Opinion

GUEST COLUMN, Jackie Mundt, Kansas Farm Bureau

Recently, a work trip prompted a quick trip to Fresno, Calif., where I attended college to earn my undergraduate degree. The trip was past due; it had been nearly 10 years since my last visit.

As I drove around town and visited with old friends, memories broke free from the back of my mind. Many important pieces of who I am stem from those years.

GUEST COLUMN, Brian Hainline, U.S. Tennis Association

Across the country, young people are dropping out of organized sports. The share of kids ages 6 to 17 who participated in a team sport dropped by nearly 5 percentage points between 2017 and 2022. The decline isn't primarily because kids are losing interest. Rather, what they're losing is access -- especially as the cost of participation continues to rise.

Reversing this trend is critically important for kids' mental and physical health. So it's worth looking at some of the barriers sports have faced, and how tennis is forward-thinking in this matter.

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

We wrote last week how the anointed one, Jesus, was baptized by John the Baptist. In that act, He as a sinless person submitted to a ritual of purification, in order to identify with sinners, with each of us. Baptism began for Jesus a journey to the cross, to provide redemption for all who believe.

The accounts of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River flowed immediately into the story of His temptation. Each of us will face times of trial, sometimes circumstances or loss, and sometimes temptations arise. The fact that Jesus underwent these same challenges can help us overcome - which can prevent our hurting a spouse, disappointing our children, and so many other heartaches. The issue for Jesus, and therefore for us all, is obedience to God.

GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative

It was a busy week at the Capitol but made much better by the number of people from home who were representing our community.

Tanya Colvin, Cory Barnett, and Tessy Barnett met with me about the best ways to lower property taxes without creating unintended consequences. I appreciate their thoughtfulness, and the real life experience they brought to the discussion.

Rozelle Webb and Angie Toscano with the Liberal Chamber of Commerce met to discuss concerns for Liberal and Seward County and the Chamber’s goals. Angie is this year’s Chamber President. Senator Ryckman and I will have a Legislative Forum sponsored by the Chamber at 10 am, Saturday, February 15 at the Liberal Chamber of Commerce at 4 Rock Island Road. This is just one of the many services the Chamber provides to our community.