s not like He needs the money, you know? Tithing isn’t about making a deposit into God’s bank account, or building up spiritual brownie points. It isn’t a salvation issue, either. It’s all about changing our hearts and our minds. It’s about being a little less selfish, and a little more Christ-like. I believe it makes God smile when we put other people’s needs ahead of our own wants.There are some pretty strong indications in scripture that a tithe—which is a tenth of your income—should go to your local church. I have no problem with giving to responsible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/business/how-to-set-up-a-charity">charitable organizations</a>, too, but when it comes to tithing, I’m not sure a generic charity is the answer.My wife and I have had times in our lives when we changed churches, and in the periods when we didn’t have a home church, we’d write out the checks just like normal, but leave the “pay to the order of” portion blank. That way, the money was already accounted for in our minds&nbsp;and&nbsp;in our checkbook. Then, when we found a place that really spoke to us, we’d complete the checks and give them to that church.I hope this helps a little, Brad. God bless you two!— Dave<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/">Dave Ramsey&nbsp;</a>is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

Dave Says: It’s really about giving, putting others first

	Want more nurses and teachers?&nbsp; Start with civic education.

	Late last month, the Kansas Board of Regents (BOR) released recommendations to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) calling for high-school students to take four math courses prior to graduation, instead of the current three.&nbsp; In addition, the BOR called for four units of English, validating the current standard.&nbsp; They also encouraged more high school students to study computer science and take dual-enrollment courses, in which high school students earn college credit for transfer.&nbsp; Finally, they want schools to help students complete the FAFSA form for federal student aid.&nbsp; These are ambitious goals–but what happened to civic education?

	It is no secret that the BOR wants to make our students career-ready.&nbsp; That is a good goal.&nbsp; Today’s popular careers with more need than applicants include nurses, teachers, physical therapists, and computer scientists.&nbsp; Yet with American democracy on life support, a renewed commitment to civic education remains vital–not only for our well-being, but also for our careers.

	Consider one of today’s hottest job fields:&nbsp; nursing.&nbsp; Burnout is rampant among existing nurses, while potential nursing students are changing their minds.&nbsp; The reason:&nbsp; our broken political climate.&nbsp; According to a 2019 survey by the American Nurses Association, one in four nurses has been physically assaulted on the job.&nbsp; A 2021 survey from the American Nurses Foundation found that 21% of nurses plan to leave their jobs within the next six months, and half of those (10% of all nurses total) said their jobs were negatively affecting their health and well being.	&nbsp;

	Toxic, political conspiracy theories promoted by politicians, trolls, and foreign agents pretending to be American citizens online are&nbsp; major factors in this assault on medicine.&nbsp; Only a renewed commitment to a healthy political climate will solve this.&nbsp; Students must be taught to thoroughly, rigorously evaluate information they read online and evaluate it in light of science.&nbsp; They also need to learn tolerance for those with whom they disagree.&nbsp; That is, they must learn that those with differing opinions are just that, not a cabal that is trying to hurt them, kill them, destroy their way of life, or even–these are actual tenents of the popular QAnon conspiracy theory–worship Satan and drink children’s blood in order to get high.&nbsp;&nbsp;

	Toxic nonsense corrupts other high-demand professions as well.&nbsp; We face growing shortages of teachers, who in turn are facing increasing harassment from politicians, internet trolls, and small minorities of parents who arrive at meetings ready to start fights because of things they have read or heard on social media or TV.&nbsp; Not surprisingly, fewer college students are showing an interest in becoming teachers.&nbsp; Another math class will not fix this.

	Our professionals are leaving their jobs due to political, verbal, and even physical assault, which in turn is caused by conspiracy theories and broken politics.&nbsp; High school and college students are shying away from these jobs.&nbsp; While the study of mathematics and other fields are to be commended, the only way to fix this crisis is to commit ourselves to a renewed, healthy political climate centered on accurate information and respect for differing opinions.&nbsp; It starts with civic education in the classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639601062071.jpeg" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>	Want more nurses and teachers?&nbsp; Start with civic education.	Late last month, the Kansas Board of Regents (BOR) released recommendations to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) calling for high-school students to take four math courses prior to graduation, instead of the current three.&nbsp; In addition, the BOR called for four units of English, validating the current standard.&nbsp; They also encouraged more high school students to study computer science and take dual-enrollment courses, in which high school students earn college credit for transfer.&nbsp; Finally, they want schools to help students complete the FAFSA form for federal student aid.&nbsp; These are ambitious goals–but what happened to civic education?<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>	It is no secret that the BOR wants to make our students career-ready.&nbsp; That is a good goal.&nbsp; Today’s popular careers with more need than applicants include nurses, teachers, physical therapists, and computer scientists.&nbsp; Yet with American democracy on life support, a renewed commitment to civic education remains vital–not only for our well-being, but also for our careers.	Consider one of today’s hottest job fields:&nbsp; nursing.&nbsp; Burnout is rampant among existing nurses, while potential nursing students are changing their minds.&nbsp; The reason:&nbsp; our broken political climate.&nbsp; According to a 2019 survey by the American Nurses Association, one in four nurses has been physically assaulted on the job.&nbsp; A 2021 survey from the American Nurses Foundation found that 21% of nurses plan to leave their jobs within the next six months, and half of those (10% of all nurses total) said their jobs were negatively affecting their health and well being.	&nbsp;	Toxic, political conspiracy theories promoted by politicians, trolls, and foreign agents pretending to be American citizens online are&nbsp; major factors in this assault on medicine.&nbsp; Only a renewed commitment to a healthy political climate will solve this.&nbsp; Students must be taught to thoroughly, rigorously evaluate information they read online and evaluate it in light of science.&nbsp; They also need to learn tolerance for those with whom they disagree.&nbsp; That is, they must learn that those with differing opinions are just that, not a cabal that is trying to hurt them, kill them, destroy their way of life, or even–these are actual tenents of the popular QAnon conspiracy theory–worship Satan and drink children’s blood in order to get high.&nbsp;&nbsp;	Toxic nonsense corrupts other high-demand professions as well.&nbsp; We face growing shortages of teachers, who in turn are facing increasing harassment from politicians, internet trolls, and small minorities of parents who arrive at meetings ready to start fights because of things they have read or heard on social media or TV.&nbsp; Not surprisingly, fewer college students are showing an interest in becoming teachers.&nbsp; Another math class will not fix this.	Our professionals are leaving their jobs due to political, verbal, and even physical assault, which in turn is caused by conspiracy theories and broken politics.&nbsp; High school and college students are shying away from these jobs.&nbsp; While the study of mathematics and other fields are to be commended, the only way to fix this crisis is to commit ourselves to a renewed, healthy political climate centered on accurate information and respect for differing opinions.&nbsp; It starts with civic education in the classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Regents recommendations missing civic education

Well, I’m already hearing of people having&nbsp;rashes&nbsp;from&nbsp;poison ivy this spring.&nbsp;My mom was so allergic to poison ivy I still believe&nbsp;to this day&nbsp;she could have caught it by merely looking at the plants.&nbsp;I remember her being hospitalized once with poison ivy&nbsp;so bad on her hand that it&nbsp;resembled raw hamburger.&nbsp;My dad on the other hand could’ve&nbsp;rolled&nbsp;around in the stuff and never known&nbsp;it.&nbsp;One&nbsp;night&nbsp;a few years back&nbsp;I went to change a flat tire on our mobile deer blind which was still in the woods, and found it to be afloat in a sea of the healthiest poison ivy&nbsp;I’d ever seen. I chopped it down all around the tire, wore gloves&nbsp;and was pretty careful as I worked, but three or four days later I&nbsp;had a small patch of rash on one&nbsp;arm, the first time I ever&nbsp;had&nbsp;poison ivy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Each stem of a poison ivy plant has three shiny, pointed green leaves, thus the old saying “Leaves of three, let them be.” The troublemaker is the oil called “Urushiol” that is found on poison ivy plants. Urushiol by itself is fairly harmless, but when absorbed by our skin, our body attacks&nbsp;to&nbsp;it as&nbsp;an intruder and the red, itchy rash follows. Urushiol is found in ALL parts of a poison ivy plant ALL year round, and has actually been found to be present in plants that have been dead&nbsp;for&nbsp;up to five years.&nbsp;Animals and pets do not react to urushiol but can carry it on their fur or hide and infect humans that way.&nbsp;It can also remain indefinitely on clothing and tools.&nbsp;Liquid from poison ivy blisters WILL NOT spread poison ivy; urushiol must be absorbed by our skin to cause a reaction&nbsp;and by the time a rash&nbsp;develops the oil has long since been absorbed.&nbsp;Sensitivity to poison ivy is thought to&nbsp;be genetic so it can&nbsp;run in the family; someone sensitive to poison ivy can&nbsp;also&nbsp;have a reaction from the smoke of burning poison ivy plants.

To keep this from reading&nbsp;like a pamphlet about poison ivy you’d pick up at the County Extension office, I’ve put together a&nbsp;little&nbsp;fun trivia&nbsp;about the “leaves-of-three” plant,&nbsp;plus&nbsp;few not-so-common facts&nbsp;and cures for poison ivy rash.

Five hundred people could itch from the amount of urushiol found on the head of a pin.&nbsp;It’s estimated that 85% of the world’s population would have an allergic reaction to poison ivy.&nbsp;Samples of urushiol several centuries old have still been found to cause skin irritation on sensitive people.&nbsp;

If using water &nbsp;to&nbsp;attempt &nbsp;to rinse&nbsp;urushiol&nbsp;off your skin&nbsp;before it’s absorbed, ALWAYS rinse with COOL water as hot water will actually open skin pores and speed absorption.

Capsaicin cream, labeled for arthritis pain can suppress the itch of poison ivy rash&nbsp;for hours.

Apple cider vinegar,&nbsp;rubbing alcohol&nbsp;or lemon juice&nbsp;poured liberally over your skin can rinse off urushiol if done soon enough after contact. Either liquid can also help heal poison ivy rash if drizzled over the rash or used on a compress.&nbsp;

Other ways to soothe poison ivy rash include&nbsp;coating the rash with&nbsp;cucumber slices or a paste made fromcucumber,&nbsp;and&nbsp;rubbing the rash with the inside of a banana peel or cool melon rind.&nbsp;

Witch hazel,&nbsp;strongly brewed tea,&nbsp;buttermilk or yogurt dabbed on poison ivy rash with a cotton ball can help draw toxins out of the rash and dry up seeping blisters.&nbsp;

Aloe Vera juice will soothe poison ivy rash like it soothes sunburn.

One cup of oatmeal ground into a fine powder, put into an old pair of pantyhose and used like a teabag in a tub of cool bathwater can provide relief from the intense itching of poison ivy rash.&nbsp;

Three teaspoons of baking soda mixed with one teaspoon of water makes a good paste to spread over poison ivy rash to aid in healing and offer temporary&nbsp;relief from itching.

In summary, lots of things can give relief from the itch of poison ivy rash, but the only sure way to prevent a reaction is to rinse off the urushiol oil before it can be absorbed into the skin.&nbsp;The opening lines of the old Coasters song “Poison Ivy” say “she comes on like a rose but everybody knows she’ll get you in dutch,&nbsp;you can look but you better not touch; poison ivy, poison ivy, at night when you’re sleepin’ poison ivy comes creeping around.” …Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>Well, I’m already hearing of people having&nbsp;rashes&nbsp;from&nbsp;poison ivy this spring.&nbsp;My mom was so allergic to poison ivy I still believe&nbsp;to this day&nbsp;she could have caught it by merely looking at the plants.&nbsp;I remember her being hospitalized once with poison ivy&nbsp;so bad on her hand that it&nbsp;resembled raw hamburger.&nbsp;My dad on the other hand could’ve&nbsp;rolled&nbsp;around in the stuff and never known&nbsp;it.&nbsp;One&nbsp;night&nbsp;a few years back&nbsp;I went to change a flat tire on our mobile deer blind which was still in the woods, and found it to be afloat in a sea of the healthiest poison ivy&nbsp;I’d ever seen. I chopped it down all around the tire, wore gloves&nbsp;and was pretty careful as I worked, but three or four days later I&nbsp;had a small patch of rash on one&nbsp;arm, the first time I ever&nbsp;had&nbsp;poison ivy.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each stem of a poison ivy plant has three shiny, pointed green leaves, thus the old saying “Leaves of three, let them be.” The troublemaker is the oil called “Urushiol” that is found on poison ivy plants. Urushiol by itself is fairly harmless, but when absorbed by our skin, our body attacks&nbsp;to&nbsp;it as&nbsp;an intruder and the red, itchy rash follows. Urushiol is found in ALL parts of a poison ivy plant ALL year round, and has actually been found to be present in plants that have been dead&nbsp;for&nbsp;up to five years.&nbsp;Animals and pets do not react to urushiol but can carry it on their fur or hide and infect humans that way.&nbsp;It can also remain indefinitely on clothing and tools.&nbsp;Liquid from poison ivy blisters WILL NOT spread poison ivy; urushiol must be absorbed by our skin to cause a reaction&nbsp;and by the time a rash&nbsp;develops the oil has long since been absorbed.&nbsp;Sensitivity to poison ivy is thought to&nbsp;be genetic so it can&nbsp;run in the family; someone sensitive to poison ivy can&nbsp;also&nbsp;have a reaction from the smoke of burning poison ivy plants.To keep this from reading&nbsp;like a pamphlet about poison ivy you’d pick up at the County Extension office, I’ve put together a&nbsp;little&nbsp;fun trivia&nbsp;about the “leaves-of-three” plant,&nbsp;plus&nbsp;few not-so-common facts&nbsp;and cures for poison ivy rash.Five hundred people could itch from the amount of urushiol found on the head of a pin.&nbsp;It’s estimated that 85% of the world’s population would have an allergic reaction to poison ivy.&nbsp;Samples of urushiol several centuries old have still been found to cause skin irritation on sensitive people.&nbsp;If using water &nbsp;to&nbsp;attempt &nbsp;to rinse&nbsp;urushiol&nbsp;off your skin&nbsp;before it’s absorbed, ALWAYS rinse with COOL water as hot water will actually open skin pores and speed absorption.Capsaicin cream, labeled for arthritis pain can suppress the itch of poison ivy rash&nbsp;for hours.Apple cider vinegar,&nbsp;rubbing alcohol&nbsp;or lemon juice&nbsp;poured liberally over your skin can rinse off urushiol if done soon enough after contact. Either liquid can also help heal poison ivy rash if drizzled over the rash or used on a compress.&nbsp;Other ways to soothe poison ivy rash include&nbsp;coating the rash with&nbsp;cucumber slices or a paste made fromcucumber,&nbsp;and&nbsp;rubbing the rash with the inside of a banana peel or cool melon rind.&nbsp;Witch hazel,&nbsp;strongly brewed tea,&nbsp;buttermilk or yogurt dabbed on poison ivy rash with a cotton ball can help draw toxins out of the rash and dry up seeping blisters.&nbsp;Aloe Vera juice will soothe poison ivy rash like it soothes sunburn.One cup of oatmeal ground into a fine powder, put into an old pair of pantyhose and used like a teabag in a tub of cool bathwater can provide relief from the intense itching of poison ivy rash.&nbsp;Three teaspoons of baking soda mixed with one teaspoon of water makes a good paste to spread over poison ivy rash to aid in healing and offer temporary&nbsp;relief from itching.In summary, lots of things can give relief from the itch of poison ivy rash, but the only sure way to prevent a reaction is to rinse off the urushiol oil before it can be absorbed into the skin.&nbsp;The opening lines of the old Coasters song “Poison Ivy” say “she comes on like a rose but everybody knows she’ll get you in dutch,&nbsp;you can look but you better not touch; poison ivy, poison ivy, at night when you’re sleepin’ poison ivy comes creeping around.” …Continue to Explore Kansas OutdoorsSteve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Don’t scratch that itch!

The time has come to invest in our community’s school facilities. &nbsp;I was against the bond the last time it was presented to voters, but I was uninformed. &nbsp;

As our kids have reached the age to visit other schools for their sporting functions, it has become abundantly apparent that our facilities are drastically inferior to our peer communities. And to make things worse, costs have increased so much that we could only do half the improvements if we had the same amount of money as the last bond proposal. &nbsp;

And it will only get more and more expensive if we don’t do something now.&nbsp; I was wrong last time, but we can get it right now — it’s time to invest in Hays’ schools. Join me on May 10 by voting yes for both the bond and sales tax options.&nbsp;

The time has come to invest in our community’s school facilities. &nbsp;I was against the bond the last time it was presented to voters, but I was uninformed. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As our kids have reached the age to visit other schools for their sporting functions, it has become abundantly apparent that our facilities are drastically inferior to our peer communities. And to make things worse, costs have increased so much that we could only do half the improvements if we had the same amount of money as the last bond proposal. &nbsp;And it will only get more and more expensive if we don’t do something now.&nbsp; I was wrong last time, but we can get it right now — it’s time to invest in Hays’ schools. Join me on May 10 by voting yes for both the bond and sales tax options.&nbsp;Rob Readle, Hays

LETTER: Vote no to last 489 bond? Time to make the right choice

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/08/analysis-how-the-kansas-legislature-avoids-public-scrutiny-by-hiding-in-darkness/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature shields itself from public scrutiny 
through secrecy, confusing shell games and silenced opposition.

Republicans who control the legislative process conduct hearings with
 selective one-sided testimony and provide no advance notice of a 
committee’s plans to take action on significant legislation.

They refuse to acknowledge the authors or special interests involved 
in writing state policy. They may even delay the filing of a bill so 
that it can’t be reviewed by news reporters or opponents before holding a
 hearing on it.

They pass big-ticket items through end-of-session deals that 
materialize late at night, combine masses of bills — including some that
 haven’t received a hearing — and deny lawmakers the opportunity to 
amend legislation.

They make it difficult to track a bill’s progress through the end of 
session with the ubiquitous use of a process known as “gut and go,” in 
which they replace the entirety of a bill with the contents of a 
different bill. Even lawmakers get confused by this shell game as they 
try to figure out which bill number aligns with a particular policy.

By hiding in darkness, the Legislature discourages public involvement in the policymaking process.

“The Legislature’s annual rites of secrecy serve special interests, 
not ordinary Kansans, and make it harder for voters to learn who is 
responsible for passing legislation adverse to the public interest,” 
said Max Kautsch, a 1st Amendment attorney, speaking on behalf of the 
Kansas Coalition for Open Government.

House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita
 Democrat, said transparency in the Legislature “has gotten worse and 
worse” since he was first elected in 1987.

Lawmakers work for the taxpayers, Sawyer said, “and it can often feel like some forget that.”

“Between conference committee bill bundling and not giving public 
notice, our constituents are cut out of the process,” Sawyer said. 
“Gut-and-go bills keep the public from tracking issues they care about. 
None of this is OK. We work for Kansans. We shouldn’t hide our work from
 them.”

Following are examples of the Legislature’s lack of transparency this
 session, and recommendations from the Kansas Coalition for Open 
Government to change the way the Legislature operates.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2239/">House Bill 2239</a> began as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2239_00_0000.pdf">a two-page bill</a>, sponsor unlisted, dealing with corporate tax code.

By the time the Legislature adopted the bill as a “conference 
committee report” on April 1, it had billowed into 94 pages of tax 
policy, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/05/kansas-tax-reform-bundle-sent-kelly-amassed-from-shards-of-29-different-bills/">fused from 29 separate pieces</a> of legislation.

Some of that policy had not received a hearing or been considered by 
one of the two chambers. Most legislators had no time to review the 
bundle, which added up to a $90 million annual tax cut, and legislative 
rules prevented lawmakers from trying to amend the legislation. They 
voted for it anyway, 39-0 in the Senate and 103-10 in the House.

This is frequently how a bill becomes a law in Kansas.

A lawmaker, lobbyist, organization or resident of Kansas introduces a
 bill, under their name, in either chamber. For this example, the bill 
starts in the House.

GOP leadership assigns the bill to the relative committee, where the 
chair gives opponents and proponents the equal opportunity to testify at
 a hearing. The committee on a later date considers amendments to the 
bill, debates the issue, and votes to send it to the full House.

The 125-member House meets as a committee of the whole to consider 
any additional changes, debate the bill and vote to advance it. The next
 day, the House takes final action on the bill, and votes to approve it 
with a simple majority.

The bill then goes to the Senate, where it follows the same steps.

Three members of both chambers — four Republicans, two Democrats — 
get together as a “conference committee” to iron out any differences 
between the Senate and House versions of the bill. The two chambers then
 take a final vote on the “conference committee report.”

In reality, GOP leaders short-circuit the process by introducing 
legislation during the final stage. Virtually all prominent legislation 
now is a product of a gut and go and packaged in a conference committee 
report.

Consider the path lawmakers took with legislation that requires 
adults to work 30 hours a week or enroll in job training in order to 
receive federal food assistance.

<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/10/out-of-state-groups-drive-to-limit-federal-benefits-in-kansas-meets-pointed-opposition/">Florida-based Opportunity Solutions Project</a> introduced the model legislation, although the organization’s name didn’t appear as the sponsor when it was entered as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb501/">Senate Bill 501</a>.
 The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on the 
bill March 10. The committee chairman, Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a 
Baxter Springs Republican, admonished a Democrat for questioning the 
relevancy of out-of-state testimony on the topic.

On March 17, the Senate committee held an impromptu meeting at the 
railing overlooking the Statehouse rotunda. There, the panel gutted <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2448/">House Bill 2448</a>,
 which dealt with foster care licensing, and replaced it with the 
restrictions on food aid. The original contents of House Bill 2448 had 
already been inserted into House Bill 2158, which previously was a 
public health bill, and passed into law a year ago.

The Senate on March 23 adopted the food restrictions now contained in
 House Bill 2448. The policy never received a hearing in the House, 
where opponents could have pointed to the adverse effects it could have 
on food banks, foster kids, single mothers, college students, cancer 
patients and the self-employed. Instead, both chambers passed the law as
 a conference committee report on March 30. Later, both chambers <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/28/kansas-house-overrides-veto-of-bill-tying-food-assistance-to-employment-or-job-training-program/">voted to override</a> Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of the bill.

Legislation dealing with <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/29/kansas-democrat-threatens-to-recruit-parents-to-sue-schools-for-lack-of-honest-history-lessons/">a parental bill of rights</a> for parents of public school children, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/26/kansas-senators-push-transgender-athlete-debate-to-new-extremes-in-override-of-governors-veto/">a ban on transgender athletes</a>, elimination of <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/29/kelly-promises-to-sign-bipartisan-bill-eliminating-states-sales-tax-on-food-by-2025/">the sales tax on food</a>, and the state budget followed similar paths.

Wyandotte County District Judge Bill Klapper noted the secrecy surrounding a new congressional district map while <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/04/25/congressional-map-drawn-by-kansas-republicans-is-unconstitutional-wyandotte-county-judge-rules/">ruling it was unconstitutional</a> because it dilutes minority votes and heavily favors Republicans.

“Republican sponsors of the map never publicly revealed who drew the 
plan despite being asked for that information on multiple occasions,” <a target="_blank" href="https://campaignlegal.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/2022-CV-89%20Decision%20Final.pdf">Klapper wrote in his ruling</a>.

Attorney Mark Johnson made a similar point in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kscourts.org/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/High%20Interest%20Cases/Petition-determine-validity-Sub-SB-563/Brief-of-Intervenor-Senator-Holland.pdf">a filing with the Kansas Supreme Court</a> over a new map for legislative districts.

“No one outside of perhaps select Republican insiders even knows who 
actually drew the map, much less how decisions were made,” Johnson 
wrote. “There was no transparency about the making of this sausage.”

The redistricting process, which Klapper described as “highly 
irregular, rushed, nontransparent and unfair,” is just one example of 
the Legislature’s preference for secrecy.

In 2015, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/state/2015/10/26/kansas-legislation-is-most-anonymous-in-nation/43147935/">Topeka Capital-Journal reported</a>
 90% of the bills that were introduced didn’t include the names of 
anyone involved in authoring or introducing them, making the Kansas 
Legislature the most secretive state government in the nation.&nbsp;The 
Kansas City Star further explored this topic in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article184179651.html">a six-part series</a> in 2017.

Sometimes, lawmakers won’t even disclose who they have invited to speak on a particular subject.

The March 14 calendar indicated the Senate Federal and State Affairs 
Committee would have an informational hearing on election security the 
next day. Davis Hammet, leader of the voting rights group Loud Light, 
sent an email to the committee assistant, Michael Welton, asking who was
 presenting this information.

“Tomorrow is a presentation topic dealing with election security,” Welton replied. “Does that answer your question?”

Davis persisted: “Can you tell me who is presenting &amp; how the presenters were selected?”

Welton: “Your hunting above my pay grade on this one.”

Davis: “Not trying to give you a hard time, but are you saying you are not allowed to tell me who is presenting tomorrow?”

Welton: “Davis, I answered your first half dozen questions. You just have refused to listen.”

The speaker turned out to be Maria Zach, of Nations In Action, who <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/committees/ctte_s_fed_st_1/misc_documents/download_testimony/ctte_s_fed_st_1_20220315_02_testimony.html">delivered widely discredited conspiracy theories</a> about the legitimacy of 2020 election results.

In another example of secrecy,&nbsp;Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, said 
during a Jan. 26 hearing of the Senate Public Health and Welfare 
Committee that he had intentionally withheld publication of <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/sb381/">Senate Bill 381</a>
 until the night before its scheduled hearing in an attempt to prevent 
news reporters from reading the bill. Unfortunately for Steffen, the 
hearing had been delayed a day, giving “the media a 24-hour head start.”

Steffen, an anesthesiologist who had written prescriptions for ivermectin to COVID-19 patients, <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/26/kansas-senator-under-investigation-after-prescribing-ivermectin-for-covid-19-seeks-legal-cover/">also revealed he was under investigation by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts</a>.
 His proposed legislation would have given him retroactive protection 
for prescribing a drug that provided no benefit to patients. His name is
 not listed as a sponsor of the bill.

On Feb. 8, the health panel combined his ivermectin bill with <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/sb398/">Senate Bill 398</a>
 — legislation that had not received a hearing and would provide an 
opt-out for vaccine requirements in schools — and inserted them both 
into <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2280/">House Bill 2280</a>,
 which originally dealt with pharmacy regulations. The panel’s support 
for Steffen’s legislation was part of an obvious backroom deal: Later 
that day, Steffen helped the Senate <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/07/kansas-senate-fails-to-override-governors-veto-of-gop-drawn-congressional-map-redistricting/">override the governor’s veto</a> of the congressional redistricting map by <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/08/gop-led-senate-reverses-course-to-override-kellys-veto-of-congressional-redistricting-map/">flipping his vote</a>.

The secrecy intensifies as the session progresses. In the final weeks
 of hearings, committees rarely notify the public of planned action on 
significant legislation. Instead, the calendar is filled with references
 to “possible action on bills previously heard.”

In the case of <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/sb484/">Senate Bill 484</a>, which would ban transgender athletes from girls’ sports teams, there was <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/chamber/documents/daily_calendar_senate_20220308181515.pdf">no notice of any kind in the calendar</a> for March 9, when the Senate Education Committee approved the bill. It would later be inserted into <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/sb160/">Senate Bill 160</a>, which previously dealt with wildlife and parks. The original contents of Senate Bill 160 had been inserted into <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/sb142/">Senate Bill 142</a> and passed into law last year.

Sen. Kellie Warren, a Leawood Republican who is seeking the GOP nomination for attorney general, scheduled <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/04/fervent-covid-19-mandate-critics-turning-to-like-minded-republican-state-senators/">a March 3 informational hearing</a>
 to discuss “potential legislation” restricting the authority of public 
officials to require vaccine passports or issue orders mandating face 
masks or limiting public gatherings.

During the hearing, Warren acknowledged the speakers were providing support for already-written legislation, <a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.com/li/b2021_22/measures/sb541/">Senate Bill 541</a>, which <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/07/senate-bill-mandates-limit-on-local-governments-school-boards-amid-public-health-threats/">her Judiciary Committee approved</a> the following week.

Public health professionals learned about the informational hearing 
when it appeared in the March 1 calendar, but the anti-vaccine and 
anti-mask speakers who spoke before Warren’s committee received advanced
 notice. Some of the speakers had provided written testimony before the 
meeting was scheduled.

Opinion