Farmers face soaring risk of flash droughts in every major foodgrowing region
Flash droughts develop fast, and when they hit at the wrong time, they can devastate a region’s agriculture. They’re also becoming increasingly common as the planet warms.
Opinion
Read MoreFarmers face soaring risk of flash droughts in every major foodgrowing region
Education Frontlines: U.S. Animal Research Faces Monkey Shortage
In a report just released this month, the National Academies of Sciences described how the U.S. is facing a substantial shortage of nonhuman primates (monkeys) to continue vital biomedical research. The record amount of research conducted over the last three years in the battle against COVID-19 has dramatically reduced the supply of animals critical to determining the effectiveness and safety of medications and vaccines.
Plains Folk: Dying cowboys across Kansas
As a balladeer, I’m always proud to declare that it was my co-author and singing partner, Jim Hoy, who sorted out the origins of perhaps the greatest of all cowboy songs, “The Cowboy’s Lament.” Not to be confused (which it often is) with “The Dying Cowboy,” a.k.a. “Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie.”
HIGH CREATININE LEVELS CAN INDICATE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Dear Doctors: A recent blood test showed my creatinine levels are a bit high. My doctor said it’s something we need to watch because that can be a symptom of chronic kidney disease. Is high creatinine really that big of a deal? What can you do to take care of your kidneys and get lower numbers?
Muh Roads: Stop Subsidizing Sprawl
I used to live “in the country.” Now I arguably live “in the suburbs.” No, I haven’t moved closer to the city (Gainesville, Florida). The city’s moved closer to me.
Memorial Day, observe obligations metand obligations you have
Love him or detest him, President Joe Biden made quite a statement on Memorial Day last year. One that should ring true across partisan divides.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Community Playschool, Inc is grateful to Harvey County United Way for being chosen as the recipient of the Susan Randall Bradrick Memorial Fund this year. Susan was a very dedicated United Way supporter and her family has chosen to continue this spirit of community support through this named memorial gift. We accept it with our sincere thanks and with the commitment that it will be used to maintain our goal to provide a preschool experience for those children and families in this community who need it most. Community Playschool has been serving families in the Newton area for 57 years. Countless volunteer teachers and helpers along with monetary support from five area churches, grant funding and individual donors have allowed us to continue to provide these services at a minimal cost to the families.
The great struggle over the lesser prairie-chicken
If you want to know what ruffles the feathers of an intrusive federal government, meet the humble lesser prairie-chicken. There’s been great debate in Washington about this bird, which finds its home more than 1,000 miles from the D.C.
LETTERS TO
Addressing the EMS shortage There is a shortage of fire and EMS volunteers in Kansas, and in Harvey County, including Newton, Halstead, Hesston, Burrton and Sedgwick. My suggestion to relieve the shortage of volunteers is to start recruiting high school students as fire and EMS volunteers.
Securing agriculture
The official dedication and ribbon cutting for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan this week is very welcome news. It also makes me feel old since the process to get here has taken nearly the entirety of my adult life.