GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative

Carol and I attended the Liberal Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet on Saturday night. It is always a great event and a great way to visit with friends. Thank you to Rozelle Webb and all the members of the Liberal Chamber for what you do for our community. As always, one of the highlights is the announcement of the Chamber Merit Award winner. This year’s recipient was Jo Ann Sharp. I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Jo Ann. She served our community for years as Chair of the Seward County Community College Board of Trustees among many other positions in the community.  Congratulations Jo Ann!

The Legislature is on recess until the veto session begins on April 9. At that time we will take action on bills vetoed by the Governor that we might have the numbers to override. Below are bills the Governor has signed or allowed to become law since we adjourned last week along with a short description of the bill.

GUEST COLUMN, Kim Baldwin, Kansas Farm Bureau

It’s that time of the year when the trees begin to blossom, the wheat fields become a magnificent green and our yard becomes an interesting site thanks to our farm dog, Rosie.

During the winter months Rosie spends a lot of time indoors. Whether it’s taking day naps while my husband or I work in the office, patrolling the shop while equipment is worked on or willingly sleeping inside the house at night.

But when the days and nights warm up, Rosie spends much more of her time outside. She’ll nap outside the office door soaking up the midday sun. She’ll sniff around the shop before leaving to patrol the farmyard. She refuses to come inside the house at night, preferring to sleep on a wicker bench on my front porch.

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

It’s been years since I’ve heard a complaint about a political cartoon, and last week I received two.

The cartoon took a jab at the No Kings protesters, claiming they either really didn’t know what they were protesting, or that the signs being held by the cartoon characters were insulting and “vulgar.”

Political cartoons are, by design, meant to be offensive. They are used to persuade one political viewpoint over another, or one position on a public issue as better or worse than another.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Geri Harper, Liberal

I am writing in response to the political cartoon by Margolis & Cox published in the March 31, 2026 edition of the Leader & Times.

The cartoon depicted four protesters holding signs that were both insulting and vulgar, accompanied by the false assertion that these individuals were paid to protest. While editorial cartoons often strive to provoke thought and conversation, I am deeply concerned about the divisive rhetoric and misrepresentation presented by this particular illustration.