News

STRIKE UP THE PEP BAND

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Attending sporting events in person has always been a favorite pastime for many people, and for team sports such as college and high school basketball, much of the fun of being at the game is hearing the pep band play during timeouts or other stoppages in the action.

For about two decades, Seward County Community College has not had the presence of a pep band at its games, but instrumental music instructor Claire Thompson is working to bring that back.

HHS provides $590M to accelerate pandemic influenza mRNA-based vaccine development

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

With colder weather fully upon the U.S., influenza and other similar illnesses are becoming more prevalent.

With that in mind, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) took some action to help with just that.

Last Friday, HHS announced it will provide approximately $590 million to Moderna to accelerate the development of mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines and enhance mRNA platform capabilities so the U.S. is better prepared to respond to other emerging infectious diseases, according to a release from HHS.

Emergency crisis service 988 growing in use

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was officially implemented two years ago and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) recently shared a report update.

The report gives information from 2024 and highlights data for the 988 Lifeline nationally as well as for Kansas. The council created the report for the 2025 Kansas Legislature with support from the Kansas Health Institute (KHI), according to a release from KDADS.

Fierro takes helm of Seward Co. United Way

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

Patricia Fierro has worked with several non-profits, and now, she will be heading up an organization that provides much funding and help for those agencies.

Fierro was recently hired as the new executive director of Seward County United Way, and she comes to her new job with a wealth of experience in non-profit work.

Kansas Chamber releases legislative agenda

Special to the Leader & Times

TOPEKA — The Kansas Chamber last Thursday released its 2025 Legislative and Policy Agenda, laying out its priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The comprehensive plan focuses on addressing challenges and opportunities to the Kansas business community, from taxes to workforce.

“Thirty-one states have lowered their income tax rates in the last four years. As other states take action to become more attractive and competitive for investment, Kansas continues to fall behind,” said Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb. “There is plenty of opportunity in front of us to move Kansas into a more competitive position.