Rice County News
Parental Rights Bill Passes Kansas Senate
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) — Kansas lawmakers have advanced a bill that allows parents to remove their child from any classroom lesson or activity the parents view as inappropriate. The Kansas Senate voted 23-17 to pass the bill, which is a weaker version of the...
Award-Winning Christian Artists Perform at Kansas State Fair September 13
HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Renowned Christian artist and songwriter Matthew West will perform at the Kansas State Fair on Wednesday, September 13. He’ll be joined by up-and-coming Christian artist Anne Wilson.
Matthew West is a prolific artist, scoring 25 number-one hits. He’s a...
Smoky Valley Teacher Finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year
LINDSBORG, Kan. - Gretchen Elliott, an art teacher at Smoky Valley High School, and Erin Pittenger, an elementary teacher at St. George Elementary School were named Region 1 finalists for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year award...
March Classroom Hero Recipient Betsy Dutton Comes from a Family of Teachers
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Ad Astra Radio is proud to announce the most recent recipient of the Classroom Hero Award presented by Heartland Credit Union.Betsy Dutton teaches Speech, Debate/Forensics, and Theatre at Sterling High School. She is retiring this year after 41 years in education,...
Extended Drought Leads to Waning Optimism on Potential of Kansas Wheat Crop
Written by Marsha Boswell, Kansas Wheat MANHATTAN, Kan. - Wheat farmers are, by nature, optimistic, but that optimism is starting to wane in southwest Kansas, where much of the wheat that was drilled last fall has yet to emerge.Only 19% of the Kansas wheat crop...
Kansas Senate Advances Bill Making It Easier to Get Religious Exemptions from Vaccine Requirements
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - The Kansas Senate has approved a bill making it easier to get a religious exemption from vaccine requirements. The bill makes it harder for childcare facilities, schools and employers to require vaccinations because it would be easier to get an...
Kansas Lawmakers Approve Bill Requiring Medical Care for Infants Who Survive Abortion Procedure
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - Kansas lawmakers have passed a bill requiring doctors to provide medical care to infants born alive following an attempted abortion. Those births are rare, but sometimes occur after late-term abortions.Critics say the bill could force doctors to take infants who...
Governor Issues Declaration of Disaster Emergency Due to Threat of Wildland Fires
TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) - Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has issued a declaration of disaster emergency due to the potential for wildland fires and severe storms in the state. Friday's verbal declaration will allow the state to preposition assets for a quicker response to any...
Reno County Fire Crews Responded Thursday to a Grass Fire Northwest of Abbyville
RENO COUNTY, Kan. – Fire Crews responded Thursday afternoon to a small grass fire in western Reno County. A 911 call was made shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday to report a small 10x10 fire in the north ditch in the area of US-50 and...
Kansas Senate Approves Adoption Tax Credit
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - The Kansas Senate has given initial approval to a bill increasing state tax credits for adoption. Under the measure, those who adopt children would get almost $15,000 per child.The Senate also made the tax credit refundable. That means parents eligible...
Kansas House Votes to Prohibit Bans on Plastic Bags, Straws
TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) - The Kansas House has voted to prohibit local governments from banning single-use plastics, like plastic bags and straws. But the bill fell short of a veto-proof majority and may not survive. Democratic Governor Laura Kelly vetoed a similar measure last...
