Opinion

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

Growing up, the Midway was my favorite part of the Five State Free Fair. The Exhibit building was connected to the Ag Building, and after perusing those earlier in the day, we would go outside to the Midway with all the rides, food and entertainment that made the Fair, well, the Fair.

There was also the three big nights of racing, a demolition derby and a host of other events that brought out crowds in droves.

We remember with rose colored glasses those days, and they truly were core memories of what makes a fair a fair.

But much has changed since then.

THE POSTSCRIPT, Carrie Classon

I had not planned on a party; that was the trouble.

There is something ridiculous about a woman who has collected so many dresses that they barely fit in her adequately sized closet, showing up at her own anniversary party with nothing to wear. But that is the position I was about to find myself in.

Every time I’ve come to Mexico, I’ve brought one especially nice dress. Every time, it has hung in my small closet in Mexico, untouched. The restaurants we go to just don’t require a serious dress. A nice pair of capris or a casual summer dress is much more appropriate for anywhere my husband, Peter, and I go.

GUEST COLUMN, Paul Michel, Council for Innovation Promotion

A potent mix of bureaucratic red tape and adverse court rulings is deterring U.S. startups and small businesses from investing in cutting-edge technologies — slowing our tech progress just when America needs to sprint to stay ahead of China.

In fact, thanks to a combination of smart policies and massive investments in advanced technologies, China is rapidly taking the innovation lead. According to a study funded partly by the State Department, America now trails China in 37 of 44 critical technology areas — from 6G telecommunications and renewable energy to hypersonic missiles.

GUEST COLUMN, Vance Ginn, Kansas Policy Institute

Kansas’ fiscal future is at risk. For years, state spending has outpaced economic growth, placing an increasing burden on taxpayers. Without serious reform, Kansas will continue down a path of higher taxes, slower job growth, and economic stagnation. The 2026 Responsible Kansas Budget (RKB) offers a solution—controlling spending, lowering taxes, and ensuring long-term prosperity.