Opinion

Messiah: miracles with purpose

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

After studying the teachings of Jesus, we turn this week to His miracles. Everyone who heard the teachings were impressed by His authority; those who witnessed the miracles were moved by His mercy. Each miracle is recorded not as an end to itself, but as a part of His call to repentance and faith. Jesus' miracles give hope in the victory of justice.

Much of Bible history is devoid of miracles, though some significant ones include creation, the exodus from Egypt, works of the prophets, the birth of Jesus, and the establishment of the Church. For anyone looking for miracles today, it's important to note that the message of Christ is well-known and widely available, life itself is a miracle, and therefore no further evidence is required.

After the smoke

GUEST COLUMN, Greg Doering, Kansas Farm Bureau

The changing of clocks always makes me grumpy, especially in the spring when it means losing an hour of the weekend. I understand the rationale behind the whole charade, but understanding doesn’t do anything to alleviate my mood after springing forward. It usually takes at least a couple of weeks to adjust.

Just to be abundantly clear, the practice of shifting clocks forward and backward has nothing to do with creating or eliminating daylight, rather it merely shifts how humans experience it. Nature doesn’t recognize the time we keep, but I’m sure there were some pets happy to receive breakfast an hour early Sunday morning.

With session winding down, property tax relief still on the table

RYCKMAN RECAP, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator

With only two more to go after this, Week 9 of the 2025 Legislative session feels almost like a “wind down” mode, prompting many of us to wonder, “Where has the time gone?”

Don’t get me wrong, we still have some major issues out there — foremost among them the budget and tax cuts, but other than some probable veto overrides the truly “big” votes are pretty much behind us. I say that guardedly, mindful that as far apart as the House and Senate are on our constitutional amendment property tax proposals, we can still come together on something to place on the ballot.

Session winds down, but work picks up in Topeka

GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of those involved in a deadly disaster caused by the dirt storm Friday afternoon on I-70 between Goodland and Colby. More than 71 vehicles were involved and at least eight people died in the crash.

The Kansas Highway Patrol has set up a phone number for family members searching for loved ones who were involved in the crash, which is 785-827-4437.

I extend my deepest gratitude to the local first responders, law enforcement, KHP, KDOT, and many others who have been tirelessly working during this disaster. Interstate 70 remained closed on Saturday afternoon as crews continued their investigation and cleanup of the crash.

Realignment taking place in America, but outcome is unknown

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

From the election of 1800 until 1824, one party controlled the presidency. History shows us that the Federalist Party was rendering itself extinct, but no one really notices until it’s too late that a party is no longer relevant.

Thomas Jefferson was an anti-federalist, or what they called a Democratic Republican. He favored state’s rights over federal authority and established a pattern of limited government while also looking out for the interests of the working class. He often stated that the merchant class cannot prosper while the farming class suffered. In other words, the producer and the seller have to have an equal stake in prosperity. Jefferson was also not a fan of urban centers.