LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Ryan Martin, Seward County

As I sit here writing this, I have to wonder: has the will and voice of the people been lost? Growing up, when difficult or debatable issues arose, we were always taught to contact our senator or write our congressman. We were told our voices mattered. I would like to believe that is still true at the state and national levels, but I’m beginning to wonder if it still holds value locally.

One of the major topics in Seward County right now is the proposed wind turbine farm in the northeast corner of the county. For quite some time, it seemed to remain under the radar until the issue came to light last summer. Once it did, many citizens began voicing serious concerns: sound, shadow flicker, vibration, impacts on property values for rural residences, setbacks from neighboring homes, wildlife effects, and simply the reality of looking out your back door at a 600-foot turbine.

RYCKMAN RECAP, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator

Week 8 of the 2026 Legislature was all about the budget, with the Senate passing its version by the narrowest of margins and setting up negotiations with the House. By “narrowest,” I mean by the minimum required 21 votes, with 19 opposed.

That’s not at all unusual, of course, since no elected official wants to go on record as supporting spending more of the taxpayers’ money, in this case right at $27.8 billion statewide for FY 2026, especially with tax collections currently 10 percent below estimates. It would go down ever so slightly for next year, but still, to most of us ordinary citizens (and senators), that kind of number for our state is incomprehensible. Even our Majority Leader registered a reluctant “No,” saying that despite things like increased support for our I/DD population, enablement of critical highway projects, and full funding for schools, SB 315 fell short on exercising fiscal restraint. Nine other Republicans joined him with similar rationale.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Sheryl Hall, Liberal

Yes, I’m against our attack on Iran.

To explain why would require a fairly lengthy book report, but I can tell you roughly it is for the same reasons that lead me to the conclusion that we should not attack each time it came up over the years, most of my adult life, as it did for every president during most of my adult life before Trump, even though they, too, have heard the rhetoric from Bibi Netanyahu since 1992.

“In a very short time,” “in a matter of weeks,” “within months.” Now, some of you will tell me that all of a sudden we have a president who is smarter than all of them and their advisors. Even though Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “completely and totally obliterated (Trump’s words),” back in June.

GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative

Doug Knudsen, Government Instructor at the Fellowship Baptist Academy, brought 6 students to the capitol this week to page. They did a great job, and I enjoyed visiting with them about Kansas and the Legislature. Thanks so much for coming. They are amazing members of our community.

The Page program is designed for students in middle school, junior high or the first years of high school. Working as a page in the Kansas Legislature is an excellent way to learn more about the legislative process. If you or someone you know is interested in serving as a page, please contact my office for more information.