By DAVE TRABERT Kansas Policy Institute

The&nbsp;Ellis County Attorney’s decision to not prosecute election bribery&nbsp;signals that the trend of&nbsp;picking and choosing&nbsp;which crimes to&nbsp;prosecute&nbsp;is no longer confined&nbsp;to&nbsp;major U.S.&nbsp;cities with progressive prosecutors. &nbsp;And that is a very dangerous sign for freedom in Kansas.

As we reported&nbsp;<a href="https://sentinelksmo.org/prosecutor-considers-election-bribery-charge-against-hays-superintendent/">earlier this month</a>,&nbsp;USD 489 Hays Superintendent Ron Wilson&nbsp;emailed district staff on April 22nd concerning the May 10 bond issue election, which included this offer:

“Here’s my challenge to you. If 100% of the eligible voters in your building vote before May 10th we will bring lunch for you one day before the end of school. Yes, we’ll know if you vote (and no we&nbsp;can not&nbsp;see how you vote) The first building in our district to get 100% also gets dessert with their lunch! My expectation is to buy lunch for every building in our district!”

Wilson’s email makes it&nbsp;pretty clear&nbsp;that he is asking employees to vote for bond issue. He writes, “If we want to change the spaces we work in, we must be willing to take the time to vote and change our teaching and learning environments. It doesn’t cost us a penny to vote! Simply, by not voting really registers as a NO vote when it comes to our school staff.”

Ellis County Attorney&nbsp;Robert A. Anderson Jr.&nbsp;recently announced that he won’t prosecute Wilson — not because he doesn’t believe a crime was committed,&nbsp;but because&nbsp;he has more important crimes to prosecute.

Anderson&nbsp;practically&nbsp;acknowledges that a serious crime was committed in his statement reprinted below. He just didn’t want to&nbsp;take action. &nbsp;And by failing to act, he has&nbsp;all but declared open season on election fraud in Hays, Kansas.

As the Ellis County Attorney, I am not required to provide this statement. However, I recognize that as the Ellis County Attorney I have been entrusted with a great deal of discretionary authority and with that, an immense responsibility. There has been a great deal of public attention and concern surrounding allegations that USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson committed “Election Bribery” in violation of K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 25-2409, a severity level 7 non-person felony. There were also many alleged instances of “Electioneering” (illegal placement of signs) in violation of K.S.A. 25-2430 on both sides of the bond issue. It is my intention to address those concerns now.&nbsp;

Unfortunately, we live in a time where we are very divided politically. Community, friendship, and family bonds are all too often dissolved&nbsp;as a consequence of&nbsp;political divisiveness. Elections and political issues are fraught with passion. Despite the best of intentions, we say and do things in support of our position without carefully considering the consequences . . . because these issues are important to us. Because&nbsp;acting and speaking for what we believe in is fundamental to who we are as Americans and as Kansans. It’s patriotic to vote, debate, challenge others, and to act when our values are questioned or challenged. It’s patriotic to encourage others to fulfill their civic duty to vote. But, according to a strict interpretation of our “Election Bribery” statute, there’s a thin line between conduct that is patriotic and conduct that is criminal.

Under K.S.A. 25-2409, “Election Bribery," it is a severity level 7 non-person felony crime if you confer, offer or agree to confer, or solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit as consideration to vote (generally); it is the same crime (and same punishment) if you confer, offer or agree to confer, or solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit as consideration to vote specifically for or against a particular candidate or issue. The latter is objectively more criminal than the former, yet they are the same under this statute. &nbsp;

Similarly, when talking about value equal to or greater than $3.00, the crime is the same regardless of the value. Objectively, it is less serious to offer someone something valued at $3.00 to go out and vote (generally – not for a particular candidate or issue) versus offering someone $1,000.00 to vote for a specific candidate or issue. Yet, they are the same crime and punishment under this statute.

The strict letter of the law seemingly criminalizes more conduct than what was probably originally targeted, and that becomes more apparent when examining all the election crimes in Chapter 25. Of the thirty election crimes statutes, “Election Bribery” and “Bribe Accepted by an Elected Official” are the two most serious election crimes in Kansas.&nbsp;

“Election Bribery” is more serious than: voting more than once, bribing an elected official, intimidating voters, tampering with the election, voting without being qualified, election forgery, election perjury, possessing false or forged election supplies, voter machine fraud, election fraud by an election officer, electioneering, and corrupt political advertising . . . just to name a few.&nbsp;

I have a duty to prioritize the efforts of my office and maximize community safety. I cannot justify prosecuting Superintendent Ron Wilson, or any recipients of the email who “agreed to accept value” for “Election Bribery” because it will come at the cost of diverting time and resources away from prosecution of sexual assaults, homicides, child abuse &amp; neglect, aggravated batteries, aggravated assaults, drug distribution crimes, burglaries, and other very serious matters that have a major impact on community safety. As such, concerning the allegations against Superintendent Ron Wilson, others who may have “agreed to accept value” to vote, and those who may have committed acts of “Electioneering," I will take no action at this time.

By DAVE TRABERT Kansas Policy InstituteThe&nbsp;Ellis County Attorney’s decision to not prosecute election bribery&nbsp;signals that the trend of&nbsp;picking and choosing&nbsp;which crimes to&nbsp;prosecute&nbsp;is no longer confined&nbsp;to&nbsp;major U.S.&nbsp;cities with progressive prosecutors. &nbsp;And that is a very dangerous sign for freedom in Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As we reported&nbsp;<a href="https://sentinelksmo.org/prosecutor-considers-election-bribery-charge-against-hays-superintendent/">earlier this month</a>,&nbsp;USD 489 Hays Superintendent Ron Wilson&nbsp;emailed district staff on April 22nd concerning the May 10 bond issue election, which included this offer:“Here’s my challenge to you. If 100% of the eligible voters in your building vote before May 10th we will bring lunch for you one day before the end of school. Yes, we’ll know if you vote (and no we&nbsp;can not&nbsp;see how you vote) The first building in our district to get 100% also gets dessert with their lunch! My expectation is to buy lunch for every building in our district!”Wilson’s email makes it&nbsp;pretty clear&nbsp;that he is asking employees to vote for bond issue. He writes, “If we want to change the spaces we work in, we must be willing to take the time to vote and change our teaching and learning environments. It doesn’t cost us a penny to vote! Simply, by not voting really registers as a NO vote when it comes to our school staff.”Ellis County Attorney&nbsp;Robert A. Anderson Jr.&nbsp;recently announced that he won’t prosecute Wilson — not because he doesn’t believe a crime was committed,&nbsp;but because&nbsp;he has more important crimes to prosecute.Anderson&nbsp;practically&nbsp;acknowledges that a serious crime was committed in his statement reprinted below. He just didn’t want to&nbsp;take action. &nbsp;And by failing to act, he has&nbsp;all but declared open season on election fraud in Hays, Kansas.****As the Ellis County Attorney, I am not required to provide this statement. However, I recognize that as the Ellis County Attorney I have been entrusted with a great deal of discretionary authority and with that, an immense responsibility. There has been a great deal of public attention and concern surrounding allegations that USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson committed “Election Bribery” in violation of K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 25-2409, a severity level 7 non-person felony. There were also many alleged instances of “Electioneering” (illegal placement of signs) in violation of K.S.A. 25-2430 on both sides of the bond issue. It is my intention to address those concerns now.&nbsp;Unfortunately, we live in a time where we are very divided politically. Community, friendship, and family bonds are all too often dissolved&nbsp;as a consequence of&nbsp;political divisiveness. Elections and political issues are fraught with passion. Despite the best of intentions, we say and do things in support of our position without carefully considering the consequences . . . because these issues are important to us. Because&nbsp;acting and speaking for what we believe in is fundamental to who we are as Americans and as Kansans. It’s patriotic to vote, debate, challenge others, and to act when our values are questioned or challenged. It’s patriotic to encourage others to fulfill their civic duty to vote. But, according to a strict interpretation of our “Election Bribery” statute, there’s a thin line between conduct that is patriotic and conduct that is criminal.Under K.S.A. 25-2409, “Election Bribery," it is a severity level 7 non-person felony crime if you confer, offer or agree to confer, or solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit as consideration to vote (generally); it is the same crime (and same punishment) if you confer, offer or agree to confer, or solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit as consideration to vote specifically for or against a particular candidate or issue. The latter is objectively more criminal than the former, yet they are the same under this statute. &nbsp;Similarly, when talking about value equal to or greater than $3.00, the crime is the same regardless of the value. Objectively, it is less serious to offer someone something valued at $3.00 to go out and vote (generally – not for a particular candidate or issue) versus offering someone $1,000.00 to vote for a specific candidate or issue. Yet, they are the same crime and punishment under this statute.The strict letter of the law seemingly criminalizes more conduct than what was probably originally targeted, and that becomes more apparent when examining all the election crimes in Chapter 25. Of the thirty election crimes statutes, “Election Bribery” and “Bribe Accepted by an Elected Official” are the two most serious election crimes in Kansas.&nbsp;“Election Bribery” is more serious than: voting more than once, bribing an elected official, intimidating voters, tampering with the election, voting without being qualified, election forgery, election perjury, possessing false or forged election supplies, voter machine fraud, election fraud by an election officer, electioneering, and corrupt political advertising . . . just to name a few.&nbsp;I have a duty to prioritize the efforts of my office and maximize community safety. I cannot justify prosecuting Superintendent Ron Wilson, or any recipients of the email who “agreed to accept value” for “Election Bribery” because it will come at the cost of diverting time and resources away from prosecution of sexual assaults, homicides, child abuse &amp; neglect, aggravated batteries, aggravated assaults, drug distribution crimes, burglaries, and other very serious matters that have a major impact on community safety. As such, concerning the allegations against Superintendent Ron Wilson, others who may have “agreed to accept value” to vote, and those who may have committed acts of “Electioneering," I will take no action at this time.

OPINION: Choosing which crimes to prosecute comes to Kan. on election bribery

At Fort Hays State University, our number one priority is taking care of our students. We work intentionally to create a level of personalized care that goes beyond friendly and nice. Tiger Nation connects deeply and sincerely. Our welcome is genuine. From Day One, faculty and staff invest in each student, taking time to make one-on-one contact, build confidence, and nurture each Tiger to their personal success.

The best evidence of this philosophy can be witnessed at the annual&nbsp;Fischli’s&nbsp;Excellence in Higher Education annual banquet, hosted by the Fort Hays Honor Society. Students gather to celebrate, thank, and honor the faculty and staff members who made Fort Hays State a remarkable experience. It is indeed one of my favorite events. I always leave&nbsp;there&nbsp;joyful and thankful for our incredible faculty and staff who care so deeply for our students.

This year was no exception. The keynote speaker, Dr. David Fitzhugh, gave a heartfelt presentation on connecting with students. Every Monday morning, Dr. Fitzhugh, associate professor of health and human performance, asks his students about their weekend. He creates an environment where everyone connects with one another and shares about their life. He also takes time to notice when someone doesn’t appear to “be themselves” and reaches out to them in private.

Dr. Fitzhugh shared a beautiful story of a student who started to withdraw. The professor noticed. He followed up. It made a difference. A couple of years after that student graduated and went on to have a successful career, she wrote Dr. Fitzhugh a letter to let him know the deep impact his outreach had on her life during a very difficult time.&nbsp;

During the banquet dinner, I marveled at the genuine exchange among the people at my table – two faculty members and five students. Ken&nbsp;Windholz, instructor of psychology, was talking with&nbsp;Jozlyn&nbsp;Brown, a student who commutes from Russell. Part of their conversation was about texting for clarification on assignments and class materials. I mentioned how amazed I was that the students had their faculty members’ cell phone numbers. The students at the table indicated they had the cell phone numbers of many of their professors.

Also at my table was Dr. Emily Weber, an instructor of biological sciences.&nbsp;Windholz&nbsp;shared how impressed he was with Dr. Weber’s ability and dedication to learn the names of every student. He shared that she arrived early to her classes, stood at the door, and greeted every student by name. Each of her classes had between 35 and 48 students. Another student shared that she had Dr. Weber for one class and enthusiastically agreed how special her daily greetings were. The next semester, this student bumped into Dr. Weber, who greeted her by name and asked her how she was doing. Extraordinary!

And then there was the story of Dr. Robert Lloyd, assistant professor of management. The fact that he teaches management is even more significant to this account. Apparently, in Dr. Lloyd’s class, there is a final paper due. Then, on the scheduled exam day, students gather in the class. Their final exam is to name every student in the class and say something you learned about each one. That is what I call modeling the way. I love that!

Story after story, students talked about how faculty and staff nurtured a sense of belonging and how that feeling of mattering helped them succeed at Fort Hays State. Our faculty facilitate relationships that intentionally create environments to prepare them for a truly prosperous future.&nbsp;

Because our engagement with each student matters deeply to us, we deliver a high-value education based on responsiveness, positivity, and kindness. That is Fort Hays State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>At Fort Hays State University, our number one priority is taking care of our students. We work intentionally to create a level of personalized care that goes beyond friendly and nice. Tiger Nation connects deeply and sincerely. Our welcome is genuine. From Day One, faculty and staff invest in each student, taking time to make one-on-one contact, build confidence, and nurture each Tiger to their personal success.The best evidence of this philosophy can be witnessed at the annual&nbsp;Fischli’s&nbsp;Excellence in Higher Education annual banquet, hosted by the Fort Hays Honor Society. Students gather to celebrate, thank, and honor the faculty and staff members who made Fort Hays State a remarkable experience. It is indeed one of my favorite events. I always leave&nbsp;there&nbsp;joyful and thankful for our incredible faculty and staff who care so deeply for our students.This year was no exception. The keynote speaker, Dr. David Fitzhugh, gave a heartfelt presentation on connecting with students. Every Monday morning, Dr. Fitzhugh, associate professor of health and human performance, asks his students about their weekend. He creates an environment where everyone connects with one another and shares about their life. He also takes time to notice when someone doesn’t appear to “be themselves” and reaches out to them in private.Dr. Fitzhugh shared a beautiful story of a student who started to withdraw. The professor noticed. He followed up. It made a difference. A couple of years after that student graduated and went on to have a successful career, she wrote Dr. Fitzhugh a letter to let him know the deep impact his outreach had on her life during a very difficult time.&nbsp;During the banquet dinner, I marveled at the genuine exchange among the people at my table – two faculty members and five students. Ken&nbsp;Windholz, instructor of psychology, was talking with&nbsp;Jozlyn&nbsp;Brown, a student who commutes from Russell. Part of their conversation was about texting for clarification on assignments and class materials. I mentioned how amazed I was that the students had their faculty members’ cell phone numbers. The students at the table indicated they had the cell phone numbers of many of their professors.Also at my table was Dr. Emily Weber, an instructor of biological sciences.&nbsp;Windholz&nbsp;shared how impressed he was with Dr. Weber’s ability and dedication to learn the names of every student. He shared that she arrived early to her classes, stood at the door, and greeted every student by name. Each of her classes had between 35 and 48 students. Another student shared that she had Dr. Weber for one class and enthusiastically agreed how special her daily greetings were. The next semester, this student bumped into Dr. Weber, who greeted her by name and asked her how she was doing. Extraordinary!And then there was the story of Dr. Robert Lloyd, assistant professor of management. The fact that he teaches management is even more significant to this account. Apparently, in Dr. Lloyd’s class, there is a final paper due. Then, on the scheduled exam day, students gather in the class. Their final exam is to name every student in the class and say something you learned about each one. That is what I call modeling the way. I love that!Story after story, students talked about how faculty and staff nurtured a sense of belonging and how that feeling of mattering helped them succeed at Fort Hays State. Our faculty facilitate relationships that intentionally create environments to prepare them for a truly prosperous future.&nbsp;Because our engagement with each student matters deeply to us, we deliver a high-value education based on responsiveness, positivity, and kindness. That is Fort Hays State University.

MASON: Responsiveness, positivity, kindness: That is Fort Hays State

By DARRELL EHRLICK <a href="https://dailymontanan.com/2022/05/26/thoughts-and-prayers-of-a-different-kind/">Daily Montanan</a>

After the school shooting in 
Texas, I realized that I was about the only columnist in America that 
didn’t talk to my kids about within 24 hours of event.

Sure, I’ll cop to being a mediocre parent, but not for that reason.

Instead, after years – literally decades – of reporting, editing and 
reading stories about guns being used against children, I’m completely 
numb. The trauma barely registers and that’s, at best, tacky to say. 
But, it’s also an urgent indicator of the necessity to do something. 
That I check social media to see which blusterpot politician can talk 
about praying and thinking good thoughts is so cynical, while the 
thought of losing a child to gun violence should consume my attention.

Quite frankly, I am sick and tired of “thoughts and prayers” response.

If anyone was sincerely committed to thoughts and prayers, the 
situation would have been radically changed by now. I say this as a gun 
owner who supports basic checks on our freedom to own guns. Freedom is 
anarchy and chaos without some measure of responsibility. And, our 
unyielding worship of guns borders on pathological.

If politicians were sincere about the “thoughts” part, they’d think 
through the pain of the parents, the loss of innocent lives and devise 
reasonable solutions and safeguards. After all, guns are like 
automobiles, implements that can be used to improve our lives, but 
without reasonable rules and safeguards, they’re killing machines. And 
yet, every time some politician urges that ol’ “thoughts and prayers” 
line, they never oblige us with any kind of meaningful thought, 
discourse or discussion on what they pondered as families planned 
funerals for their grade-schoolers.

Count me in when it comes to wanting to hear more about their 
thoughts in relation to school shootings, and why they seem incapable of
 even the most basic protections.

As far as the prayers portion of the “thoughts-and-prayer” approach, 
might I suggest the problem isn’t with the approach, but the technique?

Here’s what I mean: Maybe politicians are so used to using their 
mouths that even during the personal act of praying, they’re not 
listening. Maybe instead of talking to God, they should listen more.

As much as I would like for politicians not to implicate God in the 
bargain every time they talk about praying, maybe the problem is too 
much talking. And even though it’s dangerous, bordering on blasphemous, 
to assume to know how God may respond in any situation, I would like to 
think if all those politicians were really praying so earnestly and 
fervently that they would hear the unmistakable sound of the holy urging
 them to take action to protect the little children.

After all, it was Jesus who rebuked his disciples saying, “Let the little children come to me; do not harm them.”

For all the biblical ambiguity that exists, Jesus is repeatedly clear on what happens to those who hurt children.

I cannot imagine that even if, in those half-moments of silence as 
politicians are catching their breath while feverishly praying, God 
interjects and says, “Protect the Second Amendment at all costs.” That 
seems incongruent with the same religion that discuses turning swords 
into ploughshares.

Using the phrase “thoughts and prayers” is a disservice to both, 
which are vitally important during this discussion. Yet those clever 
politicians have figured that it is a magical incantation which thwarts 
more substantive questions from the public hungry for action. Because, 
you know, no one would be so brazen as to question a politician’s 
sincerity during a national tragedy. No one would suggest their words 
are hypocritical, pandering or insincere.

I am dismissing and rejecting any politician – Democrat or Republican
 – who offers thoughts and prayers as the antidote to gunning down 
children.

It’s as meaningless and nonsensical as prescribing meditation and scripture for DUI accidents.

Americans get the government they are willing to tolerate, so after 
all these thoughts and prayers, it’s time to demand more. Leaving it to 
God is punting responsibility, shifting the problem of gun violence from
 humans to the supernatural. It has allowed far too many politicians to 
embrace religion and killing, two ideas diametrically opposed to each 
other.

Sadly, I fear God has plenty of other work keeping him occupied right
 now, like welcoming in nearly two dozen children and people who were 
cut down early in the wake of the Texas tragedy. And I just hope for 
them and their families that Jesus’ words about kids are absolutely 
true: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Darrell Ehrlick is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Montanan, after leading his native state’s largest paper, The Billings Gazette.

By DARRELL EHRLICK <a href="https://dailymontanan.com/2022/05/26/thoughts-and-prayers-of-a-different-kind/">Daily Montanan</a>After the school shooting in 
Texas, I realized that I was about the only columnist in America that 
didn’t talk to my kids about within 24 hours of event.Sure, I’ll cop to being a mediocre parent, but not for that reason.Instead, after years – literally decades – of reporting, editing and 
reading stories about guns being used against children, I’m completely 
numb. The trauma barely registers and that’s, at best, tacky to say. 
But, it’s also an urgent indicator of the necessity to do something. 
That I check social media to see which blusterpot politician can talk 
about praying and thinking good thoughts is so cynical, while the 
thought of losing a child to gun violence should consume my attention.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Quite frankly, I am sick and tired of “thoughts and prayers” response.To quote kids today: Just stop.If anyone was sincerely committed to thoughts and prayers, the 
situation would have been radically changed by now. I say this as a gun 
owner who supports basic checks on our freedom to own guns. Freedom is 
anarchy and chaos without some measure of responsibility. And, our 
unyielding worship of guns borders on pathological.If politicians were sincere about the “thoughts” part, they’d think 
through the pain of the parents, the loss of innocent lives and devise 
reasonable solutions and safeguards. After all, guns are like 
automobiles, implements that can be used to improve our lives, but 
without reasonable rules and safeguards, they’re killing machines. And 
yet, every time some politician urges that ol’ “thoughts and prayers” 
line, they never oblige us with any kind of meaningful thought, 
discourse or discussion on what they pondered as families planned 
funerals for their grade-schoolers.Count me in when it comes to wanting to hear more about their 
thoughts in relation to school shootings, and why they seem incapable of
 even the most basic protections.As far as the prayers portion of the “thoughts-and-prayer” approach, 
might I suggest the problem isn’t with the approach, but the technique?Here’s what I mean: Maybe politicians are so used to using their 
mouths that even during the personal act of praying, they’re not 
listening. Maybe instead of talking to God, they should listen more.As much as I would like for politicians not to implicate God in the 
bargain every time they talk about praying, maybe the problem is too 
much talking. And even though it’s dangerous, bordering on blasphemous, 
to assume to know how God may respond in any situation, I would like to 
think if all those politicians were really praying so earnestly and 
fervently that they would hear the unmistakable sound of the holy urging
 them to take action to protect the little children.After all, it was Jesus who rebuked his disciples saying, “Let the little children come to me; do not harm them.”For all the biblical ambiguity that exists, Jesus is repeatedly clear on what happens to those who hurt children.I cannot imagine that even if, in those half-moments of silence as 
politicians are catching their breath while feverishly praying, God 
interjects and says, “Protect the Second Amendment at all costs.” That 
seems incongruent with the same religion that discuses turning swords 
into ploughshares.Using the phrase “thoughts and prayers” is a disservice to both, 
which are vitally important during this discussion. Yet those clever 
politicians have figured that it is a magical incantation which thwarts 
more substantive questions from the public hungry for action. Because, 
you know, no one would be so brazen as to question a politician’s 
sincerity during a national tragedy. No one would suggest their words 
are hypocritical, pandering or insincere.Well, almost no one.I am dismissing and rejecting any politician – Democrat or Republican
 – who offers thoughts and prayers as the antidote to gunning down 
children.It’s as meaningless and nonsensical as prescribing meditation and scripture for DUI accidents.Americans get the government they are willing to tolerate, so after 
all these thoughts and prayers, it’s time to demand more. Leaving it to 
God is punting responsibility, shifting the problem of gun violence from
 humans to the supernatural. It has allowed far too many politicians to 
embrace religion and killing, two ideas diametrically opposed to each 
other.Sadly, I fear God has plenty of other work keeping him occupied right
 now, like welcoming in nearly two dozen children and people who were 
cut down early in the wake of the Texas tragedy. And I just hope for 
them and their families that Jesus’ words about kids are absolutely 
true: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Darrell Ehrlick is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Montanan, after leading his native state’s largest paper, The Billings Gazette.

OPINION: Thoughts and prayers of a different kind

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau I recently saw my first copperhead of the year while out trying to catch some pre-spawn bass at a farm pond. Initially I thought it was a snapping turtle poking its head above the water before I caught a glimpse of the telltale oscillation of the more sinister reptile. As is usually the case when I encounter a serpent in the wild, the old adage that it’s just as afraid of me as I am of it proved laughably false. If that held true, the two-foot reptile would have turned around when the first rock splashed near its head. Instead, it kept slithering closer to the bank where I stood. Clearly my dislike for this creature wasn’t reciprocated. It paid me no mind as it settled onto a rock about 30 yards away were it began basking in the sun. I resumed casting a lure into the water while keeping an eye on the danger coiled up a short distance away. Our interaction continued with me being vigilant on the snake’s whereabouts, while it regarded me with extreme indifference. It eventually warmed up enough to slither back into the water and across the pond. I took the opportunity to walk back to my tacklebox, keeping my eyes fixed on the ground for signs of another visitor. I safely fetched my gear and went on my way without seeing another serpent, but there were a few suspicious looking sticks that helped quicken my retreat. All of this fear is, of course, illogical. There’s no shortage of statistics detailing the just how unlikely my demise will come at the fangs of a snake. Of the several thousand people bitten each year, only about a dozen deaths are recorded. The venom in the native snakes of Kansas — three varieties of rattlers and the aforementioned copperhead — also is relatively mild according to the people who judge these things. By mild, I mean the venom will cause excruciating pain instead of killing you, which isn’t enough to overcome the strong desire for self-preservation. So, there’s an evolutionary case to be made for the illogical reactions being completely rational. I also learned a healthy amount of fear from family members. My grandfather once mistook a coil of hose for a black snake when spraying cattle in the corral. He raced across the pen and up a fencepost before warning the rest of us about the alleged intruder. While the rest of us found the situation quite comical, we also knew it could have been any of us fleeing in panic. I’ve stumbled over myself more than once after hearing a rattle in tall grass only to see a cicada fly off. Whether innate or learned, the fear is real. I spent a decent portion of my youth trying to imitate St. Patrick and eradicate snakes in my portion of the world. Blacksnakes, bull-snakes and other nonvenomous relatives were left alone to deal with vermin around the outbuildings, but even the sight of them would set my heart racing. The closest encounter I’ve ever had with any snake is when I was about 10 or so and stepped on a water snake while crossing a pond dam. I can still recall the squish under my boot in a way that gives me shivers. Once again, I was more bothered by our encounter than the snake. At least I pretended to be scared, what with my gasping and lurching and stumbling backward away from mortal danger. The snake barely lifted its head to flick its tongue in my direction. The one thing I haven’t managed over all these years is to develop a good sense of not going to the same places I regularly encounter snakes. I’m relying on a good pair of boots, long pants and the apparent apathy serpents have for my existence to keep me safe in the pastures, ponds and creeks over the Plains.

"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/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau I recently saw my first copperhead of the year while out trying to catch some pre-spawn bass at a farm pond. Initially I thought it was a snapping turtle poking its head above the water before I caught a glimpse of the telltale oscillation of the more sinister reptile. As is usually the case when I encounter a serpent in the wild, the old adage that it’s just as afraid of me as I am of it proved laughably false. If that held true, the two-foot reptile would have turned around when the first rock splashed near its head. Instead, it kept slithering closer to the bank where I stood. Clearly my dislike for this creature wasn’t reciprocated. It paid me no mind as it settled onto a rock about 30 yards away were it began basking in the sun. I resumed casting a lure into the water while keeping an eye on the danger coiled up a short distance away. Our interaction continued with me being vigilant on the snake’s whereabouts, while it regarded me with extreme indifference. It eventually warmed up enough to slither back into the water and across the pond. I took the opportunity to walk back to my tacklebox, keeping my eyes fixed on the ground for signs of another visitor. I safely fetched my gear and went on my way without seeing another serpent, but there were a few suspicious looking sticks that helped quicken my retreat. All of this fear is, of course, illogical. There’s no shortage of statistics detailing the just how unlikely my demise will come at the fangs of a snake. Of the several thousand people bitten each year, only about a dozen deaths are recorded. The venom in the native snakes of Kansas — three varieties of rattlers and the aforementioned copperhead — also is relatively mild according to the people who judge these things. By mild, I mean the venom will cause excruciating pain instead of killing you, which isn’t enough to overcome the strong desire for self-preservation. So, there’s an evolutionary case to be made for the illogical reactions being completely rational. I also learned a healthy amount of fear from family members. My grandfather once mistook a coil of hose for a black snake when spraying cattle in the corral. He raced across the pen and up a fencepost before warning the rest of us about the alleged intruder. While the rest of us found the situation quite comical, we also knew it could have been any of us fleeing in panic. I’ve stumbled over myself more than once after hearing a rattle in tall grass only to see a cicada fly off. Whether innate or learned, the fear is real. I spent a decent portion of my youth trying to imitate St. Patrick and eradicate snakes in my portion of the world. Blacksnakes, bull-snakes and other nonvenomous relatives were left alone to deal with vermin around the outbuildings, but even the sight of them would set my heart racing. The closest encounter I’ve ever had with any snake is when I was about 10 or so and stepped on a water snake while crossing a pond dam. I can still recall the squish under my boot in a way that gives me shivers. Once again, I was more bothered by our encounter than the snake. At least I pretended to be scared, what with my gasping and lurching and stumbling backward away from mortal danger. The snake barely lifted its head to flick its tongue in my direction. The one thing I haven’t managed over all these years is to develop a good sense of not going to the same places I regularly encounter snakes. I’m relying on a good pair of boots, long pants and the apparent apathy serpents have for my existence to keep me safe in the pastures, ponds and creeks over the Plains."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: Snakes on the Plains

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

Building better beef. That’s one goal of an innovative Kansas entrepreneur who is using a unique breed of cattle and careful quality control to create a remarkable beef-eating experience for consumers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dave Dreiling is the founder and owner of Booth Creek Wagyu. As we have previously profiled, Dave is a successful entrepreneur who studied business at K-State. He met and married Kristen Spaeth. Dave founded GTM, the sportswear company, and also owns numerous restaurants.&nbsp;

In 2008, he bought a Pottawatomie County ranch, primarily for deer hunting. Through the years, he expanded the property, now known as Booth Creek Ranch. Meanwhile, Dareiling’s uncle raised greyhounds near Abilene and had started raising beef cattle as well, including some cows that had been bred to a bull from a Japanese breed known as Wagyu.&nbsp;

“We got some of this beef and fell in love with it,” Dreiling said. They found it to be especially tender and flavorful. Dreiling went to his uncle’s dispersal sale with the intention of buying one animal, but ended up purchasing four full-blood Wagyu and 28 Wagyu embryos. “My intent was to buy a few head to have great beef for family and friends,” he said.&nbsp;

The more Dreiling learned about Wagyu, the more he became convinced about the potential of the breed and the opportunities to upgrade beef consumption. “There aren’t a lot of Wagyu producers,” he said. “One was a cattle company in California that was shipping them to Kansas to be fed, and then shipping them back to be processed.”&nbsp;

“Kansas is a better place to raise cattle,” Dreiling said. “Why couldn’t we do this here, all the way through?”&nbsp;

So Booth Creek Wagyu became the basis for a vertically integrated beef production operation, from the genetics and production all the way to processing, sales, and distribution. This would assure quality control through the entire process.&nbsp;

They purchased a meat processing business, now known as MeatWorks, in Riley. In March 2022, they opened a Booth Creek Wagyu retail store and sampling kitchen in east Manhattan.&nbsp;

What makes Wagyu beef exceptional? “It’s all about the marbling, which contributes to taste and tenderness,” Dreiling said. “Then I stumbled on the health benefits. Most of the fat is unsaturated. Wagyu beef is higher in Omega 3s and 6s than salmon and is lower in cholesterol than chicken.”&nbsp;

“I’ve heard our store described as a jewelry store for beef because we offer lots of choices,” Dreiling said.&nbsp;

Booth Creek Wagyu sells beef cuts at the Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels, with the higher levels featuring higher amounts of marbling. USDA Prime beef is 8-12% IMF, while a Platinum full-blood Wagyu is 26% IMF or more.&nbsp;&nbsp;“That makes a rich steak so people might not eat as much of it,” Dreiling said.&nbsp;

“Wagyu is like coffee these days – people have lots of different preferences. Some want dark roast, some want it lighter, and no one is wrong. Some (beef consumers) prefer more tenderness and some want less fat.”&nbsp;

He’s devised a camera system that takes an electronic image of each cut of meat, and the image is transmitted to Japan for grading. “We know where every steak comes from and how it grades,” Dreiling said.&nbsp;

The Booth Creek Wagyu store includes a sampling kitchen so people can decide what level of marbling they prefer. “We want to help people dial in on what kind of beef they like,” Dreiling said.&nbsp;

His intent is to build on the Manhattan store and open additional Wagyu stores and sampling kitchens across the region and the nation.&nbsp;

All of the store’s Wagyu beef originates at Booth Creek Ranch, located near the rural community of Olsburg, population 219 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.boothcreekwagyu.com/">www.boothcreekwagyu.com</a>.&nbsp;

Can beef be better? That’s become a passion for this Kansas entrepreneur. We commend Dave Dreiling and all those involved with Booth Creek Wagyu for making a difference with innovative production and marketing. We’re glad he’s making a business of building better beef.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652883467504.png" alt="Dave Dreiling" />
 <figcaption>Dave Dreiling</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;Building better beef. That’s one goal of an innovative Kansas entrepreneur who is using a unique breed of cattle and careful quality control to create a remarkable beef-eating experience for consumers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dave Dreiling is the founder and owner of Booth Creek Wagyu. As we have previously profiled, Dave is a successful entrepreneur who studied business at K-State. He met and married Kristen Spaeth. Dave founded GTM, the sportswear company, and also owns numerous restaurants.&nbsp;In 2008, he bought a Pottawatomie County ranch, primarily for deer hunting. Through the years, he expanded the property, now known as Booth Creek Ranch. Meanwhile, Dareiling’s uncle raised greyhounds near Abilene and had started raising beef cattle as well, including some cows that had been bred to a bull from a Japanese breed known as Wagyu.&nbsp;“We got some of this beef and fell in love with it,” Dreiling said. They found it to be especially tender and flavorful. Dreiling went to his uncle’s dispersal sale with the intention of buying one animal, but ended up purchasing four full-blood Wagyu and 28 Wagyu embryos. “My intent was to buy a few head to have great beef for family and friends,” he said.&nbsp;The more Dreiling learned about Wagyu, the more he became convinced about the potential of the breed and the opportunities to upgrade beef consumption. “There aren’t a lot of Wagyu producers,” he said. “One was a cattle company in California that was shipping them to Kansas to be fed, and then shipping them back to be processed.”&nbsp;“Kansas is a better place to raise cattle,” Dreiling said. “Why couldn’t we do this here, all the way through?”&nbsp;So Booth Creek Wagyu became the basis for a vertically integrated beef production operation, from the genetics and production all the way to processing, sales, and distribution. This would assure quality control through the entire process.&nbsp;They purchased a meat processing business, now known as MeatWorks, in Riley. In March 2022, they opened a Booth Creek Wagyu retail store and sampling kitchen in east Manhattan.&nbsp;What makes Wagyu beef exceptional? “It’s all about the marbling, which contributes to taste and tenderness,” Dreiling said. “Then I stumbled on the health benefits. Most of the fat is unsaturated. Wagyu beef is higher in Omega 3s and 6s than salmon and is lower in cholesterol than chicken.”&nbsp;“I’ve heard our store described as a jewelry store for beef because we offer lots of choices,” Dreiling said.&nbsp;Booth Creek Wagyu sells beef cuts at the Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels, with the higher levels featuring higher amounts of marbling. USDA Prime beef is 8-12% IMF, while a Platinum full-blood Wagyu is 26% IMF or more.&nbsp;&nbsp;“That makes a rich steak so people might not eat as much of it,” Dreiling said.&nbsp;“Wagyu is like coffee these days – people have lots of different preferences. Some want dark roast, some want it lighter, and no one is wrong. Some (beef consumers) prefer more tenderness and some want less fat.”&nbsp;He’s devised a camera system that takes an electronic image of each cut of meat, and the image is transmitted to Japan for grading. “We know where every steak comes from and how it grades,” Dreiling said.&nbsp;The Booth Creek Wagyu store includes a sampling kitchen so people can decide what level of marbling they prefer. “We want to help people dial in on what kind of beef they like,” Dreiling said.&nbsp;His intent is to build on the Manhattan store and open additional Wagyu stores and sampling kitchens across the region and the nation.&nbsp;All of the store’s Wagyu beef originates at Booth Creek Ranch, located near the rural community of Olsburg, population 219 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.boothcreekwagyu.com/">www.boothcreekwagyu.com</a>.&nbsp;Can beef be better? That’s become a passion for this Kansas entrepreneur. We commend Dave Dreiling and all those involved with Booth Creek Wagyu for making a difference with innovative production and marketing. We’re glad he’s making a business of building better beef.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Dave Dreiling, Booth Creek Wagyu 

Should Kansas ban abortion, politicians in Topeka will have some hefty policy decisions to make. “Banning abortion” sounds simple, but realistically that involves choices about penalties, enforcement, and money.&nbsp;

If&nbsp;Roe v. Wade&nbsp;is overturned and voters vote “yes” on the abortion amendment on the August 2nd&nbsp;ballot, the Kansas legislature can then pass an abortion ban similar to House Bill 2746 this year that outlaws abortion, even in cases of rape, incest, or a woman’s life or health.&nbsp;

“Banning abortion” won’t eliminate abortion in Kansas. Women, especially wealthy and connected White women, had abortions before&nbsp;Roe—often secretively and unsafely. That may be reality again in Kansas in a post-Roe, “yes” vote world.&nbsp;

Let’s imagine that abortion is illegal in Kansas. You know a woman who had an abortion here and the medical providers who performed it. You want to report their crime. Other states are ahead of Kansas in specifying logistics of abortion bans and can illuminate the choices that Kansas politicians will face in this scenario.&nbsp;

State abortion bans that trigger if&nbsp;Roe&nbsp;falls specify crimes and penalties. Under many, abortion becomes a first or second degree felony. Louisiana lawmakers recently attempted to classify abortion as murder. In 2021, a Texas lawmaker introduced legislation to make abortion a death penalty offense, and some Texas Republicans campaigned on that issue in this year’s primaries.&nbsp;

Some states specify penalties only for those who perform, assist, or advise women to have abortions. Others also specify penalties for women getting abortions. Penalties vary, including fines and prison up to life sentences.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Local police and locally elected district attorneys enforce most criminal law, so that’s probably who you’ll call to report abortions. However, many prosecutors nationwide are saying they will exercise prosecutorial discretion to not prosecute abortion should state laws change. Conservatives in some states are preempting local control here, and proposing bills to centralize abortion reporting to state agencies and allow state government to override county prosecutors.&nbsp;

Local property and sales taxes primarily fund law enforcement and courts. The Kansas Judicial Council reports that average trial costs in Kansas can run five or six figures, depending on the charge. We cannot reliably predict prosecution frequency, enforcement costs, or burden on law enforcement. But, we can confidently predict that local Kansas taxpayers will shoulder costs for investigating and prosecuting abortion locally, unless state lawmakers provide additional statewide taxpayer funding.&nbsp;

Conservatives in some states, including Missouri, have introduced “abortion travel bans” that criminalize either women leaving their states to have abortions or helping women to do so. These bills are constitutionally questionable, but have growing support from conservatives. Abortion will likely remain legal in Colorado, so Kansas lawmakers might regulate Kansas women traveling there for abortions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Some American businesses—including Microsoft, Apple, Citigroup, Amazon, and Starbucks—have announced that they will financially assist employees to cross state lines for abortions. Conservative lawmakers in various states have responded that they will pursue punitive tax measures against any such companies operating in their states. Would Kansas, too?&nbsp;

Banning abortion isn’t simple. Should&nbsp;Roe&nbsp;fall and the August abortion amendment pass, Kansas politicians must make controversial decisions about regulations, local control, and money if they criminalize abortion. Get ready for this expanded culture war front to dominate Topeka’s attention.&nbsp;

Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575644168170.png" alt="Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Should Kansas ban abortion, politicians in Topeka will have some hefty policy decisions to make. “Banning abortion” sounds simple, but realistically that involves choices about penalties, enforcement, and money.&nbsp;If&nbsp;Roe v. Wade&nbsp;is overturned and voters vote “yes” on the abortion amendment on the August 2nd&nbsp;ballot, the Kansas legislature can then pass an abortion ban similar to House Bill 2746 this year that outlaws abortion, even in cases of rape, incest, or a woman’s life or health.&nbsp;“Banning abortion” won’t eliminate abortion in Kansas. Women, especially wealthy and connected White women, had abortions before&nbsp;Roe—often secretively and unsafely. That may be reality again in Kansas in a post-Roe, “yes” vote world.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Let’s imagine that abortion is illegal in Kansas. You know a woman who had an abortion here and the medical providers who performed it. You want to report their crime. Other states are ahead of Kansas in specifying logistics of abortion bans and can illuminate the choices that Kansas politicians will face in this scenario.&nbsp;Penalties?&nbsp;State abortion bans that trigger if&nbsp;Roe&nbsp;falls specify crimes and penalties. Under many, abortion becomes a first or second degree felony. Louisiana lawmakers recently attempted to classify abortion as murder. In 2021, a Texas lawmaker introduced legislation to make abortion a death penalty offense, and some Texas Republicans campaigned on that issue in this year’s primaries.&nbsp;Some states specify penalties only for those who perform, assist, or advise women to have abortions. Others also specify penalties for women getting abortions. Penalties vary, including fines and prison up to life sentences.&nbsp;&nbsp;Enforcement?&nbsp;Local police and locally elected district attorneys enforce most criminal law, so that’s probably who you’ll call to report abortions. However, many prosecutors nationwide are saying they will exercise prosecutorial discretion to not prosecute abortion should state laws change. Conservatives in some states are preempting local control here, and proposing bills to centralize abortion reporting to state agencies and allow state government to override county prosecutors.&nbsp;Financing?&nbsp;Local property and sales taxes primarily fund law enforcement and courts. The Kansas Judicial Council reports that average trial costs in Kansas can run five or six figures, depending on the charge. We cannot reliably predict prosecution frequency, enforcement costs, or burden on law enforcement. But, we can confidently predict that local Kansas taxpayers will shoulder costs for investigating and prosecuting abortion locally, unless state lawmakers provide additional statewide taxpayer funding.&nbsp;Travel bans? Punishing businesses?&nbsp;Conservatives in some states, including Missouri, have introduced “abortion travel bans” that criminalize either women leaving their states to have abortions or helping women to do so. These bills are constitutionally questionable, but have growing support from conservatives. Abortion will likely remain legal in Colorado, so Kansas lawmakers might regulate Kansas women traveling there for abortions.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some American businesses—including Microsoft, Apple, Citigroup, Amazon, and Starbucks—have announced that they will financially assist employees to cross state lines for abortions. Conservative lawmakers in various states have responded that they will pursue punitive tax measures against any such companies operating in their states. Would Kansas, too?&nbsp;Banning abortion isn’t simple. Should&nbsp;Roe&nbsp;fall and the August abortion amendment pass, Kansas politicians must make controversial decisions about regulations, local control, and money if they criminalize abortion. Get ready for this expanded culture war front to dominate Topeka’s attention.&nbsp;Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Banning abortion isn’t as simple as it sounds 

By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancher It’s beginning to feel and look a lot more like summer is quickly nearing! The kids have wrapped up their school year, the alfalfa is about to bloom, the cows have come home to graze, and the wheat is waving in the warm Kansas winds.&nbsp; After a week of cool rainy days, it’s as if Mother Nature has decided it’s time to contemplate beginning a new season. The days are warmer. The sun is shining brighter. The crops are growing rapidly. Before long there should be first cuttings of alfalfa in fields. The alfalfa’s tiny purple blossoms are beginning to show themselves hinting that it’s getting closer to begin making hay.&nbsp; While driving to town to pick up my kids from their last day of school, the bright blue sky was dotted with planes swooping down to spray fields. The colorful airplanes flying low and running patterns back and forth over fields is a sight I see almost every year around this time.&nbsp; From my porch, the distant buzz of an airplane suggesting a quick descent followed by a plane emerging above tree rows is something that still catches my attention. I can’t help but stop what I’m doing to watch these planes dance through the sky for a few moments before I refocus on my current task. The cattle have returned to the pasture just south of our house to begin their summer grazing. It’s always a happy day when I can look out my kitchen window in the morning and see fat cattle grazing along the creek. The sight and sound of cattle switching their tails and taking slow steps while grazing on lush grass allows me to briefly calm my mind and appreciate a simple moment during this part of the year. In recent afternoons I have caught myself briefly looking out into the wheat fields to soak in the view. The wheat has definitely grown and with the combination of the height of the plants and the continuous wind, it has begun to collectively wave daily. The synchronized movement of green is mesmerizing like ocean waves and is both soothing to watch while also reminding me that the green wheat before me will soon ripen to its golden harvest-ready beauty. Soon we will enter our busy season of summer, but for now, I’ll appreciate moments within these days knowing that summer is definitely in sight!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573617414005.jpeg" alt="Kim Baldwin" />
 <figcaption>Kim Baldwin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancher It’s beginning to feel and look a lot more like summer is quickly nearing! The kids have wrapped up their school year, the alfalfa is about to bloom, the cows have come home to graze, and the wheat is waving in the warm Kansas winds.&nbsp; After a week of cool rainy days, it’s as if Mother Nature has decided it’s time to contemplate beginning a new season. The days are warmer. The sun is shining brighter. The crops are growing rapidly. Before long there should be first cuttings of alfalfa in fields. The alfalfa’s tiny purple blossoms are beginning to show themselves hinting that it’s getting closer to begin making hay.&nbsp; While driving to town to pick up my kids from their last day of school, the bright blue sky was dotted with planes swooping down to spray fields. The colorful airplanes flying low and running patterns back and forth over fields is a sight I see almost every year around this time.&nbsp; From my porch, the distant buzz of an airplane suggesting a quick descent followed by a plane emerging above tree rows is something that still catches my attention. I can’t help but stop what I’m doing to watch these planes dance through the sky for a few moments before I refocus on my current task. The cattle have returned to the pasture just south of our house to begin their summer grazing. It’s always a happy day when I can look out my kitchen window in the morning and see fat cattle grazing along the creek. The sight and sound of cattle switching their tails and taking slow steps while grazing on lush grass allows me to briefly calm my mind and appreciate a simple moment during this part of the year. In recent afternoons I have caught myself briefly looking out into the wheat fields to soak in the view. The wheat has definitely grown and with the combination of the height of the plants and the continuous wind, it has begun to collectively wave daily. The synchronized movement of green is mesmerizing like ocean waves and is both soothing to watch while also reminding me that the green wheat before me will soon ripen to its golden harvest-ready beauty. Soon we will enter our busy season of summer, but for now, I’ll appreciate moments within these days knowing that summer is definitely in sight!"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: Summer in sight

Summer’s just around the corner, which means you might be thinking about one of my favorite things ever: vacation! In fact, I always joke that vacation planning is basically one of my spiritual gifts. But we all know vacations can get expensive real fast, which makes them a lot less fun than they should be. So, here are a few tips that will help you plan an amazing vacation without hurting your budget:

No matter what Baby Step you’re on, you don’t have to deprive yourself of having fun this summer. But it&nbsp;is&nbsp;important to plan in a way that makes sense for your finances. If you’re on Baby Step 1 or 2 (saving a $1,000 emergency fund and getting out of debt), you’ll want to find some creative ways to have a great time without spending money. You could do a staycation and use a couple days of your paid time off to relax with your family and explore free events in your own city. You could also go camping—even if it’s just in your backyard—or stay with close friends or family. Don’t lose sight of your financial goals right now, because if you stay gazelle intense, you’ll be able to take your dream vacation a lot sooner than you might think!

If you’re on Baby Step 3 (saving 3 to 6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund), you could do a smaller-scale trip like a couple nights or a long weekend away. This still isn’t the time to splurge, so take a look at some less popular (but fun) destinations like a cabin in the mountains. There can be more vacation flexibility on Baby Steps 4, 5, 6 and 7, but you should still plan to cash flow something that works with your budget and other financial goals.

Doing your research to find the best rates on hotels, flights, attractions, etc. will seriously pay off. Always compare airfare rates on sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner and Scott’s Cheap Flights, and book your tickets as far in advance as you can. And check out Groupon for deals on attractions and events. Rumor has it that if you call a hotel and ask them to price match a rate you found at a similar hotel, you could knock some money off your total bill.

Speaking of price matching, when you’re shopping around for the best deals, don’t be afraid to use the power of negotiation. I know it can feel uncomfortable in the moment, but simply asking for a discount, family rate or any promotions they might be offering can save you a ton of money. I’ve done this myself. One time, my husband and I were planning an end-of-summer trip a few weeks before the fall rates were supposed to kick in, so I asked if we could have the off-season rates a little early. And they let us! We ended up saving a lot on that trip, so I’d recommend asking. The worst they can say is no, right?

You might be tempted to get a credit card just for those airline miles and reward points, but trust me: It’s not worth it! By the time you’ve put enough stuff on a credit card to&nbsp;maybe&nbsp;rack up enough miles for a one-way flight, you’ll be deeper in debt and further away from actually being able to cash flow a vacation.

And if you’re worried about not being able to use a debit card on your trip, I promise you can do everything with a debit card that you can with a credit card—renting a car, booking a hotel, you name it. Depending on the location, you might have to ask around at a few different places to find one that accepts debit cards (my husband and I have had to do this with rental car companies), but you’ll find one. And it will be worth it to know you steered clear of debt in the process!

We’ve all heard the famous quote about comparison being the thief of joy, but you guys, it’s so true—especially when it comes to vacations. You might even want to take a break from social media for a while if you know you won’t be able to scroll without feeling jealous of your neighbors’ tropical vacation and comparing it to the trip you took (or weren’t able to take). And when you spend less time comparing, you’ll be less tempted to overspend on your own vacation.

Remember, social media doesn’t give you the full picture of reality. And at the end of the day, no matter what kind of vacation or staycation you do, you still get to take a break and spend time with the people you love. That’s something worth celebrating!

For more tips and travel hacks that will help you save on your next vacation, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/saving/cheapest-places-to-travel?utm_source=cnl&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=5.1_cnl_blog_1_ramseyplus_personalities_rachel_cruze&amp;utm_term=rplus_bu&amp;utm_campaign=cnl_newsletter&amp;utm_id=cnl_newsletter&amp;cd17=RSCOM-11309_CNL-Eng&amp;_kx=23KkAjsdLRn5R6eB28Hw3V-eG_jHG8rCpuRtXk9NB5Otl8qPb2-qc9TsGz0BsKk4.RzHn5B">this article</a>.

Rachel Cruze&nbsp;is a two-time #1 national best-selling author, financial expert and host of&nbsp;The Rachel Cruze Show.&nbsp;She has appeared on Good Morning America, TODAY Show and Live! With Kelly &amp; Ryan, among others. Since 2010, Rachel has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches people to avoid debt, save money, budget and how to win with money at any stage in life. Follow Rachel on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/rachelcruze" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rachelcruze/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/rachelramseycruze" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/rachelcruze" target="_blank">YouTube</a>&nbsp;or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rachelcruze.com/" target="_blank">rachelcruze.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627261014766.jpeg" alt="Cruze" />
 <figcaption>Cruze</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL CRUZESummer’s just around the corner, which means you might be thinking about one of my favorite things ever: vacation! In fact, I always joke that vacation planning is basically one of my spiritual gifts. But we all know vacations can get expensive real fast, which makes them a lot less fun than they should be. So, here are a few tips that will help you plan an amazing vacation without hurting your budget:<ol>
 <li>Base your plans on the Baby Steps</li>
 </ol>No matter what Baby Step you’re on, you don’t have to deprive yourself of having fun this summer. But it&nbsp;is&nbsp;important to plan in a way that makes sense for your finances. If you’re on Baby Step 1 or 2 (saving a $1,000 emergency fund and getting out of debt), you’ll want to find some creative ways to have a great time without spending money. You could do a staycation and use a couple days of your paid time off to relax with your family and explore free events in your own city. You could also go camping—even if it’s just in your backyard—or stay with close friends or family. Don’t lose sight of your financial goals right now, because if you stay gazelle intense, you’ll be able to take your dream vacation a lot sooner than you might think!If you’re on Baby Step 3 (saving 3 to 6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund), you could do a smaller-scale trip like a couple nights or a long weekend away. This still isn’t the time to splurge, so take a look at some less popular (but fun) destinations like a cabin in the mountains. There can be more vacation flexibility on Baby Steps 4, 5, 6 and 7, but you should still plan to cash flow something that works with your budget and other financial goals.<ol>
 <li>Shop around&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>Doing your research to find the best rates on hotels, flights, attractions, etc. will seriously pay off. Always compare airfare rates on sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner and Scott’s Cheap Flights, and book your tickets as far in advance as you can. And check out Groupon for deals on attractions and events. Rumor has it that if you call a hotel and ask them to price match a rate you found at a similar hotel, you could knock some money off your total bill.<ol>
 <li>Negotiate&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>Speaking of price matching, when you’re shopping around for the best deals, don’t be afraid to use the power of negotiation. I know it can feel uncomfortable in the moment, but simply asking for a discount, family rate or any promotions they might be offering can save you a ton of money. I’ve done this myself. One time, my husband and I were planning an end-of-summer trip a few weeks before the fall rates were supposed to kick in, so I asked if we could have the off-season rates a little early. And they let us! We ended up saving a lot on that trip, so I’d recommend asking. The worst they can say is no, right?<ol>
 <li>Don’t fall for the points and rewards</li>
 </ol>You might be tempted to get a credit card just for those airline miles and reward points, but trust me: It’s not worth it! By the time you’ve put enough stuff on a credit card to&nbsp;maybe&nbsp;rack up enough miles for a one-way flight, you’ll be deeper in debt and further away from actually being able to cash flow a vacation.And if you’re worried about not being able to use a debit card on your trip, I promise you can do everything with a debit card that you can with a credit card—renting a car, booking a hotel, you name it. Depending on the location, you might have to ask around at a few different places to find one that accepts debit cards (my husband and I have had to do this with rental car companies), but you’ll find one. And it will be worth it to know you steered clear of debt in the process!<ol>
 <li>Don’t compare your vacation to anyone else’s</li>
 </ol>We’ve all heard the famous quote about comparison being the thief of joy, but you guys, it’s so true—especially when it comes to vacations. You might even want to take a break from social media for a while if you know you won’t be able to scroll without feeling jealous of your neighbors’ tropical vacation and comparing it to the trip you took (or weren’t able to take). And when you spend less time comparing, you’ll be less tempted to overspend on your own vacation.Remember, social media doesn’t give you the full picture of reality. And at the end of the day, no matter what kind of vacation or staycation you do, you still get to take a break and spend time with the people you love. That’s something worth celebrating!For more tips and travel hacks that will help you save on your next vacation, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/saving/cheapest-places-to-travel?utm_source=cnl&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=5.1_cnl_blog_1_ramseyplus_personalities_rachel_cruze&amp;utm_term=rplus_bu&amp;utm_campaign=cnl_newsletter&amp;utm_id=cnl_newsletter&amp;cd17=RSCOM-11309_CNL-Eng&amp;_kx=23KkAjsdLRn5R6eB28Hw3V-eG_jHG8rCpuRtXk9NB5Otl8qPb2-qc9TsGz0BsKk4.RzHn5B">this article</a>.Rachel Cruze&nbsp;is a two-time #1 national best-selling author, financial expert and host of&nbsp;The Rachel Cruze Show.&nbsp;She has appeared on Good Morning America, TODAY Show and Live! With Kelly &amp; Ryan, among others. Since 2010, Rachel has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches people to avoid debt, save money, budget and how to win with money at any stage in life. Follow Rachel on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/rachelcruze" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rachelcruze/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/rachelramseycruze" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/rachelcruze" target="_blank">YouTube</a>&nbsp;or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rachelcruze.com/" target="_blank">rachelcruze.com</a>.

CRUZE: How to vacation without breaking the budget            

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/16/still-among-the-lucky-ones-even-after-catching-covid/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — For months on end, I have been among the lucky ones.

I
 followed the advice of the health experts and the governor and kept my 
distance, sang “Happy Birthday” twice while washing my hands, limited my
 travel and wore a mask when out to shop or reporting at the Capitol.&nbsp;

When
 the vaccine came out, I was among the throngs who swept through 
Lincoln’s Pinnacle Bank Arena for two incredibly well-choreographed 
vaccination clinics.

And when the booster was recommended for us “seasoned” Nebraskans, I rolled up my sleeve for another shot last fall.

My main goal was always “don’t give it to someone else.”

So
 when I got even a slightly sore throat or congestion, I went and got 
tested. More than a dozen times I drove through the free, Test Nebraska 
testing sites. When they went away, it meant a trip to a local drug 
store for a test. More recently, it was using a home test.

I
 did not want to be the guy who gave it to someone else, someone who 
really got sick, or had to go to the hospital, or heaven forbid, ended 
up on a ventilator or worse.

Since
 the pandemic arrived in Nebraska in March 2020, I’ve had a front-row 
seat to the pandemic, covering dozens of governor’s press conferences 
while masked and distanced, writing about Nebraska’s first COVID-19 
patient and about small towns struggling through lockdowns and the 
uncertainty.

More
 recently, I’ve covered stories about doctors and nurses, desperately 
trying to save lives of those gasping for breath while dealing with the 
divisions in our world over using masks, taking precautions and trusting
 medical professionals.

After
 all that, I can honestly say that being cautious and taking precautions
 has worked for me. Neighbors got it, friends got it, relatives got it. 
Not me.&nbsp;

My lucky streak ended April 26 when a home test showed positive.&nbsp;

Like
 a lot of people, I’ve let my guard down, put away the N-95 masks and 
tried to live a little in the past couple of months. Case counts were 
down, masking requirements were going away.

My
 wife and I went to an Elton John concert recently. It was sold out, and
 few people wore masks. There was a certain novelty, and feeling of 
freedom, for not masking up. And I was fine after the concert.

The
 week before I tested positive I covered the final days of the 
Legislature’s session, went to a bill signing at the Capitol Rotunda, 
attended a funeral visitation and drove to central Nebraska’s Calamus 
Lake to visit an old buddy — all without masking.

A
 friend had come up to our family farm nine days before I tested 
positive, and he told me later that he’d turned up positive just after 
our visit. But we were mostly outside, seemingly far enough apart.&nbsp;

I write this to make a couple of points. The first is that COVID-19 is still out there.&nbsp;

As one widely known public health expert said recently, “We may be done with it, but it isn’t done with us.”

This
 is a disease that has killed more than 4,200 Nebraskans. Nineteen more 
Nebraskans died last week. And cases, nationwide, are on the rise again,
 according to the New York Times. That’s also according to the health 
director in Lincoln, where I live.

Think of it – 4,200 dead. That’s about the 
population of cities like Aurora, Wahoo, Ogallala and Falls City. Pick 
one of those towns. Gone.

In
 Lincoln and Lancaster County, cases have increased in each of the past 
five weeks. A surge seen nationwide is showing up here, said Pat Lopez, 
the city-county health director, who said she’s seeing an increase in 
older residents who haven’t gotten their second booster shot yet.

About
 1 million Americans have died since March 2020. And for the first time 
since World War I, the life expectancy for Americans has dropped, from 
78.9 years in 2019 to 76.6 years in 2021.

(And
 we need to consider that the number of people infected with COVID-19 is
 probably a major undercount. That’s because we’re all using home tests 
now. And I have stopped counting the people who told me they probably 
got COVID but never got tested. Wonder if they spread it.)

Here’s my second takeaway: I do believe that getting the shots made my symptoms manageable, and mostly mild.&nbsp;

Sure,
 the shots didn’t prevent COVID — I got it — but getting vaccinated, 
wearing a mask, etc., might have kept it at bay for me through months of
 continuing to work, continuing to shop at the grocery store and 
elsewhere, and doing things like ushering at church.

(One
 note: I did test “positive” in December 2020, but I never had any 
symptoms other than a scratchy nose. And a month later, two tests showed
 I didn’t have any antibodies. So it was a “false positive.”)

Meanwhile,
 I’ve heard story after story of friends, relatives and neighbors — some
 vaxed, but several not — getting COVID and dealing with high fevers, 
the loss of taste and smell, and the lingering after-effects, like a 
foggy brain or lack of energy.

But
 my symptoms were no worse than a typical flu. I was run down for a day 
or two, had a slight sore throat and was a bit achy. But, except for one
 morning sleeping in, I continued to work from my isolation at home.

My ability to taste and smell was impacted, but for only a couple of days, and only for the blandest food.&nbsp;

The best news is this: besides my wife, who luckily also had mild symptoms, I didn’t spread it to the wider world.&nbsp;

As
 soon as I tested positive, I called everyone I came in contact with to 
let them know. I still haven’t heard from anyone beyond my wife who got 
it, and I am hoping that I didn’t spread it to anyone else.

From
 friends, relatives and neighbors, I’ve heard of much more serious 
fights with COVID, of real sickness, trips to the ER, the awful funerals
 and regrets.

I’ve
 tried to do my part by trying to avoid getting it and spreading it. 
I’ve urged others to get the shots, but in our world today, some people 
don’t trust what the experts are telling reporters, or what we are 
reporting. I get it. I don’t understand it, but I get it.&nbsp;

Still,
 when an unvaccinated buddy got a bad case, I tried to help him track 
down a monoclonal antibody treatment. I even made a mad dash through a 
blizzard to Beatrice to pick up a home test because they were all sold 
out in his town. He needed a test.&nbsp;

So
 now I’m among the majority of Americans who have had COVID-19. It 
knocked me down for a day or two, but I got over it, and hopefully I 
didn’t become a super spreader.

I still think I’m still among the lucky ones.

Senior Reporter Paul Hammel has covered the Nebraska Legislature and Nebraska state government for decades. He started his career reporting for the Omaha Sun and was named editor of the Papillion Times in 1982. He later worked as a sports enterprise reporter at the Lincoln Journal-Star. He joined the Omaha World-Herald in 1990, working as a legislative reporter, then roving state reporter and finally Lincoln bureau chief.&nbsp;

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/16/still-among-the-lucky-ones-even-after-catching-covid/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — For months on end, I have been among the lucky ones.Never got COVID.&nbsp;I
 followed the advice of the health experts and the governor and kept my 
distance, sang “Happy Birthday” twice while washing my hands, limited my
 travel and wore a mask when out to shop or reporting at the Capitol.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>When
 the vaccine came out, I was among the throngs who swept through 
Lincoln’s Pinnacle Bank Arena for two incredibly well-choreographed 
vaccination clinics.And when the booster was recommended for us “seasoned” Nebraskans, I rolled up my sleeve for another shot last fall.<h2>“Don’t give it to others’</h2>My main goal was always “don’t give it to someone else.”So
 when I got even a slightly sore throat or congestion, I went and got 
tested. More than a dozen times I drove through the free, Test Nebraska 
testing sites. When they went away, it meant a trip to a local drug 
store for a test. More recently, it was using a home test.I
 did not want to be the guy who gave it to someone else, someone who 
really got sick, or had to go to the hospital, or heaven forbid, ended 
up on a ventilator or worse.Since
 the pandemic arrived in Nebraska in March 2020, I’ve had a front-row 
seat to the pandemic, covering dozens of governor’s press conferences 
while masked and distanced, writing about Nebraska’s first COVID-19 
patient and about small towns struggling through lockdowns and the 
uncertainty.More
 recently, I’ve covered stories about doctors and nurses, desperately 
trying to save lives of those gasping for breath while dealing with the 
divisions in our world over using masks, taking precautions and trusting
 medical professionals.After
 all that, I can honestly say that being cautious and taking precautions
 has worked for me. Neighbors got it, friends got it, relatives got it. 
Not me.&nbsp;Until two weeks ago.&nbsp;My lucky streak ended April 26 when a home test showed positive.&nbsp;Where I got it is anyone’s guess.Like
 a lot of people, I’ve let my guard down, put away the N-95 masks and 
tried to live a little in the past couple of months. Case counts were 
down, masking requirements were going away.<h2>A concert and few masks</h2>My
 wife and I went to an Elton John concert recently. It was sold out, and
 few people wore masks. There was a certain novelty, and feeling of 
freedom, for not masking up. And I was fine after the concert.The
 week before I tested positive I covered the final days of the 
Legislature’s session, went to a bill signing at the Capitol Rotunda, 
attended a funeral visitation and drove to central Nebraska’s Calamus 
Lake to visit an old buddy — all without masking.A
 friend had come up to our family farm nine days before I tested 
positive, and he told me later that he’d turned up positive just after 
our visit. But we were mostly outside, seemingly far enough apart.&nbsp;I write this to make a couple of points. The first is that COVID-19 is still out there.&nbsp;As one widely known public health expert said recently, “We may be done with it, but it isn’t done with us.”This
 is a disease that has killed more than 4,200 Nebraskans. Nineteen more 
Nebraskans died last week. And cases, nationwide, are on the rise again,
 according to the New York Times. That’s also according to the health 
director in Lincoln, where I live.Think of it – 4,200 dead. That’s about the 
population of cities like Aurora, Wahoo, Ogallala and Falls City. Pick 
one of those towns. Gone.In
 Lincoln and Lancaster County, cases have increased in each of the past 
five weeks. A surge seen nationwide is showing up here, said Pat Lopez, 
the city-county health director, who said she’s seeing an increase in 
older residents who haven’t gotten their second booster shot yet.About
 1 million Americans have died since March 2020. And for the first time 
since World War I, the life expectancy for Americans has dropped, from 
78.9 years in 2019 to 76.6 years in 2021.<h2>Depressing facts</h2>Those are cold, hard, depressing facts.(And
 we need to consider that the number of people infected with COVID-19 is
 probably a major undercount. That’s because we’re all using home tests 
now. And I have stopped counting the people who told me they probably 
got COVID but never got tested. Wonder if they spread it.)Here’s my second takeaway: I do believe that getting the shots made my symptoms manageable, and mostly mild.&nbsp;Sure,
 the shots didn’t prevent COVID — I got it — but getting vaccinated, 
wearing a mask, etc., might have kept it at bay for me through months of
 continuing to work, continuing to shop at the grocery store and 
elsewhere, and doing things like ushering at church.(One
 note: I did test “positive” in December 2020, but I never had any 
symptoms other than a scratchy nose. And a month later, two tests showed
 I didn’t have any antibodies. So it was a “false positive.”)<h2>Others got it</h2>Meanwhile,
 I’ve heard story after story of friends, relatives and neighbors — some
 vaxed, but several not — getting COVID and dealing with high fevers, 
the loss of taste and smell, and the lingering after-effects, like a 
foggy brain or lack of energy.But
 my symptoms were no worse than a typical flu. I was run down for a day 
or two, had a slight sore throat and was a bit achy. But, except for one
 morning sleeping in, I continued to work from my isolation at home.My ability to taste and smell was impacted, but for only a couple of days, and only for the blandest food.&nbsp;The best news is this: besides my wife, who luckily also had mild symptoms, I didn’t spread it to the wider world.&nbsp;As
 soon as I tested positive, I called everyone I came in contact with to 
let them know. I still haven’t heard from anyone beyond my wife who got 
it, and I am hoping that I didn’t spread it to anyone else.<h2>Tried to do my part</h2>From
 friends, relatives and neighbors, I’ve heard of much more serious 
fights with COVID, of real sickness, trips to the ER, the awful funerals
 and regrets.I’ve
 tried to do my part by trying to avoid getting it and spreading it. 
I’ve urged others to get the shots, but in our world today, some people 
don’t trust what the experts are telling reporters, or what we are 
reporting. I get it. I don’t understand it, but I get it.&nbsp;Still,
 when an unvaccinated buddy got a bad case, I tried to help him track 
down a monoclonal antibody treatment. I even made a mad dash through a 
blizzard to Beatrice to pick up a home test because they were all sold 
out in his town. He needed a test.&nbsp;So
 now I’m among the majority of Americans who have had COVID-19. It 
knocked me down for a day or two, but I got over it, and hopefully I 
didn’t become a super spreader.I still think I’m still among the lucky ones.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652728478329.jpeg" alt="Paul Hammel" />
 <figcaption>Paul Hammel</figcaption>
 </figure>Senior Reporter Paul Hammel has covered the Nebraska Legislature and Nebraska state government for decades. He started his career reporting for the Omaha Sun and was named editor of the Papillion Times in 1982. He later worked as a sports enterprise reporter at the Lincoln Journal-Star. He joined the Omaha World-Herald in 1990, working as a legislative reporter, then roving state reporter and finally Lincoln bureau chief.&nbsp;

OPINION: Still among the lucky ones, even after catching COVID

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

Opinion