By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

Nobody ever expects to be a victim of a natural disaster.

However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that since 1980, the United States has sustained 355 weather and climate disasters at an average expense of $57.8 billion per year.

Unfortunately, we can’t change the weather, but we can keep ourselves safe and prepare for disaster.

Kansas State University Family Resource Management Specialist, Elizabeth Kiss, shares more:

“One of the best things to do is to start or add to what’s called a ‘Grab and Go’ box,” Kiss says. “If bad weather is approaching…and you need to evacuate your house, just take the box with you and go, and you’ll have the things you need to recover from any eventual loss.”

Items that should be stored in a Grab and Go box, according to Kiss, include originals or paper copies of such items as:

· Insurance policies, particularly property insurance.

Then, consider some personal items such as photos, letters and various keepsakes, and even a small amount of money. The box should be waterproof and/or fireproof, Kiss said.

“We have become very dependent on things being online, but depending on the severity of any sort of emergency, we may be able to recover faster with paper copies,” Kiss said. “We just don’t know.”

Preparing a household inventory and building a Grab and Go box may seem daunting, but Kiss says it begins by doing just a little bit at a time.

“In terms of the household inventory, we recommend starting with one room, or even one part of a room at a time,” she said.

“Something is better than nothing. You can even videotape documents with your phone these days, or take pictures…that’s a start. You do need to have some documentation about when things were purchased and what their value was, but video or pictures is a start. Then be sure you take your documentation from your phone and store it in a way electronically that you can access it if something were to happen to your phone.”

Kiss also suggests talking with insurance agents to make sure you’re adequately covered for loss to the home and personal property; and consider storing copies of your important documents off-site – such as in the home of a trusted friend or relative.

“Much of the Grab N Go Box is records that you would be keeping anyway,” Kiss said. “It’s a form of record keeping, and it’s just being proactive to have it in one place in case of an emergency.”

More information on preparing important documents ahead of disaster is available in the K-State Research and Extension publication, Get Financially Prepared: Take Steps Ahead of Disaster.

Information is also available online from K-State Research and Extension, and from the U.S. government website, https://www.ready.gov.

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictNobody ever expects to be a victim of a natural disaster.However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that since 1980, the United States has sustained 355 weather and climate disasters at an average expense of $57.8 billion per year.Unfortunately, we can’t change the weather, but we can keep ourselves safe and prepare for disaster.Kansas State University Family Resource Management Specialist, Elizabeth Kiss, shares more:“One of the best things to do is to start or add to what’s called a ‘Grab and Go’ box,” Kiss says. “If bad weather is approaching…and you need to evacuate your house, just take the box with you and go, and you’ll have the things you need to recover from any eventual loss.”Items that should be stored in a Grab and Go box, according to Kiss, include originals or paper copies of such items as:· Birth certificates.· Social security cards.· Marriage certificates.· Passports· Driver’s license.· Credit cards.· Titles for vehicles.· Insurance policies, particularly property insurance.· Household inventoryThen, consider some personal items such as photos, letters and various keepsakes, and even a small amount of money. The box should be waterproof and/or fireproof, Kiss said.“We have become very dependent on things being online, but depending on the severity of any sort of emergency, we may be able to recover faster with paper copies,” Kiss said. “We just don’t know.”Preparing a household inventory and building a Grab and Go box may seem daunting, but Kiss says it begins by doing just a little bit at a time.“In terms of the household inventory, we recommend starting with one room, or even one part of a room at a time,” she said.“Something is better than nothing. You can even videotape documents with your phone these days, or take pictures…that’s a start. You do need to have some documentation about when things were purchased and what their value was, but video or pictures is a start. Then be sure you take your documentation from your phone and store it in a way electronically that you can access it if something were to happen to your phone.”Kiss also suggests talking with insurance agents to make sure you’re adequately covered for loss to the home and personal property; and consider storing copies of your important documents off-site – such as in the home of a trusted friend or relative.“Much of the Grab N Go Box is records that you would be keeping anyway,” Kiss said. “It’s a form of record keeping, and it’s just being proactive to have it in one place in case of an emergency.”More information on preparing important documents ahead of disaster is available in the K-State Research and Extension publication, Get Financially Prepared: Take Steps Ahead of Disaster.Information is also available online from K-State Research and Extension, and from the U.S. government website, https://www.ready.gov.###Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.

WINKEL: Grab ‘N Go, be prepared for severe weather

By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas Outdoors

Cats of any description are fierce, efficient hunters, and feral cats, all-the-more. They do untold damage to pheasant and quail populations and kill large numbers of songbirds. By feral cats I mean cats that live totally in the wild and possibly haven’t had a domestic relative for years or even generations; NOT “Fluffy” next door that rolls around at your feet and plays hide and seek with you from a paper sack.

Feral cats have become so overpopulated in some states that over the years, hunting seasons have actually been proposed for them. Heck, when we were kids, we called feral cats RT’s, short for Running Targets. But I think I have some good ideas to actually utilize feral cats in today’s topsy-turvey society. For starters, and in light of all the recent “protests” at our nation’s colleges, how about using them for crowd control. Rioting crowds would probably react badly to snarling German Shepherds, which will soon be history anyway since the K-9 police units will probably be washed down the drain with the rest of law enforcement officers by those claiming animal cruelty. But who’s gonna’ notice a few fluffy cats rubbing against everyone’s legs. Really long-haired ones rolled in some sort of fairy-dust sleeping potion and turned loose to spread it through the crowd could have the “demonstrators” simply falling asleep where they stand. All that’s needed is to pile everyone against the curbs and traffic is restored; no buildings burned, no one shot, no historic statues that have stood there for generations torn down, and just look at the money saved on tear gas. Hopefully when the protestors all awake to see how pathetic they look on the evening news, they’ll just slink off into the shadows and be too ashamed to try it again.

Since it appears many 911 calls could soon be answered by only mental health professionals of some description who will undoubtedly be unarmed except for a clipboard and some colored markers, a few of the nastiest, old hag, feral cats can be trained to go with them when they enter whatever the new nations within our cities will call themselves by then. They can be carried in small cat size carriers or with those nifty little harnesses with a handle so they can be carted around like a lunch box. “A cat against a crowd of demonstrators?” you’re thinking. Remember,

these “demonstrators” that want the world to believe they are the toughest things since Dirty Harry are mostly snowflakes and tree huggers; they’ll urge violence against law enforcement officers and burn cities, but they won’t harm a cat. And if one does get out-of-line, that old hag, feral cat will lay them open like a fish with a couple lightning quick swipes of a paw; pretty good protection I’d say.

Those new nations set-up within our cities will probably become overrun with rodents, since none of the snowflakes or tree huggers would ever think of killing a mouse or rat. Heck, I have already read a report claiming someone released rats into one of the college “encampments.” Those rodents would soon spread out into the rest of the city, so a crew of feral cats released there could soon take care of the issue. Besides, the only food our feline mousers would be offered by residents there would probably only be vegan.

Well, there you have just a few examples of innovative ways to repurpose feral cats for today’s topsy-turvey world. I see it as a win-win-deal; a few feral cats are taken out of the wild, pet lovers are happy cause’ they weren’t killed and we hunters reap the benefits… Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsCats of any description are fierce, efficient hunters, and feral cats, all-the-more. They do untold damage to pheasant and quail populations and kill large numbers of songbirds. By feral cats I mean cats that live totally in the wild and possibly haven’t had a domestic relative for years or even generations; NOT “Fluffy” next door that rolls around at your feet and plays hide and seek with you from a paper sack.Feral cats have become so overpopulated in some states that over the years, hunting seasons have actually been proposed for them. Heck, when we were kids, we called feral cats RT’s, short for Running Targets. But I think I have some good ideas to actually utilize feral cats in today’s topsy-turvey society. For starters, and in light of all the recent “protests” at our nation’s colleges, how about using them for crowd control. Rioting crowds would probably react badly to snarling German Shepherds, which will soon be history anyway since the K-9 police units will probably be washed down the drain with the rest of law enforcement officers by those claiming animal cruelty. But who’s gonna’ notice a few fluffy cats rubbing against everyone’s legs. Really long-haired ones rolled in some sort of fairy-dust sleeping potion and turned loose to spread it through the crowd could have the “demonstrators” simply falling asleep where they stand. All that’s needed is to pile everyone against the curbs and traffic is restored; no buildings burned, no one shot, no historic statues that have stood there for generations torn down, and just look at the money saved on tear gas. Hopefully when the protestors all awake to see how pathetic they look on the evening news, they’ll just slink off into the shadows and be too ashamed to try it again.Since it appears many 911 calls could soon be answered by only mental health professionals of some description who will undoubtedly be unarmed except for a clipboard and some colored markers, a few of the nastiest, old hag, feral cats can be trained to go with them when they enter whatever the new nations within our cities will call themselves by then. They can be carried in small cat size carriers or with those nifty little harnesses with a handle so they can be carted around like a lunch box. “A cat against a crowd of demonstrators?” you’re thinking. Remember,these “demonstrators” that want the world to believe they are the toughest things since Dirty Harry are mostly snowflakes and tree huggers; they’ll urge violence against law enforcement officers and burn cities, but they won’t harm a cat. And if one does get out-of-line, that old hag, feral cat will lay them open like a fish with a couple lightning quick swipes of a paw; pretty good protection I’d say.Those new nations set-up within our cities will probably become overrun with rodents, since none of the snowflakes or tree huggers would ever think of killing a mouse or rat. Heck, I have already read a report claiming someone released rats into one of the college “encampments.” Those rodents would soon spread out into the rest of the city, so a crew of feral cats released there could soon take care of the issue. Besides, the only food our feline mousers would be offered by residents there would probably only be vegan.Well, there you have just a few examples of innovative ways to repurpose feral cats for today’s topsy-turvey world. I see it as a win-win-deal; a few feral cats are taken out of the wild, pet lovers are happy cause’ they weren’t killed and we hunters reap the benefits… Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Repurposing feral cats for today’s topsy-turvey world

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

In November 2021, I wrote my second column for Insight Kansas as a guest contributor. I wrote on the prevalence of lead pipes in our state.

The number of lead pipes in Kansas is particularly high, comparatively, because lead mining was a major industry in southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri.

This issue is an important one to me as I grew up right outside of Flint, Michigan and the Flint Water Crisis had a major impact on my loved ones.

In that column I discussed a national study published by the American Medical Association that showed 65% of Kansas children (15 points higher than the national average) had elevated levels of lead in their blood. I also discussed the ability of the then-being-debated federal infrastructure bill to prevent exposing our children to even more lead.

Children are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects caused by lead exposure.

Per the National Resources Defense Council, Kansas has the third highest number of lead pipes per capita; an estimated 158,000 lead pipes are still in place across the state. These pipes carry potentially toxic water into our homes, businesses, and schools.

However, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced wonderful news this week for Kansas. The agency has allocated $28.6 million from the 2021 federal infrastructure bill to continue replacing our state’s lead water pipes.

This $28.6 million won’t replace all the remaining lead pipes in Kansas, but it will make a decent dent.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that no amount of lead exposure is safe, so any amount of reduction in lead pipes is a win for Kansas’ kids

The EPA’s goal is to replace all remaining lead pipes nationwide by 2033.

As I stated in that previous column: if the past four years have shown us anything it’s that health crises are public problems and therefore require public solutions.

In these four years we have also learned that scientific truths are often dismissed for political reasons.

The 2021 bill that is providing the funding for the EPA to replace our state’s lead pipes was passed with bipartisan support. However, only Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas’ Third Congressional District voted in support of the bill; the other five members of Kansas’ congressional delegation voted opposed.

It’s very unlikely that the Republican members of our congressional delegation were specifically opposed to the funds earmarked for lead pipe replacement.

However, as I wrote over two years ago, government’s ability to protect rights, promote equality, and prevent historic injustice is reliant on their willingness to use their governing power preventatively.

A lead crisis, like the one in Flint, Michigan, would be too late for Kansas’ kids. No amount of lead exposure is safe.

The $28.6 million in federal infrastructure funds is our chance to protect the health and wellbeing of Kansas’ kids. Additional allocations in future infrastructure bills could get us even closer to this goal.

With the current funding allocations for lead pipe replacement, the federal government strides towards safeguarding Kansas’ children from lead exposure. While not a complete solution, it signifies progress in a crucial battle for public health. As we continue this fight, let’s remember: every step counts in securing a safer future for our kids.

Alexandra Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694699489540.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight KansasIn November 2021, I wrote my second column for Insight Kansas as a guest contributor. I wrote on the prevalence of lead pipes in our state.The number of lead pipes in Kansas is particularly high, comparatively, because lead mining was a major industry in southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri.This issue is an important one to me as I grew up right outside of Flint, Michigan and the Flint Water Crisis had a major impact on my loved ones.In that column I discussed a national study published by the American Medical Association that showed 65% of Kansas children (15 points higher than the national average) had elevated levels of lead in their blood. I also discussed the ability of the then-being-debated federal infrastructure bill to prevent exposing our children to even more lead.Children are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects caused by lead exposure.Per the National Resources Defense Council, Kansas has the third highest number of lead pipes per capita; an estimated 158,000 lead pipes are still in place across the state. These pipes carry potentially toxic water into our homes, businesses, and schools.However, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced wonderful news this week for Kansas. The agency has allocated $28.6 million from the 2021 federal infrastructure bill to continue replacing our state’s lead water pipes.This $28.6 million won’t replace all the remaining lead pipes in Kansas, but it will make a decent dent.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that no amount of lead exposure is safe, so any amount of reduction in lead pipes is a win for Kansas’ kidsThe EPA’s goal is to replace all remaining lead pipes nationwide by 2033.As I stated in that previous column: if the past four years have shown us anything it’s that health crises are public problems and therefore require public solutions.In these four years we have also learned that scientific truths are often dismissed for political reasons.The 2021 bill that is providing the funding for the EPA to replace our state’s lead pipes was passed with bipartisan support. However, only Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas’ Third Congressional District voted in support of the bill; the other five members of Kansas’ congressional delegation voted opposed.It’s very unlikely that the Republican members of our congressional delegation were specifically opposed to the funds earmarked for lead pipe replacement.However, as I wrote over two years ago, government’s ability to protect rights, promote equality, and prevent historic injustice is reliant on their willingness to use their governing power preventatively.A lead crisis, like the one in Flint, Michigan, would be too late for Kansas’ kids. No amount of lead exposure is safe.The $28.6 million in federal infrastructure funds is our chance to protect the health and wellbeing of Kansas’ kids. Additional allocations in future infrastructure bills could get us even closer to this goal.With the current funding allocations for lead pipe replacement, the federal government strides towards safeguarding Kansas’ children from lead exposure. While not a complete solution, it signifies progress in a crucial battle for public health. As we continue this fight, let’s remember: every step counts in securing a safer future for our kids.Alexandra Middlewood, PhD is the Department Chair of Political Science at Wichita State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: A $28.6 million lifeline, progress in Kansas’ lead pipe problem

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

I have been getting more phone calls this year than normal about wheat fields being infected with Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV).

As a reminder volunteer wheat ideally needs to be completely dead/killed two weeks before wheat is drilled in the Fall. Volunteer wheat, or wheat leftover from past crops, houses the wheat curl mite. Mite populations, ultimately, depend on the amount of volunteer wheat within an area. If you had some wheat in a neighboring field that survived after harvest, or maybe it was hidden in some double crop field nearby, that's where those curl mites survive. They can then blow into your field or a neighbor’s field in either the fall or the early spring and that's typically when you start to see damage.

You can get wheat samples tested for WSMV at the K-State plant pathology lab, just to confirm it. You can contact your local Extension Office to bring in your sample.

You get kind of a fan appearance, so it is worse on the edge of the field and gets progressively better as you move towards the center of the field.

Warm weather conditions induce the appearance of wheat streak mosaic within fields. While plants may be infected during the winter and times of cold, hot temperatures activate the viruses’ symptoms. “Usually, you don't see that streaking symptom until the weather starts to warm, so we can have some infection cooking there over the winter”, says K-State wheat disease specialist Kelsey Anderson Onofre.

Increased moisture and other weather events during the 2023 harvest contributed to more volunteer wheat and desirable conditions for the wheat streak mosaic virus to thrive in the current growing season.

One last note or observation from my experience is that in the spring when volunteer wheat gets terminated either with tillage or herbicide. If there is nearby wheat it will get WSMV. Because the curl mite must have green and living tissue to survive on. Once the wheat is dying or killed, the mite will leave the plants using the wind because they do not have wings. They will then infest other nearby healthy fields with the wheat curl mite and thus WSMV.

For further information about WSMV just search on-line for Wheat Streak Mosaic, KSU. If you have any questions give me a call at 785-628-9430.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictI have been getting more phone calls this year than normal about wheat fields being infected with Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV).As a reminder volunteer wheat ideally needs to be completely dead/killed two weeks before wheat is drilled in the Fall. Volunteer wheat, or wheat leftover from past crops, houses the wheat curl mite. Mite populations, ultimately, depend on the amount of volunteer wheat within an area. If you had some wheat in a neighboring field that survived after harvest, or maybe it was hidden in some double crop field nearby, that's where those curl mites survive. They can then blow into your field or a neighbor’s field in either the fall or the early spring and that's typically when you start to see damage.You can get wheat samples tested for WSMV at the K-State plant pathology lab, just to confirm it. You can contact your local Extension Office to bring in your sample.You get kind of a fan appearance, so it is worse on the edge of the field and gets progressively better as you move towards the center of the field.Warm weather conditions induce the appearance of wheat streak mosaic within fields. While plants may be infected during the winter and times of cold, hot temperatures activate the viruses’ symptoms. “Usually, you don't see that streaking symptom until the weather starts to warm, so we can have some infection cooking there over the winter”, says K-State wheat disease specialist Kelsey Anderson Onofre.Increased moisture and other weather events during the 2023 harvest contributed to more volunteer wheat and desirable conditions for the wheat streak mosaic virus to thrive in the current growing season.One last note or observation from my experience is that in the spring when volunteer wheat gets terminated either with tillage or herbicide. If there is nearby wheat it will get WSMV. Because the curl mite must have green and living tissue to survive on. Once the wheat is dying or killed, the mite will leave the plants using the wind because they do not have wings. They will then infest other nearby healthy fields with the wheat curl mite and thus WSMV.For further information about WSMV just search on-line for Wheat Streak Mosaic, KSU. If you have any questions give me a call at 785-628-9430.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Wheat Streak Mosaic virus

K<a>ANSAS LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS SINE DIE ON APRIL 30TH.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

On April 30, the Kansas Legislature wrapped up the 2024 regular session.&nbsp;&nbsp;Known in the legislature as Sine Die, it officially marks the final adjournment for the 2024 Legislative Session and ended on Day 88.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate sent 53 bills to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;There were 233 Senate bills introduced in 2024 for a total during this last two-year cycle of 559. Barring a special session, the full legislature will return on January 13, 2025.

On Tuesday night, the Kansas House and Senate passed&nbsp;<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb37/" target="_blank">SB 37</a>, a bi-partisan compromise plan that reduces taxes for every Kansan.&nbsp;&nbsp;It fully repeals the state income tax on Social Security benefits, cuts property taxes, eliminates the state sales tax on food on July 1st, and simplifies and lowers income taxes.&nbsp;&nbsp;The passage of SB 37 comes closely on the heels of the Senate coming within one vote of overriding the governor’s veto of HB 2036.&nbsp;&nbsp;This latest compromise plan is nearly identical to HB 2036, with tweaks to reduce the fiscal note to address the governor’s stated reason for vetoing the bi-partisan bill.&nbsp;&nbsp;Specifically, the bill would:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Restructure and simplify individual income tax brackets from three to two;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lower the two brackets from their current levels;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exempt Social Security income from the individual income tax;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dramatically increase the personal exemption while also increasing the standard deduction;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reduce privilege tax rates;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Abolish the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exempt $100,000 of appraised value of residential property exempt from the statewide property tax and reduces the statewide mill levy to 19.5 mills; and&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Accelerate the elimination of the state sales tax on food to July 1st.

Current law provides for three income tax brackets:

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.1%:&nbsp;&nbsp;$0 - $15K ($30K joint)

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.25%: $15K - $30K ($30K-60K joint)

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.7%:&nbsp;&nbsp;$30K+ ($60K-joint)

SB 37 simplifies the tax code into two lower brackets:

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.2%:&nbsp;&nbsp;$0-$23K ($0 - $46K joint)&nbsp;

o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.57%:&nbsp;&nbsp;$23K+ ($46K+ joint)&nbsp;

SB 37 passed the House 108-11 with a bi-partisan super majority as well as the Senate 25-9 with a bi-partisan majority.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2096/" target="_blank">HB 2096</a>&nbsp;would enact the Veterans’ Valor Property Tax Relief Act, make changes to the Homeowners’ Property Tax Freeze Program, create property tax exemptions for certain businesses subject to government competition and certain personal property, limit transactions that can be considered valid sales for property tax purposes, and modify law related to property valuation notices and appeals.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2096 passed the Senate 23-11. Having also passed the House 91-26.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a>OMNIBUS APPROPRIATION BILL</a><a></a><a></a>

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2551/" target="_blank">HB 2551</a>&nbsp;as recommended&nbsp;by the Conference Committee on House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means, contains funding for selected adjustments in FY 2024 through FY 2027.&nbsp;&nbsp;Expenditures for the Kansas State Department of Education reflect expenditures in the Conference Committee Report on SB 387.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, total expenditures reflected throughout this report include both SB 28, the mega appropriation bill, and SB 438, relating to the Kansas blueprint for literacy. For the purposes of this report, expenditures related to the Kansas State Schools for the Blind and Deaf, State Historical Society, and State Library are included within the higher education function of government.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2551 passed the Senate 22-12 and also passed the House 71-49.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and the bill is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb387/" target="_blank">SB 387</a>&nbsp;would make appropriations for the Kansas State Department of Education for FY 2024, FY 2025, and FY 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a>SB 387 passed the Senate 35-2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having passed the House 115-2.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a><a>I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.</a>

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2097/" target="_blank">HB 2097</a>&nbsp;would enact the Kansas Film and Digital Media Production Development Act, which would create nonrefundable income tax credits and a sales tax exemption for qualifying film production activities to incentivize and promote the growth of film and digital media production and industry in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2097 passed the Senate 32-5.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 102-22.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2784/" target="_blank">HB 2784</a>&nbsp;would transfer authority for certification of continuing care retirement communities from the Kansas Insurance Department to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).&nbsp;&nbsp;It also would amend law regarding the certification of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) and would prohibit the State Fire Marshal and the Marshal’s representatives from wearing or operating an audio or video recording device during an on-site inspection in certain facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed HB 2784 39-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 122-0. I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb500/" target="_blank">SB 500</a>&nbsp;would amend law pertaining to restricted driving privileges for certain individuals who violate the misdemeanor offense of failure to comply with a traffic citation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would take effect on January 1, 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 500 passed the Senate 36-1.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 120-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb287/" target="_blank">SB 287</a>&nbsp;contains several bills related to improving health care law in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;It would require parental consent to health care services for a minor child provided in a school facility. It would also establish the No Patient Left Alone Act, which would specify that when providing end-of-life care, a patient care facility would not be able to act to prevent a patient from receiving in-person visitation from any person designated by the patient if the patient has the capacity to make such designation.&nbsp;&nbsp;If the patient does not have the capacity for such designation, the patient’s agent for health care decisions established by a durable power of attorney would be allowed to designate visitors.&nbsp;&nbsp;It would amend law regarding the licensure of rural emergency hospitals and amend law concerning emergency medical services (EMS) to add provisions allowing distribution of nonprescription, over-the-counter medications, as approved by the EMS medical director, to the list of interventions that emergency medical responders may provide.&nbsp;SB 287 passed the Senate 26-10. Having also passed the House 111-10.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.<a></a>

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb414/" target="_blank">SB 414</a>&nbsp;would&nbsp;amend the elements of the crime of aggravated endangering a child by adding fentanyl to the list of drugs for which causing or permitting a child to be in an environment where the person knows or reasonably should know the drug is present would constitute the crime.&nbsp;&nbsp;It removes a loophole in the law concerning breaches of privacy to ensure people cannot be recorded in their private state without their knowledge, whether or not the breach is done secretly or not.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill also amends law in the Kansas Code of Procedure for Municipal Courts governing fingerprinting for municipal convictions; amend provisions in sentencing law regarding computation of time served; and update terms and conditions of supervision for certain offenders.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed the bill 36-0. Having passed the House 114-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb419/" target="_blank">SB 419</a>&nbsp;would provide immunity from prosecution for possession of a controlled substance or certain drug paraphernalia if the person seeks medical assistance while under the influence of a controlled substance or provides medical assistance to a person who is under the influence of a controlled substance and needs medical assistance.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed SB 419 36-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having passed the House 114-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb420/" target="_blank">SB 420</a>&nbsp;would establish criteria to permit juvenile offenders in the custody of the Secretary of Corrections to leave the juvenile facility for certain programming.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would authorize the Secretary to establish work release and educational release programs for juveniles and would specify a juvenile may attend such release programs outside the facility without a staff member or designated adult when the juvenile meets appropriate classification as defined KDOC policies and procedures. The Senate passed SB 420 36-0. Having also passed the House 113-1.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb291/" target="_blank">SB 291</a>&nbsp;would create and amend law concerning the administration and organization of information technology (IT) and cybersecurity services within each branch of state government.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed SB 291 27-9 and passed the House 113-1. I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2176/" target="_blank">HB 2176</a>&nbsp;would create the Arkansas City Area Public Library District Act and the Udall Area Public Library District Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2176 passed the Senate 32-3 and passed the House 120-0. I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2531/" target="_blank">HB 2531</a>&nbsp;would establish the Kansas Purple Alert Plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Purple Alert Plan would be established and implemented by the Office of the Attorney General, in collaboration with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol, local law enforcement agencies, and other public and private agencies and organizations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Under the Purple Alert Plan, public notice of a missing individual could be promptly broadcast, and a search could be timely undertaken with the cooperation of local law enforcement, news media, and the general public in order to locate the individual.&nbsp;&nbsp;Citizens included are 18 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability and are believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death because of their disability and unable to return to safety without assistance.&nbsp;HB 2531 passed the Senate 36-0 and passed the House 120-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2047/" target="_blank">HB 2047</a>&nbsp;would make clarifying amendments to the Farm Animal and Field Crop and Research Facilities Protection Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2047 passed the Senate 34-2 and passed the House 108-12.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2392/" target="_blank">HB 2392</a>&nbsp;would modify the definition of “veteran” and “disabled veteran” to clarify the discharge status (or characterization of service) a member of the Armed Forces must receive to be eligible for certain benefits in Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would also authorize issuance of a 1st Infantry Division and an Armed Service Occupation Medal distinctive license plates.&nbsp;&nbsp;HB 2392 passed the Senate 36-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having passed the House 120-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb339/" target="_blank">SB 339</a>&nbsp;would prohibit the distribution of State Foundation Aid moneys within the budget of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to a school district that has no students enrolled in and attending a school of such district.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would also provide that, if students who are residents of such school district are enrolled in and attending any other school district, such students shall be counted as regularly enrolled in and attending school in such other school district and not counted in the school district of residence.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 339 passed the Senate 34-3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having passed the House 117-2.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is headed to the governor.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2530/" target="_blank">HB 2530</a>&nbsp;would make changes to how the members of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission are appointed to provide for differing perspectives on a commission that regulates hunting and fishing.&nbsp;The Senate passed the bill 21-18.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted no.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 78-45, it is now headed to the governor.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb318/" target="_blank">SB 318</a>&nbsp;would amend the Code of Evidence to specify how a statutory or common law presumption or inference against a criminal defendant is to be construed and to establish a permissive inference when a person is found to possess certain quantities of a controlled substance.&nbsp;&nbsp;The House voted 122-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed the bill 39-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb232/" target="_blank">SB 232</a>&nbsp;which would amend law regarding child support guidelines to require the courts to adopt rules that consider the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses for the mother of an unborn child and the unborn child.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would specify the maximum amount of ordered child support of an unborn child is not to exceed the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother of the unborn child, excluding any costs related to an elective abortion.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 232 passed the Senate 25-12. Having also passed the House 82-38.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes and it is headed to the governor.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb172/" target="_blank">SB 172</a>&nbsp;would create the Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill would prohibit foreign principals from countries of concern from acquiring any interest in non-residential real property located within 100 miles of the boundary of any military installation located in Kansas or an adjacent state. The Act would not apply to a de minimis interest in such real property; transactions approved by the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS); and foreign principals who hold a national security agreement with CFIUS or the U.S. Department of Defense.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate passed SB 172 24-14, having also passed the House 86-39.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It now heads to the governor.&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2098/" target="_blank">HB 2098</a>&nbsp;would create a sales tax deduction for certain motor vehicle transactions, provide for manufacturer’s coupons to be excluded from sales price for sales tax purposes, and create several sales tax exemptions.&nbsp;&nbsp;On the override vote, HB 2098 passed the Senate 37-0.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 99-20, the veto was overridden.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2436/" target="_blank">HB 2436</a>&nbsp;would make it a crime to unlawfully coerce a woman to obtain an abortion, engaging in coercion with both the knowledge a woman is pregnant and the intent to compel such woman to obtain an abortion when such woman has expressed her desire to not obtain an abortion.&nbsp;The veto was overridden in the Senate by a vote of 28-10.&nbsp;&nbsp;With the House also having overridden the veto by a vote of 85-40, he bill will now become law. &nbsp;I voted yes to override. &nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2465/" target="_blank">HB 2465</a>&nbsp;would provide a tax credit for certain contributions to certain pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities and enact a sales tax exemption for pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;It also&nbsp;enacts the Adoption Savings Account Act&nbsp;that would establish adoption savings accounts and dramatically expand the adoption tax credit.&nbsp;&nbsp;By a vote of&nbsp;29-7 in the Senate, the legislature overrode the governor’s veto of this bill.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 85-40, it will become law.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/" target="_blank">HB 2583</a>&nbsp;increases the criminal penalty for harming or killing certain dogs and horses and requires restitution for such crime - including veterinary medical treatment, funeral and burial expenses and replacement of such animal.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate overrode the veto by a vote of 29-10.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 105-20. I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill will now become law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2648/" target="_blank">HB 2648</a>&nbsp;would generally prohibit the adoption of any rule or regulation that the economic impact statement indicates $1.0 million or more in implementation or compliance costs are reasonably expected to be incurred by or passed along to businesses, local governments, or individuals during the initial five-year period following the adoption of the rule or regulation, unless the rule or regulation has been ratified by the legislature by the enactment of a bill authorizing such rule or regulation.&nbsp;&nbsp;It would also require the Director of the Budget, in reviewing the economic impact statements for proposed rules and regulations, to conduct an independent analysis to determine the agency has complied with the requirements for economic impact statements and review the agency’s determination of the amount of implementation and compliance costs reasonably expected to be incurred by or passed along to businesses, local governments, and individuals over the initial five-year period following adoption of the rule or regulation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senate voted to override the veto 27-12.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 87-38, it now becomes law.

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb473/" target="_blank">SB 473</a>&nbsp;contains a number of provisions concerning crimes, punishment, and criminal procedure.&nbsp;&nbsp;This includes a notice to appear that meets certain requirements to serve as a lawful complaint, requiring a minimum appearance bond premium in district court, providing reasons for suspending or terminating authorization of a compensated surety, and authorizing the chief judge of a judicial district to require a compensated surety to submit to a state and national criminal history record check.&nbsp;&nbsp;The override of the veto on SB 473 passed the Senate 27-12.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a>Having also passed the House 87-38, it now becomes law.&nbsp;</a>

H<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2749/" target="_blank">B 2749</a>&nbsp;would provide for the written report of pregnancies lawfully terminated to be submitted by medical care facilities and persons licensed to practice medicine and surgery to the Secretary of Health and Environment, and also requires abortion providers to ask patients for the primary reason for obtaining the abortion.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is strictly voluntary and confidential.&nbsp;The Senate overrode the veto by a vote of 27-10.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also passed the House 84-41, it now becomes law.

The legislature successfully overrode the line-item veto of the Pregnancy Compassion Awareness Program in the budget, which provides funding to pregnancy resource centers to help women in crisis pregnancies.&nbsp;&nbsp;This line-item veto was overridden by the Senate 28-11. Having also been overridden in the House 86-39.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill will now become law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;legislature overrode the governor’s line-item veto of a provision in the budget capping the number of individuals on the state’s Intellectual and Development Disability and Physical Disability wait lists to receive services.&nbsp;&nbsp;By a vote of 28-12 in the Senate and a vote of 116-9 in the House, this line-item veto was overridden.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill will now become law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kansas Senate overrode the governor’s line-item veto of funding to send the Kansas National Guard to Texas to help Governor Abbott secure the border.&nbsp;&nbsp;This line-item veto was overridden by the Senate 28-12.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having also been overridden in the House 84-41, the provision is now law. I voted yes to override.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The legislature overrode the governor’s veto of a one-time $2.2 million appropriation for an osteopathic service scholarship and $750,000 for the KUMC Wichita residency program.&nbsp;&nbsp;The veto was overridden by a vote of 27-13 in the Senate and 97-28 in the House.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;

<a>FAILED VETO OVERRIDES&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb233/" target="_blank">SB 233</a>&nbsp;would enact the Forbidding Abusive Child Transitions Act, or the Help Not Harm Act, which would have prohibited “gender” surgeries and procedures on minors, including puberty blockers and chemical castration.&nbsp;&nbsp;While the Senate overrode the governor on SB 233 27-13, it failed in the House by a vote of 82-43, so the veto is sustained.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb271/" target="_blank">SB 271</a>&nbsp;would prohibit government agencies from purchasing or acquiring drones whose critical components were produced in a country of concern, or whose critical components were produced or owned by a foreign principal.<a>&nbsp;The bill would also&nbsp;</a>prohibit state agencies from entering into a contract or agreement to procure final or finished goods or services from certain foreign principal.&nbsp;&nbsp;SB 271 failed in the Senate 21-16, the veto is sustained. I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2618/" target="_blank">HB 2618</a>&nbsp;was the bill requiring legislative oversight of “Bidenbucks” by amending provisions of election law regarding the Transparency in Revenues Underwriting Elections Act to ensure legislative approval and direction of any funds received by the federal government in elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill also contained other fixes to election-related law.&nbsp;&nbsp;The House overrode the governor’s veto 84-41, but failed in the Senate 26-11 and the veto is sustained.&nbsp;&nbsp;I voted yes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WATCH RE-RUNS OF LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER AND COMMITTEE ACTION

If you would like to review the past session - Senate and House floor activity or watch committee hearings from each Chamber – you are able to find many choices at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_0NO-Pb96CFABvxDwXAq8A?view_as=subscriber" target="_blank">Kansas Legislature YouTube</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/" target="_blank">Kansas Legislature Audio</a>.

The 2025 Kansas Legislative Session will begin January 13th at 2:00 p.m. when we will be back in our offices at the Capitol in Topeka.&nbsp;&nbsp;Over the summer and fall, I may be reached at my legislative email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or my work email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:elaine@concordiaautomart.com">elaine@concordiaautomart.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;My work address in Concordia is 212 E. 6th&nbsp;St., Concordia, KS&nbsp;&nbsp;66901 and if you are in Concordia, drop by.&nbsp; My daytime work number is 785 243-3325x2 or email me questions, concerns, or ideas for legislative bills for the next session.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Visit the&nbsp;Kansas Legislature website in the off session at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a>&nbsp;which has extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, past sessions, historical data, internships, and pages for next year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It is an honor to serve you in the 36th&nbsp;Kansas Senate District and please feel free to contact me anytime.

Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300SW 10th St. Topeka, KS 66612 elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov <a href="mailto:elaine@concordiaautomart.com">elaine@concordiaautomart.com</a> <a href="http://www.elainebowers.com/" target="_blank">www.elainebowers.com</a> 785-243-3325x 2 or 785-296-7389 <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/" target="_blank">www.kslegislature.org</a><a href="http://www.elainebowers.com/" target="_blank">www.elainebowers.com</a>

Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is senator of the 36th District in Kansas, which includes:

* Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington Counties * Marshall County: Cities: Blue Rapids, Marysville, Oketo and Waterville; Townships: Blue Rapids, Blue Rapids City, Cottage Hill, Elm Creek, Herkimer, Logan, Marysville, Oketo, Walnut and Waterville * Phillips County: Cities: Agra, Glade, Kirwin and Phillipsburg; Townships: Arcade, Bow Creek, Crystal Deer Creek, Freedom, Glenwood, Greenwood, Kirwin, Phillipsburg, Plum, Rushville, Solomon(part), Sumner, Valley and Walnut

BOWERS: Senate Scene, 2024 legislative wrap 

I’ve heard some folks refer to cattle as hamburger on the hoof. With this reference in mind, the past few weeks had me salivating to think of potential, luscious jellies still on the bush. Yes, each of those fragrant bee-attracting blooms is a bit of jelly on the plant, and I can’t wait to harvest the fruits and heat up the kitchen.

This year’s currant bushes sport fragrant yellow blooms that promise tasty toast toppings, while hundreds of chokecherry bushes blossom out, hinting of savory, rose-red bliss. Unfortunately, some sand hill plums flowered so early that frost nipped blooms. Despite potential damage, I hope to harvest some for the jelly pot.

I’ve kept an eye on the wild grape vines nearby, but I can’t tell whether to develop a hankering for wild grape jelly or not. Grapes are difficult to predict because the plant can set little clusters, but dry conditions can shrivel them before they ever make actual fruit. Complicating matters, birds love wild grapes so it’s a contest to see whether I can pluck these from the vine before my feathered neighbors eat them first.

Years ago, our country currants produced in overdrive, but our free-range chickens dashed hopes of beating them to the harvest. I’d eyeball the deepening color of the round fruits each day, and by the time they reached picking perfection, 30+ walking egg factories gobbled til the little stems hung bare. I felt fortunate to toss a few in salads by the time the chickens finished their dinners. This year, our chickens live a confined life and we have to ask permission to pick wild currants. Based on the bloom, perhaps I’ll collect enough for jelly making.

Because a combination of an early bloom and a late frost wiped out most hopes of summer jelly making last summer, I’ve watched this year’s plants with an eagle eye. Barring insect or hail damage, this year’s jelly making prospects look good.

Currently, no pun intended, scores of empty jelly jars occupy a basement corner. Each empty vessel testifies to my failure to harvest a single chokecherry or sand hill plum over past summers. If there were wild grapes, I never found enough to amount to a pot of simmering purple brew.

This summer’s goal is to harvest bowls of currants, buckets of chokecherries and hopefully grapes, with a pan of sand hill plums added as each fruit ripens. I’ll simmer these in a kettle on the stove to create a little magic with simple ingredients such as Sure Gel and sugar added to fruit juices. Once the cooked mixture drips ever so slowly off a mixing spoon, I’ll pour the ambrosia into empty fruit jars, seal them, and let them jell. For dramatic effect, I’ll stack the results in front of my kitchen window and let the rising sun shine through until it looks like stained glass.

Once I savor those pretty colors, I’ll share with family and friends throughout the winter as reminders of summer on toast and biscuits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714675862915.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINI’ve heard some folks refer to cattle as hamburger on the hoof. With this reference in mind, the past few weeks had me salivating to think of potential, luscious jellies still on the bush. Yes, each of those fragrant bee-attracting blooms is a bit of jelly on the plant, and I can’t wait to harvest the fruits and heat up the kitchen.This year’s currant bushes sport fragrant yellow blooms that promise tasty toast toppings, while hundreds of chokecherry bushes blossom out, hinting of savory, rose-red bliss. Unfortunately, some sand hill plums flowered so early that frost nipped blooms. Despite potential damage, I hope to harvest some for the jelly pot.I’ve kept an eye on the wild grape vines nearby, but I can’t tell whether to develop a hankering for wild grape jelly or not. Grapes are difficult to predict because the plant can set little clusters, but dry conditions can shrivel them before they ever make actual fruit. Complicating matters, birds love wild grapes so it’s a contest to see whether I can pluck these from the vine before my feathered neighbors eat them first.Years ago, our country currants produced in overdrive, but our free-range chickens dashed hopes of beating them to the harvest. I’d eyeball the deepening color of the round fruits each day, and by the time they reached picking perfection, 30+ walking egg factories gobbled til the little stems hung bare. I felt fortunate to toss a few in salads by the time the chickens finished their dinners. This year, our chickens live a confined life and we have to ask permission to pick wild currants. Based on the bloom, perhaps I’ll collect enough for jelly making.Because a combination of an early bloom and a late frost wiped out most hopes of summer jelly making last summer, I’ve watched this year’s plants with an eagle eye. Barring insect or hail damage, this year’s jelly making prospects look good.Currently, no pun intended, scores of empty jelly jars occupy a basement corner. Each empty vessel testifies to my failure to harvest a single chokecherry or sand hill plum over past summers. If there were wild grapes, I never found enough to amount to a pot of simmering purple brew.This summer’s goal is to harvest bowls of currants, buckets of chokecherries and hopefully grapes, with a pan of sand hill plums added as each fruit ripens. I’ll simmer these in a kettle on the stove to create a little magic with simple ingredients such as Sure Gel and sugar added to fruit juices. Once the cooked mixture drips ever so slowly off a mixing spoon, I’ll pour the ambrosia into empty fruit jars, seal them, and let them jell. For dramatic effect, I’ll stack the results in front of my kitchen window and let the rising sun shine through until it looks like stained glass.Once I savor those pretty colors, I’ll share with family and friends throughout the winter as reminders of summer on toast and biscuits.

MADORIN: Jelly on the Bush

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

Do you have diabetes? Do you support someone you know that has diabetes? This class if for you!

Dining with Diabetes is a K-State Research and Extension health and wellness program that consist of a series of four classes that includes learning, demonstrations, physical activity and tasting healthy foods. The program's focus is to help individuals learn strategies to lessen the health risks of diabetes.

· Increase knowledge about healthy foods

· Present healthy versions of familiar foods and taste testing of recipes

· Provide basic information regarding diabetes and nutrition

· Provide opportunities for sharing and learning from one another and from diabetes health professionals

Dining with Diabetes is a national extension program provided to Kansans by K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences professionals and community health partners. The program is a series of four 2-hour classes that are held once a week. Classes consist of a presentation on diabetes self-care or healthful food choices; a five to ten-minute low-impact physical activity; presentations on tasty, healthy familiar foods, sampling foods, and demonstrations of cooking techniques using artificial sweeteners, reduced-fat foods, herbs, and spices.

The program is designed for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or at risk for diabetes and their family members, caregivers, and support persons.

Diabetes is an expensive disease. The recent research report, "Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017" estimates that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes has risen to $327 billion in 2017, this cost was estimated to be $245 billion in 2012. This represents a 26% increase over a five-

year period. This cost includes direct medical expenses ($237 billion) and the cost of reduced productivity ($90 billion). According to this study, people with diabetes spend an average of 2.3 times the amount people without diabetes spend each year on their health. That works out to an average of $16,752 a year per person, about $9,601 of which is directly attributed to diabetes. Source: American Diabetes Association, March 2018.

Diabetes is one of the costliest health conditions in Kansas. Diabetes and prediabetes cost an estimated $2.6 billion in Kansas each year (CDC). More than 50% of spending on type 2 diabetes is for treating health problems that could have been prevented with better diabetes management. Research shows that diabetes can be treated and managed by healthful eating, regular physical activity, and medications to lower blood glucose levels. The Dining with Diabetes program provides education and training focused on behaviors shown to help people with diabetes stay healthy.

Approximately 255,215 people in Kansas, or 11.4% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes.

An additional 66,000 people in Kansas have diabetes but don’t know it, greatly increasing their health risk.

There are 782,000 people in Kansas, 35.3% of the adult population, who have prediabetes with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Every year an estimated 20,271 people in Kansas are diagnosed with diabetes.

*Reference- American Diabetes Association October 2021 Report

Dining with Diabetes classes will be offered on June 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2024 from 4-6pm at the Hays Recreation Center Marcy Allenbaugh Conference Room. For more information or to sign up please call 785-628-9430 or email moniquek@ksu.edu. Cost is $35/person.

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522176561.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictDo you have diabetes? Do you support someone you know that has diabetes? This class if for you!Dining with Diabetes is a K-State Research and Extension health and wellness program that consist of a series of four classes that includes learning, demonstrations, physical activity and tasting healthy foods. The program's focus is to help individuals learn strategies to lessen the health risks of diabetes.Program Objectives· Increase knowledge about healthy foods· Present healthy versions of familiar foods and taste testing of recipes· Demonstrate new cooking techniques· Provide basic information regarding diabetes and nutrition· Provide opportunities for sharing and learning from one another and from diabetes health professionalsProgram DescriptionDining with Diabetes is a national extension program provided to Kansans by K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences professionals and community health partners. The program is a series of four 2-hour classes that are held once a week. Classes consist of a presentation on diabetes self-care or healthful food choices; a five to ten-minute low-impact physical activity; presentations on tasty, healthy familiar foods, sampling foods, and demonstrations of cooking techniques using artificial sweeteners, reduced-fat foods, herbs, and spices.Who can participate?The program is designed for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or at risk for diabetes and their family members, caregivers, and support persons.Why Dining with Diabetes?Diabetes is an expensive disease. The recent research report, "Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017" estimates that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes has risen to $327 billion in 2017, this cost was estimated to be $245 billion in 2012. This represents a 26% increase over a five-year period. This cost includes direct medical expenses ($237 billion) and the cost of reduced productivity ($90 billion). According to this study, people with diabetes spend an average of 2.3 times the amount people without diabetes spend each year on their health. That works out to an average of $16,752 a year per person, about $9,601 of which is directly attributed to diabetes. Source: American Diabetes Association, March 2018.Diabetes is one of the costliest health conditions in Kansas. Diabetes and prediabetes cost an estimated $2.6 billion in Kansas each year (CDC). More than 50% of spending on type 2 diabetes is for treating health problems that could have been prevented with better diabetes management. Research shows that diabetes can be treated and managed by healthful eating, regular physical activity, and medications to lower blood glucose levels. The Dining with Diabetes program provides education and training focused on behaviors shown to help people with diabetes stay healthy.Diabetes by the numbers in Kansas*Approximately 255,215 people in Kansas, or 11.4% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes.An additional 66,000 people in Kansas have diabetes but don’t know it, greatly increasing their health risk.There are 782,000 people in Kansas, 35.3% of the adult population, who have prediabetes with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.Every year an estimated 20,271 people in Kansas are diagnosed with diabetes.*Reference- American Diabetes Association October 2021 ReportDining with Diabetes classes will be offered on June 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2024 from 4-6pm at the Hays Recreation Center Marcy Allenbaugh Conference Room. For more information or to sign up please call 785-628-9430 or email moniquek@ksu.edu. Cost is $35/person.Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu

KOERNER: Dining with Diabetes will be offered in June 2024

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

You made it through another canning season, and when the last jar was filled you may have been glad to stash all equipment away quickly in order to be done….so why not take a little time right now to check all canning equipment and be prepared for this year’s food preservation season?

· Do you need more of a certain size of jar?

· Check current jars for nicks, cracks or rough edges along the lip and throughout the jar.

· Store empty clean jars in boxes or totes with thin cardboard between layers to protect jars from breakage.

· Next inventory flats, make note of what you’ll need for this season. Carefully check screw bands for rust, recycle those that are unusable.

· Are the bottoms flat and free from warping?

· Are the safety valves still flexible on the pressure canner lid?

· Are air vents clear of food particles?

· Is the pressure dial gauge been checked for accuracy?

· Are the canner handles tight and secure?

· Make sure the canners are clean. The darkened surface on the inside of an aluminum canner can be cleaned by filling it above the darkened line with a mixture of 1 tablespoon cream of tartar to each quart of water. Place the canner on the stove, heat water to a boil, and boil covered until the dark deposits disappear. Sometimes stubborn deposits may require the addition of more cream of tartar. Empty the canner and wash it with hot soapy water, rinse and dry.

· Store with crumpled newspapers inside to absorb moisture and odors. Place the lid upside down on the canner. Do not store a pressure canner with the lid clamped and sealed onto the canner.

· Does the pressure canner rubber seal (gasket) feel flexible and still fits tightly in the lid groove?

· Make sure small equipment, such as a jar lifter, headspace tool, flat magnetic wand, bubble freer and funnel are in good condition and functional.

· This is also a great time to think about updating canning publications -- there is a new edition of the “Ball Blue Book”, 38th edition, as well as the ultimate food preservation guidebook “So Easy to Preserve”.

· You can always check with your local Extension office for the latest canning guidelines. Happy canning!

If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, the answer is YES! If you have a metal weighted gauge pressure canner that does not require testing. However, a dial gauge must be tested for accuracy before each canning season. Contact your local Extension office to get your gauge tested: in Kansas go to, https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations/ to find your local office. Most Extension offices can test the following brands of pressure canners: Presto, National, Magic Seal, Maid of Honor. When canning low-acid vegetables, meats, fish and poultry, it is essential to use a pressure canner to get the product to high enough temperature to kill any Clostridium botulism spores that may be present. If your pressure gauge is registering one pound high, that will result in a 10% reduction in heating and if the gauge is two pounds high, you will have a 30% reduction in heating. This could be the difference between safe food and potentially deadly food. If your gauge is reading too low, you could be over processing your food, resulting in a lower quality product. For the safety of everyone consuming your pressure-canned foods, please check your dial gauge every year!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522176561.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension DistrictYou made it through another canning season, and when the last jar was filled you may have been glad to stash all equipment away quickly in order to be done….so why not take a little time right now to check all canning equipment and be prepared for this year’s food preservation season?First, inventory all canning equipment.<h2>Jars</h2>· Do you need more of a certain size of jar?· Check current jars for nicks, cracks or rough edges along the lip and throughout the jar.· Store empty clean jars in boxes or totes with thin cardboard between layers to protect jars from breakage.· Next inventory flats, make note of what you’ll need for this season. Carefully check screw bands for rust, recycle those that are unusable.<h2>Canners</h2>· Are the bottoms flat and free from warping?· Are the safety valves still flexible on the pressure canner lid?· Are air vents clear of food particles?· Is the pressure dial gauge been checked for accuracy?· Are the canner handles tight and secure?· Make sure the canners are clean. The darkened surface on the inside of an aluminum canner can be cleaned by filling it above the darkened line with a mixture of 1 tablespoon cream of tartar to each quart of water. Place the canner on the stove, heat water to a boil, and boil covered until the dark deposits disappear. Sometimes stubborn deposits may require the addition of more cream of tartar. Empty the canner and wash it with hot soapy water, rinse and dry.· Store with crumpled newspapers inside to absorb moisture and odors. Place the lid upside down on the canner. Do not store a pressure canner with the lid clamped and sealed onto the canner.· Does the pressure canner rubber seal (gasket) feel flexible and still fits tightly in the lid groove?<h2>Small Equipment</h2>· Make sure small equipment, such as a jar lifter, headspace tool, flat magnetic wand, bubble freer and funnel are in good condition and functional.· This is also a great time to think about updating canning publications -- there is a new edition of the “Ball Blue Book”, 38th edition, as well as the ultimate food preservation guidebook “So Easy to Preserve”.· You can always check with your local Extension office for the latest canning guidelines. Happy canning!Do I need to test my pressure gauge?If you have a dial gauge pressure canner, the answer is YES! If you have a metal weighted gauge pressure canner that does not require testing. However, a dial gauge must be tested for accuracy before each canning season. Contact your local Extension office to get your gauge tested: in Kansas go to, https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations/ to find your local office. Most Extension offices can test the following brands of pressure canners: Presto, National, Magic Seal, Maid of Honor. When canning low-acid vegetables, meats, fish and poultry, it is essential to use a pressure canner to get the product to high enough temperature to kill any Clostridium botulism spores that may be present. If your pressure gauge is registering one pound high, that will result in a 10% reduction in heating and if the gauge is two pounds high, you will have a 30% reduction in heating. This could be the difference between safe food and potentially deadly food. If your gauge is reading too low, you could be over processing your food, resulting in a lower quality product. For the safety of everyone consuming your pressure-canned foods, please check your dial gauge every year!Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu

KOERNER: Get Your Canning Equipment Ready NOW!

A few years back, Joyce was hooked on a couple British TV shows all about rescuing wildlife, and the British take that VERY seriously. Thing was, they rescued wildlife that (in my opinion) didn’t need or really shouldn’t have been rescued. I remember in one particular segment of the show they repaired the broken leg of a robin. Really? Now I like robins as well as the next guy, but I’ll bet the money spent on that operation could have bought real guns for a few of their “Bobbies” to carry instead of just nightsticks! If only the Brits’ put that much effort into finding a new phrase to replace “Bloody Hell!”

Some of the things they rescued on the shows were huge boa constrictors and pythons that had evidently been turned loose by disenchanted owners who possibly awoke one morning to find the beast wrapped around one of their body parts, prepping them as a snack. They’d bag them and take them back to their rehab center, where they were weighed, measured and checked over to assure they were healthy. Now I’m a snake guy and I always try to relocate rat and bull snakes I find, but if I came across a python or boa constrictor, the rescuers would find it VERY unhealthy when I delivered it. And then there was the question of what to do with them. Unless they planned to UPS them back to Africa where they belong, they couldn’t just turn them loose in the neighbor’s hayfield. I wonder if British homeless shelters accept snake meat.

Then there were the badgers. The British version of a badger looks slightly different than ours, and they don’t seem to be mean at all, but they’re everywhere! Not an episode of the show went by that they didn’t scoop up a badger from someone’s flower garden. They had an entire commune of badgers back at their facility that would eventually be released back into the wild. If word ever got out that I caught and released a badger in these parts, I’d be the one needing rehab! And heaven forbid one of them should appear a little sickly; if so, it was all hands on deck and the animal ER sprang to life! And if one of the little beggars happened to expire on their watch, it was Katie-bar-the-door and the whole staff appeared to need grief counseling.

A few years back the North American Falconry Association (NAFA) held its annual convention in Hutchinson, KS. There, amongst all the exotic birds of prey from all around the world sat Bob the Turkey Vulture. Now Bob was regal in his own way, but setting there on his perch with his wings all fanned out, he looked like Goofy in a room full of Snow Whites. Bob’s story began with falconers Mario and Brandi Nickerson from Ft. Worth, TX who also ran Nature’s Edge Wildlife Rescue, specializing in rescuing (there’s that word again) reptiles and birds of prey. One day they got some calls about an errant buzzard in town, and that evening they were told the thing was waltzing around in the middle of the football field while practice was in session. Can you imagine; to a football field full of city boys, that must have seemed like the stone gargoyle had come down from the front of the court house. The local animal control people were afraid to approach Bob, probably fearing he was Dracula in disguise and would pounce on them for a snack. When the couple arrived, Bob was on the roof of the house next door, so they retrieved a dead squirrel found stuck in the fence and tossed it near the house. Bob unceremoniously flew on down and began gnawing on their offering. With tarps, nets, and an open pet crate at the ready (and probably EMT’s on standby) they surrounded ole’ Bob, expecting a rodeo, but he again called their bluff and simply waddled into the crate with his treat in his mouth.

Back at the Nickerson’s home, the crate containing Bob was put temporarily in their kitchen till they could figure out Bob’s story. Maybe a vulture in your kitchen is the Texas equivalent of a garbage disposal? I’m thinkin’ that to the British wildlife “rescuers,” having a buzzard in your kitchen would put you right up there on a pedestal with the Queen mum herself. Anyway, Brandi said that the next morning when the cage door was opened and she stood there with Bob’s breakfast (one can only guess what that might have been) he charged out the door and across the kitchen aggressively for his hand-out. Long-story-short, they were pretty sure that given Bob’s reaction to humans and other physical characteristics they saw, he had been raised by humans and recently turned loose to fend for himself. I’m not sure what someone was thinking when they took in a turkey vulture chick as a pet. Did they not consider that one day it would grow into a full-grown buzzard? Would walking him through the park on a Sunday afternoon get as many girls as a puppy? I suppose you could always fly him like a kite.

The Nickerson’s credentials allowed them to keep ole’ Bob for educational purposes which was good. I can only guess what would go through a first grader’s mind when seeing a live turkey vulture close up. Although not really considered a pet, can you imagine the conversation starter Bob would be? And would you list him in your profile on an online dating site? “Outdoors loving animal rescue hero with pet turkey vulture looking for gal who likes black and has always wanted a pet buzzard in her kitchen.” Anyway, I’m glad ole’ Bob found a good home, and who knows, maybe he could be trained to start the dishwasher and run the vacuum cleaner once-in-awhile! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE GILLILAND Exploring Kansas OutdoorsA few years back, Joyce was hooked on a couple British TV shows all about rescuing wildlife, and the British take that VERY seriously. Thing was, they rescued wildlife that (in my opinion) didn’t need or really shouldn’t have been rescued. I remember in one particular segment of the show they repaired the broken leg of a robin. Really? Now I like robins as well as the next guy, but I’ll bet the money spent on that operation could have bought real guns for a few of their “Bobbies” to carry instead of just nightsticks! If only the Brits’ put that much effort into finding a new phrase to replace “Bloody Hell!”Some of the things they rescued on the shows were huge boa constrictors and pythons that had evidently been turned loose by disenchanted owners who possibly awoke one morning to find the beast wrapped around one of their body parts, prepping them as a snack. They’d bag them and take them back to their rehab center, where they were weighed, measured and checked over to assure they were healthy. Now I’m a snake guy and I always try to relocate rat and bull snakes I find, but if I came across a python or boa constrictor, the rescuers would find it VERY unhealthy when I delivered it. And then there was the question of what to do with them. Unless they planned to UPS them back to Africa where they belong, they couldn’t just turn them loose in the neighbor’s hayfield. I wonder if British homeless shelters accept snake meat.Then there were the badgers. The British version of a badger looks slightly different than ours, and they don’t seem to be mean at all, but they’re everywhere! Not an episode of the show went by that they didn’t scoop up a badger from someone’s flower garden. They had an entire commune of badgers back at their facility that would eventually be released back into the wild. If word ever got out that I caught and released a badger in these parts, I’d be the one needing rehab! And heaven forbid one of them should appear a little sickly; if so, it was all hands on deck and the animal ER sprang to life! And if one of the little beggars happened to expire on their watch, it was Katie-bar-the-door and the whole staff appeared to need grief counseling.A few years back the North American Falconry Association (NAFA) held its annual convention in Hutchinson, KS. There, amongst all the exotic birds of prey from all around the world sat Bob the Turkey Vulture. Now Bob was regal in his own way, but setting there on his perch with his wings all fanned out, he looked like Goofy in a room full of Snow Whites. Bob’s story began with falconers Mario and Brandi Nickerson from Ft. Worth, TX who also ran Nature’s Edge Wildlife Rescue, specializing in rescuing (there’s that word again) reptiles and birds of prey. One day they got some calls about an errant buzzard in town, and that evening they were told the thing was waltzing around in the middle of the football field while practice was in session. Can you imagine; to a football field full of city boys, that must have seemed like the stone gargoyle had come down from the front of the court house. The local animal control people were afraid to approach Bob, probably fearing he was Dracula in disguise and would pounce on them for a snack. When the couple arrived, Bob was on the roof of the house next door, so they retrieved a dead squirrel found stuck in the fence and tossed it near the house. Bob unceremoniously flew on down and began gnawing on their offering. With tarps, nets, and an open pet crate at the ready (and probably EMT’s on standby) they surrounded ole’ Bob, expecting a rodeo, but he again called their bluff and simply waddled into the crate with his treat in his mouth.Back at the Nickerson’s home, the crate containing Bob was put temporarily in their kitchen till they could figure out Bob’s story. Maybe a vulture in your kitchen is the Texas equivalent of a garbage disposal? I’m thinkin’ that to the British wildlife “rescuers,” having a buzzard in your kitchen would put you right up there on a pedestal with the Queen mum herself. Anyway, Brandi said that the next morning when the cage door was opened and she stood there with Bob’s breakfast (one can only guess what that might have been) he charged out the door and across the kitchen aggressively for his hand-out. Long-story-short, they were pretty sure that given Bob’s reaction to humans and other physical characteristics they saw, he had been raised by humans and recently turned loose to fend for himself. I’m not sure what someone was thinking when they took in a turkey vulture chick as a pet. Did they not consider that one day it would grow into a full-grown buzzard? Would walking him through the park on a Sunday afternoon get as many girls as a puppy? I suppose you could always fly him like a kite.The Nickerson’s credentials allowed them to keep ole’ Bob for educational purposes which was good. I can only guess what would go through a first grader’s mind when seeing a live turkey vulture close up. Although not really considered a pet, can you imagine the conversation starter Bob would be? And would you list him in your profile on an online dating site? “Outdoors loving animal rescue hero with pet turkey vulture looking for gal who likes black and has always wanted a pet buzzard in her kitchen.” Anyway, I’m glad ole’ Bob found a good home, and who knows, maybe he could be trained to start the dishwasher and run the vacuum cleaner once-in-awhile! Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Xtreme Wildlife Rescue

By RUSSELL FOX Insight Kansas

Like many of you, I’ve seen volunteers for the United Kansas Party over the past few months collecting signatures to gain ballot access as a legitimate political party. I’m happy to see them out there, even though their efforts imply something, I think, quite different from their intentions.

Why support them? Not because I think third parties are an effective way to challenge those in power. Outsiders to America’s two-party system face obstacles in the form of both restrictions put in place by the major parties, and also Americans’ attachment to supporting those party candidates they think can win. Small parties usually can’t overcome these challenges.

But there is also the desire to offer voters more choices, to represent points of view that some think are being ignored. Those are civic efforts that show a faith in democracy. But they also lead to the question: what “points of view” are the UKP seeking greater representation for?

In a recent wide-ranging discussion with the Kansas Reflector podcast, Jack Curtis, the founder of the UKP, was asked what “roster of issues” the movement cares most about. He listed a variety of very practical matters—but before any of them, he insisted that the UKP is “pro-democracy and the rule of law.” Normally, you’d consider words like that uncontroversial. But as we look forward to a presidential election that will feature Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, a man facing multiple criminal charges and who waited passively during a violent attempt to disrupt the election of his replacement, we realize that we do not live in normal times.

Curtis also talked about how 10 years ago he would have described himself as a Republican “in a heartbeat,” but added that “as we’ve seen the country change over the past decade,” he’s found himself voting in a more moderate way. The same could be said for the vice chair of the UKP, Sally Cauble; a longtime member of the state board of education and a moderate Republican, she fought frustrating battles to maintain Kansas’s science curriculum standards. And the same could be said for a half-dozen Kansas GOP legislators that have become Democrats in the past 10 years (the number of Kansas politicians that have gone the other direction in the last decade is zero).

In short, I suspect that many in the UKP reflect a well-known type in Kansas: Republicans frustrated by the sharp divides created by the parties, who want to find some space for moderates like themselves and feel they must either switch sides or just escape the parties altogether.

Curtis’s earnest words point to an uncomfortable realization for many Kansas Republicans. Anyone who studies the evolution of political parties knows that their flaws are baked into the way they operate, regardless of ideology. And yet, sometimes there still really are critical elections, where particular parties transform in ways that are deeply troubling. The business of party politics is tawdry, and I respect and wish the best to those who want to find ways to engage without being sucked in. But for now, American politics is inconceivable without competitive parties. If one of those parties changes in ways that you find intolerable, decisions must be made.

The Kansas Republican party is mostly a Trumpist party now. (Props to Senator Jerry Moran for being an exception.) Many Kansan Republicans are fine with that—but for some others, it poses a dilemma. Alternatives are always appealing, but as with many hard things, such Republicans probably don’t have a way around this partisan reality; they can only go through it, as best they can.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690389122282.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RUSSELL FOX Insight KansasLike many of you, I’ve seen volunteers for the United Kansas Party over the past few months collecting signatures to gain ballot access as a legitimate political party. I’m happy to see them out there, even though their efforts imply something, I think, quite different from their intentions.Why support them? Not because I think third parties are an effective way to challenge those in power. Outsiders to America’s two-party system face obstacles in the form of both restrictions put in place by the major parties, and also Americans’ attachment to supporting those party candidates they think can win. Small parties usually can’t overcome these challenges.But there is also the desire to offer voters more choices, to represent points of view that some think are being ignored. Those are civic efforts that show a faith in democracy. But they also lead to the question: what “points of view” are the UKP seeking greater representation for?In a recent wide-ranging discussion with the Kansas Reflector podcast, Jack Curtis, the founder of the UKP, was asked what “roster of issues” the movement cares most about. He listed a variety of very practical matters—but before any of them, he insisted that the UKP is “pro-democracy and the rule of law.” Normally, you’d consider words like that uncontroversial. But as we look forward to a presidential election that will feature Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, a man facing multiple criminal charges and who waited passively during a violent attempt to disrupt the election of his replacement, we realize that we do not live in normal times.Curtis also talked about how 10 years ago he would have described himself as a Republican “in a heartbeat,” but added that “as we’ve seen the country change over the past decade,” he’s found himself voting in a more moderate way. The same could be said for the vice chair of the UKP, Sally Cauble; a longtime member of the state board of education and a moderate Republican, she fought frustrating battles to maintain Kansas’s science curriculum standards. And the same could be said for a half-dozen Kansas GOP legislators that have become Democrats in the past 10 years (the number of Kansas politicians that have gone the other direction in the last decade is zero).In short, I suspect that many in the UKP reflect a well-known type in Kansas: Republicans frustrated by the sharp divides created by the parties, who want to find some space for moderates like themselves and feel they must either switch sides or just escape the parties altogether.Curtis’s earnest words point to an uncomfortable realization for many Kansas Republicans. Anyone who studies the evolution of political parties knows that their flaws are baked into the way they operate, regardless of ideology. And yet, sometimes there still really are critical elections, where particular parties transform in ways that are deeply troubling. The business of party politics is tawdry, and I respect and wish the best to those who want to find ways to engage without being sucked in. But for now, American politics is inconceivable without competitive parties. If one of those parties changes in ways that you find intolerable, decisions must be made.The Kansas Republican party is mostly a Trumpist party now. (Props to Senator Jerry Moran for being an exception.) Many Kansan Republicans are fine with that—but for some others, it poses a dilemma. Alternatives are always appealing, but as with many hard things, such Republicans probably don’t have a way around this partisan reality; they can only go through it, as best they can.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS

INSIGHT KANSAS: Facing uncomfortable partisan realities in Kansas

As the 2024 field season gets into full swing, for farmers now is a good time for a refresher on restricted use pesticides (RUPs) and pesticide applicator licenses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictAs the 2024 field season gets into full swing, for farmers now is a good time for a refresher on restricted use pesticides (RUPs) and pesticide applicator licenses.There are lots of ways to categorize pesticides, one of which is general use versus restricted use. In short, a general-use pesticide is one that can be used without any special training. A RUP, on the other hand, should only be used by an individual who is a certified pesticide applicator or is under the direct supervision of a certified pesticide applicator. RUPs are classified as such due to their potential to cause ‘unreasonable adverse effects’ on the environment, the applicator, or bystanders if appropriate precautions are not taken when using the product. A few of the RUPs you may be familiar with are Atrazine, Tordon 22K, and Warrior II.Private applicator versus commercial applicator licensesThere are two types of certifications that will allow you to use a RUP. A private applicator license allows you to use or supervise the use of a restricted use pesticide to produce an agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by you or your employer. However, a commercial license is needed if you are going to apply pesticides on someone else’s property and charge a fee for the service.You can contact your local Extension office if you need to obtain or renew your private applicator's license. For commercial applicator license those are scheduled by KDA and you have to create an account with them and get registered ahead of time at https://portal.kda.ks.gov/PestFert/CertifiedApplicator/Exam/List or call (785) 564-6688.Also remember, there are some extra record-keeping requirements for individuals who apply RUPs. There is no standard form, but within two weeks of the application, you should document what was sprayed, including:· the date and location of the application,· product name and EPA registration number,· total amount applied and area treated,· the site to which the application was made, and· the name and certification number of the applicator.In our office we have a small pocket size “Pesticide Application Field Records” book that is free and you can pick up to record your pesticide applications, and a Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland, and Noncropland book that is free and updated each year. This publication provides suggestions for chemical weed control in several major crops.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

Opinion