BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas House Democrats opened their “fight back” tour Thursday night in the capital city, drawing more than 220 people to sit through rain showers and talk about the importance of strengthening their party’s voice in upcoming elections.

“There’s a lot to lose, so we have a lot to fight for,” said Carla Gardner, of Lawrence, as she waited in line to get into the event. “It’s sad that in 2025 we feel we have to fight back. But a lot of, well, women, potentially, could lose, the LGBTQ+ community, health care, veterans — there are just so many groups, people of color, just all the marginalized groups, that stand to lose a lot more. We have to fight back.”

Linda Manley and Sarah Ruiz, both of Topeka, said they attended the rally because they feel the need to get involved more at the local level after watching national news.

Why did they come listen to Democrats in the rain?

“The chaos in the world and trying to find out what we can do,” Ruiz said.

“Loss of our Constitution, loss of our courts, checks and balances — I know it needs to start locally,” Manley added.

Their words were echoed by many of the House Democrats in attendance, as well as Gov. Laura Kelly, who spoke briefly at the event.

“This was exactly the right response to what happened in November of 2024, in this last legislative session,” she said. “We need to be out there now and forever, leading up to the August 2026 primary when, in addition to electing candidates, we also have to make sure that we defeat that amendment to elect our Supreme Court justices.”

Kelly referred to a proposed constitutional amendment that would put Kansas Supreme Court justices on the ballot, instead of the governor appointing one of three finalists selected by a nonpartisan review panel.

“I don’t know about you, but I have no interest in being like Wisconsin on this where there are millions and millions of dollars coming into that state to sway the one group that is supposed to be impartial and not motivated by political leanings,” the governor said.

Kelly encouraged everyone in attendance to “learn to speak Republican” and talk to people throughout the state.

“Talk about the issues that matter to people, and talk about electing a person, not a party,” she said.

Rep. Susan Ruiz, before the event started, emphasized that same message. The Shawnee Democrat said anyone paying attention to what happened in the Legislature during the recent session should be concerned.

A more collaborative relationship is needed in the Statehouse to push forward things Kansans care about, she said.

“I want to see more Democrats running and winning so that we can have a fighting chance,” she said, referring to the Republicans’ supermajority. “But it would be nice to see some moderate Republicans also win because we can band together. There’s a lot of things that we can do together that would be good for the majority of the people in the state, and not the Koch brothers of the world.”

Rep. Kirk Haskins, a Topeka Democrat, said before speaking at the event that the fight back tour, which will go to at least 11 more stops throughout the state, is important to get messaging out for the Democrats.

“There’s a lot of Kansans that have had their opinion not heard,” he said. “For example, 80% of Kansans want us to see some sort of expansion of Medicaid, but yet it doesn’t come up. We also feel like it’s time for the House Democrats to lead the opportunity for them to be heard, and so we’re traveling across with an agenda purpose to share what’s happening, but also to learn, not just from Democrats, but from all Kansans.”

Haskins said he’s been concerned about how business is being conducted at the Statehouse, and also what is happening at the federal level. Important items are buried in details, for instance.&nbsp;

“We saw this during the past session many times over,” he said. “Property tax relief started off as something they campaigned on, but then when it came out, they’re making sure that luxury jets get property tax relief.”

Rob Fillion, executive director of the Kansas GOP, said the House Democrats are not on a “fight back” tour.

“This is the out-of-touch tour,” he said by email. “Do the legislators not know that people are tired of larger government? Do they not understand that people like lower taxes, secure borders and parental rights?”

The gathering drew former elected officials like Joan Wagnon, who served in the House and as Topeka mayor, along with 13 current representatives and senators, Kansas Board of Education members, Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla and others.

After Kelly spoke, a panel made up of House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, of Lenexa, and Topeka Reps. Alexis Simmons, John Alcala, and Haskins answered questions from the audience.

Those questions focused primarily on what actions people could take to make a difference, as well as concerns about Medicaid cuts and mental health services.

The panel encouraged people to contact their legislators, to go to their offices and be heard.&nbsp;

“I’m on my soapbox. Settle in,” Simmons said, drawing laughs. “Y’all know how many races in the state of Kansas, in the state Legislature, are won or lost by only double digits? It’s crazy. There are so many. We just lost a state senator in Leavenworth — he lost by 31 votes.”

Simmons encouraged people to talk to everyone and tell them to vote all the way down the ballot.

“Do not vote only for president. Don’t vote only for Congress. Vote all the way down,” she said.

The next fight back tour events will be in Wichita on June 5 and Newton on June 6. Details are on the House Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshousedems" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748697749008.jpeg" alt="Linda Manley, left, and Sarah Ruiz attended the House Democrats “fight back” rally Thursday in Topeka. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Linda Manley, left, and Sarah Ruiz attended the House Democrats “fight back” rally Thursday in Topeka. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas House Democrats opened their “fight back” tour Thursday night in the capital city, drawing more than 220 people to sit through rain showers and talk about the importance of strengthening their party’s voice in upcoming elections.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🔥🦬Topeka showed up!!! A fired-up crowd of hundreds gathered in Topeka last night to help us launch the Fight Back Tour! The Fight Back Tour heads next to Wichita and Newton on June 5 and 6. 🔥 RSVP for your spot at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fightbacktour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fightbacktour</a> in our bio <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kansas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kansas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/3jSTNkC36p">pic.twitter.com/3jSTNkC36p</a>&mdash; Kansas House Democrats (@KSHouseDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSHouseDems/status/1928555944931176957?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“There’s a lot to lose, so we have a lot to fight for,” said Carla Gardner, of Lawrence, as she waited in line to get into the event. “It’s sad that in 2025 we feel we have to fight back. But a lot of, well, women, potentially, could lose, the LGBTQ+ community, health care, veterans — there are just so many groups, people of color, just all the marginalized groups, that stand to lose a lot more. We have to fight back.”Linda Manley and Sarah Ruiz, both of Topeka, said they attended the rally because they feel the need to get involved more at the local level after watching national news.Why did they come listen to Democrats in the rain?“The chaos in the world and trying to find out what we can do,” Ruiz said.“Loss of our Constitution, loss of our courts, checks and balances — I know it needs to start locally,” Manley added.Their words were echoed by many of the House Democrats in attendance, as well as Gov. Laura Kelly, who spoke briefly at the event.“This was exactly the right response to what happened in November of 2024, in this last legislative session,” she said. “We need to be out there now and forever, leading up to the August 2026 primary when, in addition to electing candidates, we also have to make sure that we defeat that amendment to elect our Supreme Court justices.”Kelly referred to a proposed constitutional amendment that would put Kansas Supreme Court justices on the ballot, instead of the governor appointing one of three finalists selected by a nonpartisan review panel.“I don’t know about you, but I have no interest in being like Wisconsin on this where there are millions and millions of dollars coming into that state to sway the one group that is supposed to be impartial and not motivated by political leanings,” the governor said.Kelly encouraged everyone in attendance to “learn to speak Republican” and talk to people throughout the state.“Talk about the issues that matter to people, and talk about electing a person, not a party,” she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748697709558.png" alt="Representatives (from left) John Alcala, Alexis Simmons, Kirk Haskins and Brandon Woodard took part in a panel in Topeka Thursday to kick off the House Democrats “fight back” tour. The panel was moderated by Jacquie Lightcap. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Representatives (from left) John Alcala, Alexis Simmons, Kirk Haskins and Brandon Woodard took part in a panel in Topeka Thursday to kick off the House Democrats “fight back” tour. The panel was moderated by Jacquie Lightcap. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Rep. Susan Ruiz, before the event started, emphasized that same message. The Shawnee Democrat said anyone paying attention to what happened in the Legislature during the recent session should be concerned.A more collaborative relationship is needed in the Statehouse to push forward things Kansans care about, she said.“I want to see more Democrats running and winning so that we can have a fighting chance,” she said, referring to the Republicans’ supermajority. “But it would be nice to see some moderate Republicans also win because we can band together. There’s a lot of things that we can do together that would be good for the majority of the people in the state, and not the Koch brothers of the world.”Rep. Kirk Haskins, a Topeka Democrat, said before speaking at the event that the fight back tour, which will go to at least 11 more stops throughout the state, is important to get messaging out for the Democrats.“There’s a lot of Kansans that have had their opinion not heard,” he said. “For example, 80% of Kansans want us to see some sort of expansion of Medicaid, but yet it doesn’t come up. We also feel like it’s time for the House Democrats to lead the opportunity for them to be heard, and so we’re traveling across with an agenda purpose to share what’s happening, but also to learn, not just from Democrats, but from all Kansans.”Haskins said he’s been concerned about how business is being conducted at the Statehouse, and also what is happening at the federal level. Important items are buried in details, for instance.&nbsp;“We saw this during the past session many times over,” he said. “Property tax relief started off as something they campaigned on, but then when it came out, they’re making sure that luxury jets get property tax relief.”Rob Fillion, executive director of the Kansas GOP, said the House Democrats are not on a “fight back” tour.“This is the out-of-touch tour,” he said by email. “Do the legislators not know that people are tired of larger government? Do they not understand that people like lower taxes, secure borders and parental rights?”The gathering drew former elected officials like Joan Wagnon, who served in the House and as Topeka mayor, along with 13 current representatives and senators, Kansas Board of Education members, Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla and others.After Kelly spoke, a panel made up of House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, of Lenexa, and Topeka Reps. Alexis Simmons, John Alcala, and Haskins answered questions from the audience.Those questions focused primarily on what actions people could take to make a difference, as well as concerns about Medicaid cuts and mental health services.The panel encouraged people to contact their legislators, to go to their offices and be heard.&nbsp;“I’m on my soapbox. Settle in,” Simmons said, drawing laughs. “Y’all know how many races in the state of Kansas, in the state Legislature, are won or lost by only double digits? It’s crazy. There are so many. We just lost a state senator in Leavenworth — he lost by 31 votes.”Simmons encouraged people to talk to everyone and tell them to vote all the way down the ballot.“Do not vote only for president. Don’t vote only for Congress. Vote all the way down,” she said.The next fight back tour events will be in Wichita on June 5 and Newton on June 6. Details are on the House Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshousedems" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;

Kansas House Democrats hit the road to ‘fight back’ against GOP supermajority

CHARLES CITY, Va. (AP) — Harrison Ruffin Tyler, the last living grandson of U.S. President John Tyler born 83 years after his grandfather left the White House in 1845, died. He was 96.

The cause of Tyler’s death on Sunday was not immediately released. John Tyler was 63 years old when Harrison Tyler’s father, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr., was born. And Harrison Ruffin Tyler was born in 1928 when that father was 75 years old and the presidential grandfather had been dead for more than 60 years.

The grandson was known for preserving his grandfather’s plantation and nearby Civil War fort. In a statement, Annique Dunning, the executive director of Sherwood Forest, a national landmark of President Tyler’s residence, said the president’s grandson,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-bbd1a166bba24ec9907e3457a3005a48">whose brother died in 2020</a>, was a “beloved father and grandfather, he will be missed immeasurably by those who survive him.”

“He will be remembered for his considerable charm, generosity and unfailing good humor by all who knew him,” Dunning said.

Over the course of his life, Tyler preserved Sherwood Forest, his grandfather’s plantation that enslaved dozens of people, including 43 people in 1860, just before the Civil War began. The grandson also helped restore and maintain Fort Pocahontas, a Union fort during the Civil War.

Tyler’s grandfather was a Democrat nicknamed the “Accidental President” after unexpectedly assuming the presidency when President William Henry Harrison died in office. President Tyler was the first vice president to gain control of the White House in the wake of a death.

The University of Virginia’s Miller Center&nbsp;<a href="https://millercenter.org/president/tyler">described the president</a>&nbsp;as “the last gasp of the Old Virginia aristocracy in the White House.” He had married twice and had 15 children, including Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr.

The time between the president’s birth and his grandson’s death spans 235 years.

CHARLES CITY, Va. (AP) — Harrison Ruffin Tyler, the last living grandson of U.S. President John Tyler born 83 years after his grandfather left the White House in 1845, died. He was 96.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FOfficialSherwoodForest%2Fposts%2Fpfbid033GBgdR3PpjhJj4KHFjop8ro41GY5LXib6ehgSAhvMZuBD7CR9iV1SXRoMpJAzEJ4l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="763" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The cause of Tyler’s death on Sunday was not immediately released. John Tyler was 63 years old when Harrison Tyler’s father, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr., was born. And Harrison Ruffin Tyler was born in 1928 when that father was 75 years old and the presidential grandfather had been dead for more than 60 years.The grandson was known for preserving his grandfather’s plantation and nearby Civil War fort. In a statement, Annique Dunning, the executive director of Sherwood Forest, a national landmark of President Tyler’s residence, said the president’s grandson,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-bbd1a166bba24ec9907e3457a3005a48">whose brother died in 2020</a>, was a “beloved father and grandfather, he will be missed immeasurably by those who survive him.”“He will be remembered for his considerable charm, generosity and unfailing good humor by all who knew him,” Dunning said.Over the course of his life, Tyler preserved Sherwood Forest, his grandfather’s plantation that enslaved dozens of people, including 43 people in 1860, just before the Civil War began. The grandson also helped restore and maintain Fort Pocahontas, a Union fort during the Civil War.Tyler’s grandfather was a Democrat nicknamed the “Accidental President” after unexpectedly assuming the presidency when President William Henry Harrison died in office. President Tyler was the first vice president to gain control of the White House in the wake of a death.The University of Virginia’s Miller Center&nbsp;<a href="https://millercenter.org/president/tyler">described the president</a>&nbsp;as “the last gasp of the Old Virginia aristocracy in the White House.” He had married twice and had 15 children, including Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr.The time between the president’s birth and his grandson’s death spans 235 years.

Last grandson of 10th U.S. President John Tyler, dies at 96

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed its winning week and month with a quiet Friday following a mixed set of profit reports from Gap, Ulta Beauty and other companies navigating the challenges created by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-trump-trade-6ea513a44876c2f4dc948a25c15b0eb0">President Donald Trump’s on-and-off tariffs</a>.

The S&amp;P 500 finished the day nearly unchanged after edging down by less than 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 54 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%.

Gap weighed on the market even though the retailer reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

The company behind Banana Republic and Old Navy fell 20.2% after saying tariffs on imports from China and other countries could add up to $300 million to its costs this fiscal year. It has strategies set to mitigate up to half of that before it hits its profits.

This week and month on Wall Street have been dominated by questions about what will happen with Trump’s tariffs, which investors worry could grind the economy into a recession, slash companies’ profits and layer even more challenges on households already sick of inflation.

Hopes had largely been rising that the worst of such worries had passed, which in turn sent stocks rallying, after Trump paused his tariffs on both&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-trade-trump-catl-62fbd84396aaea011c68231363b283de">China</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-eu-tariffs-japan-6c2c99748c4fd0c2b30ece2df981cd67">European Union</a>. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-court-0392dbd59f548e49ad4f64254ae3f94a">U.S. court then on Wednesday blocked</a>&nbsp;many of Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-chickening-out-taco-trade-tariff-chinau-69569d771c28ef972f80b87bac0d54d6">sweeping tariffs</a>. It all sent the S&amp;P 500 in May to its first winning month in four and its best since November.

But the tariffs remain in place for now while the White House appeals the ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the ultimate outcome is still uncertain.

Trump also briefly shook markets shortly before Wall Street opened for trading Friday, when he accused China of not living up to its end of the agreement that paused their tariffs against each other.

“So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

The impact was limited though, and futures for U.S. stock indexes quickly pared their losses. Since Wednesday’s ruling, analysts and investors have been saying Trump and his administration would likely look for new avenues to impose tariffs on trading partners.

Trump has said he’s using tariffs to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States and that U.S. households and businesses may feel some pain in the process.

Friday’s most influential losses came from several Big Tech stocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-earnings-report-quarterly-ai-chips-77c031067a61996ef4baa2ae3eb10a81">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;fell 2.9% to give back some of its gain from earlier in the week after it topped analysts’ expectations for profit in the latest quarter. It was the single heaviest weight by far on the S&amp;P 500.

On the winning side of Wall Street was Ulta Beauty, which rose 11.8% after the retailer reported stronger sales and profit than analysts forecast. It also raised the top end of its forecasted range for revenue this fiscal year even though CEO Kecia Steelman called the operating environment “fluid.”

Costco climbed 3.1% after the retailer’s results and revenue for the latest quarter edged past analysts’ expectations.

Red Robin Gourmet Burger soared 62.9% after reporting a profit for the latest quarter, when analysts expected a loss.

Shares of SharpLink Gaming fell 3.2% to trim their gain for the week to a still-whopping 1,041.4% after the marketing company said it would raise $425 million to buy the cryptocurrency on the Ethereum blockchain. The company delivers leads to U.S. sportsbooks and global casino companies, and it has been expanding into the global crypto gaming market.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 edged down 0.48 to 5,911.69 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 54.34 to 42,270.07, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 62.11 to 19,113.77.

In the bond market, Treasury yields eased after a report showed that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-spending-economy-b96e94fc971045c2a50e642fa85d4397">measure of inflation that the Federal Reserve likes to use</a>&nbsp;was slightly lower in April than economists expected.

A separate report from the University of Michigan said that sentiment among U.S. consumers was better in May than economists expected. Sentiment improved in the back half of the month after Trump paused many of his tariffs on China.

“Overall, consumers see the outlook for the economy as no worse than last month, but they remained quite worried about the future,” according to Survey of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.39% from 4.43% late Thursday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for what the Fed will do with overnight interest rates, slipped to 3.90% from 3.92%.

The Fed has left its benchmark borrowing rate steady so far this year after cutting it at the end of 2024 to give the economy more breathing room. Fed officials have said they want to wait longer to see how tariffs will affect inflation and the economy before making their next move. While lower interest rates can give the economy a boost, they can also fan inflation higher.

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed its winning week and month with a quiet Friday following a mixed set of profit reports from Gap, Ulta Beauty and other companies navigating the challenges created by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-trump-trade-6ea513a44876c2f4dc948a25c15b0eb0">President Donald Trump’s on-and-off tariffs</a>.The S&amp;P 500 finished the day nearly unchanged after edging down by less than 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 54 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%.Gap weighed on the market even though the retailer reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected.The company behind Banana Republic and Old Navy fell 20.2% after saying tariffs on imports from China and other countries could add up to $300 million to its costs this fiscal year. It has strategies set to mitigate up to half of that before it hits its profits.This week and month on Wall Street have been dominated by questions about what will happen with Trump’s tariffs, which investors worry could grind the economy into a recession, slash companies’ profits and layer even more challenges on households already sick of inflation.Hopes had largely been rising that the worst of such worries had passed, which in turn sent stocks rallying, after Trump paused his tariffs on both&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-trade-trump-catl-62fbd84396aaea011c68231363b283de">China</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-eu-tariffs-japan-6c2c99748c4fd0c2b30ece2df981cd67">European Union</a>. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-court-0392dbd59f548e49ad4f64254ae3f94a">U.S. court then on Wednesday blocked</a>&nbsp;many of Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-chickening-out-taco-trade-tariff-chinau-69569d771c28ef972f80b87bac0d54d6">sweeping tariffs</a>. It all sent the S&amp;P 500 in May to its first winning month in four and its best since November.But the tariffs remain in place for now while the White House appeals the ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the ultimate outcome is still uncertain.Trump also briefly shook markets shortly before Wall Street opened for trading Friday, when he accused China of not living up to its end of the agreement that paused their tariffs against each other.“So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.The impact was limited though, and futures for U.S. stock indexes quickly pared their losses. Since Wednesday’s ruling, analysts and investors have been saying Trump and his administration would likely look for new avenues to impose tariffs on trading partners.Trump has said he’s using tariffs to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States and that U.S. households and businesses may feel some pain in the process.Friday’s most influential losses came from several Big Tech stocks.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-earnings-report-quarterly-ai-chips-77c031067a61996ef4baa2ae3eb10a81">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;fell 2.9% to give back some of its gain from earlier in the week after it topped analysts’ expectations for profit in the latest quarter. It was the single heaviest weight by far on the S&amp;P 500.On the winning side of Wall Street was Ulta Beauty, which rose 11.8% after the retailer reported stronger sales and profit than analysts forecast. It also raised the top end of its forecasted range for revenue this fiscal year even though CEO Kecia Steelman called the operating environment “fluid.”Costco climbed 3.1% after the retailer’s results and revenue for the latest quarter edged past analysts’ expectations.Red Robin Gourmet Burger soared 62.9% after reporting a profit for the latest quarter, when analysts expected a loss.Shares of SharpLink Gaming fell 3.2% to trim their gain for the week to a still-whopping 1,041.4% after the marketing company said it would raise $425 million to buy the cryptocurrency on the Ethereum blockchain. The company delivers leads to U.S. sportsbooks and global casino companies, and it has been expanding into the global crypto gaming market.All told, the S&amp;P 500 edged down 0.48 to 5,911.69 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 54.34 to 42,270.07, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 62.11 to 19,113.77.In the bond market, Treasury yields eased after a report showed that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-spending-economy-b96e94fc971045c2a50e642fa85d4397">measure of inflation that the Federal Reserve likes to use</a>&nbsp;was slightly lower in April than economists expected.A separate report from the University of Michigan said that sentiment among U.S. consumers was better in May than economists expected. Sentiment improved in the back half of the month after Trump paused many of his tariffs on China.“Overall, consumers see the outlook for the economy as no worse than last month, but they remained quite worried about the future,” according to Survey of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu.The yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.39% from 4.43% late Thursday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for what the Fed will do with overnight interest rates, slipped to 3.90% from 3.92%.The Fed has left its benchmark borrowing rate steady so far this year after cutting it at the end of 2024 to give the economy more breathing room. Fed officials have said they want to wait longer to see how tariffs will affect inflation and the economy before making their next move. While lower interest rates can give the economy a boost, they can also fan inflation higher.

Wall Street glides to the end of its best month since 2023

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in partnership with All In For Kansas Kids, has announced four regional recipients of the new Child Care Zones grants — a program designed to support local efforts to improve access to and quality of child care across the state.

Funded through the federal Preschool Development Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant awarded to Kansas in 2024, the initiative provides targeted investments to strengthen early childhood services and infrastructure. The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund administers the grant.

“We are pleased to support KDHE’s Child Care Zones program through the PDG B-5 investment,” said Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. “These are communities who are working together to address barriers, grow awareness of needs and challenges, recover from shortages and setbacks, and make sustainable system improvements.”

Launched in early 2025, the Child Care Zones program designates self-defined regions—covering at least two counties—to receive state-level support for addressing unique, community-specific child care challenges. Successful applicants demonstrated strong collaboration among local stakeholders, including child care providers, employers, local governments, school districts and nonprofits.

The four Round One awardees and their supported counties are:

Each community proposed region-specific strategies to address pressing child care concerns, such as workforce recruitment and retention, expanding access, forming public-private partnerships, and improving care quality.

“Child Care Zones, made possible with federal PDG funding, are an opportunity to support local communities and their child care needs,” said Derik Flerlage, KDHE Director of the Bureau of Family Health and Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention. “Using KDHE’s aid-to-local model, we are proud to fund creative ideas to improve child care infrastructure as identified by those who know their needs best – Kansas local communities.”

A second round of Child Care Zones funding will be announced in early summer 2025, with applications due by late August. Communities interested in applying must represent at least two counties and are encouraged to subscribe to the All In For Kansas Kids newsletter for updates.

For more information about the Child Care Zones initiative, contact Jennifer Burgardt, Child Care Zones Coordinator, or visit the <a href="https://allinforkansaskids.org">All In For Kansas Kids website</a>.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748619711209.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in partnership with All In For Kansas Kids, has announced four regional recipients of the new Child Care Zones grants — a program designed to support local efforts to improve access to and quality of child care across the state.Funded through the federal Preschool Development Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant awarded to Kansas in 2024, the initiative provides targeted investments to strengthen early childhood services and infrastructure. The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund administers the grant.“We are pleased to support KDHE’s Child Care Zones program through the PDG B-5 investment,” said Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. “These are communities who are working together to address barriers, grow awareness of needs and challenges, recover from shortages and setbacks, and make sustainable system improvements.”Launched in early 2025, the Child Care Zones program designates self-defined regions—covering at least two counties—to receive state-level support for addressing unique, community-specific child care challenges. Successful applicants demonstrated strong collaboration among local stakeholders, including child care providers, employers, local governments, school districts and nonprofits.The four Round One awardees and their supported counties are:<ul>
 <li>Grow at Eden (Child Care Provider) – Labette, Allen, Crawford, and Neosho Counties
</li><li>McPherson County Community Foundation – McPherson and Marion Counties
</li><li>City of Kingman – Kingman, Harper, Kiowa, Comanche, and Morton Counties
</li><li>Geary County Child Care Coalition (Live Well Geary County) – Geary and Dickinson Counties
</li>
 </ul>Each community proposed region-specific strategies to address pressing child care concerns, such as workforce recruitment and retention, expanding access, forming public-private partnerships, and improving care quality.“Child Care Zones, made possible with federal PDG funding, are an opportunity to support local communities and their child care needs,” said Derik Flerlage, KDHE Director of the Bureau of Family Health and Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention. “Using KDHE’s aid-to-local model, we are proud to fund creative ideas to improve child care infrastructure as identified by those who know their needs best – Kansas local communities.”A second round of Child Care Zones funding will be announced in early summer 2025, with applications due by late August. Communities interested in applying must represent at least two counties and are encouraged to subscribe to the All In For Kansas Kids newsletter for updates.For more information about the Child Care Zones initiative, contact Jennifer Burgardt, Child Care Zones Coordinator, or visit the <a href="https://allinforkansaskids.org">All In For Kansas Kids website</a>.

KDHE announces regional Child Care Zone grants

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Victoria's Secret has taken down its U.S. website and says some in-store services will also be unavailable as it addresses a "security incident."

A message to customers remained in place of the popular lingerie brand's normal shopping site Thursday, stating that it had halted these operations "as a precaution."

"Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations," the message read.

Ohio-based Victoria's Secret did not provide many details about the "security incident," or directly confirm whether it was a cyber or ransomware attack. When asked for further information Thursday, a spokesperson just said that the company "immediately enacted our response protocols" and has engaged with third-party experts.

Victoria's Secret also didn't specify when it first identified the issue and began pulling back services. Most media reports of the retailer's website going dark emerged Wednesday — when the company also shared an update on social media — but some frustrated customers online said they began experiencing issues earlier in the week, as far back as Monday.

The company doesn't have an estimate for when its site will be back up, an FAQ on the Victoria's Secret corporate site notes. The company added that it is trying to fulfill orders placed before Monday and that it would be extending return windows and some direct mail coupon offers for impacted customers in the U.S.

Victoria's Secret says its stores, as well as its PINK brand locations, remain open for customers. But some in-store services, such as returning online orders in person, were unavailable as of Wednesday night — and as were its online customer care services, per the company's FAQ.

It was not immediately clear if any in-store services in Victoria's Secret locations outside the U.S. were also impacted. But the company's U.K. site appeared uninterrupted Thursday.

Bloomberg News reported that Victoria's Secret also stopped some of its office operations and that some employees were locked out of their company email accounts on Wednesday, citing an anonymous source familiar with the matter.

Shares for Victoria's Secret tumbled about 4% as of midday Thursday.

While not confirmed by the company, the "security incident" impacting Victoria's Secret bears all the hallmarks of a cyberattack. And it arrives as more and more companies report breaches that disrupt operations and/or expose customer data, particuarly among retailers.

Last week, for example, Adidas announced that it had recently become aware of an "unauthorized external party" obtaining some consumer data — mostly consisting of contact information — through a third-party customer service provider. The German shoe and clothing company said it would be informing impacted customers and working with law enforcement.

And several British retailers — Marks &amp; Spencer, Harrods and Co-op — have all shared that they've been targeted by cyberattacks over recent weeks. The cyberattack hitting M&amp;S stopped it from processing online orders and left store shelves empty, with the company estimating that this will cost it 300 million pounds ($400 million).

Following any cybersecurity incident impacting a consumer-facing brand, experts warn that it's important for shoppers to be alert. Fraudsters might promise fake promotions through phishing emails, for example, or use sensitive information that may have been compromised.

The breadth of disruptions impacting Victoria's Secret this week are also "a reminder to businesses of how wide-reaching the fallout can be," Tim Rawlins, senior adviser and director for security at consulting firm NCC Group, said in an emailed note Thursday.

"Halting operations, rather than rushing to bring them back online, is crucial to ensuring patches, recovery efforts, and strengthened cyber security are effective in the long run," he added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748543230238.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP Business WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Victoria's Secret has taken down its U.S. website and says some in-store services will also be unavailable as it addresses a "security incident."A message to customers remained in place of the popular lingerie brand's normal shopping site Thursday, stating that it had halted these operations "as a precaution.""Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations," the message read.Ohio-based Victoria's Secret did not provide many details about the "security incident," or directly confirm whether it was a cyber or ransomware attack. When asked for further information Thursday, a spokesperson just said that the company "immediately enacted our response protocols" and has engaged with third-party experts.Victoria's Secret also didn't specify when it first identified the issue and began pulling back services. Most media reports of the retailer's website going dark emerged Wednesday — when the company also shared an update on social media — but some frustrated customers online said they began experiencing issues earlier in the week, as far back as Monday.The company doesn't have an estimate for when its site will be back up, an FAQ on the Victoria's Secret corporate site notes. The company added that it is trying to fulfill orders placed before Monday and that it would be extending return windows and some direct mail coupon offers for impacted customers in the U.S.Victoria's Secret says its stores, as well as its PINK brand locations, remain open for customers. But some in-store services, such as returning online orders in person, were unavailable as of Wednesday night — and as were its online customer care services, per the company's FAQ.It was not immediately clear if any in-store services in Victoria's Secret locations outside the U.S. were also impacted. But the company's U.K. site appeared uninterrupted Thursday.Bloomberg News reported that Victoria's Secret also stopped some of its office operations and that some employees were locked out of their company email accounts on Wednesday, citing an anonymous source familiar with the matter.Shares for Victoria's Secret tumbled about 4% as of midday Thursday.While not confirmed by the company, the "security incident" impacting Victoria's Secret bears all the hallmarks of a cyberattack. And it arrives as more and more companies report breaches that disrupt operations and/or expose customer data, particuarly among retailers.Last week, for example, Adidas announced that it had recently become aware of an "unauthorized external party" obtaining some consumer data — mostly consisting of contact information — through a third-party customer service provider. The German shoe and clothing company said it would be informing impacted customers and working with law enforcement.And several British retailers — Marks &amp; Spencer, Harrods and Co-op — have all shared that they've been targeted by cyberattacks over recent weeks. The cyberattack hitting M&amp;S stopped it from processing online orders and left store shelves empty, with the company estimating that this will cost it 300 million pounds ($400 million).Following any cybersecurity incident impacting a consumer-facing brand, experts warn that it's important for shoppers to be alert. Fraudsters might promise fake promotions through phishing emails, for example, or use sensitive information that may have been compromised.The breadth of disruptions impacting Victoria's Secret this week are also "a reminder to businesses of how wide-reaching the fallout can be," Tim Rawlins, senior adviser and director for security at consulting firm NCC Group, said in an emailed note Thursday."Halting operations, rather than rushing to bring them back online, is crucial to ensuring patches, recovery efforts, and strengthened cyber security are effective in the long run," he added.

Victoria’s Secret website down after security incident

As BW Radio celebrates its 90th anniversary, a familiar voice from the past returned to reflect on a storied broadcasting career that began right here in Hutchinson.

Gary Bender, a former sports director at BW Radio in 1964 and a nationally renowned sportscaster, took time to revisit the humble beginnings of a career that would eventually span decades and reach national television networks like CBS and ABC.

Bender, now retired and living in Arizona, was born in Norton, Kansas, and raised in Ulysses. The son of a coach at what was then Dodge City Junior College, Bender went on to play football at Wichita State University. An injury, however, ended his playing days and shifted his focus to broadcasting.

“It really started for me at the University of Kansas,” Bender said. “I was in graduate school, unsure of what to do, when my mentor Tom Hedrick — the voice of the Jayhawks — told me, ‘You’ve got to go for it.’ That changed everything.”

With Hedrick’s help, Bender secured his first job in Hutchinson at BW Radio. But the road to that opportunity wasn’t easy.

“I was broke, living in my aunt’s basement in Kansas City, and finishing my thesis,” Bender recalled. “Tom called and said there might be an opening in Hutchinson. I borrowed $30 from my aunt and drove down, only to be told by Fred Conger, the station owner, ‘I don’t need a sportscaster.’”

Fortunately for Bender, Conger changed his mind after learning that Bender’s wife was a teacher — and that he was also the president of the local school board.

“Just like that, I was hired,” Bender said. “It was a break I desperately needed.”

From there, Bender’s path included a stint as the voice of the Hutchinson Salt Hawks and the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons. Just a few years later, he was calling games for the University of Kansas.

In a twist of fate, Bender got the KU job after returning from basic training during the Vietnam War. A call from WIBW in Topeka led to an audition where he was ultimately hired, despite the station manager jokingly telling him otherwise at first.

“I thought I’d lost it, but then he said, ‘Nah, I’m just kidding. You’re hired,’” Bender said with a laugh. “That was a huge breakthrough for me.”

From there, Bender moved to Madison, Wisconsin, becoming the sports director for the Wisconsin Television Network and the voice of the Green Bay Packers. That opportunity eventually opened the door to national broadcasting roles with CBS, ABC and NBC, where he would cover the NFL, NCAA basketball, the Olympics and more.

“I never orchestrated any of it,” Bender said. “It just kind of happened — one door opened another.”

Today, Bender's legacy continues through his son Trey, who also works in sports broadcasting, and his granddaughter, who has entered the world of acting.

As KW Radio marks nine decades of broadcasting, Bender’s journey serves as a testament to the station’s long-standing tradition of launching successful media careers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748522406475.png" alt="Gary Bender - Courtesy The Sunflower" />
 <figcaption>Gary Bender - Courtesy The Sunflower</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch PostAs BW Radio celebrates its 90th anniversary, a familiar voice from the past returned to reflect on a storied broadcasting career that began right here in Hutchinson.Gary Bender, a former sports director at BW Radio in 1964 and a nationally renowned sportscaster, took time to revisit the humble beginnings of a career that would eventually span decades and reach national television networks like CBS and ABC.Bender, now retired and living in Arizona, was born in Norton, Kansas, and raised in Ulysses. The son of a coach at what was then Dodge City Junior College, Bender went on to play football at Wichita State University. An injury, however, ended his playing days and shifted his focus to broadcasting.“It really started for me at the University of Kansas,” Bender said. “I was in graduate school, unsure of what to do, when my mentor Tom Hedrick — the voice of the Jayhawks — told me, ‘You’ve got to go for it.’ That changed everything.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748456455667.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>With Hedrick’s help, Bender secured his first job in Hutchinson at BW Radio. But the road to that opportunity wasn’t easy.“I was broke, living in my aunt’s basement in Kansas City, and finishing my thesis,” Bender recalled. “Tom called and said there might be an opening in Hutchinson. I borrowed $30 from my aunt and drove down, only to be told by Fred Conger, the station owner, ‘I don’t need a sportscaster.’”Fortunately for Bender, Conger changed his mind after learning that Bender’s wife was a teacher — and that he was also the president of the local school board.“Just like that, I was hired,” Bender said. “It was a break I desperately needed.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748532074155.png" alt="<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/c6ab39c4-f810-4967-9a37-15737db5f0d6">Click here to hear the complete BW Morning Show interview with Gary Bender</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/c6ab39c4-f810-4967-9a37-15737db5f0d6">Click here to hear the complete BW Morning Show interview with Gary Bender</a></figcaption>
 </figure>From there, Bender’s path included a stint as the voice of the Hutchinson Salt Hawks and the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons. Just a few years later, he was calling games for the University of Kansas.In a twist of fate, Bender got the KU job after returning from basic training during the Vietnam War. A call from WIBW in Topeka led to an audition where he was ultimately hired, despite the station manager jokingly telling him otherwise at first.“I thought I’d lost it, but then he said, ‘Nah, I’m just kidding. You’re hired,’” Bender said with a laugh. “That was a huge breakthrough for me.”From there, Bender moved to Madison, Wisconsin, becoming the sports director for the Wisconsin Television Network and the voice of the Green Bay Packers. That opportunity eventually opened the door to national broadcasting roles with CBS, ABC and NBC, where he would cover the NFL, NCAA basketball, the Olympics and more.“I never orchestrated any of it,” Bender said. “It just kind of happened — one door opened another.”Today, Bender's legacy continues through his son Trey, who also works in sports broadcasting, and his granddaughter, who has entered the world of acting.As KW Radio marks nine decades of broadcasting, Bender’s journey serves as a testament to the station’s long-standing tradition of launching successful media careers.

Legendary broadcaster Gary Bender reflects on career roots in Hutchinson 

<a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON </a>Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — PrairieStar Health Center will host its second annual Summer Kick Off event on Thursday evening.

The free, public event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at PrairieStar’s facility, located at 2700 E. 30th Ave. in Hutchinson.

“It’s open to anybody, you don’t have to be a patient or anything special. Just come by and have fun with us,” Kyran Losew, PrairieStar’s director of marketing and public relations said.

Entertainment for the evening will include bounce houses, a snow cone truck, Donuts in Paradise, cotton candy, a free hot dog meal and a variety of yard games.

“Just come hang out with us for an evening,” Losew said. “We want to kick off the summer with you and just have a good time.”

PrairieStar providers and staff will also be in attendance.

“If you want to mingle, learn more about PrairieStar, or get to know some of the providers, this is a great opportunity,” Losew said. “We’ll have a table where you can stop by and ask questions, or just enjoy the evening.”

More information about the event can be found on the PrairieStar Health Center Facebook page by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1429545798037274/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D">clicking here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748012295696.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy PrairieStar Health Center" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy PrairieStar Health Center</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON </a>Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — PrairieStar Health Center will host its second annual Summer Kick Off event on Thursday evening.The free, public event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at PrairieStar’s facility, located at 2700 E. 30th Ave. in Hutchinson.“It’s open to anybody, you don’t have to be a patient or anything special. Just come by and have fun with us,” Kyran Losew, PrairieStar’s director of marketing and public relations said.Entertainment for the evening will include bounce houses, a snow cone truck, Donuts in Paradise, cotton candy, a free hot dog meal and a variety of yard games.“Just come hang out with us for an evening,” Losew said. “We want to kick off the summer with you and just have a good time.”PrairieStar providers and staff will also be in attendance.“If you want to mingle, learn more about PrairieStar, or get to know some of the providers, this is a great opportunity,” Losew said. “We’ll have a table where you can stop by and ask questions, or just enjoy the evening.”More information about the event can be found on the PrairieStar Health Center Facebook page by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1429545798037274/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D">clicking here</a>.

PrairieStar hosting Summer Kick Off Bash Thursday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748530449433.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
LAWRENCE, Kan. &mdash;&nbsp;After 12&nbsp;seasons with the Kansas men's basketball program,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/fred-quartlebaum/731" rel="smarttag" rev="731">Fred Quartlebaum</a></dfn>&nbsp;will be leaving his post as director of basketball operations in June, KU head coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bill-self/727" rel="smarttag" rev="727">Bill Self</a></dfn>&nbsp;announced today. &nbsp; "Q has been with us for the last 12 seasons and has been very involved in many aspects of our program, but primarily as the liaison between our staff and community relations," Self said of Quartlebaum. "He's been the primary person in charge of working with the players and developing a culture within our program. He has done a fantastic job and will be missed. I'm excited for him and (his wife) Christy as they move into another phase in their lives." &nbsp; Quartlebaum joined the KU staff in 2013 as the director of student-athlete development. He moved into his role as director of basketball operations in 2020. In his time at KU, Quartlebaum was part of six Big 12 regular-season championships, two Big 12 Tournament titles, three NCAA Tournament Elite Eights and the 2022 NCAA National Championship.&nbsp; &nbsp; Self will be promoting&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/staff-directory/lexi-price/188" rel="smarttag" rev="188">Lexi Price</a></dfn>&nbsp;to Kansas men's basketball director of operations. Price has been the office manager for KU basketball since December, 2021. &nbsp; "Lexi is one of the most organized and detail-oriented individuals I have been around," Self said. "Her skill set allows this to be seamless and smooth transition. The new position will be a continuation of her current role in addition to coordinating student-athlete enrollment, housing, and team travel." &nbsp; Price has been a part of Kansas men's basketball since the 2017-18 season where she was a student team manager for four seasons. The Topeka, Kansas, native earned her bachelor's degree in sport management with a minor in psychology from KU in 2020. She earned her master's degree in digital content strategy from KU in 2022.</div>

🏀 Quartlebaum to leave KU men's coaching staff after 12 seasons

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A total abortion ban is back in Missouri, and for Kansas clinics, that could mean added strain on a system that already serves as a regional safe haven.

Two recent rulings from a lower court judge allowed Missourians to receive abortion care in major cities, blocking years of restrictions implemented by state lawmakers. Those rulings came after voter approval of a constitutional amendment in November enshrining reproductive freedom in the state constitution.

All of that was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/27/missouri-supreme-court-reinstates-abortion-restrictions-imposing-de-facto-ban/" target="_blank">undone</a>&nbsp;in a two-page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/SC101026%20-%20Peremptory%20Writ_FINAL.pdf?courtCode=SC&amp;di=209055" target="_blank">ruling</a>&nbsp;Tuesday from Chief Justice Mary Russell of the Missouri Supreme Court, which ordered Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang to vacate the December and February decisions and reevaluate the case, restoring a ban on abortions and facility licensing restrictions.

Missourians have a constitutional right to reproductive freedom in name only, said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Great Plains. She called the Tuesday ruling surprising but added that the organization is accustomed to having to pivot because of court cases and politics.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains has clinics on both sides of the state line, so the impacts of the court’s ruling are widespread for the organization. On the Missouri side, appointment times are being canceled, and care will become scarcer if the ruling remains in place, Wales said. On the Kansas side, the ruling means adding more appointment times and stretching providers to offer care to an entire region.&nbsp;

Trust Women, an independent abortion clinic in Wichita, is actively expanding the number of patients it can take, CEO and president Kathryn Boyd said in a statement.

Boyd called the ban in Missouri “devastating” and a “setback for women’s health, safety, and reproductive rights.” But it’s nothing new, she said.

“We have been providing essential care to people in the face of oppressive policies and threats of violence for a long time,” she said.

Boyd added: “Like in Kansas, Missourians went to the ballot and voted in favor of protecting abortion rights, and now their political leaders are violating the will of the people.”

Kansas abortion clinics serve&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-abortion-clinics-saw-sizable-majority-of-clients-from-out-of-state-in-2024/">mostly out-of-state patients</a>, which has been attributed to its strong reproductive freedoms and its proximity to Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, where residents must seek care away from home.

“Having so few providers to support an entire region is not a sustainable system,” Wales said.

The ruling is a continuation of notoriously difficult-to-access care in Missouri, said Isabel Guarnieri, communications director for the Guttmacher Institute, a health policy research and advocacy organization.

“As of now, the total ban is back in effect, along with other restrictions that force patients to wait and receive counseling before obtaining an abortion and (targeted regulation of abortion providers) laws that make it difficult for clinics to operate,” Guarnieri said in a Wednesday press release.

In 2023, with Missouri’s ban in effect, almost 3,000 Missourians traveled to Kansas for an abortion. More than 8,700 traveled to Illinois. Wales said Planned Parenthood had been hopeful that Missouri’s restoration of access to abortion could have offered Kansas clinics breathing room.

“We know that the demand for the region outpaces what we can provide,” she said.

And that only applies to those who can access care. Without local abortion access, Wales said, people without the ability to travel for care will be left behind.

Missouri lawmakers intend to put another ballot measure before voters, likely in the 2026 general election, that would overturn the November amendment establishing reproductive freedom in the state constitution.

Kansas Republicans have taken a more roundabout approach in presenting to voters an August 2026 referendum on the state Supreme Court justice selection process. Electing state Supreme Court justices by popular vote could give the majority a conservative tilt, paving the way for the reversal of decisions that protect abortion, public school funding and legislative districts, among others.

Attorneys general from Kansas, Missouri and Idaho are involved in a federal lawsuit seeking to rewrite federal prescribing guidelines for medication abortions. The Trump administration has asked the court to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/05/repub/trump-administration-asks-to-dismiss-suit-by-3-gop-states-trying-to-limit-abortion-pill/">dismiss</a>&nbsp;the suit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740446896339.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A total abortion ban is back in Missouri, and for Kansas clinics, that could mean added strain on a system that already serves as a regional safe haven.Two recent rulings from a lower court judge allowed Missourians to receive abortion care in major cities, blocking years of restrictions implemented by state lawmakers. Those rulings came after voter approval of a constitutional amendment in November enshrining reproductive freedom in the state constitution.All of that was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/27/missouri-supreme-court-reinstates-abortion-restrictions-imposing-de-facto-ban/" target="_blank">undone</a>&nbsp;in a two-page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/SC101026%20-%20Peremptory%20Writ_FINAL.pdf?courtCode=SC&amp;di=209055" target="_blank">ruling</a>&nbsp;Tuesday from Chief Justice Mary Russell of the Missouri Supreme Court, which ordered Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang to vacate the December and February decisions and reevaluate the case, restoring a ban on abortions and facility licensing restrictions.Missourians have a constitutional right to reproductive freedom in name only, said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Great Plains. She called the Tuesday ruling surprising but added that the organization is accustomed to having to pivot because of court cases and politics.Planned Parenthood Great Plains has clinics on both sides of the state line, so the impacts of the court’s ruling are widespread for the organization. On the Missouri side, appointment times are being canceled, and care will become scarcer if the ruling remains in place, Wales said. On the Kansas side, the ruling means adding more appointment times and stretching providers to offer care to an entire region.&nbsp;Trust Women, an independent abortion clinic in Wichita, is actively expanding the number of patients it can take, CEO and president Kathryn Boyd said in a statement.Boyd called the ban in Missouri “devastating” and a “setback for women’s health, safety, and reproductive rights.” But it’s nothing new, she said.“We have been providing essential care to people in the face of oppressive policies and threats of violence for a long time,” she said.Boyd added: “Like in Kansas, Missourians went to the ballot and voted in favor of protecting abortion rights, and now their political leaders are violating the will of the people.”Kansas abortion clinics serve&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-abortion-clinics-saw-sizable-majority-of-clients-from-out-of-state-in-2024/">mostly out-of-state patients</a>, which has been attributed to its strong reproductive freedoms and its proximity to Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, where residents must seek care away from home.“Having so few providers to support an entire region is not a sustainable system,” Wales said.The ruling is a continuation of notoriously difficult-to-access care in Missouri, said Isabel Guarnieri, communications director for the Guttmacher Institute, a health policy research and advocacy organization.“As of now, the total ban is back in effect, along with other restrictions that force patients to wait and receive counseling before obtaining an abortion and (targeted regulation of abortion providers) laws that make it difficult for clinics to operate,” Guarnieri said in a Wednesday press release.In 2023, with Missouri’s ban in effect, almost 3,000 Missourians traveled to Kansas for an abortion. More than 8,700 traveled to Illinois. Wales said Planned Parenthood had been hopeful that Missouri’s restoration of access to abortion could have offered Kansas clinics breathing room.“We know that the demand for the region outpaces what we can provide,” she said.And that only applies to those who can access care. Without local abortion access, Wales said, people without the ability to travel for care will be left behind.Missouri lawmakers intend to put another ballot measure before voters, likely in the 2026 general election, that would overturn the November amendment establishing reproductive freedom in the state constitution.Kansas Republicans have taken a more roundabout approach in presenting to voters an August 2026 referendum on the state Supreme Court justice selection process. Electing state Supreme Court justices by popular vote could give the majority a conservative tilt, paving the way for the reversal of decisions that protect abortion, public school funding and legislative districts, among others.Attorneys general from Kansas, Missouri and Idaho are involved in a federal lawsuit seeking to rewrite federal prescribing guidelines for medication abortions. The Trump administration has asked the court to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/05/repub/trump-administration-asks-to-dismiss-suit-by-3-gop-states-trying-to-limit-abortion-pill/">dismiss</a>&nbsp;the suit.

Kansas abortion clinics could take on more patients in Missouri ban fallout

 The Department of Government Efficiency has canceled four National Science Foundation grants worth more than $4.3 million that were awarded to the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, citing the programs as “wasteful DEI grants.”

The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, announced the cancellations through its “savings” website, which listed terminations of three KU grants on April 25 and May 2, and one grant to K-State on May 2.

The decision is part of a larger effort by DOGE and the NSF to review and terminate what they describe as non-priority grants. In an April 18 post on X, formerly Twitter, the NSF said it was ending awards “not aligned with agency priorities” and reaffirmed its commitment to “creating opportunities for all Americans everywhere, without exclusion of any groups.”

DOGE claims the cancellations will save the federal government nearly $1.5 million, despite the total value of the grants exceeding $4.3 million. The move is part of a broader sweep that has resulted in the termination of hundreds of NSF-funded projects, many of them tied to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Two of the canceled grants — one each to KU and K-State — were part of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program. The LSAMP initiative aims to diversify the STEM workforce by increasing the number of underrepresented students earning degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

The KU LSAMP grant supported a partnership with Pittsburg State University, the University of Nebraska, Southeast Community College, Johnson County Community College and Kansas City Kansas Community College. K-State’s grant, similarly aimed at building STEM pathways in Kansas, listed partners including Wichita State University and multiple community colleges across the state.

Another KU grant, awarded under the joint NSF-NIH SCISIPBIO initiative, focused on examining the career barriers faced by Black biomedical scientists. The study planned to build a dataset of more than 2 million individual faculty members to evaluate disparities in academic success metrics such as publications, citations and grant funding.

A separate KU grant targeted barriers faced by underserved, post-traditional engineering students — including those who are older, attend college part-time or support families. The research aimed to inform engineering programs about policy changes that could improve retention among such students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged and minority backgrounds.

The cancellation of these grants has raised concern among education advocates and researchers who argue that programs designed to support underrepresented communities in STEM are critical for long-term workforce development and innovation.

The cuts follow the recent resignation of the NSF director, raising further questions about the future direction of federal science funding and the role of diversity initiatives in higher education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738614192317.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure> The Department of Government Efficiency has canceled four National Science Foundation grants worth more than $4.3 million that were awarded to the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, citing the programs as “wasteful DEI grants.”The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, announced the cancellations through its “savings” website, which listed terminations of three KU grants on April 25 and May 2, and one grant to K-State on May 2.The decision is part of a larger effort by DOGE and the NSF to review and terminate what they describe as non-priority grants. In an April 18 post on X, formerly Twitter, the NSF said it was ending awards “not aligned with agency priorities” and reaffirmed its commitment to “creating opportunities for all Americans everywhere, without exclusion of any groups.”DOGE claims the cancellations will save the federal government nearly $1.5 million, despite the total value of the grants exceeding $4.3 million. The move is part of a broader sweep that has resulted in the termination of hundreds of NSF-funded projects, many of them tied to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.Two of the canceled grants — one each to KU and K-State — were part of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program. The LSAMP initiative aims to diversify the STEM workforce by increasing the number of underrepresented students earning degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.The KU LSAMP grant supported a partnership with Pittsburg State University, the University of Nebraska, Southeast Community College, Johnson County Community College and Kansas City Kansas Community College. K-State’s grant, similarly aimed at building STEM pathways in Kansas, listed partners including Wichita State University and multiple community colleges across the state.Another KU grant, awarded under the joint NSF-NIH SCISIPBIO initiative, focused on examining the career barriers faced by Black biomedical scientists. The study planned to build a dataset of more than 2 million individual faculty members to evaluate disparities in academic success metrics such as publications, citations and grant funding.A separate KU grant targeted barriers faced by underserved, post-traditional engineering students — including those who are older, attend college part-time or support families. The research aimed to inform engineering programs about policy changes that could improve retention among such students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged and minority backgrounds.The cancellation of these grants has raised concern among education advocates and researchers who argue that programs designed to support underrepresented communities in STEM are critical for long-term workforce development and innovation.The cuts follow the recent resignation of the NSF director, raising further questions about the future direction of federal science funding and the role of diversity initiatives in higher education.

DOGE cuts grants to KU, KSU claims $1.5M savings

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

WILSON—After 37 years of being a quirky stop on Interstate 70 where you can find popcorn, wine, Kansas books, T-shirts or handpainted limestone, Kansas Originals is facing closure.

Kansas Originals owns its building, but not the land on which it sits. The land was owned by Service Oil Company, but has been purchased by a new owner. The new owner has decided to develop the location as a truck stop and is insisting that the Kansas Originals building be demolished or moved.

Although the store could be relocated, Marge Lawson, co-founder of the nonprofit that created Kansas Originals, said the store is doomed without easy access to I-70.

"Through tumultuous months, with serveral owners, and waiting for two years through a maze of what might be and assurances from local agencies that we are safe, we received legal notice that we must move out and move or tear our building down by Nov. 30 of this year," Kansas Originals said in a letter to the Hays Post.

The letter continued, "It is heartbreaking and unimaginable because we didn't just buy this place and business, we built it with years of total dedication—no 40-hour weeks but 50 and 60 hours, late nights and weekends. We served our artists, craftsmen, travelers and the general public by staying open 362 days a year."

Kansas Originals is not your average souvenir shop off the interstate. It's not kich.

The Post Rock Opportunities Foundation, which is the nonprofit that supports Kansas Originals, shared the history behind the trading post on the Plains.

Thirty-seven years ago, a dedicated group of people from five counties banded together and formed the Post Rock Opportunities Foundation.

"Led by a pastor who wouldn't give up, and movers and shakers from throughout the area working countless hours, Kansas Originals Market &amp; Gallery became a reality," the letter said. "Our mission is to provide marketplaces for the work of Kansas artists, craftsmen and food producers, especially those who are 62 or over, low-income, disabled, minorities or women in business."

The Presbyterian Church provided a $50,000 grant from its One Great House of Sharing to construct the building. Other donors and volunteers followed the church's lead.

Kansas Originals opened on July 27, 1991, during the Wilson Czech Festival.

By 1993, the building was full. The foundation used a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce and a loan from the Northcentral Regional Planning Commission to double the size of the building.

According to the foundation, more than 1,000 corporations, businesses, and individuals have supported the nonprofit through grants, sponsorships and monetary donations.

"Our artists and craftsmen donate to the cause by giving artwork for fundraisers," the letter said.

The Smoky Hill Foundation, Merrill Foundation, Kansas Arts Commission and Dane G. Hansen Foundation are among the Kansas Originals' supporters.

"It was because of the selfless acts of so many who put us before their interests that we were able to succeed. Kansas Originals Market &amp; Gallery and the Post Rock Opportunties Foundation were never created to make any one person or group of people wealthy, it was created to sustain a group of people that would not have had the opportunity for success that Kansas Originals provided," the letter said.

Kansas Originals has been a point of curiosity for people from around the world. A map at the store is packed with push pins marking the homes of visitors from all 50 states and more than 50 countries.

Volunteers says visitors love to take photos with the "The Wizard of Oz" characters and Rusty Rojo, the Orginals' 7-foot chicken.

"The foundation has showcased the work of over 1,960 artists, craftsmen, food producers and authors. It has been our pride and our joy and our honor to serve the talented Kansans and to enable them to have their art, crafts and food products spread across the United States from our spot on the prairie," the letter said.

Some of the Hays area products that have been featured in the store include Popt Popcorn from Hays, Pat's Beef Jerky from Liebenthal, and Patsy's D's Barbecue Sauce from Russell.

One of the most dedicated artists and devoted representatives has been a part of the foundation since it was organized. She served on the board of directors and still brings in paintings and photo albums to sell. She will be 99 in August.

"A comment by the son of one of our many elderly craftspeople, who stopped by the other day to pick up her remaining items after she passed away, tugged at my heart when he told us, 'You gave her a purpose in life. She had a place to come, and she loved coming here,'" the letter said.

The foundation also wanted to honor the memory of Pastor Tom Henstock, who worked tirelessly to keep the dream of Kansas Originals alive and made a significant financial donation upon his passing.

"We were so excited that we were going to be able to make improvements to our building, but instead our future has become uncertain and bleak," the letter said.

The Kansas Originals volunteers fear the sale of the property on which their building sits means the end of the store.

"Without a miracle or intervention from people who care, our dedicated staff will lose their employment," the letter said. "The attractions and businesses in Wilson and Lucas and throughout the region that we so vigorously promote to our millions of travelers will no longer receive that support, and many of our Kansas artists, craftsmen and food producers will no longer have a place to sell their work.

"The Tourist Information Center and Kansas Wine Room will be gone. All the history, creating income for the elderly, low-income, disabled and women in business, is scheduled to come to a crashing end."

"We don't want our story to end. We welcome any suggestions, ideas or solutions anyone might have to keep the Post Rock Opportunites and Kansas Originals alive and thriving," the Kansas Originals volunteers and staff said in their letter.

For more information or to send suggestions, email info@kansasoriginals.com or call 785-658-2602.

You can also find more on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasoriginals.com/">Kansas Originals website</a>&nbsp;and follow the store on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansasoriginals">Facebook</a>.

Kansas Originals is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and is&nbsp;at 233 Highway 232, Wilson, KS, 67490.

Look for the big red and blue Kansas Originals sign.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748372872819.jpeg" alt="Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostWILSON—After 37 years of being a quirky stop on Interstate 70 where you can find popcorn, wine, Kansas books, T-shirts or handpainted limestone, Kansas Originals is facing closure.Kansas Originals owns its building, but not the land on which it sits. The land was owned by Service Oil Company, but has been purchased by a new owner. The new owner has decided to develop the location as a truck stop and is insisting that the Kansas Originals building be demolished or moved.Although the store could be relocated, Marge Lawson, co-founder of the nonprofit that created Kansas Originals, said the store is doomed without easy access to I-70."Through tumultuous months, with serveral owners, and waiting for two years through a maze of what might be and assurances from local agencies that we are safe, we received legal notice that we must move out and move or tear our building down by Nov. 30 of this year," Kansas Originals said in a letter to the Hays Post.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748372916376.jpeg" alt="Handcrafted items for sale at Kansas Originals. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Handcrafted items for sale at Kansas Originals. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>The letter continued, "It is heartbreaking and unimaginable because we didn't just buy this place and business, we built it with years of total dedication—no 40-hour weeks but 50 and 60 hours, late nights and weekends. We served our artists, craftsmen, travelers and the general public by staying open 362 days a year."Kansas Originals is not your average souvenir shop off the interstate. It's not kich.The Post Rock Opportunities Foundation, which is the nonprofit that supports Kansas Originals, shared the history behind the trading post on the Plains.Thirty-seven years ago, a dedicated group of people from five counties banded together and formed the Post Rock Opportunities Foundation."Led by a pastor who wouldn't give up, and movers and shakers from throughout the area working countless hours, Kansas Originals Market &amp; Gallery became a reality," the letter said. "Our mission is to provide marketplaces for the work of Kansas artists, craftsmen and food producers, especially those who are 62 or over, low-income, disabled, minorities or women in business."The Presbyterian Church provided a $50,000 grant from its One Great House of Sharing to construct the building. Other donors and volunteers followed the church's lead.Kansas Originals opened on July 27, 1991, during the Wilson Czech Festival.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748372963942.jpeg" alt="Handcrafted items for sale at Kansas Originals. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Handcrafted items for sale at Kansas Originals. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>By 1993, the building was full. The foundation used a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce and a loan from the Northcentral Regional Planning Commission to double the size of the building.According to the foundation, more than 1,000 corporations, businesses, and individuals have supported the nonprofit through grants, sponsorships and monetary donations."Our artists and craftsmen donate to the cause by giving artwork for fundraisers," the letter said.The Smoky Hill Foundation, Merrill Foundation, Kansas Arts Commission and Dane G. Hansen Foundation are among the Kansas Originals' supporters."It was because of the selfless acts of so many who put us before their interests that we were able to succeed. Kansas Originals Market &amp; Gallery and the Post Rock Opportunties Foundation were never created to make any one person or group of people wealthy, it was created to sustain a group of people that would not have had the opportunity for success that Kansas Originals provided," the letter said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748373004933.jpeg" alt="Dozens of titles on Kansas and the Great Plains or by Kansas authors at Kansas Originals. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Dozens of titles on Kansas and the Great Plains or by Kansas authors at Kansas Originals. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Originals has been a point of curiosity for people from around the world. A map at the store is packed with push pins marking the homes of visitors from all 50 states and more than 50 countries.Volunteers says visitors love to take photos with the "The Wizard of Oz" characters and Rusty Rojo, the Orginals' 7-foot chicken."The foundation has showcased the work of over 1,960 artists, craftsmen, food producers and authors. It has been our pride and our joy and our honor to serve the talented Kansans and to enable them to have their art, crafts and food products spread across the United States from our spot on the prairie," the letter said.Some of the Hays area products that have been featured in the store include Popt Popcorn from Hays, Pat's Beef Jerky from Liebenthal, and Patsy's D's Barbecue Sauce from Russell.One of the most dedicated artists and devoted representatives has been a part of the foundation since it was organized. She served on the board of directors and still brings in paintings and photo albums to sell. She will be 99 in August.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748373079913.jpeg" alt="University of Kansas and Kansas State University merchandise at Kansas Originals. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>University of Kansas and Kansas State University merchandise at Kansas Originals. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"A comment by the son of one of our many elderly craftspeople, who stopped by the other day to pick up her remaining items after she passed away, tugged at my heart when he told us, 'You gave her a purpose in life. She had a place to come, and she loved coming here,'" the letter said.The foundation also wanted to honor the memory of Pastor Tom Henstock, who worked tirelessly to keep the dream of Kansas Originals alive and made a significant financial donation upon his passing."We were so excited that we were going to be able to make improvements to our building, but instead our future has become uncertain and bleak," the letter said.The Kansas Originals volunteers fear the sale of the property on which their building sits means the end of the store."Without a miracle or intervention from people who care, our dedicated staff will lose their employment," the letter said. "The attractions and businesses in Wilson and Lucas and throughout the region that we so vigorously promote to our millions of travelers will no longer receive that support, and many of our Kansas artists, craftsmen and food producers will no longer have a place to sell their work."The Tourist Information Center and Kansas Wine Room will be gone. All the history, creating income for the elderly, low-income, disabled and women in business, is scheduled to come to a crashing end."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748372812386.png" alt="The Kansas Originals building and sign that faces Interstate 70. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Originals building and sign that faces Interstate 70. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"We don't want our story to end. We welcome any suggestions, ideas or solutions anyone might have to keep the Post Rock Opportunites and Kansas Originals alive and thriving," the Kansas Originals volunteers and staff said in their letter.For more information or to send suggestions, email info@kansasoriginals.com or call 785-658-2602.You can also find more on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasoriginals.com/">Kansas Originals website</a>&nbsp;and follow the store on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansasoriginals">Facebook</a>.Kansas Originals is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and is&nbsp;at 233 Highway 232, Wilson, KS, 67490.Look for the big red and blue Kansas Originals sign.

Kansas Originals faces demolition of its building, fears closure

The Trump Administration recently appointed David Schemm as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kansas. Schemm joined the Kansas FSA team on May 5, 2025.

“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

“FSA State Executive Directors serve in a critical role carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level — ensuring that our focus is on meeting the needs of local agricultural producers by putting farmers and ranchers first,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Rural communities need our support now more than ever. Our newly appointed state leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their position as SED and they will play an integral role in shaping the future of agriculture in their state.”

Schemm returns to FSA where he previously served as the FSA State Executive Director for Kansas during President Trump’s first term. Before that, he served as Ag Advisor for U.S. Senator Roger Marshall for two years. He has a long history of involvement and leadership with the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Board and the National Association of Wheat Growers. Schemm also served on the board for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and served on the A-Team Innovation and Sustainability for United States Grains Council.&nbsp;

As SED, Schemm is responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Kansas. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for all Americans. See&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.usda.gov%2Fabout-usda%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2F2025%2F05%2F02%2Fsecretary-rollins-announces-new-state-directors-farm-service-agency-and-rural-development%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019712f28e7b-08408d87-0f93-4f5f-9b40-75092b033a69-000000/j102gY9gHoBNkPZs9UtwtMrsE7wtryPvbMCtSrhgYDU=406">USDA news release</a>&nbsp;for full list of recent FSA and Rural Development appointees.

FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Fdata=05%257C02%257CBrooke.DeCubellis%2540usda.gov%257C8e2f0ae81a564e48b05908dd8ee98f3d%257Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%257C1%257C0%257C638823855979902246%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26reserved=0%26sdata=bACwdSCKjVG4cUBQPwQSyMpG2%252FwSZHXL%252Bhh4YIM6x%252Bc%253D%26url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.fsa.usda.gov%252F%253Futm_medium%253Demail%2526utm_source%253Dgovdelivery%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019712f28e7b-08408d87-0f93-4f5f-9b40-75092b033a69-000000/5BkwYgGTN6WTmpGIjj-c5hiEcj8bJCpwKz2ocXzcZIo=406">fsa.usda.gov</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1562944742118.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The Trump Administration recently appointed David Schemm as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kansas. Schemm joined the Kansas FSA team on May 5, 2025.“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600284821318.jpeg" alt="<a href="https://www.dieselfuelinjectionrepair.com/">Click here to visit Diesel Control Technicians website</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.dieselfuelinjectionrepair.com/">Click here to visit Diesel Control Technicians website</a></figcaption>
 </figure>“FSA State Executive Directors serve in a critical role carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level — ensuring that our focus is on meeting the needs of local agricultural producers by putting farmers and ranchers first,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Rural communities need our support now more than ever. Our newly appointed state leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their position as SED and they will play an integral role in shaping the future of agriculture in their state.”Schemm returns to FSA where he previously served as the FSA State Executive Director for Kansas during President Trump’s first term. Before that, he served as Ag Advisor for U.S. Senator Roger Marshall for two years. He has a long history of involvement and leadership with the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Board and the National Association of Wheat Growers. Schemm also served on the board for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and served on the A-Team Innovation and Sustainability for United States Grains Council.&nbsp;As SED, Schemm is responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Kansas. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for all Americans. See&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.usda.gov%2Fabout-usda%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2F2025%2F05%2F02%2Fsecretary-rollins-announces-new-state-directors-farm-service-agency-and-rural-development%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019712f28e7b-08408d87-0f93-4f5f-9b40-75092b033a69-000000/j102gY9gHoBNkPZs9UtwtMrsE7wtryPvbMCtSrhgYDU=406">USDA news release</a>&nbsp;for full list of recent FSA and Rural Development appointees.FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Fdata=05%257C02%257CBrooke.DeCubellis%2540usda.gov%257C8e2f0ae81a564e48b05908dd8ee98f3d%257Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%257C1%257C0%257C638823855979902246%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26reserved=0%26sdata=bACwdSCKjVG4cUBQPwQSyMpG2%252FwSZHXL%252Bhh4YIM6x%252Bc%253D%26url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.fsa.usda.gov%252F%253Futm_medium%253Demail%2526utm_source%253Dgovdelivery%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019712f28e7b-08408d87-0f93-4f5f-9b40-75092b033a69-000000/5BkwYgGTN6WTmpGIjj-c5hiEcj8bJCpwKz2ocXzcZIo=406">fsa.usda.gov</a>