News

Kansas DCF shares update on status of SNAP amid ongoing federal government shutdown

Special to the Leader & Times

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has received a letter from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. That letter to all states says that if a lapse in funding, caused by the shutdown, continues, there will not be enough money to pay full SNAP benefits for November.

The letter directs agencies to hold off on processing November benefits until further notice. Until a budget agreement or continuing resolution is reached at the federal level, or the federal government identifies a funding pathway, November SNAP benefits may be delayed or interrupted entirely. If no federal action is taken by October 28, 2025, November SNAP benefits will not be disbursed until the federal government reaches a resolution.

SNAP provides benefits for approximately 42 million people across the country. That includes a total distribution of more than $34.4 million to more than 93,000 Kansas households – nearly 188,000 Kansans – who depend on SNAP each month to help put food on their tables.

Youth, adults smash pumpkins to raise funds for church events

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

October’s second half is typically the height of the fall season, and as part of autumn, pumpkins can be seen everywhere from the front porches of homes to the patches they are grown in and many other locations.

Wednesday night, Liberal’s New Beginnings Church was the temporary home of some pumpkins, temporary because what happened over the course of one hour saw the destruction of those pumpkins.

The church received a donated batch of pumpkins, and for a small price, NBC youth could purchase a pumpkin and smash it, all in an effort to raise money for some of the church’s upcoming event.

SCCC Library to host ‘Outside/Inside: Immigration, Migration, and Health Care in the United States’ exhibit

Seward County Community College

The Seward County Community College Library is proud to host the Outside/Inside: Immigration, Migration, and Health Care in the United States, a six-panel exhibit on immigration and its influence on public health in United States.

The six-panel display highlights the early struggles of immigrants to access quality healthcare and showcases the work of pioneers who fought for inclusive medical services.

Plains fifth graders bake for a cause — sweet success in supporting breast cancer awareness

Plains Elementary School

The smell of freshly baked cookies and cupcakes surrounded Mustang Field Oct. 17 as a group of Plains Elementary fifth graders turned their compassion and their culinary skills into a heartwarming community effort.

The students hosted a bake sale to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.

The idea began in Ann Swank’s fifth-grade classroom, where five students wanted to make a difference in honor of those affected by breast cancer.

Citizens continue to voice concerns over record increase

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Prior to hearing from Wichita attorney Forrest Rhodes regarding what could be done to fix the adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which contained an increase of more than 13 mills over the Revenue Neutral Rate, Seward County commissioners got feedback from constituents at Monday’s meeting.

Liberal resident Rick Madden, who also spoke at the Sept. 15 public hearing, said he is confused by budget information he has seen since then.

“One says come get it from the horse’s mouth, and the other one’s showing the horse’s mouth isn’t being truthful about it,” he said.

Madden asked how much of the 13 mills would be dedicated to paybacks to DCP National Helium and Conestoga Energy.

“If there is surplus in that 13 mills, I’d like to know what the mill surplus was and what the intended use of it is,” he said. “It seems it’s fallen under the cover of the DCP National Helium and Conestoga settlement.”