WASHINGTON (AP) — Roughly 50,000 to 60,000 civilian jobs will be cut in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-defense">the Defense Department</a>, but fewer than 21,000 workers who took a voluntary resignation plan are leaving in the coming months, a senior defense official told reporters Tuesday.

To reach the goal of a 5% to 8% cut in a civilian workforce of more than 900,000, the official said, the Pentagon aims to slash about 6,000 positions a month by simply not replacing workers who routinely leave.

A key concern is that service members may then be tapped to fill those civilian jobs left empty by the hiring freeze. But the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide personnel details, said Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;wants to ensure the cuts don't hurt military readiness.

The cuts are part of the broader effort by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-doge-b21b74f56f30012a6450a629e7232a1a">billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;'s Department of Government Efficiency Service to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dams-fired-workers-electric-flood-control-irrigation-1369398af058b661d40ef6b68216c775">slash the federal workforce</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-voice-of-america-cuts-3faf72e620dbc5f42e5508a2b9d8c8da">dismantle U.S. agencies</a>.

Acknowledging that “some” military veterans will be among the civilians let go, the official would not estimate how many but agreed it could be thousands.

The department is using three ways to accomplish the workforce cuts: voluntary resignations, firing probationary workers and cutting jobs as employees routinely leave. The official said the military services and Pentagon officials are going over the personnel on a case-by-case basis to ensure cuts don't affect critical national security jobs.

Officials would not say how many Defense Department civilians requested the voluntary resignation plan — also known as the “Fork in the Road” offer — but said more requested it than the number who eventually were approved.

The defense official said the “vast majority” were allowed but that in some cases, people were denied for national security reasons or to make sure that too many people in one office didn't all leave.

He added that Hegseth also has given the secretaries of the military branches and Defense Department personnel leaders the authority to grant exemptions to the hiring freeze.

An average of 70,000 civilians are hired each year, which amounts to about 6,000 a month, he said. Because the services have a good deal of latitude in determining which jobs should not be subject to the freeze, it's not clear what portion of those 70,000 would actually be eliminated.

Plans to cut probationary workers, which the Pentagon said targeted about 5,400 of the roughly 54,000 in the department, are already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mass-firings-federal-workers-trump-administration-7cc7320f469cc65529367aaea2fd9dcb">on hold due to court challenges</a>. Federal judges ordered the administration to rehire thousands, if not tens of thousands, of probationary workers that had been let go, finding legal problems with the way the mass terminations were carried out.

The official added that Hegseth is confident the staffing cuts can be done without negatively affecting military readiness. The Pentagon chief last month in Germany noted that he was planning to welcome DOGE to the Pentagon, adding that "there are waste, redundancies and headcounts in headquarters that need to be addressed.”

Across the government, about 75,000 federal workers are being let go through “deferred resignation program” buyouts. And at least 24,000 probationary employees were initially let go in the now-paused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">mass firings</a>&nbsp;across multiple agencies since Trump took office, according to lawsuits challenging the firings. The government has not confirmed that number.

The personnel reductions come as top Democrats on the House Judiciary and House Oversight committees have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-trump-musk-house-democrats-foia-6d0d66b73e002ef7e9d6a69c585266c1">filed a lengthy Freedom of Information Act request</a>&nbsp;questioning whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">the Trump administration’s DOGE Service</a>&nbsp;is operating “outside the bounds of federal law,” The Associated Press has learned.

In addition, President Donald Trump has ordered a large-scale reduction in force to cut jobs and reduce the overall size of the government. Defense officials could not provide any details on what that would do at the Pentagon or what proposed cuts are being discussed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Roughly 50,000 to 60,000 civilian jobs will be cut in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-defense">the Defense Department</a>, but fewer than 21,000 workers who took a voluntary resignation plan are leaving in the coming months, a senior defense official told reporters Tuesday.To reach the goal of a 5% to 8% cut in a civilian workforce of more than 900,000, the official said, the Pentagon aims to slash about 6,000 positions a month by simply not replacing workers who routinely leave.A key concern is that service members may then be tapped to fill those civilian jobs left empty by the hiring freeze. But the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide personnel details, said Defense Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;wants to ensure the cuts don't hurt military readiness.The cuts are part of the broader effort by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-doge-b21b74f56f30012a6450a629e7232a1a">billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;'s Department of Government Efficiency Service to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dams-fired-workers-electric-flood-control-irrigation-1369398af058b661d40ef6b68216c775">slash the federal workforce</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-voice-of-america-cuts-3faf72e620dbc5f42e5508a2b9d8c8da">dismantle U.S. agencies</a>.Acknowledging that “some” military veterans will be among the civilians let go, the official would not estimate how many but agreed it could be thousands.The department is using three ways to accomplish the workforce cuts: voluntary resignations, firing probationary workers and cutting jobs as employees routinely leave. The official said the military services and Pentagon officials are going over the personnel on a case-by-case basis to ensure cuts don't affect critical national security jobs.Officials would not say how many Defense Department civilians requested the voluntary resignation plan — also known as the “Fork in the Road” offer — but said more requested it than the number who eventually were approved.The defense official said the “vast majority” were allowed but that in some cases, people were denied for national security reasons or to make sure that too many people in one office didn't all leave.He added that Hegseth also has given the secretaries of the military branches and Defense Department personnel leaders the authority to grant exemptions to the hiring freeze.An average of 70,000 civilians are hired each year, which amounts to about 6,000 a month, he said. Because the services have a good deal of latitude in determining which jobs should not be subject to the freeze, it's not clear what portion of those 70,000 would actually be eliminated.Plans to cut probationary workers, which the Pentagon said targeted about 5,400 of the roughly 54,000 in the department, are already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mass-firings-federal-workers-trump-administration-7cc7320f469cc65529367aaea2fd9dcb">on hold due to court challenges</a>. Federal judges ordered the administration to rehire thousands, if not tens of thousands, of probationary workers that had been let go, finding legal problems with the way the mass terminations were carried out.The official added that Hegseth is confident the staffing cuts can be done without negatively affecting military readiness. The Pentagon chief last month in Germany noted that he was planning to welcome DOGE to the Pentagon, adding that "there are waste, redundancies and headcounts in headquarters that need to be addressed.”Across the government, about 75,000 federal workers are being let go through “deferred resignation program” buyouts. And at least 24,000 probationary employees were initially let go in the now-paused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">mass firings</a>&nbsp;across multiple agencies since Trump took office, according to lawsuits challenging the firings. The government has not confirmed that number.The personnel reductions come as top Democrats on the House Judiciary and House Oversight committees have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-trump-musk-house-democrats-foia-6d0d66b73e002ef7e9d6a69c585266c1">filed a lengthy Freedom of Information Act request</a>&nbsp;questioning whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-government-trump-executive-order-1a2fb7235b9d6f178c764cf6c78d3317">the Trump administration’s DOGE Service</a>&nbsp;is operating “outside the bounds of federal law,” The Associated Press has learned.In addition, President Donald Trump has ordered a large-scale reduction in force to cut jobs and reduce the overall size of the government. Defense officials could not provide any details on what that would do at the Pentagon or what proposed cuts are being discussed.___

Pentagon cutting up to 60,000 civilian jobs; a third took voluntary resignations

WASHINGTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Tuesday in Washington County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 International semi driven by Thad E&nbsp;Boman, 56, Hubbell, Nebraska, was eastbound on 27th Avenue and traveled partially into the north ditch. The driver attempted&nbsp; to bring the vehicle back onto the roadway. The semi rolled and came to rest partially in the roadway and in the north ditch.

EMS transported&nbsp;Boman to the Hanover Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

WASHINGTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Tuesday in Washington County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 International semi driven by Thad E&nbsp;Boman, 56, Hubbell, Nebraska, was eastbound on 27th Avenue and traveled partially into the north ditch. The driver attempted&nbsp; to bring the vehicle back onto the roadway. The semi rolled and came to rest partially in the roadway and in the north ditch.EMS transported&nbsp;Boman to the Hanover Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Driver hospitalized after semi rolls

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM CDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph.

* WHERE...Clay, Ottawa, Nemaha, and Riley Counties.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing snow may cause brief whiteout conditions.

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM CDT WEDNESDAY...* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph.* WHERE...Clay, Ottawa, Nemaha, and Riley Counties.* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing snow may cause brief whiteout conditions.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Winter Weather Advisory for parts of Riley County on Wednesday

Two temporary poles were placed late last week and new temporary signals were strung Friday at the intersection of Marlatt Avenue and Tuttle Creek Boulevard/U.S. 24. The signals were activated at 9:30 a.m. Monday and the intersection is back in regular working order.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742309772566.jpeg" alt="New signals&nbsp; at the intersection of&nbsp;&nbsp;Marlatt Avenue and Tuttle Creek Boulevard/U.S. 24. (Photo courtesy of&nbsp; City of Manhattan -Municipal Government Facebook Page).&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>New signals&nbsp; at the intersection of&nbsp;&nbsp;Marlatt Avenue and Tuttle Creek Boulevard/U.S. 24. (Photo courtesy of&nbsp; City of Manhattan -Municipal Government Facebook Page).&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Manhattan City Release--Two temporary poles were placed late last week and new temporary signals were strung Friday at the intersection of Marlatt Avenue and Tuttle Creek Boulevard/U.S. 24. The signals were activated at 9:30 a.m. Monday and the intersection is back in regular working order.

New traffic signals installed at Intersection of Marlatt Avenue and Tuttle Creek Boulevard/U.S. 24

In preparation of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, City staff will host a public meeting to gather community feedback related to the Community Development Block Grant. This meeting will be Thursday, March 20 at the Manhattan Public Library. It will be from 9 AM-4 PM for anyone to come and share.

Manhattan City Release--In preparation of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, City staff will host a public meeting to gather community feedback related to the Community Development Block Grant. This meeting will be Thursday, March 20 at the Manhattan Public Library. It will be from 9 AM-4 PM for anyone to come and share.

City Staff to host a public meeting on Community Development Block Grant

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
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Riley County Arrest Report March 15-18

&nbsp;Emergency Management announced there is extreme fire danger today, causing another Red Flag Warning. The warning is in effect from 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.&nbsp;

Dry air and gusty are expected to cause the dangerous fire weather.&nbsp;

Winds from the the S/SW at 15-25 mph, gusting up to 45 mph.

&nbsp;Emergency Management announced there is extreme fire danger today, causing another Red Flag Warning. The warning is in effect from 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.&nbsp;Dry air and gusty are expected to cause the dangerous fire weather.&nbsp;Winds from the the S/SW at 15-25 mph, gusting up to 45 mph.No outdoor burning is allowed

Red Flag Warning in Effect, No outdoor burning

GEARY COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the woman trapped in her car overnight after a crash that occurred just after 11:30p.m. Sunday on Interstate 70 in Geary County.

According to the Patrol, a 2023 Ford Edge driven by Rhonda L. Moore, 65, Wise, Virginia, was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of Humboldt Creek Road.

The SUV traveled off the road into the north ditch and rolled onto on its top.&nbsp; A passing motorist finally saw the SUV just before 8a.m. Monday and called for help. EMS transported Moore to Stormont Vail for treatment of serious injuries. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a single-vehicle crash that critically injured a woman in Geary County.

Early Monday, a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper responded to the serious rollover crash on Interstate 70, where the driver had been trapped in her wrecked vehicle overnight—injured, alone, and waiting for help, according to a social media report from the patrol.

The KHP is working to determine exactly when the crash occurred.&nbsp; First responders were notified just after 8a.m. Monday.

"Geary County first responders were first on the scene, quickly working to assess the situation, provide medical care, and begin the initial response."

"As daylight broke, the wreckage finally became visible to a passing motorist, who made the call that set everything into motion. With EMS, fire crews, and KHP working together, Life Star was called in to airlift the woman to a hospital."

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742224877114.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the woman trapped in her car overnight after a crash that occurred just after 11:30p.m. Sunday on Interstate 70 in Geary County.According to the Patrol, a 2023 Ford Edge driven by Rhonda L. Moore, 65, Wise, Virginia, was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of Humboldt Creek Road.The SUV traveled off the road into the north ditch and rolled onto on its top.&nbsp; A passing motorist finally saw the SUV just before 8a.m. Monday and called for help. EMS transported Moore to Stormont Vail for treatment of serious injuries. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.--------GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a single-vehicle crash that critically injured a woman in Geary County.Early Monday, a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper responded to the serious rollover crash on Interstate 70, where the driver had been trapped in her wrecked vehicle overnight—injured, alone, and waiting for help, according to a social media report from the patrol.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742224855150.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>The KHP is working to determine exactly when the crash occurred.&nbsp; First responders were notified just after 8a.m. Monday."Geary County first responders were first on the scene, quickly working to assess the situation, provide medical care, and begin the initial response.""As daylight broke, the wreckage finally became visible to a passing motorist, who made the call that set everything into motion. With EMS, fire crews, and KHP working together, Life Star was called in to airlift the woman to a hospital."Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

KHP IDs woman trapped in SUV overnight after crash on I-70

The National Weather Service in Topeka said an upper level storm system and strong cold front will bring a chance for accumulating snow and rain mixing with snow on Wednesday.&nbsp; 

A winter storm watch is in effect for portions of north central KS on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service in Topeka said an upper level storm system and strong cold front will bring a chance for accumulating snow and rain mixing with snow on Wednesday.&nbsp; A winter storm watch is in effect for portions of north central KS on Wednesday.

Rain and Snow chances are possible on Wednesday

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for allege violent sex crimes. According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, officer arrested 30-year-old Ricky Dunklin of St George on a warrant on requested charges of&nbsp; Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Aggravated Kidnapping and Aggravated Domestic Battery. 

Dunklin was also arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant. The original charge was Aggravated Domestic Battery.&nbsp; Dunklin remains jailed, according to the RCPD.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for allege violent sex crimes. According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, officer arrested 30-year-old Ricky Dunklin of St George on a warrant on requested charges of&nbsp; Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Aggravated Kidnapping and Aggravated Domestic Battery. Dunklin was also arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant. The original charge was Aggravated Domestic Battery.&nbsp; Dunklin remains jailed, according to the RCPD.

RCPD: Suspect jailed for alleged sex crimes

No burning today (3/17/25)&nbsp; and looks to continue for the rest of the week.  

Red Flag Warning along with extreme Fire Danger and Fire Weather Watch

For the Red Flag Warning, from noon today to 8 PM CDT  this evening. 

For the Fire Weather Watch, from Tuesday morning  through Tuesday evening.

 WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent.

 IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

No burning today (3/17/25)&nbsp; and looks to continue for the rest of the week. Red Flag Warning along with extreme Fire Danger and Fire Weather WatchFor the Red Flag Warning, from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent. TEMPERATURES...Up to 84. IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Red Flag Warning in Effect Today, with Fire Weather Watch for Tuesday

A Plan Can Help Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Fuel Growth

A strategic plan serves as a clear roadmap, helping businesses set measurable goals, anticipate challenges and stay focused on long-term growth

Successful strategic planning requires stepping outside daily operations to align vision with actionable steps, supported by realistic and well-researched objectives.

Tailoring a strategic plan to your company’s lifecycle ensures relevance and clarity, providing a practical framework for achieving your goals.

It’s best practice for all businesses to have a strategic plan, from self-employed professionals to Fortune 500 Companies. Strategic plans provide vision, direction, focus and help business owners align their goals with actionable steps. Without a strategic plan, businesses risk drifting without clear priorities, leading to missed opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Additionally, strategic plans help businesses anticipate potential challenges and respond to competition in a proactive manner. By setting clear objectives and identifying competitive advantages (and disadvantages), the business can develop strategies to differentiate themselves from competitors and stand out in the market.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The business owners and executives we’ve seen successfully develop and execute strategic plans were the ones willing to step outside of the normal “day-to-day” and dedicate the time to working on their company. The investment made in designing the plan, executing the plan and being held accountable to the plan, were just as, if not more important, than the actual plan itself.&nbsp;

How Does a Strategic Plan Work?&nbsp;

Simply put, a strategic plan is a roadmap to get you from Point A and Point B. We like to think of a strategic plan as if we were planning on a cross-country road trip. Before getting on the road, wouldn’t you want to take a look at a map? Of course. Yet it’s surprising how many companies attempt “to drive from LA to New York” without a map.&nbsp;

The first thing to consider is what kind of trip you want to have. Is the goal to take the fastest, most direct route? Is the goal to meander and stop to catch a show in Vegas or hike in the Rockies? Or is the goal to drive to Kansas City as fast as possible, but stay with family for a few days?&nbsp;

In other words, setting goals and objectives is the heart of a strategic plan.

In the business world, it looks like this:&nbsp;

ABC Company is making $5 million in revenue and has EBITDA of $1 million. It has 25 employees and sells products into three customer groups. Its owner’s top goal is to grow. But growth is an amorphous goal until you quantify it with some numbers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Industry research – an essential aspect of strategic planning – shows other companies in ABC’s industry have typically achieved growth of 2x to 3x revenues over the past five years. But ABC’s owner wants to achieve growth of 5x revenues and add two more customer groups over the next five years.&nbsp;

A key characteristic of a good strategic plan is the probability of success i.e. realistic. The ABC owner’s goal is aggressive, but is it realistic? A market analysis shows the owner’s goal may be realistic if ABC can acquire a competitor company in addition to achieving organic growth, and if the economy and interest rates are favorable. But those are big “ifs,” and ABC would have to be extraordinarily disciplined to adhere to the strategic plan’s roadmap.&nbsp;

Quantitative &amp; Qualitative&nbsp;

Building a strategic plan requires both quantitative and qualitative thinking. Your goal may be quantitative – say you want your company to grow from $10 million in revenues to $15 million over the next three years before going out to market. That’s quantitative. You have quantified a goal.&nbsp;

But a market analysis may show that the best-in-class companies in your sector (e.g. manufacturing industry) are selling products at gross margins of 40% to 50%. Yet your company is selling products at a gross margin of 30%. It is also a quantitative thought: 30% vs 40%-50%. But it is also a qualitative thought: why? Why are your company’s products selling at a lower gross margin than your competition? Are they buying raw materials cheaper? Does your workforce lack certain skills and training to manufacture complex, more profitable products? Do you need to invest in better equipment in an attempt to improve production efficiency? The numbers point to a qualitative question, and you need to look at what’s behind your gross margin and figure out how to improve it before you go to market.&nbsp;

In essence, math can be easy. The numbers speak for themselves. But it’s the qualitative factors behind the numbers that reveal the challenges that will define much of a company’s strategic plan.&nbsp;

An effective strategic plan should mirror where a company is in its business lifecycle. If your company is a startup, the strategic plan will look different than the plan for a mature business. For a startup, the goal may not be to become profitable within a year, but rather obtain additional rounds of funding, prove its concept and identify a growth track.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Compare this plan to a company that is mature, profitable and has shareholders. They may not be looking for additional investments. But say the company has had a great year and has grabbed the attention of several private equity groups for a future acquisition. Its strategic plan might be one built around selling the company in two or three years and cashing out. What was once a mature company has now prepared a strategic plan around exit planning.&nbsp;

No matter where a company is in its business lifecycle, the process of building a strategic plan is the same: you have a starting point, which is where you are today. You envision an end point. Your strategic plan is the roadmap that gets you from the starting point to the end point.

Characteristics of a Good Strategic Plan&nbsp;

A good strategic plan rests on three important characteristics:&nbsp;

Clarity:&nbsp;Even if someone doesn’t agree with your plan, can they read it and understand it? Does it make sense? If a business owner hears from key stakeholders that the strategic plan doesn’t make sense or can’t hit its goals, such criticism should be taken seriously.

Relevance:&nbsp;Does the plan support the owner’s goal? A strategic plan should tie back to specific goals and timelines. If analysis and financial projections show the strategies and objectives in the plan, such as acquisitions or expansions of product lines, won’t be enough to help the company reach its goals, where does the problem lie? Are the strategies out of kilter or are the goals unrealistic?

Reality:&nbsp;Perhaps the most important characteristic is whether the plan is realistic. You should be able to map goals, objectives, milestones and outcomes to the plan in a way that makes sense. If a company is valued at $8 million and its owner’s goal is to sell for $10 million, and industry projections support that growth, that’s a realistic goal. But if they’re valued at $8 million and they want to sell for $20 million within two years, that’s an unrealistic goal.&nbsp;

Who is Involved in Building a Strategic Plan?&nbsp;

Ultimately, a strategic plan will impact nearly everyone in a company. It needs to be finalized and approved by key stakeholders, including top management, investors and perhaps the company’s attorney and accountant.&nbsp;

But the team that actually puts together the plan should be selected based on their skills and the relevance of their roles to the content of the plan. For instance, if the plan calls for a reorganization of the ownership group, an attorney will need to be involved, and most likely a tax advisor, as well.&nbsp;

Some companies have the internal talent and skills to put together a comprehensive strategic plan. Others don’t and need to reach outside for expertise. Depending on the key goals and strategies laid out in the plan, input from an attorney, an accountant, a banker, a wealth advisor or a business consultant may be advantageous.&nbsp;

In the end, your strategic plan needs to be short, sweet and to the point. But it needs to be supported by a lot of work behind it. When you understand where you are today and where you want to get to, that will dictate your scope and the professional team that will help build your strategic plan.&nbsp;

If you would like to take the first steps toward creating a comprehensive strategic plan for your company,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamsbrowncpa.com/contact/">contact an Adams Brown advisor</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741211435367.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A Plan Can Help Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Fuel GrowthKey Takeaways:A strategic plan serves as a clear roadmap, helping businesses set measurable goals, anticipate challenges and stay focused on long-term growthSuccessful strategic planning requires stepping outside daily operations to align vision with actionable steps, supported by realistic and well-researched objectives.Tailoring a strategic plan to your company’s lifecycle ensures relevance and clarity, providing a practical framework for achieving your goals.It’s best practice for all businesses to have a strategic plan, from self-employed professionals to Fortune 500 Companies. Strategic plans provide vision, direction, focus and help business owners align their goals with actionable steps. Without a strategic plan, businesses risk drifting without clear priorities, leading to missed opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, strategic plans help businesses anticipate potential challenges and respond to competition in a proactive manner. By setting clear objectives and identifying competitive advantages (and disadvantages), the business can develop strategies to differentiate themselves from competitors and stand out in the market.&nbsp;&nbsp;The business owners and executives we’ve seen successfully develop and execute strategic plans were the ones willing to step outside of the normal “day-to-day” and dedicate the time to working on their company. The investment made in designing the plan, executing the plan and being held accountable to the plan, were just as, if not more important, than the actual plan itself.&nbsp;How Does a Strategic Plan Work?&nbsp;Simply put, a strategic plan is a roadmap to get you from Point A and Point B. We like to think of a strategic plan as if we were planning on a cross-country road trip. Before getting on the road, wouldn’t you want to take a look at a map? Of course. Yet it’s surprising how many companies attempt “to drive from LA to New York” without a map.&nbsp;The first thing to consider is what kind of trip you want to have. Is the goal to take the fastest, most direct route? Is the goal to meander and stop to catch a show in Vegas or hike in the Rockies? Or is the goal to drive to Kansas City as fast as possible, but stay with family for a few days?&nbsp;In other words, setting goals and objectives is the heart of a strategic plan.In the business world, it looks like this:&nbsp;ABC Company is making $5 million in revenue and has EBITDA of $1 million. It has 25 employees and sells products into three customer groups. Its owner’s top goal is to grow. But growth is an amorphous goal until you quantify it with some numbers.&nbsp;&nbsp;Industry research – an essential aspect of strategic planning – shows other companies in ABC’s industry have typically achieved growth of 2x to 3x revenues over the past five years. But ABC’s owner wants to achieve growth of 5x revenues and add two more customer groups over the next five years.&nbsp;A key characteristic of a good strategic plan is the probability of success i.e. realistic. The ABC owner’s goal is aggressive, but is it realistic? A market analysis shows the owner’s goal may be realistic if ABC can acquire a competitor company in addition to achieving organic growth, and if the economy and interest rates are favorable. But those are big “ifs,” and ABC would have to be extraordinarily disciplined to adhere to the strategic plan’s roadmap.&nbsp;Quantitative &amp; Qualitative&nbsp;Building a strategic plan requires both quantitative and qualitative thinking. Your goal may be quantitative – say you want your company to grow from $10 million in revenues to $15 million over the next three years before going out to market. That’s quantitative. You have quantified a goal.&nbsp;But a market analysis may show that the best-in-class companies in your sector (e.g. manufacturing industry) are selling products at gross margins of 40% to 50%. Yet your company is selling products at a gross margin of 30%. It is also a quantitative thought: 30% vs 40%-50%. But it is also a qualitative thought: why? Why are your company’s products selling at a lower gross margin than your competition? Are they buying raw materials cheaper? Does your workforce lack certain skills and training to manufacture complex, more profitable products? Do you need to invest in better equipment in an attempt to improve production efficiency? The numbers point to a qualitative question, and you need to look at what’s behind your gross margin and figure out how to improve it before you go to market.&nbsp;In essence, math can be easy. The numbers speak for themselves. But it’s the qualitative factors behind the numbers that reveal the challenges that will define much of a company’s strategic plan.&nbsp;Business Lifecycle&nbsp;An effective strategic plan should mirror where a company is in its business lifecycle. If your company is a startup, the strategic plan will look different than the plan for a mature business. For a startup, the goal may not be to become profitable within a year, but rather obtain additional rounds of funding, prove its concept and identify a growth track.&nbsp;&nbsp;Compare this plan to a company that is mature, profitable and has shareholders. They may not be looking for additional investments. But say the company has had a great year and has grabbed the attention of several private equity groups for a future acquisition. Its strategic plan might be one built around selling the company in two or three years and cashing out. What was once a mature company has now prepared a strategic plan around exit planning.&nbsp;No matter where a company is in its business lifecycle, the process of building a strategic plan is the same: you have a starting point, which is where you are today. You envision an end point. Your strategic plan is the roadmap that gets you from the starting point to the end point.Characteristics of a Good Strategic Plan&nbsp;A good strategic plan rests on three important characteristics:&nbsp;Clarity:&nbsp;Even if someone doesn’t agree with your plan, can they read it and understand it? Does it make sense? If a business owner hears from key stakeholders that the strategic plan doesn’t make sense or can’t hit its goals, such criticism should be taken seriously. Relevance:&nbsp;Does the plan support the owner’s goal? A strategic plan should tie back to specific goals and timelines. If analysis and financial projections show the strategies and objectives in the plan, such as acquisitions or expansions of product lines, won’t be enough to help the company reach its goals, where does the problem lie? Are the strategies out of kilter or are the goals unrealistic? Reality:&nbsp;Perhaps the most important characteristic is whether the plan is realistic. You should be able to map goals, objectives, milestones and outcomes to the plan in a way that makes sense. If a company is valued at $8 million and its owner’s goal is to sell for $10 million, and industry projections support that growth, that’s a realistic goal. But if they’re valued at $8 million and they want to sell for $20 million within two years, that’s an unrealistic goal.&nbsp;Who is Involved in Building a Strategic Plan?&nbsp;Ultimately, a strategic plan will impact nearly everyone in a company. It needs to be finalized and approved by key stakeholders, including top management, investors and perhaps the company’s attorney and accountant.&nbsp;But the team that actually puts together the plan should be selected based on their skills and the relevance of their roles to the content of the plan. For instance, if the plan calls for a reorganization of the ownership group, an attorney will need to be involved, and most likely a tax advisor, as well.&nbsp;Some companies have the internal talent and skills to put together a comprehensive strategic plan. Others don’t and need to reach outside for expertise. Depending on the key goals and strategies laid out in the plan, input from an attorney, an accountant, a banker, a wealth advisor or a business consultant may be advantageous.&nbsp;In the end, your strategic plan needs to be short, sweet and to the point. But it needs to be supported by a lot of work behind it. When you understand where you are today and where you want to get to, that will dictate your scope and the professional team that will help build your strategic plan.&nbsp;If you would like to take the first steps toward creating a comprehensive strategic plan for your company,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamsbrowncpa.com/contact/">contact an Adams Brown advisor</a>.

I-70 Construction continues - Head-to-head Traffic Begins Monday in Junction City

PAT MELGARES &nbsp;K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;&nbsp;

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Nutrition, says Priscilla Brenes, is not just the food we eat.

Brenes, a K-State Research and Extension specialist in the Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health, adds that eating healthfully also includes&nbsp;who&nbsp;you’re eating it with.

“When we eat with somebody else, that’s a connection,” Brenes said. “We might prepare food for somebody else. There’s a connection there, too.”

March is National Nutrition Month, sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year’s theme is ‘Food Connects Us.’

“Think about this: If you’re eating in front of the television, what type of connection are you making there?” Brenes said. “By contrast, if I’m eating with family or friends, you may be talking about what you did during the day, or talking about your goals. Maybe you’re talking about things that you want to accomplish.”

“Connecting with other people can help you be more mindful about the foods that you’re eating and how much you’re eating.”

Brenes said that even preparing meals, particularly when children are involved, builds connections around food that become family memories.

“Family meals are a great way to share with your children, or to teach them how to set the table, or the ingredients in the food that they are putting on the table,” she said. “There’s a family connection that starts forming there and those memories can bring good emotions when we are grown up.”

She adds: “I remember eating with my parents every Sunday after going to church or going to an event and having a conversation about what we learned. And you know, after that, the kids were in charge of cleaning the table. We learned to wash the dishes and how to share the work with our siblings.”

This month, Brenes encourages families to plan activities that capitalize on the ways that food connects people.

“Try to eat more meals together with your family,” she said. “If you like to cook…maybe one person in your family can pick one recipe per week, and you can all try that recipe. Or if you’re at school – maybe as the teacher – you can ask students to bring their favorite fruit or vegetable to class and talk about it.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Information publishes guidelines to help Americans eat a variety of foods in proper proportions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.myplate.gov/">The campaign is called MyPlate</a>, which focuses on having one-half of the dinner plate being fruits and vegetables; one-fourth grains (preferably whole grains); and one-fourth protein.

More information about healthy eating also is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/fndh">K-State Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741970318903.png" alt="K-State Research and Extension " />
 <figcaption>K-State Research and Extension </figcaption>
 </figure>PAT MELGARES &nbsp;K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;&nbsp;MANHATTAN, Kan. – Nutrition, says Priscilla Brenes, is not just the food we eat.Brenes, a K-State Research and Extension specialist in the Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health, adds that eating healthfully also includes&nbsp;who&nbsp;you’re eating it with.“When we eat with somebody else, that’s a connection,” Brenes said. “We might prepare food for somebody else. There’s a connection there, too.”March is National Nutrition Month, sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year’s theme is ‘Food Connects Us.’“Think about this: If you’re eating in front of the television, what type of connection are you making there?” Brenes said. “By contrast, if I’m eating with family or friends, you may be talking about what you did during the day, or talking about your goals. Maybe you’re talking about things that you want to accomplish.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742089552247.png" alt="Family baking - KSU Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Family baking - KSU Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>“Connecting with other people can help you be more mindful about the foods that you’re eating and how much you’re eating.”Brenes said that even preparing meals, particularly when children are involved, builds connections around food that become family memories.“Family meals are a great way to share with your children, or to teach them how to set the table, or the ingredients in the food that they are putting on the table,” she said. “There’s a family connection that starts forming there and those memories can bring good emotions when we are grown up.”She adds: “I remember eating with my parents every Sunday after going to church or going to an event and having a conversation about what we learned. And you know, after that, the kids were in charge of cleaning the table. We learned to wash the dishes and how to share the work with our siblings.”This month, Brenes encourages families to plan activities that capitalize on the ways that food connects people.“Try to eat more meals together with your family,” she said. “If you like to cook…maybe one person in your family can pick one recipe per week, and you can all try that recipe. Or if you’re at school – maybe as the teacher – you can ask students to bring their favorite fruit or vegetable to class and talk about it.”The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Information publishes guidelines to help Americans eat a variety of foods in proper proportions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.myplate.gov/">The campaign is called MyPlate</a>, which focuses on having one-half of the dinner plate being fruits and vegetables; one-fourth grains (preferably whole grains); and one-fourth protein.More information about healthy eating also is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/fndh">K-State Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health</a>.

Food Connects Us: K-State nutrition expert touts value of eating with others

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/people/daniel-caudill">DANIEL CAUDILL</a> <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2025-03-11/could-kansas-eliminate-taxes-on-tips-it-might-depend-on-congress">Kansas News Service</a>

A bill in Kansas would eliminate state income taxes on tips for workers like food servers. But the idea’s fate in the state likely hinges on whether Congress acts.

WICHITA — It’s a busy Friday afternoon at The Monarch bar and restaurant in downtown Wichita, and food server Kelly Bonnell is right at home.

As she grabs a customer’s sandwich and fries from the kitchen, she greets people that come and go — all the while smiling and full of energy.

“I'm not sitting in a cubicle working on a computer. I'm impacting other people, and I'm having fun,” Bonnell said. “I genuinely enjoy it.”

Bonnell’s been serving for 10 years, first in Missouri and later in Wichita. She works at two restaurants in town and said she makes enough in tips to get her through school at Wichita State University.

But her first year in Kansas, Bonnell was hit by a tax surprise. Since the minimum wage for tipped workers in Kansas is lower than in Missouri, the taxes automatically taken out of her hourly wages at a previous job didn’t cover what she owed.

“And it was hard,” she said. “I did not have the expectation of needing this massive amount of money to pay that back.”

Bonnell is now setting aside part of her tips to cover taxes, but a bill in Kansas would potentially eliminate the need for that altogether. The bill would exempt up to $25,000 in a worker’s annual tips from state income tax.

The same idea has been floated by President Donald Trump’s administration at the federal level, but its fate in Congress is uncertain. That could ultimately decide whether the state does away with income taxes on tips, too.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson has said it’s a commonsense measure that won’t affect the state’s bottom line.

“If the federal government takes tax off tips, how crazy would it be for (them) to have to then maintain their tips and then pay Kansas tax on those?" Masterson said.

Republican Sen. Caryn Tyson chairs the Senate’s tax committee. She introduced the bill to cut taxes on tips.

“I support Kansans — hard-working Kansans keeping more of their own money,” she said. “The more they can keep in their pockets, the better off the state is.”

If federal lawmakers do move, Kansas lawmakers seem open to following their lead. But there are some people in Topeka who believe cutting taxes on tips is not enough.

Nathan Kessler is a tax policy adviser with Kansas Action for Children. He said the tax cut would only benefit a small portion of workers.

“If the goal is to put more money in the pockets of tipped workers there are much better ways to do that,” he said. “The most efficient would be to raise the minimum wage for those workers in Kansas.”

According to the Kansas Department of Labor, the average person waiting tables makes about $34,000&nbsp;<a href="https://klic.dol.ks.gov/admin/gsipub/htmlarea/uploads/2024%20Edition%20Statewide.xlsx" target="_blank">per year</a>. That means they often have limited tax liability in the first place.

It's also sort of an open secret that many workers don’t report their tips when it comes to taxable income, or only report some of the money. But others, like Kelly at the Monarch, are compelled to report tips as proof of income for getting an apartment or a loan.

Kansas Democrats did introduce a bill that would raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour. It would also raise the base rate for tipped workers from about $2 an hour to $7.50.

At this time, it doesn’t appear Republican leaders are going to let it advance. They argue many local restaurants could not afford a higher minimum wage.

But Democratic House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard said Republican leaders are playing political games by not considering an increase.

“The only people who are losing by them refusing to make this increase are Kansans,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall initially predicted Congress could pass a tax exemption on tips by June.

That could potentially delay action at the state level, as Kansas lawmakers are set to wrap up their session in April.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741965217520.png" alt="Kelly Bonnell, a server at The Monarch in downtown Wichita, grabs two plates of food to bring out to customers. She said the job helps her pay her way through college. Photo by Daniel Caudill/Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Kelly Bonnell, a server at The Monarch in downtown Wichita, grabs two plates of food to bring out to customers. She said the job helps her pay her way through college. Photo by Daniel Caudill/Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/people/daniel-caudill">DANIEL CAUDILL</a> <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2025-03-11/could-kansas-eliminate-taxes-on-tips-it-might-depend-on-congress">Kansas News Service</a><h2>A bill in Kansas would eliminate state income taxes on tips for workers like food servers. But the idea’s fate in the state likely hinges on whether Congress acts.</h2>WICHITA — It’s a busy Friday afternoon at The Monarch bar and restaurant in downtown Wichita, and food server Kelly Bonnell is right at home.As she grabs a customer’s sandwich and fries from the kitchen, she greets people that come and go — all the while smiling and full of energy.“I'm not sitting in a cubicle working on a computer. I'm impacting other people, and I'm having fun,” Bonnell said. “I genuinely enjoy it.”Bonnell’s been serving for 10 years, first in Missouri and later in Wichita. She works at two restaurants in town and said she makes enough in tips to get her through school at Wichita State University.But her first year in Kansas, Bonnell was hit by a tax surprise. Since the minimum wage for tipped workers in Kansas is lower than in Missouri, the taxes automatically taken out of her hourly wages at a previous job didn’t cover what she owed.<figure>
 <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/31f8a48/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2976x1984+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F82%2Fb8%2F9ccafd1946d4a68bb7c2592604f7%2Fthe-monarch.JPG" alt="Patrons dine at The Monarch in downtown Wichita. It's one of the many restaurants in which Bonnell has worked as a server. Photo by Daniel Caudill/Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Patrons dine at The Monarch in downtown Wichita. It's one of the many restaurants in which Bonnell has worked as a server. Photo by Daniel Caudill/Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>“And it was hard,” she said. “I did not have the expectation of needing this massive amount of money to pay that back.”Bonnell is now setting aside part of her tips to cover taxes, but a bill in Kansas would potentially eliminate the need for that altogether. The bill would exempt up to $25,000 in a worker’s annual tips from state income tax.The same idea has been floated by President Donald Trump’s administration at the federal level, but its fate in Congress is uncertain. That could ultimately decide whether the state does away with income taxes on tips, too.Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson has said it’s a commonsense measure that won’t affect the state’s bottom line.“If the federal government takes tax off tips, how crazy would it be for (them) to have to then maintain their tips and then pay Kansas tax on those?" Masterson said.Republican Sen. Caryn Tyson chairs the Senate’s tax committee. She introduced the bill to cut taxes on tips.“I support Kansans — hard-working Kansans keeping more of their own money,” she said. “The more they can keep in their pockets, the better off the state is.”If federal lawmakers do move, Kansas lawmakers seem open to following their lead. But there are some people in Topeka who believe cutting taxes on tips is not enough.Nathan Kessler is a tax policy adviser with Kansas Action for Children. He said the tax cut would only benefit a small portion of workers.“If the goal is to put more money in the pockets of tipped workers there are much better ways to do that,” he said. “The most efficient would be to raise the minimum wage for those workers in Kansas.”According to the Kansas Department of Labor, the average person waiting tables makes about $34,000&nbsp;<a href="https://klic.dol.ks.gov/admin/gsipub/htmlarea/uploads/2024%20Edition%20Statewide.xlsx" target="_blank">per year</a>. That means they often have limited tax liability in the first place.It's also sort of an open secret that many workers don’t report their tips when it comes to taxable income, or only report some of the money. But others, like Kelly at the Monarch, are compelled to report tips as proof of income for getting an apartment or a loan.Kansas Democrats did introduce a bill that would raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour. It would also raise the base rate for tipped workers from about $2 an hour to $7.50.At this time, it doesn’t appear Republican leaders are going to let it advance. They argue many local restaurants could not afford a higher minimum wage.But Democratic House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard said Republican leaders are playing political games by not considering an increase.“The only people who are losing by them refusing to make this increase are Kansans,” he said.U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall initially predicted Congress could pass a tax exemption on tips by June.That could potentially delay action at the state level, as Kansas lawmakers are set to wrap up their session in April.

Could Kansas eliminate taxes on tips? It might depend on Congress

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-house-bill-mandates-study-of-public-higher-education-mergers-efficiencies/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Kansas House committee is considering a bill that would create a 17-member blue-ribbon commission to study operations and priorities of public higher education institutions, including consolidation of state universities and community colleges or technical colleges.

The bill was introduced in early March by state Reps. Ken Rahjes, Agra, and Shannon Francis, Liberal, both Republicans who serve western Kansas districts. The legislation would enable House and Senate Republican leadership to appoint 11 members of the commission while Democrats in the Legislature would have two appointments. The governor, Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Association of Community Colleges and Kansas Association of Technical Colleges would have one appointment each.

The legislation would charge the commission with exploring the higher education structure and financing issues in addition to potential consolidation among 32 public educational institutions in Kansas.

Blake Flanders, president and chief executive officer of the state Board of Regents, said board members nearly 20 years ago explored opportunities for merging universities and colleges but that work was halted by the Legislature.

“The board’s lesson has been that if we are to reimagine our delivery system, we must have your strong partnership and support on the front end,” Flanders told the House Appropriations Committee. “If you have interest in incentivizing mergers or affiliations of institutions, the board will need strong legislative collaboration.”

Flanders said many of the proposed commission study topics&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/fisc_note_hb2402_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">outlined in House Bill 2402</a>&nbsp;would align with the state Board of Regents’ strategic planning initiative known as Building a Future. It emphasized the role of public colleges and universities in advancing educational opportunities for families, enhancing prosperity in the state and supporting interests of business, he said.

He said the study commission could have a positive influence on accessibility and affordability of higher education as well as streamlining the process of degree completion for students.

“We support efforts to strengthen our higher education system in Kansas,” Flanders said.

The Board of Regents is a higher education governing board with direct oversight of six state universities and a coordination role with the 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and one municipal university. The 26 institutions outside of the state universities have independent boards of trustees.

Heather Morgan, executive director of the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, said the organization supported formation of the blue-ribbon commission. She said House Republican leaders approached community colleges with the task force idea early in the 2025 legislative session.

She said the state’s community colleges had been working together for more than a year to identify operational efficiencies to reduce cost and promote student success.

“We look forward to sharing what we have learned, have implemented and believe could be beneficial to Kansas students,” Morgan said.

Under the bill, the commission would deliver to the Legislature a preliminary report in January 2026 and a final report in January 2027.

Those reports would explore goals and priorities of higher education, student accessibility and affordability issues, strengths and weaknesses of postsecondary educational institutions and strategies for enrollment and degree completion. In addition to governing structures and “consolidation of the state Board of Regents’ schools and community and technical colleges,” the reports would delve into “right-sizing and streamlining higher education with a student focus.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741966041138.jpeg" alt="The Kansas House's budget committee is exploring a bill that would create a blue-ribbon commission to engage in a two-year study of options for creating efficiencies in public higher education, including the potential of merging six state universities with 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and one municipal university. Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas House's budget committee is exploring a bill that would create a blue-ribbon commission to engage in a two-year study of options for creating efficiencies in public higher education, including the potential of merging six state universities with 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and one municipal university. Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-house-bill-mandates-study-of-public-higher-education-mergers-efficiencies/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Kansas House committee is considering a bill that would create a 17-member blue-ribbon commission to study operations and priorities of public higher education institutions, including consolidation of state universities and community colleges or technical colleges.The bill was introduced in early March by state Reps. Ken Rahjes, Agra, and Shannon Francis, Liberal, both Republicans who serve western Kansas districts. The legislation would enable House and Senate Republican leadership to appoint 11 members of the commission while Democrats in the Legislature would have two appointments. The governor, Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas Association of Community Colleges and Kansas Association of Technical Colleges would have one appointment each.The legislation would charge the commission with exploring the higher education structure and financing issues in addition to potential consolidation among 32 public educational institutions in Kansas.Blake Flanders, president and chief executive officer of the state Board of Regents, said board members nearly 20 years ago explored opportunities for merging universities and colleges but that work was halted by the Legislature.“The board’s lesson has been that if we are to reimagine our delivery system, we must have your strong partnership and support on the front end,” Flanders told the House Appropriations Committee. “If you have interest in incentivizing mergers or affiliations of institutions, the board will need strong legislative collaboration.”Flanders said many of the proposed commission study topics&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/fisc_note_hb2402_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">outlined in House Bill 2402</a>&nbsp;would align with the state Board of Regents’ strategic planning initiative known as Building a Future. It emphasized the role of public colleges and universities in advancing educational opportunities for families, enhancing prosperity in the state and supporting interests of business, he said.He said the study commission could have a positive influence on accessibility and affordability of higher education as well as streamlining the process of degree completion for students.“We support efforts to strengthen our higher education system in Kansas,” Flanders said.The Board of Regents is a higher education governing board with direct oversight of six state universities and a coordination role with the 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and one municipal university. The 26 institutions outside of the state universities have independent boards of trustees.Heather Morgan, executive director of the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, said the organization supported formation of the blue-ribbon commission. She said House Republican leaders approached community colleges with the task force idea early in the 2025 legislative session.She said the state’s community colleges had been working together for more than a year to identify operational efficiencies to reduce cost and promote student success.“We look forward to sharing what we have learned, have implemented and believe could be beneficial to Kansas students,” Morgan said.Under the bill, the commission would deliver to the Legislature a preliminary report in January 2026 and a final report in January 2027.Those reports would explore goals and priorities of higher education, student accessibility and affordability issues, strengths and weaknesses of postsecondary educational institutions and strategies for enrollment and degree completion. In addition to governing structures and “consolidation of the state Board of Regents’ schools and community and technical colleges,” the reports would delve into “right-sizing and streamlining higher education with a student focus.”

House bill mandates study of Kansas public higher education mergers, efficiencies

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating the theft of a vending machine in Manhattan.

Just before 9p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report of criminal deprivation of property from the Blue Hills Shopping Center in the 2300 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd., according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 32-year-old woman reported a suspect took a large gray vending machine she owned that was in a breezeway at the shopping center. Total estimated loss associated with this report is $11,221. The RCPD had no additional details.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating the theft of a vending machine in Manhattan.Just before 9p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report of criminal deprivation of property from the Blue Hills Shopping Center in the 2300 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd., according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 32-year-old woman reported a suspect took a large gray vending machine she owned that was in a breezeway at the shopping center. Total estimated loss associated with this report is $11,221. The RCPD had no additional details.

RCPD: Suspect took vending machine from shopping center

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741961097002.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report March 14

After more than a decade of innovation labs that have helped feed the world and improve global food systems in partnership with the U.S. federal government, Kansas State University will suspend the operation of its two current Feed the Future Innovation Labs on April 12.

Due to the recent federal transition, the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service issued stop-work orders in late January on various grant funded projects, which included Feed the Future Innovation Labs and other international projects at several land-grant universities across the U.S. Under these and other federal orders, related grant-funded research at these universities was paused, including at K-State. 

In late February, many stop-work orders became grant terminations, pausing or suspending various research on crop resilience and other projects. At K-State, students, scholars, post-doctoral fellows and some faculty connected to these projects are transitioning to other projects, and nine positions will be eliminated on April 12.

<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jul13/sorghum72513.html">Since K-State opened its first Feed the Future Innovation Lab in 2013</a>, the labs and their researchers have been key players in building on the university's 160-year tradition of innovative agriculture research and helping feed the world by improving global food systems and resiliency.

<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2022/07/agriculture-investment-in-international-research.html">In 2022, K-State researchers analyzed the economic impact of U.S. international agricultural research and development. </a>&nbsp;Every $1 invested in international research from 1978 to 2018 provided $8.52 in economic benefit back to the U.S.

"This work and these people are assets to the university, state and the agricultural industry," said Ernie Minton, Eldon Gideon dean of the College of Agriculture.

Agricultural research not only supports U.S. crop production and sustainability but also helps improve food security by understanding social, political and environmental factors related to food production. In turn, Kansans benefit from lower food costs, increased yields, higher farm incomes and better nutrition.

The affected research programs have benefitted Kansas and beyond by: 

• Developing wheat and sorghum crop varieties for changing growing conditions, such as drought, and new consumer bases. 

• Protecting local and global food systems — both plant and animal — from pests and diseases.

• Advancing food safety with improved post-harvest food storage practices. 

K-State has proudly hosted many international innovative agricultural research projects, including Feed the Future Innovation Labs. University researchers continue to collaborate with the federal government to provide scientific solutions and outcomes that impact not only Kansas but also communities around the globe.

K-State News ServiceAfter more than a decade of innovation labs that have helped feed the world and improve global food systems in partnership with the U.S. federal government, Kansas State University will suspend the operation of its two current Feed the Future Innovation Labs on April 12.Due to the recent federal transition, the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service issued stop-work orders in late January on various grant funded projects, which included Feed the Future Innovation Labs and other international projects at several land-grant universities across the U.S. Under these and other federal orders, related grant-funded research at these universities was paused, including at K-State. In late February, many stop-work orders became grant terminations, pausing or suspending various research on crop resilience and other projects. At K-State, students, scholars, post-doctoral fellows and some faculty connected to these projects are transitioning to other projects, and nine positions will be eliminated on April 12.<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jul13/sorghum72513.html">Since K-State opened its first Feed the Future Innovation Lab in 2013</a>, the labs and their researchers have been key players in building on the university's 160-year tradition of innovative agriculture research and helping feed the world by improving global food systems and resiliency.<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2022/07/agriculture-investment-in-international-research.html">In 2022, K-State researchers analyzed the economic impact of U.S. international agricultural research and development. </a>&nbsp;Every $1 invested in international research from 1978 to 2018 provided $8.52 in economic benefit back to the U.S."This work and these people are assets to the university, state and the agricultural industry," said Ernie Minton, Eldon Gideon dean of the College of Agriculture.Agricultural research not only supports U.S. crop production and sustainability but also helps improve food security by understanding social, political and environmental factors related to food production. In turn, Kansans benefit from lower food costs, increased yields, higher farm incomes and better nutrition.The affected research programs have benefitted Kansas and beyond by: • Developing wheat and sorghum crop varieties for changing growing conditions, such as drought, and new consumer bases. • Protecting local and global food systems — both plant and animal — from pests and diseases.• Advancing food safety with improved post-harvest food storage practices. K-State has proudly hosted many international innovative agricultural research projects, including Feed the Future Innovation Labs. University researchers continue to collaborate with the federal government to provide scientific solutions and outcomes that impact not only Kansas but also communities around the globe.

K-State to halt Feed the Future Innovation Labs, other international grant projects 

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement in Dickinson County are alerting the public to counterfeit cash.&nbsp;

On social media, the Chapman Police Department told business owners to "please be aware that we have been made aware of an unknown person or persons, passing counterfeit $20 bills within the county."

&nbsp;"As we gain more information about this, we will be sure to pass it along. "

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634726760722.png" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement in Dickinson County are alerting the public to counterfeit cash.&nbsp;On social media, the Chapman Police Department told business owners to "please be aware that we have been made aware of an unknown person or persons, passing counterfeit $20 bills within the county."&nbsp;"As we gain more information about this, we will be sure to pass it along. "

Police issue alert of counterfeit cash 

This&nbsp;year's Freedom Fest JC celebration in downtown Junction City is scheduled Wednesday July 2 through Sunday July 6. Freedom Fest Co-Chair Bob Story said the Coors Kickoff Party begins at 6 p.m. in the Heritage Park area with two Salina area rock bands, Sunset Sinners and Paramount.

Thursday evening is Patriotic Night with performances by the 1st Infantry Division Band and America's Soldiers: A Tribute to Toby Keith. There will also be motorcycle jumpers on Washington Street near the Park, 406 FMX High and Air Tour.

Friday July 4 the day begins with the Coors Freedom un at 7:30 a.m. followed by the Freedom Parade at 10 a.m. The Veterans Ceremony will be at noon with the Foam Zone and Kids Show at multiple times during the afternoon.The 406 FMX High jumpers will perform at 5:30, a tribute to Beatle Mania 64 at 6:30 followed by Animals, the number one tribute band to Maroon 5. Fireworks are planned for 10 p.m. and at 10:30 another performance by 406 FMX High Air Tour. KC. Helicopters will also be giving rides from a Washington Street location on both Friday and Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718130609487.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>This&nbsp;year's Freedom Fest JC celebration in downtown Junction City is scheduled Wednesday July 2 through Sunday July 6. Freedom Fest Co-Chair Bob Story said the Coors Kickoff Party begins at 6 p.m. in the Heritage Park area with two Salina area rock bands, Sunset Sinners and Paramount.Thursday evening is Patriotic Night with performances by the 1st Infantry Division Band and America's Soldiers: A Tribute to Toby Keith. There will also be motorcycle jumpers on Washington Street near the Park, 406 FMX High and Air Tour.Friday July 4 the day begins with the Coors Freedom un at 7:30 a.m. followed by the Freedom Parade at 10 a.m. The Veterans Ceremony will be at noon with the Foam Zone and Kids Show at multiple times during the afternoon.The 406 FMX High jumpers will perform at 5:30, a tribute to Beatle Mania 64 at 6:30 followed by Animals, the number one tribute band to Maroon 5. Fireworks are planned for 10 p.m. and at 10:30 another performance by 406 FMX High Air Tour. KC. Helicopters will also be giving rides from a Washington Street location on both Friday and Saturday.The Saturday schedule includes Freedom on Wheels at 11 a.m. in the 800 and 900 blocks of North Washington plus a Car Show in the 600 and 700 blocks of North Washington at 10 a.m. Kids Zone, Foam Zone and motorcycle jumpers continue on Saturday. Cassette 88 Band will perform at 6 p.m. and beginning at 7:30 p.m. there will be Just What I Needed, a Tribute to the Cars and Bob Jovi, a Tribute to Bon Jovi.Sunday will be Worship Day with a community service from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., followed by Foam Zone and Kid Show performances. Christian bands will perform at 5 and 6:30 p.m.All food vendors return from a year ago, interest is up from craft vendors and the Weee Entertainment Carnival will be in operation all five days. Concert stage and carnival setup will begin on Monday that week.<figure>
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