By TISA MASON FHSU President

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) has a new reason to celebrate as Hailey Witte makes her mark in the world of rodeo. Hailing from Crookston, Nebraska, Hailey is not just an aspiring athlete but a true hometown hero who recently qualified to compete at the National Rodeo. Her achievements reflect the spirit and excellence that FHSU instills in its students.

From a young age, rodeo has been at the heart of Hailey’s life, influenced heavily by family. With a father who was a team roper and bull rider, and an older sister who competed in high school rodeo, Hailey picked up the reins of the family legacy. “I’ve been around rodeoing my whole life, but I didn’t start competing until 8th grade.” With a major in Animal Science/Pre-Vet and a passion for barrel racing, Hailey is not just a competitor, but a rising star in the sport.

“I found FHSU through a friend on the rodeo team who shared wonderful stories about the program. I was eager to take my rodeo career to the next level, and FHSU felt like the perfect place to do that."

Competing in barrel racing, one of the fastest-paced events in rodeo, requires incredible skill and synergy between horse and rider. “In barrel racing, we have to navigate three barrels set in a cloverleaf pattern as quickly as possible. It takes a lot of training and precision,” Hailey said.

Preparing for national competition brought its own unique set of challenges. “I treated it like any other rodeo and just practiced my normal routine.” The key is being consistent. Hailey has a piece of advice for young athletes aspiring to compete at the national level. “The more consistent you can be, the easier it is to perform at places like nationals.”

During the preliminaries at the nationals, emotions ran high. “I had no idea what to expect, especially since the arena setup was different from what I was used to. But after the first two runs, I was really happy with how things were going.” It takes a very well-trained horse and rider to run at a barrel full speed and still run around the barrel without tipping it over.

Although a slip-up in the third round resulted in .04 seconds short of making the short go (the top 12 and the final round). “I was already so proud of my horse, Hummer. Nationals is a big stage with a lot of pressure. This experience showed me just how competitive we can be, even against the best.”

Looking ahead to the next season, Hailey is eager to return to nationals and improve in the upcoming rodeos. “I plan to make 75 percent of the short goes and showcase my other barrel horse, Billie. I’ve trained Billie for four years.”

Being part of the rodeo team has positively influenced Hailey’s college experience. “It has helped me create a structured schedule, balancing homework with practice. The friendships I’ve made, both within my team and with other students, have been incredible.”

Above all, rodeo is more than a sport for Hailey; it is a central part of her identity. “Rodeo has been my whole life since I was little and has shaped me into the person I am today. Without this sport, I don’t know who I would be or what I would be doing. I have been on a horse before I could walk, and I have spent more time in the practice pen than I have spent anywhere else.”

One of the greatest lessons that rodeo has given Hailey is the ability to keep going until she achieves the result she wants. Working with horses and training young colts teaches patience.

Hailey shows her appreciation to the people who have shaped this journey in a heartfelt acknowledgment. “I’d like to thank my coaches, especially Coach Meier, for his unwavering support, and my family for always believing in me. And a special nod to Jerry and Sandy Harms for their guidance with my horses."

As Hailey continues chasing dreams and setting goals, Tiger Nation takes pride in having such an inspiring representative in the rodeo world. In fact, I have been told that this is only the fourth time FHSU has sent a student to the national rodeo – and the first time in more than 20 years!

The passion, determination, and grace shown during this journey will undoubtedly lead to more accomplishments in the future. Here’s to a promising hope for the next national rodeo and beyond—a true hometown hero, Hailey Witte

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, Fort Hays State University president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, Fort Hays State University president</figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON FHSU PresidentFort Hays State University (FHSU) has a new reason to celebrate as Hailey Witte makes her mark in the world of rodeo. Hailing from Crookston, Nebraska, Hailey is not just an aspiring athlete but a true hometown hero who recently qualified to compete at the National Rodeo. Her achievements reflect the spirit and excellence that FHSU instills in its students.From a young age, rodeo has been at the heart of Hailey’s life, influenced heavily by family. With a father who was a team roper and bull rider, and an older sister who competed in high school rodeo, Hailey picked up the reins of the family legacy. “I’ve been around rodeoing my whole life, but I didn’t start competing until 8th grade.” With a major in Animal Science/Pre-Vet and a passion for barrel racing, Hailey is not just a competitor, but a rising star in the sport.“I found FHSU through a friend on the rodeo team who shared wonderful stories about the program. I was eager to take my rodeo career to the next level, and FHSU felt like the perfect place to do that."Competing in barrel racing, one of the fastest-paced events in rodeo, requires incredible skill and synergy between horse and rider. “In barrel racing, we have to navigate three barrels set in a cloverleaf pattern as quickly as possible. It takes a lot of training and precision,” Hailey said.Preparing for national competition brought its own unique set of challenges. “I treated it like any other rodeo and just practiced my normal routine.” The key is being consistent. Hailey has a piece of advice for young athletes aspiring to compete at the national level. “The more consistent you can be, the easier it is to perform at places like nationals.”During the preliminaries at the nationals, emotions ran high. “I had no idea what to expect, especially since the arena setup was different from what I was used to. But after the first two runs, I was really happy with how things were going.” It takes a very well-trained horse and rider to run at a barrel full speed and still run around the barrel without tipping it over.Although a slip-up in the third round resulted in .04 seconds short of making the short go (the top 12 and the final round). “I was already so proud of my horse, Hummer. Nationals is a big stage with a lot of pressure. This experience showed me just how competitive we can be, even against the best.”Looking ahead to the next season, Hailey is eager to return to nationals and improve in the upcoming rodeos. “I plan to make 75 percent of the short goes and showcase my other barrel horse, Billie. I’ve trained Billie for four years.”Being part of the rodeo team has positively influenced Hailey’s college experience. “It has helped me create a structured schedule, balancing homework with practice. The friendships I’ve made, both within my team and with other students, have been incredible.”Above all, rodeo is more than a sport for Hailey; it is a central part of her identity. “Rodeo has been my whole life since I was little and has shaped me into the person I am today. Without this sport, I don’t know who I would be or what I would be doing. I have been on a horse before I could walk, and I have spent more time in the practice pen than I have spent anywhere else.”One of the greatest lessons that rodeo has given Hailey is the ability to keep going until she achieves the result she wants. Working with horses and training young colts teaches patience.Hailey shows her appreciation to the people who have shaped this journey in a heartfelt acknowledgment. “I’d like to thank my coaches, especially Coach Meier, for his unwavering support, and my family for always believing in me. And a special nod to Jerry and Sandy Harms for their guidance with my horses."As Hailey continues chasing dreams and setting goals, Tiger Nation takes pride in having such an inspiring representative in the rodeo world. In fact, I have been told that this is only the fourth time FHSU has sent a student to the national rodeo – and the first time in more than 20 years!The passion, determination, and grace shown during this journey will undoubtedly lead to more accomplishments in the future. Here’s to a promising hope for the next national rodeo and beyond—a true hometown hero, Hailey Witte

Heart of a Tiger: Meet a barrel racing champion in the making

A hip-jutting, bold-shouldered posture made famous by actor James Dean, a flick of a hand through hair, extended eye contact, and a lingering second glance signals human interest in romance. Researchers have written entire books about body language people use when they want to hook up. Not surprisingly, other species’ signals read just as obviously.

In this region, we watch the spring strut where male turkeys fan tails and rattle feathers to attract hens. In more remote locales, we might spy male prairie chickens dancing and booming to catch the eye and ear of their ladylove. We laugh at rabbits coyly hopping over and around one another when they seek a mate. Sitting outside on a summer eve, we hear nearby frogs trilling and croaking love songs to woo female amphibians.

On warm June and July nights, love is everywhere, even, I learned, among fireflies flitting about my backyard. Years ago, I discovered these insects’ blinkers flash in search of romance. These enthralling light--then dark--then light beacons have everything to do with reproduction and nothing to do with my delight in their strobe effect. Focused research helped me understand how fireflies control their lights.

Scientists explain that this insect’s ability to glow involves the chemical nitric oxide, which coincidentally helps control human heartbeats and memories. It’s interesting that a chemical that brightens a summer night also has something to do with maintaining brain cells that replay recollections of times past. Humans may not glow and flash as fireflies do, but the elemental bond they share with this charming insect plays a critical role in both creatures’ well-being, though for entirely different purposes.

It also intrigued me to learn that the two hundred species of fireflies each have unique signals that differentiate them from other varieties of the species. Their specifically designed flashes attract appropriate mates. This is critical, considering the short span nature offers them to find partners. Those fleeting flickers are nature’s way to guarantee a favorite summertime insect continues to exist.

 In addition to discovering fireflies use blinking backsides to seek love, I also learned they spend two years in a larval state. In sharp contrast to this long incubation, they exist for two weeks in their beetle/firefly stage. During this brief 14-day period, they mate and lay eggs, according to a Tufts University study.

Two weeks is not much time to find a partner and start a family. Learning this makes me feel guilty for the years I collected fireflies in glass jars to admire in a dark bedroom and for the summers I encouraged our daughters to also enjoy this childhood ritual. Though we released our insects the following morning, we reduced their opportunities to produce offspring.

This information created a new resolve at this house. Those glowing bugs can have their whole beetle stage to find love and produce more blinking nighttime wonders. I won’t interfere in their romances. However, knowing such facts makes me blush to think I’m invading their privacy when I watch their summer light shows.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752247588810.jpeg" alt="Firefly. Photo by Bruce Marlin" />
 <figcaption>Firefly. Photo by Bruce Marlin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINA hip-jutting, bold-shouldered posture made famous by actor James Dean, a flick of a hand through hair, extended eye contact, and a lingering second glance signals human interest in romance. Researchers have written entire books about body language people use when they want to hook up. Not surprisingly, other species’ signals read just as obviously.In this region, we watch the spring strut where male turkeys fan tails and rattle feathers to attract hens. In more remote locales, we might spy male prairie chickens dancing and booming to catch the eye and ear of their ladylove. We laugh at rabbits coyly hopping over and around one another when they seek a mate. Sitting outside on a summer eve, we hear nearby frogs trilling and croaking love songs to woo female amphibians.On warm June and July nights, love is everywhere, even, I learned, among fireflies flitting about my backyard. Years ago, I discovered these insects’ blinkers flash in search of romance. These enthralling light--then dark--then light beacons have everything to do with reproduction and nothing to do with my delight in their strobe effect. Focused research helped me understand how fireflies control their lights.Scientists explain that this insect’s ability to glow involves the chemical nitric oxide, which coincidentally helps control human heartbeats and memories. It’s interesting that a chemical that brightens a summer night also has something to do with maintaining brain cells that replay recollections of times past. Humans may not glow and flash as fireflies do, but the elemental bond they share with this charming insect plays a critical role in both creatures’ well-being, though for entirely different purposes.It also intrigued me to learn that the two hundred species of fireflies each have unique signals that differentiate them from other varieties of the species. Their specifically designed flashes attract appropriate mates. This is critical, considering the short span nature offers them to find partners. Those fleeting flickers are nature’s way to guarantee a favorite summertime insect continues to exist. In addition to discovering fireflies use blinking backsides to seek love, I also learned they spend two years in a larval state. In sharp contrast to this long incubation, they exist for two weeks in their beetle/firefly stage. During this brief 14-day period, they mate and lay eggs, according to a Tufts University study.Two weeks is not much time to find a partner and start a family. Learning this makes me feel guilty for the years I collected fireflies in glass jars to admire in a dark bedroom and for the summers I encouraged our daughters to also enjoy this childhood ritual. Though we released our insects the following morning, we reduced their opportunities to produce offspring.This information created a new resolve at this house. Those glowing bugs can have their whole beetle stage to find love and produce more blinking nighttime wonders. I won’t interfere in their romances. However, knowing such facts makes me blush to think I’m invading their privacy when I watch their summer light shows.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: Let those fireflies blink—They’re on a mission

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director, about the economic impact of Hays Regional Airport, along with an update about The Grove housing project.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Economic impact of Hays Regional Airport; Update on The Grove" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=qc5qr-1902166-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director, about the economic impact of Hays Regional Airport, along with an update about The Grove housing project.

🎙 Post Podcast: Economic impact of Hays Regional Airport; The Grove development update

By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas Outdoors

As we walked up the sidewalk and across the patio at my grandson’s house the other night we had to watch our footing as the ground practically moved beneath our feet. 

Dozens of tiny toads the size of quarters hopped in every direction with each step. An adult toad the size of a peach, probably dad or grandpa, perched at the top of the porch. We usually have multitudes of toads at the Gilliland ranch every summer, tumbling from beneath the tomato plants or leaping from under the lilacs. This year though, oddly enough our place seems to be “toad deficient.” I miss the little blighters as they are nature’s ground crew for insect control.

Toad… the name itself conjures up visions of witches adding eyes of newts and wings of bats to a bubbling caldron of potion, or a derogatory remark about a person’s physical appearance. They’re fat and pudgy, their blotchy skin is covered with lumps and warts, their spring mating call sounds like a poor lost calf calling for its mother and they pee on anyone attempting to pick them up. You gotta’ love 'em! 

Their saving grace comes in the form of a voracious appetite for insects.

A few years back during a particularly wet spell like that of late, I spoke with Wildlife Diversity Coordinator for the state of Kansas, Ken Brunson, about the myriad of tiny toads that were literally everywhere that year. 

Just when I thought life was as simple as a toad, was a toad, was a toad, Ken informed me that toads have names, too. Ken said that 95% of the toads seen in Kansas are either Woodhouse’s Toads, or Great Plains Toads. Eastern Kansas also has some American toads and Spadefoot toads. 

Ken linked that year’s abundance of tiny toads to the abundance of standing water in places where there hadn’t been water for ages, and the flood waters forced many from their homes near the streams and swamps where they hatched, and sent them scrambling for higher ground.

Whatever their clan, all toads begin their life as jelly-covered strands of eggs laid in the shallows of swamps, streams and ponds. In about one week the eggs hatch into tadpoles. Next, hind legs begin to grow, then front legs, then lungs replace the gills, the tail is absorbed into the body, and finally, two to three weeks after hatching, the youngsters hop out onto dry land. Woodhouse and Great Plains toads both grow to be three to five inches long when fully mature.

Although not particularly athletic, toads are efficient predators and do have a ravenous appetite for insects. Research suggests that a toad is capable of eating two-thirds its body weight in insects daily.

 Worms of all kinds seem to be favorites as they’re probably easier to catch (and I’m sure more filling!) A study done on Great Plains toads in Oklahoma found that because of their fondness for dining on over-wintering cutworms, these toads were estimated to be worth twenty-five dollars apiece per year to the agriculture industry there. 

Their taste for bugs can easily be seen in their droppings. The black cigar shaped droppings found in driveways and on sidewalks this time of year are in fact, toad poo. When they have acres of yards, gardens and fields to potty in, I’ll never understand why they feel the need to go on the sidewalk or in the driveway (the least they could do is cart it away when they leave.) Next time you see some, take a stick and poke it apart; you’ll see it’s comprised entirely of undigested bug parts like legs and wings.

Contrary to the old-wives tale, handling a toad does not cause warts. The warts on their skin and the glands behind their eyes do, however, produce a toxin capable of making you sick if accidentally ingested. You’ve witnessed this toxin at work if you have ever seen your dog frothing and foaming at the mouth after playing with a toad in the yard.

With that in mind, I guess my advice to you concerning toads would be three-fold.

 1) If you suddenly find your dog foaming and frothing at the mouth, don’t shoot it, it probably just licked a toad.

3) ALWAYS hold a toad way out in front of you with both hands or you’re liable to get your shoes wet. 

So whenever a fat pudgy toad surprises you in the garden or flower bed, tip your hat to them and thank them for the insect removal service they provide. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751986027498.png" alt="Female Great Plains Toad from Hamilton County, Kansas. Photo by Travis W. Taggart/FHSU" />
 <figcaption>Female Great Plains Toad from Hamilton County, Kansas. Photo by Travis W. Taggart/FHSU</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas OutdoorsAs we walked up the sidewalk and across the patio at my grandson’s house the other night we had to watch our footing as the ground practically moved beneath our feet. Dozens of tiny toads the size of quarters hopped in every direction with each step. An adult toad the size of a peach, probably dad or grandpa, perched at the top of the porch. We usually have multitudes of toads at the Gilliland ranch every summer, tumbling from beneath the tomato plants or leaping from under the lilacs. This year though, oddly enough our place seems to be “toad deficient.” I miss the little blighters as they are nature’s ground crew for insect control.Toad… the name itself conjures up visions of witches adding eyes of newts and wings of bats to a bubbling caldron of potion, or a derogatory remark about a person’s physical appearance. They’re fat and pudgy, their blotchy skin is covered with lumps and warts, their spring mating call sounds like a poor lost calf calling for its mother and they pee on anyone attempting to pick them up. You gotta’ love 'em! Their saving grace comes in the form of a voracious appetite for insects.A few years back during a particularly wet spell like that of late, I spoke with Wildlife Diversity Coordinator for the state of Kansas, Ken Brunson, about the myriad of tiny toads that were literally everywhere that year. Just when I thought life was as simple as a toad, was a toad, was a toad, Ken informed me that toads have names, too. Ken said that 95% of the toads seen in Kansas are either Woodhouse’s Toads, or Great Plains Toads. Eastern Kansas also has some American toads and Spadefoot toads. Ken linked that year’s abundance of tiny toads to the abundance of standing water in places where there hadn’t been water for ages, and the flood waters forced many from their homes near the streams and swamps where they hatched, and sent them scrambling for higher ground.Whatever their clan, all toads begin their life as jelly-covered strands of eggs laid in the shallows of swamps, streams and ponds. In about one week the eggs hatch into tadpoles. Next, hind legs begin to grow, then front legs, then lungs replace the gills, the tail is absorbed into the body, and finally, two to three weeks after hatching, the youngsters hop out onto dry land. Woodhouse and Great Plains toads both grow to be three to five inches long when fully mature.Although not particularly athletic, toads are efficient predators and do have a ravenous appetite for insects. Research suggests that a toad is capable of eating two-thirds its body weight in insects daily. Worms of all kinds seem to be favorites as they’re probably easier to catch (and I’m sure more filling!) A study done on Great Plains toads in Oklahoma found that because of their fondness for dining on over-wintering cutworms, these toads were estimated to be worth twenty-five dollars apiece per year to the agriculture industry there. Their taste for bugs can easily be seen in their droppings. The black cigar shaped droppings found in driveways and on sidewalks this time of year are in fact, toad poo. When they have acres of yards, gardens and fields to potty in, I’ll never understand why they feel the need to go on the sidewalk or in the driveway (the least they could do is cart it away when they leave.) Next time you see some, take a stick and poke it apart; you’ll see it’s comprised entirely of undigested bug parts like legs and wings.Contrary to the old-wives tale, handling a toad does not cause warts. The warts on their skin and the glands behind their eyes do, however, produce a toxin capable of making you sick if accidentally ingested. You’ve witnessed this toxin at work if you have ever seen your dog frothing and foaming at the mouth after playing with a toad in the yard.With that in mind, I guess my advice to you concerning toads would be three-fold. 1) If you suddenly find your dog foaming and frothing at the mouth, don’t shoot it, it probably just licked a toad.2) Don’t lick a toad yourself.3) ALWAYS hold a toad way out in front of you with both hands or you’re liable to get your shoes wet. So whenever a fat pudgy toad surprises you in the garden or flower bed, tip your hat to them and thank them for the insect removal service they provide. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Insect removal technicians

Every summer we watch contentious creatures, especially birds and squirrels, who claim our yard as their local grocery store. Saucy king birds, shrill grackles, and thieving, bushy-tailed rodents scuffle and sometimes outright war at least once a week.

For the longest time, I sympathized with the poor squirrel who faced not one or two attackers but up to eight or nine. Then I learned Mr. or Miss Bushytail asked for every bit of WW III because it regularly robs nests to eat either eggs or babies. No wonder those kingbird and grackle pairs unite to wreak havoc.

The attacks begin when the squirrel enters the yard. Its reputation precedes it, triggering outcries from every bird in the vicinity, especially aggressive kingbirds and grackles. Once that rodent arrives, volume levels increase exponentially.

If luck holds, Bushytail may reach the seed feeding station, which resembles a white country church. Once in place, it prayerfully fills its jowls with sunflower kernels before the dive bombing begins. Such gobbling complicates its escape as it forces a decision to keep energy-packed calorie resources in its mouth or race unimpeded to safety.

Apparently, noise functions like a bugle call to nearby avian couples who lost family at the paws and jaw of said squirrel. Typically, three to four kingbird and two or three grackle pairs unite to attack. The aerodynamically superior kingbirds swarm the invader, swooping and diving with choreographed skill. They get close enough they yank hair from its wriggling body. The grackles join in with low level flyovers that incorporate unpleasant noise.

The other day, our birds began a prolonged attack on the squirrel while I was outside watering and caring for our new pup and a visiting grand-dog. The dogs were a recent addition so the squirrel got the surprise of its life when it thought it would run through the fence to escape to the south. Imagine reaching the road to freedom to find two yapping terriers.

Wily kingbirds took advantage of the squirrel’s confusion and desire not to lose its seed hoard. They repeatedly dove to tug hair tufts. All the while, four grackles screeched non-stop encouragement.

I decided this avian air corps needed to pursue battle unimpeded by shrill barking so the dogs and I escaped into the house. I assumed a front row seat at the dining room window to watch a 20-minute onslaught where 11 birds chased a now frantic squirrel up and down trees, in and out of garden rows, and across the lawn. I rooted for both sides.

Eventually, exhaustion demanded the break that led to truce. The spent squirrel, with now empty jowls, slurped long from one bird bath while its avian attackers headed east to a different dish. Thirst addressed, Bushytail crept to the seed-filled chapel to pray and replenish its stash. When the birds did not resume their attacks, the fatigued squirrel collapsed in shaded grass with all four legs splayed. I searched for hairless spots in its coat but saw none.

Knowing how Mother Nature works, that squirrel won’t quit robbing nests, but during that visit to its local grocer, our birds exacted a worthy toll for its nefarious actions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158626307.png" alt="Karen Madorin. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORIN Every summer we watch contentious creatures, especially birds and squirrels, who claim our yard as their local grocery store. Saucy king birds, shrill grackles, and thieving, bushy-tailed rodents scuffle and sometimes outright war at least once a week.For the longest time, I sympathized with the poor squirrel who faced not one or two attackers but up to eight or nine. Then I learned Mr. or Miss Bushytail asked for every bit of WW III because it regularly robs nests to eat either eggs or babies. No wonder those kingbird and grackle pairs unite to wreak havoc.The attacks begin when the squirrel enters the yard. Its reputation precedes it, triggering outcries from every bird in the vicinity, especially aggressive kingbirds and grackles. Once that rodent arrives, volume levels increase exponentially.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752154908510.jpeg" alt="Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>If luck holds, Bushytail may reach the seed feeding station, which resembles a white country church. Once in place, it prayerfully fills its jowls with sunflower kernels before the dive bombing begins. Such gobbling complicates its escape as it forces a decision to keep energy-packed calorie resources in its mouth or race unimpeded to safety.Apparently, noise functions like a bugle call to nearby avian couples who lost family at the paws and jaw of said squirrel. Typically, three to four kingbird and two or three grackle pairs unite to attack. The aerodynamically superior kingbirds swarm the invader, swooping and diving with choreographed skill. They get close enough they yank hair from its wriggling body. The grackles join in with low level flyovers that incorporate unpleasant noise.The other day, our birds began a prolonged attack on the squirrel while I was outside watering and caring for our new pup and a visiting grand-dog. The dogs were a recent addition so the squirrel got the surprise of its life when it thought it would run through the fence to escape to the south. Imagine reaching the road to freedom to find two yapping terriers.Wily kingbirds took advantage of the squirrel’s confusion and desire not to lose its seed hoard. They repeatedly dove to tug hair tufts. All the while, four grackles screeched non-stop encouragement.I decided this avian air corps needed to pursue battle unimpeded by shrill barking so the dogs and I escaped into the house. I assumed a front row seat at the dining room window to watch a 20-minute onslaught where 11 birds chased a now frantic squirrel up and down trees, in and out of garden rows, and across the lawn. I rooted for both sides.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752155152325.jpeg" alt="Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>Eventually, exhaustion demanded the break that led to truce. The spent squirrel, with now empty jowls, slurped long from one bird bath while its avian attackers headed east to a different dish. Thirst addressed, Bushytail crept to the seed-filled chapel to pray and replenish its stash. When the birds did not resume their attacks, the fatigued squirrel collapsed in shaded grass with all four legs splayed. I searched for hairless spots in its coat but saw none.Knowing how Mother Nature works, that squirrel won’t quit robbing nests, but during that visit to its local grocer, our birds exacted a worthy toll for its nefarious actions.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: Exacting revenge—birds win!

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

In Kansas, we pride ourselves on hard work, strong communities, and self-reliance.

Kansans value hard work, strong communities, and a sense of fairness. But over the past several months, decisions made in Washington have left many of our neighbors behind. While the rhetoric often celebrates rural America, the policies tell a different story. Kansas farmers and rural communities bear the brunt of recent federal funding cuts.

The Trump administration’s policy decisions have undermined the livelihoods and well-being of Kansans across the state by hurting our agricultural economy, straining our rural healthcare systems, and further fraying the safety net that supports our communities.

Start with Kansas agriculture. While national headlines focused on culture wars, the administration quietly slashed funding for the US Agency for International Development (USAID). That may seem like a distant concern, but USAID doesn’t just deliver humanitarian aid, it opens and stabilizes global markets for American-grown crops.

USAID’s Food for Peace program, in particular, has benefited Kansas farmers for decades by buying surplus wheat and grain harvests and sending them overseas as humanitarian aid, helping to stabilize prices here at home while feeding millions abroad.

When the U.S. pulled back from investing in international food security, it also pulled away from the long-term global demand for wheat, corn, soybeans, and other Kansas exports. 

In 2024, over half of Kansas-grown wheat was sold abroad, but those markets have now dried up and farmers are struggling to sell their goods. In fact, Kansas exported over $800 million worth of wheat in 2023, and more than $4.75 billion in total agricultural products in 2024, underscoring how vital international markets are to the state’s economy.

At the same time, Trump launched trade wars that sparked retaliatory tariffs from major trading partners like China, which have struck Kansas’ producers hard. According to state and independent estimates, Kansas farmers lost nearly $1 billion in income due to those retaliatory tariffs, especially in soybeans, wheat, and pork.

Despite emergency bailouts, many family farms have seen shrinking profits. For some Kansans, these cuts will mean the end of a multi-generational farming legacy. This isn’t just a market correction; it is the fallout of political choices that ignored the economic ecosystems rural states depend on.

These are not abstract policy changes. They are devastating blows to rural Kansas economies.

It’s important to be clear: these outcomes weren’t inevitable. They were the result of policy decisions that favored cuts over stability and care. Trump campaigned as a champion of the “forgotten man and woman,” appealing to working-class and rural voters in places like Kansas.

But his administration’s actions have abandoned Kansans who need the most help. The same administration that promised to “put America first” has without a doubt put rural America last.

To add insult to injury, most of Kansas’ House delegation has gone along with cutting federal funds every step of the way. Representatives Mann, Schmidt, and Estes all voted in favor, while Representative Davids was the sole opponent from Kansas’ House delegates.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the USAID funding cuts in mid-July. Thus far, Senator Marshall has been an outspoken critic of USAID while Senator Moran has remained mostly silent on the organization itself. However, both Senators, and Moran in particular, have advocated that Food for Peace be moved to the US Department of Agriculture so the program can continue.

The long-term effects of these policies are still unfolding, but one thing is certain: cutting development aid at the expense of farmers is not building a stronger Kansas. It’s time we choose leaders who will invest in our people, protect our communities, and put Kansas first for real.

Kansas deserves elected officials who understand the realities of life in small towns and farming communities; leaders who don’t just use rural voters as a backdrop for campaign speeches, but who fight for policies that support hardworking Kansans.

Kansans know what it means to take care of each other. Our policies should reflect that.

Alexandra Middlewood, PhD, is an associate professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Wichita State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740007073583.jpeg" alt="Alexandra Middlewood&nbsp;is an associate professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Wichita State University. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Alexandra Middlewood&nbsp;is an associate professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Wichita State University. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight KansasIn Kansas, we pride ourselves on hard work, strong communities, and self-reliance.Kansans value hard work, strong communities, and a sense of fairness. But over the past several months, decisions made in Washington have left many of our neighbors behind. While the rhetoric often celebrates rural America, the policies tell a different story. Kansas farmers and rural communities bear the brunt of recent federal funding cuts.The Trump administration’s policy decisions have undermined the livelihoods and well-being of Kansans across the state by hurting our agricultural economy, straining our rural healthcare systems, and further fraying the safety net that supports our communities.Start with Kansas agriculture. While national headlines focused on culture wars, the administration quietly slashed funding for the US Agency for International Development (USAID). That may seem like a distant concern, but USAID doesn’t just deliver humanitarian aid, it opens and stabilizes global markets for American-grown crops.USAID’s Food for Peace program, in particular, has benefited Kansas farmers for decades by buying surplus wheat and grain harvests and sending them overseas as humanitarian aid, helping to stabilize prices here at home while feeding millions abroad.When the U.S. pulled back from investing in international food security, it also pulled away from the long-term global demand for wheat, corn, soybeans, and other Kansas exports. In 2024, over half of Kansas-grown wheat was sold abroad, but those markets have now dried up and farmers are struggling to sell their goods. In fact, Kansas exported over $800 million worth of wheat in 2023, and more than $4.75 billion in total agricultural products in 2024, underscoring how vital international markets are to the state’s economy.At the same time, Trump launched trade wars that sparked retaliatory tariffs from major trading partners like China, which have struck Kansas’ producers hard. According to state and independent estimates, Kansas farmers lost nearly $1 billion in income due to those retaliatory tariffs, especially in soybeans, wheat, and pork.Despite emergency bailouts, many family farms have seen shrinking profits. For some Kansans, these cuts will mean the end of a multi-generational farming legacy. This isn’t just a market correction; it is the fallout of political choices that ignored the economic ecosystems rural states depend on.These are not abstract policy changes. They are devastating blows to rural Kansas economies.It’s important to be clear: these outcomes weren’t inevitable. They were the result of policy decisions that favored cuts over stability and care. Trump campaigned as a champion of the “forgotten man and woman,” appealing to working-class and rural voters in places like Kansas.But his administration’s actions have abandoned Kansans who need the most help. The same administration that promised to “put America first” has without a doubt put rural America last.To add insult to injury, most of Kansas’ House delegation has gone along with cutting federal funds every step of the way. Representatives Mann, Schmidt, and Estes all voted in favor, while Representative Davids was the sole opponent from Kansas’ House delegates.The Senate is scheduled to vote on the USAID funding cuts in mid-July. Thus far, Senator Marshall has been an outspoken critic of USAID while Senator Moran has remained mostly silent on the organization itself. However, both Senators, and Moran in particular, have advocated that Food for Peace be moved to the US Department of Agriculture so the program can continue.The long-term effects of these policies are still unfolding, but one thing is certain: cutting development aid at the expense of farmers is not building a stronger Kansas. It’s time we choose leaders who will invest in our people, protect our communities, and put Kansas first for real.Kansas deserves elected officials who understand the realities of life in small towns and farming communities; leaders who don’t just use rural voters as a backdrop for campaign speeches, but who fight for policies that support hardworking Kansans.Kansans know what it means to take care of each other. Our policies should reflect that.Alexandra Middlewood, PhD, is an associate professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Wichita State University.

Insight Kansas: Washington abandoned rural Kansas — and farmers are paying for it

Do your children or grandchildren enjoy watching Wild Kratts, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Curious George, or Sesame Street? Or do you watch state high school wrestling or 8-man football championships? Maybe you enjoy All Creatures Great and Small, Finding Your Roots, Antiques Roadshow, or Ken Burns history documentaries. 

Your ability to watch these and other programs on Smoky Hills PBS will be jeopardized if the Senate votes next week to rescind already-appropriated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Why is this important to Smoky Hills PBS?

This year Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) funding would make up 54% of Smoky Hills PBS’ revenues. The House of Representatives passed this Recission Bill last month. So if the Senate passes it by July 18th, this funding would be eliminated immediately, and would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to replace. 

CPB funding comprises such a high proportion of Smoky Hills PBS’ revenues because the station serves a very large area, about 51 counties, with a relatively-sparse population with four energy-intensive transmitters. The relatively small population in these counties makes fundraising much more challenging than for urban stations that serve much smaller areas with much higher populations.

What is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (or CPB)?

CPB is the private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress to be the steward of funds Congress allocates for public broadcasting. Over 70% of the funding Congress allocates to the CPB goes to local public broadcasters like Smoky Hills PBS. On average, CPB costs the taxpayer $1.60, and its funding comprises 0.01% of the federal budget, so cutting its funding will not meaningfully cut the federal deficit. However, cutting its funding will significantly harm local public TV and radio stations and the people they serve.

Please call the local offices of Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and leave a message telling them to vote against rescinding funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and why Smoky Hills PBS is important to you. The Senate will likely vote on this Bill the week of July 14th, so call today!

Senator Jerry Moran’s Hays Office: 785-628-6401

Senator Roger Marshall’s Salina Office: 785-829-9000

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="Image by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Do your children or grandchildren enjoy watching Wild Kratts, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Curious George, or Sesame Street? Or do you watch state high school wrestling or 8-man football championships? Maybe you enjoy All Creatures Great and Small, Finding Your Roots, Antiques Roadshow, or Ken Burns history documentaries. Your ability to watch these and other programs on Smoky Hills PBS will be jeopardized if the Senate votes next week to rescind already-appropriated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Why is this important to Smoky Hills PBS?This year Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) funding would make up 54% of Smoky Hills PBS’ revenues. The House of Representatives passed this Recission Bill last month. So if the Senate passes it by July 18th, this funding would be eliminated immediately, and would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to replace. CPB funding comprises such a high proportion of Smoky Hills PBS’ revenues because the station serves a very large area, about 51 counties, with a relatively-sparse population with four energy-intensive transmitters. The relatively small population in these counties makes fundraising much more challenging than for urban stations that serve much smaller areas with much higher populations.What is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (or CPB)?CPB is the private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress to be the steward of funds Congress allocates for public broadcasting. Over 70% of the funding Congress allocates to the CPB goes to local public broadcasters like Smoky Hills PBS. On average, CPB costs the taxpayer $1.60, and its funding comprises 0.01% of the federal budget, so cutting its funding will not meaningfully cut the federal deficit. However, cutting its funding will significantly harm local public TV and radio stations and the people they serve.What can you do?Please call the local offices of Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and leave a message telling them to vote against rescinding funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and why Smoky Hills PBS is important to you. The Senate will likely vote on this Bill the week of July 14th, so call today!Senator Jerry Moran’s Hays Office: 785-628-6401Senator Roger Marshall’s Salina Office: 785-829-9000Helen Hands Hays

LETTER: Tell Senators Moran and Marshall to protect funding for Smoky Hills PBS

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Bryan VonFeldt, treasurer of The Bricks board of directors about the Downtown Hays Market and the upcoming Bazaar on the Bricks.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: 'The Bricks' board treasurer Bryan VonFeldt" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=6ucwj-18f23ed-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Bryan VonFeldt, treasurer of The Bricks board of directors about the Downtown Hays Market and the upcoming Bazaar on the Bricks.

🎙 Post Podcast: 'The Bricks' board treasurer on Downtown Market, Bazaar on Bricks

By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight Kansas

It’s Fourth of July season!&nbsp; Time for barbecues and Chinese-made fireworks (watch out for those tariffs). For Independence Day, I suggest also celebrating some folks that really make America great—immigrants.

Throughout our history, waves of immigrants have made our country stronger, bringing in new Americans willing to risk everything to live the American dream.

Immigrants believe the inscription at the base of the Statue of Liberty, “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free.” They work hard, raise families, and establish communities and businesses. Naturalized citizens take a citizenship test and an oath in which they swear off allegiance to any other government or leader.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Today, politicians and pundits spew outrage at the suggestion that the U.S. was founded on slavery and the removal of Native Americans.&nbsp; It’s a plain fact that these things happened.&nbsp; Yet they do not need to define us.

Himself the grandson of Irish migrants, President Kennedy offered a far more inspiring vision in his 1958 book,&nbsp;A Nation of Immigrants,&nbsp;which celebrated the American story. President Reagan was pro immigration too.

America is so much more than our sins of the past–and present.&nbsp; We are a dynamic, vibrant country that has repeatedly reinvented ourselves.&nbsp; Today, studies show that immigrants contribute far more to the U.S. economy than they take out– and yes, that is after accounting for public welfare benefits.

Immigrants stabilize the population of communities that would otherwise be declining, including many in rural Kansas. They take jobs that many native-born Americans will not.

 Studies show that immigration helps relieve one of America’s worst economic challenges today:&nbsp; the housing shortage. While immigrant families need housing too, the fact that many work in construction more than offsets that, resulting in a net increase in the nation’s housing stock.

Immigrants enrich our culture, while also becoming a part of it.&nbsp; Migrant families typically assimilate within three generations. The children of immigrants from non-English speaking countries are usually bilingual and serve as translators for their parents.&nbsp; The immigrants’ grandchildren typically speak English as their first and perhaps only language.

A few years ago, TLC aired&nbsp;All American Muslim,&nbsp;about a Lebanese American family in suburban Detroit. The show was discontinued, but not because of prejudice. Instead, the family’s daily life was so typical, so suburban, so&nbsp;American, the show simply lacked the drama that reality TV viewers expect. Just another American family, nothing to see here.

Immigration enriches our culture. For example, German immigrants brought us the Christmas tree. Today, more and more Americans observe&nbsp;Dia de los Muertes&nbsp;(Day of the Dead), a celebration of our ancestors. The day originated in Mexico and is becoming mainstream here.

If you’re looking to binge watch something patriotic this weekend, I recommend&nbsp;Finding Your Roots&nbsp;with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Streaming on the PBS app Passport, the show features famous Americans whose ancestors come from all over the world. 

For most guests, researchers document their family history in the old country as well as their journeys to the United States, uncovering stories of courage, sacrifice, and hard work. Of course, some find scandal in their genealogy too. Many guests are brought to tears when Gates shows them a timeline of their family history. Even when records are unavailable, DNA testing and other research can help uncover more information about their past than they ever imagined possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This Fourth of July, celebrate something that really makes the USA great. Welcome immigrants into your community and learn their American stories—and yours.

Michael A. Smith is a&nbsp;Professor of Political Science and Chair of Social Sciences at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745349371713.jpeg" alt="Michael A. Smith is a&nbsp;Professor of Political Science and Chair of Social Sciences at Emporia State University.&nbsp; Courtesy photo&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Michael A. Smith is a&nbsp;Professor of Political Science and Chair of Social Sciences at Emporia State University.&nbsp; Courtesy photo&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHAEL A. SMITH Insight KansasIt’s Fourth of July season!&nbsp; Time for barbecues and Chinese-made fireworks (watch out for those tariffs). For Independence Day, I suggest also celebrating some folks that really make America great—immigrants.Throughout our history, waves of immigrants have made our country stronger, bringing in new Americans willing to risk everything to live the American dream.Immigrants believe the inscription at the base of the Statue of Liberty, “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free.” They work hard, raise families, and establish communities and businesses. Naturalized citizens take a citizenship test and an oath in which they swear off allegiance to any other government or leader.&nbsp;&nbsp;Today, politicians and pundits spew outrage at the suggestion that the U.S. was founded on slavery and the removal of Native Americans.&nbsp; It’s a plain fact that these things happened.&nbsp; Yet they do not need to define us.Himself the grandson of Irish migrants, President Kennedy offered a far more inspiring vision in his 1958 book,&nbsp;A Nation of Immigrants,&nbsp;which celebrated the American story. President Reagan was pro immigration too.America is so much more than our sins of the past–and present.&nbsp; We are a dynamic, vibrant country that has repeatedly reinvented ourselves.&nbsp; Today, studies show that immigrants contribute far more to the U.S. economy than they take out– and yes, that is after accounting for public welfare benefits.Immigrants stabilize the population of communities that would otherwise be declining, including many in rural Kansas. They take jobs that many native-born Americans will not. Studies show that immigration helps relieve one of America’s worst economic challenges today:&nbsp; the housing shortage. While immigrant families need housing too, the fact that many work in construction more than offsets that, resulting in a net increase in the nation’s housing stock.Immigrants enrich our culture, while also becoming a part of it.&nbsp; Migrant families typically assimilate within three generations. The children of immigrants from non-English speaking countries are usually bilingual and serve as translators for their parents.&nbsp; The immigrants’ grandchildren typically speak English as their first and perhaps only language.A few years ago, TLC aired&nbsp;All American Muslim,&nbsp;about a Lebanese American family in suburban Detroit. The show was discontinued, but not because of prejudice. Instead, the family’s daily life was so typical, so suburban, so&nbsp;American, the show simply lacked the drama that reality TV viewers expect. Just another American family, nothing to see here.Immigration enriches our culture. For example, German immigrants brought us the Christmas tree. Today, more and more Americans observe&nbsp;Dia de los Muertes&nbsp;(Day of the Dead), a celebration of our ancestors. The day originated in Mexico and is becoming mainstream here.If you’re looking to binge watch something patriotic this weekend, I recommend&nbsp;Finding Your Roots&nbsp;with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Streaming on the PBS app Passport, the show features famous Americans whose ancestors come from all over the world. For most guests, researchers document their family history in the old country as well as their journeys to the United States, uncovering stories of courage, sacrifice, and hard work. Of course, some find scandal in their genealogy too. Many guests are brought to tears when Gates shows them a timeline of their family history. Even when records are unavailable, DNA testing and other research can help uncover more information about their past than they ever imagined possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;This Fourth of July, celebrate something that really makes the USA great. Welcome immigrants into your community and learn their American stories—and yours.Michael A. Smith is a&nbsp;Professor of Political Science and Chair of Social Sciences at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

Insight Kansas: Immigration is patriotic

By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University President

If you’ve ever strolled through the Fort Hays State University campus during the warmer months, you’ve likely noticed the vibrant colors that line our walkways and flower beds — geraniums, lantanas, ornamental peppers, and more, arranged with care and precision. What may look like a simple seasonal refresh is, in fact, the result of countless hours of planning and hands-on work by an exceptional team of dedicated professionals: our Grounds Department.

Led by Grounds Manager Brenden Ibarra, this team works year-round to ensure our campus remains beautiful, functional, and welcoming — not only for our students, faculty, and staff, but also for the thousands of guests who visit each year. Supporting Brenden are two key leaders: Trevor Deets, our Grounds Supervisor, and Cody Norton, our Greenhouse and Landscape Supervisor.

Brenden became the manager of the grounds department last summer. His story is a true Tiger journey: he joined the crew as a student employee right out of high school, earned his agronomy degree from FHSU in 2019, and worked as an equipment operator for four years before stepping into his current role.

Brenden hit the ground running, implementing a cross-training model that encourages the team to work as one unified crew. “I wanted everyone to have the same experience going forward,” he shared. “We’re all working at the same job. We’re one big team.” His leadership, like his work ethic, reflects his belief in collaboration and an ethic of shared success. “When people start taking pride in their work and you can see the same pride I have showing up in other employees, it makes everything a lot more fun.”

Cody, who graduated from FHSU in 2015 with a biology degree, now leads the greenhouse and planting efforts, following in the footsteps of Donna Augustine, who retired last fall after 37 years of service. Cody worked closely with Donna and carries forward her passion and commitment. He collaborates with longtime employee Mike Messeck and a rotating crew of hardworking student employees who help maintain the lush landscapes our university is known for.

Cody summed it up beautifully: “It’s nice to be able to see everything we do and say, ‘Wow, we did this. We made it look nice.”

Trevor has been part of the team for nine years and has witnessed many changes over that time, including an entirely new roster of crew members. A graduate of NCK Tech with training in electrical technology and construction, Trevor brought with him a valuable skillset that extends beyond landscaping.

Trevor supervises a tight-knit crew — Travis Dreher, Dalton Pfannenstiel, Jude Lang, Gunnar Hearne, and, until recently, Doug Haberman, who retired after years of dedicated service to FHSU.

The work of the grounds department isn’t just essential — it’s visible, much like the work of our dedicated housekeeping staff. As Cody pointed out, “Our job is probably one of the few jobs on&nbsp;campus that everybody sees. We are definitely in the public eye.”

 That visibility creates moments of connection. Campus visitors often stop to share compliments or thank the team for their work. Those gestures mean a lot. They’re reminders that their effort matters — and is noticed.

“Anything you see outside,” Trevor shared recently, “Grounds pretty much takes care of it.” That simple statement captures the incredible range of responsibilities his team shoulders — from planting and irrigation to snow removal and storm cleanup.

A couple of weeks ago, for example, a massive tree fell on campus due to high winds. Within a short time, the crew mobilized with chainsaws, a skid steer, a bucket truck, and a trailer to remove the debris as safely and efficiently as possible.

Beyond landscaping and emergency response, the grounds team also repairs and maintains their own equipment. “All the equipment breaks at some point,” Trevor said. “So, we have to have someone to fix it, too.”

Their role as a one-stop shop for everything outdoors — from planting to plowing, trimming to troubleshooting — is vital to the look, feel, and function of our campus. Every perfectly trimmed lawn or blooming flower bed at Fort Hays State is the result of deep pride, quiet dedication, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes teamwork.

Trevor summed up his team’s efforts at FHSU very simply: “I take a lot of pride in my work. At the end of the day, I see what we accomplished. It is a good feeling.”

We are grateful to Brenden, Trevor, Cody, and the entire crew for their commitment to excellence. They truly embody the spirit of the Tiger Nation — steady, resilient, and always working to make our home on the plains a little more beautiful every day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, Fort Hays State University president. Photo by FHSU" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, Fort Hays State University president. Photo by FHSU</figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University PresidentIf you’ve ever strolled through the Fort Hays State University campus during the warmer months, you’ve likely noticed the vibrant colors that line our walkways and flower beds — geraniums, lantanas, ornamental peppers, and more, arranged with care and precision. What may look like a simple seasonal refresh is, in fact, the result of countless hours of planning and hands-on work by an exceptional team of dedicated professionals: our Grounds Department.Led by Grounds Manager Brenden Ibarra, this team works year-round to ensure our campus remains beautiful, functional, and welcoming — not only for our students, faculty, and staff, but also for the thousands of guests who visit each year. Supporting Brenden are two key leaders: Trevor Deets, our Grounds Supervisor, and Cody Norton, our Greenhouse and Landscape Supervisor.Brenden became the manager of the grounds department last summer. His story is a true Tiger journey: he joined the crew as a student employee right out of high school, earned his agronomy degree from FHSU in 2019, and worked as an equipment operator for four years before stepping into his current role.Brenden hit the ground running, implementing a cross-training model that encourages the team to work as one unified crew. “I wanted everyone to have the same experience going forward,” he shared. “We’re all working at the same job. We’re one big team.” His leadership, like his work ethic, reflects his belief in collaboration and an ethic of shared success. “When people start taking pride in their work and you can see the same pride I have showing up in other employees, it makes everything a lot more fun.”Cody, who graduated from FHSU in 2015 with a biology degree, now leads the greenhouse and planting efforts, following in the footsteps of Donna Augustine, who retired last fall after 37 years of service. Cody worked closely with Donna and carries forward her passion and commitment. He collaborates with longtime employee Mike Messeck and a rotating crew of hardworking student employees who help maintain the lush landscapes our university is known for.Cody summed it up beautifully: “It’s nice to be able to see everything we do and say, ‘Wow, we did this. We made it look nice.”Trevor has been part of the team for nine years and has witnessed many changes over that time, including an entirely new roster of crew members. A graduate of NCK Tech with training in electrical technology and construction, Trevor brought with him a valuable skillset that extends beyond landscaping.Trevor supervises a tight-knit crew — Travis Dreher, Dalton Pfannenstiel, Jude Lang, Gunnar Hearne, and, until recently, Doug Haberman, who retired after years of dedicated service to FHSU.The work of the grounds department isn’t just essential — it’s visible, much like the work of our dedicated housekeeping staff. As Cody pointed out, “Our job is probably one of the few jobs on&nbsp;campus that everybody sees. We are definitely in the public eye.” That visibility creates moments of connection. Campus visitors often stop to share compliments or thank the team for their work. Those gestures mean a lot. They’re reminders that their effort matters — and is noticed.“Anything you see outside,” Trevor shared recently, “Grounds pretty much takes care of it.” That simple statement captures the incredible range of responsibilities his team shoulders — from planting and irrigation to snow removal and storm cleanup.A couple of weeks ago, for example, a massive tree fell on campus due to high winds. Within a short time, the crew mobilized with chainsaws, a skid steer, a bucket truck, and a trailer to remove the debris as safely and efficiently as possible.Beyond landscaping and emergency response, the grounds team also repairs and maintains their own equipment. “All the equipment breaks at some point,” Trevor said. “So, we have to have someone to fix it, too.”Their role as a one-stop shop for everything outdoors — from planting to plowing, trimming to troubleshooting — is vital to the look, feel, and function of our campus. Every perfectly trimmed lawn or blooming flower bed at Fort Hays State is the result of deep pride, quiet dedication, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes teamwork.Trevor summed up his team’s efforts at FHSU very simply: “I take a lot of pride in my work. At the end of the day, I see what we accomplished. It is a good feeling.”We are grateful to Brenden, Trevor, Cody, and the entire crew for their commitment to excellence. They truly embody the spirit of the Tiger Nation — steady, resilient, and always working to make our home on the plains a little more beautiful every day.

Heart of a Tiger: Beautifying our home on the Plains 

Who knows where my idea of a Grandma Garden came from? I don’t. 

Neither of my grandmothers had time to garden. Both worked to supplement social security checks. My mom preferred vegetable gardening to growing flowers. My husband’s mother had a gorgeous yard full of intriguing greenery, including rows of tall castor bean plants and grape vines. However, cottage gardens didn’t interest her. Latent genes apparently rose from primordial British isle soup, urging me to create an old-fashioned flower bed.

When we moved to Logan, that yard had beautiful roses and daisies to initiate some old-timey tendencies. A former colleague and friend encouraged this by sharing an envelope full of what her son called “purple Anthony seeds,” larkspur--in reality, to sow a flower bed. Later, I carried seed from her original contribution as well as my Logan daisies to the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming where they brightened my yard and a friend’s every summer.

Somewhere along the way, Mom contributed hollyhock seed, which also thrived in high-altitude summers. When it came time to boomerang to western Kansas in August of '21, I collected seed like crazy, hoping they’d transfer once again to another yard.

It took time to make this dream of a dedicated Gramma Garden come true. A friend donated limestone blocks from a fallen building, which my hubs arranged into a rectangle that resembled an old family cemetery plot so much our that our daughter titled it “The Graveyard.” That fall when he filled it rich soil and newly buried hollyhock buttons, her description seemed even more apt.

Green growth rewarded us the following spring, but we knew it would be at least one more year before we or any pollinators enjoyed blooming spikes.

 I added another friend’s contributed black-eyed Susan seed along with my daisy, larkspur, Indian blanket, and milk weed collected in Wyoming. Everything came up except the milk weed. Last summer, we questioned the sparse growth, but encouragement from this spring’s abundant rains has caused those crowded plants to compete for resources.

Gardening guarantees practitioners never get cocky, which certainly holds true with this Grandma Garden thing. 

I situated the hollyhocks dead center and thought I’d equally distributed other varieties around the taller plants, intending to see various blooms from all sides. Ha! Somehow, daisies, coneflower, and Indian blankets flourished to the east behind the taller plantings. From our deck-side vantage, we enjoy hollyhocks, larkspur, and black-eyed Susans. 

Like all things nature, this requires patience to correct. I’ll harvest and redistribute seed until the variety I want grows on every side. Then I’ll toss in blue flax and Mexican hat. I haven’t given up on adding milkweed either, but after two years of failed planting, I need a better plan.

Not only do we have old-fashioned blooms growing in the new bed out back, I distributed seed alongside my husband’s shed, at the back of the house, and around our big shade tree. Butterflies, bees, and hummers can sip nectar or collect pollen there as well.

 Mom’s experimental hollyhock seed planted along the edge of the brick have rewarded us with beautiful pink blossoms this year.

In a perfect world, I won’t need to hang a humming bird feeder because those little migrants will dine al fresco in Grandma’s Garden.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751016977646.jpeg" alt="Grandma Garden. Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Grandma Garden. Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINWho knows where my idea of a Grandma Garden came from? I don’t. Neither of my grandmothers had time to garden. Both worked to supplement social security checks. My mom preferred vegetable gardening to growing flowers. My husband’s mother had a gorgeous yard full of intriguing greenery, including rows of tall castor bean plants and grape vines. However, cottage gardens didn’t interest her. Latent genes apparently rose from primordial British isle soup, urging me to create an old-fashioned flower bed.When we moved to Logan, that yard had beautiful roses and daisies to initiate some old-timey tendencies. A former colleague and friend encouraged this by sharing an envelope full of what her son called “purple Anthony seeds,” larkspur--in reality, to sow a flower bed. Later, I carried seed from her original contribution as well as my Logan daisies to the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming where they brightened my yard and a friend’s every summer.Somewhere along the way, Mom contributed hollyhock seed, which also thrived in high-altitude summers. When it came time to boomerang to western Kansas in August of '21, I collected seed like crazy, hoping they’d transfer once again to another yard.It took time to make this dream of a dedicated Gramma Garden come true. A friend donated limestone blocks from a fallen building, which my hubs arranged into a rectangle that resembled an old family cemetery plot so much our that our daughter titled it “The Graveyard.” That fall when he filled it rich soil and newly buried hollyhock buttons, her description seemed even more apt.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751017090997.jpeg" alt="Grandma Garden. Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Grandma Garden. Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751017069982.jpeg" alt="Grandma Garden. Photo by Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Grandma Garden. Photo by Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>Green growth rewarded us the following spring, but we knew it would be at least one more year before we or any pollinators enjoyed blooming spikes. I added another friend’s contributed black-eyed Susan seed along with my daisy, larkspur, Indian blanket, and milk weed collected in Wyoming. Everything came up except the milk weed. Last summer, we questioned the sparse growth, but encouragement from this spring’s abundant rains has caused those crowded plants to compete for resources.Gardening guarantees practitioners never get cocky, which certainly holds true with this Grandma Garden thing. I situated the hollyhocks dead center and thought I’d equally distributed other varieties around the taller plants, intending to see various blooms from all sides. Ha! Somehow, daisies, coneflower, and Indian blankets flourished to the east behind the taller plantings. From our deck-side vantage, we enjoy hollyhocks, larkspur, and black-eyed Susans. Like all things nature, this requires patience to correct. I’ll harvest and redistribute seed until the variety I want grows on every side. Then I’ll toss in blue flax and Mexican hat. I haven’t given up on adding milkweed either, but after two years of failed planting, I need a better plan.Not only do we have old-fashioned blooms growing in the new bed out back, I distributed seed alongside my husband’s shed, at the back of the house, and around our big shade tree. Butterflies, bees, and hummers can sip nectar or collect pollen there as well. Mom’s experimental hollyhock seed planted along the edge of the brick have rewarded us with beautiful pink blossoms this year.In a perfect world, I won’t need to hang a humming bird feeder because those little migrants will dine al fresco in Grandma’s Garden.

MADORIN: Creating Gramma’s Garden

A sure sign of summer in Kansas is the sight and sound of the mosquito fogger running up-and-down the streets and alleys of our towns, and after recent heavy rains, the skeeters’ were as thick as hairs on a dog’s back.

It seems Eve’s original indiscretion in the Garden of Eden continues to haunt all mankind in more ways than one, as only female mosquitos bite. 

And when the little blighters bite us, it’s not for a drink either, but because they need human blood to develop fertile eggs, according to Jerry Butler, PhD and professor at the University of Florida. 

Both Professor Butler and Joe Conlon, PhD with the American Mosquito Control Assn. say mosquitoes prefer to suck on some humans more than others, as one in ten people are highly attractive to mosquitoes (and my wife is definitely in that group.) 

Research has also determined that when certain elements of our body chemistry are found in excess on the skin's surface, they draw mosquitoes closer, meaning that genetics actually accounts for a whopping 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito bites.

Mosquitoes are drawn to their victims in three different ways — by heat, by movement and by smell.

 Every living human puts off heat, so I guess in this category it’s a wash as we all appear equally appetizing. Scientists also believe that movement is highly attractive to mosquitoes, so to help stay under their radar, wear clothing that blends with your surroundings and keep your movement to a minimum. (I’ll remember this advice the next time I’m sitting still-as-a-stone in a turkey blind, camouflaged from head to toe, and the mosquitoes outnumber the hairs on my arms).

Now comes the category of “smell” where the “stinkers” are separated from the “not-so stinkers” so to speak. 

Smell is proven to be the most used and most important method by which mosquitoes single out their meals, and it’s believed they can smell their dinner from as far away as fifty meters. People who produce an unusually high amount of certain chemicals like uric acid, or who are overly-efficient at processing cholesterol, leaving excess cholesterol residue on their skin, tend to be mosquito magnets.

 But the two most sought-after scents by any self-respecting female mosquito are carbon dioxide and the lactic acid from our sweat glands. Larger people tend to give-off more carbon dioxide, so reports claim that mosquitoes target adults more than children because of this. (Not sure I agree with that one either) 

Pregnant women also appear to be at greater risk as they produce greater-than-normal amounts of exhaled CO2. And as for the “sweet smell of sweat,” the more we move, the more CO2 we expel, and when it’s hot like is often the case during mosquito season, the more we move, the more we sweat, all resulting in more attention from our buzzing, blood-sucking friends.

As for mosquito repellents, the tried-and-true chemical of choice is Deet, which has thus far proven to be the most effective chemical mosquito repellent on the market. Avon’s Skin So Soft also works, but is effective for a much shorter period of time. Another product marketed as Cutter Advanced is gaining popularity and is said to be more user friendly. 

A much newer product marketed as DeckMate Mosquito Repellent is said to be selling like hotcakes, and is available as paper strips to be worn or hung above you, and as cartridges used with a small battery powered device that uses a fan to disperse the repellent around you. 

Tests of non-chemical, natural products made from the oils of soybeans, citronella, cedar,&nbsp;peppermint, lemongrass and geraniums have all shown to provide short-lived protection at best. 

One other non-chemical product sold under the name “Don’t Bite Me” is a skin patch containing thiamine (vitamin B1.) The science behind the product is sound, as it supposedly produces a skin odor offensive to female mosquitoes, but the company’s on-going tests have not yet produced any conclusions.&nbsp;Other products such as mosquito traps and insect-shield-repellent apparel, used by the military, are also available. 

Purple martins and swallows are great and effective mosquito eating machines, so providing martin houses and making swallows feel welcome around old buildings and structures are great natural ways of mosquito removal. 

Of course, the best repellent by far is removing all possible incubation spots, as stagnant standing water in bird baths, old tires, cavities in plastic toys, buckets etc. all offer mosquito larvae a place to grow.

Mr. Google tells me the high end of a female mosquito’s life span is 100 days or less, during which she will lay from 1 to 3 batches of eggs totaling upwards of 900 eggs per batch. That’s a lot of swatting! 

If there are opportunities to ask God questions when we get to heaven, I want to be in that line to ask “Why were there mosquitos?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750780743149.png" alt="Cartoon by Aedes Aegypti/Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Cartoon by Aedes Aegypti/Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Explore Kansas OutdoorsA sure sign of summer in Kansas is the sight and sound of the mosquito fogger running up-and-down the streets and alleys of our towns, and after recent heavy rains, the skeeters’ were as thick as hairs on a dog’s back.It seems Eve’s original indiscretion in the Garden of Eden continues to haunt all mankind in more ways than one, as only female mosquitos bite. And when the little blighters bite us, it’s not for a drink either, but because they need human blood to develop fertile eggs, according to Jerry Butler, PhD and professor at the University of Florida. Both Professor Butler and Joe Conlon, PhD with the American Mosquito Control Assn. say mosquitoes prefer to suck on some humans more than others, as one in ten people are highly attractive to mosquitoes (and my wife is definitely in that group.) Research has also determined that when certain elements of our body chemistry are found in excess on the skin's surface, they draw mosquitoes closer, meaning that genetics actually accounts for a whopping 85% of our susceptibility to mosquito bites.Mosquitoes are drawn to their victims in three different ways — by heat, by movement and by smell. Every living human puts off heat, so I guess in this category it’s a wash as we all appear equally appetizing. Scientists also believe that movement is highly attractive to mosquitoes, so to help stay under their radar, wear clothing that blends with your surroundings and keep your movement to a minimum. (I’ll remember this advice the next time I’m sitting still-as-a-stone in a turkey blind, camouflaged from head to toe, and the mosquitoes outnumber the hairs on my arms).Now comes the category of “smell” where the “stinkers” are separated from the “not-so stinkers” so to speak. Smell is proven to be the most used and most important method by which mosquitoes single out their meals, and it’s believed they can smell their dinner from as far away as fifty meters. People who produce an unusually high amount of certain chemicals like uric acid, or who are overly-efficient at processing cholesterol, leaving excess cholesterol residue on their skin, tend to be mosquito magnets. But the two most sought-after scents by any self-respecting female mosquito are carbon dioxide and the lactic acid from our sweat glands. Larger people tend to give-off more carbon dioxide, so reports claim that mosquitoes target adults more than children because of this. (Not sure I agree with that one either) Pregnant women also appear to be at greater risk as they produce greater-than-normal amounts of exhaled CO2. And as for the “sweet smell of sweat,” the more we move, the more CO2 we expel, and when it’s hot like is often the case during mosquito season, the more we move, the more we sweat, all resulting in more attention from our buzzing, blood-sucking friends.As for mosquito repellents, the tried-and-true chemical of choice is Deet, which has thus far proven to be the most effective chemical mosquito repellent on the market. Avon’s Skin So Soft also works, but is effective for a much shorter period of time. Another product marketed as Cutter Advanced is gaining popularity and is said to be more user friendly. A much newer product marketed as DeckMate Mosquito Repellent is said to be selling like hotcakes, and is available as paper strips to be worn or hung above you, and as cartridges used with a small battery powered device that uses a fan to disperse the repellent around you. Tests of non-chemical, natural products made from the oils of soybeans, citronella, cedar,&nbsp;peppermint, lemongrass and geraniums have all shown to provide short-lived protection at best. One other non-chemical product sold under the name “Don’t Bite Me” is a skin patch containing thiamine (vitamin B1.) The science behind the product is sound, as it supposedly produces a skin odor offensive to female mosquitoes, but the company’s on-going tests have not yet produced any conclusions.&nbsp;Other products such as mosquito traps and insect-shield-repellent apparel, used by the military, are also available. Purple martins and swallows are great and effective mosquito eating machines, so providing martin houses and making swallows feel welcome around old buildings and structures are great natural ways of mosquito removal. Of course, the best repellent by far is removing all possible incubation spots, as stagnant standing water in bird baths, old tires, cavities in plastic toys, buckets etc. all offer mosquito larvae a place to grow.Mr. Google tells me the high end of a female mosquito’s life span is 100 days or less, during which she will lay from 1 to 3 batches of eggs totaling upwards of 900 eggs per batch. That’s a lot of swatting! If there are opportunities to ask God questions when we get to heaven, I want to be in that line to ask “Why were there mosquitos?” Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Outdoors Kansas: The skeeters among us

It’s me again, writing another of the no doubt thousands of letters and e-mails and texts that you’ve received over the past month, ever since the House of Representatives approved—by a one-vote margin—President Trump’s beloved One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That bill is coming to the floor of the Senate, with the voting on it beginning perhaps as soon as Thursday. So this column is almost certainly too late to influence whatever decisions you and your fellow senators will make. But for the sake of the people of Kansas, I’ll reiterate a few points once more, just for the record.

First, some praise. The Senate version of the bill gets rid of the House version’s cuts to PELL grant eligibility, as well as its ill-conceived “risk sharing” plan, which would have made colleges and universities responsible for unpaid student loans, a measure that could devastate Kansas’s 21 independent (and mostly religious) institutions of higher education.

So that’s good! (Though it’s worth noting that the Senate’s idea of restricting PLUS loans for graduate school and perhaps simply prohibiting students seeking degrees in “low earning” programs from obtaining any federal student loans at all reflects a STEM bias that could, over time, disrupt music, arts, and humanities education throughout the state of Kansas.)

Beyond higher education, though, there is much else for Kansans to worry about.

Kansas has over 300 hospitals and clinics serving rural populations, many of which depend heavily upon Medicaid. 

The Senate version of the bill caps the ability of states like Kansas to tax various providers (such as health care businesses and managed care organizations), which might end up costing Kansas close to $4 billion in Medicaid funding, which would likely mean perhaps over 10000 Kansans losing coverage and the rate of rural hospital closure increasing further. Voting for this would not only be bad policy, but considering the support Medicaid enjoys in the state of Kansas (more than 70% of all Kansans support Medicaid expansion), it would be undemocratic.

There are over 175,000 veterans living in Kansas, with over 30,000 of them struggling with homelessness, and hundreds who currently receive housing assistance through the Veterans Administration. But the House version of Trump’s OBBB cuts over $33 billion in housing assistance out of the budget. The VA has already been forced to end its Servicing Purchase program, which provided mortgage relief to tens of thousands of veterans; if the Senate version doesn’t change this policy, and the bill passes, hundreds of Kansas veterans will suffer.

Kansas is a leader in renewable energy; over 40% of the electricity generated here comes from wind, creating an energy market that has attracted over $11 billion in investment over the past decade. The House version of the bill includes deep cuts to the tax supports and rebates that renewable energy industries and consumers receive, which have enabled them to thrive. The Senate version does delay the roll-out of some of those cuts, but ought to get rid of them entirely.

There is more I could mention, some of which isn’t in the One Big Beautiful Bill but is tagging alongside it (the proposed devastating rescission of funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, for example). 

I recognize that as a conservative Republican, you likely have a very different perspective on some of these matters than I. Still, when it comes to Kansas’s small colleges and universities, Kansas’s struggling veterans, Kansas’s rural hospitals, and Kansas’s renewable energy entrepreneurs, I think we can agree on where this state’s interests lie. I hope you’ll vote accordingly.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750955074364.jpeg" alt="Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Senator Moran,It’s me again, writing another of the no doubt thousands of letters and e-mails and texts that you’ve received over the past month, ever since the House of Representatives approved—by a one-vote margin—President Trump’s beloved One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That bill is coming to the floor of the Senate, with the voting on it beginning perhaps as soon as Thursday. So this column is almost certainly too late to influence whatever decisions you and your fellow senators will make. But for the sake of the people of Kansas, I’ll reiterate a few points once more, just for the record.First, some praise. The Senate version of the bill gets rid of the House version’s cuts to PELL grant eligibility, as well as its ill-conceived “risk sharing” plan, which would have made colleges and universities responsible for unpaid student loans, a measure that could devastate Kansas’s 21 independent (and mostly religious) institutions of higher education.So that’s good! (Though it’s worth noting that the Senate’s idea of restricting PLUS loans for graduate school and perhaps simply prohibiting students seeking degrees in “low earning” programs from obtaining any federal student loans at all reflects a STEM bias that could, over time, disrupt music, arts, and humanities education throughout the state of Kansas.)Beyond higher education, though, there is much else for Kansans to worry about.Kansas has over 300 hospitals and clinics serving rural populations, many of which depend heavily upon Medicaid. The Senate version of the bill caps the ability of states like Kansas to tax various providers (such as health care businesses and managed care organizations), which might end up costing Kansas close to $4 billion in Medicaid funding, which would likely mean perhaps over 10000 Kansans losing coverage and the rate of rural hospital closure increasing further. Voting for this would not only be bad policy, but considering the support Medicaid enjoys in the state of Kansas (more than 70% of all Kansans support Medicaid expansion), it would be undemocratic.There are over 175,000 veterans living in Kansas, with over 30,000 of them struggling with homelessness, and hundreds who currently receive housing assistance through the Veterans Administration. But the House version of Trump’s OBBB cuts over $33 billion in housing assistance out of the budget. The VA has already been forced to end its Servicing Purchase program, which provided mortgage relief to tens of thousands of veterans; if the Senate version doesn’t change this policy, and the bill passes, hundreds of Kansas veterans will suffer.Kansas is a leader in renewable energy; over 40% of the electricity generated here comes from wind, creating an energy market that has attracted over $11 billion in investment over the past decade. The House version of the bill includes deep cuts to the tax supports and rebates that renewable energy industries and consumers receive, which have enabled them to thrive. The Senate version does delay the roll-out of some of those cuts, but ought to get rid of them entirely.There is more I could mention, some of which isn’t in the One Big Beautiful Bill but is tagging alongside it (the proposed devastating rescission of funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, for example). I recognize that as a conservative Republican, you likely have a very different perspective on some of these matters than I. Still, when it comes to Kansas’s small colleges and universities, Kansas’s struggling veterans, Kansas’s rural hospitals, and Kansas’s renewable energy entrepreneurs, I think we can agree on where this state’s interests lie. I hope you’ll vote accordingly.Best, Russell Arben FoxDr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

Insight Kansas: A final plea to Sen. Moran regarding Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks about snacking with Jessica Phelan, asst. professor in the Fort Hays State University Department of Health and Human Performance.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Is it a snack or is it a meal?" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=p7zb4-18eb629-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks about snacking with Jessica Phelan, asst. professor in the Fort Hays State University Department of Health and Human Performance.

🎙 Post Podcast: Is it a snack or is it a meal?

Frequently, I watch ornate box turtles crossing country roads or highways. Because I like this pack-its-own-home reptile, I dodge such speed bumps. While their slow lumber across the road triggers a smile, I hadn’t thought much about these Kansas state reptiles until recently when a fond memory knocked on my mental door.

That particular summer, I awakened early every day to enjoy cool mornings as I watered, weeded, and picked veggies. A bonus of rising with the sun included meeting yard neighbors that hide during the heat of the day.

One such friend was a good-sized box turtle that hung out under my rose bushes in the mornings. I’d seen her a couple of times, and that day we met officially. This particular terrapene ornata - according to scientists - was at the larger end of expected sizes for its species. I’d guess its shell was three to four inches across and five or six inches long. I didn’t have a measuring tape on hand at 6:30 a.m. for an official accounting, but she was bigger than most turtles I’d seen navigating Kansas roadways.

This reptile’s shell was dark with distinct yellow markings on the scutes or plates. Before she tucked her head inside her shell, I noted yellowish rather than reddish-orange eyes, which verified she met “she” criteria.

Like all box turtles, she had a hinged plastron that let her tuck her head and limbs safely inside her shell. This ability frustrated hungry coyotes and other predators, but it doesn’t stop a vehicle cruising down the highway, this creature’s worst enemy. The minute she sensed me heading her way, she retracted everything tuckable until she resembled nothing more than a pet rock.

Ignoring her desperate attempt to achieve introverted solitude, I placed my hands carefully along each lower side of her shell and examined her beauty close-up. Like any unhappy female, she promptly got even. With head and legs still safely hidden inside her shell, she peed, which made me jump backward to avoid a splattering.

Once I finished inspecting her masterpiece of black and yellow shell, I rewarded this pretty girl. I set a couple of pieces of melon in front of her so there would be a little something to make her day when she finally popped her head out. Apparently, she can smell and likes cantaloupe because it vanished in the short time I took to climb upstairs where I could spy on her out the kitchen window.

After researching box turtle factoids, I saw why she preferred her flowerbed home. It was damp with lots of available sow bugs or roly-polies and other insects to meet her carnivorous dietary needs. That summer the temperature was more agreeable in that shady corner than most places in the yard. Containing the softest soil on old hilltop, it also offered a perfect site to dig in for winter hibernation, which might explain my new friend’s greater than average size.

Once we’d met, I offered a daily serving of melon or fruit to enhance her diet. With room service like that, this lady was glad to call that eastern corner of Trego County home and continued to show up every summer. I wonder if my walking work of art still shows up for the family that followed us and how big she grew.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750427047405.jpeg" alt="Box turtle. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Box turtle. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINFrequently, I watch ornate box turtles crossing country roads or highways. Because I like this pack-its-own-home reptile, I dodge such speed bumps. While their slow lumber across the road triggers a smile, I hadn’t thought much about these Kansas state reptiles until recently when a fond memory knocked on my mental door.That particular summer, I awakened early every day to enjoy cool mornings as I watered, weeded, and picked veggies. A bonus of rising with the sun included meeting yard neighbors that hide during the heat of the day.One such friend was a good-sized box turtle that hung out under my rose bushes in the mornings. I’d seen her a couple of times, and that day we met officially. This particular terrapene ornata - according to scientists - was at the larger end of expected sizes for its species. I’d guess its shell was three to four inches across and five or six inches long. I didn’t have a measuring tape on hand at 6:30 a.m. for an official accounting, but she was bigger than most turtles I’d seen navigating Kansas roadways.This reptile’s shell was dark with distinct yellow markings on the scutes or plates. Before she tucked her head inside her shell, I noted yellowish rather than reddish-orange eyes, which verified she met “she” criteria.Like all box turtles, she had a hinged plastron that let her tuck her head and limbs safely inside her shell. This ability frustrated hungry coyotes and other predators, but it doesn’t stop a vehicle cruising down the highway, this creature’s worst enemy. The minute she sensed me heading her way, she retracted everything tuckable until she resembled nothing more than a pet rock.Ignoring her desperate attempt to achieve introverted solitude, I placed my hands carefully along each lower side of her shell and examined her beauty close-up. Like any unhappy female, she promptly got even. With head and legs still safely hidden inside her shell, she peed, which made me jump backward to avoid a splattering.Once I finished inspecting her masterpiece of black and yellow shell, I rewarded this pretty girl. I set a couple of pieces of melon in front of her so there would be a little something to make her day when she finally popped her head out. Apparently, she can smell and likes cantaloupe because it vanished in the short time I took to climb upstairs where I could spy on her out the kitchen window.After researching box turtle factoids, I saw why she preferred her flowerbed home. It was damp with lots of available sow bugs or roly-polies and other insects to meet her carnivorous dietary needs. That summer the temperature was more agreeable in that shady corner than most places in the yard. Containing the softest soil on old hilltop, it also offered a perfect site to dig in for winter hibernation, which might explain my new friend’s greater than average size.Once we’d met, I offered a daily serving of melon or fruit to enhance her diet. With room service like that, this lady was glad to call that eastern corner of Trego County home and continued to show up every summer. I wonder if my walking work of art still shows up for the family that followed us and how big she grew.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: Art on the move

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks about the 2025 area wheat crop and harvest with Stacy Campbell, Cottonwood Extension District agriculture agent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Local wheat harvest update" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=3b6dc-18e6fb2-pb&square=1&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks about the 2025 area wheat crop and harvest with Stacy Campbell, Cottonwood Extension District agriculture agent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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