As all the various hunting seasons unfold here in Kansas, so do incidents involving illegal hunters, AKA poachers. As I worked on this week’s column, I stumbled upon this heart-felt letter sent to me by a reader a few years back, along with in-depth explanations of problems they have each year with poachers on their land. I felt the letter very applicable and worth sharing, so here is this week’s column entitled “Dear Poacher.”&nbsp;

	The time is soon approaching to fill your pickup gas tank, load up your “partner in crime”, and set out to fill your freezer, illegally, with venison, turkey, deer and pheasant.&nbsp; Although you may argue that all roads and right of ways belong to the public and the wildlife only belongs to the creator, let me argue a different point of view. As a landowner and a hunter, your style of hunting violates the work we have done to keep the wildlife healthy and available for our family and friends.&nbsp; Let me explain.

	This summer/fall particularly has been tough on the wildlife.&nbsp; Ponds have dried up and water sources have become scarce.&nbsp; Grain crops have failed to produce the usually yields.&nbsp; Habitat for wildlife has been destroyed by grazing and haying, leaving the animals looking for new cover and feed. &nbsp;

	This landowner has responded to this situation by establishing fresh water resources.&nbsp; We hauled water twice or more a week.&nbsp; Salt and mineral blocks were set out and food plots were planted and replanted several times.&nbsp; Windmills were left pumping in vacant pastures.&nbsp; Cattle were fenced out of future food sources.&nbsp; We shared our growing crops (mostly involuntarily).&nbsp; We maintained current orchards and planted additional orchards for wildlife.

	These things were not done to enhance your chances of success.&nbsp; They were done to ensure that deer, turkey, pheasant, and quail would continue to flourish and be available for our hunters, not only now, but for future generations.

	Therefore, we want to make the following promises:

All of the above are illegal.&nbsp; If caught, you risk losing your vehicle, your guns, your hunting privileges, and sometimes your job.&nbsp; A hefty fine is usually part of the package deal.

	We have worked very hard to help sustain and improve the quality and quantity of the wildlife in our area.&nbsp; As hunting seasons continue to open, do both of us a favor; hunt legally or stay at home.

Sincerely Reno County Land Owners.

This pretty well says it all…continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>As all the various hunting seasons unfold here in Kansas, so do incidents involving illegal hunters, AKA poachers. As I worked on this week’s column, I stumbled upon this heart-felt letter sent to me by a reader a few years back, along with in-depth explanations of problems they have each year with poachers on their land. I felt the letter very applicable and worth sharing, so here is this week’s column entitled “Dear Poacher.”&nbsp;Dear Poacher,	The time is soon approaching to fill your pickup gas tank, load up your “partner in crime”, and set out to fill your freezer, illegally, with venison, turkey, deer and pheasant.&nbsp; Although you may argue that all roads and right of ways belong to the public and the wildlife only belongs to the creator, let me argue a different point of view. As a landowner and a hunter, your style of hunting violates the work we have done to keep the wildlife healthy and available for our family and friends.&nbsp; Let me explain.	This summer/fall particularly has been tough on the wildlife.&nbsp; Ponds have dried up and water sources have become scarce.&nbsp; Grain crops have failed to produce the usually yields.&nbsp; Habitat for wildlife has been destroyed by grazing and haying, leaving the animals looking for new cover and feed. &nbsp;	This landowner has responded to this situation by establishing fresh water resources.&nbsp; We hauled water twice or more a week.&nbsp; Salt and mineral blocks were set out and food plots were planted and replanted several times.&nbsp; Windmills were left pumping in vacant pastures.&nbsp; Cattle were fenced out of future food sources.&nbsp; We shared our growing crops (mostly involuntarily).&nbsp; We maintained current orchards and planted additional orchards for wildlife.	These things were not done to enhance your chances of success.&nbsp; They were done to ensure that deer, turkey, pheasant, and quail would continue to flourish and be available for our hunters, not only now, but for future generations.	Therefore, we want to make the following promises:<ul>
 <li>When you choose to road hunt, we will identify your vehicle and report it to law enforcement.&nbsp; Road hunting dishonors you, your family, and the traditions of ethical hunting, and tarnishes the names of hunters in general.</li><li>When you choose to spotlight and kill deer, law enforcement will be notified.&nbsp; By spotlighting, you are not only violating the law, you are putting a farmer’s property and livestock in jeopardy.</li><li>When you choose to hunt without permission, we will press charges of criminal trespass and encourage prosecution.&nbsp; You are providing inappropriate role models for those who are hunting with you and those who hear about it.&nbsp; Is a pheasant really worth a tarnished reputation?&nbsp; We promise to clearly mark our land with purple markers and post sufficient signs.</li>
 </ul>All of the above are illegal.&nbsp; If caught, you risk losing your vehicle, your guns, your hunting privileges, and sometimes your job.&nbsp; A hefty fine is usually part of the package deal.	We have worked very hard to help sustain and improve the quality and quantity of the wildlife in our area.&nbsp; As hunting seasons continue to open, do both of us a favor; hunt legally or stay at home.Sincerely Reno County Land Owners.This pretty well says it all…continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Dear Poacher

The holidays are an excellent time to bring the family together for a game.&nbsp;&nbsp;Playing board games gets everyone in the same room and helps family members across generations connect and have a great time together. A program about “Bonding with Board Games” will be held via zoom on Wednesday, December 2nd&nbsp;at 12:10 pm. If you would like to join me, please contact me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call 785-628-9430 for the zoom link.&nbsp;

Board games are inexpensive and have benefits well beyond the activity itself. Games are an entertaining and painless way to help kids build essential learning skills on the sly or by accidental learning, which means there’s no anxiety or resistance.

Some specifically chosen board games are excellent for young members of the family as they learn numbers and words. Research has documented a positive relationship between academic board games and improvement in the classroom. Older adults can also benefit from many of the same concepts that children do – stimulating the mind, fostering relationships and strengthening social skills.

In his book “Family Treasures: Creating Strong Families”, John DeFrain covers six qualities that strong, successful families around the world exhibit: enjoyable time together; appreciation and affection for each other; positive communication; spiritual well-being (values, beliefs, life skills); successful management of stress and crisis; and commitment to each other.

Hopefully your family will find a game that will be brought to the table many times during the year and not just played during the holiday season. Here are some things to have in mind when carving out time for a family game night:

• Avoid choosing a board game that is too hard for your kids’ ages, or one that everybody hates playing. Start by playing one that your youngest child definitely can play. After that, let the younger children team up with someone for a more challenging game.

• Schedule a regular day and time on the calendar for playing a board game. Designate the same day every week. Keep it short at the beginning and then add more time as desired.

• Make it a rule that technology must be set aside until your game night is over.

• Keep a stash of great board games around the house. You’ll be sure to find a taker when you ask, “Does anyone want to play a game?”

Bonding Thru Board Games is a research-based program with the goal of teaching family life interactions and bonding via playing board games.&nbsp;Sedgwick County Extension agents shared information on family game nights in a fact sheet that can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3401.pdf">https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3401.pdf</a>

Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;&nbsp;She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588274071306.jpeg" alt="Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh is Family and Community Wellness agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>The holidays are an excellent time to bring the family together for a game.&nbsp;&nbsp;Playing board games gets everyone in the same room and helps family members across generations connect and have a great time together. A program about “Bonding with Board Games” will be held via zoom on Wednesday, December 2nd&nbsp;at 12:10 pm. If you would like to join me, please contact me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or call 785-628-9430 for the zoom link.&nbsp;Board games are inexpensive and have benefits well beyond the activity itself. Games are an entertaining and painless way to help kids build essential learning skills on the sly or by accidental learning, which means there’s no anxiety or resistance.Some specifically chosen board games are excellent for young members of the family as they learn numbers and words. Research has documented a positive relationship between academic board games and improvement in the classroom. Older adults can also benefit from many of the same concepts that children do – stimulating the mind, fostering relationships and strengthening social skills.In his book “Family Treasures: Creating Strong Families”, John DeFrain covers six qualities that strong, successful families around the world exhibit: enjoyable time together; appreciation and affection for each other; positive communication; spiritual well-being (values, beliefs, life skills); successful management of stress and crisis; and commitment to each other.Hopefully your family will find a game that will be brought to the table many times during the year and not just played during the holiday season. Here are some things to have in mind when carving out time for a family game night:• Avoid choosing a board game that is too hard for your kids’ ages, or one that everybody hates playing. Start by playing one that your youngest child definitely can play. After that, let the younger children team up with someone for a more challenging game.• Schedule a regular day and time on the calendar for playing a board game. Designate the same day every week. Keep it short at the beginning and then add more time as desired.• Make it a rule that technology must be set aside until your game night is over.• Keep a stash of great board games around the house. You’ll be sure to find a taker when you ask, “Does anyone want to play a game?”Bonding Thru Board Games is a research-based program with the goal of teaching family life interactions and bonding via playing board games.&nbsp;Sedgwick County Extension agents shared information on family game nights in a fact sheet that can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3401.pdf">https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3401.pdf</a>Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;&nbsp;She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

UNRUH: Bonding through board games

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

“Hungry Hungry Heroes.” Hmm, that sounds like the game called Hungry Hungry Hippos. This variation on that name is one example of the creative ways that leaders in Mitchell County supported their communities during the pandemic with a collaboration called Mitchell County Strong.&nbsp;

Heather Hartman is Mitchell County director of community development. A Beloit native, she had been a small business owner in Mitchell County before becoming county community development director in 2012.&nbsp;

“When the pandemic hit, it was scary,” Heather said. “There were projections that 30% of locally owned small businesses would close.” Heather’s office in Beloit is co-located with two other offices: the Chamber of Commerce and the community foundation. “Each of us was a separate organization, but what we did would never have happened if we weren’t all here together,” Heather said.&nbsp;

As shutdown orders were being issued, the three directors of these units immediately met to discuss what could be done. “Our main goal was to help these businesses and nonprofit organizations stay afloat,” Heather said.&nbsp;

One of their board members had heard from Manhattan Running Company about Manhattan’s gift certificate program and disaster recovery fund through the Manhattan Community Foundation. These women decided to try something similar.&nbsp;

They launched a “Buy 1, Give 1” initiative through which people could buy a gift certificate to a store in Mitchell County, and MCS would match it with a grocery gift card to be donated to a local family in need. The initiative took off.&nbsp;

“We were trying to think of a name for this, and somebody posted a comment about how we were trying to keep Mitchell County strong,” Heather said. That became the name.&nbsp;

Mitchell County Strong, or MCS, became the title of this collaboration between the Solomon Valley Community Foundation,&nbsp;the Beloit Area Chamber of Commerce, and Solomon Valley Economic Development.&nbsp;

The gift card purchases immediately put much-needed revenue into local businesses and helped families who were struggling. “We sold more than $10,000 of gift cards in the first three days,” Heather said.&nbsp;

Other people wanted to help directly. A disaster relief fund was established at the community foundation. “Based on the advice we received from the ministerial alliance, we kept the application process really simple, and it worked,” Heather said.&nbsp;

MCS also recognized the need for businesses to use online marketing due to the pandemic. “Lots of our local businesses didn’t even have a website,” Heather said. The coalition organized an online store on which customers could buy gift cards from local businesses. MCS also offered a grocery assistance program plus mini-grants for local nonprofit organizations.&nbsp;

A local auctioneer with Hansen Auction Company agreed to conduct an online auction to benefit the project, while waiving the selling fee and donating the buyers’ fees to the disaster recovery fund.&nbsp;

MCS programs were county-wide, supporting stores in the county seat of Beloit plus rural communities such as Cawker City, population 469, Glen Elder, population 427, and Tipton, population 210 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

Mitchell County Strong wanted to honor frontline workers, so its organizers invited the public to nominate a deserving person to receive a free lunch weekly. As a play on the Hungry Hungry Hippos name, they called the program Hungry Hungry Heroes.&nbsp;

“We thought people would nominate doctors and EMTs, but they also nominated their trash workers and grocery store clerks, which was great,” Heather said. MCS delivered a meal to a different winner each week.&nbsp;

A beautiful promotional video about Mitchell County was already being developed and is posted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mitchellcountystrong.com/mitchell-co-welcome-home">on the website</a>.&nbsp;

Ultimately, the project generated more than $53,000 in gift card sales, $52,000 from the online auction, and $48,000 in partnership support. “We got more than $150,000 into the hands of our local citizens and businesses,” Heather said. Other than one early retirement, not a single local small business has been lost.&nbsp;

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

Hungry Hungry Heroes. That’s one example of a creative program to support community citizens. We commend Heather Hartman and her partners in Mitchell County who are making a difference with their creativity and commitment. They are Helping Helping Heroes.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606486918113.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;“Hungry Hungry Heroes.” Hmm, that sounds like the game called Hungry Hungry Hippos. This variation on that name is one example of the creative ways that leaders in Mitchell County supported their communities during the pandemic with a collaboration called Mitchell County Strong.&nbsp;Heather Hartman is Mitchell County director of community development. A Beloit native, she had been a small business owner in Mitchell County before becoming county community development director in 2012.&nbsp;“When the pandemic hit, it was scary,” Heather said. “There were projections that 30% of locally owned small businesses would close.” Heather’s office in Beloit is co-located with two other offices: the Chamber of Commerce and the community foundation. “Each of us was a separate organization, but what we did would never have happened if we weren’t all here together,” Heather said.&nbsp;As shutdown orders were being issued, the three directors of these units immediately met to discuss what could be done. “Our main goal was to help these businesses and nonprofit organizations stay afloat,” Heather said.&nbsp;One of their board members had heard from Manhattan Running Company about Manhattan’s gift certificate program and disaster recovery fund through the Manhattan Community Foundation. These women decided to try something similar.&nbsp;They launched a “Buy 1, Give 1” initiative through which people could buy a gift certificate to a store in Mitchell County, and MCS would match it with a grocery gift card to be donated to a local family in need. The initiative took off.&nbsp;“We were trying to think of a name for this, and somebody posted a comment about how we were trying to keep Mitchell County strong,” Heather said. That became the name.&nbsp;Mitchell County Strong, or MCS, became the title of this collaboration between the Solomon Valley Community Foundation,&nbsp;the Beloit Area Chamber of Commerce, and Solomon Valley Economic Development.&nbsp;The gift card purchases immediately put much-needed revenue into local businesses and helped families who were struggling. “We sold more than $10,000 of gift cards in the first three days,” Heather said.&nbsp;Other people wanted to help directly. A disaster relief fund was established at the community foundation. “Based on the advice we received from the ministerial alliance, we kept the application process really simple, and it worked,” Heather said.&nbsp;MCS also recognized the need for businesses to use online marketing due to the pandemic. “Lots of our local businesses didn’t even have a website,” Heather said. The coalition organized an online store on which customers could buy gift cards from local businesses. MCS also offered a grocery assistance program plus mini-grants for local nonprofit organizations.&nbsp;A local auctioneer with Hansen Auction Company agreed to conduct an online auction to benefit the project, while waiving the selling fee and donating the buyers’ fees to the disaster recovery fund.&nbsp;MCS programs were county-wide, supporting stores in the county seat of Beloit plus rural communities such as Cawker City, population 469, Glen Elder, population 427, and Tipton, population 210 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;Mitchell County Strong wanted to honor frontline workers, so its organizers invited the public to nominate a deserving person to receive a free lunch weekly. As a play on the Hungry Hungry Hippos name, they called the program Hungry Hungry Heroes.&nbsp;“We thought people would nominate doctors and EMTs, but they also nominated their trash workers and grocery store clerks, which was great,” Heather said. MCS delivered a meal to a different winner each week.&nbsp;A beautiful promotional video about Mitchell County was already being developed and is posted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mitchellcountystrong.com/mitchell-co-welcome-home">on the website</a>.&nbsp;Ultimately, the project generated more than $53,000 in gift card sales, $52,000 from the online auction, and $48,000 in partnership support. “We got more than $150,000 into the hands of our local citizens and businesses,” Heather said. Other than one early retirement, not a single local small business has been lost.&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mitchellcountystrong.com/">www.mitchellcountystrong.com</a>.&nbsp;Hungry Hungry Heroes. That’s one example of a creative program to support community citizens. We commend Heather Hartman and her partners in Mitchell County who are making a difference with their creativity and commitment. They are Helping Helping Heroes.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Heather Hartman, Mitchell County Strong 

The dust is beginning to settle on President-elect Biden’s victory, but Kansas Democrats remain glum. Promising U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Bollier was defeated by about 12 points despite record spending, while Topeka Mayor Michelle de la Isla lost by nearly 15 points to state Treasurer Jake LaTurner in the 2nd&nbsp;U.S. House District. Even longtime Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley was defeated.

One bright spot for Democrats is Johnson County. The state’s most populous, prosperous and vote rich, JoCo favored Biden by 8 points. This is its first time to vote Democratic since Woodrow Wilson. Sharice Davids will serve a second term as the state’s lone Democrat in Congress, then face a far more daunting foe: Republican-led redistricting.&nbsp;

AP exit polls can help make sense of this, if used properly. Polls are prone to sampling problems, and even the best ones must include a margin of error, often ignored by reporters. They were not designed to predict the results of close elections. Misuse by the news media gives them a bad rap. They are far better tools for breaking down election results than for predicting them. The AP and the&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;provide exit polling data for each state, and Kansas’ results are revealing.&nbsp;

On many issues, the Kansans surveyed were closer to the Democrats. For example, the Cornavirus pandemic edged out the economy and jobs for top priority, 38% to 31%, though health care in general polled a dismal 8%. That last number alone can probably explain Bollier’s defeat—she made health care her signature issue. However, the “public option” polled at 65% support here. It would allow any American to buy into a government-run health care plan and is endorsed by Biden. Mask mandates to contain Coronavirus are also popular in Kansas: 74% of those surveyed support them. In addition, Kansans are worried about climate change: 64% of those surveyed are very or somewhat concerned, and 65% would increase federal spending on renewable energy.&nbsp;

Some pundits say that the #BlackLivesMatter movement hurt Democrats, but these polling numbers tell a different story. Asked about racism in U.S. society, 73% of Kansans thought it was very serious or somewhat serious, while 64% think racism is a serious problem in policing. In fact, 64% think the criminal justice system needs a complete overhaul or major changes.&nbsp;

Republicans owned the economy and jobs, with 84% of those who believe the economy and jobs should be the highest priority, favoring the GOP. By contrast, only 67% of those who believed the pandemic should be top priority favored the Democrats. This is typical. On nearly every issue, more voters agreed with Democrats but voted Republican, than vice-versa. The pattern even holds on outgoing President Trump’s signature issue, the border wall. Kansans are pretty closely divided on the matter, 53% in favor and 46% opposed, but 9% of voters who oppose it voted Republican anyway, while only 4% of who favor the wall voted Democratic. Tellingly, 67% of Kansans join Trump in advocating higher tariffs on imports. Again contradicting the pundits’ narrative, many Kansans frame these issues as being about jobs, not race.&nbsp;

Party label, the economy and jobs, and abortion rights are not going away, and all help Republicans here. However, there are many bright spots for progressives. Large majorities of Kansas voters surveyed acknowledge the seriousness of racism in general and specifically in policing, support a public option for health care, and express concern about climate change.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576785940426.png" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>The dust is beginning to settle on President-elect Biden’s victory, but Kansas Democrats remain glum. Promising U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Bollier was defeated by about 12 points despite record spending, while Topeka Mayor Michelle de la Isla lost by nearly 15 points to state Treasurer Jake LaTurner in the 2nd&nbsp;U.S. House District. Even longtime Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley was defeated.One bright spot for Democrats is Johnson County. The state’s most populous, prosperous and vote rich, JoCo favored Biden by 8 points. This is its first time to vote Democratic since Woodrow Wilson. Sharice Davids will serve a second term as the state’s lone Democrat in Congress, then face a far more daunting foe: Republican-led redistricting.&nbsp;AP exit polls can help make sense of this, if used properly. Polls are prone to sampling problems, and even the best ones must include a margin of error, often ignored by reporters. They were not designed to predict the results of close elections. Misuse by the news media gives them a bad rap. They are far better tools for breaking down election results than for predicting them. The AP and the&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;provide exit polling data for each state, and Kansas’ results are revealing.&nbsp;On many issues, the Kansans surveyed were closer to the Democrats. For example, the Cornavirus pandemic edged out the economy and jobs for top priority, 38% to 31%, though health care in general polled a dismal 8%. That last number alone can probably explain Bollier’s defeat—she made health care her signature issue. However, the “public option” polled at 65% support here. It would allow any American to buy into a government-run health care plan and is endorsed by Biden. Mask mandates to contain Coronavirus are also popular in Kansas: 74% of those surveyed support them. In addition, Kansans are worried about climate change: 64% of those surveyed are very or somewhat concerned, and 65% would increase federal spending on renewable energy.&nbsp;Some pundits say that the #BlackLivesMatter movement hurt Democrats, but these polling numbers tell a different story. Asked about racism in U.S. society, 73% of Kansans thought it was very serious or somewhat serious, while 64% think racism is a serious problem in policing. In fact, 64% think the criminal justice system needs a complete overhaul or major changes.&nbsp;Republicans owned the economy and jobs, with 84% of those who believe the economy and jobs should be the highest priority, favoring the GOP. By contrast, only 67% of those who believed the pandemic should be top priority favored the Democrats. This is typical. On nearly every issue, more voters agreed with Democrats but voted Republican, than vice-versa. The pattern even holds on outgoing President Trump’s signature issue, the border wall. Kansans are pretty closely divided on the matter, 53% in favor and 46% opposed, but 9% of voters who oppose it voted Republican anyway, while only 4% of who favor the wall voted Democratic. Tellingly, 67% of Kansans join Trump in advocating higher tariffs on imports. Again contradicting the pundits’ narrative, many Kansans frame these issues as being about jobs, not race.&nbsp;Party label, the economy and jobs, and abortion rights are not going away, and all help Republicans here. However, there are many bright spots for progressives. Large majorities of Kansas voters surveyed acknowledge the seriousness of racism in general and specifically in policing, support a public option for health care, and express concern about climate change.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: GOP won on key issues, but not all issues

Most cattle producers will agree that hauling feed and delivering hay to the cattle in the winter can be labor intensive and expensive. Experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute point to grazing crop residues as one option to reduce feed expenses and minimize daily labor with proper planning and regular monitoring.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Many producers have made grazing crop residues part of their management strategy because of the low winter feed costs associated with it,” said veterinarian Bob Larson. In Kansas, these residues are typically corn and sorghum. &nbsp;&nbsp;

To be successful, Larson said producers must plan for a water source, which may take extra labor to deliver it to the field where cattle are grazing. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“A lot of times there isn’t a pond on the crop field, so you have to haul out a tank in a way that doesn’t tear up the field,” Larson said, adding that producers need to plan for the cattle congregating around the water source and potentially damaging the ground. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Another step in preparing the field for gazing is making sure there is adequate fence to keep the cattle contained, said Bob Weaber, beef cattle specialist and head of the Northeast Kansas Research and Extension Center. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“Many of these fields are leased ground and they don’t always have good perimeter fencing on them,” Weaber said. “It isn’t uncommon to see cattle out grazing on stalks with a single-wire strand of electric fence surrounding them.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Weaber said it is especially important to check electric fence often so cows don’t get out, and he stressed the importance of having a reliable fence charger.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nutritionally speaking, Larson and Weaber agreed that cattle often select plant leaves and fallen corn ears when they first arrive on the field.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The leaves and fallen ears hold a higher quality energy content as compared to the stalks,” Larson said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

To manage the crop residue resource, Weaber advised producers follow strip grazing protocols.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Strip grazing allows producers to monitor how much of the field has been grazed and forces the cows to clean up a section before moving them off,” Weaber said, noting that it also allows producers to assess the body condition of the animals in the herd to make sure their nutritional needs are being met. &nbsp;&nbsp;

If strip grazing isn’t an option, Larson said cattle producers may need to consider additional supplementation as the winter months pass by.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The longer you leave cattle on crop residues, the quality of what they are consuming decreases while at the same time the nutritional demands for gestating, spring-calving cows goes up,” Larson said. “In that case, you may need to increase the protein supplementation as the season progresses.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu">aboor@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or calling 620-793-1910&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592579538317.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Most cattle producers will agree that hauling feed and delivering hay to the cattle in the winter can be labor intensive and expensive. Experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute point to grazing crop residues as one option to reduce feed expenses and minimize daily labor with proper planning and regular monitoring.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Many producers have made grazing crop residues part of their management strategy because of the low winter feed costs associated with it,” said veterinarian Bob Larson. In Kansas, these residues are typically corn and sorghum. &nbsp;&nbsp;To be successful, Larson said producers must plan for a water source, which may take extra labor to deliver it to the field where cattle are grazing. &nbsp;&nbsp;“A lot of times there isn’t a pond on the crop field, so you have to haul out a tank in a way that doesn’t tear up the field,” Larson said, adding that producers need to plan for the cattle congregating around the water source and potentially damaging the ground. &nbsp;&nbsp;Another step in preparing the field for gazing is making sure there is adequate fence to keep the cattle contained, said Bob Weaber, beef cattle specialist and head of the Northeast Kansas Research and Extension Center. &nbsp;&nbsp;“Many of these fields are leased ground and they don’t always have good perimeter fencing on them,” Weaber said. “It isn’t uncommon to see cattle out grazing on stalks with a single-wire strand of electric fence surrounding them.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Weaber said it is especially important to check electric fence often so cows don’t get out, and he stressed the importance of having a reliable fence charger.&nbsp;&nbsp;Nutritionally speaking, Larson and Weaber agreed that cattle often select plant leaves and fallen corn ears when they first arrive on the field.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The leaves and fallen ears hold a higher quality energy content as compared to the stalks,” Larson said. &nbsp;&nbsp;To manage the crop residue resource, Weaber advised producers follow strip grazing protocols.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Strip grazing allows producers to monitor how much of the field has been grazed and forces the cows to clean up a section before moving them off,” Weaber said, noting that it also allows producers to assess the body condition of the animals in the herd to make sure their nutritional needs are being met. &nbsp;&nbsp;If strip grazing isn’t an option, Larson said cattle producers may need to consider additional supplementation as the winter months pass by.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The longer you leave cattle on crop residues, the quality of what they are consuming decreases while at the same time the nutritional demands for gestating, spring-calving cows goes up,” Larson said. “In that case, you may need to increase the protein supplementation as the season progresses.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aboor@ksu.edu">aboor@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;or calling 620-793-1910&nbsp;

BOOR: Saving costs during winter cattle feeding

The best time to seed cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass is September because the turf has more time to mature before spring crabgrass germination and the heat stress of summer. Dormant seeding of turfgrass is sometimes used to help fill in bare spots of lawns that weren't overseeded in the fall. Dormant overseeding is done during the winter (December – February) when it is much too cold for germination.

As with any seeding program, good seed-soil contact is vital. Several methods can be used. One method is to seed when there has been a light snowfall of up to an inch. This is shallow enough that bare spots can still be seen. Spread seed by hand on areas that need thickening up. As the snow melts, it brings the seed into good contact with the soil where it will germinate in the spring. Another method is dependent on the surface of the soil being moist followed by freezing weather. As moist soil freezes and thaws, small pockets are formed on the wet, bare soil that is perfect for catching and holding seed. As the soil dries, the pockets collapse and cover the seed. A third method involves core aerating, verticutting, or hand raking and broadcasting seed immediately after. Of course, the soil must be dry enough and unfrozen for this to be practical. With any of the above methods, the seed germinates in the spring as early as possible. There will be limitations on what herbicides can be used for weed control. Tupersan (siduron) can be used as a crabgrass preventer on new seedings even before they have come up. Also, dithiopyr, found in Hi-Yield Turf and Ornamental Weed and Grass Stopper and Bonide Crabgrass &amp; Weed Preventer, can be used on tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass two weeks after germination. Dithiopyr is longer lasting and more effective than siduron. Other preemergence herbicides available to homeowners require that the turf be well established before application. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>The best time to seed cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass is September because the turf has more time to mature before spring crabgrass germination and the heat stress of summer. Dormant seeding of turfgrass is sometimes used to help fill in bare spots of lawns that weren't overseeded in the fall. Dormant overseeding is done during the winter (December – February) when it is much too cold for germination.As with any seeding program, good seed-soil contact is vital. Several methods can be used. One method is to seed when there has been a light snowfall of up to an inch. This is shallow enough that bare spots can still be seen. Spread seed by hand on areas that need thickening up. As the snow melts, it brings the seed into good contact with the soil where it will germinate in the spring. Another method is dependent on the surface of the soil being moist followed by freezing weather. As moist soil freezes and thaws, small pockets are formed on the wet, bare soil that is perfect for catching and holding seed. As the soil dries, the pockets collapse and cover the seed. A third method involves core aerating, verticutting, or hand raking and broadcasting seed immediately after. Of course, the soil must be dry enough and unfrozen for this to be practical. With any of the above methods, the seed germinates in the spring as early as possible. There will be limitations on what herbicides can be used for weed control. Tupersan (siduron) can be used as a crabgrass preventer on new seedings even before they have come up. Also, dithiopyr, found in Hi-Yield Turf and Ornamental Weed and Grass Stopper and Bonide Crabgrass &amp; Weed Preventer, can be used on tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass two weeks after germination. Dithiopyr is longer lasting and more effective than siduron. Other preemergence herbicides available to homeowners require that the turf be well established before application. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Dormant seeding of turfgrass    

Buckle up, America. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito
 may well have pulled the “start” switch on the First Amendment’s legal 
equivalent of a popular carnival attraction, the Tilt-a-Whirl — a wild, 
spinning legislative ride propelled by a revolving wheel of judicial 
review.

In a speech Nov. 12 to the conservative Federalist Society, <a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2020/11/17/justice-alito-sees-danger-ahead-for-first-amendment-religion-and-speech-rights/" target="_blank">Alito offered a list</a> of grievances about the state of individual rights in America, with a special focus on the freedoms of religion and speech.

Alito was very critical of a 5-4 Supreme Court decision this summer 
that rejected a church’s objection to Nevada’s COVID-19-based 
restrictions on attendance at religious services. He pointed out that 
casinos in that state were limited to 50 percent capacity, while houses 
of worship were subject to a smaller, flat 50-person limit.

Rejecting this “disparate treatment should not have been a very tough
 call,” he said. “Take a quick look at the Constitution. You will see 
the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, which protects 
religious liberty. You will not find a craps clause, or a blackjack 
clause, or a slot machine clause.”

Noting that comedian George Carlin once identified 
“seven dirty words” not allowed to be spoken on television, Alito said 
that “today you can see shows on your TV screen in which the dialogue 
appears at times to consist almost entirely of those words … But it 
would be easy to put together a new list called ‘Things You Can’t Say If
 You Are a Student or a Professor at a College or University or an 
Employee of Many Big Corporations.’ And there wouldn’t be just seven 
items on that list. Seventy times seven would be closer.”

Following the court’s legalization of same-sex marriage, which he 
opposed, Alito predicted vilification of those opposing the decision. In
 his speech, Alito claimed that “You can’t say that marriage is a union 
between one man and one woman. Until very recently, that’s what the vast
 majority of Americans thought. Now it’s considered bigotry.”

A second justice, Clarence Thomas, has twice this year called for the court to revisit — and perhaps reverse — a landmark 1964 free speech and free press case, New York Times
 v. Sullivan, which generally rules out successful defamation lawsuits 
by political or public persons without evidence of “actual malice.”

A new, 6-3 conservative balance on the court may provide additional 
support for both Alito and Thomas and for the construction of new legal 
shields based on religious views against anti-discrimination laws. The 
court will rule next spring in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, involving
 that city’s attempt to withhold public funds from a Catholic social 
work group which refuses to consider same-sex couples when placing 
children for adoption.

Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress seem intent on reviewing 
First Amendment rights and special legal protections under Section 230 
of the Communications Decency Act, now enjoyed by Silicon Valley tech 
companies. The changes would target social media giants such as Twitter 
and Facebook and perhaps even attempt to reduce Google’s dominate 
position among search engines.

Advocates say changes and limits are needed to ensure diverse 
viewpoints. Removing some or all of those protections, the companies 
argue, would force them to adopt draconian restrictions on what we 
freely say online in these 21st century equivalents of the colonial 
public square.

Congress also is expected to quickly take up other complicated, 
“First Amendment-ish” aspects around free speech on the web — that is, 
balancing the need to fight misinformation and distortion of facts 
online with unfettered access by individuals to this new, electronic 
version of the public square.

A new conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court seems likely to
 heed Alito’s call to revisit both new and long-standing First Amendment
 rulings, particularly on religion and speech. State legislatures in 
more than 40 states seem bent on rewriting laws across a dizzying array 
of rulings, all aimed at restricting protest and assembly.

Freedom of the press will continue to be beset by both critics who 
would diminish its First Amendment protections and those advocates who 
would save independent American journalism by inserting government into 
the unprecedented role of at least a partial funder.

And within the First Amendment scholarly community itself, there is 
growing sentiment that the original 45 words, adopted in 1791, need to 
be reworked and revised to meet the challenges of a modern, 24/7 
globally connected planetary society.

Even the relatively new doctrine of “government speech” is gaining 
ground — that government itself has free speech rights, as in what 
slogans are banned from state-issued license plates, or which religious 
symbols are allowed in public spaces. As it happens, Justice Alito has 
played both a major role in court decisions advancing the doctrine, but 
also cautioning against its overuse.

For nearly 100 years, First Amendment law has been largely focused on
 protecting the free expression of individual viewpoints, particularly 
those considered “fringe” or “extreme.” Now in vogue: Claims to a 
“right” not to hear someone’s views.

Many of these new voices and approaches in the marketplace of ideas 
echo Alito’s basic pitch: It’s time for conservative views and limits to
 take over from what they see as overly broad, liberal expansions across
 the five freedoms.

Keep both hands and feet firmly inside the whirling legal constructs,
 dear fellow citizens. And pay close attention to what people are saying
 in the upcoming debates over balancing our core freedoms with other 
values.

Hang on through the ride and listen to the debates as if the very 
meaning and application of the First Amendment for the next generation 
depends on it — because it will.

Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the
 Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom
 Forum Institute. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593729871227.png" alt="Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. " />
 <figcaption>Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. </figcaption>
 </figure>Buckle up, America. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito
 may well have pulled the “start” switch on the First Amendment’s legal 
equivalent of a popular carnival attraction, the Tilt-a-Whirl — a wild, 
spinning legislative ride propelled by a revolving wheel of judicial 
review.In a speech Nov. 12 to the conservative Federalist Society, <a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2020/11/17/justice-alito-sees-danger-ahead-for-first-amendment-religion-and-speech-rights/" target="_blank">Alito offered a list</a> of grievances about the state of individual rights in America, with a special focus on the freedoms of religion and speech.Alito was very critical of a 5-4 Supreme Court decision this summer 
that rejected a church’s objection to Nevada’s COVID-19-based 
restrictions on attendance at religious services. He pointed out that 
casinos in that state were limited to 50 percent capacity, while houses 
of worship were subject to a smaller, flat 50-person limit.Rejecting this “disparate treatment should not have been a very tough
 call,” he said. “Take a quick look at the Constitution. You will see 
the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, which protects 
religious liberty. You will not find a craps clause, or a blackjack 
clause, or a slot machine clause.”Noting that comedian George Carlin once identified 
“seven dirty words” not allowed to be spoken on television, Alito said 
that “today you can see shows on your TV screen in which the dialogue 
appears at times to consist almost entirely of those words … But it 
would be easy to put together a new list called ‘Things You Can’t Say If
 You Are a Student or a Professor at a College or University or an 
Employee of Many Big Corporations.’ And there wouldn’t be just seven 
items on that list. Seventy times seven would be closer.”Following the court’s legalization of same-sex marriage, which he 
opposed, Alito predicted vilification of those opposing the decision. In
 his speech, Alito claimed that “You can’t say that marriage is a union 
between one man and one woman. Until very recently, that’s what the vast
 majority of Americans thought. Now it’s considered bigotry.”A second justice, Clarence Thomas, has twice this year called for the court to revisit — and perhaps reverse — a landmark 1964 free speech and free press case, New York Times
 v. Sullivan, which generally rules out successful defamation lawsuits 
by political or public persons without evidence of “actual malice.”A new, 6-3 conservative balance on the court may provide additional 
support for both Alito and Thomas and for the construction of new legal 
shields based on religious views against anti-discrimination laws. The 
court will rule next spring in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, involving
 that city’s attempt to withhold public funds from a Catholic social 
work group which refuses to consider same-sex couples when placing 
children for adoption.Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress seem intent on reviewing 
First Amendment rights and special legal protections under Section 230 
of the Communications Decency Act, now enjoyed by Silicon Valley tech 
companies. The changes would target social media giants such as Twitter 
and Facebook and perhaps even attempt to reduce Google’s dominate 
position among search engines.Advocates say changes and limits are needed to ensure diverse 
viewpoints. Removing some or all of those protections, the companies 
argue, would force them to adopt draconian restrictions on what we 
freely say online in these 21st century equivalents of the colonial 
public square.Congress also is expected to quickly take up other complicated, 
“First Amendment-ish” aspects around free speech on the web — that is, 
balancing the need to fight misinformation and distortion of facts 
online with unfettered access by individuals to this new, electronic 
version of the public square.A new conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court seems likely to
 heed Alito’s call to revisit both new and long-standing First Amendment
 rulings, particularly on religion and speech. State legislatures in 
more than 40 states seem bent on rewriting laws across a dizzying array 
of rulings, all aimed at restricting protest and assembly.Freedom of the press will continue to be beset by both critics who 
would diminish its First Amendment protections and those advocates who 
would save independent American journalism by inserting government into 
the unprecedented role of at least a partial funder.And within the First Amendment scholarly community itself, there is 
growing sentiment that the original 45 words, adopted in 1791, need to 
be reworked and revised to meet the challenges of a modern, 24/7 
globally connected planetary society.Even the relatively new doctrine of “government speech” is gaining 
ground — that government itself has free speech rights, as in what 
slogans are banned from state-issued license plates, or which religious 
symbols are allowed in public spaces. As it happens, Justice Alito has 
played both a major role in court decisions advancing the doctrine, but 
also cautioning against its overuse.For nearly 100 years, First Amendment law has been largely focused on
 protecting the free expression of individual viewpoints, particularly 
those considered “fringe” or “extreme.” Now in vogue: Claims to a 
“right” not to hear someone’s views.Many of these new voices and approaches in the marketplace of ideas 
echo Alito’s basic pitch: It’s time for conservative views and limits to
 take over from what they see as overly broad, liberal expansions across
 the five freedoms.Keep both hands and feet firmly inside the whirling legal constructs,
 dear fellow citizens. And pay close attention to what people are saying
 in the upcoming debates over balancing our core freedoms with other 
values.Hang on through the ride and listen to the debates as if the very 
meaning and application of the First Amendment for the next generation 
depends on it — because it will.Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the
 Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom
 Forum Institute. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

FIRST FIVE: We’re in for a wild First Amendment ride

The year was 1957; the date was somewhere between March 1 and May 1 depending on whose account you read. 

As quoted in the July 1957 issue of Kansas Fish and Game magazine, “The first light of dawn revealed a dismal scene. Light rain was falling and the dark skies overhead gave indication that the day would be unpleasant. Even so, an estimated 80 to 100 fishermen huddled in raincoats and waited in cars for the gun which would signal that fishing time had arrived. A few had been at the lake overnight sleeping in tents or cars. The sound of the shot echoed from the hills and baits hit the water. Spinning tackle, bait casting outfits and fly rods were all in evidence. Fish which had never seen a plug, spinner or baited hook were the object of all this activity. Would they be hungry on such a damp and chilly morning?” 

This was the scene on opening morning of the first day ever of fishing at McPherson State Fishing Lake. And yes, according to the article, the fish were hungry and fishing was “fabulous” that day.

Even though a lake was planned for Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, the story goes that a large sportsman’s club active in McPherson at the time was largely influential in getting McPherson State Fishing Lake built so club members would have a closer lake to fish than driving to Kanoplolis. So, in 1954, a 750-foot-long dam with a spillway was built across a tributary of the Gypsum Creek System, known locally as Battle Creek which runs through the north end of the Refuge. The creek already contained a couple deep holes that held fish plus several springs, so by 1955 the new dam had already retained enough water to allow stocking of the lake with largemouth bass and channel catfish.&nbsp;

Today McPherson State Fishing Lake covers about 46 acres when full and is over twenty feet deep at its deepest. The west side of the lake offers a nice boat ramp and parking lot big enough for several vehicles and boat trailers. The banks surrounding the upper end of the lake are nicely shaded with trees left from a timber claim in the 1800’s where parcels of land were deeded to private owners in return for their promise to plant trees on the property. Several primitive campsites with picnic tables are available for campers and fishermen, as well as a cabin to rent. Three long rock fishing piers stick out into the lake along the shore of the campground. McPherson State Fishing Lake is known for producing nice largemouth bass and channel catfish, but crappie and saugeye also swim its waters. In the mid 1990’s, two fish feeders were added to feed and to act as attractors for channel catfish. Numerous brush piles have been added over the years and are marked by GPS so their locations can be accessed through the link on the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website.&nbsp;

In May of 1956, volunteers from local oil patches built an observation tower from used oil well pipe and erected it on a high point above the lake. The upper deck was 24 feet above the ground, allowing visitors to see much more of the Refuge. Many days, parts of the elk and bison herds can be seen lounging on far-away hillsides. If you have visited Maxwell this summer, you’ve noticed that tower is gone, as it had rusted and deteriorated to the point where it was no longer considered safe. A new observation deck, much like the ones at Quivera National Wildlife Refuge near Stafford, will be erected in its place.&nbsp;

I think John Maxwell would be as proud of the lake as he would be of the wildlife preserve bearing his name. Although the fishing at McPherson State Fishing Lake will probably never be as good as on that opening morning in 1957, it is much closer than Kanopolis and its clear spring fed waters and shady campground make the lake worthy of a day’s fishing as you continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>The year was 1957; the date was somewhere between March 1 and May 1 depending on whose account you read. As quoted in the July 1957 issue of Kansas Fish and Game magazine, “The first light of dawn revealed a dismal scene. Light rain was falling and the dark skies overhead gave indication that the day would be unpleasant. Even so, an estimated 80 to 100 fishermen huddled in raincoats and waited in cars for the gun which would signal that fishing time had arrived. A few had been at the lake overnight sleeping in tents or cars. The sound of the shot echoed from the hills and baits hit the water. Spinning tackle, bait casting outfits and fly rods were all in evidence. Fish which had never seen a plug, spinner or baited hook were the object of all this activity. Would they be hungry on such a damp and chilly morning?” This was the scene on opening morning of the first day ever of fishing at McPherson State Fishing Lake. And yes, according to the article, the fish were hungry and fishing was “fabulous” that day.Even though a lake was planned for Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, the story goes that a large sportsman’s club active in McPherson at the time was largely influential in getting McPherson State Fishing Lake built so club members would have a closer lake to fish than driving to Kanoplolis. So, in 1954, a 750-foot-long dam with a spillway was built across a tributary of the Gypsum Creek System, known locally as Battle Creek which runs through the north end of the Refuge. The creek already contained a couple deep holes that held fish plus several springs, so by 1955 the new dam had already retained enough water to allow stocking of the lake with largemouth bass and channel catfish.&nbsp;Today McPherson State Fishing Lake covers about 46 acres when full and is over twenty feet deep at its deepest. The west side of the lake offers a nice boat ramp and parking lot big enough for several vehicles and boat trailers. The banks surrounding the upper end of the lake are nicely shaded with trees left from a timber claim in the 1800’s where parcels of land were deeded to private owners in return for their promise to plant trees on the property. Several primitive campsites with picnic tables are available for campers and fishermen, as well as a cabin to rent. Three long rock fishing piers stick out into the lake along the shore of the campground. McPherson State Fishing Lake is known for producing nice largemouth bass and channel catfish, but crappie and saugeye also swim its waters. In the mid 1990’s, two fish feeders were added to feed and to act as attractors for channel catfish. Numerous brush piles have been added over the years and are marked by GPS so their locations can be accessed through the link on the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website.&nbsp;In May of 1956, volunteers from local oil patches built an observation tower from used oil well pipe and erected it on a high point above the lake. The upper deck was 24 feet above the ground, allowing visitors to see much more of the Refuge. Many days, parts of the elk and bison herds can be seen lounging on far-away hillsides. If you have visited Maxwell this summer, you’ve noticed that tower is gone, as it had rusted and deteriorated to the point where it was no longer considered safe. A new observation deck, much like the ones at Quivera National Wildlife Refuge near Stafford, will be erected in its place.&nbsp;I think John Maxwell would be as proud of the lake as he would be of the wildlife preserve bearing his name. Although the fishing at McPherson State Fishing Lake will probably never be as good as on that opening morning in 1957, it is much closer than Kanopolis and its clear spring fed waters and shady campground make the lake worthy of a day’s fishing as you continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: McPherson fishing worthy of a trip

Hopefully your Thanksgiving holiday included some traditional dishes that reinforced positive memories.&nbsp; Whether you had turkey, dressing, or side dishes left over, it is important that you pay attention to food safety rules.

Since leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days, you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all of those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. After four days, spoilage bacteria can cause food to develop a bad smell or taste.&nbsp;

Now let’s talk about the food safety of reheating leftovers. Be sure leftovers reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as measured with a food thermometer. Covering leftovers in the reheating process helps retain moisture and ensures that food will heat all the way through.

Additional reheating tips from the Foodsafety.gov web site include:

A past issue of the You Asked It newsletter included an interesting article about storing holiday leftovers. Plastic food containers are great ways to save leftovers or other foods. But over time, plastic can warp, stain, or remain greasy. Many types of plastic containers are available, but some are designed for one-time use only. This includes takeout containers and dairy food cartons.&nbsp;

For reusable containers, wash them with hot soapy water or on the top rack of your dishwasher. Use the low- or no-heat drying cycle in the dishwasher. To remove stains, let the empty container sit in the direct sun a few hours. Or, soak in a mild bleach solution of 2 teaspoons plain bleach per gallon of water.

For plastic containers with an unpleasant odor, soak them in a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda per cup water or fill with undiluted vinegar.&nbsp;

&nbsp;If you have any food safety questions, feel free to give me a call.

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593016082485.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. " />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. </figcaption>
 </figure>Hopefully your Thanksgiving holiday included some traditional dishes that reinforced positive memories.&nbsp; Whether you had turkey, dressing, or side dishes left over, it is important that you pay attention to food safety rules.Since leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days, you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all of those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. After four days, spoilage bacteria can cause food to develop a bad smell or taste.&nbsp;Now let’s talk about the food safety of reheating leftovers. Be sure leftovers reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as measured with a food thermometer. Covering leftovers in the reheating process helps retain moisture and ensures that food will heat all the way through.Additional reheating tips from the Foodsafety.gov web site include:<ul>
 <li>Reheat sauces, soups and gravies by bringing them to a boil; then turn back to a simmer.</li><li>When reheating in the microwave, cover and rotate the food for even heating. Arrange food items evenly in a covered microwave-safe glass or ceramic dish and add some liquid if needed. The moist heat that is created will help destroy harmful bacteria and will ensure uniform cooking.</li>
 </ul>A past issue of the You Asked It newsletter included an interesting article about storing holiday leftovers. Plastic food containers are great ways to save leftovers or other foods. But over time, plastic can warp, stain, or remain greasy. Many types of plastic containers are available, but some are designed for one-time use only. This includes takeout containers and dairy food cartons.&nbsp;For reusable containers, wash them with hot soapy water or on the top rack of your dishwasher. Use the low- or no-heat drying cycle in the dishwasher. To remove stains, let the empty container sit in the direct sun a few hours. Or, soak in a mild bleach solution of 2 teaspoons plain bleach per gallon of water.For plastic containers with an unpleasant odor, soak them in a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda per cup water or fill with undiluted vinegar.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have any food safety questions, feel free to give me a call.Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Handling food safely equals safe, tasty leftovers

At the Freedom Forum, we’ve thought about creating T-shirts that 
read: “Free speech: Complicating Thanksgiving Dinner since 1791.”

But this pandemic-era Thanksgiving, as families and friends assemble 
around a Zoom screen or an actual dining room table to celebrate, all of
 the freedoms of the First Amendment should be high on the list as we 
count our blessings.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution set a standard for the 
world. Our founding fathers said that Americans should have the right — 
without government interference — to speak their minds, practice a faith
 or choose not to, publish their ideas, assemble to protest or support a
 cause and petition the government for change.

“This is what is so great about America,” says social strategist Philippa Hughes.
 “We should be giving thanks that we can all have these amazing 
divergent views and nobody’s going to get killed for having these 
conversations.”

Shocked by the divisions revealed during the 2016 presidential election, Hughes launched a dinner club called <a href="https://www.blueberriesandcherries.com/" target="_blank">Blueberries &amp; Cherries</a>,
 bringing into her Washington, D.C., dining room die-hard Democrats and 
righteous Republicans, armed with forks and knives, to discuss their 
beliefs in hopes of better understanding each other. Each meal ended 
with a blueberry cherry crisp, deliciously bridging the blue and red 
divide.

Later, supported by a grant, Hughes expanded her events across the country into <a href="https://www.lookingforamerica.us/" target="_blank">Looking for America</a>, which hosts art events and conversations in which people discuss what it means to be American.

Hughes’s goal is to break down the “polarization industrial complex” 
that’s often fed by social media. “That is a construct we have created,”
 she says. “There is profit and power to be had from keeping us 
polarized. I don’t profit from that, so why do we let others profit from
 that?”

Thanksgiving 2020 brings families together after a wrenching year of 
political upheaval and a deadly pandemic, when Americans exercised their
 First Amendment freedoms with newfound vigor:

On Thanksgiving, <a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/speech/" target="_blank">free speech</a>
 will be at the forefront of your dinner table. Can you, with your Trump
 2024 bumper sticker, keep things civil with your niece in the Black 
Lives Matter T-shirt? Hughes has some advice for how to keep this from 
being a dinner sponsored by Tums.

“A great way to begin your meal is just to be grateful we can do this
 and have this conversation at all,” Hughes says. “That’s the beauty of 
America … You can have deeply held views and express them and we don’t 
have to hate each other.”

Tip No. 1: Pretend you’re an anthropologist. Be curious and ask questions, but don’t interrogate. 
Ask the kind of questions that show you’re listening, Hughes says. “Say,
 ‘Oh, tell me more about that …’ Try to have a sense of delight and joy 
about it. It’s fun to hear stories, especially when it’s your family. 
You had fun with them before; you can continue to have fun.”

Tip No. 2: Share your experiences in a nonthreatening way. 
It can be frustrating if the other side does not seem to be curious 
about you. “Find ways to share yourself — real stories beyond the data 
and the talking points,” Hughes says.

Tip No. 3: Don’t pepper folks with facts. 
When it comes to forming opinions, <a href="https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128490874" target="_blank">facts don’t always matter</a>. 
Studies have shown that our perceptions are formed more by our 
experiences — however limited — than anything else, Hughes says. People 
who are confronted with challenging information tend to dig in their 
heels rather than open their minds to other possibilities. “People don’t
 want to feel dumb.”

Tip No. 4: No name-calling. If things get too heated, step away. 
Hughes says conservatives may avoid conversations for good reason. 
“They’ll say … ‘I don’t want to get yelled at or called stupid by the 
liberals.’” That’s a very valid concern. The left does spend a lot of 
time calling the other side idiots.” 
A liberal in a family of conservatives, Hughes says, “We’ve gotten close
 to not speaking. If you are close to that, step away, leave the room, 
get some fresh air. Take a walk together.”

Tip No. 5: Empathy does not equal endorsement. 
“We may never reach common ground, but at least we’ll come to an 
understanding of why the person believes what they … believe,” says 
Hughes. “The only thing we can agree on is our humanity. We don’t have 
to agree on policy and how to fix problems.”

Final tip: Always pass the dishes to the right. That’s not a political statement, it’s <a href="https://emilypost.com/advice/passing-food-at-the-table/" target="_blank">just etiquette</a>.

Patty Rhule is vice president of content innovation at the Freedom Forum. She can be reached at <a href="mailto:prhule@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">prhule@freedomforum.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606237069718.png" alt="Patty Rhule is vice president of content innovation at the Freedom Forum. " />
 <figcaption>Patty Rhule is vice president of content innovation at the Freedom Forum. </figcaption>
 </figure>At the Freedom Forum, we’ve thought about creating T-shirts that 
read: “Free speech: Complicating Thanksgiving Dinner since 1791.”But this pandemic-era Thanksgiving, as families and friends assemble 
around a Zoom screen or an actual dining room table to celebrate, all of
 the freedoms of the First Amendment should be high on the list as we 
count our blessings.The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution set a standard for the 
world. Our founding fathers said that Americans should have the right — 
without government interference — to speak their minds, practice a faith
 or choose not to, publish their ideas, assemble to protest or support a
 cause and petition the government for change.“This is what is so great about America,” says social strategist Philippa Hughes.
 “We should be giving thanks that we can all have these amazing 
divergent views and nobody’s going to get killed for having these 
conversations.”Shocked by the divisions revealed during the 2016 presidential election, Hughes launched a dinner club called <a href="https://www.blueberriesandcherries.com/" target="_blank">Blueberries &amp; Cherries</a>,
 bringing into her Washington, D.C., dining room die-hard Democrats and 
righteous Republicans, armed with forks and knives, to discuss their 
beliefs in hopes of better understanding each other. Each meal ended 
with a blueberry cherry crisp, deliciously bridging the blue and red 
divide.Later, supported by a grant, Hughes expanded her events across the country into <a href="https://www.lookingforamerica.us/" target="_blank">Looking for America</a>, which hosts art events and conversations in which people discuss what it means to be American.Hughes’s goal is to break down the “polarization industrial complex” 
that’s often fed by social media. “That is a construct we have created,”
 she says. “There is profit and power to be had from keeping us 
polarized. I don’t profit from that, so why do we let others profit from
 that?”Thanksgiving 2020 brings families together after a wrenching year of 
political upheaval and a deadly pandemic, when Americans exercised their
 First Amendment freedoms with newfound vigor:<ul>
 <li>People in every state <a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/assembly/" target="_blank">assembled</a> to protest police violence against Black Americans. Citizens also marched in support of the police;</li><li>In the 100th year since women <a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/petition/" target="_blank">petitioned</a> successfully for the right to vote, voters turned out in record numbers to make California’s Sen. Kamala Harris the first woman and woman of color elected vice president;</li><li>The free press kept people informed of campaign news, social unrest and the latest scientific advice about COVID-19;</li><li>Faith congregations, which refrained from gathering in person, 
worshipped through Zoom and Facebook or held drive-in services. Some 
filed suit, saying government rules restricting attendance <a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2020/11/18/buckle-up-america-were-in-for-a-wild-first-amendment-ride/" target="_blank">violated their religious freedom.</a></li>
 </ul>On Thanksgiving, <a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/speech/" target="_blank">free speech</a>
 will be at the forefront of your dinner table. Can you, with your Trump
 2024 bumper sticker, keep things civil with your niece in the Black 
Lives Matter T-shirt? Hughes has some advice for how to keep this from 
being a dinner sponsored by Tums.“A great way to begin your meal is just to be grateful we can do this
 and have this conversation at all,” Hughes says. “That’s the beauty of 
America … You can have deeply held views and express them and we don’t 
have to hate each other.”Tip No. 1: Pretend you’re an anthropologist. Be curious and ask questions, but don’t interrogate. 
Ask the kind of questions that show you’re listening, Hughes says. “Say,
 ‘Oh, tell me more about that …’ Try to have a sense of delight and joy 
about it. It’s fun to hear stories, especially when it’s your family. 
You had fun with them before; you can continue to have fun.”Tip No. 2: Share your experiences in a nonthreatening way. 
It can be frustrating if the other side does not seem to be curious 
about you. “Find ways to share yourself — real stories beyond the data 
and the talking points,” Hughes says.Tip No. 3: Don’t pepper folks with facts. 
When it comes to forming opinions, <a href="https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128490874" target="_blank">facts don’t always matter</a>. 
Studies have shown that our perceptions are formed more by our 
experiences — however limited — than anything else, Hughes says. People 
who are confronted with challenging information tend to dig in their 
heels rather than open their minds to other possibilities. “People don’t
 want to feel dumb.”Tip No. 4: No name-calling. If things get too heated, step away. 
Hughes says conservatives may avoid conversations for good reason. 
“They’ll say … ‘I don’t want to get yelled at or called stupid by the 
liberals.’” That’s a very valid concern. The left does spend a lot of 
time calling the other side idiots.” 
A liberal in a family of conservatives, Hughes says, “We’ve gotten close
 to not speaking. If you are close to that, step away, leave the room, 
get some fresh air. Take a walk together.”Tip No. 5: Empathy does not equal endorsement. 
“We may never reach common ground, but at least we’ll come to an 
understanding of why the person believes what they … believe,” says 
Hughes. “The only thing we can agree on is our humanity. We don’t have 
to agree on policy and how to fix problems.”Final tip: Always pass the dishes to the right. That’s not a political statement, it’s <a href="https://emilypost.com/advice/passing-food-at-the-table/" target="_blank">just etiquette</a>.Patty Rhule is vice president of content innovation at the Freedom Forum. She can be reached at <a href="mailto:prhule@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">prhule@freedomforum.org</a>.

FIRST FIVE: Thankful we can speak our minds this Thanksgiving

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher

Like many this year, instead of traveling to be with family, I will cook my own Thanksgiving dinner. Honestly, I don’t mind. It is sad not to see my family, but I am relieved that I will not be putting any of them in harm’s way. And I am not mad about getting to keep all the leftovers for myself.

Holiday rituals and decorations have always paled in my mind to the comfort brought by food. A big part of my comfort comes from the promise of making this meal.

I have spent years in the kitchen as sous chef to my mom. She has taught me the simplest way to care for all people is to make sure they are well fed. When mom is in the kitchen, she is creating a physical representation of her love and care for others. She doesn’t let screaming grandkids, a crowded house or trying to make things look pretty worry her. Cooking the same meal that my mom will prepare grounds me and makes me feel closer to her and the love she shares freely.

When I was a kid my dad, like his holiday hero Clark Griswold, was adamant that we find the perfect Christmas tree to chop down. The whole family had to bundle up in our winter clothes and head out into the woods behind my grandpa’s house. We trudged through the snow for what felt like hours, examining tree after tree to find the perfect one. He was never worried about how long it took and even seemed to get an evil glint of joy in his eye when we always came back to the very first tree we had considered.

After chopping it down, we would then have to pick a second best tree to get for grandma’s house. We dragged both trees to the car with a renewed level of enthusiasm at the prospect of getting somewhere warm so we could regain feeling in our toes. Years later, I understand it was never about the perfect tree, rather it was about the shared experience.

My grandmother, who has now passed, was one of those beautiful scatterbrain types. Every year at Thanksgiving, she would forget at least one batch of rolls in the oven and let out a yelp as the smell of smoke would waft into the dining room. For Christmas, she would often make one of us grandkids feel like we won the lottery by giving us a Christmas present in July that she had hidden and forgotten.

That “second best” Christmas tree we brought her always ended up looking like an elf had thrown-up on it as she tried to “fix it” with tinsel. In all of these moments, I remember how she would throw her head back and let out a cackle of laughter at her mistakes. She never worried about the mishaps and imperfections; she embraced them and often shared the story in a tone of conspiratorial confidence. Grandma’s ability to laugh at herself taught me to love my own imperfections.

Even though I won’t be with my family this year, they will be with me. I feel them in the joy of holiday memories and the lessons that have made me full of love and thanks.

As the holiday season arrives this year, I wish you all moments of joy from imperfection, the ability to share unconventional experiences with your loved ones and fulfillment in the things that feel like home.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592834709793.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher Like many this year, instead of traveling to be with family, I will cook my own Thanksgiving dinner. Honestly, I don’t mind. It is sad not to see my family, but I am relieved that I will not be putting any of them in harm’s way. And I am not mad about getting to keep all the leftovers for myself.Holiday rituals and decorations have always paled in my mind to the comfort brought by food. A big part of my comfort comes from the promise of making this meal.I have spent years in the kitchen as sous chef to my mom. She has taught me the simplest way to care for all people is to make sure they are well fed. When mom is in the kitchen, she is creating a physical representation of her love and care for others. She doesn’t let screaming grandkids, a crowded house or trying to make things look pretty worry her. Cooking the same meal that my mom will prepare grounds me and makes me feel closer to her and the love she shares freely.When I was a kid my dad, like his holiday hero Clark Griswold, was adamant that we find the perfect Christmas tree to chop down. The whole family had to bundle up in our winter clothes and head out into the woods behind my grandpa’s house. We trudged through the snow for what felt like hours, examining tree after tree to find the perfect one. He was never worried about how long it took and even seemed to get an evil glint of joy in his eye when we always came back to the very first tree we had considered.After chopping it down, we would then have to pick a second best tree to get for grandma’s house. We dragged both trees to the car with a renewed level of enthusiasm at the prospect of getting somewhere warm so we could regain feeling in our toes. Years later, I understand it was never about the perfect tree, rather it was about the shared experience.My grandmother, who has now passed, was one of those beautiful scatterbrain types. Every year at Thanksgiving, she would forget at least one batch of rolls in the oven and let out a yelp as the smell of smoke would waft into the dining room. For Christmas, she would often make one of us grandkids feel like we won the lottery by giving us a Christmas present in July that she had hidden and forgotten.That “second best” Christmas tree we brought her always ended up looking like an elf had thrown-up on it as she tried to “fix it” with tinsel. In all of these moments, I remember how she would throw her head back and let out a cackle of laughter at her mistakes. She never worried about the mishaps and imperfections; she embraced them and often shared the story in a tone of conspiratorial confidence. Grandma’s ability to laugh at herself taught me to love my own imperfections.Even though I won’t be with my family this year, they will be with me. I feel them in the joy of holiday memories and the lessons that have made me full of love and thanks.As the holiday season arrives this year, I wish you all moments of joy from imperfection, the ability to share unconventional experiences with your loved ones and fulfillment in the things that feel like home."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Full of love and thanks

Kansas Common crude at CHS rose another 75 cents Monday, and is now fetching $33.25 per barrel, the best price in McPherson since late August. Current prices are a dollar and a half higher than a week ago, three dollars higher than at the beginning of the month, but $15 lower than a year ago at this time. Crude futures prices reached their highest level since March, adding another four percent Tuesday. The Nymex benchmark contract reached $44.75 per barrel in late morning &nbsp;trading, and London Brent was up to $47.55. Baker Hughes says the national Rotary Rig Count was down five oil rigs Friday. The count in New Mexico was up two, while Texas, Oklahoma and Wyoming were each down one. Kansas regulators report just six new drilling permits across the state for the week, four of them east of Wichita and two in Western Kansas. That's 412 permits so far this year, less than half the total at this time last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports just four newly-completed wells in Kansas for the week, one in the eastern half of the state and three west of Wichita. That's 732 completions so far this year, compared to more than 1,200 a year ago. U.S. crude oil inventories increased 800,000 barrels last week according to government report. At 489.5 million barrels, U.S. stockpiles are about six percent above the five-year seasonal average. The Energy Information Administration reports U.S. crude-oil imports dropped nearly a quarter-million barrels per day last week, to 5.3 million. EIA says the four-week average is down more than 12% from a year ago. EIA reported a half-million barrel spike in domestic daily production averages last week, up to 10.9 million barrels per day.&nbsp; Regulators in the second biggest oil-producing state report an uptick in production last month. North Dakota's Department of Mineral Resources says they pumped half a million barrels in September than in August, for an average of 1.2 million barrels per day. Operators show continuing improvement in reducing the flaring or venting of natural gas produced at oil wells. At 93%, the amount of natural gas recovered is well above the 91% goal set by the state beginning this month. The government is once again predicting a significant decline in crude-oil production from the country's seven major shale-oil plays. The Energy Information Administration says total production in November will reach 7.6 million barrels per day. That's about 40,000 barrels per day less than previously predicted. According to this month's Drilling Productivity Report from the EIA, December production will drop by 140,000 barrels per day. Shale production accounts for about two-thirds of the total output in the U.S. Oil-by-rail shipments lag last year's totals by 23 percent, but the Association of American Railroads reports another weekly increase, with 10,744 railroad tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products, an increase of 354 tankers. The third-quarter of 2020 represented a big test of oilfield services companies' cost control. Rystad Energy says cost cuts by the big three service companies have proven largely successful. Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker Hughes have improved their adjusted operating margins during the third quarter, but still trail last year's numbers.&nbsp; The Colorado agency that's banning flaring as part of its overhaul of oil-and-gas regulation is apologizing after sending an inappropriate email ridiculing the very companies it regulates. Staffers were testing a new e-filing system but inadvertently sent an email to hundreds of oil and gas workers across Colorado. The email listed some derogatory names for oil companies, including "Snake Oil Inc," and "Here We Go Again" represented by the law firm of "Blah Blah Blah." Other names included “Bad Oil and Gas,” “Really Rich,” “Here We Go Again,” and “The Lorax.” Land values in West Texas continue to plummet, due to shrinking oil demand brought on by the pandemic. The Associated Press quotes a land broker in Houston saying he's seen prices have fallen below $1,000 per acre for property that was once worth more than $10,000 an acre. Rystad Energy reports the average price of U.S. shale acreage has fallen by more than 70% in two years, from $17,000 per acre in 2018 to $5,000 per acre this year. China continues its crude-oil buying spree. Bloomberg reports physical cargoes of crude oil from Russia, the U.S. and the Middle East were getting snapped up increased prices as buyers across Asia entered a bidding war to secure supplies. Traders also said Chinese importers are buying from Brazil and Angola as well, paying for cargoes that would arrive before mid-February’s Lunar New Year holidays. Rivals in Libya’s civil war agreed to bolster a paramilitary unit to protect oil infrastructure, a step that could help sustain its recent surge in production. The chairman of the state energy company met with Libya’s two main warring factions last weekend. The oil company is meeting with French oil giant Total discussing that country's willingness to invest in Libyan crude production. Output in Libya has gone from next to nothing two months ago, to one-and-a-quarter million barrels per day last week. That's higher than it was before the Libyan civil war began nearly ten years ago.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY JOHN P. TRETBARKansas Common crude at CHS rose another 75 cents Monday, and is now fetching $33.25 per barrel, the best price in McPherson since late August. Current prices are a dollar and a half higher than a week ago, three dollars higher than at the beginning of the month, but $15 lower than a year ago at this time. Crude futures prices reached their highest level since March, adding another four percent Tuesday. The Nymex benchmark contract reached $44.75 per barrel in late morning &nbsp;trading, and London Brent was up to $47.55. Baker Hughes says the national Rotary Rig Count was down five oil rigs Friday. The count in New Mexico was up two, while Texas, Oklahoma and Wyoming were each down one. Kansas regulators report just six new drilling permits across the state for the week, four of them east of Wichita and two in Western Kansas. That's 412 permits so far this year, less than half the total at this time last year. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports just four newly-completed wells in Kansas for the week, one in the eastern half of the state and three west of Wichita. That's 732 completions so far this year, compared to more than 1,200 a year ago. U.S. crude oil inventories increased 800,000 barrels last week according to government report. At 489.5 million barrels, U.S. stockpiles are about six percent above the five-year seasonal average. The Energy Information Administration reports U.S. crude-oil imports dropped nearly a quarter-million barrels per day last week, to 5.3 million. EIA says the four-week average is down more than 12% from a year ago. EIA reported a half-million barrel spike in domestic daily production averages last week, up to 10.9 million barrels per day.&nbsp; Regulators in the second biggest oil-producing state report an uptick in production last month. North Dakota's Department of Mineral Resources says they pumped half a million barrels in September than in August, for an average of 1.2 million barrels per day. Operators show continuing improvement in reducing the flaring or venting of natural gas produced at oil wells. At 93%, the amount of natural gas recovered is well above the 91% goal set by the state beginning this month. The government is once again predicting a significant decline in crude-oil production from the country's seven major shale-oil plays. The Energy Information Administration says total production in November will reach 7.6 million barrels per day. That's about 40,000 barrels per day less than previously predicted. According to this month's Drilling Productivity Report from the EIA, December production will drop by 140,000 barrels per day. Shale production accounts for about two-thirds of the total output in the U.S. Oil-by-rail shipments lag last year's totals by 23 percent, but the Association of American Railroads reports another weekly increase, with 10,744 railroad tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products, an increase of 354 tankers. The third-quarter of 2020 represented a big test of oilfield services companies' cost control. Rystad Energy says cost cuts by the big three service companies have proven largely successful. Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker Hughes have improved their adjusted operating margins during the third quarter, but still trail last year's numbers.&nbsp; The Colorado agency that's banning flaring as part of its overhaul of oil-and-gas regulation is apologizing after sending an inappropriate email ridiculing the very companies it regulates. Staffers were testing a new e-filing system but inadvertently sent an email to hundreds of oil and gas workers across Colorado. The email listed some derogatory names for oil companies, including "Snake Oil Inc," and "Here We Go Again" represented by the law firm of "Blah Blah Blah." Other names included “Bad Oil and Gas,” “Really Rich,” “Here We Go Again,” and “The Lorax.” Land values in West Texas continue to plummet, due to shrinking oil demand brought on by the pandemic. The Associated Press quotes a land broker in Houston saying he's seen prices have fallen below $1,000 per acre for property that was once worth more than $10,000 an acre. Rystad Energy reports the average price of U.S. shale acreage has fallen by more than 70% in two years, from $17,000 per acre in 2018 to $5,000 per acre this year. China continues its crude-oil buying spree. Bloomberg reports physical cargoes of crude oil from Russia, the U.S. and the Middle East were getting snapped up increased prices as buyers across Asia entered a bidding war to secure supplies. Traders also said Chinese importers are buying from Brazil and Angola as well, paying for cargoes that would arrive before mid-February’s Lunar New Year holidays. Rivals in Libya’s civil war agreed to bolster a paramilitary unit to protect oil infrastructure, a step that could help sustain its recent surge in production. The chairman of the state energy company met with Libya’s two main warring factions last weekend. The oil company is meeting with French oil giant Total discussing that country's willingness to invest in Libyan crude production. Output in Libya has gone from next to nothing two months ago, to one-and-a-quarter million barrels per day last week. That's higher than it was before the Libyan civil war began nearly ten years ago.

News From the Oil Patch: Kan. crude prices highest since August

The following column is by Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, State Health Officer and State Surgeon of the Kansas Army National Guard:

With Thanksgiving days away, the COVID-19 pandemic enters a new phase in America. The number of new cases is skyrocketing past records set just last week. A quarter of a million Americans and 1,300 Kansans have lost their lives to this virus.

Across our state, we are witnessing uncontrolled spread in rural and urban communities just as the weather turns colder, bringing many of us inside for the coming winter months. For all of us, this turn raises our anxiety and daily burden. But for frontline healthcare workers and other essential workers, this flood of new cases is pushing them to the brink. After more than eight months of non-stop work battling this virus, our brave doctors, nurses, corrections officers and other vital health care workers face fatigue, exhaustion and desperation, just when we need them the most.&nbsp;

They are on the frontlines in one of the most challenging and critical battles of our lifetime. We all owe them our gratitude and appreciation. But more than that, we owe them our commitment to live safely and protect our communities from this virus.

During my career, I’ve been a doctor and served in the United State Air Force and Kansas National Guard. I was deployed overseas and stationed on the frontlines during foreign conflicts. It was demanding and grueling in every way possible – mentally, emotionally and physically. What our healthcare workers are experiencing right now is a different kind of war and very demanding. The casualties are just as staggering in this pandemic, similar to wars past. The battlefield may be different, but the toll that is being exacted on these workers is no less devastating.

The long hours and crushing stress of their jobs, coupled with the concerns they have in their own daily and family life, is pushing many health workers to their breaking point. We need to support them, encourage them and do all we can to slow the spread of the virus to alleviate the growing pressure on our hospitals.&nbsp;

The good news is that with two new vaccines close to being approved, we are getting closer to turning the corner in this pandemic. Until these vaccines are widely available, though, we must recommit to the principles we embraced in the spring when we successfully slowed the virus’ spread.

Whether you live in a small town, a big city or on a farm in a rural community – every Kansan must be diligent and follow safe and healthy practices. This is how we demonstrate our commitment to our communities and to each other. This is how we show our nurses, doctors and all our healthcare workers that we value the sacrifices they make every day to care for our loved ones and be with our family members in their times of need.&nbsp;

We all want to return to normal and see our friends and family. But we are in a battle for our health and our lives. Right now, the most important act of patriotism is simply staying home, distancing from others and wearing a mask every time you leave home. By doing these very simple things, we can lessen the stress on our hospitals, medical system and the brave people who work there.&nbsp;

To those who work on the frontlines of this battle, I salute you.&nbsp;

Dr. Lee Norman is Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, State Health Officer and State Surgeon of the Kansas Army National Guard.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606161164178.jpeg" alt="Dr. Lee A. Norman, KDHE" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Lee A. Norman, KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The following column is by Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, State Health Officer and State Surgeon of the Kansas Army National Guard:With Thanksgiving days away, the COVID-19 pandemic enters a new phase in America. The number of new cases is skyrocketing past records set just last week. A quarter of a million Americans and 1,300 Kansans have lost their lives to this virus.Across our state, we are witnessing uncontrolled spread in rural and urban communities just as the weather turns colder, bringing many of us inside for the coming winter months. For all of us, this turn raises our anxiety and daily burden. But for frontline healthcare workers and other essential workers, this flood of new cases is pushing them to the brink. After more than eight months of non-stop work battling this virus, our brave doctors, nurses, corrections officers and other vital health care workers face fatigue, exhaustion and desperation, just when we need them the most.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>They are on the frontlines in one of the most challenging and critical battles of our lifetime. We all owe them our gratitude and appreciation. But more than that, we owe them our commitment to live safely and protect our communities from this virus.During my career, I’ve been a doctor and served in the United State Air Force and Kansas National Guard. I was deployed overseas and stationed on the frontlines during foreign conflicts. It was demanding and grueling in every way possible – mentally, emotionally and physically. What our healthcare workers are experiencing right now is a different kind of war and very demanding. The casualties are just as staggering in this pandemic, similar to wars past. The battlefield may be different, but the toll that is being exacted on these workers is no less devastating.The long hours and crushing stress of their jobs, coupled with the concerns they have in their own daily and family life, is pushing many health workers to their breaking point. We need to support them, encourage them and do all we can to slow the spread of the virus to alleviate the growing pressure on our hospitals.&nbsp;The good news is that with two new vaccines close to being approved, we are getting closer to turning the corner in this pandemic. Until these vaccines are widely available, though, we must recommit to the principles we embraced in the spring when we successfully slowed the virus’ spread.Whether you live in a small town, a big city or on a farm in a rural community – every Kansan must be diligent and follow safe and healthy practices. This is how we demonstrate our commitment to our communities and to each other. This is how we show our nurses, doctors and all our healthcare workers that we value the sacrifices they make every day to care for our loved ones and be with our family members in their times of need.&nbsp;We all want to return to normal and see our friends and family. But we are in a battle for our health and our lives. Right now, the most important act of patriotism is simply staying home, distancing from others and wearing a mask every time you leave home. By doing these very simple things, we can lessen the stress on our hospitals, medical system and the brave people who work there.&nbsp;To those who work on the frontlines of this battle, I salute you.&nbsp;Dr. Lee Norman is Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, State Health Officer and State Surgeon of the Kansas Army National Guard.

NORMAN: Help frontline workers by following guidelines

Happy Thanksgiving! For more than 45 years, the week including Thanksgiving has been proclaimed National Family Week. This observance was the idea of Mr. Sam Wiley, a teacher, basketball coach and school administrator in Indiana, who observed the stark difference in children who came from strong supportive families and those who were not being raised in a traditional family unit. He conceived of the idea to set aside a time during Thanksgiving – when families traditionally gather to give thanks for their many blessings – to recognize the important role family plays in our society.

The coronavirus pandemic is changing the way many families will celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Gatherings will be smaller and may just include the people we are spending the most time with. In times of change and challenge, families can provide the love, acceptance, guidance, support and instruction to be able to adjust.

Look for some activities that can include family members who may be joining the celebration through technology instead of in-person. Zoom or FaceTime can include things like a scavenger hunt or a talent show. At many of our family Zoom meetings we have encouraged everyone to bring a joke to share. Laughter really is good for the soul!

The coming week would also be a great time to check on elderly friends who may not have family checking on them frequently. Offering to drop off needed groceries or home goods plus a short visit would mean so much.

National Family Week is a time to be thankful for the family as a national heritage and resource. It is a time to recommit ourselves to the concept of the family. But let’s not stop at the end of the week; celebrating your family should always be a priority. Remember, families are the nurturers, caregivers, role models, teachers, and counselors for the next generation. Take time out from your busy schedule to “Celebrate” your family!

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Happy Thanksgiving! For more than 45 years, the week including Thanksgiving has been proclaimed National Family Week. This observance was the idea of Mr. Sam Wiley, a teacher, basketball coach and school administrator in Indiana, who observed the stark difference in children who came from strong supportive families and those who were not being raised in a traditional family unit. He conceived of the idea to set aside a time during Thanksgiving – when families traditionally gather to give thanks for their many blessings – to recognize the important role family plays in our society.The coronavirus pandemic is changing the way many families will celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Gatherings will be smaller and may just include the people we are spending the most time with. In times of change and challenge, families can provide the love, acceptance, guidance, support and instruction to be able to adjust.Look for some activities that can include family members who may be joining the celebration through technology instead of in-person. Zoom or FaceTime can include things like a scavenger hunt or a talent show. At many of our family Zoom meetings we have encouraged everyone to bring a joke to share. Laughter really is good for the soul!The coming week would also be a great time to check on elderly friends who may not have family checking on them frequently. Offering to drop off needed groceries or home goods plus a short visit would mean so much.National Family Week is a time to be thankful for the family as a national heritage and resource. It is a time to recommit ourselves to the concept of the family. But let’s not stop at the end of the week; celebrating your family should always be a priority. Remember, families are the nurturers, caregivers, role models, teachers, and counselors for the next generation. Take time out from your busy schedule to “Celebrate” your family!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Celebrate National Family Week

Election results showed us what we’ve always known—Kansas is a Republican state.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The much anticipated Democratic Party sweep didn’t materialize despite large scale voter turn-out.&nbsp;&nbsp;Except, that is, in the two contested races for seats on the Kansas State Board of Education.

Unofficial returns show Democrat Melanie Hass defeated Republican Benjamin Hodge for an open seat in District 2 that includes Johnson and part of Wyandotte counties, and in a tight race Democrat Betty Arnold, holds an edge over incumbent Kathy Busch.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Races were held this year in five districts for seats on the 10 member KSDE board. Three of the five open seats were held by Republicans who ran unopposed in the general election.&nbsp;&nbsp;The District 2 seat opened when Steve Roberts resigned to run for another office, leaving only the District 8 race to be decided between a Republican incumbent and a Democrat challenger.&nbsp;&nbsp;An incumbent board member has not been defeated in any district since 2012.

With 91,634 votes counted, Arnold is currently the unofficial winner leading Busch by 51% to 49% or 1,734 votes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Official results are not yet announced.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s possible for Bush to win, but Arnold’s lead likely will hold when official results are released.&nbsp;&nbsp;Then the board membership would shift from two Democrats and eight Republicans to four Democrats and six Republicans.

The shift in representation is not as important as it might appear.&nbsp;&nbsp;The KSDE board has long operated largely as a consensual body rather than by division along party lines.&nbsp;&nbsp;The hotly debated vote this summer over whether to support the governor’s plan to delay schools opening statewide did not end in a party-line vote.&nbsp;&nbsp;The board generally has worked together to resolve challenges facing schools, not represent political party views, and this has served Kansas well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

State board elections are important this year because of the pandemic’s impact on public education.&nbsp;&nbsp;Voters chose change over tradition.

What do the new board members-elect bring to the table?&nbsp;&nbsp;As candidates, both Haas and Arnold said working through the pandemic deserved top priority.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Haas is a technology executive and entrepreneur.&nbsp;&nbsp;She is a longtime volunteer for programs that introduce children to technology and problem solving.&nbsp;&nbsp;Her insights can strengthen the board’s work to extend distance learning.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Arnold is not a newcomer to elected office.&nbsp;&nbsp;She served on the Wichita school board from 2007 to 2018 and chaired the board twice.&nbsp;&nbsp;As an African American, Arnold brings diversity to the KSDE board since a person of color has not served on the board for the past two years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Arnold has expressed concern about COVID’s impact on the workload of teachers and her experience can strengthen support on issues important to teachers.

Health and safety of Kansans must come before the goal of statewide return to fulltime school.&nbsp;&nbsp;Easing the fluctuating triple workload of remote, hybrid and in-school instruction for teachers and students is the current challenge and increasing the number of qualified teachers is not an easy option at this point.&nbsp;&nbsp;While no “cure-all,” new ideas for stepping up electronic technology access and skills training and easing the increased teacher workload can help public schools respond to vacillating COVID infection rates while supporting student learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The voters chose change and the background and experience of the board members-elect will bring new voices to KSDE board decision making.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>Election results showed us what we’ve always known—Kansas is a Republican state.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The much anticipated Democratic Party sweep didn’t materialize despite large scale voter turn-out.&nbsp;&nbsp;Except, that is, in the two contested races for seats on the Kansas State Board of Education.Unofficial returns show Democrat Melanie Hass defeated Republican Benjamin Hodge for an open seat in District 2 that includes Johnson and part of Wyandotte counties, and in a tight race Democrat Betty Arnold, holds an edge over incumbent Kathy Busch.&nbsp;&nbsp;Races were held this year in five districts for seats on the 10 member KSDE board. Three of the five open seats were held by Republicans who ran unopposed in the general election.&nbsp;&nbsp;The District 2 seat opened when Steve Roberts resigned to run for another office, leaving only the District 8 race to be decided between a Republican incumbent and a Democrat challenger.&nbsp;&nbsp;An incumbent board member has not been defeated in any district since 2012.With 91,634 votes counted, Arnold is currently the unofficial winner leading Busch by 51% to 49% or 1,734 votes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Official results are not yet announced.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s possible for Bush to win, but Arnold’s lead likely will hold when official results are released.&nbsp;&nbsp;Then the board membership would shift from two Democrats and eight Republicans to four Democrats and six Republicans.The shift in representation is not as important as it might appear.&nbsp;&nbsp;The KSDE board has long operated largely as a consensual body rather than by division along party lines.&nbsp;&nbsp;The hotly debated vote this summer over whether to support the governor’s plan to delay schools opening statewide did not end in a party-line vote.&nbsp;&nbsp;The board generally has worked together to resolve challenges facing schools, not represent political party views, and this has served Kansas well.&nbsp;&nbsp;State board elections are important this year because of the pandemic’s impact on public education.&nbsp;&nbsp;Voters chose change over tradition.What do the new board members-elect bring to the table?&nbsp;&nbsp;As candidates, both Haas and Arnold said working through the pandemic deserved top priority.&nbsp;&nbsp;Haas is a technology executive and entrepreneur.&nbsp;&nbsp;She is a longtime volunteer for programs that introduce children to technology and problem solving.&nbsp;&nbsp;Her insights can strengthen the board’s work to extend distance learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;Arnold is not a newcomer to elected office.&nbsp;&nbsp;She served on the Wichita school board from 2007 to 2018 and chaired the board twice.&nbsp;&nbsp;As an African American, Arnold brings diversity to the KSDE board since a person of color has not served on the board for the past two years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Arnold has expressed concern about COVID’s impact on the workload of teachers and her experience can strengthen support on issues important to teachers.Health and safety of Kansans must come before the goal of statewide return to fulltime school.&nbsp;&nbsp;Easing the fluctuating triple workload of remote, hybrid and in-school instruction for teachers and students is the current challenge and increasing the number of qualified teachers is not an easy option at this point.&nbsp;&nbsp;While no “cure-all,” new ideas for stepping up electronic technology access and skills training and easing the increased teacher workload can help public schools respond to vacillating COVID infection rates while supporting student learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;The voters chose change and the background and experience of the board members-elect will bring new voices to KSDE board decision making.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

KANSAS INSIGHT: Election brings new insight to state education board

It is plain to see for all that COVID-19 is out of control across Kansas and the nation. As county commissioners and commissioner-elect, it is your responsibility to help protect the citizens and visitors to our fine county. To ignore the science behind the wearing of masks and proper social distancing, and yes, some of you actively suborning these health measures, you do great disservice to us all. 

As a retired medical technologist for which PPE was a standard and required part of the routine workday, you quickly adapt to the use. It promotes safety, but (and here is the important point), the use of PPE for this disease cannot and will not be effective until and unless 90 to 95% of the population adhere to the requirements. 

These are not political statements, but public health statements and we should all do our part to protect ourselves and one another. I strongly, strongly urge you to follow Governor Kelly’s mandate. Should you not, you are complicit in the spread and potential deaths that may follow. I assure you that if you do not, you will never receive my vote for any position you may seek in the future.&nbsp; Mike Giess, Hays

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>To the Ellis County Commission:It is plain to see for all that COVID-19 is out of control across Kansas and the nation. As county commissioners and commissioner-elect, it is your responsibility to help protect the citizens and visitors to our fine county. To ignore the science behind the wearing of masks and proper social distancing, and yes, some of you actively suborning these health measures, you do great disservice to us all. As a retired medical technologist for which PPE was a standard and required part of the routine workday, you quickly adapt to the use. It promotes safety, but (and here is the important point), the use of PPE for this disease cannot and will not be effective until and unless 90 to 95% of the population adhere to the requirements. These are not political statements, but public health statements and we should all do our part to protect ourselves and one another. I strongly, strongly urge you to follow Governor Kelly’s mandate. Should you not, you are complicit in the spread and potential deaths that may follow. I assure you that if you do not, you will never receive my vote for any position you may seek in the future.&nbsp; Mike Giess, Hays

LETTER: Ellis Co. must follow state mask mandate

The truth about the economic and COVID outcome disparities between states locked down by their governors and the seven states allowed to remain open was brutally victimized in a recent Hays Post story. &nbsp;

The article was written by a reporter at the Kansas Reflector, a left-leaning Topeka organization affiliated with States Newsroom. &nbsp;

<a href="https://sentinelksmo.org/kansas-reflector-legislative-coverage-puts-media-bias-on-full-display/">A column at The Sentinel</a> exposes a long list of false accusations, deception and incomplete information.&nbsp; For example, the states locked down by their governors have 46% more COVID deaths per million of population than the seven states not shut down.&nbsp; The survival rate for the states left open is 99% versus 97.6 % for the states shut down.

States not shut down by their governors also have less job loss.&nbsp; They lost 4.5% of private jobs between February and September, versus 7.7% for the others.&nbsp; Nebraska is one the states not shuttered by their governor; if Kansas had only lost 3.7% of jobs like Nebraska (instead of our loss of 5.2%), there would have been 17,000 more jobs here in September.

But don’t just take my word for this; watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNsi1_BB6Tw">the video</a> of the legislative hearing and you’ll understand the full depth of media bias in Topeka.

Dave Trabert is CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute, an educational and research organization.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605883070462.jpeg" alt="Dave Trabert " />
 <figcaption>Dave Trabert </figcaption>
 </figure>The truth about the economic and COVID outcome disparities between states locked down by their governors and the seven states allowed to remain open was brutally victimized in a recent Hays Post story. &nbsp;The article was written by a reporter at the Kansas Reflector, a left-leaning Topeka organization affiliated with States Newsroom. &nbsp;<a href="https://sentinelksmo.org/kansas-reflector-legislative-coverage-puts-media-bias-on-full-display/">A column at The Sentinel</a> exposes a long list of false accusations, deception and incomplete information.&nbsp; For example, the states locked down by their governors have 46% more COVID deaths per million of population than the seven states not shut down.&nbsp; The survival rate for the states left open is 99% versus 97.6 % for the states shut down.States not shut down by their governors also have less job loss.&nbsp; They lost 4.5% of private jobs between February and September, versus 7.7% for the others.&nbsp; Nebraska is one the states not shuttered by their governor; if Kansas had only lost 3.7% of jobs like Nebraska (instead of our loss of 5.2%), there would have been 17,000 more jobs here in September.But don’t just take my word for this; watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNsi1_BB6Tw">the video</a> of the legislative hearing and you’ll understand the full depth of media bias in Topeka.Dave Trabert is CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute, an educational and research organization.

Opinion